Work Text:
Oh, brave hero, that he will receive this letter.
My kingdom is suffering and in desperate need of someone who can save its inhabitants from terrible evil!
Monsters, bandits and evil sorcerers make the innocent tremble with terror and hide in their homes.
If you think that your soul and mind are pure, then leave your signature at the bottom of the letter and follow the map to the Gate leading to my kingdom.
My Gatekeeper will meet you there and tell you what to do.
I hope that you will respond to this letter and when the time comes, we will meet.…
In the Mystical Forest.
Signature _______
Diary No. 1. What are we dealing with?
My name is #########. I am a private agent in charge of an investigation into mass disappearances around the world commissioned by a foundation organized by relatives of missing people.
At the moment, all the tracks have led me to... this place.
The Mystical forest is an area of 675,417 km2 that is surrounded by fences made of metal rods. There are gates on each side of the world that allow you to get inside, but as many believe, they tend to disappear and reappear in any other place.
It is not known where the forest came from, according to people, it has always been in this place, but old maps and records state that there used to be an entire state there. What became of its inhabitants is unknown, but all the expeditions sent soon stopped contacting.
Attempts to enter the territory from the air show only an endless forest without the possibility of seeing what is happening inside. All the automated drones that were filming also eventually stopped their work after being destroyed by unidentified creatures.
According to the report of the people who live near the Forest, they never tried to go inside, as if something repelled them even from such a thought. Periodically, they noticed someone coming inside, and recently there have been more and more such people.
===
The young man reached the gate after walking many miles through mountain ranges and rivers. Taking off his travel bag, he drank some water, after which he finally approached the entrance to the Mystical Forest. Ahead was an endless grove of massive trees that blocked out almost all the light from the sun, which could only occasionally break through the foliage.
The gate creaked open suddenly and a man stepped onto a stone brick road. After walking along it, he saw a stone fountain. It wasn't working, but there was water inside, and the granite stones it was made of were already overgrown with plants.
The brave hero…
I was waiting for you to come…
A ghostly figure came down to the guest and took the signed letter.
I'll show you the way.
Gatekeeper led the man to the four pillars.
These lands are full of dangers that lurk in the shadows. You will need strength to reach the King.
There's a sword on the first column. The tool of those who are led by fearlessness.
The second Book. A tool of miracle workers driven by wisdom.
There is a Bow on the third column. A weapon that requires precision and endurance to use.
And there are Shoes on the last column. Their footsteps are inaudible and their tool is waiting.
Choose one...
===
Diary No. 2. The Gatekeeper.
A man of unidentified gender and age who meets people who were able to receive the letter and signed it. Otherwise, he won't appear if someone else gets inside the Forest.
Externally, its height cannot be determined as it hovers above the ground. The Gatekeeper's entire body is covered in a white robe with gilded bows on his arms. The face is hidden by a hood, under which only a shadow is visible.
Every person who has received a letter is faced with a choice. Each item opens up a different path of development for the invitee in a Forest full of dangers. Surprisingly, without taking these items, you are much less likely to survive in the Forest. It's like he doesn't like it when people don't play by his rules.
===
Now that you've chosen…
The young man touched the sword, feeling a strange surge of strength. The world around us has changed. The gloomy forest sparkled with bright colors.
Go.
Defeat one of the Four Beasts of the World.
Only after passing this test will you be worthy to go further.
The man gripped the sword and noticed a plaque appear in his pocket. It had a picture of him, but a different name. The class line said ‘Warrior'. There were many different parameters: ‘Coins’, ‘Card’ and others. The man continued deep into the Forest until the stone road turned into trampled paths. As he looked around, he heard someone appear behind him.
A rat the size of an adult cat with purple fur sniffed at the man before attacking. Before the hero could react, the rat jumped on him, scratching his chest with its claws. The wound wasn't too deep, but the blood was starting to flow out, soaking into his hiking clothes.
Before the enemy attacked again, the hero swung his sword, killing the enemy. Sighing heavily and feeling pain, the man heard a strange sound and his card lit up. In the ‘Experience’ line, zero changed to five.
The wound hurt a lot, and the hero took out his first-aid kit, covering the wound with a bandage. The rays of the sun that sometimes broke through the foliage began to disappear, and the day turned into evening. It got dark... too dark. Animal screams could be heard in the thicket, and the hero hurried forward, not even thinking about leaving the Forest forever.
The road led the hero to a small building where the light was coming from. After knocking, he did not hear the light. Cautiously opening the door, he peered inside. The building consisted of one room, with a table and chairs in the middle. A burning fireplace illuminated the entire room. There was a bedside table in the corner. The house was empty and apparently uninhabited.
The hero, judging that the outside is much more dangerous, went inside. After eating a dry ration, the man felt tired and decided to take a nap only waking up in the morning. Carefully looking out onto the street, the hero headed further along the path until he came to a semblance of a village. Although it was more like a couple of houses and sheds with animals.
The hero entered one of the buildings with the sign ‘Tavern'. Inside was a plump, mustachioed man who did not even meet the guest's gaze.
“Um, good afternoon?”the hero decided to start a dialogue.
“Room 3 silver. The food is 1 silver. The innkeeper replied.
“Um, can I ask you?” The hero tried to find out the information, but the innkeeper replied with only one phrase.
“Room 3 silver. The food is 1 silver.”
===
Diary No. 3. People in the Forest?
The group leading the investigation sent a four-man squad inside the Forest. They climbed over the gate and did not meet the Gatekeeper at the entrance. Going deeper into the thicket, they quickly met a group of wolves with chrome fur.
The fire from automatic weapons temporarily scared away the animals when they tried to attack, but did not inflict visible wounds. Continuing on the way, the group met a small settlement where there are people. In an attempt to speak, everyone they met answered only. “Don't distract me, I'm busy!”
They completely ignored the members of the squad and it was decided to return before sunset with the resulting pictures. The squad quickly lost the road they were following, as if it had never existed.
After dark, they were lighting their way with lanterns when a huge creature came out at them. According to the description, she had red skin, was three meters tall and had an almost bestial head and long elongated ears. The creature attacked the squad, breaking the arm of one of the fighters. The bullets were useless and the squad would probably have died if not for the intervention.…The hero.
===
The following days passed in a routine for the young hero. During the day, he hunted in the forest and collected herbs and minerals for the villagers. They were very strange, as if they were very limited in words. The hero thought they just didn't like his company, but quickly, as their requests were fulfilled, they became more talkative.
His supplies that he took on a camping trip quickly ran out, and he couldn't fix his torn clothes after fighting monsters, but he was able to earn money to buy himself a new one from the locals. Of course, it wasn't as good as his hiking suit, but for some reason it didn't tear as much when he was attacked. Soon he replaced his bag, completely getting rid of the traces of his old life, leaving it in an empty hut that became his home.
He quickly immersed himself in exploring the area. What originally looked like just a huge forest turned out to be a huge world hidden in the shadows of branches and trunks.
Small ponds full of poisonous frogs, fairy settlements, goblin camps, and many abandoned buildings with various items. Very quickly, the hero began to write down numerous requests and tasks in the purchased diary, and leave notes on the map presented by the local headman.
The hero's card was replenished with new indicators, and the experience numbers grew until he gained the first levels. He used to run away from Metal Wolves, but as he got stronger, he could easily deal with their packs and could even defeat the Pack Leader.
His sword began to cause less and less damage, and a local merchant suggested that the hero head deeper into the forest and reach the first major city in this part of the forest.
===
Diary No. 4. Hero.
The squad encountered a monster. For simplicity, let's call him a ‘Troll'. One of the members was wounded, the bullets were useless and the squad would probably have died if not for the intervention.
According to the description, it was a girl about 25-30 years old. She was wearing a kind of leather outfit with a plate breastplate. With a light swing of the blade, she struck the Troll and the monster died falling to the ground. The savior did not hesitate to cut open the enemy's body, taking out something like a precious stone. Only then did she notice the frightened professional military men in the dark.
According to witnesses, the Hero did not immediately realize that there were people in front of him. She offered a ‘Healing Potion’ to the wounded soldier, and he tried it, and to his surprise, his arm fully recovered, but there was little pain left.
The hero introduced himself as Valeria Storm. She hurried to disappear into the Forest, but she was still stopped by the squad leader.
===
City…
That's what everyone the hero asked called it.
Well, there was a wooden wall around it. But there were barely more inhabitants than in any village.
The old feeling of gambling began to fade a little.
‘Should I go back to the outside world?’ The Hero was thinking to himself when he suddenly noticed a book about creating weapons among the goods in a local store.
Immersed in new knowledge, the hero decided to stay longer. Collecting materials did not become difficult, but it took a long time. The metal extracted from the wool is the Metal Wolves, the wood for the hilt is torn from the clutches of a lower Ent.
For almost four days that he searched for all this, the Hero managed to complete several dozen more tasks and requests.In the end, when he finally returned to the ‘city’, an unexpected encounter awaited him at a local tavern.
An old man dressed in plate armor sat drinking wine. The hero did not see any other warriors here besides himself, and wanted to pass by when he saw a small keychain from the outside world.
“Aah. Comrade hero! The old man raised his mug in greeting. “It's been a long time since I've seen someone new here!”
While the Old Man was drinking, the Hero even got a little confused, forgetting what it feels like to talk to someone who speaks first.
“I'm a Ciga Raiser. And you? Ciga asked after drinking some wine. “What's your name?”
The hero was a little confused trying to remember his name, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't.
“I see, I'm the first one who asked for your new name. Look at the sign.” said Ciga.
The hero took out a card when he saw his name that the Forest had given him. “Artor…Artor Brave.”
“I'll drink to our acquaintance!” Whitefish to continue drinking. “I came here to get a couple of potion ingredients that are rare in the middle of the forest.
“The Center of the Forest? Artor asked.
“You know. There are huge thorny trees around the mountain.”
“Mountains?” Artor asked the question again.
“Okay, you probably didn't go that far? The deeper you go, the scarier things get. It's better for you to stay in the Outer Ring for now... well, you don't even know what it is. Sigi took out a huge scroll, and by unfolding it on an empty table, Artor could see the entire Mystical Forest. Three circles narrowing to the center where there is a mountain. Artor had personally encountered many places in the area, but he had not yet encountered much more.
“You're in the Outer Rim now. It's not that dangerous here, but there's a Boss and a couple of mini-bosses. The gatekeeper probably told you to defeat one of the Four Beasts of the World? Shiga pointed to the image of a bear on the map. “Fly Agaric Grizzly. He lives in a mushroom grove. If you can defeat him, then you are worthy to enter the Middle Ring. I'm serious, don't go in there while you're so weak. Any creature out there will kill you!”
“Can you help me? Artor wondered.
“Of course, some heroes who come from the outside world gather in small groups, but I personally am not in the mood to work together. Besides, if I'm there, the Forest will create a stronger Boss considering that I'll be fighting too. You'll probably just get smeared in the first attack.” Ciga has seen in the past how more experienced heroes help newcomers, and it always ends badly. “Besides, this is your test, not mine. Maybe if you pass it and are strong enough for the Middle Ring, then I would offer you cooperation.”
===
Diary No. 5. At least some news!
Valeria Storm, that's how the stranger introduced herself. A hero means…
It doesn't matter. Somehow, the squad leader was able to persuade her by giving her all the chocolate from the dry rations. The heroine answered a couple of questions and the operatives' chest camera captured her.
And I found her!!!!
The beginning of Recording conversation No. 1.
“How did you end up here?" asked the fighter codenamed Epsilon 2.
“I received the letter and came.” Valeria was chewing chocolate, trying to end the dialogue as soon as possible.
“How long have you been here?” the operative asked.
“I don't know for a year, two, three. I stopped counting a long time ago.” Valeria opened another candy.
“Why didn't you leave?” the operative.
“Why? It's much more interesting here than outside. It's like I might get killed, or that I've forgotten my old name, and the food here is rubbish. But I like it here more!” Valeria threw a candy wrapper on the ground, preparing to leave.
“Wait a minute! We'll... we'll bring more if you agree to talk!” The squad leader stated.
“...I have a lot to do. Listen, I was just here to get loot. But... if you can bring me something else, I'm ready to tell you more.” Valeria said.
“Of course, we'll get everything we need!” Commander.
“Then meet me at the gate in three days.” Valeria disappeared abruptly in the thicket of the forest.
End of Recording conversation No. 1.
Finally, a source of information!!!
However, someone will have to fork out for all the items from the list. Chocolate, soap, shampoo... personal hygiene items. Given the level of development of people in the forest, it is not surprising that it will be difficult and unusual for a person from the outside world without the simplest amenities.
And I was also able to find this Valeria based on the recording from the chest camera.
Her real name is Maria and she was 27 years old when she disappeared. It seems she was a big fan of extreme sports until she suffered a serious knee injury.
She disappeared about 2.5 years ago. The video shows that she moves quite abruptly, as if she has no injury.
Could this have something to do with the reason why she decided to stay in the Forest, even realizing that it was dangerous?
===
After parting with Cigi, Artor returned to his goal of creating a new sword. He rented a local blacksmith shop and set to work. He had no experience working with iron, or even wood, but after reading the book, everything was as easy as if he had been doing it all his life.
Soon the sword was ready and needed testing. One of the quests talked about the servant of the Fly Agaric Grizzly. The mini-boss inhabiting the flooded part of the forest turned out to be a Mossy Buffalo. What seemed like a simple battle turned into a lot of problems for the hero.
The mangrove trees were full of poisonous snakes and hostile plants. The first attempt stopped when the antidotes ran out.
Looking for a solution, Artor bought a potion book and spent the next week running around the forest collecting all possible ingredients, creating new antidotes and potions to protect against poisons.
The second attempt led close to the mini-boss, who almost killed a man with his horns. Breaking trees and even attacking random creatures, the Buffalo almost ended the hero's path, and Artor hid in a tree where he could not be reached using a jump potion. Drinking all his potions, he repaired the bleeding wounds at the last moment, breathing heavily.
If he was so wounded by a mini-boss, then what awaits him when he meets a Grizzly?
A couple of hours later, the Buffalo finally left the man and Artor returned to the city. He could have stopped and just left everything behind, running away from the forest, but for some reason, with each challenge, he wanted to overcome the obstacle more and more.
The Mystical Forest was slowly affecting his mind, leaving no chance for him to free himself.
===
Diary No. 6. Negotiations
Our operatives met with Valeria at the gate where the negotiations took place.
The beginning of Recording conversation No. 2.
“I don't want to waste my time too much. That's why you have only three questions.” the Heroine declared.
“Accepted.” Epsilon 2 sent a message to the group that was in the camp outside the Forest. “We have prepared well for this scenario.”
“Hurry up! I had to run for a couple of hours from the Middle Ring to here!” Valeria said rudely.
“The first question. Are you Maria Gonzalez?”
“Yes, that was my name in a previous life. I've already left her!” The heroine was saying irritably.
“You still have a family outside the Forest. Parents, husband, child. Why did you leave them?” the operative kept asking questions.
“Family? A child?... Yes, there was something like that. Tell them I'm dead.” Valeria asked indifferently.
This response shocked the operative and the people who listened to the entire dialogue.
“You still have one question!” The heroine shouted, and her scream could be heard beyond the boundaries of the Forest.
“Yes, yes...” the operative was reading the message on the tablet. “Why did you leave?”
Valeria rolled her eyes in displeasure. “That life sucked. All that made her worthy of existence was extreme sports and adrenaline in blood. But after the injury, it lost all meaning. I was even planning to commit suicide until I received a letter. It changed my life. It made it look like a stormy river with hummocks!” Valeria enjoyed the dangers of the Forest.
“But what about your family? They've been worried and looking for you all this time!”
“Three questions have passed. Give me what I asked for! Or... did you decide to [Censorship] with me?” Valeria drew her sword, thrusting it forward.
“...absolutely not.” the operatives brought boxes with the requested items, and after checking everything, Valeria put them in a small shoulder bag. The heroine was about to return to the depths of the Forest when she was stopped.
“Wait a minute! If you answer any more questions, we will bring you things again that you will not find in the Forest!”on orders from the camp, the operative tried to stop her.
“I don't care. I'm going to head downtown for my real reward!” Valeria declared.
“But then... maybe if there are people like you there. You could tell them that we are open to negotiations! Two days later at the same place!” the operative was shouting. Valeria heard everything, but she didn't show it, rushing back in search of adventures.
End of Recording conversation No. 2.
Agent's comments: What a [Censorship]!
===
Artor had been preparing for several weeks. The leather suit was replaced by light armor. The sword glowed with the subtle energy of a magic stone embedded in the hilt. Every swing was much faster now. The magic rings on his hand protected him from poisons. There were enough potions in the bag for an entire war. The time has come for the third attempt.
Stepping knee-deep in the water, the hero met his opponent. A massive bull covered with a layer of blue moss noticed its target with its glowing eyes, rushing forward with its huge horns exposed.
At the last moment before the attack, Artor dodged, inflicting a deep cut in the enemy's side, slicing through his skin and muscles. The buffalo roared as it turned around and began to accelerate for a new attack. Almost crashing into Artor, the boss received a cut that cut one of his eyes. The beast only got angrier, accelerating with each new attack, until it finally caught the hero off guard.
Artor grabbed onto the horns of the mini-boss. With each level, his physical strength grew more and more, but even so, it wasn't enough. The buffalo threw the hero above himself and he landed right in the water. Turning sharply, Artor saw the enemy rushing straight at him, preparing to crush the man with massive hooves.
The battle lasted for hours. The Beast and the Hero took turns seizing the initiative in battle. Their bodies were covered with bruises and cuts. Both were breathing heavily, and at some point the Buffalo felt like it was giving up under the pressure of Artor and decided to turn around and start running away.
The hero did not leave his prey, drinking the remnants of potions that healed him and accelerated his running speed. Adrenaline was surging through my blood, and my head was filled with euphoria that overshadowed my sense of self-preservation. The man surged forward, catching the Buffalo off guard, and with a final swing of his sword, the mini-boss' head was severed. Even the unique loot and experience were not such a reward as the feeling of the first significant victory.
Today, the Hero was feasting in the city, restoring his strength and supplies. There were three other mini-bosses in the area, and each one was as dangerous as the Mossy Buffalo. And above them all there is a main boss.
===
Diary No. 7. Heroes of the Mystical Forest
Two days later, another Hero arrived at the gate. Valeria probably told someone after all. Others soon followed. There were about 4 of them in total, counting Valeria.
I won't describe every conversation with them, but they all asked for something from the outside world in return for information.
Hero No. 2 is a Cigi Raiser
A man about 65 years old. His real name is David Brohan. A lonely old man languishing in a nursing home until he received a letter.
He was the most talkative of them all and shared a lot of information just like that.
Hero No. 3 Moloch Silent
The man is 32 years old. His real name is Mike Stoczak. In a previous life, he was a popular streamer until his career ended, leaving him in obscurity.
He asked for a camera and laptop to start his career again and record his adventures in the Woods.
Hero No. 4 Tigar Loud
The man is 18 years old. His real name is Cole Jones. An orphan who grew up in an orphanage disappeared about 8 years ago. He must have been in the Woods the whole time.…
He didn't ask for anything for himself, just asking what happened to his friends from the orphanage.
None of them showed any desire to leave the Mystical Forest. But they allowed us to shed light on the structure of the Forest and the Heroes.
The forest consists of three Rings. The Outer, Middle, and Center. As you approach the center, the level of the opponents increases. The bosses serve as a division so that the Heroes can reach the appropriate level for the next Ring and not be killed by the first enemy they encounter.
There are four Bosses on each Ring and four more mini-bosses around each one. This scheme works for all three rings.
Whitefish says that hundreds of people come to the Forest and every day there are more and more of them, but about 80 percent die on the Outer Ring.
It seems that the Forest has a certain system that adjusts the danger levels of enemies depending on the Hero, but the minimum parameters remain the same, so most of the arrivals work alone.
It seems that the Forest feels when people decide to leave it and prevent it in every possible way by sending new items and enemies to the Heroes until they finally forget who they were. Sigi said that few people can stay with memories for so long.
He also explained why weapons from the outside world do not cause damage to creatures in the Forest. There is a division of items by quality:
Gray objects are things brought into the Forest from outside. They have no power, and most Heroes get rid of them early on.
Green items are the initial quality and are more common than all others.
Blue is a rarer quality, it can only be created from scratch or obtained from defeated enemies.
Yellow is the rarest items that can only be bought or obtained from dangerous creatures.
Purple ones are unique items that can only be obtained from Bosses.
This whole Forest is some kind of continuous computer game in Java. It is not surprising that many become addicted to adventures and do not want to return. Many people who ended up in the Mystical Forest had few connections that kept them in the past world.
Many were abandoned, others saw no reason to live, some were just looking for dangers in order to feel the adrenaline in their blood.
“I can understand them. I don't have any family or even friends. I've been doing nothing but helping others all my life. But will someone come to my aid? To be honest, I've become addicted to mobile games lately. All the time that I'm not working, I'm sitting in them. That's a joke, and I'm almost 30!” the agent thought to herself ######### as she drank her already cold coffee.
For further investigation, it is necessary to immerse yourself in the history of the origin of the Mystical Forest ... and if you are lucky enough to catch someone with a letter that did not have time to enter the gate.
===
Mossy Buffalo of flooded Mangrove swamps.
A tree Owl of sleeping Birch groves.
The Poppy Lynx of the murky Rainbow garden.
Bamboo Tarantula hidden Predatory stems.
Each of these mini-bosses was a challenge for Artor and he was on the verge of life and death more than once, but in the end. He won, and now it's time for the main Boss.
Grizzly is a massive bear twice the size of ordinary members of its species. All kinds of mushrooms grow on red wool, each of which has its own effects.
The hero has been preparing for a long time going to the most dangerous parts of the Eastern Forest of the Outer Ring. Potions, protective amulets, scrolls that store memories, armor made from parts of mini-bosses, and of course a sword.
Rivermaker was the limit of what Artor could achieve in the Outer Ring. His blue blade easily sliced through the metal shells of the Steel Turtles. In his other hand, he had a Horned Shield that allowed him to launch himself at the enemy.
There was nothing more to delay, and the hour of meeting with the Boss had arrived. The hero entered a part of the forest where huge Mushrooms grew that were almost higher than the trees. Bear tracks were visible on the ground, and skeletons of the same Heroes as Artor. Many were killed by the Boss, but even more couldn't even get to him. Fortunately, Artor was the best prepared.
As he approached the mushroom hill, it began to move. The bear woke up, preparing for battle, but before he fully woke up, the Hero used an Owl Mask, which hypnotized the boss. While the Boss was doing nothing, Artor drank a bunch of potions that increase strength and speed. Putting up his shield, on which a Buffalo's head was shaped, he rushed forward, crashing right into the opponent's head.
The boss instantly woke up from his hypnosis, but the damage had already been done. A series of sword swings cut off the mushrooms from the enemy's body that were spitting out poisonous gas. Boots made of Lynx wool made it possible to achieve high speed while dodging the massive paws and claws of the enemy.
The battle lasted for hours. The hero threw out his entire arsenal that he had prepared. Smoke bombs, poison darts, the most powerful potions, and the Bear didn't stand a chance. Artor was sitting all covered in his own and enemy's blood, trying to catch his breath. The loot and experience from the Boss exceeded any expectations, and there was no desire to waste time on rest anymore.
The hero could move to the Middle Ring at any time, but the monsters on the border could easily kill him by stopping his path. But now everything has changed. It's time to enter new territories.
Massive trees, as if covered with shiny chrome, were surrounded by the bluish glow of fireflies and fog.
The Gatekeeper came out of the fog.
Hero…
You've come so far.
But the fate of the inhabitants of the Mystical Forest continues to hang in the balance.
Four Mythical Titans bring death to all living things.
Defeat one of them and then you will be worthy to enter the domain of the King of the Forest.
The fog began to disperse in front of the Hero and three columns appeared.
One was wearing a long two-handed sword. The second one has a spear, and the last one has a mace.
Choosing a sword, Artor saw the Gatekeeper disappear.
Pretty quickly, the first enemies appeared from the thicket. The fire-breathing moles began to spew flames that the Hero stopped with his shield. A swing of the blade began to slice through the opponents.
The adventure is just beginning.
===
Diary No. 8. How hard everything is!
No one knows where the Mystical Forest came from!
He just appeared a few centuries ago and everyone ignored that the whole country was gone. Until recently, no one paid any attention to him at all!
This is just terrible news.
But there is a good one. We stopped one person with a letter.
It was an 18-year-old girl. A college student. I even questioned her! Just like the cool detective in the movies…
God, what a boring life I have.
Anyway, she got a letter in her mailbox. It looks like it was written in the Middle Ages. We sent it for analysis and it looks like it's just paper and ink, but it's unknown who delivered it and how.
We somehow persuaded this girl to return home, but then a couple of days later the letter disappeared and she was caught at another gate!
To make it much funnier, she was sent home two more times and each time she returned with a new letter.…
When asked why she was doing this, the girl only replied. “Well, I've always liked helping people, and the letter said they needed help.”
Oh my God!!! She's literally me when I was young!!1!
In the end, there was an option to let her inside or...
She was sent to a local prison for temporary detention.
Addendum No. 1. She ran away!!! A huge stone man appeared out of nowhere and destroyed the prison.
She finally made it to the Gate and I met her there. It is clear that if you try to hold her, there will be more destruction, but if she dies somewhere at the entrance. She doesn't look like a warrior or someone who can kill.
I shared all possible information with her and gave her a camera with which I could keep an eye on her. Now it's like I'm playing an RPG and giving her advice.
This is probably the most irresponsible decision of my life, but what could possibly go wrong?
===
The Middle Ring was even more dangerous. The mini-bosses here are just ordinary enemies, weapons and equipment quickly became outdated, forcing the hero to start a lot from the beginning.
After reaching the first settlement, the equipment upgrade faded into the background before the new features. The huge stone city surpassed all the previous settlements in the Forest. Shops, a shop, and workshops would take several weeks just to touch a piece of everything.
To begin with, Artor took up the initial tasks. I collected material in the forest, studied the bestiary, earned money to buy books with information. After about half a year of long-term work, he began to study new mini-bosses in preparation for battle.
The main Boss was an Ancient Titanic Salamander that lived in the Stone Forest. A fight that surpasses any past, and this is only the middle of the road.
And the Hero will do everything to reach the end!
===
Diary No. 9. Everything went wrong!
Do you remember that girl I was following? Everything went fine for a couple of days until suddenly the signal from her camera disappeared. I already thought she was dead, but the watch I gave her shows that her pulse is.
Even worse, the Forest has become bigger! I came out of my trailer this morning and the fence was right next to our camp! And so on around the perimeter.
The government is taking matters into its own hands by blocking the passages to the Forest. Something tells me that this will only create more problems.
We have been ordered to retreat, but I will continue to observe closely.
Addendum No.2. It looks like I'm in trouble.
I tried to dissuade people with letters, but they wouldn't listen. She even threatened me with a gun, but there were too many of them.
At some point, Valeria and Cigi came out of the Forest.
I immediately understood what was going on.
The beginning of Recording conversation No. 3.
“Listen up. I want you to tell people in the outside world to remove their outposts and stop catching future Heroes.” Sigi looked disappointed.
“What's going on?” I asked.
“We've been given a Quest to kill all of you who are in the way! You have one warning. Release those called by the Forest and remove your warriors from the borders.” Valeria stated in a rude way.
“What will happen otherwise?” I asked.
“You're [Censoring], which is not clear to you? We'll kill you all!” Valeria shouted, grabbing her sword, but Sigi intervened.
“Listen to our warning. And then no one else will die.” Cigi said calmly, pushing Valeria back into the Forest.
“What about the people who went there!?” I asked.
“It's our own choice. We all signed the letter.” The swordsman replied.
“But isn't it the Forest that has such an effect on people's minds?” #########.
“If your will is strong, then you can resist it, but writing is the only choice that we decided without outside interference. Many more people refused.” Cigi left, taking Valeria with him.
End of Recording conversation No. 3.
===
Among the tall bald trees made of the strongest stone, there were hundreds of threads that cut into the gray flesh of a gigantic salamander that was running after fake prey. A live mannequin looking like a Hero ran away on a horse only to trap the main Boss.
After swallowing the dummy, the Boss felt poisoned and soon the bait exploded with metal needles. In agony, the creature crashed into the hanging threads that easily pierced the creature's body until it became entangled.
Soon, the Hero Artor himself appeared. Standing at the top of the tree, he put on Super heavy boots and jumped right onto the enemy's head. Massive bots weigh down the hero and he fell like a projectile stuck in the Boss' head. Wasting no time, Artor took off his shoes and used a long sword to pierce the enemy's brain through his eye.
The battle that lasted for several days was finally over. The hero breathed a sigh of relief and wasted no time butchering the Boss down to the smallest piece, throwing everything into a bottomless bag.
Now that he had enough experience and better equipment, he went to the Center. A massive mountain opened up in front of him. It was the first time in five years that he had seen the sky in the Forest, even though it was overrun by thunderclouds. Only a few Heroes get this far, but almost no one reached the castle with the King.
Those who could do this were too immersed in small tasks or decided to try their luck and defeat all the other bosses scattered on the four sides of the world. But Artor wanted to finally finish his mission. Even though it had only been five years in the real world, it had been much longer for him.
He's aged. His skin was replaced with a magical counterpart. One arm that was lost in battle was a magical prosthetic with fluff. His armor was a hodgepodge of different components. There was a chain attached to his belt that held the Demon and gave him a boost. The Hero's mind has long been clouded and tired, and there is nothing left but the goal.
Climbing thousands of steps, Artor felt the heavy cold air when he was greeted by the massive castle gates. They swung open and a cold wind began to emanate from within.
Walking through the dark and empty corridors, the Hero felt his body slowly shrink. Finally facing the one who called him here. Artor fell to his knees before what is known as the King.
The humanoid figure was part of a massive tree that grew for thousands of kilometers, forming what people know as a Mystical Forest. The king raised his head after waking up.
Your Hero's journey is over!
You've slain monsters and helped my subjects.
But your time is over.
I thank you for your efforts.
“THAT'S IT!? Artor said. “Like there won't even be a final boss?”
He's there... but you can't beat him.
I took your whole life fulfilling the terms of our contract.
“The contract!”What is it?" the Hero asked softly, struggling with the fact that his eyes were closing.
I have given you the adventures you so desired in your previous life.
But in return, I fed on your obsession.
You were able to achieve what you wanted, and now I'll take what's left.
The hero finally closed his eyes, falling to the cold floor while his flesh dissolved, soaking into the cracks between the bricks forming the base of the castle.
Another soul that died looking for a purpose in life.
Many people wanted entertainment.
Others sought solace or hid from the past.
They all made their choice, as millions of people do. Someone drowns in routine and pretends that everything is in order.
If they are offered to escape, what choice will they make?
And what choice will you make?
===
Diary No. 10. The last page.
I'm sitting by a dying campfire.
No one listened to my warnings. The monsters got out of the Forest and attacked thearmy, starting a long standoff until finally the military surrendered. No matter how many soldiers and equipment they sent, nothing helped. Eventually, Heroes appeared that finally finished off any resistance.
Hundreds and thousands of people come to the gates leading to their new life every day. At this rate, the Forest will probably swallow up the entire continent. Although if he needs people, he will leave some untouched.
“I also received a letter. Someone knocked on the trailer door at night, but when I opened it, there wasn't a soul outside. Just the letter on the steps.”
Oh, brave hero, that he will receive this letter.
My kingdom is suffering and in desperate need of someone who can save its inhabitants from terrible evil!
Monsters, bandits and evil sorcerers make the innocent tremble with terror and hide in their homes.
If you think that your soul and mind are pure, then leave your signature at the bottom of the letter and follow the map to the Gate leading to my kingdom.
My Gatekeeper will meet you there and tell you what to do.
I hope that you will respond to this letter and when the time comes, we will meet.…
In the Mystical Forest.
Signature #########
“Well, I've been unemployed since recently. So I'd like to know what's going on on the other side of the gate. Meet me in the Mystical Forest...”