The sun hung low in the sky, its fading rays casting long shadows across the quiet fort that lay nestled at the edge of the Demonic Forest. Adric, the commander of the White Demons, had returned from his most brutal battle yet. He looked every bit the fearsome warrior he was known as, but there was an unsettling weariness in his eyes—one that spoke of a deeper toll than mere exhaustion.
He had faced wave after wave of demonic beasts, each more powerful and cunning than the last. But today, the battle had broken something inside him. He had fought with a ferocity that was unmatched, unleashing a rage like no one had ever seen from him before. His blade had cleaved through monsters as if they were made of paper, and he had single-handedly taken down demonic bosses of unimaginable power. But when the battle had ended, Adric felt something that no amount of victories could mask: he had pushed himself beyond the edge.
As the commanders of the White Demons gathered before him in the throne room, their faces were grim. The losses had been heavy—five thousand dead and thousands more wounded. But worse still was the troubling news they brought. There were whispers among the soldiers of new creatures—ones that fought with an unnatural intelligence, as if they were being manipulated by the very mana that coursed through the Demonic Forest. It was a threat unlike anything they had faced before.
"Report" order from Adric.
Commander Kaelen, the seasoned leader of the 12th Legion, stepped forward first. His eyes, though tired, remained sharp. "Lord Adric," he began, his voice heavy with the weight of the report, "we've encountered creatures that… defy explanation. They weren't just mindless beasts—they fought with strategy, almost as if they were... organized."
Adric listened closely, his gaze unwavering. "Organized?" he repeated, his mind already racing with possibilities.
"Yes," Kaelen continued, "they seemed to know our tactics, anticipate our moves. It's as if the mana itself is giving them direction, making them smarter, more dangerous."
Adric's jaw tightened. This wasn't just a random mutation of beasts—it was something deliberate, something far worse. The very fabric of the forest was shifting, warping the creatures into something beyond recognition. The mana in the forest was growing unstable, and it was affecting everything around it.
"Is there any sign of where this manipulation is coming from?" Adric asked.
"We don't know yet, my lord," Kaelen admitted. "But we're sending teams to investigate the most heavily affected areas. We may be dealing with something older, something more ancient."
Adric nodded. This was not just a battle for survival—it was a race against time. The mana needed to be stabilized before the forest itself became a weapon against them.
After Kaelen's report, Lyra of the 7th Brigade spoke up. "The men are rattled, my lord," she said, her voice calm but laced with concern. "They've seen something that no soldier should have to face. They're afraid... and it's affecting their morale."
Adric felt a flicker of doubt. His soldiers—his White Demons—had always followed him with unwavering loyalty. But even the strongest warriors had their breaking points. "We will not falter," he said, his voice low and determined. "We will show them that the White Demons do not retreat, do not break."
But before he could continue, Ray Belberg, his second-in-command, stepped forward. His expression was grave, and for the first time, Adric saw the true weight of the situation reflected in Ray's eyes.
"My lord," Ray said quietly, "there is something else you need to know. When you fell today, it wasn't just your body that was exhausted. It was your spirit. The men… they are beginning to question what will happen if you fall. They see you as the embodiment of the White Demons' strength. Without you, they fear they will crumble."
Adric felt a pang of unease. He had always been the unshakable leader, the one they looked to in times of uncertainty. But now, even the White Demons were beginning to feel the cracks.
Before he could speak, Elisa entered the room, her steps light and measured. Her presence was a balm to Adric's weary soul. She had always been there for him—caring for him after the battles, tending to his wounds, guiding him through the pain. Today, however, there was something more in her eyes. Concern, yes—but also something deeper.
"Master, careful," Elisa called out softly as Adric stumbled slightly, his vision blurring. The toll of the battle was catching up to him, and even the great warrior could not escape its grasp. Elisa rushed to his side, supporting him as they made their way to his private quarters.
No one had ever seen Adric falter like this. The great White Demon King—unstoppable, invincible—was now broken, vulnerable. And as he collapsed onto his bed, Elisa stayed by his side, tending to his wounds, offering him the rest he so desperately needed.
For two days, Adric slept soundly, the exhaustion of battle overtaking him completely. During this time, the White Demons camped in relative peace. Though their spirits were heavy from the loss of so many comrades, there was a quiet understanding among them. They had witnessed the raw fury of their commander. They had seen the "Demon Unleashed" on the battlefield. And now, they understood why he had taken longer to rest—why he had shown no face for the past two days.
They knew their commander was not invincible, but he was still their king. The stories of his strength, his relentless pursuit of victory, were told in whispers among the men. The White Demon King was a force of nature, and even in his absence, his power echoed through the camp.
On the fourth morning, Adric stirred in his bed. His eyes opened slowly, the light of the morning sun filtering in through the window. His mind was still hazy from the two days of rest, but as his gaze settled on Elisa standing beside him, he spoke in a voice that was rough but clear.
"How many days have passed?" he asked, his eyes still heavy with sleep.
Elisa's heart swelled with relief at the sound of his voice, and she smiled softly. "Three Full days, my lord. You've been resting."
Adric nodded slowly, his body still feeling the weight of his injuries, but his mind already returning to the tasks at hand. The battle had taken its toll, but it was not over. Not yet.
"We have work to do," he murmured, his gaze hardening with resolve. "The forest is changing, and we must find out why."