After parting ways with Ignar and Lagya—the dragons who were part luxury shampoo duo, part reluctant guardians—Hyunwoo stood at the edge of the Cursed Forest. This grim tangle of gnarled branches and whispering shadows wasn't the Elven Forest proper, but the dark, tangled gateway to it—a place soaked in old magic, bad vibes, and very questionable smells.
The air was thick and heavy, with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, and the trees loomed overhead like ancient giants glaring down. Shafts of weak sunlight filtered through the thick canopy, casting strange patterns on the mossy ground that made every step feel like walking through a hall of mirrors.
Hyunwoo squelched deeper into the forest, cape flapping behind him like a sad flag in the wind.
Suddenly, a soft, desperate voice sliced through the eerie silence—an elf girl, her silver hair shimmering faintly in the dappled light, was surrounded by a cluster of goblins. These goblins looked like the forest's trash heap had come to life: scrappy, snarling, and covered in dirt and questionable grime.
The girl's emerald eyes were wide with fear, her slender form pressed against a crooked tree as she struggled to fend off the rough goblins.
Hyunwoo's heart skipped a beat.
I gotta help her. But how? I'm about as heroic as a soggy sock.
He scanned the empty forest floor. No sword, no magic, not even a sturdy stick—just his wet cape and bad luck.
Then, out of nowhere, a voice echoed in his mind.
"Find me."
His status window flickered to life, glowing with a divine shimmer:
The Celestial Sword is calling you.
Joy bubbled in his chest like soda fizzing over. Finally, something good! he thought, letting out a triumphant squeak.
And that squeak was not quiet.
The goblins snapped their heads toward the sound, snarling viciously.
Hyunwoo's instincts kicked in. He raised his arm—not to attack, but to protect.
But his power misfired in spectacular fashion.
Instead of hurting the goblins, a wild aura burst from him, buffing the goblins with strength and speed like he was handing out overpowered energy drinks.
Their eyes glowed redder, muscles bulged, and their snarls turned into furious war cries.
"Shit!" Hyunwoo gasped.
The goblins lunged after him, now faster and meaner than ever.
Hyunwoo broke into a panicked run, boots squelching through the moss and mud.
Behind him, the goblins chased with wild, reckless abandon, crashing through underbrush and knocking over trees as if the forest itself was trembling with their rage.
The elf girl didn't hesitate. Seizing the chaos, she bolted like a silver streak between trees, weaving through the shadows.
"Run!" Hyunwoo yelled over his shoulder. "Get out of here before they turn you into a goblin smoothie!"
Her nod was fierce, her speed graceful and desperate.
Hyunwoo's breath came in ragged gasps, heart pounding like a war drum as he stumbled over roots and ducked low under branches that seemed to slap him like angry forest guards.
Every step felt like a cartoon slip—his soaked boots losing grip, cape catching on branches, and his panicked yells echoing through the cursed woods.
At one point, he nearly face-planted when a goblin's clawed hand swiped past his shoulder.
"Okay, okay! No time for heroics!" he muttered between breaths. "Just run like your life depends on it—because it does!"
Suddenly, his desperate gaze caught sight of a shadowy opening beneath the massive roots of an ancient tree—a hidden cave, almost invisible unless you knew where to look.
With no other options, Hyunwoo dove inside.
The goblins skidded to a stop outside, growling and pounding their fists against the roots like angry toddlers.
Inside, the cave was cold and damp, smelling of earth and forgotten secrets.
Hyunwoo collapsed against the stone floor, only to yelp—he'd landed on something hard and sharp.
Looking down, he saw the Celestial Sword, its blade shimmering faintly with quiet, restless power.
His status window blinked with a harsh message:
The Celestial Sword is cursing its master.
The Celestial Sword is unhappy with your behavior.
The Celestial Sword is going back to sleep.
"No, no, no! Don't sleep on me! I need you!" Hyunwoo begged, clutching the hilt.
Suddenly, the sword pulsed violently, as if fighting some invisible enemy—something dark and ancient stirring within him.
Hyunwoo felt a cold pressure deep in his chest, like a curse lurking just beneath the surface.
Then, the sword's glow steadied, victorious.
The status window flickered:
Luck +1
Current Luck: 2 (Still worse than a monkey).
Hyunwoo blinked, stunned.
"My luck actually improved? What kind of witchcraft is this?"
He gave a shaky grin.
"Alright, I'll take it. Small victories, people."
But somewhere deep inside, a shadow stirred, waiting for the next act in this unlucky hero's chaotic saga