It had been two days since Selor and Rehan started their journey. They passed through difficult terrain, but strangely they didn’t come across any monsters or creatures. This was thanks to the map provided by Lancel.

Selor said that in the past, he had made similar journeys with his father towards the inlands. He further elaborated that the Ager was divided into five different areas—the East Ager, West Ager, North Ager, Central Ager, and Southern Ager.

“The Central Ager is the most dangerous part of the mainland,” Selor explained gravely. “Almost no normal humans or monsters live there. The eastern and northern Ager are the safest zones. But the southern, eastern, and central Agers are considered dangerous. They are home to numerous monsters who live in groups, and some are intelligent enough to form tribes and alliances. Another factor that makes these areas dangerous is their closeness to Terra Desolate. Rumors say new kinds of evils are spreading towards Ager’s southern parts. The empire’s forces are often trying to keep them at bay, but so far the demonic forces are winning. Only the western and northern Ager remain in the hands of the empire.

“Overall, Ager Capitalis is mostly in the hands of dark wizards, monsters, and other creatures. The empire still has some influence, but their hold stops after the western and northern Ager. They maintain over seventeen outposts with the strongest concentration of knights, ground armies, and mages.

“The town we came from is one of the western towns, and is called Rogue Town. You entered Ager through relatively safe western paths. Still, nowhere is one hundred percent safe. The expanse of Ager is vast, and it’s impossible for the empire’s forces to protect every town and city.” Selor elaborated firmly.

Rehan listened to Selor’s long explanation, absorbing the information. During the last two days, they had only come across two groups of night crawlers, which they easily avoided thanks to Selor’s seasoned instructions. Rehan thought to himself that if he had come alone, it wouldn’t have been this easy.

“We’ll rest here tonight and start again tomorrow morning,” Selor said as they stopped at a cave-like inn.

“Whatever happens, don’t look the guys inside in the eyes. Don’t stare at them,” Selor warned.

Rehan, curious as always, looked closely at the cave-like entrance before following Selor inside.

From the outside, it looked like a small hill. Inside, however, it resembled an inn—with a reception and everything. But there were no humans. Instead, human-like beings with dark brown skin, pointy noses, shiny chins, large eyes, and small height filled the place.

Selor reached into his backpack and took out two gold coins. The demi-human at the counter nodded and spoke in a strange language, then motioned them to follow. Selor nodded as if he understood, and Rehan followed.

The demi-human brought them to their room. It was carved from the cave but furnished to look like a proper room with a door and everything.

“It’ll do,” Selor said, and the demi-human left.

“Now, you may ask,” Selor spoke.

“Alright then. Tell me about the creatures that run this establishment,” Rehan said curiously.

“They are one of the demi-human races, similar to us. They’re called Ogis. They work in groups and are extremely hardworking. They live in clans, anywhere between a hundred to five hundred strong. You’ll find them in almost all areas of Ager. They’re a necessity for both humans and monsters alike,” Selor explained.

“So, how soon can we reach the Dark Forest?” Rehan asked eagerly.

“Hopefully in a week,” Selor replied calmly. “It’s closer to the Central Ager, which would normally take us at least a month. But I have a special arrangement with the Ogis. We’ll reach the Dark Forest in just a week.”

Rehan nodded and went to sleep, thinking about Selor’s special arrangement.

In the morning, they had breakfast. Selor spoke briefly to an Ogi nearby, who then left. After some time, the Ogi returned and motioned for them to follow.

They walked behind him as he led them down a flight of stairs into a long tunnel-like structure. At the far end stood a huge red door. The Ogi gestured for them to wait, then disappeared inside. After a while, they were invited in.

The room they entered had a natural cave-like setting. A small water stream ran through the middle and vanished into a stony path. There was some vegetation, and the roof stretched over thirty feet high. Clearly, this was another part of the cave. The Ogi walked ahead, and suddenly he stopped, signaling them to go forward.

At the center stood a massive stone table, and upon it sat a huge Ogi on a chair. He greeted Selor, and they continued speaking in their own language. Naturally, the words went completely over Rehan’s head.

Then, suddenly, the Ogi turned his sharp gaze on Rehan. His eyes gleamed with intelligence and cunning as he asked, “So, what brings a peace-loving Greenlander to this dangerous part of the world?”

Rehan froze, shocked that the Ogi spoke his language. He quickly gathered himself. “I’m searching for a hex that resides in a cave near the Dark Forest,” he explained.

The Ogi leaned back and chuckled. “Boy, I’ve been here for over seventy years, and I’ve never heard of any witches or wizards living in a cave near the Dark Forest. The only ones dwelling there are a tribe of bloodsucking vampire elves. They don’t die easily, and they kill slowly,” he said darkly.

Rehan glanced at Selor nervously, then told the Ogi, “It’s my first time here. I have little information about this land—much less about caves in the Dark Forest.”

Selor smiled lightly and turned to the Ogi. “Let me worry about the vampire elves, Gazard! What I need from you is passage to the next inn. We’ll require teleportation for two. Can you arrange it?” he asked firmly.

“Of course,” Gazard replied smoothly. “It’s always a pleasure doing business with you, Selor. However, the price will be doubled.”

“Why?” Selor exclaimed sharply.

Gazard’s expression darkened. “Because the southern parts are restless. Almost all of our inns have been overrun by demonic creatures. The Northern Southern Ogi Lord barely escaped with his life. How soon before they spread into the eastern, northern, central, and western parts? We don’t know. So yes, Selor, we’re raising prices—we must prepare while we still can!”

He leaned forward and continued in a low growl, “And don’t mistake these demons for your normal monsters or demi-humans like me. They’re brainless, fast, and ruthless—like trained wild dogs on a leash.”

Selor clenched his jaw. “Then we must move quickly. My father ordered me to help Rehan, and I’ll do so no matter what,” he replied firmly.

Gazard nodded, his tone shifting. “Normally, I’d advise against going anywhere near the Central Ager. But I know you won’t stop. Very well—let’s go.”

The Ogi stood, turned around, and opened a hatch in the ground that led deeper underground through a set of stairs. Selor and Rehan followed him down.

Inside, the Ogi muttered something, and suddenly the chamber lit up. A glowing teleportation circle appeared before them.

Rehan gasped. He had only seen such a circle once before, in the Greenland’s capital when he was a child. It was said that teleportation circles existed only in the capitals of each mainland. To find one here, in a remote Ager inn, was nothing short of a miracle!

Selor opened his backpack and produced two small leather bags, handing them to Gazard.

“Check the goods, Lord Gazard,” Selor said calmly.

Gazard opened one pouch. Inside was a dark, heart-like organ.

“That,” Selor explained to Rehan, “is the heart of a mutant dog found in the Western Ager’s wetlands. In Greyland’s black market, such a heart sells for thousands of gold pieces. It’s used to make… certain medicines for middle-aged men.” He smirked knowingly.

Rehan nodded silently as Gazard inspected the goods. Then Gazard pulled a lever on the wall, and the floor began shifting like a giant puzzle. He opened a nearby chest and took out several glowing magic cells. These were filled with pure magical essence, used as fuel for the teleportation.

One by one, he inserted them into sockets surrounding the circle. Finally, he looked up. “Stand in the middle,” he instructed.

Rehan and Selor stepped into the glowing circle.

“Bon voyage!” Gazard said with a grin as he slammed a red button and another lever on the wall.

The room began to hum. The humming turned into buzzing. Lights flashed so bright that Rehan had to shut his eyes. Slowly, his body felt lighter and lighter—as if turning into air itself.

With a sudden bang, Rehan felt solid ground beneath his feet again. He opened his eyes.

A giant Ogi stood before him.

“I am Mazard, Central Ogi Lord,” the Ogi introduced himself in a deep voice. “Happy to be of service.”

“Thank you, Lord Mazard. We’ll be on our way now,” Selor replied respectfully.

Mazard nodded and personally guided them through a backdoor, leading them outside. Once again, the exit resembled a cave opening hidden in the hills.

As they stepped into the daylight, Selor turned to Rehan. “We’re very near to the Dark Forest now. We should reach it within six to seven days on foot,” he explained.

“So how much distance did we cover through teleportation?” Rehan asked.

“About four hundred miles,” Selor replied. “That would’ve taken us over fifteen days. And the terrain we bypassed is dangerous—it would’ve slowed us even more.”

Rehan nodded slowly, impressed. “Do you and your father often visit these lands?” he asked.

“Yes. It’s part of our work to transfer certain goods here and there for the stability of our town and people,” Selor said.

“You mentioned something about the local Beast Lord. Who is he? And why do you depend on a beast?” Rehan asked curiously.

Selor smiled faintly. “Because he depends on us as much as we depend on him. We bribe a few empire soldiers to keep their forces away from him, and in return, he keeps his clan away from our daily life and affairs. In short, the people of our town are never attacked in the areas near our home.

“My father wouldn’t tell you much, but after spending time with you, I understand why he chose to help you. I feel comfortable sharing this. The local Beast Lord is a high ogre. Twenty years ago, he and his clan were defeated in the Central Ager by the vampire elves. They fled wounded into the eastern lands and slowly established their domain.

“My father was once a royal knight of the First Division. He had his share of troubles and chose to flee the capital due to… personal disputes. He never talks about it. But later, he settled in our town—then a dangerous place often attacked by monsters. Its people were mostly rogues, fugitives from the empire or Greylands. My father united them and formed a secret pact with the High Ogre Lord. Together, with his old connections in the empire, they secured a balance.

“Our town still depends on empire forces for passage to Greyland and nearby islands, for trade and black-market dealings. That’s how we survive in the Western Ager—by depending on each other.”

Rehan listened with wide eyes. He realized how far the truth was from the childhood tales he had once heard from his grandmother. She had spoken of Ager Capitalis as a land filled only with savage beasts, forever fighting against the empire. But here, he had met intelligent monsters and seen an ecological balance—humans, monsters, and demi-humans all coexisting in fragile but undeniable harmony.