Tob Forest.
In the vast, primeval wilderness, the cries of distant beasts and fluttering birds filled the damp air. Thick layers of mist curled around ancient trees, their mossy trunks casting long shadows. The gloom beneath the canopy gave the entire forest a wild, oppressive aura.
Yet—"Awoo!"
The little evil dog's bone chains clinked with excitement as it bounded forward, eyes glowing with joy.
"It really does feel better here."Minori spread his arms wide and inhaled deeply. The smell of rot and moisture blended with the forest's raw vitality, oddly refreshing.
With affairs settled for now in both Renas and Imina's cases, Minori had left the royal capital behind and returned to Tob Forest. His purpose this time was straightforward: leveling up.
The Katz Plains—rich in undead—were tempting, but war between the Re-Estize Kingdom and the Baharuth Empire made the region unsafe.
In addition, there was one more place he wished to investigate: the wetlands beyond the forest and the Abelion Mountains.
"Only two third-tier angel scrolls left. Haven't even made a fourth-tier one yet."He frowned."Even the mana reserve in the Orb of Death is down to about 40 points."
Leveling, replenishing scrolls, and restoring mana were all critical right now.
Swish.Minori flicked his wrist, and an iron sword materialized in his hand. Without a word, he spun and threw it backward.
Thump!It cut through thick branches like paper and nailed a rabbit to the forest floor ten meters away.
Lifting his foot, the [Forest Crossing] enchanted on his wrist gleamed faintly. Leaves and vines bowed away from his path as he advanced.
Pulling the sword free, Minori watched the twitching rabbit—its head skewered.
"No need to act like a spellcaster in a forest like this."He spun the blade and casually flicked the rabbit to the evil dog.
"Oh!"The little beast lunged and devoured the hare in two gulps.
Minori glanced at his status.
"No experience."He wasn't surprised. Low-level creatures had diminishing returns. At level 20, even rabbits still offered a sliver of experience. Not anymore.
Experience :30998/10000
"Over thirty thousand. I wonder if that'll be enough for two levels…"
If so, it might determine whether his long-theorized special class transition would succeed. After all, his Curse Knight class had leveled up without using experience points by absorbing curses directly. That loophole hinted at a potential shortcut to bypass the growing grind.
"Still, better stick to the plan."He gazed deeper into the tangled green.
He was now in the heart of Tob Forest—territory of the creature that would one day be called Hamsuke, the Wise King of the Forest. A magical beast, and one of the Southern Beast Kings.
Of course, that name was given later by Ainz. Right now, it had no such title.
Minori raised his hand.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Five ogre corpses fell from his Item Box with dull thuds.
"Undead Control."
With a whisper, purple light rippled across the bodies. The ogres rose, their eyes dull, their limbs stiff.
Under Minori's command, the towering undead began advancing. Brambles cracked, and trees bent as they marched.
The disturbance caused chaos. Birds shrieked, and wild beasts emerged to defend their territory—only to be crushed.
"Experience gained: 37.""Experience gained: 51.""Experience gained: 29."
Minori watched the forest grow quiet.
Too quiet.
Even the insects had stopped.
He narrowed his eyes. "Stay sharp. Something's closing in."
He wasn't wrong. The deeper into the Wise King's territory, the more dangerous it became. Goblins and trolls were child's play by comparison.
"Awoo…"The little evil dog lowered itself instinctively, sensing danger.
As the ogres stomped forward, the silence grew oppressive.
Suddenly—Crash! Something darted through the trees to the northwest, then vanished.
"Ahh!"The evil dog bristled. Every bone chain rattled.
"So it begins." Minori's eyes gleamed.
He had deliberately made noise to lure the beast out. Tob Forest was massive, and even with [Forest Crossing], it was inefficient for grinding. Drawing the boss out was a faster option.
But he also needed to avoid the mistake he made with the goblins, which had drawn the attention of the Adventurer's Guild.
This was why he'd chosen Hamsuke.
Suddenly—Rustle. Rustle. All around him, the underbrush stirred. The sounds came from every direction.
"Encircling me?"His grip tightened on the sword."That speed is unreal."
Minori spread his stance, knees bent slightly, eyes darting from side to side.
Yes—this was no mindless troll king.
The Wise King of the Forest might not have shown spellcasting in the anime, but lore stated it bore eight magical crest patterns—a kind of innate racial magic.
Boom!
A black blur streaked out from the left.
An ogre's torso vanished in a flash of silver. The rest of its body fell in a heap.
Flash! Flash! Flash!
In seconds, all five undead ogres were shredded. Chunks of flesh scattered across the mossy ground.
"Grrr…"The evil dog dropped flat, shaking uncontrollably.
"It's fast—faster than its size should allow."
Trees weren't disturbed at all. As if the creature passed through them. Maybe it had its own version of [Forest Crossing].
Minori's mind raced.
Then—
He saw it.
A massive silver-white form, half-obscured by trees, stood just twenty meters away.
He didn't hesitate. Grabbing the bone chain, he hurled the evil dog behind him.
"Get out of here."
Bang!
The silver figure charged.
The vegetation between them didn't so much as rustle—like the creature passed through a world untouched by the forest.