The morning sun barely peeked through the dense canopy of the forest, casting flickering rays upon the group as they packed up their temporary camp.

Last night's battle against the C-rank beast had been exhausting, but it also proved one thing—the forest was far more dangerous than they had expected.

Leonhardt stretched, adjusting the strap on his sword belt. "We should start moving before something worse finds us."

"I agree," Sylvara said, brushing a strand of dark green hair behind her pointed ear. "This place feels unnatural. I tried connecting with the trees last night, but something is interfering with my magic."

Alicia sighed, crossing her arms. "Which means we have no idea where we even are."

Reynard chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Lost in a dangerous forest with limited supplies and wild beasts lurking around… this is just getting better and better."

"You're awfully cheerful for someone who almost got eaten last night," Seraphina said, shooting him a glare.

The fox-eyed noble smirked. "What can I say? Danger makes life exciting."

Elena, ever the peacekeeper, smiled softly. "Let's not waste time. If we work together, we'll find our way back."

Alden, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "Luca, can you track a safe path?"

The beastkin, who had been sharpening his claws, looked up and nodded. "I've been trying, but… something's off. The scents are all mixed up, like the forest is messing with them."

Alden frowned slightly but said nothing.

Shiranui, the small white nine-tailed fox perched on his shoulder, flicked her tails. ["Master, I feel something strange ahead."]

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Kurenai, Alden's sword, also chimed in mentally. ["The mana in this place is… wrong."]

Alden wasn't sure what was going on, but one thing was certain—this wasn't normal.

---

The group moved carefully through the dense undergrowth, weapons at the ready.

Luca suddenly stopped, his ears twitching. "We're going in circles."

Leonhardt frowned. "Are you sure?"

Luca scowled. "I don't get lost. Something is messing with the terrain."

"Great," Reynard sighed dramatically. "A haunted forest. Just what we needed."

"This isn't a joke," Seraphina muttered. "We're being led somewhere."

Elena clutched her staff tighter. "I feel it too. The mana here is unnatural."

Alicia's golden eyes narrowed as she conjured a small flame, trying to burn away some of the mist, but the fog refused to clear.

"This isn't normal," she muttered.

Sylvara placed a hand on a nearby tree, trying to connect with the surrounding nature. Her eyes widened. "Something is draining the life from these trees."

Luca growled. "Then we need to move. Now."

Alden had a bad feeling.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

---

A thick fog rolled in, cutting off their visibility.

Leonhardt immediately drew his sword. "Everyone, stay close."

Alicia summoned a larger flame, but it barely illuminated their surroundings.

"This mist… it's not natural," she muttered.

Then, the sound of rustling leaves echoed.

Luca's ears twitched. "Something's coming."

Before anyone could react, a shadow lunged from the fog.

Luca barely dodged as a clawed hand swiped at him. "Damn it! We've got company!"

Figures emerged from the mist—twisted humanoid shapes with glowing red eyes. Their bodies flickered as if they weren't fully real.

Leonhardt stepped forward, lightning crackling around his sword. "Defensive formation!"

Alicia's blade ignited in flames. "They don't look solid… be careful!"

Sylvara launched vines at one of the creatures, but the attack phased through.

Seraphina conjured a spear of ice and hurled it—only for the creature to absorb it.

"They're feeding on mana!"

Alden watched, his grip on his dagger tightening. "Then physical attacks should work."

Leonhardt nodded, slashing at one of the creatures. The beast hissed before disintegrating into mist.

Reynard grinned. "Guess it's time to get physical."

The group switched to melee combat. Without mana-based attacks, they had to rely on pure skill.

---

Alden moved swiftly, his Shadow Fang Dagger Art activating. His dagger struck directly into the head of one of the creatures, making it shriek before vanishing.

Leonhardt glanced over. "Nice work."

Alden nodded. "They're weak to direct attacks. Just don't use magic."

Reynard smirked. "Finally, something I'm good at."

The battle was chaotic but precise. One by one, the creatures fell.

As the last shadow dissipated, the fog began to clear.

Elena let out a sigh of relief. "That was… exhausting."

Alicia wiped her blade. "What the hell were those things?"

Luca's tail flicked. "Not normal beasts, that's for sure."

Sylvara turned to Alden. "You seemed to know something."

Alden shrugged. "Just a hunch."

Leonhardt crossed his arms. "You've been awfully quiet about all this."

Alden smirked. "Observing."

Alicia sighed. "You're impossible."

Before they could argue further, Shiranui suddenly growled, her white fur bristling.

["Master… something bigger is coming."]

Alden's smirk vanished.

From deeper in the forest, an ominous energy pulsed.

Whatever was waiting for them… was far worse.

To Be Continued…