Chapter 6 – The Lost Forest

The Lost Forest…

Known like one of the greatest danger zones of the world, the Lost Forest occupies at least half of the continent territory.

Though it is said that this world is ruled by humans, that statement is not completely true. Though humans occupy a great part of the continent, some danger zones and in special the Lost Forest are completely dominated by the demonic beast clans.

The reason is mainly because of the powerful beast rulers. Every one of the beast rulers are demonic beasts what had touched upon the peak of cultivation. According to some legends, some of the strongest beast rulers are only one step away from attaining immortality, though even till now there are no records of any being attaining it in the world.

It should be mentioned that different from humans, beasts are not born with spirits. In reality, when a creature condenses its demonic core and becomes a demonic beast, it calls upon its lineage, using its own body to transform it in a manifestation of its soul, making of it something like a spirit. The advantage of it is that creatures with stronger lineages are almost guaranteed to attain a certain level of cultivation. The disadvantage is what is known as “Bloodline Shackles”, making it incredibly hard for a beast break from the shackles of its lineage and attain a greater level of cultivation.

An example of it are the giant boars. Though an adult giant boar is guaranteed to reach the late core forming stage, and with a bit of luck perhaps to the peak of core forming; if a giant boar wants to break from the restrictions of its bloodline and attain the core fusing stage, the difficulty of it is perhaps a hundred times harder than for a spirit possessor to pass the same hurdle.

Of course, the contrary is also true. If a creature is born with the bloodline of a spirit emperor beast, then, once it matures, it is almost guaranteed for it to reach to the spirit emperor realm, bar any incident.

It is precisely because of it that demonic beasts had been able to maintain their supremacy on great part of the continent. In truth, of the beast rulers in existence, less than a 10% are beast without an emperor bloodline, while the 90% remaining achieved their cultivation relying only upon the power of their bloodline.

Though the Lost Forest is a territory ruled mainly for beasts, humans had constantly explored it through the years. The reason for it is greatly due to the incredible amount of resources found in the depths of the forests generating a great allure for cultivators. These resources, invaluable for cultivation, include demonic beasts’ cores, spirits herbs, strange minerals and other oddities of the world. Countless people had changed his destiny thanks to fortunate encounters in the depths of the forest. Of course, countless lives more had been lost searching for such opportunities.

Having said it, the reason because Aiden and Lia are exploring the forest is not to search for some opportunity or to obtain resources. The reason because they are here is to hunt a group of demonic beasts causing havoc in the surroundings of a village.

It had been one day from when Aiden and Lia left the village head’s home. During that time, Aiden and Lia reached the place indicated for the head and began to track the beasts.

After following the traces left for the giant boars for almost one day, Aiden and Lia finally found signs of recent activity.

Carefully studying the signs in the forest, Aiden signaled at Lia to prepare herself.

“Young master, is the beast close?”

“I think so. With a bit of luck, we will find it in the next few hours.”

Looking at the marks in the ground, Aiden estimated the size of the beast carefully and spoke after frowning slightly.

“Strange. According to the information from the village head, the beasts that attacked the villagers were at the mid and late stages of core forming. However, judging from the marks in the ground, the beast we are following is too small, perhaps only in the initial stage.”

Hearing the words of Aiden, Lia furrowed her brows and put a serious expression.

“Young master, could it mean…”

“Yes, the information is probably mistaken…”

Nodding in confirmation, Aiden continued studying the marks and speaking about his deductions.

“I fear the number of giant boars in the surroundings is way beyond the two seen for the villagers.”

“Then, young master, don’t you think it is better for us to return and explain the situation in the town hall.”

Thinking about it for a moment, Aiden shook his head.

“I think there is no problem if we continued. At the end of the day, giant boars are only at the core forming stage. While the number of boars doesn’t surpass ten I think we can manage the situation. After all, you must know that though I’m at the peak of core forming, my true combat strength is beyond it; and though you combat power is not very strong, your controlling capabilities are incredible; more than enough to take care of a few boars.”

Smiling at the words of her young master, Lia nodded to agree with him.

To be sincere, the difference in combat strength in the initial stages of cultivation wasn’t normally very great and many times could be made with the use of a superior technique or a stronger weapon.

However, neither Aiden or Lia looked like someone possessing any of that two things. Aiden for example, apart of his black jacket and pants, only carried with him a black saber sheathed in his waist, a backpack situated in his back and a pouch hanging from his belt. Lia, for her part, only have with her a white dress and a pair of black boots. To an experienced mercenary, they could only to be described like rookies exploring the forest without enough preparations.

The reason because the head of the village asked them if they didn’t need anything else was precisely for it. For the village head, going to the forest to fight against giant boars with their current equipment was simply suicide. If no because he faintly felt that Aiden and Lia’s cultivation was stronger than his, perhaps the old man wouldn’t have allowed to the pair continue with the mission.

Of course, the reason because they didn’t take anything else with them, was not because they were lacking money. In reality, Aiden clothes were more than enough to work like protection thanks to the material with which they were made, and due to the nature of his combat style, more weight only would be detrimental.

Lia, for her part, also have her special equipment with her, only that it was not visible at simple sight. In terms of value, Lia’s equipment was way more expensive than Aiden’s. In comparison, only Aiden’s saber and pouch were perhaps of major value than it.

Continuing their search for the beast, the duo began to see more and more traces of the giant boar. Feeling that the beast was near, Aiden signaled for Lia to maintain silent to avoid it from detecting them.

Five minutes later, the group finally heard a nearby roar. Immediately Aiden and Lia sprinted silently in direction of the roar.

A few seconds later, the pair could see the beast finally.

The beast was of 1.5 meters in height, with dark brown fur and a pair of big tusks growing from its mouth.

Different from a normal boar, the giant boar hooves were bigger with a strange claw grow from them. Apart of it, its eyes glowed with a blood red color and showed incredible savagery.

Currently, the boar was using its claws to dig in the ground fiercely. From time to time, the beast used its tusk to hit the ground, trying with all its strength to obtain whatsoever was below.

Looking at the beast from a bush a few meters away, Aiden studied it before speaking in a muffled tone to Lia who was waiting beside him.

“As I thought, the beast is only at the initial stage of core forging. This beast is definitively not the one that attacked the villagers...”

Listening attentively, Lia looked the beast noticing that it was smaller than an adult. Normally, an adult giant boar reaches to 1.8 meters of stature. In some occasions, giant boars reach even at 2 meters in height when mature. The one currently in front of them was only 1.5 meters.

“What do you think we must to do, young master?”

Looking at the beast, Aiden decided quickly after thinking for a moment.

“I think this is better if you fight it yourself, Lia. After all, you are very lacking in combat experience, making this boar the perfect target thanks to it being a bit weaker than you.”

Doubting for a moment, Lia nodded strongly and resolved herself before saying:

“You are right young master! If I don’t want to be a burden in the future then it is better if I learn to fight as soon as possible! Wish me luck, young master!”

“Yeah, good luck. Don’t worry, I’m here just in case of something unexpected.”

Smiling briefly, Lia walked out from the bush and looked toward the beast.

As if detecting her presence, the boar lifted its head and turned toward her.

Studying its opponent for a moment, the beast roared savagely before sprinting towards Lia with all its strength.