Slowly, the adventurer wiped the tears from his face.
He took a deep breath, then exhaled softly, trying to calm himself amid this overwhelming despair.
Twilight had passed, and night had taken over.
There was nothing left for him to do now but remain still, waiting for death to come.
His head hung low, his body aching and his wounded right arm limp. He leaned back against the tree.
His gaze was empty. The adventurer sat quietly, letting the darkness consume him.
Plop!
A faint sound came from above—something had fallen from the tree.
Whatever it was, the sound landed near him.
With weak effort, the adventurer lifted his head, trying to find the source of the noise.
His vision was still hazy, not yet adjusted to the forest at night.
But as his eyes began to adapt, he froze for a moment—stunned by the view.
The night… didn't seem as frightening as he had imagined.
Though the sun had vanished, the forest wasn't swallowed in pitch black.
Instead, a soft blue glow cloaked the trees, wrapping the woods in a gentle, magical calm.A cool breeze brushed against his skin, sending a faint shiver through his body.
Fireflies began to flutter between the trees, their golden lights blinking softly—tiny lanterns dancing in the air. Their glow breathed life into the forest, turning the night into something quietly beautiful.
From nearby, the chirps of crickets began to fill the silence—faint but rhythmic—forming a melody that eased the weight of the night.
Near a patch of thick bushes, Chandrapuspa flowers bloomed.Their pale purple petals only opened at night, releasing a unique fragrance—a sweet, calming scent that made the air feel fresh and sacred.
Even the scent of Chandrapuspa had drawn out night-dwelling creatures like the Antiana butterflies, with wide, patterned wings that glided softly around the blossoms.
As if enchanted by the scene, the adventurer forgot why he had lifted his head in the first place.
He blinked, turning his gaze slowly left and right.
Then, at the edge of his left foot, he saw it—a small fruit. Oval-shaped with a pointed tip, its skin was a deep blue with touches of violet at the ends. He recognized it.
"Neelphala fruit…" he whispered faintly.
A fruit that could only be found in the country of Nurhavanna, specifically within Rimbasauria Forest.
A forest so vast, so rich in flora and fauna… but just as infamous for the beasts that roamed freely—especially at night.
That could only mean one thing:The adventurer had wandered far.
But he brushed that thought aside. For now, he was simply glad to see something edible. After everything he'd endured, his stomach was completely empty.
With the tip of his foot, he tried pulling the fruit closer. But the pain from his sprained ankle made every movement feel like torture.
"Just a little more… I can do this…" he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to push through.
A small nudge was enough to move the fruit a few inches closer.He only needed to lean forward a bit more.
Breathing heavily, he crawled slowly, inch by inch.
Finally, the sole of his shoe brushed against the Neelphala fruit.
With effort, he rolled it toward himself.
And at last, he could feel the soft texture of the fruit in his palm.
He stared at it with quiet awe.
Somehow… all that pain had been worth it.
He brought the fruit to his lips, biting through its thin skin. The flesh inside was soft and pink.
A sweet, refreshing taste filled his mouth, with just a touch of sourness.
"...It's incredible…" he whispered—barely a voice.
After finishing it, he leaned back against the tree again.His body still ached, but a faint smile appeared on his face.
"At least I won't die on an empty stomach," he muttered with a dry chuckle, mocking his own fate.
The adventurer looked up again.
No matter how many times he looked, the stars were always beyond words.Colors danced in the sky, painting the night with silent wonder.
He closed his eyes, letting himself drift in the softness of the passing wind.
Then—his ears twitched.
A rustling sound came from the nearby bushes.
"…Maybe this is it…" he murmured weakly—not with surrender, but readiness.
The adventurer reached for the sword beside him.
It was almost pointless now, swinging a blade with a broken body.
But he refused to die without a fight.
He drew in a deep breath, preparing himself.
He aimed the tip of his sword toward the shaking bush.
And then something stepped out from behind it.
His determined face instantly shifted.
Shock and fear overtook his expression.
Whatever had just appeared—it was not good.
It looked human… but orbs of flame floated around its body, circling like spirits.
The adventurer's skin crawled. His hands trembled slightly.
This wasn't a starving beast or wild animal.
No—this was something far worse.
Of all the things that could cross your path in Rimbasauria Forest, there was one encounter worse than any monster.
The Forest Witch.