Shizuku:
"Then we should refocus on the mission."
They continued along the path for another hour before deciding to take a short break.
Akaimo:
"Uh… hey… can someone come with me for a bit? I need to pee."
Jeisuke:
"I'll go."
The two stepped off the path and entered the forest.
Jeisuke (thought):
The Reberu 7 presence feels closer now…
We're not alone.
Jeisuke:
"You done, Akaimo?"
Akaimo stiffened.
Akaimo (whispering):
"Jeisuke… come here. Look."
"There's something behind that tree… watching me."
"I don't know if you can see it—it's far… but… it keeps looking at us."
Jeisuke's expression hardened.
He slowly turned his gaze in the direction Akaimo pointed.
Jeisuke (low voice):
"Shh. Keep your voice down."
"From its presence… that's probably the Reberu 7 Merus monster Waku warned us about."
His eyes narrowed.
Jeisuke:
"It's not attacking."
"It's observing us… watching our movements."
The forest felt heavier.
Like something was waiting.
Akaimo:
"If that's the case… we should head back to the team."
They quickly stepped out of the forest and regrouped, resting briefly.
It was 3:00 P.M.
Suddenly, unusual sounds echoed from deep within the forest—low, distorted, and unnatural.
Waku:
"The Reberu 7 Merus monster likely isn't alone."
"It may be waiting for darkness to swallow us before attacking."
His tone hardened.
Waku:
"I'm ordering all of you—stay together. Do not split up."
They resumed walking.
Moments later, a blue sign came into view.
Shizuku:
"Hey… look. That's the blue sign the professor told us about."
"So the forbidden zone is close."
Shino:
"This is the hardest part."
"Until now, we've been walking on a soil road."
He looked at the dense forest ahead.
Shino:
"From here on, we enter directly into the forest to search for abnormalities."
"Everyone—stay alert."