- Shari -

The Evergrove. Lush green trees form a thick canopy above, and grass blankets the ground. While the seasons have little effect here, as the forest remains evergreen and the weather mild even when it snows outside, the vibrant growth and abundance of herbs clearly indicate that summer has come. If I were at my parents' home still, I'd be overjoyed to see such variety of useful plants.

I need to say this place has a weird effect on me. It's been a while since my last trip through the green, so I'm rather certain of the difference now that I can compare it to the town. The thing is, I'm feeling eerily calm, almost unbothered. Just going for an easy stroll through the pleasant wood. Now that I think about it, the first time I went through here, I should've been totally freaked out. Just thinking about how deadly this place is should be frightening enough. Back then, I put it on my slime condition, but while it's true that being a slime dulls my reactions a bit by, for example, not allowing for the effects of panic to reach me, this doesn't mean I have no feelings and can't be anxious. No, I'm rather sure it's the atmosphere of this forest that makes me more at ease despite the danger it poses. Perhaps it's because there's nothing to threaten a slime here?

"Hey, Liqu, can you talk while tracking?" (Shari)

"For you? Always!" (Liqu)

"I feel oddly calm here around these trees. Only a marginal difference, but perceivable. Do you know something about this?" (Shari)

"Yes, yes. Might be the greater concentration of magic in the air. Yet, it's not like you need to be concerned about the creatures here either, although some of these plants can be pretty annoying, especially as one goes deeper. They drain the energy right out of your slime, if you're not careful." (Liqu)

Yeah, getting drained by some plant isn't really high on my list of things I want to experience. Meaning I should not get lulled into a false sense of safety. Yet that other point interests me far more as of yet.

"Magic in the air? But wouldn't that have affected us in the city as well?" (Shari)

"Hm, it's a bit different when directly next to the plants. They're so full, they're emanating it. The increase is sudden, when leaving the human settlement, making it easier to notice than if there were a gradual change. It even helps a little with our consumption, which is probably what you notice. But it won't be enough to satiate you by itself." (Liqu)

"Okay. Thanks for the explanation." (Shari)

So the mystical forest makes it easier to get my fill... Then were I to live here, I'd have a far easier time sustaining myself? Oh damn! This is exactly what monsters feel, right? That is why they're so common in this forest! They're getting lured here, thinking there's not as much need to worry about nourishment! Oh no, you won't get me, Evergrove!

"Ahem, not like your frequent facial shifts wouldn't be a distraction during this trek, but I'd like to know if we're getting closer." (Peras)

Graah, I was noticed! Just why do things like this always have to happen to me in front of people?!

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"So, what about it? Ever since the men I sent forward returned after they lost the trail, we have been relying on your abilities." (Peras)

"Yes, yes. We are." (Liqu)

We move further into the forest. Soon, we encounter the first monsters, a bunch of Feliras. Like, we find them and not the other way round. Yet I don't really want to dwell on the reason.

"Those things are chewing on something." (Shari)

"Got it!" (Jacob)

"Swsh"

Jacob shoots the first right in the neck. Maybe not instant death, but certainly lethal enough. The others become agitated, but the moment I approach, they unexpectedly run away.

According to Jacob, different from common belief, some few monsters are smarter than one would expect. If they don't see a chance of winning or even making prey, they won't bother with a fight. Escape is always a viable option for them. Feliras in particular are ambush hunters. They single out weak or inattentive prey, making them extremely deadly for the unprepared. Nothing one would find in a fairly disciplined group of soldiers and adventurers. They might stalk us for a while, but if we don't show them any openings, it's unlikely they'll jump at us. Also, if I'm not just imagining this, they're particularly wary of me. Might be that they noticed what I am. Well, if it makes them scatter. Now I can inspect what they were at. Though I kinda wish I didn't.

"Urgh." (Shari)

"Shit. That's one of the prisoners." (Peras)

"See the neck? The collar was used. I wager the execution mode was triggered. Seemingly, to keep the monsters busy." (Jacob)

With my all-around vision, I see how this noble boy, Lorel, if I'm right, clenches his fist so the knuckles turn white. However, now it's clear that they have more hostages. This indicates that we're on the right trail, following the enemy group.

"I'd like to continue moving. Every moment we idle, there could be more of these." (Shari)

"Sure. But we shouldn't get our hopes up. At least when we reach them, we can be sure things won't end so conveniently that they won't make use of them." (Peras)

He's right. Different from those in the dungeon, I won't have the leisure to free all of them before someone triggers this device. Nonetheless, leaving them alone can't be the answer here. It's just a really messed-up situation. In any case, we won't achieve anything if we keep idling around here instead of continuing the chase. However, suddenly our bloodhound stops.

"What is wrong?" (Jacob)

"The uh... smell is still strong in the air, but they split." (Liqu)

Hm, yes, that's about right. I notice two distinctly human trails. My expertise in forest traversing tells me that one group went south-east, the other north-east. The latter one might be bigger than the former.

"So what now? Are we choosing a group to follow?" (Vela)

"I can take over for Liqu. One half will go with her, the other with me." (Shari)

"Awh." (Liqu)

"Liqu, please." (Shari)

"Yes, okay. If you say so. But you need to promise me to put your own safety first." (Liqu)

Did she say this because she knows how I stand on promises? That's unexpectedly cunning. Yet the alternative to breaking that one would be her going on a rampage, so that's not really an option. I guess I'll have to.

"Fine. I promise I won't take any unnecessary risks." (Shari)

"And to pull out if things get dangerous?" (Liqu)

Damn. She's relentless.

"Fine. That too." (Shari)

"Okay then. I trust you." (Liqu)

Good grief! She really hits all my mental spots! But at least this seems to have convinced her to let me do something dangerous on my own without her being in the vicinity. It's another big step for her.

While I already made up my mind, I still turn to the man who is at least formally in charge.

"Is this alright, Captain?" (Shari)

"I don't like it. In the first place, I didn't want to spend so long here. Also, who knows if they don't have a base in the area they're seeking to join? Splitting up under these circumstances is far from optimal. But it doesn't seem like we have a choice." (Peras)

"Well, then I would suggest Vela and her team go together with Liqu, while the rest of us follow this group." (Shari)

"Are you sure about this? It could become quite dangerous." (Zeon)

If I could just roll with my eyes.

"As if that ever kept anyone from sending me on another mission." (Shari)

Also, while I wouldn't want to openly admit it, I feel a bit sorry for the prisoners they took with them. If we don't hurry, they're surely going to get sacrificed. After all, most monsters only care about having their fill, less about getting the whole group.

"If you say so. I guess that's the best we can do." (Peras)

Then Peras turns to the rest.

"You heard her. Group one and two go with the green one. The adventurers come with the rest of us." (Peras)

But well, seems like this is settled. Vela, with two full groups under her command, prepares to split off, and while Liqu requires some further assurance to actually get her to leave, eventually we separate.

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