As they entered the forest, Shara took the role of guide. Following him, the darkness of the forest gradually deepened. Birdsong faded away, and the fresh scent of grass slowly turned into a hot, stinging stench. When Shara swung his hoe back and forth, light extended from it, illuminating the path ahead.

  As they walked deeper, a strange sound reached their ears. It was a chilling mixture of a jackal’s growl and the cracking of tree bark.

  Grrrr… creeeak… craaack… crack.

  Shara stretched out his hand toward Tamar and Ella, signaling them to stop.

  “It’s right ahead. I’ll take the lead, so everyone get ready.”

  At that moment, a black shadow lashed out toward Shara. It was a withered black tree monster. About the size of a jackal, it attacked Shara, slashing savagely with its branches. Then dozens more shadows burst forth and lunged at Tamar and Ella.

  As Tamar channeled power into Ishtar’s staff, dozens of water arrows formed and flew toward the monsters. The monsters pierced by the arrows fell to the ground, writhing, then rose again to resume their attack. Tamar created a wall of water to block them.

  Meanwhile, Ella was fighting desperately with one of the monsters. Though her body was covered in wounds, she did not give up, swinging her dagger and standing her ground. Shara swung his hoe tirelessly, smashing the monsters one by one.

  Soon, most of the monsters were defeated. Ella was still locked in a life-or-death struggle. When Shara tried to step in, Tamar motioned him back. At last, when Ella drove her dagger through the monster’s center, it shuddered as if electrocuted, then went limp. Panting heavily, Ella examined the wounds on her body. They had already healed, leaving not even a trace.

  Seeing her surprise, Tamar spoke.

  “As long as Riana is protecting you, most injuries you take will heal quickly. So don’t worry—just build up experience.”

  Shara let out a sigh and looked at the two of them.

  “Hey… why did you bring that kid along? And you—your skills aren’t bad, but with that level of power, you can’t beat Shamu. Let’s go back and bring the rest of the group.”

  As Shara waved his hand and turned to leave, a massive shadow leapt out from the forest. With a thunderous crash, the monster appeared. It was a hulking giant nearly four meters tall, its body clad like armor in dried black wood.

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  From within its dark bluish skin, red eyes gleamed with a chilling light. Each time it breathed, it exhaled hot breath that filled the air with the stench of rotten wood.

  “Th-that’s Shamu… slowly back away—”

  When the monster let out a roar, the forest echoed violently. Shara lost his will to fight and dropped his hoe without realizing it. Just as the monster swung its massive hand to strike him—

  From beneath Shamu’s feet, thick vines burst forth, writhing and surging upward. In an instant, Shamu was completely bound by the massive vines. It struggled, but like an insect caught in a spider’s web, it could not move.

  As Tamar leveled her staff and focused, a fine mist began to fall over Shamu’s head. The vines writhed, growing even larger, and flowers began to bloom.

  Crack!

  Shamu burst apart under the pressure of the vines. Its shattered remains were dragged underground along with the vines and vanished in an instant. Tamar tapped her staff lightly and muttered to herself.

  “So this is how it works. Rain accelerates plant growth. And it looks like abilities used through the staff don’t consume lifespan either?”

  She turned to the group with a broad smile. Shara stood frozen with his mouth hanging open, and Ella stared at her with a stunned expression as well. With Shamu gone, the stench disappeared, and sunlight began to filter into the once-dark forest.

  Shara and the group returned to the village and checked on its condition. Water was flowing again in the stream that had dried up. When the villagers were told that the monster had been defeated, they came out to offer their thanks.

  Seeing them, Tamar swung her staff and said,

  “If it doesn’t cost lifespan, helping out this much should be fine, right?”

  A light drizzle began to fall locally from the sky. The withered crops started to regain their vitality. When Shara extended his hand to lend his power, the crops grew rapidly before their eyes. The villagers cheered with joy.

  The siblings, who had been waiting, waved and approached. When the group gathered, Shara offered a formal expression of thanks.

  “Thanks to you, Shamu has been dealt with. You wield remarkable power… On behalf of the village, I thank you.”

  He then took out a small ivory figurine from his clothes. It was shaped like a cart pulled by two goats. When he placed it on the ground, it gradually grew in size, transforming into living goats.

  “This is my reward.”

  At the sight of the old cart pulled by two goats, the group looked deflated. Shara waved his hand dismissively.

  “These goats run faster than horses and are stronger than oxen. If you lift the cart off the ground, it turns back into a figurine and doesn’t consume any feed.”

  To test it, Elaton climbed aboard, and the cart immediately began running faster than a horse. After circling the village a few times, Elaton climbed down, smiling.

  “An incredible item, sir.”

  The thief boy from the market walked up to Tamar, holding out a bundle wrapped with barley bread and beans for a quick meal. Tamar accepted it with a smile.

  “Thanks. I wish good fortune upon your village.”

  When all five boarded the cart, the goat-drawn wagon began to move slowly. They waved their hands—and in an instant, the cart sped off and disappeared from the villagers’ sight.