The royal formation pushed deeper beneath the slowly closing canopy.
Knights led their horses along a winding trail where roots broke through the soil, and patches of sunlight moved across armor beneath the leaves.
Hajin kept his eyes moving across both sides of the path.
His right hand rested loose inside one pocket, close to the spirit ring, while unease gathered without offering him a clear source.
A system panel interrupted his search and filled the center of his vision.
[ Warning ]
[ Demonic presence detected ]
[ Origin: Surrounding forest ]
[ Threat level: High ]
Hajin slowed for half a step before matching the column's pace again.
Juna had already flattened her ears toward the tree line on their right.
Loccy no longer treated exposed roots as a game, and her rabbit ears turned independently as she searched the shadowed undergrowth.
Vella looked at Hajin without any of her usual playfulness, then gave him one small nod.
