Mystic Dark Veil

Helen's first hunt

[ WARNING - THIS CHAPTER INCLUDES MURDER AND BLOOD SCENES WITH ABUSIVE WORDS]

Two days prior, Helen, aware of the duke's departure for subjugation, resolved to venture into the forest to test her newfound skills. While she hadn't fully mastered the Fire element, she had honed her control over the Wind element, conjuring sharp wind blades with precision.

Before her departure, Helen penned a letter to her father, Duke Mackil, stating her intent to return within a week, citing a need to explore potential business opportunities. Unbeknownst to the duke, Helen possessed elemental powers.

Under the cloak of midnight, Helen set out, having confided in Lusav about her plans to visit the Magic Forest. Despite Lusav's attempts to accompany her, Helen reassured him of her safety and promised her swift return.

"Lusav, I merely seek to test my abilities. I shall venture into the Magic Forest to assess my prowess firsthand." Lusav, trusting in his master, acquiesced to her decision.

Clad in her assassin's attire—black leather pants, a matching top adorned with a belt housing an array of knives—Helen donned her signature red fox mask. Her crimson eyes gleamed with an intensity akin to a blade of fiery red, contrasting sharply with her pale-blue hair, elegantly tied into a high ponytail. With an aura of grace and stature, Helen exuded an air of confidence and determination.

Swift as the wind itself, Helen mounted her horse and rode with unparalleled speed, harnessing her mastery over the Wind element to slice through the air like a sharpened sword, leaving all in her wake astounded by her prowess.

[People typically take years to master each element, but Helen was different; she possessed an extraordinary talent for learning by observation. In the modern world, Helen was proficient in nearly seventy-five languages, both spoken and written. Within a mere three months, she had mastered the Wind element, drawing knowledge from library books. However, she struggled to advance to the Blue flame level in fire elemental manipulation due to its complexity.]

[Within half a day, Helen ventured into the Magic Forest, where she encountered the grisly aftermath of the subjugation team's passage: dead, malevolent beasts and dried blood littered her path. Recognizing the direction the team had taken, Helen quickened her pace. Along the way, she crossed paths with a solitary ogre, lurking to avoid the subjugation team. Observing the ogre's solitary state, Helen deduced that its mate had likely fallen to the team's assault.]

[The ogre charged toward Helen as she stood atop her galloping horse, poised with a knife aimed at its neck. Despite her best effort, her human strength failed to inflict significant harm, merely scratching the beast. Ogres, typically displaying human-like behaviors and traveling in pairs, were formidable adversaries. Undeterred, Helen dismounted and engaged the ogre, imbuing her knife with the power of the Wind element, resulting in a glowing green blade.]

[With astonishing agility, Helen swiftly maneuvered around the ogre, severing its arms and then its massive legs with the speed and force of the wind—a technique known to few. Even after disabling the beast, Helen knew she couldn't deliver a killing blow. Instead, she left the incapacitated ogre behind and swiftly returned to her horse, determined to press onward.]

[As Helen rode deeper into the forest, she encountered the aftermath of the subjugation team's battles: the scent of blood and venom permeated the air. Having previously ingested the antidote from a miraculous medicinal plant, Helen remained immune to most toxins, save for cursed poisons. Freed from further attacks, she traversed the forest with increased speed.]

[By the second night, Helen arrived near the Duke's campsite. However, her horse's sudden halt and trembling, coupled with the ground's faint tremors, signaled imminent danger. In the distance, a scream pierced the night—a harbinger of the approaching threat. As the shaking intensified, the Duke rallied his knights, preparing for the impending onslaught.]

[Soon, eleven evil beasts emerged into view: six of lower rank and five of formidable strength. Recognizing the formidable challenge ahead, the Duke braced his knights for a fierce battle.]