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.

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!New novel chapters are published on

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.

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.