Passerby Villain In A Wizard World

In a dimly lit, narrow corridor deep underground, three figures moved slowly, heading toward an unknown destination. The ancient passage there were in was empty, its floor layered with dust, and the silence was thick and suffocating—yet the structure remained intact, untouched by time.

Only the faint crackle of the flickering flames that lit the pathway disturbed the oppressive stillness.

"We should be near."

After walking for a while, Ian finally spoke as the narrow corridor opened into a vast expanse ahead.

After going underground from that mountain and traveling along this hidden passage, it seemed they had emerged into a hidden valley.

Though still surrounded by rocky walls, the open space and faint breeze he felt hinted that they were now almost outside.

However, besides the sense of freshness in the open air, Ian also felt something different, something he couldn't quite put into words.

"Blood? Why is the scent of blood so strong here?"

His confusion was quickly answered by Morgana, who sniffed around with her cute nose like a dog and mumbled in a low voice.

But since they were practically still inside the narrow passage, both Ian and Arvhael heard her clearly.

"Yeah, and it's fresh—and growing stronger. Be careful, Sir Ian."

Arvhael also felt the same as he solemnly warned Ian and quickly chanted a spell, conjuring up a lightning chain. He seemed ready to fight.

'Blood?'

Ian was confused as to why this place had such a weird smell. However, since Ignysyl gave him the location, he wasn't concerned about danger.

He just quickly reined in his surprise and stepped out of the narrow corridor into the well-lit hidden valley.

Of course, he didn't stop Arvhael from staying cautious, as having a sharp lackey was always useful.

However, contrary to their thoughts, they encountered no problem. The only thing they noticed was the thick, bloody smell that was getting stronger and stronger.

As they finally stepped outside the passage, a small forest unfolded before them, nestled perfectly within the hidden valley, shielded from sight.

Surrounded on all sides were towering mountains and thick clouds above that allowed only faint beams of light to filter through.

Honestly, if they hadn't just emerged from that passage, they would never have found this hidden place, at least not without a map.

"Woah... gross!"

Unfortunately, despite the forest being in such a perfect location, it didn't evoke the awe they had expected.

After all, who would admire a forest practically dripping with blood, staining everything, even the air, let alone the sickeningly strong, bloody stench that assaulted them the moment they stepped out?

Morgana couldn't help but flinch in disgust, quickly summoning a layer of water to shield herself and drawing closer to Ian.

"What kind of disgusting place is this? Why are we even here?"

She couldn't help but ask Ian as she felt nauseated even looking ahead.

Just a quick look, and it seemed like this forest had sprouted out of the dead body of someone—literally.

"Did I tell you to follow me? Why are you complaining?"

Ian was speechless as he rolled his eyes at Morgana. Wasn't she the one who wanted to follow before?

"Tch... did anybody tell you that you're annoying?"

Morgana muttered under her breath, crossing her arms as she shot him an irritated glance, clearly not expecting his response.

"Yeah, don't ask for help from an annoying man, then."

Ian joked with a smile, causing Morgana to deflate instantly. Her cheeks flushed with frustration, but before she could retort, a sharp whipping sound echoed from the side, followed by a stern warning from Arvhael.

"Be careful, there's someone here."

He warned, lashing out with his lightning chain like a whip, sending it slicing through the air with full force in one direction.

The chain crackled with electricity, lighting up the blood-soaked forest for a brief moment.

"Bang!"

The impact was so powerful that the bloody air seemed to evaporate instantly, and the tall trees in that direction were obliterated in an instant, reduced to splinters and ash.

The ground shook beneath them as if the very earth had been struck.

But as the dust settled and only the faint smell of burnt wood lingered, there was no sign of anyone, no figure, not even a mouse.

"Are you stupid?"

Morgana couldn't help but mock him after seeing his overreaction. After traveling for a while, she had already figured out that this guy was basically a lackey of Ian's.

Moreover, with his shameless trick earlier, she hadn't had a good impression in the first place.

So, she immediately scolded him upon seeing his paranoid reaction.

After all, if there had really been someone there, shouldn't she have sensed it too?

They were all in the first ring of the wizard realm, for fuck's sake.

"Sir Ian, I really felt someone there just now."

Arvhael also felt embarrassed after realizing there was no one there now. But he swore he did feel someone's presence, as his instincts were never wrong.

"Tch... you and your delusions," Morgana muttered, her annoyance growing as this guy dared to lie even now.

However, to her surprise, Ian didn't seem to think so. Instead, he waved his hand to stop Arvhael and spoke to seemingly thin air.

"Okay, don't hide. Come and tell me what you found out. I don't have much time to play around."

"Huh? What do you m—?"

Morgana, surprised by Ian's strange behavior, was about to speak when an untimely voice interrupted her.

"Tsk...tsk, this guy has a good sense. He found me as soon as I appeared. You subdued good subordinates while I was out."

The voice was young and slightly immature, carrying a hint of mischief. Morgana could clearly feel that it came from Ian's shoulder.

So, when she reflexively turned to look, she was startled to see a fiery raven perched there, its feathers glowing faintly like embers as it looked around curiously.

Honestly, she didn't even notice when it appeared, while Arvhael seemed the same from his weary look.

"Screw this crap. Didn't I tell you to guard me while I was meditating? Why did you leave?"

However, Ian didn't care about their mood but lashed out at Ignysyl, looking with his cold eyes.

This bastard still had the guts to be playful in front of him?

'It seemed he didn't even realize what he did wrong.'

Ian thought and was about to use some methods when Ignysyl suddenly began to explain anxiously. It seemed he felt his mood.

"Hey, hey, don't get mad, okay? I really found something while exploring that ruin and followed the clues to get here. I didn't leave that place just to play around, you know."

Ignysyl stopped Ian from exploding in anger first and continued,

"And besides, you were safe in that black tower. I didn't think anyone could enter that place and disturb you this fast."

He analyzed, not noticing the unnatural look on Morgana and the little bit of coldness in Ian's eyes.

"Also, I was indeed heading back when I suddenly sensed your change and thought you weren't in any trouble. Um... d-did I do anything wrong?"

Ignysyl was about to continue to talk when he finally felt something wasn't right. So, he stammered a little and asked, confused.

Honestly, after Ian entered the first ring wizard level, he felt that he had become more intimidating.

"Stop with the excuses. Tell me what you found. If it's not worth my time, you'll know what you did wrong."

Ian warned, as he didn't want to listen to him anymore. He would punish this guy after he settled things here.

"Oh? Haha... don't worry, it is definitely worth your time. Don't you know my abilities?"

When it came to the discovery, Ignysyl immediately became happy, puffing up his non-existent chest in pride. He didn't care about Ian's warning at all.

"Then, that's good."

Ian's mood also lifted after seeing his confidence.

'If this guy finds something useful, I might lessen his punishment later,' Ian thought, looking at the raven on his shoulder with a smile.

As long as he benefited, he didn't mind a few mishaps.

He was a good boss—Arvhael could guarantee it.

"Yeah, then let's go fast. This bloody forest is weird. We might miss the chance if we delay any longer."

It seemed Ignysyl finally remembered why he had asked Ian to hurry, as he suddenly flew up and asked Ian to follow quickly.

"And be careful of the hidden shadows!"

Then he warned Ian and the other two while landing on the trees ahead, ready to show them the path.

After all, although the forest looked small from the outside, the interior was dense with thick, tangled foliage, making it difficult to navigate.

The trees were tightly packed, their twisted branches blocking the light, while the air felt heavy.

And it seemed the blood concentration would grow stronger as they ventured deeper, making it even harder to move forward.

"What did he mean by hidden shadows?"

Morgana, who had remained silent until now, finally couldn't help but ask Ian.

She hadn't felt anything unusual up until this point, but after her mistake earlier, she had become more cautious and no longer dismissed the warning as she had before.