Novel Bin Chapter 6: I’m Groot (2)
Chapter 6: I’m Groot (2)
United Academy.
As the name suggests, it is an academy established for the sake of unity. The heroes who saved the world from the crisis participated in the construction plans and teaching, creating the foundations for the academy.
Even though various educational institutions have been established in each country over time, there is no institution as outstanding as the United Academy.
However, even the best cannot defeat time, and the academy built for unity has gradually deteriorated. Due to the long-lasting peace, political factors began to emerge prominently, and as a result, competition became stronger than unity.
As the competitive mentality intensified, the atmosphere became somewhat stagnant, and in severe cases, conflicts between nations escalated. Fortunately, it seemed that it wasnt too late, and there were discussions not to let the academy become like that, but gradually such an atmosphere pervaded.
United Academy is a place where there are very few people who can truly be called friends. Due to the passage of time, the significance of the academys establishment has been diluted for a long time.
Nevertheless, United Academy still stands tall as the continents top educational institution. No one could deny this.
Of course, being an academy that has been around for a long time, there were both big and small issues. One of them being the dense forest nearby.
If it were an ordinary forest, it would have been suitable for research and educational purposes. However, it became a problem because they used the former heroes as the standard.
It means its dangerous. At the entrance of the forest, only relatively weak monsters appear, but once you go deep inside, everything changes completely.
Magic gets tangled up, and compasses stop working. Not to mention, powerful monsters frequently appear.
The academy was aware of this fact and installed dedicated compasses and landmarks to prevent accidents.
However, every year, students who entered the forest without knowing anything would go missing occasionally.
In such cases, the academy doesnt take responsibility. They issued warnings, and if someone went in, it was their own responsibility.
Furthermore, due to these characteristics, the academy designated the forest with a specific name.
Once you enter, you cant escape the forest called the Forest of Chaos.
If only I had brought a water mugwort with me
And bravely, there was a woman who set foot in this forest. She looked around with a troubled expression on her face.
With her neatly tied golden ponytail and shining blue eyes like jewels. Her face seemed somewhat blunt, but it carried innocence.
While her figure was generally slender, it wasnt without curves. She possessed the charm that a woman should have.Read lat𝙚st chapters at nov(𝒆)lbin.com Only
Lastly, in her right hand, she firmly held an ordinary-sized sword.
Unlike the sword, her attire was light as if she had just gone for a stroll, giving off a sense of ease.
Growl-
Ah.
Relentlessly wandering through the forest, a single wolf appeared in front of her.
A skinny and gaunt wolf, its ribs visible as if it had been driven away by the pack. It was a common sight in the forest.
Even when the wolf threatened her with its sharp teeth bared, the woman remained nonchalant, showing a hint of annoyance.
Roar!
The wolf, observing her carefully, swiftly pounced. The woman casually glanced at the wolf and slightly turned her body.
Naturally, the woman dodged the wolfs attack. However, she didnt just dodge.
Swish!
The sword moved smoothly, completely separating the wolfs waist.
The wolf with its upper and lower body separated was split in half before its feet touched the ground.
Crunch
As its waist split, its internal organs spilled out. Simultaneously, dark red blood began to ooze out. The woman glanced at the spectacle for a moment before continuing her steps. Her expression remained unchanged, indifferent.
The sword has gotten dirty.
Swoosh!
She roughly wiped off the bloodstained sword. She would have to clean it later when she found the desired herbs.
How many did Ellie manage to find?
Suddenly, she recalled the person who had entered this forest with her. They were both new students. Most of the necessary supplies were provided by the Academy, but additional items had to be purchased separately.
It meant they needed money.
Money wouldnt be a problem for nobles. But if you were a commoner, funds were somewhat limited. Especially herbs, they were ridiculously expensive, so it was much better to gather them yourself.
She had grown up in the countryside and was knowledgeable about herbs. Ellie also had some knowledge of herbology, which was why they had scattered, since she was a non-combatant, unlike herself.
I need to find a few before it gets dark.
She raised her head. Since they finished breakfast and entered the forest, they had plenty of time to spare.
However, the Forest of Chaos is famous for being a place where once you get lost, you can never find your way out. Of course, I have prepared sufficiently to prevent getting lost.
To enter the Forest of Chaos in the first place, permission from the Academy is required. Unauthorized entry results in penalties.
No one in their right mind would enter without permission.
Even she, who was sensitive to magic, couldnt control magic properly. She could have avoided getting blood on her sword the wolf from earlier otherwise.
As the name Forest of Chaos implies, it gives a feeling of magic twisting and intertwining. Therefore, magic was very difficult to control here.
Thankfully, it wasnt too deep in the forest, but it could be troublesome if a strong monster appeared.
Although I was worried about Ellie, who was a non-combatant and traveled alone, my body could at least protect itself.
Even if she was fragile enough that she couldnt kill a starving wolf, she could at least run away.
Just as she was moving her steps with peace of mind
[Roooaaar!]
A roar that made the forest tremble echoed in her ears. It was quite close.
She paused for a moment. The direction where the sound came from was deep within the Forest of Chaos.
It was the place where the Academy officials strictly forbade anyone from entering. But apparently, the warning alone was not enough as they had also given her supplies.
I wont go in. Why would I go in?
She turned around neatly. Judging from her roar, there was a high probability that it was a monster difficult for her to handle.
Its already challenging to control magic, so she didnt want to get involved and suffer consequences for no reason. Arrogance and courage are completely different.
[Aaaaahhh!]
Elli?
However, upon hearing the following scream, she couldnt help but widen my eyes. She was familiar with that voice. It belonged to Elli, the student who came into the forest with me.
She didnt know why Ellie had ventured deep into the forest, ignoring the warnings. She was just moving her two legs quickly, hoping it wasnt too late. She was someone she could call a friend in this desolate atmosphere of the academy.
Please. Please. Please.
She silently prayed. She could scold her later for going deep into the forest. She swiftly navigated through the dense forest of bushes and trees. Occasionally, she took out a special compass from her pocket to confirm the direction.
How much time had passed? Suddenly, she reached a place where the space widened. What came into view next was
Ahh. Ahh
A woman with wavy chestnut-colored hair was lying on the ground, trembling.
You scared me!
The gorilla monster, Manki, raised its massive arm and attempted to strike downward. It was over 5 meters tall, with a corresponding build. Its appearance was similar to an ogre, but the presence or absence of fur was the distinguishing feature.
Ah!
A woman who arrived late hastily reached out her hand. However, it was too late.
Manki swung its log-like iron fist downward. The woman beneath it would soon meet her demise.
In a situation where time seemed to slow down, there was nothing anyone could do.
They could only wait for the impending death right before their eyes. It was certain that it would happen.
Even the woman with brown hair closed her eyes tightly, accepting her fate.
Thud!
Kreuk?!
Huh?
Until the moment a man suddenly appeared and blocked the gigantic monkeys fist with his own arms.
Everyone was taken aback by the mans lightning-fast arrival. They couldnt even sense a hint of his presence.
Uh?
Meanwhile, the woman with closed eyes, prepared to meet death, slowly opened her eyes.
As she opened her eyes, lightly shining golden irises were revealed. In those golden eyes, the mans broad back was reflected like a mirror.
A man with arms as sturdy as logs effortlessly blocked the attacks. He was no prince charming that you would find in a fairy tale. The prince would never show up wearing only a loincloth that barely covers his lower body. Unless he was a pervert.
Boom!
In the meantime, the man exerted strength into the arm that had previously fended off the giant monkeys attack and pushed it away. Despite the overwhelming difference in size, the Mankis arm bounced off too easily.
As the Mankis arm was raised upward, the man swiftly maneuvered inside. He then firmly gripped the stone axe held in his left hand and swung it forcefully with both hands.
Not towards the broad chest but towards the thick legs.
Crack!
The crude stone axe struck precisely against the shinbone, accompanied by the sound of bones shattering into pieces. It ended with the bones breaking apart due to the impact of the axe, rather than a sword.
However, bones are essential for supporting the body. Since the bones were cleanly shattered, it was impossible to bear the weight of the enormous body.
Therefore, it was only natural for Mankis shinbone to bend in a direction where it couldnt be bent.
Snap!
Kraaahh!!
Amidst the excruciating pain of the bone being split in half, the monkey screamed as its shinbone bent at a 90-degree angle.
Unlike the roar just moments ago, it was a scream filled with agony. Nonetheless, in order to stay on his feet, it supported its body with his long arms.
However, that moment hastened Mankis end. The man who passed between Mankis legs targeted his back.
As if not giving him any time to resist, the man climbed up Mankis massive back.
And with a stone axe, he precisely struck the top of his head.
Thud!
The head is a vulnerable spot for all creatures, including humans. Manki was no exception.
As the mans stone axe pierced through the skull and crushed the brain, Mankis mouth gaped open, trembling.
Eventually, unable to make a proper counterattack, its massive body gradually collapsed.
Kwang!
Due to his massive size, the ground trembled slightly as it fell. It was the pitiful demise of Manki, who once reigned as a predator in a different territory.
Even though he had defeated a high-level monster, the man did not catch his breath. Instead, he gazed at Manki as if making sure he was truly dead.
Elli! Are you okay?
Uh, uh? Uh I-Im fine.
As the situation concluded, a yellow-haired female swordsman hurriedly approached Elli. Elli still seemed bewildered, unable to grasp the situation.
The female swordsman checked if Elli had any injuries and then let out a sigh of relief. She had almost lost a precious bond.
Elli, step back for a moment.
Uh, okay? Ah, got it.
However, they mustnt let our guard down yet. The female swordsman briefly pushed Ellie back and assumed a defensive stance. At that moment, the man who confirmed Mankis death also turned his back to them. The female swordsman carefully examined the man.
He had unkempt black hair that was so long it covered his eyes. A beard that reached his chest. Among them, what stood out was his scar-covered body contrasting with his snowy white skin. It was a body that seemed to have been meticulously carved by a craftsman, but there were too many scars, far too many.
There were scars from being scratched by nails, as well as scars from being bitten by beasts, burn marks, and bruises from being pressed down, and so on. He held a stone axe stained with brain matter and blood in his left hand, exuding an intimidating presence.
Moreover, even his attire barely covered his lower body, revealing wildness in its purest form.
A savage?
Suddenly, the thought of a savage among the students came to mind. A savage with grayish skin and red hair. However, that savage belonged to their own civilization in some way. They were not wild creatures like the man before their eyes.
Who on earth could this man be to be present here? This place is deep within the Forest of Chaos. Once you enter, unless you have special items, there is no way to escape.
Then, a survivor?
There is a possibility that among the missing individuals who went missing a long time ago, there could be one of them. However, it was still hard to feel relieved.
Not knowing whether the person in front of them, who seemed like a savage or a wild beast, would be friendly towards them or would strike them with an axe like the recently encountered Manki, the swordswomen couldnt help but wonder.
Who are you?
The man remained silent in response to the girls question. His bangs covered his eyes, making it impossible to read his expression.
In response, the girl stepped back hesitantly, preparing to draw her sword at any moment.
If that man were to pose any threat, she would have to react immediately.
I am Luna Estel. This person here is Elli. What is your name?
Once again, there was no response. This only heightened the sense of caution.
Just as the girl, who introduced herself as Luna Estel, was about to draw her sword, the man, who had kept his mouth shut like an old sage, finally spoke.
Shibal?
Shibal. It was a word she had never heard before in a language she had never encountered.
Shibar? Is that your name?
Shibal.
The same answer came again. It seemed like his name was Shibal.
However, it didnt take long for her to realize that it wasnt a name.
What were you doing here?
Shibal.
Um?
(TL: Shibal/Sibal () is a korean profanity meaning damn, fuck, etc. So Mc who went almost insane can only say Shibal now. LMAO)
The man responded with Shibal one after another, and Lunas expression became strange. Ellie, who was behind Luna, seemed similar.
That person He cant speak?
Ellies words behind Luna seemed to echo.
Shibal
The man replied. It had a sense of frustration as well.
*****
Shibal.
You son of a bitch.
Shibal.
Living alone has brought about a language disorder, damn it.
Shibal, shibal.
But why do I understand all those words over there?
Shibal
Its certain that God is dead.
[You have blasphemed against God! Faith is declining!]
Fuck it.