I involuntarily shivered.

The subtle, chilled wind kept creeping through the crevices of my armour and wrapping around my skin.

Perhaps it's this body, or perhaps the caves are just warm, but my temperature feels too low; I'm probably just not used to it, yet Rena seems fine... Regardless, we need to find somewhere to rest first.

I glanced behind me, taking note of how scarcely visible the black lake was. The luminescent trees still reflected off its surface, albeit with a very smeared and far dimmer result, both acting to blind our view and to serve as a beacon to measure distance with if I focused hard enough down the path.

We've already travelled quite far...

Turning around, I noticed that Rena's loosely fluttering hair was protecting her ears—unlike mine.

Come to think of it, I doubt my normal hair would do much to keep me warm either; yet, despite the hair, she's gently rubbing her hands together—is it the cold? Or is it stress?

Hmm...

"Rena"

Broken from her thoughts, she looked up at me for only a moment, slightly curious and much less anxious than she had been earlier.

"Do you know anything about the forest? Like what it's called, or maybe even how to navigate it properly?"

She glanced at me strangely but didn't turn to face me. Her eyes carried a slight look of bewilderment, and her eyebrows remained tilted awkwardly.

She went to open her mouth, but I quickly interjected.

"I've always focused on training and didn't really care much for the ground beneath... until now, I guess."

Only part of a syllable was uttered, her words dying in her throat.

That seems to be believable to her.

She looked to the sky, appearing lost in recollection, while her posture distinctly relaxed, as if her thoughts had taken her to a place of comfort.

Was that library special to her? So special she felt the need to break in? Actually, I'd do the exact same.

I nodded faintly in agreement with my own thoughts...

But she should have worked on her stealth.

Yet, considering this Doctrine, was it really so important for her to go at that time? For all I know, she was trying to steal something, but I'm not one to judge that.

After her pause of recollection, she began to speak with an apt fluency.

"Um, it's called the striped forest, but it's more of a gradient, so it's hard to tell way up above."

It's not bad, but it's quite noticeable how she switches into a different role like that; it was the kind of thing I'd expect of maybe Karin, who'd have to put on a certain persona during her work.

"Gradient? "

I asked questioningly.

"Mm, so as you walk it, the colour will gradually change from one to another... but- we're going in parrallel right now. I've heard the humans use it to keep track of their route; not every path is worn like this one."

And this path goes straight to the lake... I wonder if there is anything special about it.

Well, it's not really important right now; what we need is a map or information on the demons.

"So, if the humans come through here, where do they come from?"

This was one of the race names given in the description of the contractor class, so they must be a major one along with Demons and Angels.

I had asked plainly, to which Rena stopped in place.

Was I wrong? Perhaps they aren't even known.

Noticing her intent stare at the floating island above, I decided to wait for her reply before saying anything else.

Her eyes were gauging something, so I turned to take in the details of the island as well.

It was impressive, but smaller than I had expected, with only one distinct tower splitting at its apex into four dual helix structures that gradually thinned and tapered off. Almost on instinct, I switched to my mana sense, figuring it wasn't as simple as an artistic piece....

It's extremely faint, only noticeable because I'm so far off, but... as a mass, the lines of mana nearby clearly pointed at the structures edges.

Is it drawing in or inducing something? I can't tell.

That might just be the advantage they have over the Demons... why else would they be so confident on the surface? Unless Demons are just weak in comparison—which I don't want to believe.

Briefly, Rena traced her eyes in a slant toward the ground, turning her head slightly as she did so.

Ahh, I get it. She's visualising the angles based on her memory of the vantage point.

"Sooo... north-west then?"

I unconsciously asked after tracking her gaze; I had also assumed that the fold was to the north... I might look like an idiot here.

Fortunately, she nodded.

I let out a sigh of relief; it was incomprehensible what my common sense did and didn't apply to, vauge ideas of concepts usually attributed to what I experiencing in the moment, which spotaniously connected to a word... There must be some string of logic holding it together; the words came after, so it makes sense that I would need some kind of prompt to connect the two though.

"We've already walked some distance, so it's hard to tell. We... could just follow the path..."

"But it would take a lot longer?"

I finished for her, pondering with my chin cupped in my hand.

"Mm"

She shyly replied.

I want to move around as fast as possible; the more time we have to spare, the safer it's going to be. I'm hoping she can stay at one of the villages while I go after my body and find a way to gain my class...

Without another word, we swerved off the path.

I'll try to gain some levels along the way.

I didn't even consider it before, but things are less dire now; I could always choose one of the other classes if I sense anything off.

That would be a huge loss, but I'm confident the system would warn me moments before something happened.

I looked at Rena.

What would I do after that?

Maybe I should try and help her become independent at least; she's already quite knowledgeable, and she should pick it up quickly even if I don't help.

I am a demon after all... and I'm certainly not going to stay in this body any longer then I have too.

"It... the village should be in the green strip, and we could walk at a lower angle to intercept the main path again."

In a rare moment, she looked at me properly, waiting for my input on her idea.

I smiled in reply.

"Ooh, yes, that works fine. I've got nothing better."

She looked happy to hear it, but the serious countenance adorning her face made me laugh a little through my nose.

Or maybe I'm just too lax about it...

Hmm, fear isn't that strong for me either... Is that a Demon thing? A Pride Demon thing? Or a me thing?

I should be more wary; I've got no idea what's even in this forest.

Come to think of it, every kill I had as an Imp filled me with such euphoria and confidence. I thought I could easily throw that aside, yet it might be appearing in far more subtle ways.

It's like I just assume I can handle anything as it comes... Is this normal?

I only felt fear when I was certain of my powerlessness...

Stepping forward, I pushed a thicket of leaves intersecting two trees to the side, allowing Rena to step through before I quickly followed suit.

It was thinner on the other side, but we still had to walk in a weaving motion through the randomly strewn plant growths.

If only I could use Botany to bend them to my will, now that would be neat.

The subtle changes in colour were not too small to miss now, keeping me immersed in the ever-changing environment and my thoughts away from sleep.

This forest might actually be easier to traverse at night then day...

"Wait a moment."

I quickly spoke; a faint noise had caught my attention; I could smell it.

Is that... water?

Rena looked at me, slightly startled; it was clear a few anxieties had sprouted in her mind upon hearing my tone.

"I think I can hear water."

Her fears seemed to be alleviated at the affirmation, so I continued onward, subtly changing direction; it was a little more to the north, if my ears are accurate, that is...

Rena was close behind, and the noise grew louder with each step.

It was around a minute of walking before I broke through the undergrowth. A small waterfall caught my eye; it was smooth and laminar, with crystal clarity, like the crescent arc of a teapot. It was lacking in some quality, however, as the stability of the flow broke near its base, creating a surprisingly soft trickling sound that massaged the ears.

The surrounding ground was hard grey stone, jagged at our feet, but more worn near the waters edge.

I again let Rena through first before walking through the open air and towards the large pond.

That formed naturally?

Drawing closer, I could see that it ran off again into another waterfall, perhaps into a cascading series of small bodies of water...

This is a good spot for now; I should try and use the botany book to find something that can keep us safe. I have no idea what that could be, but I want to use this time to go back to my body, and even if I can simply locate the crystal, that would be a huge win.

If she doesn't know anything, then Ana should at least keep all the necessities for moving around the outpost...

Even if she has mana sense, most of my soul is in this body. I can barely see the thread more than a few metres in front of me, so it must be so thin on her end that she would never notice it.

I took a time to breath away some pent up stress; even being this way for this short time was enough to kindle my agitation.

Okay, I feel like I have a little security, but I need to take risks and keep the... Synergist class as a trump card.