Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 20 (Part 1):

As Helmut moved further away from Elaga’s territory, the journey became increasingly arduous.

Though it was an anticipated situation, the relentless attacks from magical beasts made it impossible to rest comfortably at any moment.

Unable to sleep well and always on edge even when quenching his thirst at a water source, Helmut came to truly understand what it meant to be human in the Forest of Roots.

He realized how fortunate he had been to survive up until now.

‘But I didn’t know it would be so exhausting to the point of feeling drained like this.’

Within Elaga’s territory, no magical beast dared to attack Helmut, except when he was the aggressor.

But outside Elaga’s domain, Helmut was merely a human.

Humans seemed small and frail, easy prey to be swallowed in one bite!

In the Forest of Roots, humans were nothing more than food. They might carry the scent of powerful magical beasts, but it wasn’t a familiar scent.

Driven by hunger, they revealed their fangs and attacked Helmut from time to time, regardless of their strength.

Nevertheless, Helmut managed to secure food supplies smoothly.

“Unless it’s someone of Naho’s caliber, I can handle them without a problem.”

Gaining practical experience, Helmut muttered while tearing into the meat.

He could protect his body with magical energy, but none of the magical beasts that attacked him knew how to properly defend themselves. They only knew how to attack with enhanced teeth or claws.

Helmut realized that not many magical beasts knew how to manipulate magical energy.

Only mature magical beasts could manipulate their energy to enhance their body parts or move swiftly.

They used their abundant magical energy in simple, childlike ways.

The vis Helmut possessed was not considerably powerful compared to the magical energy of the beasts he faced.

However, by concentrating his vis on his sword, he effortlessly sliced through their bodies, which were merely clusters of magical energy.

Helmut managed to dispatch them efficiently, using his power in an exceedingly effective manner.

“Is this the power of humans?”

Compared to magical beasts, humans had frail bodies and significantly lesser strength.

Yet, by manipulating Vis, humans could overcome their physical limitations. Helmut had learned to efficiently wield his Vis from the very beginning.

If other humans were also capable of this, the outside world would be intriguing.

Thinking of his adversaries, Helmut grinned, revealing his teeth.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

He wanted to become stronger to leave the forest of Roots, but that alone wouldn’t satisfy him.

He desired to become even more powerful, so powerful that he wouldn’t need to fear anyone, just like Elaga, who dominated the forest of Roots.

So that even if it became known that he harbored the seed of darkness, the temple wouldn’t dare to do anything about it.

“It’s time to go.”

Helmut stood up, feeling somewhat revitalized after eating his fill.

As he approached the edge of the forest of Roots, closer to the sacred barrier, the number of magical beasts decreased.

The magical energy in the air naturally combusted upon contact with the sacred barrier, creating an environment unfriendly to magical beasts.

It was better to hurry on the road to conserve energy. Magical beasts were slowly gathering. To rest his weary body, he needed to reach the vicinity of the barrier quickly.

He knew the direction, though he wasn’t sure how long it would take.

“Not much further.”

Encouraging himself, Helmut quickened his pace, moving as swiftly as if he were running.

*

Helmut’s forced march ended on the fourth day, just before he collapsed from exhaustion.

After a fierce struggle with a rather strong magical beast, Helmut fell to the ground, sleeping as if dead, soon after.

When he awoke, he was relieved to find himself alive. Had another magical beast appeared, he would have been killed without a chance.

Only then did Helmut realize he had made it close to the barrier.

“Magical beasts don’t live around here, do they?”

Helmut closed his eyes and sensed the atmosphere.

The fight between Elaga and Naho had either concluded, or he had entered a region where he could no longer feel it. Having slept deeply, albeit unintentionally, his condition had significantly improved.

‘With this, I can jump into the barrier in almost perfect condition.’

Helmut resumed his journey, walking carefully, not too fast.

The magical energy that felt blurry began to thin out as he neared the barrier.

The air devoid of magical energy felt strange yet refreshing to Helmut, like the disappearance of pungent smoke.

‘Not bad.’

Elaga would probably dislike it.

Since magical energy and energy coexist, it wasn’t an ideal place for practicing Vis. Especially since Helmut harbored the seed of darkness.

Initially unnoticed, a peculiar discomfort began to emerge, as if something was obstructing him.

Had he not wrapped the seed of darkness in Vis, the irritation would have been more than just bothersome.

‘The sacred barrier is already rejecting the seed of darkness.’

Crossing the barrier would envelop him in tremendous agony. He needed to be fully alert.

‘Is that why Darien was so harsh with me? To cultivate my endurance.’

As he pondered various thoughts, Helmut, while bracing himself, heard a familiar sound.

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