Lunareth, Elaryn, and Kaelith stood still.
The forest had gone unnaturally silent—no wind, no insects, not even the rustle of leaves. Only the heavy breath of the giant monster echoed between the trees.
Its eyes locked onto Kaelith.
With a deafening roar, the creature lunged forward, claws tearing through the air, aimed straight at Kaelith's chest.
Kaelith didn't move.
Not because he couldn't—
but because he didn't feel the need to.
Before the monster's attack could even graze him—
Slash.
A faint silver line passed through the air.
The monster froze mid-motion.
Then its massive body split cleanly in two, collapsing to the ground with a thunderous crash. Blood soaked into the earth, steam rising from the severed flesh.
Elaryn lowered her hand slowly.
No chant.
No skill name.
No effort.
Just raw, normal power.
Reeve's breath hitched.
His fingers trembled slightly, but he clenched them tight, forcing himself to stay calm. His heart was pounding like a war drum, yet his face remained steady.
So this is… their level.
Lunareth exhaled sharply, eyes scanning the forest.
"There are more," she said calmly. "A lot more."
From between the trees, shadows began to move.
One monster.
Then three.
Then dozens.
Red eyes flickered in the dark as growls layered over one another.
Lunareth smiled faintly.
"Let's kill them."
They moved forward together.
As they advanced, Kaelith suddenly stopped.
"Wait."
He crouched down near a fallen monster, brushing away blood and dirt from its neck.
There it was.
A black, twisted symbol, etched deep into the flesh—almost like a brand burned directly into the soul.
Kaelith's eyes narrowed.
"This mark…"
At that moment—
ROOOOOAR.
Every monster in the area suddenly turned toward them.
As if pulled by an invisible string, they charged at once, movements frantic and unnatural.
"They're coming all at once!" Reeve shouted.
Elaryn stepped forward.
Her eyes glowed faintly.
What followed wasn't a battle.
It was a massacre.
Blades of wind, invisible force, and raw mana crushed the monsters before they could even reach them. Bodies fell one after another, lifeless before their roars could finish.
Silence returned.
Kaelith stood still, staring at the pile of corpses.
"…Too weak," he muttered coldly.
There was no pride in his voice.
Only disappointment.
Suddenly—
Reeve started running.
Straight toward the dead monsters.
"Reeve?" Lunareth called out. "Why are you running?"
"Come here!" Reeve shouted back urgently.
Lunareth, Elaryn, and Kaelith exchanged glances before walking over.
Reeve pointed at the same black symbol Kaelith had noticed.
"This mark," Reeve said, voice low, serious. "It's not just a curse."
He swallowed.
"It's a command seal."
Their expressions sharpened.
"Anyone or anything bearing this mark," Reeve continued, "is forced to kill. Their mana increases the more they slaughter… but they're not in control anymore."
Kaelith clenched his fist.
"So they're being used."
"Yes," Reeve replied. "Like tools."
Lunareth straightened, her usual calm hardening into something colder.
"…Then whoever placed this mark," she said slowly, "is creating an army."
The air suddenly shifted.
A faint whisper echoed inside Reeve's mind.
[System Notice]
Target Identified.
Marked Entities detected in large-scale pattern.
Warning: This phenomenon is spreading.
Reeve's eyes widened slightly.
The system's voice was quieter than usual.
Almost… cautious.
And for the first time—
Reeve felt it.
This quest was never just about monsters.