Rebirth Of The Forsaken

The forest seemed to breathe around Yohan as he moved cautiously through the underbrush, his dagger now sheathed but never far from reach. The victory over the Shadow Wolf had bolstered his confidence, but the looming silence of the forest reminded him that danger could strike at any moment. 

As he pushed through a dense patch of foliage, he stumbled upon a clearing. The sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled light onto the soft moss-covered ground. Yohan paused, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area. 

A rustling noise to his left made him freeze. His hand instinctively went to his dagger, and he crouched low. The rustling grew louder, and moments later, a small creature emerged—a horned rabbit no larger than a housecat. 

Its fur was a silvery gray, and its small, spiraled horn glimmered faintly in the light. The system chimed in immediately. 

"Low-tier demonic beast: Horned Rabbit. Threat level: minimal. Recommended action: Engage for combat practice." 

Yohan raised an eyebrow. "Combat practice, huh? Alright, let's see what I can do." 

The rabbit noticed him, its ears twitching before it let out a shrill cry and charged. Despite its small size, the speed of the creature caught Yohan off guard. He barely managed to sidestep as it lunged at his legs, its sharp horn missing him by inches. 

"Fast little thing!" Yohan muttered, drawing his dagger. 

The rabbit pivoted and charged again, but this time, Yohan was ready. He feinted to the left, and as the creature leaped, he slashed downward with his dagger, grazing its flank. 

The rabbit landed awkwardly, letting out a pained squeal before turning to face him again. Yohan could see the determination in its glowing red eyes, a fierce will to fight despite its injury. 

"Alright," he said, steadying his breathing, "time to finish this." 

The rabbit lunged a final time, and Yohan stepped forward, driving his dagger into its side with precision. The creature let out a final cry before collapsing to the ground. 

The system's voice returned. 

"Host has defeated a Horned Rabbit. Minimal combat experience gained and 5 Path Tokens. No additional rewards available." 

Yohan knelt by the fallen creature, his breathing steadying. Despite its small size, the encounter had He stood, wiping his dagger on the grass. "If even the small ones are this tricky, I need to stay sharp." 

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Yohan knew he needed to find a safe place to rest before nightfall. The forest's dangers would only grow after dark. 

He followed a narrow game trail, keeping his eyes peeled for anything that could serve as shelter. After nearly an hour of walking, he stumbled upon a large, hollowed-out tree. The opening was just wide enough for him to crawl through, and the interior seemed dry and spacious enough to fit him comfortably. 

"This will have to do," he muttered, stepping inside. 

He set his satchel down and surveyed the small space. It wasn't much, but it would keep him hidden from prying eyes and offer some protection from the elements. He cleared the floor of debris, creating a small area where he could sit and rest. 

Yohan pulled out one of the healing pills and held it up. The pill glimmered faintly in the dim light. "Better save these for when I really need them," he decided, placing it back into his satchel. 

As the last rays of sunlight disappeared, Yohan used his dagger to carve a small mark into the tree trunk near the entrance. It wasn't much, but it would help him identify the spot if he needed to return. 

Settling in, he leaned against the inner wall of the hollow tree, his dagger resting across his lap. 

With the forest quiet around him, Yohan decided to take stock of his progress. "System," he called out, "show me my status." 

The familiar translucent screen materialized before him, its soft glow illuminating the cramped space. 

Name: Yohan Long 

Age: 17 

Cultivation: First Stage of the Spirit Transformation Realm 

Cultivation Technique: None 

Skills: None 

Bloodline: Dormant 

Physique: Dormant 

Spirit: ??? 

Weaknesses: None 

Combat Proficiency: Beginner 

Techniques: Long Shadow Blade Art (Shadow Step - 2% Mastery) 

Inventory: Dagger Healing Pills (5 remaining) 

Current Path Tokens: 15

He frowned at the Shadow Step mastery. "Only 2%? Feels like I've been working harder than that." 

The system's voice answered immediately. 

"Shadow Step mastery increases through repeated use and refining of technique. Host's progress is steady but requires more effort for significant advancement, also host should purchase a cultivation technique from the systems shop to Advance cultivation level." 

Yohan sighed. "I can't afford it, I guess there's no shortcut to getting stronger." 

His gaze shifted to the dagger resting in his lap. The blade was simple but sharp, its weight familiar in his hand. He would have to rely on it—and himself—for survival. 

He closed the status screen and leaned back, staring at the small opening in the tree that allowed a sliver of moonlight to peek through. Despite the exhaustion tugging at him, his mind raced with thoughts of the challenges ahead. 

"This is just the beginning," he whispered. "I'll prove I'm more than just the 'trash' everyone thought I was." 

With that resolve burning in his chest, Yohan tightened his grip on the dagger and closed his eyes, letting the soft hum of the forest lull him into a light, restless sleep. 

The first rays of dawn crept through the small opening of the hollow tree, painting the interior with soft, golden light. Yohan stirred, his hand instinctively reaching for the dagger at his side. After a moment, he relaxed, realizing he was still alone and safe—at least for now. 

Sitting up, he stretched his stiff limbs and rubbed his eyes. The forest was alive with the sounds of morning, birds chirping in the distance, and the occasional rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. 

"This won't last," Yohan muttered to himself. The forest had proven to be unpredictable, and he couldn't afford to let his guard down. 

He opened his satchel, pulling out the meager supplies he had left. The healing pills glimmered faintly in their small bottle, a reminder of their life-saving potential. His fingers brushed against the leather-bound combat manual—the Long Shadow Blade Art. 

He pulled it out, letting the early light illuminate the elegant yet ominous script on the cover. Flipping it open, his eyes were drawn to the first technique: Shadow Step. 

"2% mastery," Yohan muttered, recalling the system's reminder that progress depended entirely on his efforts. "If I'm going to survive out here, I'll need more than just this." 

He thought back to the forest's layout based on the estate's old maps and the fragmented memories from the former Yohan. There was a river that ran south, leading to a small outpost frequented by merchants and adventurers. If he could make it there, he might find resources, information, and possibly even allies—or at least people he could use. 

But the journey wouldn't be easy. The forest between him and the outpost was vast and teeming with beasts, not all as manageable as the Shadow Wolf or the Horned Rabbit. He would need to choose his path carefully, avoiding unnecessary risks while honing his skills along the way. 

"First, I need a better understanding of this forest," he decided. "Scouting the area will give me an edge. The more I know, the better I can prepare." 

With a plan forming in his mind, Yohan repacked his satchel and secured it tightly. The weight of the dagger on his belt was comforting, a constant reminder that he wasn't completely helpless. 

He stepped out of the hollow tree, the cool morning air refreshing against his skin. The forest stretched endlessly around him, its towering trees casting long shadows across the ground. 

Yohan tightened his grip on the dagger and took a deep breath. "One step at a time," he said to himself. 

The morning passed uneventfully as Yohan began his reconnaissance, moving carefully through the forest to avoid attracting attention. He marked trees with subtle scratches from his dagger, creating a makeshift trail he could follow back to his shelter if needed. 

The forest was vast and diverse. Some areas were dense with towering trees and thick underbrush, while others opened into small clearings where sunlight poured freely. Occasionally, he would come across signs of life—a faint trail of hoofprints, the remains of a recent kill, or the distant cry of a beast. 

As the sun reached its zenith, Yohan stumbled upon an area that sent a chill down his spine. The forest here was unnaturally quiet, the usual sounds of birds and rustling leaves absent. The air felt heavier, and the shadows seemed darker, more oppressive. 

He crouched low, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. The system's voice chimed softly in his mind. 

"Warning: Host is nearing the territory of a mid-tier demonic beast. Recommended action: Retreat or proceed with extreme caution." 

"A mid-tier beast?" Yohan whispered, his grip on the dagger tightening. He wasn't ready for a fight of that scale—not yet. 

Still, curiosity got the better of him. He moved closer, his steps slow and deliberate, until he reached the edge of a large clearing. 

What he saw made his blood run cold. 

At the center of the clearing lay the massive, skeletal remains of a creature he couldn't identify. The bones were blackened and cracked, as if burned by an intense fire. Surrounding the remains were deep claw marks etched into the earth, radiating out like the aftermath of a violent battle. 

The system spoke again, its tone grim. 

"This area shows signs of a recent demonic beast clash. High caution is advised. Host should leave immediately." 

Yohan's heart pounded as he backed away, his eyes never leaving the clearing. Whatever had happened here wasn't just a territorial dispute—it was a warning. 

Turning on his heel, he made his way back toward his shelter, moving quickly but carefully. The oppressive silence seemed to follow him, and every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig sent a jolt of adrenaline through his veins. 

By the time he reached the safety of the hollow tree, the sun was beginning to set. Yohan sat down heavily, his mind racing with the implications of what he'd seen. 

"The forest isn't just dangerous," he muttered. "It's a battlefield." 

He clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. If he wanted to survive, he would need to grow stronger—and fast. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but Yohan had no intention of turning back. 

With the forest's ominous warning fresh in his mind, he began to strategize his next move, knowing that every decision could mean the difference between life and death.