___ William Blackwood POV ___
Magic beasts were regarded as nature's blessed—they were the few among many creatures in this world to possess a magic core. But unlike humans who feed on mana, they fed on world energy.
World energy was said to be the purest form of energy that the planet produced, and mana, which humans proudly clung to, was just a byproduct of world energy.
It was said any being capable of harnessing the power of world energy could cast spells twice as strong and twice as fast. They could greatly improve their physical capabilities and attain the purest form of cultivation.
In essence, a common beast—said to be on par with an exalted earth realm master—would end up the victor should a fight occur. In fact, three exalted earth realm masters were needed to stand a chance.
However, nature was fair and balanced all things. While world energy granted incredible strength, it limited the user to an environment where their element thrived. Only in such places could they harness their full power and cultivate effectively.
But that wasn't all. Cultivation using world energy was pure and didn't require expensive cultivation materials. However, it was incredibly slow.
Vito was said to be a weak Wood Thrall in its younger days—a small humanoid wooden beast, which couldn't even compare to weak Ironback boars. These species were rare, endangered, and for a while, only found in the Blackwood forests.
But Vito was different. He had a magic core and could feel world energy. According to the family records, my great-grandfather met Vito three centuries ago. The beast was weak and feeble, but it had potential, so he took pity on it.
The Lord of the Blackwood family made an oath with Vito. It was agreed this part of the forest would be avoided, and anyone who trespassed could be killed by it. In exchange, Vito would protect Blackwood Thicket from stronger beasts and monsters that may try to invade the city through this path.
It took Vito nearly two and a half centuries to reach the realm of common beasts, while the lifespan of a human was stuck at a century. At best, they reached the Sky Realm, so such a cultivation style wasn't suitable for humans.
Fortunately, that meant little to me. As a man in his sixties, I had spent over forty years on the battlefield, and Vito was one of many magic beasts I had come across.
While he held the advantage in sheer power, I held the advantage element-wise.
"From the heart of the eternal blaze, I call forth the forge of war! Let embers carve their wrath upon steel, let the flames etch my will! By fire's decree, let my blade burn eternal—Hellbrand!" I chanted, my palm brushing against the surface of my weapon.
A familiar feeling returned as I felt [Tyrant]'s boundless hunger reawaken. It began absorbing the surrounding heat, turning red-hot before black fire runes appeared along its blade.
The runes pulsed with energy, releasing faint heat waves every second.
Fire Magic: Hellbrand!
"I am still William Blackwood, the man who broke the oath and approached you for the first time in two centuries. Have you forgotten our battle and how it ended in a draw?" I asked, hoping memory would change his decision—but nothing changed.
Rumble!
The earth trembled beneath my feet as Vito approached in slow, heavy strides. At nearly fifteen feet tall, even from a distance, I had to look up to meet his gaze. With just a few steps forward, Vito loomed over me like a tower and raised his arm.
Fire Breathing Technique…
I inhaled scorching flames, letting them spread across my body before exhaling gushing taps of smoke.
The Breathing Technique was devised by the four heroes of Knights of Legends, who mimicked the way magic beasts used magic. Vito, as a Wood Thrall, was basically a stick man half the size of an average man. During his cultivation, he allowed vines, stones, boulders, flowers, and more to become part of him.
He slowly grew into this fifteen-foot monster—and would still grow further if given more time to integrate with the entire Blackwood forest.
While humans couldn't replicate the same achievement, we could come close with the Breathing Technique. Instead of manifesting our power outward, we channeled it inward—supercharging our cells with elemental power.
SWOOSH!
Vito's arm came down like an axe. My figure blurred out of his vision as I slid into his blind spot—gliding along my shadow and circling the beast, stopping at Vito's exposed back.
Shadow Magic: Shadowless Flight!
I prepared to stab Vito's back—then stopped. Something felt off.
I stomped my right foot and spun with [Tyrant] in hand, splitting Mrs. Lotus's fox fire in two.
Vito's greatest weakness was his speed, and Mrs. Lotus knew it. She clearly had no intention of letting me take advantage of that.
"Then I'll kill you first!" I snarled, seeing the cruel smile on that wicked fox's lips.
Fire Breathing: Sky Wheel!
A thumb-sized sphere appeared like a magic circle, spiraling to life.
With a deafening buzz, I sped forward and covered the distance between us in seconds. For a moment, time slowed—and I noticed the spiky edge of vines tearing through the earth around Mrs. Lotus.
Judging by the distance and trajectory, the vines would reach me before my blade reached her.
Without hesitation, I changed my footwork and propelled myself to the right. Sure enough, moments later, numerous vines bombarded my previous position while I skidded back, putting space between the three of us.
My first attack attempt had ended in complete failure.
---
SWOOSH!
I dashed deeper into the forest, brandishing [Tyrant] and obliterating pursuing vines with fiery arcs.
More vines came from the left, but I quickly circled a tree on the right, using it as a shield.
Bam!
Suddenly, a wall of earth erupted beneath me, blocking my path. I had no choice but to keep going right—back to the clearing where the ugly couple stood.
Vito stood at the center while Mrs. Lotus sat on his shoulder, playing with the rose blooming on his head. Her taunting glares were tempting, but I couldn't afford to lose my cool—not against a magic beast so rooted to its terrain.
He was manipulating the terrain to keep me from going too far.
"Let me remind you how this went three decades ago!" I sneered.
HELLBRAND: Infernal Rift!
I switched to a reverse grip. A massive amber magic circle appeared at the tip of my blade, and I stabbed the ground ruthlessly.
Haaaaaaaaa!
As soon as my blade touched the ground, a magic circle expanded rapidly, spanning nearly four hundred meters in seconds. Then the fire came.
Buzz!
A deafening explosion erupted as a pillar of fire rose high above the trees—only for three seconds. As the flames subsided, I saw the frown on Vito's face. His once-green forest had turned into a fiery hell.
He was deeply, dangerously furious.
____ Meanwhile ____
[Derek's POV]
This was the first time I had gone this deep into the forest. I emerged from the edges into a massive grassland that seemed endless. To the left was a breathtaking waterfall in the distance.
As I walked further into the green land, the world ahead took shape. A valley connected by a wooden bridge.
"How is the Blackwood territory so massive?" I muttered, wondering how much further the forest stretched.
{This territory lies at the southern borders of the empire. What you see is the Greatwood, often called the Eternal Thicket. It's rumored that at the edge of this forest, an ancestral beast slumbers—ready to rain chaos on the world if awakened.} Lin tried to sound spooky, but I wasn't scared.
I couldn't be, even if I wanted to.
Still, I wasn't so stupid as to ignore Lin's words. He rarely offered information—even when asked—so everything he said was worth more than gold.
"If I were to explore this forest relying on my death magic, would I succeed?" I asked.
{With your current cultivation, you'd last a while. But some things are more spiritual than physical. Those things would take your life—and you wouldn't notice. The world is dangerous.} Lin answered after a pause.
I nodded—reasonable.
BOOOM!
A deafening explosion rang out as a breathtaking pillar of fire rose above the forest, painting the world amber.
"William," I frowned.
{He must've encountered the magic beast he warned you about,} Lin said, dismissive.
I clenched my fists.
"Will he win?" I asked.
{Unlikely. He has an advantage—it's a plant-type beast—but that only goes so far. Especially if the fox spirit has charmed the beast.} Lin speculated.
"Then why is the spirit of death not standing next to him?" I asked.
{Because he won't die. You'll save him… You have the power to.} Lin chuckled low.
I glanced around, wondering if he was talking to someone else.
"I know you're Death and all, but take it easy on the weed. What makes you think I'd risk my life to save that old man?" I asked, stern.
But Death kept chuckling.
Was there something on my face?
{Because you still need him to get revenge on the Ashford family. And because you're dying to see what your death magic can really do.} Lin hissed like a serpent.
For some reason, I felt excitement. The hole in my chest filled again. A twisted smile bloomed, and my eyes glowed with burning emerald.
"You have my attention." I unbuckled the grimoire from my belt and continued my journey.
The bridge was shaky, but firm, so I wasn't bothered. The explosions made it swing side to side—minor setbacks.
By the time I reached the other side, I could feel the heat roasting my flesh. Any further and I might pass out.
"This much of a difference?" I was shocked an old Earth Realm master could still hold such presence on the battlefield.
If a mere Baron was this terrifying, how much scarier were the higher-ranking nobles?