The deeper Ryu traveled into Everdark Forest, the darker the surroundings became.
The ancient trees grew taller and thicker.
Their twisted branches blocked the sunlight completely, turning the forest into a world of shadows.
Ryu bounced along the forest floor while the Shadow Wolf walked silently beside him.
For several minutes, neither of them spoke.
Of course, Ryu couldn’t actually talk to the wolf.
But that didn’t stop him from trying.
—So…
where are we going?
The Shadow Wolf continued walking.
—Do you even know where you’re going?
The wolf didn’t respond.
Ryu sighed.
—Right.
I’m talking to a wolf.
The Shadow Wolf suddenly stopped.
Ryu almost crashed into its leg.
—Whoa!
Why did you stop?
The wolf raised its head.
Its ears pointed toward the darkness ahead.
Ryu became serious.
He slowly looked forward.
Nothing.
Only trees.
Only darkness.
Only silence.
Then—
A cold wind passed through the forest.
Ryu felt something strange.
It was the same feeling he had experienced earlier.
That strange energy.
That invisible force pulling him toward something.
Ryu looked at the Shadow Wolf.
—You feel it too, don’t you?
The wolf gave a low growl.
Ryu’s eyes narrowed.
—Then let’s find out what it is.
They continued forward.
After walking for nearly half an hour, the trees suddenly became less dense.
Ryu bounced out of the forest and stopped.
His body froze.
In front of him stood a massive stone structure.
An ancient temple.
Its walls were covered with cracks and vines.
Several enormous statues stood at the entrance.
Each statue looked like a different monster.
Dragon.
Serpent.
Demon.
And something Ryu couldn’t recognize.
Ryu stared at the temple.
—This is…
He remembered the vision from earlier.
The giant door.
The ancient temple.
The strange symbol.
It was the same place.
Ryu slowly moved closer.
The Shadow Wolf suddenly stepped in front of him.
Its fur stood on end.
A deep growl came from its throat.
Ryu stopped.
—What?
The wolf stared at the temple.
It looked afraid.
Ryu had never seen the Shadow Wolf afraid before.
Not even when they fought the seven Forest Fangs.
Ryu looked at the enormous entrance.
—You’ve been here before?
The wolf remained silent.
Ryu moved closer.
There was a huge stone door blocking the entrance.
At the center of the door was a familiar symbol.
A blue slime.
Ryu stared at it.
—That’s the symbol I saw in my vision.
He slowly raised one of his tiny slime-like limbs.
The moment he touched the symbol—
WHOOM!
A wave of blue light exploded from the door.
Ryu was thrown backward.
—WHOA!
He landed on the ground and bounced several times.
The Shadow Wolf immediately rushed toward him.
Ryu stopped moving.
—I’m fine.
The wolf looked at him.
Then suddenly—
CRACK!
The stone door began to move.
Ryu’s eyes widened.
—It’s opening?!
A deep rumbling sound echoed throughout the forest.
Dust fell from the ancient walls.
The enormous door slowly opened.
Darkness waited on the other side.
Ryu stared into it.
He couldn’t see anything.
But he could feel something.
Something was watching him.
Something powerful.
Something ancient.
The Shadow Wolf stepped forward.
Ryu quickly followed.
Inside the temple was a massive hallway.
Hundreds of blue crystals were embedded in the walls.
Their faint light illuminated the path.
Ryu looked around in amazement.
—This place is incredible.
He moved forward.
Then—
[Warning.]
[High-level energy detected.]
Ryu stopped.
—High-level?
A second message appeared.
[Estimated threat level: Unknown.]
Ryu’s excitement disappeared.
—Unknown?
The Shadow Wolf growled.
Suddenly, the blue crystals along the walls began lighting up one after another.
One.
Two.
Three.
Then dozens.
The entire hallway became illuminated.
And at the end of the hallway—
Someone was standing there.
Ryu froze.
It was a person.
A young girl.
She had long silver hair that reached her waist.
Her clothes were old and torn, yet they looked strangely elegant.
She stood completely still.
Her eyes were closed.
Ryu stared at her.
—Is she…
human?
The Shadow Wolf immediately moved in front of Ryu.
The girl slowly opened her eyes.
Her eyes were glowing blue.
She looked directly at Ryu.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then she spoke.
—So…
Her voice echoed through the ancient temple.
—You finally came.
Ryu froze.
—Me?
The girl smiled faintly.
—Yes.
She slowly walked toward him.
The Shadow Wolf growled louder.
The girl’s gaze shifted toward the wolf.
—And you brought him with you.
The Shadow Wolf’s eyes widened.
Ryu noticed it.
—You know the Shadow Wolf?
The girl ignored his question.
Instead, she looked directly at Ryu.
—Tell me, little slime…
Ryu felt a strange pressure surrounding his body.
—Who are you?
The girl smiled.
—The last person who remembers what you truly are.
Ryu’s mind went blank.
—What…
I truly am?
The girl raised her hand.
A blue magical circle appeared beneath Ryu.
The entire temple began shaking.
[Warning.]
[Ancient magic detected.]
[Memory seal detected.]
Ryu’s eyes widened.
—Memory…
seal?
The girl whispered—
—Your memories were never supposed to return.
Suddenly, Ryu’s body began glowing.
Images flashed through his mind.
A burning village.
Hundreds of monsters.
A giant blue dragon.
A battlefield covered in blood.
And finally—
A small blue slime standing before an enormous throne.
Ryu screamed.
—AAAAAH!
The vision disappeared.
He collapsed onto the stone floor.
The Shadow Wolf rushed toward him.
The girl watched silently.
Ryu slowly raised his head.
His body was trembling.
—Those memories…
He looked at the girl.
—They’re mine.
The girl nodded.
—Yes.
Ryu stared at her.
—Then why can’t I remember them?
The girl’s expression became serious.
—Because someone erased them.
Silence filled the temple.
Ryu’s mind raced.
Someone had erased his memories?
But why?
Who was he before becoming a weak slime?
And why was his symbol carved into an ancient temple?
Ryu clenched his tiny fists.
—Who did it?
The girl didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, she looked toward the massive stone door behind them.
Her expression changed.
Fear appeared in her eyes.
—We don’t have much time.
Ryu looked confused.
—Why?
BOOM!
The entire temple shook violently.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
The Shadow Wolf turned toward the entrance.
A terrifying roar echoed from outside.
ROAAAAAR!
Ryu’s body trembled.
The girl looked toward the entrance.
—They found us.
Ryu stared at her.
—Who?
The girl whispered one word.
—The Abyssals.
Outside the temple, hundreds of glowing red eyes appeared between the trees.
The Shadow Wolf stepped forward.
Dark energy began spreading across its body.
Ryu looked at the approaching monsters.
Then he looked at the girl.
—If they’re here for me…
He slowly moved beside the Shadow Wolf.
—Then I’ll fight.
The girl stared at him.
For the first time, a genuine smile appeared on her face.
—Just like before.
Ryu froze.
—Before?
The girl turned toward the temple’s deepest chamber.
—Come with me.
—I’ll show you who you really are.
Behind them, the ancient temple doors began closing.
And outside—
The Abyssals charged.
The battle for Ryu’s forgotten past had begun.