Gravity Mage with Level-Up System

Chapter 1097: Part 1: A new land

From MCʼs Perspective:

The following day, as the sun began its ascent, casting golden rays over the horizon, I finally saw it—the edge of the forest. Relief washed over me like a soothing balm.

I had been tense throughout the journey, constantly alert for the hidden dangers that the magic forest was rumored to hold. My heart, which had been racing just moments ago, finally slowed down as the forestʼs dense canopy thinned out in the distance.

I sighed inwardly, grateful to have made it this far. The tales of vicious monsters, rogue wizards, and enchanted traps had haunted me since I first entered the forest. It was no place for the faint-hearted. But now, having crossed that treacherous expanse, I could allow myself to relax, if only for a moment.

I made a quick decision—I would land the aircraft and continue the journey on foot. There was no telling who or what might be lurking around here. The thought of rogue wizards still gnawed at the back of my mind.

They could be anywhere, waiting for a fool like me to cross their path. But I didnʼt want to be dependent on my aircraft any longer. The open skies made me feel too exposed, too noticeable.

Spotting an empty plot of land, covered only by sparse grass, I slowly descended, bringing the aircraft to a smooth landing. As the machine touched the ground, I stepped out and quickly stored it inside the system space. A tool like that was far too valuable to leave in the open.

I paused for a moment, using the system to scan the area. My senses heightened, waiting for any sign of danger. Thankfully, the surroundings seemed clear. No hostile presences, no signs of life that posed an immediate threat. I exhaled deeply, my body loosening with the knowledge that I was safe, for now.

Pulling a mask from my belongings, I placed it over my face. In this unfamiliar territory, anonymity was my best defense. With the mask securely in place, I took to the air again, flying at a steady pace, scanning the landscape below.

The further I traveled, the more I could sense the mana around me. It was stronger here, much stronger than in the barren lands I had left behind. The air itself felt charged, humming with latent power. I couldnʼt help but feel a stirring of excitement—this had to mean I was close to civilization.

Perhaps the Ancient Redwood Country, my destination, was near. Only time would tell, but the growing density of mana was a promising sign. The journey was far from over, but for the first time in days, I felt a spark of hope.

...

Time passed as I flew steadily through the sky, neither rushing nor lagging behind. My speed was measured, a perfect balance between cautious observation and progress. My eyes scanned the seemingly endless grasslands that stretched out in every direction like a green sea.

The monotony was maddening. It had been over an hour since Iʼd begun flying with my flight ability, yet not a single sign of wizards or even a trace of life appeared. No rogue wizards, no travelers—nothing.

The absence of monsters was even more puzzling. Given the strength of the mana in the air, I expected to encounter at least a few wandering monsters. But there was nothing. It was unsettling.

My mind drifted as I continued forward, thinking about the barren, quiet landscape. What could cause such a void of life? My curiosity was piqued, but at the same time, my wariness increased. What if something was deliberately keeping the monsters away?

Suddenly, my musings were interrupted. In the distance, something caught my eye—fences. At first, I wasnʼt sure, squinting as the structures appeared faint on the horizon. But as I focused, I realized my eyes werenʼt deceiving me.

A fence, man-made and distinct, cut through the sea of grass. A bright smile spread across my face. Finally, a sign of life, civilization, or at the very least, someoneʼs territory.

Without hesitation, I accelerated, rushing toward the spot with renewed energy. The sound of the wind rushing past me, a familiar swoosh, echoed in my ears, but I kept my focus.

I scanned the surroundings carefully, vigilant for any sudden dangers. I trusted the system to warn me if something was amiss, but I wasnʼt taking any chances. Even the calmest of lands could hide unexpected threats.

Within minutes, I reached my destination. The fences loomed before me, larger and more imposing than I had imagined from a distance.

They werenʼt hastily constructed barriers; these were strong, well-built, enclosing a vast area of land. The craftsmanship hinted at something significant, something protected.

Curiosity tugged at me, urging me closer. I landed softly and walked forward, drawn by a strange sense of anticipation. Peering past the tall fence, I saw it—rows upon rows of plants, carefully cultivated and thriving.

A well-kept plot of land, organized and fruitful, stood out amidst the wild, empty grasslands surrounding it.

Whoever owned this land clearly took great care in maintaining it. The thought immediately came to mind—someone had to be guarding this place. No one would leave such a valuable plot unprotected.

My eyes swept across the area, trying to catch any signs of movement. If there was someone here, I needed to tread carefully.

This place held secrets, and I was about to uncover them.

Roar!

As I stood there, lost in thought, a deafening roar shattered the stillness. Instinctively, I snapped my head toward the sound. My pulse quickened as I spotted it—a massive, jet-black creature soaring through the sky, cutting through the air with terrifying speed.

It was a tiger, but not just any tiger—a beast infused with magic, its enormous wings stretched wide as it flew toward me, its glossy fur rippling in the wind. A sense of immediate danger flooded my senses, and I prepared myself, every muscle in my body tensing.

The Black Tiger closed the distance in the blink of an eye. Before I could react further, it was right in front of me, its enormous wings folding as it descended to the ground with a thunderous thud.

My eyes narrowed as I noticed someone riding on its back. A female wizard. She was calm, composed, as though she owned the very air she flew through.

Roar!

The beast let out another menacing roar, its eyes locked on me, sending a shiver down my spine. But I kept my stance, steady and unflinching, even as the wizard gracefully dismounted.

She was clad in black, her clothes hugging her frame—a simple shirt and pants that matched her long, flowing black hair. Her eyes, dark and sharp, fixed on me, assessing. She was about my height, her skin pale but radiant under the sunlight. For a brief moment, we simply stared at one another, each trying to gauge the otherʼs strength.

Then I felt it—her power. The aura of a Level-8 wizard radiated from her, thick and oppressive like a storm cloud ready to burst. My chest tightened. Level-8. That was no small feat, and her presence alone was enough to make me uneasy.

Victory, even with my strongest tools, would be a challenge. I could summon the Zero Puppet, of course, but even then, a battle with her would be far from guaranteed. She was dangerous. I could feel it in my bones.

Out of caution, I restrained myself from probing her with the system. It wasnʼt worth the risk—who knew what kind of magic she had up her sleeve? A wizard like her would likely have wards or counter-spells ready for any intrusion. The last thing I needed was to provoke her further by making a wrong move.

On the other hand, something shifted in her gaze. The wizard, for all her power and confidence, seemed surprised. She glanced at him, no doubt wondering why a stranger was standing calmly, looking at her plot of land like I belonged here.

What likely disturbed her more was the fact that she couldnʼt read his strength. Wizards like her were used to sizing up their opponents with a glance, yet here he stood, completely unreadable to her.

Her Black Tiger growled low, its gaze still locked on me, but I didnʼt flinch. I remained motionless, every sense on high alert, but calm. In her eyes, that calmness told her everything she needed to know.

I wasnʼt just a random passerby. I was someone who could stand in the presence of a beast like hers without backing down, someone who wasnʼt easily intimidated by power.

She knew, then, what I had already guessed—we were both wizards. But how this encounter would unfold, I had yet to see.

I watched the womanʼs face intently, her eyes locked on mine. I could almost feel the Black Tiger Monsterʼs gaze, silently judging me.

The Black Tiger Monster stood on alert, its muscles taut and ready to pounce. Its gaze was fixed on the wizard before it, a predator waiting to strike if deemed an enemy. The monster remained motionless, awaiting its ownerʼs command.