146
[Logan's POV]
"Ha!" I struck the tree for the thousandth time.
"Haah. Still nothing." Contrary to what Louise had told me, the 'Palm Strike' didn't work. I was relentlessly hitting a tree with a thick trunk, employing optimal strength and motion.
My motivation to learn a new technique stemmed from the absence of the <God of War>. If I still possessed that skill, I wouldn't have stepped out of my comfort zone. After all, it was an incredibly powerful ability.
However, another reason for my pursuit was to master combat despite the loss of my arm.
"I possess it... but I can't access it. It's stored within the system in its demonic form," I thought.
Losing an arm posed more challenges than initially apparent. The imbalance in my upper body's weight distribution was noticeable. Furthermore, during fights, generating the necessary momentum to deliver perfect force became difficult, resulting in significantly reduced punching power.
There were countless obstacles, but only one solution.
"I must master this technique," I resolved. We had just one day left before battling for the Arboreal Balls.
"I refuse to be a burden to others." That was my sole intention. The last thing I wanted was to be carried on the backs of my subordinates, as it wounded my foolish pride.
"Ha!" With each strike, emulating Louise's movements, I continued my assault on the tree. It was marked as my one thousand and first attempt.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," I heard the voice that annoyed me the most.
"Ha!" Ignoring her, I persisted in striking the tree.
"Whether you're a fool or a genius," she persisted stubbornly.
"Ha!" And so did I.
"You must realize that merely imitating my actions-" "Ha!" "-won't yield the desired result," she argued.
"There's nothing wrong with your posture, but everything wrong with that strike." "Ha!"
"Even if you were to strike that tree another thousand and six-" "Ha!" "-or seven times, it wouldn't teach you anything." She was quite pessimistic.
"If you cease this, I can provide you with a hint." I paused, now we were getting down to business.
"Wow, you change colors faster than a chameleon." The evil smirk on her rosy lips contrasted sharply, and I despised it.
Louise approached me, clad only in pants at the moment.
Her petite stature, yet proportionate body, was alluring. Brushing her hair behind her long elven ears, she walked towards me with grace and confidence. Her curvaceous figure, particularly her ample breasts, jiggled with each steady step. Her slender legs supported her voluptuous body with strength.
As she drew nearer, I noticed the slight opening of her dress, revealing her cleavage. Her supple bosom threatened to escape the confines of the thin fabric with its movement.
Being a head and a half taller than her, I had a clear view from above.
"..." Her luscious, rosy lips moved, uttering words I couldn't comprehend.
Time seemed to stand still as I watched Louise's body sway slowly.
"This is your hint." Those were the words I comprehended before her palm thrust toward my solar plexus.
Her palm, smooth and soft, glided through the air. She wore a sleeveless dress, and I could see her muscles flexing as her hand advanced. Despite her small fingers and petite hand, it possessed immense strength.
Under the radiant sunlight, her cocoa skin shimmered. Our eyes briefly met, and I couldn't help but notice the strands of her red hair fluttering in the breeze.
Recalling her technique, I moved with utmost precision to dodge her palm. After being struck multiple times, I anticipated her changing her trajectory.
As I admired her exquisite beauty, I carefully observed her attack.
The first dodge was effortless. Emptying my lungs and clearing my mind, I prepared myself. Just as I had predicted, her hand altered its course.
I readied myself to dodge, as her palm came dangerously close to my chest, but before I could react,
"Gah!" Her knee connected with my stomach.
"How's the hint? Hmph!" She huffed as I stumbled in my steps.
I refused to yield.
"Keep that lecherous gaze, and I swear I'll end you, piglet." Her voice dripped with disgust.
'I think I understand now,' I thought, embracing the very tree I had been striking all this time.
...
"How much farther from here?" Lisa inquired of Louise.
"A few kilometers until we reach the entrance," Louise replied, keeping a watchful eye on Logan.
Logan's behavior had changed since their morning interaction.
Lost in thought, Logan sensed an eerie premonition. It wasn't Louise, but something deep within him.
'Is it pulsating?' Logan intermittently checked his chest.
Today, he strangely felt better than any other day.
"Why do you keep touching where I hit you? Creep," Louise snorted, but Logan paid her no mind.
His demon core sent him signals he couldn't comprehend, but he knew one thing: something ominous loomed.
...
"We have arrived." After a long journey spanning several hours, the group finally reached their destination.
"It resembles the Council Hall," Anna remarked.
"Indeed," Louise nodded, wearing a proud smile.
"This is the gateway to the Enchanted Forest. Beyond this mountain lies our destination. We created this boundary to prevent other races in this realm from encroaching upon us, and to keep us from interacting with them," Louise briefly explained the circumstances.
"Once we cross the entrance of the Enchanted Forest, we will enter a safe zone. The safe zone prevents dangerous creatures from escaping the forest. Once we venture beyond the safe zone, it will be the Enchanted Forest in its entirety," Louise adopted a teacher-like demeanor, instructing the students on proper behavior during a picnic.
"Well, you're all adventurers, so you're well aware. I'll skip the pleasantries," her tone grew more serious as she spoke.
"The races residing within the Enchanted Forest possess superior strength beyond your expectations. To put it bluntly, their strength is otherworldly. Consider it as entering a different realm altogether," Louise stated, her sinister smile ever-present.
The enigmatic smile on her face concealed numerous secrets.
"Now then, once we enter the safe zone, I'll provide more information about the Arboreta Tribe and Arborets," Louise twirled with childlike excitement and sprinted towards the entrance.
"Logan," Lara called, gently grasping Logan's wrist.
"You feel it too?" Logan inquired.
"That unsettling feeling," Lisa affirmed, agreeing with Anna's comment.
"Should we really proceed inside?" Lara expressed her uncertainty.
After their individual experiences within the Council Hall's trial, Lara questioned every move of the Elven race.
They had been informed that Logan was the chosen one according to their prophecy but were not told anything about the trials he had to undergo to ascertain his worthiness.
"We have no other option," Logan declared. He had contemplated various alternatives, but upon realizing that this was an entirely different realm, he had no choice but to comply with the Elven queen's commands.
"Let's go! Otherwise, you won't get the balls!" Louise exclaimed. The mischievous grin on her face remained unyielding, as if she were anticipating something.
...
[Safe Zone]
Before stepping through the gate, Logan meticulously examined it, searching for any symbols similar to those on the Council Hall's gate, but found none.
However, one notable detail was that the door was crafted from Dark Oak wood.
The group passed through the gate, revealing an open field ahead.
"Is this the safe zone?" Anna inquired curiously, her gaze darting around.
"Indeed, it is," Louise replied joyfully.
Lara and Logan exchanged silent glances, conveying their shared realization that they felt no discernible change.
"A little further, and we'll reach our destination," Louise stated, continuing to walk.
The group matched her pace and eventually reached the edge of the safe zone.
"And here we are," Louise's words fell on deaf ears as everyone beheld the scenery before them.
"Why is it so different?" Lara mused as she surveyed her surroundings.
The area where they stood featured medium-sized trees with moderately thick trunks. However, as they gazed forward, just as Louise had described, they sensed an otherworldly aura.
"See! It's exactly as I described," Louise breathed in the air, her eyes filled with curiosity as she surveyed the forest.
'No wonder it's called the Enchanted Forest,' Logan pondered.
The view in front of them was breathtaking, to say the least. Some trees towered to immense heights, their branches seemingly reaching the heavens, preventing sunlight from piercing the ground.
Certain bushes bore berries, but these berries were as large as fruits!
It was a captivating experience.
"Prepare yourselves," Louise's voice snapped everyone back to attention.
"Once we enter the forest, we won't be able to return to the safe zone for the next three days." A solemn silence enveloped the group.
"Don't make that face. You should have known this since the mission's validity was never mentioned," Louise's smile widened as she observed the group growing more serious.
"And regarding the Arboreta Tribe, our first task is to locate their settlement," she continued with her explanation.
"This creature is akin to a tree monster, resembling a Treebeard, but older and more savage," Louise elaborated. "They detest when beasts encroach upon them for the Arboreal balls, which is why we can only acquire them when they are completely removed from their guardianship." Louise shared her extensive knowledge with the team.
"Our initial objective is to discover their community, as they typically reside together while safeguarding from various groups.
These Arborets possess no physical strength but exhibit exceptional mana precision and controlling nature.
The primary and utmost rule in the Enchanted Forest is to maintain constant vigilance. Keep your eyes open at all times. Always."
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