Chaos World

Chapter 4: Leaving the Forest

“Spiral flame!” I screamed a spell. A spiraling flame burst out from my palm towards Ordeus. He easily deflected it though.

“Not bad! You’re casting is faster and the power is better!” His critic. “But it still has room for improvement! Again!” He ordered. Ordeus swiped his hand in front of him and “boom!” I was flung back.

“Speed!” I cast speed spell and up it to 5 times. I flashed to his side and delivered a kick s***h. It didn’t work. “Nice try!” He caught my leg and threw me away.

I am currently having a spar with Ordeus. This is one of the times that he’d offer to teach me basic combat. By the way, a year has already past, since the day I arrived in Chaos.

My magic hasn't improved much; I am still advance rank. And Ordeus didn’t teach me proper spells; I have to learn them all via books in his library. He did give me a hint, “Always remember to use your imagination. That’s the foundation of magic!” He said.

Hence, my magic is all born from my imagination of the spells. I guess, if I meet a proper magician, my spells might be a little bit off from the original.

 I stood and dusted myself, “I’ll get you this time, old man!” I declared. I ran towards him, “Speed! Lightning armor!” I increased my speed 10 times; it’s currently the maximum point that I can multiply my speed and then followed it up with a lightning based defensive magic.

“Taste this! Loran original, Thunder Crash!” I screamed as I sped up towards Ordeus.

“Fool! I told you, stop screaming about your attacks!” He reprimanded while he delivered a punch. Although, I was a blur, he still hit me squarely in the face. I was thrown back a few meters and stopped by crashing onto a tree. Poor tree. Poor me.

“Master!” Aria’s worried voice rung in my head. She can’t articulate proper words except for “pyon” but she can properly speak directly in my mind.

“Argh! You broke my nose! Again!” I screamed while covering my bleeding nose. “And my back! Aw! Aw!” I complained when I suddenly heard a “c***k!” from my back. “AHHHH! My legs are backwards!”

That was it, then all became dark. Yeah, I fainted. When I came to, I was already lying on my bed. Aria was quietly sleeping on my chest.

“Hmm…” Aria woke up slowly. “Ah…yawn… you’re awake, master!”

“How long was it this time?” I asked. Every time Ordeus and I spar, I end up fainting. It is because of Ordeus’ one hit – knockout punch most of the time, sometimes, it’s like this; I faint because of a broken body part.

“Your nose recovered after 24 hours, your back, after 3 days and your legs recovered after 5 days. So, you were out cold for more than a week.” She reported.

“it’s not so bad compared last month. Anyway, thank you for taking care of me, Aria.” I said.

“Ah, master, it’s time for your “medicine”.”

Mind you, I am not sick. It’s what I requested Aria to say if I need to feed on Ohm. Also, I devised a spell just to make eating Ohm easier. A simple compression spell. Aria took a small slice from Ohm’s left leg; I already finished consuming the other leg.

“Compress!” The meat and bone slowly compressed into a small, marble-sized pill. I immediately took it and swallowed.

I know, Aria treats Ohm like her father. I can’t imagine how hard it is for her to see me slowly eating him. But, strangely though, I never saw her disgust or any other feelings whenever I ask her to get a slice of meat from Ohm. It’s as if, she turned off those things.

“Maybe, she casted a spell on herself. Might be a “forget spell” or a “hypnosis” spell?” That’s what I always thought every time.

She’s storing Ohm’s body in her “Dimension Door”. It’s her unique ability. She opens a door to a special dimension. She explained it to me once.

She said, the dimension behind the door is her territory; a small space created by her life essence. No one else can access it apart from her and me. It happened when we formed a soul contract. I was given a small authority over her special dimension. That means, I can also create a Dimension door and enter her space.

I tried it once but the door collapsed. It was frigging hard to create. That’s why I didn’t bother learning it anymore, and left it to Aria.

“Oh, you’re awake!” Ordeus beamed when he saw me enter the dining hall. “Sit down and eat.” He said.

“Thank you.” I said weakly and sat down opposite him. Aria floated onto the table and seated herself on a small dining set prepared for her. She’s so cute!

“You’ve been cooped up here for a year now.” Ordeus opened. “Aren’t you planning to leave here?” he asked.

“Are you throwing me out?” I countered and got an immediate reply, “Yes!”

Aria shifted her gaze from Ordeus to me, “Pyon?”

“Can’t you even pretend that you’d like me to stay?” He only shrugged.

“I know you’re purposely slowing down taking your… ‘medicine’.” He pointed, “I told you before to not worry about me.”

“Fine. Next week, I’ll be leaving.” I said.

“Good!” Then he resumed eating.

"Well, I guess it’s time we go, don't you think, Aria?" I telepathically asked.

"Yes, master." She answered weakly.

=======================================================

After a week, “Are you really sure, you’re fine here by yourself?” I asked Ordeus.

“Stop dallying and go! Worry about yourself. I have lived more than you have, I will be fine.” His answer.

“Are you really sure?”

“Go or I will throw you out with a punch!” Ordeus raised his fist and positioned it like he’s about to throw it at me.

“Oh, shoot! Come on, Aria! Let’s get out of here!” I ran away before he releases that punch.

“Pyon-pyon! Pyon!” Aria said to him.

“Yes. You take care as well, Aria!” I heard him replied. Then Aria flew away from him and catch up to me.

When I was at the hanging vines; the entrance to the castle ruin, I looked back and yelled, “Old man! Don’t die before I come back! I promise I’ll find a way!”

Then, I bowed to him in gratitude and respect, "Overlord Ordeus, thank you for everything."

"Pyon-pyon-pyon! (My Lord, thank you!)" Aria also did the same.

Ordeus' connection to this world is Ohm's body and if I completely consume him, Ordeus will disappear. So, one of my goals for this journey is to find a way to help Ordeus. 

He told me to consume my “medicine” daily or I would have my body explode from over absorption of mana. I asked him about it, before, and his conjecture was that it was because of my improper summoning.

Chaos has her own will, as what Ordeus told me. That time when I used the Identity World Crystal to create my race, I tapped into it. So to say, the world has recognized my existence, despite being an intruder. And she tried to supply me with mana as what she does to other Chaotians, but sadly, my body is still of Earth’s model; it can’t cope with the volume of mana entering my body.

Also, if I was not turned immortal when I arrived in Chaos, my body would have been ejected by the world, and by eject, I mean destroyed. Ordeus didn’t know the reason behind it but he said, Chaos is ruthless against intruders.

However, with my half-immortal body, the mana absorbed are being stored for me to use thus my ability mana manipulation or so as Ordeus conjectured.

So, I decided to minimize my consumption of my “medicine” as much as possible. Unfortunately, there is a side-effect. The mana I am automatically absorbing is seeping into my body at a rate faster than my mana consumption. In other words, my body is being corroded by mana due to over absorption and my body is barely coping.

Unless, I become a true immortal or if, somehow, I find a way to remodel my body to fit a proper Chaotian, my body will be destroyed.

So, there are times, when I will suddenly feel weak, especially if I stop taking my “medicine”.

Aria and I finally left the area of the Castle ruin.

"Right, where should we head off?"

"How about to the east?"

"Hm…to the east. Alright, to east we go."

Aria sat on my shoulder while we walk in the Forgotten forest. Like the first time we walk to the castle ruin, it was deadly silent. 

"Hey, Aria, why didn't we encounter any animals here?"

"Oh, that is because Lord Ordeus' aura protects this forest. No animals or monsters can withstand his pressure. Even other races can't easily go inside this forest."

"Oh, hence the name Forgotten Forest?"

She nods. "But near the exit, there will be monsters. Not to worry, monsters there are weak, we can handle them."

I didn't personally see the extent of Ordeus' power; I am knocked out before he even delivers another offensive. One hit from him and I am defeated. But if he can prevent monsters and other races from entering the forest so easily, then he must be powerful.

Well, of course, he is. He did help defeat Solaiman who was stronger than any of the previous overlords.

Nearing the exit, we heard rustles from the bushes.

"Oh?"

Five monsters came out. From the books I've read in the castle ruin library, these monsters appeared to be “Blood Rabbits”. They are rabbits but as large as a wolf. Their fur is white but has a thick blood-red streamline covering their whole body. It would make them look like they are covered in blood.

I’ve read one book before, telling about the different rankings of monsters, magic beasts and spirits. There are also 7 ranks, from lowest rank F, E, D, C, B, A, to S. S rank monsters are powerful monsters that would sometimes gain intelligence.

I wonder if there are monsters more powerful than S ranks, like SS or SSS? There’s a God rank above the known highest rank, so maybe there are? 

Back to the current situation, "Blood Rabbits. They're mostly E ranks."

They started moving. Although I said they were only E ranks but if all of them attack simultaneously it would be a pain.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, monsters and other magic beasts have an innate stronger body than most Chaotians; their ranks are not totally an equivalent of Chaotian ranks. For example, a Greenhorn might not win against an F rank monster despite both being the lowest rank or an Overlord might not be as powerful as an S rank monster.

I immediately erected walls of wind around us. That would keep them out for a bit. 

The rabbits smashed their bodies on the walls, making some “thud” sounds.

“Wind wall expansion!” I said. The walls of wind immediately expanded, taking the rabbits away from me.

Then, I followed it with, "Fire Pillar!"

Immediately, five pillars of fire rose from below the five blood rabbits. They were all engulfed by the fire. I thought they would writhe in pain but they were turned to dust at the next instant.

"Whoa~master!"

"Oops...I guess I have to lower the mana output. Sorry."

I never thought I can kill them instantly but I was surprise by the power of my fire pillar. It’s all thanks to my mana manipulation ability.

Not only can I control my own mana, I can even meld it with the surrounding mana making my spells more powerful.

“I have to control it more efficiently next time.” I swore.

We encountered different monsters on our way out but I have taken them out quite easily. Aria took out a map from her Dimension door. Her ability is really convenient.

Although, the map is old, Ordeus said that not much has changed in Chaos. So, the map I have could still be used.

I looked at the map, “There is a town not too far from here. It would take us about 3 days to reach if we walk. However, If I cast “Speed” and run, it would probably just take a day and a half?” I said but I heard no response, so I took a glance at Aria.

She seemed to be enjoying the view as we walk. "Master, should we rest a bit?" She suddenly proposed.

"Are you tired?"

Aria shakes her head. I know what she wants, though. On our midst is a field of flowers. I almost forgot that this is also the first time she went outside the forest. So, I decided to just walk towards the town.

We rested a bit amidst the flower field, or at least, I did the resting while Aria played on the fields.

“She’s 818 years old, yet she acts like a kid.” I thought. Maybe it’s still the adolescent stage for Dimension fairies like her. “Okay, let’s just think that she’s 18 years old.” I decided.

We fought some monsters along the way then at night we camped out. 

"I forgot we don't have a tent. I'm sorry Aria."

I packed a lot of things inside Aria’s Dimension Door, but of all things, I forgot to bring a tent. I remember seeing that thing in Ordeus’ storage room. It was small blue cube.

I read about that cube in one of the books. It was magical tool that when activated becomes a small tent.

Why did I forget to bring that?

"It's alright, master. Like this we can see the stars." She comforted.

 I'm glad we had good weather tonight or we would've been soaking wet in the morning if it rained.

While Aria was busy stargazing, I was improving my magic. I thought maybe I can make a house using earth magic. So I tried to feel the mana on the ground. Strangely, I don't feel anything. 

Maybe I need to touch it literally. So I knelt on the ground and place my palm on it. I tried to feel the mana using my mana manipulation ability. I felt that prickly feeling and a moment later I started to feel the mana on the ground.

I couldn't control it freely this time however I tried to will the mana inside and imagine it raising. The ground where my hand was on slowly raised a bit, about 5 inches from the ground. I made a 5-inch mound!

“Alright! Phew! This is hard!” I whispered. 

This time I imagined making a chair. I willed the mana on the ground while not letting go of the image in my mind. I felt the ground underneath my palm raised but all I got was a 5-inch mound just like earlier. 

Sigh. I guess I need to train more.

"What were you doing, master?"

"Nothing. Let's sleep. We still got a long way to go tomorrow."

In the morning, we continued our journey. We still encountered monsters on the way but most of them are F ranks. Some of them didn't even bothered attacking. 

We didn’t rush our way; we stop when we find a beautiful spot. I let Aria play and explore while I rummage on the books. There were some plants I’ve read about before and tried to study them. Who knows? This knowledge might become useful someday.

We climb over a hill and soon after, we saw the shadow of the town we're heading. After exactly three days, we finally arrived.

We saw a long line of people and carriages at the front gate of the town, so I told Aria to hide first. We agreed before to hide her presence if we're in town. I’m afraid she might attract attention and unwanted trouble.

She dived into her contract seal on my hand and disappeared.

"Excuse me." I approach a man who seemed to be a traveler.

"Yes?"

"Why is there a line of people here?"

He gazed me from head to foot.

"You’re a traveler?" I nodded to his question.

"The guards are doing inspections. There seems to be some illness going around towns and they are preventing it from reaching this town," was his answer.

An illness? 

"Thank you, sir." I said.

I also fell in line following the crowd. It soon came my turn to be inspected.

"Show me your pass card."

Pass card? What is that? "Pass card?"

"Ufu~ you don't have one?" The guard glared at me. I'm in trouble. I didn't know about this pass card.

"I'm sorry. I lived in the forest for so long that I do not have one."

"Forest you say? Tch~ stand on this side first. We'll have you interrogated for a bit."

"Oh, okay." I got out of the line and stood at the side.

I waited for several hours. I was not in a hurry so it was fine. After a while more, someone finally approached. 

"Are you the person who had no pass card?" He asked me with an expressionless face.

"Yes."

"Come with me."

I followed him. He brought me into the tents found on the sides of the wall. This must be something like a police outpost.

"Take a seat."

I sat on the chair in front of a desk. 

"You say you came from the forest?" I nodded. "Which forest might that be?"

I was reluctant to say I came from the Forgotten Forest so I asked Aria if it’s okay to say it?

"Well, there's no harm trying. Besides there are some tribe living near the forest." She said.

"I came from the Forgotten Forest." The guard was startled but shrugged it off and presumed his serious expression.

"I see. Are you from the “Drumbeat Tribe”? But I don’t see any tattoos on you or drums.” He asked.

"I am not." I answered.

"Then which tribe are you from?"

"..."

"If you’re not going to tell me, then you'll be spending your night in jail."

"..." Why are you detaining me? Couldn’t you just refuse my entrance and let me go?

I stayed silent. What else can I do? I don't know how to answer. I was not from Chaos so I don't belong to any tribe. Should I say I am from the Immortal tribe of the Undying race? It might merit greater trouble.

"Tch~ guard!" He called the guard on standby at the side.

"Yes, captain."

"Bring this man in."

The guard took me into a small jail house outside the town walls. No matter how I think, this feels really wrong. Couldn’t they just let me go? Sigh. Well, at least we would be spending the night with roof on our heads.