The Bandit's Lesson in the Shadowed Forest
Gently sloping hills and a vast lake. A bright blue sky, warm sunlight, and a breeze that whispered through the trees. The perfect setting. Two figures stepped out of thin air into this idyllic place. Jin Chen and Sybel, who had teleported straight from the Blue Leaf Village.
Jin Chen glanced around, his eyes shining with excitement. "How far did we travel?"
Sybel answered calmly. "We're in the southwest of the Dragon Mountain Range."
Jin Chen's eyes widened. "Even the Dragon Mountain Range has this place? I thought it was all just jagged rocks."
Sybel shook his head. "It's larger than you imagine. The Dragon Mountain Range is so big that, when you include every twisting peak and valley, there isn't a single inch of the entire continent it doesn't reach."
Jin Chen whistled. "Damn, that's huge."
Sybel's voice turned serious. "That's why the old name for the Dragon Mountain Range was Atalkarama. In ancient tongue, it meant 'the father's shoulder.' The sea encircling the continent was called Reitdia, meaning 'mother's lap' in the old language."
Jin Chen waved him off. "I don't care about all that history. Where are the bastards who found this place?"
He slowly turned in a full circle, then froze. The peaceful scenery clashed violently with what he saw next.
Sybel pointed ahead. "There. That forest over the lake between the hills. It looks vicious."
Jin Chen followed his gaze. Beyond the lake, a dense forest lay nestled between the gentle slopes. Even in the bright midday, it was swallowed by thick darkness, as if nature itself warned everyone to stay away.
Sybel nodded. "That's why no one has claimed this spot. It's cursed."
Jin Chen frowned. "What the hell is it?"
Sybel's voice dropped. "The locals call it the Dragon Mountain Range's fang or the Forest of Death."
Jin Chen smirked. "Fitting name."
Sybel stared at the woods like he was remembering a nightmare. "A thousand years ago, this is where the final battle of the Dragon-Demon War took place."
Jin Chen raised an eyebrow. "Ho."
Sybel continued, voice low. "The blood spilled by the demons and beasts back then could have filled rivers. That blood soaked into the earth and changed everything. The demonic energy inside it mixed with the world's mana over a thousand years, twisting every living thing."
Jin Chen shuddered. "Can a man even breathe here?"
Sybel nodded grimly. "Fortunately, yes. But don't get comfortable. The air itself is poisoned. If you're not a Sword Master, you'll go mad and start tearing the place apart."
Jin Chen laughed. "I heard monsters here eat their meat and go crazy. Guess the air is the same."
Sybel didn't answer with words. Instead he gave a single nod. Jin Chen stepped forward, axe already in hand. "If there's anything else, say it now. I hate wasting time."
Sybel sighed. "First, the corrupted mana makes long-range travel impossible. Teleportation and any communication spell that needs to travel far won't work."
Jin Chen raised an eyebrow. "Almost?"
Sybel shrugged. "Think of it as completely useless. No point worrying."
Jin Chen grinned. "Trouble, huh?"
Sybel's eyes narrowed. "If you're worried, I can go in alone and come out."
Jin Chen shook his head. "I already told you. My standard is that your people are weak."
Sybel nodded. He knew exactly how much power the Jinryong Chae carried. "Anything else?"
Sybel's voice turned colder. "Your body can store the mana, but you can't use the surrounding aura. If you absorb the corrupted mana, even a Sword Master will go mad."
Jin Chen dismissed it with a wave. "Not a problem. My internal energy is already so vast it blends with nature."
Sybel chuckled. "Diverse, aren't you?"
Jin Chen smirked. "Only a dragon would dare ask me if I'm fine."
Sybel sighed. "So you're proud, huh? How many times are you going to meet such a great human in your long life?"
Jin Chen laughed. "That's exactly why I'm trying not to think about it lately. I've already talked to gods and the World Tree. Now I'm just another arrogant human."
Sybel muttered, "The boy is growing up."
Jin Chen's eyes turned ice-cold. "Enough chatter. Let's go beat those bastards!"
He started walking. Sybel followed quickly. "By the way, you can't cast high-level spells like 8th or 9th circle often. The mana required is insane."
Jin Chen waved him off. "Don't worry. Just trust your big brother."
Sybel rolled his eyes. "You're telling that to a thousand-year-old dragon?"
Jin Chen grinned. "In our world, the older you get, the stronger you are. We're family, kid."
Sybel froze. "Even a knife in the throat, I couldn't do it."
Jin Chen stopped, turned, and lifted the double-headed axe resting on his shoulder. "You said axe, not knife."
Sybel's face twisted. "The situation is urgent. Let's get in before they notice us."
Sybel took the lead, sprinting toward the forest. Jin Chen laughed behind him. "Kid, you really hate me, huh?"
Sybel didn't slow down. "Same here. I don't want to hear 'big brother' from a thousand-year-old dragon who looks ancient as hell."
Jin Chen's eyes blazed. "Ancient? I'm in my prime!"
Sybel muttered, "Prime age to keel over in one blow. Stay close behind me."
The ground exploded under Jin Chen's foot as he rocketed forward like a cannonball. Sybel couldn't help but laugh. That steady, overwhelming presence in front of him made him feel completely safe. He had nothing to fear.
Sybel smiled and whispered, "Let's go together!"
He reached into his spatial ring, pulled out a single sword, and cast the Fly spell. The two of them shot toward the forest like a comet, followed by the eerie sound of darkness stirring inside.
A month had passed since Jin Chen and Sybel left the Blue Leaf Village. During that time, the elves and dwarves had worked side by side, slowly returning to their true forms. The faces of both races shone with the same bright happiness that came from knowing that, in the end, there was no better medicine than time itself.
In the center of everything stood the Jinryong Chae. The largest training ground inside the fortress. Five bandits waited in front of it, including Bbakbbaki and Geunyuk-i. In front of them sat Grombal of the Red Anvil Tribe and Solian of the Blue Leaf Tribe, both cross-legged in meditation.
Geunyuk-i watched them with a wide, innocent smile. "Grombal's actually learning to sit cross-legged now. His short legs must be killing him."
Bbakbbaki nodded. "There is no such thing as impossible for those who keep trying."
Geunyuk-i pumped his fist. "Whoa! Bbakbbaki Hyung! You actually know how to say that? You're the coolest!"
Bbakbbaki gave him a light nod. "How does it feel?"
Geunyuk-i replied eagerly. "It seems the thirteen days of head-wrapping worked. We actually managed to channel qi."
Bbakbbaki smiled faintly. "You're right. Before the leader left, he taught us everything we needed. The meridians were a mess before, but now we can finally rest easy. Still, that elf guy... he's seriously handsome. I've heard elves are beautiful, but this is next level. Hey, why have I never been inside the elf village? This is unfair!"
The bandit with the blindfold over his right eye, nicknamed Baekku, spoke up. The one with the huge nose, Kingko. And Judung-i, the one whose face screamed impropriety. These three were the next tier up after Bbakbbaki and Geunyuk-i. Baekku and Kingko had only just entered the Transcendent realm. Judung-i was at the peak. They had all been the leaders Bbakbbaki helped train while Jin Chen was away. All of them were mid-level to high-level Sword Masters by the standards of this world.
Bbakbbaki had them here because of the words Jin Chen left behind. "Since I suddenly have things to do, I can't look after this guy. Teach him. Grombal is mid-peak. Solian is a hunter who can put qi into his arrows. It shouldn't be too hard."
The training began immediately. Because of the mixed races, Bbakbbaki and the three leaders stuck to them like glue. Bbakbbaki ignored Judung-i's nonstop chatter. "The meridians are clear enough. Once they awaken, we'll teach them proper martial arts."
Geunyuk-i's eyes sparkled. "I can teach them! I'll make them split mountains!"
Bbakbbaki looked at Baekku. "You teach the dwarves with Geunyuk-i."
Baekku saluted. "Understood."
Bbakbbaki continued. "You're the one in charge of Geunyuk-i. You can't even understand that much."
Baekku grinned. "I can fight if I have to. As long as no one gets hurt."
Bbakbbaki nodded. "Good. Remember, that guy won't look away no matter how angry he gets."
Baekku's smile froze. "But the leader said he's entering a stable period, so we don't have to worry too much..."
Bbakbbaki's voice trailed off. Baekku understood instantly. "That makes me even more worried. That kind of situation can't happen to me."
Bbakbbaki nodded. "Alright. I leave it to you."
Baekku bowed. "Yes, Vice Leader."
Bbakbbaki turned to Judung-i. "What the hell? Why are you excluding me from the conversation?"
He shoved Geunyuk-i's face away and pointed at Judung-i. "Remember what the leader said?"
Judung-i pouted. "Are you asking because you think I forgot? This is so unfair! My memory is still perfect even inside the fortress..."
Bbakbbaki cut him off. "Main point only."
Judung-i sighed. "I remember. After he forbade us from using the wind spirits, we were supposed to make bows that only need qi, no arrows."
Bbakbbaki shifted his gaze to Kingko. "Teach them the assassination art too. The leader personally decided the elves' movements are flexible and fast, so make sure they learn it."
Judung-i hesitated. "Vice Leader... do I really have to train with Kingko Hyung? If I train with him, I'll feel like I'm the one learning..."
Bbakbbaki stared him down. "You know you're still far behind, right?"
Judung-i swallowed. "Yeah, but..."
Bbakbbaki's voice was ice. "Learning while teaching. That goes for you too. Remember it."
Judung-i drooped. Kingko stepped forward. "Don't worry. I'll handle it. Since the leader can't come, I'll make sure they get it right."
Bbakbbaki smiled. "I'll be right there too. If you need help, say so. Even if I can't do it like the leader, I can definitely train them hard."
Judung-i bowed again. "Yes, Vice Leader."
When the training plan was set, Grombal and Solian slowly opened their eyes. "Aaaah." "This... this is impossible."
Their faces glowed with pure joy. There was no other way to describe it. For the first time in their lives, they had properly circulated qi after countless failed attempts over thirteen days. The mana that had been piled up across their entire bodies now gathered neatly below their navels. Not just compressed, but somehow more efficient, more usable. Instinctively, they felt they could control a part of the mana that had spread throughout their bodies.
Grombal and Solian stared at Bbakbbaki's back, eyes burning with excitement and gratitude. Bbakbbaki stepped forward. "You two, mixed-race guys, live longer than us humans, right?"
Grombal replied without hesitation. "That's right."
Solian shouted, "Correct!"
Even Grombal stood at attention and yelled it. Bbakbbaki's eyes turned cold. "Then you have more time to get stronger."
Grombal and Solian felt their bodies tremble and clenched their fists. "Then let's begin in earnest."
Both answered in unison. "Yes!"
Age and race disappeared from their minds. There was only one thing left in the world: two students who were starving for the chance to learn. That was the beginning of the dwarves and elves who would one day be called the heroes of their races.