As they continued through the forest toward Grane City, Sera broke the silence.
"Do you think… those hunters will come back?" she asked.
Jack thought for a moment before answering.
"Probably," he said. "But I'm not completely sure. If they do, though… we won't be around to save the forest again."
Sera's expression darkened slightly at his words.
Jack continued, his tone more serious.
"There's also a chance they won't come back here at all. We interfered with their operation, and now we know they exist. Hunters usually work in secret. Since we've seen them, they might decide we're the problem."
Sera nodded slowly.
"Then we just need to be ready when that time comes."
"Yes," Jack replied. Then he glanced at her.
"But tell me… aren't you afraid of people like that?"
Sera was quiet for a moment.
"Who said I'm not afraid?" she said softly. "I am. But the way you handled everything back there… it put me at ease."
She looked at him properly now.
"If you weren't dependable, I would've been worried the entire time. I might not have even traveled with you in the first place. But after what you did—fighting smartly, saving the Fennica and the Fenix—I'm sure of one thing."
Jack blinked.
"You know what you're doing," she said with a gentle smile. "And you're reliable."
Jack felt his face warm slightly.
"I'm not smart or anything," he said, a little embarrassed. "I just do what feels right."
Sera smiled knowingly.
"Yeah… sure."
She said nothing more.
Ahead of them, Turt and the Fenix Fox walked side by side. Jack watched them quietly.
I got my second monster earlier than I expected, he thought.
I should check the Battle Stage requirements again… and come up with a proper strategy.
Suddenly, Sera spoke up again.
"Hey—don't you think we should eat?" she asked. "Ever since we left town, we ran into those hunters, and now it's already mid-afternoon. We haven't eaten anything since morning."
She added honestly,
"I'm hungry."
Jack nodded.
"Yeah… you're right. I completely forgot."
He looked around the forest.
"Let's take a short rest, eat something, and then continue."
Sera smiled in agreement.
"That sounds good."
They found a large tree nearby and settled beneath its shade. The grass was soft, and the forest around them had grown quiet again.
Fenix, Turt, and Cloudy curled up on the ground, quickly drifting into sleep. Jack and Sera rested as well, letting their bodies relax for a while.
After some time, Jack spoke up.
"I guess I'll go look for something to eat."
Sera immediately shook her head.
"Oh, no need."
Jack looked at her.
"I can cook," she said casually. "I brought a few small utensils and some vegetables from the market earlier. I'll make something."
Jack blinked.
"You can cook?"
Sera smiled a little awkwardly.
"Oh… yeah. I guess I never mentioned it before. I can cook, but I don't know if you'll like it."
Jack chuckled softly.
"It's good enough for me. Having someone who can cook is already a blessing. And honestly, food is food."
"Alright," Sera said. "Give me about twenty minutes."
"Sure," Jack replied.
Sera opened her bag and took out a few compact utensils along with the vegetables she had bought in town. At the very end, she pulled out an apron and tied it around herself.
She began preparing the meal.
Jack watched her quietly as she worked—focused, calm, and familiar in a way he hadn't expected.
And without realizing it, his thoughts drifted to his sister.
Sera looked up from the vegetables.
"Jack, can you bring some firewood?" she asked. "I'll be busy cutting these."
Jack nodded.
"No problem. I can manage at least that much."
He glanced toward Turt.
"Hey, want to come?"
Turt didn't respond. He was fast asleep, completely unaware.
Jack smiled faintly and left alone.
As he gathered firewood nearby, a thought crossed his mind.
That fight earlier…
If the Fenix hadn't intervened at the last moment, he could have been seriously injured—or worse.
I might've died back there.
The realization settled heavily.
I can't afford to be careless, he thought. If I make even one reckless move, it could backfire.
He exhaled slowly.
I need to sharpen my actions. Perfect them.
Another thought followed naturally.
The first stage is coming soon.
If he wanted to survive, he needed information—every bit of it.
His gaze shifted to the bracelet on his wrist.
Jack stopped and activated it, checking the first stage details, hoping to find something—anything—useful.
His eyes widened.
"…Alright," he muttered.
With the firewood gathered, Jack turned back toward their resting spot, his mind already racing.
When Jack returned, he placed the firewood near the spot Sera had prepared.
"I brought some good firewood," he said.
Sera glanced up and nodded.
"Alright, thank you. Just ten more minutes—the food will be ready soon."
"Sure," Jack replied.
He sat back down beneath the tree and leaned against the trunk. The quiet warmth of the forest, the soft rustling of leaves, and the distant sounds of insects slowly pulled him in.
Before he realized it, his eyes closed.
…
"Jack… Jack, wake up."
A voice echoed faintly in his ears.
"Jack."
Jack slowly opened his eyes.
Sera was standing in front of him, gently calling his name.
"…I guess I fell asleep," he said, blinking.
Sera smiled lightly.
"It's natural. We've been walking since morning."
Just then, a warm aroma drifted through the air.
Jack inhaled deeply.
"…That smells really good."
Sera chuckled.
"Then come on. The others have already started eating."
Jack looked around and nodded.
"Oh—okay."
They sat together and shared the meal, the quiet forest surrounding them once more.
Jack took his first bite.
Sera watched him closely, waiting for his reaction.
"It's nice," Jack said honestly.
Hearing that, Sera felt her mind ease a little.
"I appreciate that," she said softly. "You're the first person—other than my mom—who's eaten food I cooked."
Jack looked at her, surprised.
"Then that makes it even better," he said with a small smile. "And honestly, it's delicious."
He gestured lightly.
"You should eat too, before it gets cold."
Sera nodded.
"Yeah."
The five of them shared the meal peacefully beneath the tree.
After they finished eating, Jack glanced at the utensils.
"So… how are we going to wash these plates and everything?"
Sera smiled.
"I thought this might happen," she said, pulling out a small container from her bag. "I bought this cleaning liquid in the market. With a scrub, it cleans the dishes using very little water."
Jack nodded appreciatively.
"That's really useful."
"I'll take care of the dishes," Sera said. "Meanwhile, could you check the route ahead?"
"Sure," Jack replied.
He looked toward the monsters, who had already fallen asleep again after eating.
How much do they sleep…? he wondered.
Activating his bracelet, Jack checked the map once more and confirmed the route. He adjusted his bag and waited.
Sera soon finished cleaning and packed everything neatly.
"We're good to go," she said.
"Alright then," Jack replied, raising his voice slightly.
"Hey, we're moving. Wake up."
Turt, Fenix, and Cloudy stirred groggily, clearly half-asleep, but still joined them. Cloudy climbed back onto Sera's shoulder.
Sera glanced at Jack.
"So, did you check the route?"
"Yes," Jack said. "We're on the right path. About four kilometers ahead, the mountain range begins—the Kush Mountains."
"Kush Mountains…" Sera repeated quietly.
Jack nodded.
"The Kush Mountains are among the highest peaks in this region," he explained. "They divide Suvana Forest in two. The part we're in now is relatively small compared to what lies beyond them."
Sera thought for a moment.
"These mountains are home to a tribal people, right?" she asked. "They've been living there for thousands of years. What was the name of the tribe again…?"
Jack answered without hesitation.
"The Kushton Tribe."
Sera looked at him in surprise.
"You know them?"
Jack shook his head.
"No. I've only read about them in books. They're said to be the longest-living tribe still in existence today. The mountains were named after them—the Kush Mountains."
He glanced ahead, estimating the distance.
"We should reach the foothills by sundown. Once we're there, we'll find a safe place to spend the night. Traveling through the mountains at night is dangerous."
Sera nodded seriously.
"You're right."
A hint of curiosity crossed her face as she looked toward the distant peaks.
"Let's see what this Kushton Tribe is like."