On the way to the village near Shadow Forest, Eryx looked around, already getting bored." So how long's it gonna take to reach that village?" he asked, yawning. "Ain't there a faster way?"
"There is a way," Ada answered, walking beside Navia. "But it only works if one of us has already been there and linked our mana core to a routing point."
"Routing point?" Eryx tilted his head. "What even is that?"
Ada kept her pace steady, eyes scanning the area like always. "They're ancient teleportation points placed across all of Essentia. They were created by the first spirit who evolved into a god—her name was Malenia. She traveled the world with a human, and together they built those points to make traveling easier for future generations."
"That's cool and all," Eryx said, raising an eyebrow, "but why can't we use them immediately? If it's all ancient tech, shouldn't it just work for anyone?"
Navia jumped into the convo with a grin, clearly excited to explain. "Good question, dummy! Listen up. The routing points only work for you if you connect your mana to them first. It's like... scanning your fingerprint into a magic lock. Once you've linked your mana core to a point, it becomes accessible to you, and you can report that connection to the guild."
"Wait, wait, wait—" Eryx blinked. "So you're saying I gotta physically go to the spot, link my mana, and only then can I teleport there later?"
"Exactly." Navia nodded. "After that, the guild can use your connection to register the location for other people, but it'll cost them to use it. And you—" she gave him a smug look, "you get paid for giving the guild access."
"Ooh, I like the sound of that." Eryx grinned, rubbing his hands together. "So I get money and fast travel? That's a win-win."
"Oh, there's more," Navia added, spinning around to walk backward, facing him. "When you activate a major routing point, a bunch of smaller ones in a 14 to 20 kilometer radius auto-activate too. Those mini points don't need you to awaken them. They just pop up on your Slayer's Handbook map."
"And I can just... think of a location, close my eyes, and boom—teleported?"
"Yup. But there's a difference," Ada chimed in. "Main routing points can heal you if you're injured. Mini routing points don't heal—they only move you around the area. Got it?"
"Yeah, got it now," Eryx said, nodding. "That's hella useful. Thanks for the info dump."
As they walked a bit further, they reached a hilltop where they could finally see the village below, quiet, a bit too quiet. Shadows loomed around the edges. The smell of something foul lingered in the air.
The demon-infested village was just ahead.
"Oh wowww… so this is what an open area looks like from a hilltop," Eryx said, eyes wide with wonder. "It's like… heaven or something. And that village down there just makes the whole view look even better."
But his smile faded quickly.
"Wait… what's that smoke coming from the village?" he asked, his voice dropping with sudden worry.
"Now that you mention it…" Ada narrowed her eyes, watching the smoke thicken. "It is getting worse. Something might be on fire. Let's go check it out."
"But how?" Eryx looked around in panic. "There's no way we're jumping from this hilltop—we'd die for sure. And if we go around from the other side, it'll take us half a day just to get down there!"
As he stressed over the options, Ada stepped forward and calmly said, "Just watch me."
Before Eryx could react, Ada lifted off the ground, flying smoothly into the air using glowing green wings made of pure mana. His jaw dropped.
"What the hell—?! You're flying?! What kind of power even is that? It's not fire, not water… And wait, does that mean we can fly too if we're Starborn class?"
Ada turned slightly in the air, her green flame wings leaving trails behind. "Yeah, you can. If you can imagine it—and manifest it through your core—it's possible. This power comes from the fire element, specifically the flame branch. There are many kinds of flames: dark flames, green flames like mine, and others. It all depends on how deep you connect with your element."
"So it's like… natural-born elements, but if we grind enough, we can master even more advanced forms?"
"Exactly," Ada nodded. "You don't get to choose your element or type—it chooses you. But with enough training, you can push past your limits."
She hovered in place. "We'll talk more later. I'm going to scout the village. Wait here."
"But wait—let us—" Eryx tried to say.
"No," Navia interrupted firmly. "Let her go. We'll wait here for you, Ada."
Ada flew down toward the village, gliding silently over rooftops and smoke. After a few minutes, she returned, her expression grim.
"What did you see?" Eryx asked quickly. "Is something wrong with the smoke?"
"That smoke was created by demons," Ada replied. "They've taken over the village. The villagers are trapped between burning buildings. The fire's spreading fast. If we don't do something soon… they're all gonna burn alive."
Navia stepped forward, serious now. "What rank are those demons? Are they Seekers or something higher?"
"They're mostly Fledglings," Ada replied. "But their leader is Seeker rank. A few of the others are Seekers, too. We're dealing with a mixed group."
Navia clenched her fist. "Then we're moving out. Get ready, Eryx."
"I'm ready—but wait, how are we gonna get down there? It'll take half a day if we go the long way—"
"Relax, dummy," Navia said, smirking. "Use this."
She handed him a strange metallic item that shimmered faintly. "It's called Aerion. It'll help you glide down from any height without getting hurt. And from now on—it's yours."
Eryx blinked. "Okay… how do I use it?"
"Simple. First, wear it. Then think about it like it's part of your imagination, just like you did with your weapon. It'll disappear into your mental space, but stay connected to your mana core. When you need it, just think of it. It'll appear."
Navia paused to make sure he was following. "When you're ready to jump, just imagine it opening. It'll deploy mid-air and glide you down safely. Got it?"
Eryx nodded, slipping it on. "Got it. No pain, no gain, right? And hey—if I die, you can have my commission reward."
"Dummy," Navia said, rolling her eyes. "You're not gonna die. Now let's go."
With that, they jumped, wings spreading wide as Aerion activated mid-air. They soared down toward the burning village, the wind howling in their ears.
As they landed near the entrance, they saw the once-beautiful village gate now coated in what looked like a blood-red curse. It pulsed like it was alive.
Walking past it, they found gorgeous flowerbeds and small peaceful gardens still untouched by the flames. Blacksmith shops lined the main road, weapons displayed on shattered stands. It was eerily calm—until they got closer to the village center.
There, a horrifying scene awaited.
Villagers were tied together, surrounded by massive piles of firewood. The flames crept closer, already licking the outer edges. The people screamed in terror as the fire grew, and the demons watching from the shadows grinned in delight.
As they reached the center of the burning village, the demons finally noticed them—sharp fangs flashing through smoke, twisted forms leaping from rooftops and alleyways, ready to strike.
Eryx stepped forward, fire in his eyes."Stay back," he said, voice calm but determined. "Let me take care of them. Just watch me."
Navia scoffed from behind."And who said we were gonna help you in this fight?" she smirked. "This is your mission, not ours. We're only here to make sure you don't go berserk again."
Ada nodded, arms crossed."We're already Ascendant rank, remember? You haven't even reached Seeker. So go on—it's your turn to shine."
Eryx grinned. "Then watch me rise. I'll show you what a real warrior looks like."
He held out his hand, and in a flash of energy, his weapon manifested—whisperwind appeared in his hands, matching the resolve in his heart. He stepped forward, facing the demons as they rushed at him with bloodlust.
But just before the clash—
A voice rumbled from behind the demon horde. Deep. Demonic. Echoing like it crawled straight out of the abyss.
"Wait."
Everything froze. Even the demons stopped in their tracks, hesitating as the air thickened with dread.
"He looks… interesting," the voice continued, low and hungry. "Let me fight him. He's strong."
From the smoke emerged a figure cloaked in shadows that twisted and flowed around him like living mist. He moved with slow, deliberate grace, like a predator that never needed to run.
His violet eyes shimmered, swirling like shattered twilight—filled with calm, sorrow, and a cold, deadly promise. Every step he took made the very flames recoil, dimming slightly in his presence.
He wasn't just another demon.
He was something far worse.
Navia narrowed her eyes, her fists clenched at her sides."This guy… he's different. That aura—he doesn't feel like a Seeker. No… It's more than that. He's got that Ascendant-level pressure."Her voice trembled—not with fear, but anticipation."Every part of me wants to fight him... but I can't."
Eryx took a step forward, locking eyes with the shadowy figure."Who are you? And why did you attack this village?"
The demon grinned, fangs gleaming beneath the swirling mist."I'm Jinn," he said, voice low and laced with excitement. "Leader of this little demon squad. And as for why I attacked this place…"He paused, cracking his neck as if warming up."I was looking for a strong opponent. And I think I found one. After I kill you, my plans will move along just fine."
Eryx smirked, gripping Whisperwind tightly."Then let's make it a good fight. It's not every day you meet a demon who gives off Ascendant vibes while claiming to be Seeker rank."
Jinn laughed—deep, chilling, and all too eager."Who said anything about Seeker rank? You've only seen a fraction of my power. And my group?"He tilted his head, violet eyes glowing."None of them are below Seeker. I held back so you wouldn't piss yourself too early."He raised his hand, and the shadows around him pulsed."It's been so long since I fought someone interesting… someone with potential. I've dreamed of this moment."
—Chapter 5 ends.