章 1160: Jinx

Eldrin's eyes locked onto Liam's as he gestured at the map. "The forest itself is a living, breathing labyrinth of sorts. It changes its layout to confound intruders. Many have ventured into this forest, only to get lost." 

"And there are places... places that even we dare not tread."

Liam looked at the elf, taking in his sincerity and newfound openness. "So, what you're saying is, even if we overcome the beasts, the forest itself may still devour us?"

"Exactly," Eldrin nodded gravely. "The guardian isn't just some powerful creature sitting at the center. It's entwined with the forest itself." 

"It might have allowed you inside but everything now is a test set forth by the very guardian. So I doubt even you would get any special treatment."

"The shifting terrains, the malevolent creatures—everything is part of a larger system designed to test and only allow the true inheritor to arrive at the heart of this forest."