In the heart of a small, quiet town, a modest building stood tucked away from the bustling streets. Inside, two figures sat across from one another at a low table, sipping tea as though the world outside didn’t exist.
The man, shrouded in a dark robe that covered most of his body, radiated an aura of quiet intensity. His golden eyes glinted from beneath his hood, strands of long crimson hair slipping free to frame his face.
Across from him, a woman lounged casually in a silver gown that shimmered beautifully. The fabric was almost transparent, leaving little to the imagination, though a delicate netting concealed enough to maintain some modesty.
Around them, the room was sparse, occupied only by a handful of patrons and a middle-aged waiter who quietly polished glasses behind the bar.
Five men sat at separate tables, each nursing beers and avoiding eye contact. A sixth man lay sprawled on the floor, his lifeless body surrounded by a pool of blood.
Even with a corpse in the same lovation, no one dared glance at the cloaked man, who had dispatched the sixth man with a troubling efficiency moments ago.
The dead man had approached the woman uninvited, his voice full of crude arrogance.
She had dismissed him with an air of annoyance, telling him to leave, but he had persisted, his tone turning threatening. Before he could act, the cloaked man had intervened, silencing him in seconds.
Now, the two continued their conversation as though nothing had happened, ignoring the others in the room entirely.
“You look annoyed,” the man observed, his golden eyes narrowing as he studied the woman.
The woman, her lips pursed, let out a soft huff. “I want a new beast for my collection,” she said, her voice tinged with frustration.
The man set his teacup down, rolling his eyes. “Narna, you already have twenty-four beasts. What more could you possibly want?”
She crossed her arms, her posture defiant. “It’s not fair! Most of my beasts are Grade Five, and I only have one measly Grade Four! How am I supposed to keep up?”
The man leaned back in his chair, his glare sharpening. “How many beast tamers do you know who can claim even half the number of beasts you have, regardless of rank?”
Narna pouted, clearly unsatisfied with the answer. She swirled her tea absentmindedly, her frustration evident.
The man sighed heavily and shook his head. “Fine,” he said at last. “I know of a place where you might find what you’re looking for.”
Her expression brightened instantly, her irritation forgotten. “Where?”
The man hesitated before answering, his tone dropping into a warning. “The Forest of Twin Disasters.”
The room seemed to freeze at his words. Though none of the patrons dared to speak, the shock on their faces was unmistakable. Even the waiter stopped polishing glasses, his hands trembling slightly.
Narna, however, was unfazed. In fact, she looked thrilled. She leapt to her feet, her silver gown shimmering in the dim light. “Let’s go!” she exclaimed, grabbing the man’s arm and pulling him up.
The man didn’t share her enthusiasm. He sighed, his golden eyes narrowing in irritation. “Do you have any idea how dangerous that place is? I only survived last time because someone had a teleportation scroll. No one can make it out of there alone.”
“All the more reason to go!” Narna said, undeterred. “You’re strong, and I’m ready for danger!”
The man muttered something under his breath but allowed her to pull him toward the door. “We’ll need a return scroll before we go. I only have one to get us there.”
“Then we’ll get one,” she said cheerfully, dragging him outside.
The remaining patrons exchanged uneasy glances but remained silent. They had heard of the Forest of Twin Disasters, a place infamous for its deadly mana beasts and treacherous terrain. The thought of entering such a place willingly was insanity, but none dared voice their opinions.
The magical items shop was modest but well-stocked, its shelves lined with scrolls, potions, and enchanted trinkets. Narna strode inside with an air of confidence, her silver gown catching the light as she approached the counter.
“We need a long-range random teleportation scroll,” she announced, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.
The shopkeeper hesitated, his eyes darting nervously between the woman and the cloaked man. Finally, he retrieved the requested item and handed it over.
Narna smiled brightly and turned to the man. “Let’s go!”
The man sighed again, clearly questioning his life choices, but followed her without complaint.
Enjoy more content from empire
~~~~~
Deep within the forest, Damien sat by a roaring fire, the glow illuminating his lean, muscular frame. His hair had grown longer, now falling just past his shoulders, and his build had matured significantly over the past months.
In his hand was a piece of roasted meat, freshly cooked from a Grade Four mana beast he had slain earlier that day. He took a bite, savoring the smoky flavor, and leaned back against a nearby tree. The forest around him was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind.
As he ate, Damien whispered to himself, “Happy seventeenth birthday… and to you too, Damon.”
The thought of his twin brother flickered briefly in his mind before he pushed it aside. His focus returned to his progress.
Months of relentless training and hunting in the forest had honed his skills to a razor’s edge. He had grown stronger, faster, and more resilient, and his summons had evolved alongside him.
Though he was only seventeen, his toned physique and hardened expression gave him the appearance of someone much older.
Unknown to him, however, his peaceful reign in the forest would soon be interrupted.
Far away, in a small town, a pair of adventurers prepared to venture into the Forest of Twin Disasters, their sights set on taming powerful mana beasts.
Their paths would cross soon enough, and the collision of their goals would set the stage for a new chapter in Damien’s journey. Or would it?
“I think it’s almost time.” Damien murmured lazily to himself.