The pair started running as soon as they saw the Moblings.

Unfortunately, Nova's comments about the name of that race seemed to annoy them. They adopted more threatening gestures and quickened their pace to catch up with their prey.

"Why did you have to insult them!" Katya shouted as the beasts neared them.

“They understand what I’m saying?! But they’re just monsters!” Nova exclaimed, drawing the full ire of the Moblings, who immediately abandoned their pursuit of the girl to focus on catching him.

"Researchers describe them as extremely aggressive scavengers. Their intelligence allows them to work as a team and interpret your words. They might not understand exactly, but they know you're insulting them!" Katya explained while running.

She seemed to enjoy explaining things that others didn't understand, fitting the stereotype of a brainiac.

"Hey, I didn’t call them stupid, just their name!" Nova’s attempt at clarification only worsened the situation, causing the Moblings to start throwing their clubs at him.

"HEY, NO!"

Nova had to start dodging wooden clubs as he ran. Some even grazed his body, but he managed to escape mostly unscathed, with only a few scratches.

"Nova, to the left!"

Katya's words made the boy turn his gaze, observing how the flat meadow they were on connected to another part of the forest.

It wasn’t the path Katya had envisioned, but it could be used to try and outrun the Moblings that were closing in on them.

They both took the path, making their way toward their destination, but the Moblings were determined not to let them escape so easily.

"When we get there, take cover immediately!" Katya instructed before they reached the forest. Once inside, they each chose a tree to hide behind.

The Moblings, distracted for a moment, saw a small black cylindrical object appear in front of them. It began to open slowly, and a burst of light followed by a powerful roar hit them directly.

As the roar subsided, Nova peeked out from behind the tree and saw the Moblings stunned and swinging their clubs erratically. He felt a wave of relief.

But Katya pulled him by the arm, urging him to continue running through the forest.

"That won’t last. We’d better find a hiding place while they’re disoriented," Katya said, demonstrating her quick assessment of the situation.

"Was that a stun grenade?" Nova asked, recalling video games from his past life.

"Something like that. They’re scatter bombs for synchro fauna. Don’t you have any?" Katya replied, only to regret asking when she saw Nova’s embarrassed expression. "Weren’t you preparing to leave town?"

"..." Nova remained silent.

"I understand you lost your memory, but are you really this unprepared?" Katya inquired, raising an eyebrow disapprovingly.

"Hey! It’s just... I gave my money to some kids... so..." Nova looked away, puffing out his cheeks in discomfort.

"I couldn’t buy supplies..." he mumbled, feeling embarrassed that without Katya, he might be at the mercy of the Moblings by now.

Katya’s expression conveyed her judgment of his lack of preparedness for surviving outside the city. Fortunately, she soon found what seemed to be the perfect place to take shelter until the danger passed.

“There, Nova,” Katya pointed to the base of a large tree with roots forming a small shelter. “Quick, grab something to help me cover the entrance.”

They stopped running, and Katya began pulling up bushes to cover the hideout’s entrance. Nova found a large fallen tree trunk, almost his size, and lifted it with effort.

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“Done! Get in, and I’ll cover the entrance with this!” he exclaimed.

Katya was surprised by his strength, which didn’t quite match his build. “Ah, okay,” she replied, stepping into the shelter after throwing aside the bushes.

Nova was the last to enter, covering the entrance with the trunk before sitting down to rest.

The inside of the tree wasn't large, but it was spacious enough for both of them to stand face-to-face without invading each other's personal space. As they caught their breath, Katya pulled a knife from her bag and cut a small hole in the bark to observe the outside, quickly spotting one of the Moblings passing by.

She signaled Nova to be quiet by placing her finger on her lips.

They remained silent as the sounds of the Moblings’ footsteps grew louder. Eventually, one of the Moblings alerted the others, and they moved away from the area.

Both of them sighed with relief.

“Good thing they’re not skilled hunters. I hope they stop looking for us soon...” Katya said, then turned to Nova with a wary expression. “Hey, why didn’t you stand up to them if you’re so strong?”

"Are you kidding? There were like eight of them. I didn’t stand a chance." Nova replied, thinking Katya was joking.

“Besides, the last time I fought someone, it didn’t end well,” he recalled, thinking about how Angelo had easily defeated him.

“I guess fighting isn’t my thing,” he concluded with a shrug and a smile.

“Grass is always greener on the other side,” Katya said, slightly disappointed.

“Still, next time, try something. I only have three grenades left, and if we run into a B-Synchro, they might be our only chance to escape.” She laid her head back on the bark to rest.

“Alright. By the way, how do you know so much about the outside world? Is it taught at Etheria’s school?” Nova asked, not taking her earlier comment personally.

Nova didn’t see himself as a superman; he believed anyone with good training could be just as skilled. He had no idea of his own physical capabilities.

“They teach a bit, but I know a lot because my grandfather used to buy me books about it,” Katya said with a nostalgic smile.

“He was a TN agent, so he’d bring me books about the world and its dangers whenever he visited. You can find information online, but some sources are from people who have never left their cities.”

“You want to become an agent to spend more time with him?” Nova asked, continuing the conversation.

Katya’s smile faded. “My grandfather disappeared seven years ago.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to...” Nova began, sensing he had touched a nerve.

Katya shook her head. “It’s okay. My goal is to become an agent to find him. I know he’s alive somewhere, and only TN agents have access to all countries.” Her words were filled with conviction.

“Do you have any leads on where he might be?” Nova asked sympathetically.

“Yes.” Katya smiled again and pulled out a white diamond-shaped earpiece with a green gem in the center. “This is his Nexus device. Before he disappeared, he sent it to me with a letter. He mentioned he was embarking on a dangerous journey but couldn’t give details. He made me promise to believe he would come back, no matter the rumors.”

Nova looked at the device with curiosity, listening intently.

“I got tired of waiting, so I decided to search for him myself. My parents didn’t support me, so I went out on my own,” Katya said with a resigned smile.

“I’ve always wanted to do this. My grandfather said humans weren’t meant to live in cages above the sky.”

Nova smiled, thinking of someone with a similar philosophy. He realized he was meeting more people who shared that belief.

“He’s a great man,” Nova said warmly. “Do you think the Nexus device is the key to finding him?”

Katya nodded. “Nexus devices are crucial for agents. They contain combat information, synchro abilities, and allow communication with TN members, high-frequency GPS, and other utilities I’m not fully aware of.” She sighed, showing her resignation.

"Unfortunately, it only works for those who have awakened their synchro," she commented.

Nova nodded, understanding her frustration. From what he’d heard, only a few people could awaken their synchrony.

"If I'm honest, the idea of meeting a B-Synchro terrifies me," Nova admitted, trying to encourage the girl. "But I hope that if it happens, we can both awaken our Synchrony." Despite his fear of facing those monsters, he spoke with determination.

Just then, the silence was interrupted by a loud growl from Katya’s stomach, prompting Nova to burst into laughter. It was a reminder that neither of them had eaten since the day before.

"Haha, wait, I've got some supplies. But don’t get used to it—if you're going to survive out here, you’ll need to learn how to find food on your own," Katya teased, putting the Nexus device away and pulling out vacuum-sealed containers.

"Beef steak with potatoes or beans and rice?" she asked.

"Umm, steak?" Nova replied, hoping for a better meal.

"Haha, of course, you get the beans," Katya quipped, handing him the container with a smirk.

"You’ll need to add water to hydrate the food. Here," she said, passing him the canteen after she prepared her own meal.

Following her lead, Nova poured water into his container. Within moments, they were quietly enjoying their lunch.

After finishing, Nova clasped his hands together in front of him. "Thanks for the food."

"Why do you do that?" Katya asked curiously.

"Oh, it's a tradition—putting your hands together and saying 맛있게 먹었습니다 means you enjoyed the food." Nova explained with a smile.

Katya chuckled, a half-smile appearing on her face. "Well, you'd better remove that log. I haven't heard the Moblings, so it looks like they’ve moved on."

With a strong push, Nova shifted the log blocking the entrance. As soon as they stepped out, he stretched his arms high above his head, letting out a deep sigh.

"Ahhh, it feels good to be out," he exclaimed, loosening up his muscles. He glanced around warily. "I just hope those Moblings are gone for good."

Katya checked her GPS. "The sun’s going to set soon. If we're lucky, we’ll make it to the road before dark. It’ll be safer to camp near there."

With that, she tucked the GPS back into her bag, and the two set off, the sound of their footsteps the only thing breaking the forest's silence.

Both knew they needed to be more cautious, as they could be surprised by various creatures at any moment.

They decided to walk in silence, but Nova couldn't help being fascinated by the small creatures he encountered in the forest: a red iguana with three tails that burrowed underground upon seeing them, a flying squirrel with feathers, and insects resembling precious stones living in the tree sap.

Everything was new and striking to him; he wished he had a camera to capture it all.

"I wonder when was the last time I went on vacation?" he mused, recalling how little he had appreciated such moments in his previous life.

Katya broke the silence as they neared sunset. "Look, Nova, that is the way. If we continue on it, we’ll reach Gyokuseki City in a few days. Hopefully, we’ll come across a caravan along the way."

In the distance, beyond the forest thicket, a large gray road appeared, seemingly endless and wide enough for two lanes of traffic.

"I hope so. I wouldn't mind having some TN agents or armed people around if a B-Synchro shows up," Nova said, feeling a sense of relief.

While reaching the road wouldn’t guarantee their safety, it would at least make their journey more manageable—so they thought until a figure emerged from behind a tree, blocking their path.

It was a nearly six-foot humanoid with a demon mask, long white hair, yellow eyes, and a mouth full of visible teeth.

"Please tell me this is what caravan people look like," Nova said, his face showing clear fear.

"No, that's an Alpha Mobling..." Katya responded, her hand reaching for her bag. But she stopped when they heard the sound of multiple Moblings slamming their clubs into the trees around them.

They were surrounded, with no way out.