Chapter 61: Just Destroy It (3)

Cale did not care that Witira and Paseton were looking at him with uncertainty. They would soon find out about On and Hong’s skills. “Let’s go.” The Black Dragon started to fly up toward the top of the Stone Wall and Cale’s body started to float while following behind it. Naturally, On and Hong were in Cale’s arms as he headed up. “Paseton.” Paseton nodded his head at Witira’s after she called out his name, and the Whale siblings started to run up the Stone Wall at a quick pace. Water surrounded their feet and shot them up with every step. Swiiiiiiish. Cale cut through the wind and reached the top of the wall. “Wow.” Hong’s voice was full of admiration. The Forest of Darkness and its vast natural setting appeared in front of the group. This was the second largest of the five Forbidden Regions, starting from the tip of the northeast part of the Roan Kingdom and creating an oval shape until the eastern shoreline. It was as large as two or three average sized territories. That was why the Roan Kingdom wanted to take control of this land, but nobody was able to do so until now. ‘The Black Dragon or Choi Han might be able to do it.’ “It’s big.” Cale casually commented before verifying the Stone Mountain at the center of the forest. Unlike its name, the Forest of Darkness was not actually dark at all times. In fact, the forest, that was starting to light up from the rising sun, was actually beautiful to look at. “Going down.” “Sure.” The Black Dragon slowly lowered Cale and the kittens to the ground. The Whale siblings were already down there waiting for them. Crunch. Cale lightly landed on the ground and stepped on some leaves underneath his feet. “You said that the Forest of Darkness is divided into regions?” Cale nodded at Witira’s question and lowered On and Hong onto the ground. He then opened up his magic bag as he started to answer Witira’s question. “It is divided into the outer and inner regions.” This large forest was divided into two stages. The first stage was the outer region, which was not that dangerous. There were only a few mutant monsters, and the majority were small monsters. On the other hand, the second stage, the inner region with the Stone Mountain at its center, was extremely dangerous. ‘Even Choi Han needed tens of years to freely move around the second stage.’ Freely moving around meant that there was no danger. Choi Han became stronger than all of the monsters. Of course, such an issue was not a concern for Cale’s group. “The swamp we are heading to is at the border of the inner and outer regions. It should not be too dangerous.” The outer region was large, but that was based on its width. It would not be very far if they walked in a straight line. The inner region was much larger, as it was in the shape of an oval. “I plan on avoiding as many monsters as possible, but I don’t see a reason to delay our travel by taking roundabout ways.” The fact that Cale did not plan to go out of his way to avoid monsters made the Whale siblings start to smile. As long as they were not going up against a dragon, there was nothing that the Humpback Whale beast people, the rulers of the ocean, had to fear. “I am removing my magic.” Once the Black Dragon said that, the Whale siblings’ appearances returned to normal. Witira started to smile with a refreshed expression. “Ah. So refreshing. It was a bit stuffy under that magic. Thank you very much, dragon-nim.” “Thank you very much, Dragon-nim.” The Black Dragon flapped its wings at Witira and Paseton’s thanks before approaching Cale. The Black Dragon had an odd expression on its face. “The mana is dark here.” “Dark?” The Black Dragon nodded at Cale’s question and looked around the forest. “There is also a smell.” “What kind of smell?” “Something I am familiar with. But I cannot tell what it is.” ‘Familiar but can’t tell?’ Cale looked toward the Black Dragon with a confused expression, but the Black Dragon quickly looked away. He then continued to speak. “It is not a dangerous smell. Just a very old one.” ‘Do dragons have a really good sense of smell?’ Cale was curious, but was not able to remain curious for a long period of time. “What do we do from here? How do we get to the swamp?” Witira could see Cale taking a piece of paper out of the magic bag. She then saw him open it up. “... A map?” It definitely was a map, but it was a pretty terrible one. However, it did have the Stone Mountain in the center with multiple other areas designated on it. “Yes, it is a map.” Cale had used the information he read in, ‘The Birth of a Hero,’ to create a map. “But it is not very accurate. We need to experience it ourselves to explore and understand the Forest of Darkness.” Cale then looked at Witira and Paseton, who were looking at him silently, and continued. “So, take the lead.” The Black Dragon was already flapping its wings and looking at the Whale siblings from behind Cale. Witira smiled and reached her hand out to Cale, who took a water bottle out of the magic bag and handed it to her. Witira drank the water before reaching her hand back out. Swooooooooosh. A three meter long whip appeared in her hand. She flicked it once before wrapping it around her arm and then joked with the group. “I will safely get you to your destination.” Cale found her to be reliable. A Humpback Whale. The royal family of the ocean was said to be able to easily handle the Killer Whale beast people, the troublemakers of the sea. However, he did not plan to do as she said. But there was no need to tell her that right now. He then pointed to the entrance of the Forest of Darkness. “Let’s go.” Cale stepped into the Forest of Darkness. The forest was not loud, but there were many different noises echoing inside. The sounds of insects, the roars of monsters in the distance, birds chirping, and even some other strange monster noises. “Aren’t dangerous places usually quiet?” Paseton cut through the bushes with his sword as he asked Cale. “That is only when there is a single ruler in the area.” The Forest of Darkness did not have a ruler. There was just a relationship of eat or get eaten. “Be careful with your shoes. Make sure your skin does not get revealed.” “Got it.” Paseton looked down at the extra cloth between his pants and shoes and then looked back up at Cale. Cale’s magic bag really was a magical bag. It had all sorts of items inside, and they were all necessary items for their travels. ‘You need to be careful of your ankles here. The insects are dangerous too. You can get poisoned if you are bitten.’ Paseton recalled what Cale had told them and wondered how Cale knew about all of this. However, he could not easily ask because Cale was still very busy. “Look forward.” “Ah, yes sir!” Cale’s blunt voice made Paseton quickly turn back forward and follow behind his sister Witira to clear their path. They were currently passing through short bushes that reached their waists. Cale was furiously recording new information onto his map. ‘It might be useless.’ Cale wondered if there really was a reason for him to make a map of the Forest of Darkness. It wasn’t like he was planning on conquering the Forest of Darkness. However, he had a gut feeling that there would be a way for him to sell this in the future. Cale’s style was to do things right so that it could be used in the future to make money in the future if possible. “We are almost through this bushy area.” “Next is the small monsters area.” Witira nodded at Cale’s statement and leisurely flicked her whip. Honestly speaking, this group was so strong Cale did not need to be nervous. Maybe that was why, but Witira was calm once they got past the bushy area and arrived at the small monsters area. Crack. A branch broke under her foot. At that moment. “Let’s proceed quietly.” Cale commented while two sounds of something moving in the air suddenly appeared.