Ascension To Divine Throne - Chapter 62

Chapter 62: Exploring the Dense Forest

“Before that incident, although the vegetation around Kora Village was growing rapidly, it consisted mostly of weeds and crops. But that night, everything changed.”

“Countless saplings broke through the soil, growing over a meter tall overnight, even sprouting inside the homes of Kora Village’s residents.”

“Sensing something was amiss, we swiftly evacuated all the villagers from Kora Village.”

“These trees continued to grow larger and taller, and by the next day, they had transformed into the forest we see now.”

“We considered entering to investigate and began clearing the trees around the forest. But no matter how many we cut down, they would regenerate overnight. We attempted this several times to no avail.”

“We didn’t dare to venture directly into the forest, so we remained around the perimeter, keeping unauthorized individuals out and awaiting support from the kingdom.”

Ford detailed the events of the past few days.

Jason furrowed his brow and asked, “The reports mentioned undead creatures appearing. Do you have any information on that?”

Ford shivered nervously and replied, “The night we evacuated the villagers and retreated from the forest, we discovered four people missing. It was too dark to search for them.”

“We organized the villagers to camp outside the forest, intending to head to Viscount Ross’s castle early the next day. But in the dead of night, I heard noises emanating from the forest. When I investigated, I witnessed several skeletons crawling within!”

“One of the skulls even turned to gaze in my direction!”

“My comrades and I were petrified. We swiftly relocated everyone far from the forest to rest and dared not approach it again.”

“However, we didn’t witness those entities leaving the forest. In the subsequent days, I surveilled during both day and night but never spotted them again. I also relayed this information to the lord.”

“I saw them too. I was on watch with Captain Ford that night. Those skeletons were unmistakably human bones, and there were will-o’-the-wisps flitting about them!”

Another soldier alongside Ford corroborated, affirming it wasn’t solely Ford’s imagination.

“Skeletons?”

Jason glanced at William, his gaze seeking confirmation.

William nodded and remarked, “If it’s accurate, they might be newly transformed skeleton soldiers, which pose minimal threat.”

Skeleton soldiers, comprised entirely of bones, represent the most basic and commonplace variety of undead creatures.

The appearance of skeleton soldiers indicated that something was indeed awry with this forest.

So, no particularly menacing undead creatures have been sighted yet?

Jason contemplated, considering from which direction to begin exploring this enigmatic forest.

Elena suddenly inquired of Ford, “You mentioned clearing parts of the forest before. Did you notice anything distinctive about these trees compared to others?”

Ford paused, recollecting, and replied uncertainly, “We didn’t pay much attention at the time, but they shouldn’t differ from trees elsewhere. We utilized the wood we felled as firewood.”

Elena nodded thoughtfully and refrained from further questioning.

Jason then made a decision. Since they were present, they might as well venture into the forest to gather valuable intelligence.

He instructed Ford, “We’re going to investigate inside the forest. Please oversee the carriage for us.”

“Of course, certainly.”

Ford readily agreed. While he was hesitant to enter the forest himself, monitoring the carriage from the exterior posed no issue.

Jason turned back to William, Nichole, and the others, assuming the role of the team’s leader:

“We still need to explore the forest, at the very least reaching Kora Village for a thorough investigation.”

“This time entering the forest, Lumbro and I will take turns leading the way, with Elena responsible for observing the surroundings. William and Nichole will be in the middle of the team, ready to provide support.”

Everyone nodded, trusting Jason’s arrangements.

Afterward, William and the others checked their belongings and equipment once more before preparing to enter the eerie forest. Jason, clad in bright white fine steel armor radiating a faint holy light, likely blessed by the Dawn Church, led the way. His sword flashed coldly, slicing through the vines entangling the forest, gradually clearing a path deeper into the woods.

As they maintained their formation and delved deeper, the forest became denser, obscuring any view of the sky above.

After advancing less than two kilometers in an hour, Jason signaled for a temporary halt to regroup and sheathed his sword, asking, “Has anyone noticed anything?”

“It’s too quiet.”

William, while setting up a magical alarm around them, noted the silence.

“Exactly,” Elena agreed. “There’s no sound of insects or birds, completely silent. I’ve been observing all the way.”

“Definitely something off.”

Jason nodded in agreement, having noticed the same issue.

“And although this area is brimming with vitality, it feels…”

Elena gently plucked a tender shoot from a nearby tree, saying, “Somewhat lifeless.”

The nature-affinity elf expressed her uncertainty. Typically, “lifeless” and “vitality” are contradictory, but describing this forest, it seemed fitting to William.

Moreover, William felt a sense of familiarity, although certain he had never been here before.

Was this place in a past life game? Impossible, as a gaming enthusiast, he would have remembered.

While William was racking his brain for what he might have missed, others discovered something new.

This time, Nichole noticed something off. Despite her usual playfulness, she was serious about their mission, showing a glimpse of her future potential.

Nichole used her sword to clear the weeds underfoot, revealing the ground beneath.

Normally, the forest floor, shaded by continuous canopy, wouldn’t have such dense undergrowth.

Yet, this place was different, prompting Nichole to clear a patch of ground.

Beneath the dense canopy, one would expect fertile, moist soil.

However, the ground beneath William and the others was dry and barren, the normally dark brown soil now turning yellow and lifeless.

Nichole dug down a meter with her sword, finding the soil increasingly barren the deeper she went.

“It seems the reason for the forest’s exuberant vitality is that it has drained all the life from this land.”

Elena crouched down, picking up some sandy soil, while William, feeling the ground, frowned upon realizing something.

Something’s not right!