"Boss, did they finish evolving?"
It was Shadow's voice.
"Come in." I said.
Shadow, Horn, and Venom walked in.
They saw Spike and Shell and froze.
"This... this is Spike and Shell?" Horn asked in surprise.
"Yes." I said. "They evolved."
Shadow flew a circle around Spike.
"Such fast speed! And the body got smaller."
Horn looked at Shell, eyes full of awe.
"So big... so imposing..."
Venom also looked at Shell in surprise.
"That defense... must be much stronger than before."
Shell was a bit embarrassed.
"I just... got a bit bigger."
"Not just bigger." I said. "Defense increased by 10 points."
"Now at 42."
"42?!" Horn exclaimed. "Then doesn't that mean..."
"Right." I said. "Normal attacks basically can't break through."
Horn's eyes became even more envious.
"I want to evolve soon too..."
"You will." I said. "As long as you fight well and accumulate experience."
"You'll all evolve."
Shadow and Venom also nodded.
Anticipation in their eyes.
"Alright, we should get going." I said.
"Continue north."
Six magic beasts followed me out of the cave.
As I walked, I thought.
Already a month.
Still hadn't found the thicket.
Did I... go the wrong direction?
But I'd been heading north the whole time.
The thicket should be to the north.
Did the river sweep me too far, throwing off my direction?
I was somewhat worried.
But could only keep going.
Besides north, I had no other direction to choose.
We continued forward.
Spike scouted ahead, speed much faster than before.
Shadow circled in the air.
Shell followed beside me, each step steady.
Horn and Venom followed behind.
Walked about an hour.
Spike suddenly stopped.
It turned to look at me.
"Boss, the tree species ahead changed."
I immediately quickened my pace.
Carefully observed the surrounding trees.
Broad leaves, deep green color.
Trunks crawling with vines.
These trees...
I'd definitely seen them before!
In the area I used to live, there were these trees!
"They're the same!" I said excitedly.
"We're almost there!"
Spike was a bit confused.
"Boss recognizes these trees?"
"Yes, I used to live in forests with these trees." I said.
"Which means we're close to the thicket!"
Spike also got excited.
"Then I'll keep scouting ahead!"
It charged out at full speed.
Astonishing velocity.
Disappeared from sight in seconds.
I also quickened my pace.
Leading other members forward.
After another half hour.
The trees became more and more familiar.
The scent in the air also became familiar.
Just then—
Spike's call came from ahead.
"Boss! I see it!"
"It's the thicket!"
I immediately sprinted at full speed.
Through the trees.
Finally.
I saw it.
A vast thicket.
Not far ahead.
Dense thorns formed a natural barrier.
This was it!
This was where Waspy, Brownie, and I had agreed to meet!
I rushed to the edge of the thicket.
Looking around.
"Waspy! Brownie!"
I shouted loudly.
"It's me! Gray!"
"I'm back!"
But no response.
The surroundings were quiet.
Only the rustling sound of wind through thorns.
I kept shouting.
"Waspy! Brownie!"
"Are you here?"
Still no response.
My heart sank.
They... weren't here?
I had Spike and Shadow search separately.
"Search around, see if there are any traces of them."
"Yes, boss."
Both beasts immediately acted.
Spike searched around the thicket.
Shadow circled and observed from the air.
A few minutes later.
Spike found something deep in the thicket.
"Boss! There are traces here!"
I immediately rushed over.
Spike pointed at the ground.
There were indeed signs beasts had been there.
Impressions on the ground, and some fallen fur.
I leaned in to smell.
It was Waspy and Brownie's scent!
No mistake!
They'd been here!
But...
The scent was faint.
At least a week old.
Maybe even longer.
"They came..." I murmured.
"But already left."
My feelings were complex.
On one hand, at least I knew they were alive.
And they'd come here, meaning they were also looking for me.
But on the other hand...
Why did they leave?
Couldn't wait any longer?
Or did something happen?
I continued searching the area.
Hoping to find more clues.
Spike was also helping.
Its perception ability was much stronger than before.
Suddenly, it stopped deep in the thicket.
"Boss, there's something here."
I walked over.
Spike pointed at a special plant.
It was a small vine, artificially woven into a special shape.
Like... an arrow?
Pointing in a certain direction.
I looked carefully at this plant.
Suddenly my heart raced.
This was Brownie's habit!
It liked playing with plants, liked using plants as markers!
This arrow... was left by Brownie!
"It's Brownie!" I said excitedly.
"It left a marker!"
Spike also got excited.
"Then they went in this direction?"
I looked at the direction the arrow pointed.
Northeast.
Not due north, but slightly east.
Why go that way?
What was there?
But regardless.
At least Brownie left a marker.
Meaning they left voluntarily.
And hoped I could find them.
"Let's go." I said. "Follow the markers."
I led the team forward in the direction the arrow pointed.
Spike scouted ahead.
Shadow observed from the air.
Shell and Horn followed beside me.
Venom guarded the rear.
Walked about half an hour.
Spike suddenly stopped.
It turned to look at me.
Using its paw to point ahead.
"Boss, there's another marker." Spike said.
I went over to check.
Sure enough, another vine woven into an arrow shape.
Still pointing northeast.
"Brownie must have left markers along this route." I said.
"Keep following."
We quickened our pace.
Every certain distance, we'd find a new arrow.
Brownie was very careful, making sure I could find them.
But why go northeast?
What attracted them there?
I traveled while thinking.
After about another hour.
Spike stopped again.
But this time, its expression wasn't right.
"Boss..." It lowered its voice. "There are signs of battle ahead."
I immediately became alert.
Signaled all members to proceed carefully.
After approaching, I saw.
Large bloodstains on the ground.
Already dried, appearing dark brown.
Trees were knocked down, bushes trampled flat.
Obviously experienced intense combat.
My heart tightened.
Here... there was a battle?
Was it Waspy and Brownie?
I had Spike search carefully.
It sniffed around the area.
"Boss, there's Waspy and Brownie's scent." It said.
"But not strong, they probably weren't seriously injured."
"There are also other beasts' scents..."
"Many kinds, at least five or six different beasts."
My heart sank.
Waspy and Brownie encountered other beasts?
And more than one?
I continued examining the battlefield.
A magic beast's corpse on the ground.
Already half-rotted, but could still tell it was a Burrow Rat.
Not high level, about level 5.
"Spike, keep looking for markers." I said.
Spike immediately acted.
A few minutes later, it found a new arrow at the battlefield's edge.
Still pointing northeast.
"They kept going." I said.
"And could still leave markers after the battle, meaning they're okay."
I breathed a sigh of relief.
At least they were still alive.
We continued forward.
But my vigilance increased.
This area might be dangerous.
After walking a while longer.
The sky began darkening.
The sun was about to set.
"Boss, should we find a place to rest?" Spike asked.
I looked around.
Then shook my head.
"Go a bit further."
"I want to find them as soon as possible."
Spike nodded.
We continued traveling.
Night fell.
The forest became darker.
But Spike's perception was strong, could still find markers.
Shadow also had night vision, keeping watch from the air.
After about another half hour.
Spike suddenly stopped.
Its tail raised high, defensive posture ready.
"Boss, there are beasts ahead." It said in a low voice.
"Many, at least seven or eight."
I immediately became alert.
Signaled all members to hide.
We concealed ourselves behind bushes.
Peering through gaps in the trees.
Ahead was an open area.
Under moonlight, could see several magic beasts gathered together.
I checked their information.
[Forest Wolf]
[Level: 8/15]
My heart pounded wildly.
Forest Wolves?!
Forest Wolves again?!
I carefully counted.
Six total.
All around level 8.
Not the pack that hunted us before.
But still Forest Wolves.
They were gathered together, seemingly resting.
I looked at Spike.
"Which direction is the marker?"
Spike pointed.
Right in the direction where the Forest Wolves were.
I frowned.
Had to go around.
But just then—
One Forest Wolf suddenly raised its head.
Sniffed the air.
Then looked toward us.
"There are beasts!" It growled.
The other wolves immediately became alert.
All stood up, looking in our direction.
Damn!
Discovered!
"Prepare for battle!" I immediately said.
Six Forest Wolves charged at us.
I didn't retreat either.
The current me was different from a month ago.
"Spike, Shadow, harass!"
"Shell, Horn, frontline!"
"Venom, ranged support!"
"Yes!"
The team immediately acted.
Spike and Shadow dispersed, harassing from the sides.
Shell and Horn charged the front.
Venom crouched beside me, ready to spray venom.
Six Forest Wolves and us collided.
Battle erupted.