Shadows of the Black Forest

At breakfast, the inn's dining hall was filled with the warm aroma of freshly baked bread and coffee. Ksenia, Lilia, Gold Sun, and Hayeon were gathered together for the first time in a while, enjoying a leisurely morning. Warm sunlight filtered through the window, casting a soft glow over the glassware and wooden utensils. Hayeon was listlessly spooning her stew, looking a bit weary as if the fatigue from the previous day's training hadn't quite faded. Yet, her eyes held a subtle confidence and a flutter of excitement for the unknown, a stark contrast to before.

"Um... I think I'd like to try some real combat now," Hayeon spoke up hesitantly.

Lilia set her fork down, her eyes sparkling as a playful smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Oh my, our little Hayeon, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠when did you get so brave? Well, it's about time we put your magic training to the test. Shall we go?"

Ksenia nudged Hayeon's shoulder, nodding with a proud look in her eyes. "Sure. I can show you around the second floor. It'll be a good experience for you to see what real monsters look like with your own eyes."

Gold Sun leaned over the table and clicked his tongue, his gaze locked onto Hayeon's determined face. "Then count me in. It wouldn't do to have real combat without me, would it? Besides, if our cute little rabbit gets hurt, Ksenia will have my head."

Surrounded by the three of them all at once, Hayeon felt her face flush hot. "You really don't have to go to such lengths..." Her voice was quiet, but beneath the slight pressure she felt, there was a comforting sense of reassurance that she wasn't alone.

Dungeon 2nd Floor: The Labyrinth of the Black Forest

The party stood before the dark entrance leading down to the second floor of the dungeon. A heavy, damp air, incomparable to the first floor, pressed down on her lungs. Massive, twisted ancient trees tangled together to completely block out the sky, leaving the forest in a perpetual twilight despite it being broad daylight. The distant cries of unidentified beasts and the creaking of trees twisting in the wind swirled around her ears like the whispers of the dead.

"Scouting complete. Cleared the left side," Ksenia said, quietly emerging from the shadows. "A few Harpies were being a nuisance, but nothing major."

The moment she finished speaking, Lilia snapped her fingers. Instantly, the forest floor ahead vibrated as hidden traps revealed themselves one by one, reacting to her mana. The ground split open, rusted arrows shot out from the trees, and nets burst from the canopy.

"Traps disarmed... To think they're still using such childish traps. The Orcs' brains are as dull as ever."

Gold Sun stepped up behind Hayeon and whispered, "Rear guard secure. All clear."

Hayeon paused and clenched her fists. ...This is way too overprotective. I can do this too.

As they moved forward, an Orc finally showed itself. A thread of blue mana shooting from Lilia's fingertips wrapped around a green-skinned Orc hiding in the bushes, hoisting it into the air.

"Screeech!" Clang! Ksenia dashed forward like lightning, deflecting the rusted axe clutched in the Orc's hand with a single strike. The axe spun through the air before embedding itself into a tree trunk with a heavy thud.

"Your turn, Hayeon. Just like we practiced," Ksenia said in a low voice. Hayeon swallowed hard.

"Graaaargh! Female!" the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Orc roared, charging straight at Hayeon. As the massive, muscular frame standing over two meters tall rumbled toward her, Hayeon instinctively raised her shield to block the attack.

Thud! A heavy impact reverberated up her arm and through her entire body. Its strength was incomparable to a Goblin's. It's faster and stronger than I thought...!

At that moment, a blue light spread from her palm. Her Mana Control skill activated instinctively. A surge of blue mana erupted from Hayeon's hand, wrapping around the Orc's ankles like vines.

"Gwooorgh!" The moment the off-balance Orc tumbled forward, Hayeon seized the opening and lunged. Her sword bit deep into the Orc's shoulder.

"Arrrgh!" The Orc thrashed in agony, and Hayeon raised her sword to deliver the final blow. Slash!

"Nice! That was a very clever decision, Hayeon!" Lilia clapped, while Gold Sun let out a whistle and shouted, "That's it, rabbit! If you can't beat them with strength, use your head!"

Hayeon stared down at her trembling hand holding the sword, muttering to herself. I did it... I... actually did it.

Her successful combat experience against the Orc brought a thrilling sense of accomplishment. Yet, a lingering disappointment remained in a corner of her heart.

But... this isn't a real battle. It's just a safe training ground where Eonni and the others have removed every single risk. At this rate, I won't be able to survive on my own when a real crisis hits...

"One isn't enough, right? Combat instincts are engraved into the body through repetition." Lilia snapped her fingers, and this time, two Orcs caught in a net of mana were dragged before them.

Ksenia, having already disarmed both Orcs and tossed their weapons aside, kicked one of them forward. "Here are the next ones. Use your shield properly this time. You can't rely on mana forever."

Hayeon took a deep breath and readied her stance.

Throughout the day, a grueling yet somewhat anticlimactic combat training session continued. Hayeon fought the Orcs, completely forgetting about the sweat-soaked hair clinging to her forehead. Blocking heavy strikes with her shield, executing a Counter Attack with her sword, and binding their movements with Mana Control—the repetition paid off. Hayeon's movements grew noticeably smoother. Once prone to flustered panic, she had now grown enough to exploit the Orcs' openings and strike back.

It's helpful, but... is this really the kind of combat I wanted? My ability to handle a real crisis isn't improving at all... Hayeon grumbled internally, even as her body steadily adapted to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the rhythm of battle.

By the time she faced her fifth Orc, Hayeon had completely read its simple charging pattern. Using Mana Control, she created a slippery film of mana on the ground to trip it, then plunged her sword precisely into its heart. Lilia nodded, her eyes filled with admiration.

While Ksenia briefly stepped away to scout the surroundings, Gold Sun suddenly approached Hayeon from behind. Startled by his presence, Hayeon spun around.

"Your strength isn't bad," he said, tapping Hayeon's left shoulder. "But if you leave your shoulder open like this, you're basically giving away your left flank, rabbit."

As Hayeon tried to adjust her stance, the back of Gold Sun's hand brushed against her forehead, wiping away her sweat. "Besides, you look so cute sweating like that, even the Orcs won't be able to focus."

When Gold Sun patted her head affectionately, Hayeon's face flushed bright red in embarrassment. Ugh... dangerous...! He's too close...!

Gold Sun took a step back as if nothing had happened and added, "Don't look at your opponent's eyes. Eyes lie. Look at their feet. Real movement always starts from the bottom. Practice it every day starting tomorrow, and you'll be able to read almost any attack."

His advice was surprisingly practical. It was exactly the area she had been struggling with.

Once the sun set and the forest was plunged into pitch darkness, they set up camp behind a wide boulder. A magical flame created by Lilia cast a soft glow over the area. Hayeon sat down in front of the crackling campfire, staring at her bruised and battered hands.

I really fought a lot today. It was painful and exhausting... but I can feel myself getting stronger.

Ksenia silently handed her a water skin and sat down beside her. Lilia conjured a small butterfly of flame that fluttered around Hayeon as she spoke. "Look forward to tomorrow, our little rabbit. I'll make sure you meet some even more interesting fellas."

Hayeon took a sip of water and stared into the dancing flames. Ksenia's silent warmth, Lilia's playful smile, and Gold Sun's subtle touch swirled in her mind, leaving her thoughts in a tangle.

When will I finally be able to pull my own weight?

From behind, Ksenia's hand gently wrapped around her shoulder. She didn't say a word, her touch merely reassuring Hayeon of her presence.

"Thank you, Eonni!" Hayeon said softly, leaning into Ksenia's embrace. Though she still feared tomorrow's battles, a small bud of anticipation was beginning to bloom.

In the darkness, Gold Sun watched the two of them with a deeply meaningful gaze.

The training on the second floor of the dungeon continued. Hayeon grew accustomed to dealing with Orcs, her movements becoming more natural by the day. Under the guidance of Ksenia and Lilia, the repeated combat experience was steadily engraving itself into her muscle memory.

"Break time's over. There's a pack of Orcs nearby, so let's take on a few more," Gold Sun said, taking the lead.

The party nodded silently and ventured deeper into the forest. Hayeon tightened the straps of her shield and followed closely behind. The forest grew increasingly damp, and a thin layer of mist began to roll in.