Beads of sweat formed across Grisha's forehead. He had clearly not expected my presence to overwhelm his. His pupils tightened slightly before he let out a slow breath.
"Fine," he said. "I'll explain why I haven't dealt with Skog yet."
I withdrew the pressure I had released and quietly watched him, waiting for him to continue.
"It is true that Skog betrayed us," Grisha said with visible frustration. "But I still cannot determine who he has truly sided with."
"Is that important?" I asked.
"It is the most important thing," Grisha replied firmly. "The survival of the Organization depends on it."
His expression grew grim.
"If Skog has sided with the Royal Government, then eliminating him would be simple. I could erase him from this world quickly, and none of the information he leaked would reach those who should not know it."
He paused before continuing.
"But if that man has defected to Marley, then resolving this situation would come at a heavy cost. The first situation would only weaken the Organization. The second could lead to its destruction."
Grisha looked straight at me.
"Do you understand the seriousness of the situation now, Jax?"
I pressed my lips together and gave him a blank look, as if I barely understood what he was saying. It sounded significant, but it meant little to me.
Grisha sighed again.
"You don't remember the world's memories, so it is understandable that you don't know."
"I may not know what you mean by Marley," I replied calmly, "but I do understand one principle."
I looked directly at him.
"If you want the advantage, you strike first. Otherwise you suffer the consequences later."
I turned away slightly.
"I will deal with him tonight."
Grisha opened his mouth as if he wanted to stop me, but the words never came out.
Instead he said quietly, "Come back alive. Don't push yourself too far."
I nodded and returned to where Eren and Mikasa were waiting.
"I need to take care of something," I told them. "I'll find you later."
I reached out and gently rubbed Mikasa's head, trying to reassure her. Then I turned to Eren.
"Take care of her for me."
Eren nodded. After a moment, he pulled a potato wrapped in oil paper from his pocket and handed it to me.
"Eat something first."
For a second I was stunned.
I had to admit, Eren was someone you could rely on.
I accepted the potato and tucked it away before picking up my bow and arrows.
"Thanks, Eren."
I gave him a small nod before turning and disappearing into the forest.
Grisha would eventually bring them to the town where Skog was hiding. If I wanted to reach him first, I needed to find that place quickly.
I had to kill him before he vanished completely.
Half an hour later, I realized something frustrating.
I was lost.
In my rush, I had not bothered to memorize the route or leave any markers behind. I had charged into the forest with the sole intention of hunting my enemy.
Now I could not even find the way forward.
It was ridiculous. Setting out to kill someone, only to get lost halfway through the hunt.
Yet as the one experiencing it, it did not feel humorous at all.
"Damn it."
I slammed my fist against a nearby tree, then kicked the trunk in frustration.
I looked around while catching my breath.
Skog might escape simply because the person hunting him had lost his way in the forest.
What an absurd reason.
I exhaled slowly and dropped onto the ground. Moonlight filtered through the leaves above, casting pale light across the forest floor.
Everything was quiet.
Then, faint voices drifted from somewhere in the distance.