Dozens of furious roars echoed through the Southern Woods.
The ground trembled beneath Aiden’s feet.
Branches snapped behind him.
Heavy footsteps rapidly closed the distance.
He didn’t look back.
There was no need.
His instincts already told him everything.
“They’re chasing me.”
His body shot through the dense forest like an arrow.
Years of surviving inside the Forbidden Forest had taught him how to move through rough terrain without slowing down.
Roots.
Fallen logs.
Thick bushes.
None of them hindered his pace.
Behind him…
The enraged goblins crashed through everything in their path.
“GRAAAAH!”
“GURK!”
“RAAAH!”
Mixed among the goblin voices…
A much deeper roar echoed through the forest.
The armored monster.
Its footsteps were heavier than all the others combined.
Each step shook the earth.
Aiden’s expression became serious.
“It’s faster than I expected.”
Without stopping, he activated Analysis on the sounds behind him.
**〈Analysis Failed〉**
Target exceeds current Analysis capability.
“…Still too strong.”
He clicked his tongue.
Running wasn’t cowardice.
It was survival.
A dead adventurer completed no quests.
Suddenly—
**Whoosh!**
A spear flew past his head.
It smashed into a nearby tree with enough force to split the trunk in half.
Aiden immediately changed direction.
“They’re trying to cut off my escape.”
Another spear.
Then another.
The goblins had learned.
Instead of throwing randomly…
They were coordinating their attacks.
Someone was commanding them.
Aiden reached a narrow stream.
Without slowing down, he leapt across it.
Splash!
Water sprayed into the air.
He landed smoothly on the opposite bank.
Moments later…
The pursuing goblins reached the stream.
Several slipped on the wet rocks.
One fell into the rushing water.
Another collided with a tree.
Their formation broke.
Aiden used the opportunity to widen the gap.
“…Good.”
His breathing remained steady.
Months ago…
This chase would have terrified him.
Now…
His mind stayed calm.
Every decision was calculated.
Every movement conserved energy.
Suddenly…
His ears caught another sound.
A low growl.
Not from behind.
From the front.
Aiden stopped instantly.
A massive shadow emerged from the bushes.
Its crimson eyes locked onto him.
A giant wolf.
Dark gray fur covered its muscular body.
Long fangs protruded from its jaws.
Its claws dug deep into the earth.
**〈Analysis〉**
**Species:** Dire Wolf
**Threat Rank:** F
**Condition:** Healthy
“…A Dire Wolf.”
The beast growled.
It had also heard the goblins.
For a brief moment…
Man.
Monster.
And the pursuing goblin horde stood frozen.
Then the Dire Wolf turned its head toward the approaching goblins.
It snarled.
The goblins answered with furious screams.
Without warning…
The wolf lunged.
Not at Aiden.
At the first goblin that burst through the bushes.
Its jaws crushed the goblin’s neck instantly.
Blood sprayed across the forest floor.
The remaining goblins roared and charged the wolf together.
Aiden watched the chaos unfold.
“…They’re fighting each other.”
The Southern Woods wasn’t united.
Every monster fought for its own territory.
He didn’t waste the opportunity.
While the Dire Wolf and goblins clashed behind him…
Aiden disappeared deeper into the forest.
Far away from the battle.
But even as he escaped…
One thought remained in his mind.
The armored creature…
It hadn’t joined the fight.
It had simply stood in the distance…
Watching.
Its yellow eyes never left Aiden.
The sounds of battle echoed behind Aiden.
The Dire Wolf and the goblins had become locked in a fierce struggle.
Roars.
Screams.
The clash of claws against crude weapons.
Aiden didn’t slow down.
That fight had bought him precious time, and he had no intention of wasting it.
After several hundred meters, he finally stopped atop a rocky ridge overlooking part of the forest.
He crouched low.
His breathing remained steady despite the chase.
Silently, he activated Analysis.
No footsteps.
No movement nearby.
“…I lost them.”
Only then did he allow himself a moment to think.
The goblin camp wasn’t the greatest discovery today.
It was that armored monster.
It could speak.
It commanded goblins.
It had enough intelligence to organize hunting parties.
This wasn’t something an ordinary F-Rank quest should involve.
“…I need to report this.”
Just as he stood—
A rustling sound came from the bushes to his left.
Aiden instantly drew his sword.
The leaves parted.
A creature slowly emerged.
It resembled a giant cat, standing nearly as tall as his waist.
Its dark green fur blended perfectly with the forest.
Long saber-like fangs extended from its mouth.
Its golden eyes stared directly at Aiden.
**〈Analysis〉**
**Name:** Forest Saber Cat
**Threat Rank:** F
**Weak Point:** Neck
The beast growled.
Unlike the goblins…
It was alone.
Aiden relaxed slightly.
“This…”
“…I can handle.”
The Saber Cat suddenly lunged.
Its speed surprised him.
The distance between them disappeared in an instant.
Aiden shifted to the side.
The claws narrowly missed his chest.
Instead of retreating…
He stepped closer.
The beast twisted in midair, trying to slash him again.
Too late.
**Slash!**
His sword cut across its shoulder.
The Saber Cat landed awkwardly before immediately turning to face him once more.
Blood dripped onto the ground.
Yet it didn’t flee.
It circled him cautiously.
Looking for another opening.
Aiden remained calm.
He had learned something during his months in the Forbidden Forest.
Wild monsters were predictable.
Once they committed to an attack…
They rarely changed direction.
The Saber Cat roared again.
Then sprang forward.
This time…
Aiden didn’t dodge.
He stepped into its attack.
At the last moment, he swung upward.
**Slash!**
The blade struck beneath its jaw.
The momentum carried the monster over his shoulder.
It crashed heavily behind him.
Silence.
A moment later…
The body stopped moving.
**〈Notice〉**
Forest Saber Cat defeated.
Experience acquired.
Authority Fragment absorbed.
Synchronization with the Authority of Nothingness increased slightly.
Aiden exhaled slowly.
“This feeling again…”
Each battle made the Authority feel just a little more natural.
Not stronger.
More familiar.
As though it was gradually becoming a part of him.
Remembering Alfred’s advice, he carefully skinned the Saber Cat and collected its valuable materials.
Its fangs were much larger than a goblin’s.
Its hide was thick and unmarked.
Even its claws looked valuable.
After placing everything into his new leather satchel, Aiden looked toward the sun.
“…It’s getting late.”
Continuing deeper into the forest after everything that had happened today would be reckless.
The goblin camp.
The armored commander.
The chase.
He had already learned enough.
There would always be another day.
With his decision made, Aiden turned toward Westhaven.
As the city walls finally came into view near sunset, he couldn’t help but smile faintly.
He had entered the Southern Woods as an inexperienced adventurer.
Today…
He returned with knowledge, experience, and proof that the forest held dangers far greater than anyone in the Guild realized.
Tomorrow…
He would report everything.
But for tonight…
He needed a hot meal.
A soft bed.
And a full night’s rest.