Location: Sylvaran Grove – Heart of the Enchanted Forest
The trees whispered.
Not in metaphor. They literally whispered—soft voices brushing through the leaves, carried on mana-rich winds. This place was alive, ancient, and more than a little aware of the outsider who had stepped into its domain.
Aelis stood at the center of the grove, hand against the trunk of the oldest tree. Mana flowed into her, ancient wisdom guiding her thoughts.
"He is not one of us," the forest said.
"No," she replied. "But he isn't from here either. His energy burns like a black sun."
"What will you do?"
Aelis opened her eyes—glowing now with fae light.
"I'll find out what kind of fire he brings."
Location: Ren's Camp – Forest Perimeter
The shadow fortress had begun to form—stone and void interwoven, powered by the ambient magic of the realm. Ren stood at its core, feeling the world bend subtly to his command. The Pocket Hunting Dimension synced slowly with this realm's flow, allowing new resources to be gathered.
Reports came in from his scouts—shadow beasts, minor mana creatures, and ruins nearby.
More importantly, the natives had noticed.
"I expected the reaction," he muttered. "Now let's see how hard they push."
From the treeline, a flare of light burst forth—an arrow of pure mana arcing through the air toward him.
Ren didn't move.
The arrow struck a shadow barrier mid-air and dissipated harmlessly.
Then she stepped into view.
Aelis. Cloaked in emerald, eyes narrowed.
"You're poisoning this land with your constructs," she said. "Your shadows spread like blight."
Ren studied her calmly. "I don't need your permission to grow roots. But I'm not here to burn down your forest—unless you force me to."
Aelis raised her staff. "You speak like a conqueror."
"I am one."
She hesitated. His voice held no malice—just conviction. And that, in truth, made it more dangerous.
"You came here through a rift," she said slowly. "You're not just powerful—you're foreign. Which means you don't understand what you're dealing with."
"I learn fast," Ren replied. "And I adapt faster."
He stepped closer, shadows rippling at his feet.
"And I don't bow."
Location: Border Grove – Moments Later
The tension snapped.
Sylvaran sentinels stepped from the forest—wooden armor laced with runes, elemental arrows drawn. Ren's shadow soldiers flanked him, emerging like a tide of living night.
Aelis gritted her teeth. "Stand down," she ordered her sentinels.
They froze. Confused.
"I said—stand down!"
They obeyed—but their eyes never left the shadows.
Ren smirked. "Clever. You knew they'd be slaughtered if they attacked."
"I knew this was not the place to fight you," she said, coldly. "But don't mistake patience for surrender. You're being tolerated, not welcomed."
"And yet… you're still here."
A flicker of uncertainty passed across her features.
"Why did you come?" she asked.
"To build. To conquer. To gather strength for what's to come," Ren said honestly. "And maybe to understand things I haven't yet."
"Like what?"
He stepped even closer, now inches from her, looking down with calm confidence.
"Like why the strongest always end up being drawn to me—whether they mean to or not."
Aelis opened her mouth to respond, but no words came.
Then she turned and disappeared into the trees.
Location: Ren's Tent – Nightfall
The camp buzzed with energy. Construction continued under shadow oversight. The first magical beast had been slain and dissected, revealing alchemic materials. The Pocket Dimension pulsed with fresh energy as the first mana orbs were harvested.
Ren sat inside, maps sprawled before him, marking ley lines and power zones.
Hinata entered quietly, placing tea beside him.
"She's interesting," Hinata said softly.
"Aelis?"
Hinata nodded. "She's strong. Proud. She'll either be your greatest challenge here… or your greatest ally."
Ren sipped the tea. "Then I'll make sure she becomes both."
End of Chapter 38