Chapter 9 The Twilight Forest

'II 10th, 2400'

Twilight Forest is a majestically humongous area with dense, large ancient trees that are lush and full, creating an atmosphere of mystery and wonderment as one takes in this beautiful landscape.

In the rearward distance, a greater number of trees come into view, extending upwards as though sentinels, silently observing everything beneath their lofty presence. Enigmatic yet alluring, enticing one to venture deeper into its recesses and uncover the hidden mysteries that may be concealed within.

Additionally, it instills a sense of hostility within a person, as the reverberating cries of the beasts resound throughout the entirety of the forest. Due to its natural beauty, the forest had a mesmerizing allure, but it also contained dangers.

Monsters could be seen roaming around the ground and beasts scurrying on the mossy, large branches of the ancient trees, looking for prey to hunt.

In an open area of the forest, there was a beautiful girl who has dark-colored hair and captivating obsidian eyes and looks around eleven or twelve years old. She was panting, looking tired.

She was gasping for breath, displaying signs of exhaustion. She found herself in the midst of a pair of Cerberum, powerful creatures classified as Tier five. This creature looked like a wolf but had horns and breathed fire.

A rank five beast is between the rank of an Elementary level and an Intermediate level compared to the human ranking system. But beasts cannot be judged by common sense, as they always defy logic.

This girl was able to cut off one of the beast's head and its corpse lay dead on the ground. There was only one left that still needs to get rid of. Just as she was about to clash with the last one, suddenly a whole pack of them appeared.

?ℯ

She was already fatigued and uncertain of her next course of action. Given the overwhelming circumstances, she found herself in, retreat was simply not an option, and engaging in combat with them was equally unachievable.

The whole pack circled around her, sizing her up. This was the first time she felt helpless, as she had her brother, who was always beside her even after their family was destroyed. Her brother was always with her, protecting her, but now they are separated because of the dense fog in the forest.

She whispered under her breath while tears cascaded from her eyes. "Brother… I hope you survive and avenge our family." She was filled with unwillingness. She has not avenged her parents, who were ruthlessly killed yet.

She looked at the sky with a deprecating smile, criticizing how weak she was. Just as she was about to close her eyes and give up, waiting for her death.

She heard a muffled sound, and then she looked around, only to find out that all the Cerberum had been beheaded cleanly.

She thought it was her brother at first when she saw all the beasts was killed.

However, her attention was soon drawn to an individual whose back was turned to her. She was able to glimpse a fraction of his features, revealing an incomparable, ethereal visage.

He possessed silver-colored hair complemented by piercing silver-white eyes. If one were to gaze into his eyes, it would be impossible not to be captivated by their magnetic allure like a black hole sucking you in. She was mesmerized as if this person appeared otherworldly.

She then woke up from her daydreaming and shyly asked him, but with caution because this person looked to be ten years old, "Umm.. Who are you? Why did you save me?"

Anyone would be suspicious to see a ten-year-old in such a dangerous forest.

It's none other than Zenryx! He had just arrived and was eager to test out his skills. Seeing a bunch of beasts, he decided to try out his skills on them, he did not even notice the girl.

It was simply a coincidence that he saved her.

Zenryx simply glanced at the girl, smiled, and did not bother to explain. After that, he disappeared at lightning speed, heading towards the deeper part of the forest. Leaving behind the dumbfounded girl.

What Zen didn't know was that he had just captured that girl's heart with his smile. Being mysterious aroused the girl's interest. Combined with his peerless facial features, he saves a beauty in distress, which is the cliche plot of most novels. He was able to easily capture this girl's heart without effort.

It was really love at first sight in this situation.

Seeing him disappear without even explaining anything. She felt dumbfounded and angry. She wanted to follow the direction he went in and beat the sh*t out of him to explain, then ask him for his name, address, and phone number. She wanted to know everything about him.

If Zen could hear her thoughts, he would say, 'Damn, a real life yandere'.

But she was self aware, she would not be able to handle going deeper let alone beating him. But just as she was about to go back and just wait for her brother outside the forest.

A loud voice called out to her, saying her name, "Crystal! Where are you?!"

She followed the voice, and sure enough, it was her brother.

They met up, and Crystal spoke up with seriousness in her voice, "Brother, I don't think we can use this place as a hiding place. It is way too dangerous. I was surrounded by a pack of Cerberum. If it wasn't for someone saving me, you would not be seeing me standing in front of you anymore."

Her brother, who was called Edward, was shocked after finding out what happened. He then asked curiously, "Someone saved you? Who? Where?"

Crystal replied, gesturing towards the direction in which Zen ventured, indicating that he proceeded further into the depths of the forest.

He looked in the direction, and he felt in his heart that he had just lost something important, but he couldn't figure out what.

Crystal spoke up again and said, "Let's go and get out of the forest, yes?"

He was still rational and followed Crystal, he couldn't risk her sister's safety even if he felt that he should be able to have a fruitful encounter if he went deeper inside the dense ancient forest.

She was the only family he had left. If she were killed, he would probably go crazy.

They had already exited the forest. They both cast a brief glance at the humongous forest, each harboring distinct thoughts in their minds.

Edward thought 'I should go back and explore the Twilight Zone if I ever get a chance in the future. Maybe when I enter the Pontiac Academy, I'll get a second chance to enter again.'

On the other hand, Crystal had a different thought, 'I hope I get to meet you again in the future, maybe in the Pontiac Academy.'

She was now looking forward to entering the Pontiac Academy.

They then entered their fixed-wing flying ship. As for the ship. They were from an Earl family, and this was the last thing they could get from their family's territory after it was destroyed.

They headed towards the main city of the Mevouires territory. Hoping to find a place to settle down for the time being and find a hiding place.

They were being chased by an unknown enemy. That was how they ended up in the Twilight Forest, trying to find a place to hide.