I was breathing heavily after wiping out the second horde of corrupted wolves, fighting alongside other adventurers.
Using Form One comes at a cost. It drains my mana but makes me feel lighter and stronger. I can blitz through enemies, but it leaves me exhausted.
I sighed. It's been two weeks since I first used this form, and I still haven't gotten the hang of it. My mana just isn't enough to maintain it for long. I don't even know where the ability came from. It felt like knowledge was pouring into my head mid-battle.
And yet, here I am, still fighting wolves. If I want to use this form properly—or even understand it—I need to do something that'll increase my mana capacity.
A masculine voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "That was impressive," he said, sounding more curious than suspicious.
I turned around. The man stood around six feet tall, broad-shouldered and muscular.
"Thank you, Halrig," I replied gratefully.
Halrig continued, "I don't really get how you do it, but your use of spells is fascinating. Keep it up, kid." A small smile tugged at his lips.
I nodded silently. Halrig is a respected and well-known figure in the Guild, so getting a compliment from him actually means something. Still, I'm far from where I want to be.
I walked away to start cutting the wolven fur. It sells for a nice price, and the money Lucan gave me won't last forever. Might as well make use of the opportunity.
But as I cut, something caught my eye. Near the stomach, where I'd sliced, there was a mark. It was circular, dark green, and inside the circle was an open book—barely fitting within the borders.
I furrowed my brows. These corrupted beasts have been appearing more and more lately—even within town. The first one I encountered was with Anna.
Since then, more have shown up. That's why I've been helping the Guild fend them off while they construct a barrier to protect Alos.
Alos. That's the town's name. I asked the receptionist what it meant, but she didn't know either.
I stared at the mark for a few more seconds before heading back into town.
As I walked, I noticed a man shouting and handing out flyers. Most people just passed him without a second glance.
"Everyone! The Princess is hosting a tournament!"
He kept repeating himself, but something about his persistence pulled me in. I approached him.
"Hello," I said. "I'd like one of those, please."
"Esteemed adventurer!" he declared, spreading his arms wide like he was about to hug me. He quickly recomposed himself and got serious again.
"The Princess is in need of help," he said, his voice suddenly filled with concern.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
He frowned, opening his mouth to speak—then closing it again. Instead, he held the flyer toward me.
"I'm dyslexic," I lied.
Lying isn't something I enjoy, but if I want more details, I had no other choice.
He stared at me for a moment, then sighed. Raising the flyer, he began to read:
"Due to the increased activity and corruption of beasts, Princess Aurora is in desperate need of protection." He paused. "A tournament will be hosted in 5 Lunas to find a capable knight."
I assumed Lunas meant months. Five days would be too soon, and five years too absurd.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested—but I'm not a knight.
"I'm sorry. I can't do it," I said politely.
He looked genuinely disappointed, which made me hesitate.
"Please. We barely have anyone," he pleaded, clutching the papers tightly.
I sighed. Guilt gnawed at me. I couldn't just say no—not when he looked that desperate.
"Fine, fine! I'll do it."
He lit up instantly. Thanking me, he pulled something from his pocket and handed it to me. "We'll notify you when to come to the Royal Capital. Please keep this with you."
It was a ring. What stood out was the gem embedded in it—it looked more like an artifact than a decoration.
If this Princess turns out to be awful, I can still refuse. Asking too many questions would raise suspicion, though.
If I win, that is.
I shook hands with the recruiter and made my way back to the inn before he could start shouting again.
He seemed like a genuinely good person who cared about the Princess. Yet… ever since I arrived in Alos, I haven't heard a single person mention the royal family.
Then it hit me—why couldn't they just ask Lucan to protect her? Why are they relying on random adventurers for such a critical role?
Too many questions. I won't look into it now, but it leaves me unsettled.
***
I sat in a carriage with four others, all of us silent, mentally preparing for battle.
Five other carriages followed, each carrying another group of adventurers.
The wheels rumbled noisily over the stone road beneath a cloudy sky. I tried to focus.
A few days ago, the Guild confirmed a report: a powerful corrupted was approaching Alos. Not just slimes or wolves—something far worse.
At first, the Guild doubted the report. Then they sent Halrig and his party to investigate.
Only Halrig returned.
Five of his comrades were wiped out.
I don't know the details, but I heard the beast killed them brutally. Tall, black, faceless. No eyes, no mouth—just emptiness.
What stood out was the glowing dark-green mark engraved on its stomach.
I gritted my teeth. That mark again.
The carriage came to a sudden stop. A voice called from outside:
"Be ready!"
I climbed out slowly, sword in hand. The man who had shouted was Alde—the one leading the mission. He wasn't as bulky as Halrig, but his spells made him dangerous. He was also a high-ranking Guild member.
Three others stood beside him—his party. One woman with short blonde hair and two other men.
Over time, I've learned the standard party roles: support, shield, and attacker. Shields and attackers do the damage, while support focuses on healing or boosting them.
Suddenly, a heavy aura fell upon us. The monster was close.
I gripped my sword tighter, eyes scanning the open battlefield. It was mostly flat, dotted with trees. Hills loomed in the distance. A good place for a fight.
"Incoming!" Alde shouted.
I drew my sword. My eyes darted around.
Then—before I could even react—it was behind me.
Even without a face, I could feel its killing intent. Its presence froze my body.
A heavy blow slammed into my back, hurling me forward. Pain exploded across my spine. If I hadn't reinforced myself with mana—a trick I'd learned recently—my back would've snapped.
Even with reinforcement, the pain was overwhelming.
I turned my head just enough to see it.
My breath hitched. My instincts screamed at me to run.
It was tall, pitch black, and utterly monstrous. That glowing dark green mark was right above its stomach. It held no weapons. This wasn't just another corrupted.
Before I could move, spells rained through the air.
Ice spears flew from one side. Fire arrows from the other.
Ash and smoke clouded the field.
When it cleared, the monster was still standing—unscathed. One arm now looked more like a blade.
I couldn't move.
Suddenly, someone lifted me—Halrig. He carried me wordlessly and laid me down near the healers.
I nodded to him in thanks, still gasping from pain.
A green glow warmed my back. The blonde woman from Alde's party was healing me. Her arms shimmered with a bright green light.
I could stand again.
"Thank you. I won't forget this," I said, bowing slightly.
"Hurry up. They're gonna need you," she replied, rushing off to tend to others.
I'll have to use Form One again. I may not sense it when it sneaks up—but if it's in front of me, I might have a chance.
I inhaled deeply and rushed back toward the battlefield.
And when I arrived—
I saw something I'd never forget.