Atlas had been moving for nearly an hour.
At first, he simply navigated through the forest, following Kurogasa from a distance as they crossed roots, branches, and uneven ground. But after that, they shifted direction and shot forward into the mouth of a cave hidden deep within the terrain.
Throughout the entire journey, Kurogasa did not say a single word. He only moved. And not just moved, but dashed forward at incredible speed, his figure flickering in and out of sight like a shadow slipping between shadows.
Kurogasa no longer watched Atlas as closely as he used to. There was no backward glance, no silent test of his pace. This time, he simply sped ahead with full confidence, and Atlas followed without hesitation.
The deeper they went, the heavier the air became.
The oxygen inside the cave was extremely thin, so scarce that an ordinary person would have collapsed within minutes. Yet Atlas could still breathe. It was difficult, but manageable.
