Luma and Ennet's destination is the bustling City of Ver, the largest city in the Jade Kingdom. This city is not only the heart of the region but also home to the renowned Jade Library. Luma aims to find his parent while Ennet seeks the help of his mentor. Their paths crossed at the border between the Jade Kingdom and Aquita. With confidence and a sprinkle of stupidity, their journey begins.

  Parea, the second-largest continent, is a land of vast contrasts, divided into only three regions. This unusual division is due to the Jade Kingdom's expansive reach, covering half the continent. The kingdom operates under a monarchy, ruled by King Lynd Rigris II, with Prince Illys Rigris as the sole heir to the throne. However, the monarch's influence is predominantly limited to the urbanized areas within the Jade Kingdom, including the Jade Library, constituting only a quarter of the kingdom. The remaining territory is under the protection and control of a divine being, with a sacred decree that prohibits any buildings or structures in these areas. These protected lands can be traversed, but any damage to the forest's life is met with severe punishment.

  This law, established by the divine being residing on the continent, aims to preserve the Forest. Parea is renowned for its unique wildlife, such as the Aona—a deer-like species with crown-like antlers made of ironwood—and the elusive hiya flower, which blooms only when unseen by any creature. The divine being's vision was to create a sanctuary for these creatures, a goal respected by the kingdom's rulers over time. Thus, as the lush green forest flourished, it became known as the Jade Forest.

  Both travelers decided to take the shortest route through the Jade Forest. When they entered, what they saw can only be described by one word: "majestic." Before them stood trees large enough to cover an entire two-story house, with trunks golden in color, leaves as bright as jade, and roots so huge that they created a natural canopy. They continued walking, captivated by the trees, until they felt themselves being called by the jade trees.

  Ennet soon realized something was not right. He felt something constricting his legs and slowly creeping toward his arms, yet there was nothing visible. When he turned to check on Luma, it was too late—Luma's mouth was already bubbling, and he was clearly suffocating. Ennet used his disruptive technique to create an opportunity, successfully managing to escape from the constriction. It was then he realized that what they had seen earlier was not the real forest, but merely an illusion created by a Tree Beast.

  There are Corrupted Beasts formed by the amalgamation of Chaos and the world's life forms. This phenomenon is called by the Library as Bedlam's Corruption, or Bedlam for short. Bedlam's occurrence does not necessarily follow a certain pattern; it is more akin to its nature: entropic. Over time, the occurrence of these creatures became apparent, making identification and classification necessary. The Library approved three criteria: Magnitude, Karma Control, and Intelligence, rated from one to five, with five being the lowest and one being the highest. Based on these criteria, a Tree Beast is classified as a third-class beast—requiring at least a group of seven or eight C-rank Archivists to defeat.

  The Beast was mimicking a Jade tree, making it seem alive. Instead of having a golden trunk, it was dyed black with a humanoid body attached to the tree. It was screaming, its screeches conveying agony and pain.

  "Aaa......help me....please....I did not do it," it pleaded.

  Ennet ignored its pleas and immediately attacked the branch constricting Luma. His effort failed; basic karmic strengthening was not enough. He needed to use his ART. Ennet took his umbrella, which transformed into another weapon—First Flower: Lotus. It turned into a spear with its tip forming a budding lotus flower and a curved blade.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Ennet attacked, but the Jade tree defended itself, blocking with its roots while slowly lifting Luma's body. The beast continued its assault, using its roots to destroy the ground. Ennet dodged by jumping upward and used the rubble as platforms. Mid-air, he launched a barrage of curved blades toward the tree—Lotus: Bloom. The curved blades bloomed, each dividing into four separate blades. The tree noticed the hail of blades approaching and tried to block, but Ennet interrupted its defense by cutting off the branch restraining Luma.

  Ennet caught Luma, relieved to find the boy merely sleeping peacefully. In his moment of relief, Ennet failed to notice the tree's incoming attack.

  "BOOM!" A tremendous sound echoed throughout the area.

  "Cough! Cough!" Ennet struggled to breathe. Fortunately, while protecting Luma, he had fortified his body with karma, but his left arm was still mangled and one of his lungs bruised. The Tree Beast laughed menacingly, which roused Luma from his daze. Noticing this, Ennet pleaded for Luma to run.

  Still disoriented, Luma tried to understand the situation. The only thing he knew for certain was that the creature before him, laughing malevolently, was filled with dark aura. Luma immediately strengthened his fist and fortified his body. Realizing Luma intended to fight, the Tree Beast attacked by flailing its branches, but Luma dodged them all with ease.

  The Tree Beast grew furious as none of its attacks landed. It began to increase its Karmic Energy output. The problem was that while Luma could dodge everything, he couldn't pierce the beast's defenses. As the fight continued, the creature realized Luma had no means of inflicting damage, so it decided to limit his movement.

  The Tree Beast sneakily grabbed Ennet, dragging him across the ground. When Luma was about to attack, the Beast used Ennet as a shield, halting Luma's momentum. Without hesitation, it swung its branches, throwing Luma across the ground. The Beast continued to torment Luma—cowardly baiting, taunting, and attacking him. Dangling from the Tree's grasp, Ennet cried out, "Run, Luma...!"

  "Oh, you're here. It has been years... I missed you," said a lonely entity occupying a dark space. Only four closed books were placed nearby. The entity sat with its legs outstretched, hands chained together with links connected to its neck, and a massive nail impaling its torso into the ground—a painful and gruesome sight.

  "I am sorry I was not able to visit you... mom—I mean, master forbade me to do it," a voice replied.

  The entity answered in a joyful yet creepy manner, "It is okay, Luma. I'm just happy to see you. Now, what can I do for you? As your **** I am obliged to follow you, right?"

  "I need to borrow the 13th Story from that Book," Luma stated.

  "Be specific, Luma. What Book?" The entity asked. Luma pointed to one of the four closed books.

  "Oh... are you sure you only want to borrow it? Why not take it? I mean, it is yours."

  "I just want the 13th Story from the book of..."

  "Okay... As you wish. You do remember how to activate it, right? Bye, Luma, until next time."

  The Tree Beast, having had its fun with Ennet and Luma, was determined to finish the fight. Pleased with the outcome, it threw Ennet toward Luma's location, but nothing happened—no sound or scream. Something had changed. An enormous amount of karma filled the woods, emanating from Luma. Startled, the Tree Beast immediately attacked, but Luma simply jumped and began to recite:

  "Even in my dying breath, where I lay my blood,I saw the splendor and horrors of what I have done.The wickedness and malevolence of mine is nothingcompared to the darkness of the endless Void.For I have sacrificed everything yet achieved nothing...I have nothing... thus I despair."—Ending from the 13th Story

  After reciting these words, Luma slit his hand with the dagger he carried. The blood merged with his body and the dagger, engulfing him completely. Luma released so much karma that it created a crushing pressure within the space. Ennet, badly injured, struggled to maintain consciousness. The last thing he witnessed was Luma, cloaked in a robe made of blood, holding a scythe-like weapon. As Ennet began to faint, he saw Luma destroy the Tree Beast with a single crimson slash.