The air felt heavier the moment they stepped through the barrier.
Tall trees blocked most of the light. The forest floor was layered with crushed bones and deep claw marks. Fog drifted low, wrapping around their boots.
This was not wolf territory anymore.
This was where wolves died.
They stood assembled in formation.
Simple armor robes, each marked with faint colors matching their abilities.
Luna in deep violet accents.
Kijin in wind-gray wraps tied loosely around his waist.
Kurojin in black with faint glowing lines tracing his sleeves.
Saeko in crimson-edged robes that matched her sharp red eyes.
Raigen in blue-white lining, lightning sigils faintly glowing.
Masakiro in soft white garments, almost radiant—less demon, more celestial.
And Tsuramo—
No armor.
Just a long-sleeved red shirt and black trousers.
His crimson hair fell over his eyes, half-shadowing his calm expression.
He looked effortless.
Unbothered.
Ayame stepped forward, violet eyes steady.
"This is not a guaranteed survival mission."
The wind moved through the trees like a warning. "There is no certainty all of us will walk out."
No one joked.
No one interrupted.
"But," she continued, voice clear, "if you follow orders and maintain formation, we increase our odds."
Her gaze sharpened. "No chasing. No solo glory. We move as directed."
Masakiro stepped forward slightly.
His white robe shifted softly in the wind.
"…Is there a peaceful alternative?" he asked gently.
Silence.
Ayame met his eyes.
"No."
Honest. Direct.
Then she gestured behind them.
Two BK-class healers stepped forward, uniforms trimmed in green, medical packs glowing faintly with restoration sigils.
"They are highly skilled," Ayame said.
"One will remain with Masakiro."
The first healer bowed slightly beside him.
"The other will support Kurojin."
Kurojin exhaled through his nose but nodded once.
Saeko's red eyes flickered faintly in quiet amusement.
Masakiro swallowed.
Then suddenly—
He turned dramatically toward Tsuramo.
"Onii-chan!"
Everyone paused.
Yes.
Actual brother. But he sounded like a dying mouse.
Masakiro grabbed Tsuramo's sleeve lightly. "If anything happens to me—"
Tsuramo blinked slowly.
"Nothing will."
Masakiro continued anyway, dramatic as ever.
"—you must tell everyone I faced Shinryu with dignity! And burn my hidden snack stash so no one finds it!"
Kijin stared.
"…You have a hidden stash?"
Luna snorted.
Raigen rubbed his temple.
Tsuramo sighed faintly.
He placed a hand on Masakiro's head.
A firm but gentle pat.
"You're not dying."
Masakiro looked up at him.
"You can't guarantee that."
"I can."
Calm.
Certain.
Masakiro's shoulders eased just a little.
"…Okay."
Kijin leaned in and whispered,
"If you scream, I'm telling everyone."
Masakiro gasped quietly.
"I will not scream."
"You will."
"I will not."
Luna smiled. "I'm betting he does."
Masakiro looked betrayed.
Tsuramo ignored them all.
His crimson eyes lifted toward the dark forest.
Something moved deep within.
Heavy.
Deliberate.
Ayame turned slowly toward the trees.
Mist curled around her boots.
She spoke quietly, but firmly.
"Are you ready?"
A beat of silence.
Then—
"Hai, Taichō."
They answered together.
Even Kurojin.
Even Saeko.
Even Masakiro, steady now.
Ayame stepped forward.
"Let's move."
The forest swallowed them whole.
And somewhere in the distance—
A low, monstrous growl rolled through the trees.
Shinryu knew they had arrived.
Deep Within the Wolf Forest
The deeper they walked, the darker it became.
Leaves rustled constantly above them. Not from wind.
From movement.
Ayame walked in front, steps calm and measured. Her violet eyes scanned the terrain without panic. Every few seconds, she adjusted their direction slightly.
Raigen walked near the front as well, lightning flickering softly around his fingers. A faint glowing system projection hovered before him, mapping energy disturbances in the air.
"Electromagnetic fluctuations increasing," he muttered. "Something large passed through here recently."
Branches snapped somewhere far off.
No one spoke.
Farther behind—
Tsuramo walked quietly, one hand gripping the strap of his bag. His crimson hair covered part of his eyes as he observed everything without turning his head.
Then—
A strained grunt came from beside him.
He glanced sideways.
Kijin.
Carrying three extra bags.
Struggling.
"Why," Kijin muttered under his breath, "do healers pack like they're moving houses?"
He caught Tsuramo looking.
"What are you staring at?" Kijin snapped. "Help me out."
Tsuramo turned his gaze forward again.
"No. I'm exhausted."
Kijin stared. "Tired already?."
Kijin blinked slowly. "…You're joking."
No response.
Kijin clicked his tongue and abruptly threw one of the bags toward him.
"Fine. If not for me, at least hold this for Leader Ayame."
The bag smacked lightly into Tsuramo's chest.
He sighed.
Annoyed.
But he grabbed it anyway.
"Don't fall behind," he said calmly.
Kijin grinned.
"See? You care."
Tsuramo didn't answer.
Kijin hurried forward to rejoin the group—
Then suddenly stopped.
"…Wait."
His voice dropped. "Guys."
He turned his head slightly. "I hear something."
At the same time—
Rin's voice rang out sharply from ahead.
"I feel it."
Everyone froze.
"It's close."
Masakiro immediately grabbed onto the healer assigned to him.
Poor girl nearly stumbled.
"Ah—!"
Masakiro whispered urgently, "Stay behind me!"
She looked confused.
"…Aren't I supposed to protect you?"
"I—yes—but still!"
She looked just as scared as he did.
Branches snapped.
Closer.
The air thickened.
Kurojin reacted instantly.
Black glowing lines shot from his sleeves, spreading outward like a woven net. His shadow strings wrapped around nearby trees, forming a semi-dome barrier around the group.
"Stay inside," he ordered sharply.
At the same time—
Luna stepped forward.
Her shadow stretched unnaturally across the ground.
Then—
It rose.
Like liquid darkness peeling off the earth.
The shadows of the trees bent toward her, merging into a towering curved shield around the group. It moved like smoke but held like steel.
The forest dimmed further as her power swallowed the light.
"…Nice," Kijin muttered.
The ground trembled faintly.
Ayame's voice cut through the tension.
"Formation two."
Instantly—
Raigen moved left flank.
Kurojin reinforced the rear.
Luna maintained shadow cover.
Masakiro and his healer stayed center.
"Kijin, right perimeter."
He grinned nervously but nodded.
Ayame's eyes shifted.
Only once.
To Tsuramo.
"Rear anchor."
Simple.
Direct.
He nodded once.
Crimson eyes sharpening.
The forest fell silent.
Too silent.
Even insects stopped.
Then—
A low, deep growl rolled through the trees.
Not from ahead.
From everywhere.
The ground cracked slightly under heavy steps approaching unseen.
Rin whispered,
"It's circling us."
Kijin swallowed.
"…I really hate when it does that."
Ayame's voice remained steady.
"Hold position."
Her gaze flicked once more toward Tsuramo.
No words.
Just understanding.
He adjusted his grip on the bag strap.
And waited.
The trees parted slowly in the distance.
Something massive moved between them.
And it was close.