Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

"It's a blessing because it means we've been relatively safe compared to areas closer to the heart of the kingdom," Charles continued. "But a curse because we're so far removed from trade routes and major cities. Resources don't flow here easily."

Arthur nodded slightly, absorbing the information. "What about other villages nearby?"

Charles frowned, his finger moving slightly on the map to another dot further north. "The nearest habitable area is Village #419. It's technically the closest settlement to us, but even so, it's not what I would call 'nearby.'"

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "How far are we talking?"

Charles sighed. "Approximately 700 kilometers."

Arthur blinked, leaning back in his chair. "You are right, it's quite far considering the transportation is quite weak here."

Charles chuckled dryly. "Indeed. But considering that the habitable areas are scattered and the wilderness is vast and untamed, that's considered close. It's a distance that could be covered on foot or with a decent riding beast in about two to three weeks—if the path was clear."

Arthur caught the hesitation in Charles's tone. "But it's not clear, is it?"

Charles shook his head, his expression grim. "No, it's not. The journey would be very difficult at best, and at worst, a death sentence. The problem lies in the corruption that has spread across the land."

Arthur leaned forward again, his interest piqued. "Corruption? You mean the demons' influence?"

Charles nodded slowly. "Exactly. The demons have corroded the area. While the immediate radius around the village—about 50 kilometers—is relatively safe from them, beyond that, the land is overrun with corrupted beasts and creatures."

Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly as he recalled the corroded rabbit he had fought on his first day in Armageddon.

Charles exhaled heavily.

"The demons have a way of twisting and tainting the creatures of this world. They infect beasts with their energy, warping them into something more powerful but far more dangerous. It's not just their strength, either—they become more aggressive, more cunning, and far harder to kill."

Arthur's curiosity deepened. "How do they do it? How do the demons corrupt other creatures?"

Charles hesitated, his brows furrowing. "I'm afraid I don't have a clear answer for that. The exact mechanics of how the demons spread their corruption are still a mystery to us. Some say it's through their presence alone—that just being near a demon can begin to corrode weaker creatures. Others believe they actively infect beasts through rituals or some sort of dark magic."

Arthur tapped his fingers on the desk, his mind racing with possibilities. "Rituals, huh?"

Charles nodded, leaning back slightly. "Whatever the method, the result is the same. The further you travel from the village, the more corrupted and dangerous the creatures become. Beyond the 50-kilometer mark, the beasts are all at least level 10, ranging up to level 20. And those levels are deceptive."

Arthur frowned. "What do you mean?"

"A level 10 corroded beast," Charles explained, "is far more powerful than a normal level 10 creature. Their stats are slightly enhanced by the corruption, making them faster, stronger, and far more durable. So, in reality, a level 10 corroded beast would be comparable to a level 11 corroded beast."

Charles folded his hands, his expression darkening. "And if you're unlucky…" he paused, his voice dropping slightly, "…you could run into a demon."

Arthur's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening at the mention. He knew what that meant, far better than most. "A demon," he repeated, his tone flat.

Charles nodded gravely. "Exactly. They don't usually come too close to the villages—they seem to prefer staying deeper in the corrupted zones where their influence is strongest. But if you travel far enough, especially in the wrong direction, you're bound to encounter one. And when you do…" He trailed off, his silence more ominous than anything he could have said.

Arthur didn't need him to finish. He'd already fought a demon and barely survived, even with the full force of his summons. The memory of that brutal fight flashed in his mind, and his jaw tightened.

"So you're telling me," Arthur said flatly, "that the land between here and Village #419 is essentially a death trap."

"Yes," Charles admitted, the weight of the word settling between them. "Only the strongest—or the most reckless—adventurers attempt the journey. And even then, I haven't seen any of them make it back."

Arthur's eyes landed on the map, his eyes traced the distance between the two villages, picturing the wilderness teeming with threats. It wasn't a simple journey; it was a gauntlet.

"What about other areas?" Arthur asked after a moment. "Anything significant nearby? or anything else worth checking out?"

Charles tilted his head in thought before nodding slowly. "There are a few notable locations, though most are far too dangerous for anyone to approach. For example…" He pointed to a section between the two villages.

"The Forest of Shadows."
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Arthur's attention sharpened immediately. "Forest of Shadows?"

Charles nodded grimly, his voice carrying a weight that made the room feel smaller. "It's an ancient forest. Massive. The Forest of Shadows lies around seventy kilometers away from our village, give or take. It's not close, but not far enough to ignore either."

He hesitated, as if the words themselves carried a curse.

His fingers lightly traced the edge of the map on the desk before continuing, his tone quieter now. "I don't know much about it, I'll admit. Not firsthand. No one here does, and those who might have known are long gone. The only reason I even know its name is because of something that happened a decade ago. Something… I'll never forget."

Arthur tilted his head slightly, intrigued. "Go on," he said, his voice calm but edged with curiosity.

Charles sighed deeply, the sound filled with regret and a faint trace of fear. "Ten years ago, our village birthed a prodigy. A boy unlike anyone we'd seen before. He was... brilliant. Strong. Fast. A warrior through and through, with talents that surpassed anyone in our small corner of the world. By the time he was twenty, he had reached level 15—a feat unheard of for anyone in this village. We all believed he was destined for greatness, someone who could lead us to a brighter future."

Arthur's brow furrowed. "And what happened to him?"