Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 1: The Forest of Roots

High status, powerful parents, all useless. A cursed being, a trace of the devil who once almost destroyed the world.

The newborn baby, born through the “Seed of Darkness,” was singled out as a being destined to become something wicked.

Die or be sent away to death, one of the two. With the cries of his mother, the baby was thrown into the Forest of Roots.

The reason it wasn’t killed outright was that it would die eventually anyway.

In the unforgiving realm of the Demonic Beasts Realm, where no one has ever come out alive, despite swallowing countless lives, the Forest of Roots remained as dark and deep as ever.
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A vast forest, Roots. A cursed realm that even uttering its name brings a sinister feeling.

Drenched in thick magic, this forest, tinted in a subtle shade of black, was as dangerous as it appeared on the surface.

The densely intertwined undergrowth and shifting trees disoriented one’s sense of direction, and even beautiful flowers concealed deadly toxins capable of killing a fully grown man.

And then, there were the monsters. Predators transformed by the magic into destructive and powerful creatures.

If these malevolent beings that roamed this forest were to spill into the human realm, disaster would surely follow.

However, a sacred barrier separated Roots from the outside world, preventing any being from leaving this place.

Those with magic could not cross the boundary. That was an absolute proposition.

Conversely, no one attempted to enter Roots.

As a result, over the course of many years, Roots became a realm that existed only in legends, far and remote.

People regarded Roots with trepidation but did not consider it a practical threat.

Some creative minds even found a way to utilize Roots.

‘If it’s a place from which no one can return, why not send those who shouldn’t live in there?’

‘I can’t believe there is such a method!’

While everyone was in admiration, a cruel decision was made. Roots became a place to deal with those who should neither live nor die.

Apart from capital punishment, the most dreaded punishment for criminals was to be sent to Roots. Those who came out of here were absolved of all sins.

However, due to sacred magic, among those who randomly fell into this forest, not a single person ever emerged.

Roots was a place from which no one could return.

The baby, just escaping the clutches of death thanks to the abundant magic in the forest, did not perish.

“Wah, wah.”

Crying softly, the baby eventually grew tired and fell into a deep slumber, breathing weakly. The harsh cold and hunger in the forest had been cruel to the fragile infant.

However, within the round mass nestled like a seed in the depths of the heart, a strange power surged and enveloped the body.

Surviving for ten days, a time of alternating day and night, with nothing to eat or drink, the baby’s determination was remarkable.

If it had been discovered by a dreaded monster, it would have died on the spot, so one could say luck was on its side.

Finally, on the tenth day, the tattered swaddling cloth was abruptly removed, and with a hot breath, a pair of distinctive eyes shone.

Crrrrunch.

Under a flexible spine, four sturdy legs extended like columns, with thick claws emerging. The cloud-like spots on the dark fur were so deep that one could hardly tell they were black. The sharp teeth of the fierce beast gleamed in the moonlight.

A giant leopard radiating a brilliant white light. Yet the size was enough to make even those who had seen many things faint.

The long, sharp fangs were threatening enough to tear apart the tender flesh in front of these eyes in one swift motion.

However, despite having a prey right in front of her, the leopard hesitated.

It was a baby. There was no fear to be found in his gleaming black eyes. Not crying in front of a beast like this was a remarkable feat.

Innocent pupils. The leopard extended her tongue and tasted the baby.

Its rough tongue gently brushed against the delicate skin. The baby was surprisingly calm. When the fragrant and savory scent tickled his nose, he smacked her lips.

After briefly hesitating, the leopard lifted the baby with her tail. Instead of crying, the baby burst into laughter.

Whether the leopard intended to take the fresh delicacy to savor it or had other thoughts, that determined the baby’s fate.

Elaga, the giant leopard that claimed a part of Roots’s forest as her territory, took the bounty in her tail and leisurely returned to her lair.

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