I'm Groot (2)
United Academy. As the name suggests, it was an academy built for the alliance. Heroes who saved the world from crisis participated in its construction plans and as professors, making it an institution overflowing with so-called "roots." Even now, with time having passed, various educational institutions have been established in each nation, but none rival the United Academy in excellence.
However, as they say, not even gods can defy time. The academy, built for unity, had gradually begun to change. With peace lasting so long, political elements started seeping in, and competition overshadowed alliance as a result. Heightened rivalry led to a somewhat chilly atmosphere, and in severe cases, it escalated into disputes between nations. Fortunately, midway through, they must have realized it wasn't right and reached an agreement to keep the academy out of it—but that vibe still lingered under the surface. An academy where true friends were few and far between. Its founding purpose had long been diluted over time.
Yet the United Academy stood tall as the continent's premier educational institution. No one could deny that.
Of course, being such an ancient academy, it had its share of big and small issues. Like the dense forest right nearby. A normal forest would have been fine for research and training purposes. But the problem was that it was calibrated to the standards of those old heroes. In other words, it was dangerous.
The forest entrance had relatively weak monsters, but the deeper you went, the more it flipped 180 degrees. Mana twisted every which way, rendering compasses useless as a basic feature, and powerful monsters appeared frequently. The academy was aware of this and installed special compasses and signposts to prevent accidents. Still, every year, clueless students ventured in and went missing.
In those cases, the academy took no responsibility. They had warned them, after all—the choice to enter was their own.
Because of these traits, the academy had named the forest accordingly: the Chaos Forest, a place from which you couldn't escape once you entered.
"Maybe I should've just stuck to forget-me-nots..."
And boldly, a woman had set foot in this forest. She scanned her surroundings with a troubled expression. Her blonde hair was neatly tied in a ponytail, and her blue eyes sparkled like jewels. She looked a bit stoic at first glance, but her face held pure innocence. Her build was slender overall, yet curvaceous where it mattered—a woman with all the right charms. Finally, her right hand gripped a standard-sized sword firmly.
Unlike the sword, her outfit was light, as if she'd come for a stroll, giving off an air of leisure.
"Grrr."
"Ah."
As she wandered endlessly through the forest, a wolf appeared before her. Skinny to the point its ribs showed, likely chased out from its pack. A common wolf in these woods. Even as it bared its sharp fangs in threat, the woman reacted indifferently. A hint of annoyance, at most.
"Graaah!"
The wolf, gauging her, lunged at high speed. She watched it impassively, then twisted her body slightly. Effortlessly dodging the attack. But she didn't stop at evasion.
Slash!
Her sword moved fluidly, severing the wolf's waist completely. The upper and lower halves split before its paws hit the ground.
Splat—
Guts spilled from the cleaved midsection, sticky blood oozing out. She glanced at the scene briefly before resuming her steps, expression unchanged.
"Just dirties my sword."
Whoosh!
She roughly shook the blood off her blade. She'd have to clean it properly once she got the herbs she wanted.
How long has Ellie been searching?
Suddenly, she recalled the person she'd entered the forest with. A fellow new student. The academy provided basic supplies, but anything extra had to be bought separately. Meaning money was needed. No issue for nobles, but commoners felt the pinch. Especially herbs—they were ridiculously expensive, so gathering them yourself was far better.
Having grown up in the countryside, she was an expert on herbs. Ellie knew some herbalism too, so they'd split up. But unlike her, Ellie was non-combat.
I need to find a few before nightfall.
She looked up. Plenty of time since entering after breakfast. But the Chaos Forest was infamous for trapping you forever if you lost your way. Of course, she'd prepared thoroughly to avoid going missing. Entering required academy permission—unauthorized entry meant penalty points.
No one's crazy enough to sneak in.
Even she, sensitive to mana, struggled with control here. She could've avoided getting blood on her sword with that last wolf. The Chaos Forest lived up to its name—mana twisted chaotically, making regulation tough. Good thing it wasn't deeper in; a strong monster would've been trouble.
She worried a bit for Ellie, the non-combatant wandering alone, but the girl could defend herself to a degree. Not enough to kill a starving wolf, but enough to scare it off. With that reassurance, she continued on casually.
[Kroooaaarrr!]
A roar that shook the forest pierced her ears. Close by. She halted briefly. It came from deep in the Chaos Forest—the area academy staff had emphatically forbidden.
Words weren't enough; they'd handed out safety gear too.
I'm not going in. Why would I?
She turned away crisply. The roar suggested a monster beyond her. Mana control was already hard; no need to tempt fate. Recklessness and courage were worlds apart.
[Kyaaaah!]
"...Ellie?"
But the scream that followed forced her eyes wide. A familiar voice—Ellie, the new student she'd entered with. No idea why she'd ignored warnings and gone deep, but legs moved on their own. Please don't be too late. A rare friend in this stifling academy.
Please. Please. Please.
She prayed fervently inside as she dashed through dense underbrush and trees. She checked her special compass periodically. How much time passed? Eventually, she reached an open clearing.
What she saw next...
"Ah... Ah..."
A light-brown-haired woman collapsed on the ground, trembling. And
"Kroooar!"
A gorilla monster, Monkey, raising its massive arm to smash down. Easily over 5 meters tall, with a matching bulk. Ogre-like, but fur distinguished it.
"No...!"
The late arrival thrust out her hand desperately. But too late. Monkey's log-like iron fist plummeted. The woman below would soon be pulp.
Time seemed to slow; nothing could be done. Only await the death before her eyes. That's what she thought. The brown-haired woman squeezed her eyes shut too.
Boom!
"...Kruk?!"
"...Huh?"
Until a man suddenly appeared, blocking the giant ape's fist with his arm.
He'd come like lightning, without warning or presence. Everyone froze.
"...Huh?"
Meanwhile, the brown-haired woman, who'd accepted death with closed eyes, slowly opened them. Golden eyes faintly glowing revealed a broad back reflected like a mirror. A man casually blocking the ape's log-arm with both arms. Not some fairy-tale prince. Princes didn't show up in just a sackcloth barely covering their lower half. Pervert, maybe.
Whoosh—
Meanwhile, the man shoved back the arm he'd blocked. Despite the overwhelming size difference, the ape's arm flew up effortlessly. As it did, he slipped inside and gripped his stone axe with both hands, swinging hard at the thick leg—not the wide belly.
Crack!
The crude stone axe smashed the shin precisely. Bones shattered audibly. A sword might've stopped at breaking bone, but the axe pulverized it.
Bones were essential for support. With it cleanly shattered, collapse was inevitable. The shin bent impossibly.
Crunch!
"Kraaaah!!"
Pain from split bone and the 90-degree kink made the ape scream—not its earlier roar, but agony-filled. It propped itself with long arms to avoid falling. But that hastened its end.
The man had circled behind between its legs. No time for thrashing—he climbed its broad back and smashed the crown with his stone axe.
Crack!
Man or beast, the head was a weakness. The axe pierced skull to brain, turning it to mush. The ape gaped, shuddering. It couldn't even spasm properly as its massive body crumbled.
Thud!
Its bulk shook the ground slightly. A pathetic end for a once-dominant predator.
The man didn't even catch his breath after felling a high-rank monster. He eyed it closely to confirm death.
"Ellie! You okay?!"
"Uh, uh? Y-yeah... I'm fine."
With the threat gone, the blonde swordswoman rushed to Ellie. Ellie still looked dazed, processing.
The swordswoman checked for injuries, then sighed in relief. She'd nearly lost a precious bond pointlessly.
"Ellie, step back for a sec."
"O-okay? Yeah, got it."
But no letting guard down yet. She pulled Ellie back and assumed a vigilant stance. Just then, the man confirmed the kill and turned to them.
The swordswoman examined him closely. Black hair grown wild enough to cover his eyes. Beard to his chest. Stark white skin against a body full of scars. Muscular like a sculptor's masterpiece—but scars everywhere: claw marks, bites, burns, crushes. Stone axe caked in brains and blood in his left hand oozed menace. Barely covered by sackcloth, he embodied wildness.
...A barbarian?
She recalled the barbarian among new students. Bronze skin, red hair. But even that one belonged to their own "civilization." Not raw wilderness like this man.
What was he? Deep in the Chaos Forest—no escape without special items.
...A survivor?
Possible one of the old missing persons. Still, no relaxing. Would this wild man be friendly, or axe them like the Monkey?
"Who are you?"
"........."
No answer to the swordswoman's question. Bangs hid his expression.
She backed away slowly, ready to draw her sword. If he threatened, instant response.
"I'm Luna Estel. This is Ellie. What's your name?"
Still silent. Heightened her wariness. As Luna Estel reached for her sword, the monk-like silent man finally spoke.
"...Fuck?"
Fuck. An unfamiliar tongue, unfamiliar word.
"Sivar? Is that your name?"
"Fuck."
Same response. Apparently his name was Fuck(...). But she realized it wasn't soon enough.
"What are you doing here?"
"Fuck."
"...Pardon?"
Repeated "fucks" twisted Luna's face. Ellie behind her too.
"That guy's... can't talk, right?"
As if responding to Ellie's whisper from behind Luna.
"Fuck..."
The man replied, nuance of his own frustration.
*****
"Fuck."
Fuck my life.
"Fuck."
Living alone fucked my speech.
"Fuck fuck."
But why do I understand their words fine?!
"Fuck..."
Gods are screwed for sure.
You have blasphemed against the gods! Faith has decreased!
Fuck it.