Time continued to press forward. Jessica had done the same. As the crystal continued to grow more stable. No longer was the arrow showing a vague appearance. A definite arrow was now showing she was getting incredibly close.

Finally, closing in on the second month’s end. Jessica was situated in a tree that gave relatively good cover. Through small gaps, she was given a great view, while keeping herself covered.

Moving further in, she had arrived at the edge of where the boarder to the third layer would start to be seen from within the second layer. With less than a five-minute walk, it was possible to see that the forest grew exponentially larger and a thickness that caused a few places to be blocked entirely by tree trunks.

What wasn’t blocked off by the trees, was hilly. Dayo had mentioned it a little. From the third layer on, the terrain continued to grow unstable. While the first and second layers were flat in comparison. If she ventured further in she would need to start being cautious of hills and cliffs, the terrain continued to become random.

What caused her to stop, was not that entering the perimeter was risky. She had grown accustom to moving within the second layer. By now Jessica stayed mostly in the second layer.

Having moved her retreat, she now had multiple spots she could use to rest inside the second layer. Each with a corresponding first layer escape route. Even still, when she felt a vague sensation.

Looking at her surroundings, she found she was in a safe spot for the moment. Focusing on the chain she was wearing, under her out layer of clothing was a ring tied to this small metal chain.

Having had a damaged inventory ring, the repair didn’t succeed. Jessica received the now lowest level inventory ring. Wearing it around her neck using a metal chain to keep in place while hidden. Even the lowest level had more abilities than a spacial bag. For instance, there was just a reaction to an item that had been placed inside.

Pulling out the crystal, Jessica inserted mana and studied it. Slowly a solid arrow that was completely shaded in with white, was shown to her. As if registering that the position was correct. Soon after, the arrow had disappeared.

In its place was a series of sparks that blossomed into what looked to be fireworks. With a bit of a stunned face, Jessica watched as the lights faded as words appeared on the service, “You have made it to the destination. Be careful, and good luck.”

She could instantly recognize this was left behind by Cassie. Ignoring the style that somehow fit her playful nature. Handwriting was a very close match to what she had seen.

The words be careful repeated in her head. Putting the crystal away, Jessica once again studied her surroundings. No matter how she looked there was nothing here. Implying that the destination was just a position at which her destination could be found.

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With a bit of thinking. Jessica believed that this was because the target was a living thing. If that was the case, sending her to an exact location could be dangerous. If not living, the thing she was tracking was at least reactive.

As the sun was settling she could only hesitate slightly before turning around. Leaving for the time being, she had no thoughts of attempting an exploration in the dark. Not without knowing what she was up against.

When morning came, Jessica continued to explore the area. In this place, the forest had become eerily quiet. Having run into her fair share of creatures. This experience caused her nerves to be pressed.

Moving nimbly through the woods. Jessica had found comfort in extending her reach by tree top. When that wasn’t an option she would search for a route that could achieve this goal elsewhere. Backtracking if she must, using the darkest locations she found to be safe to touch ground at.

Doing so again, she had just pressed down on the earth. Having moved for only a quarter of the distance. Looking around at her surroundings cautiously. Something felt off, only she could see nothing. No matter how she tried. No sound, not a strange scent, without any evidence. All she could do was move forward.

Her steps were slow. Applying pressure slowly to spread it evenly and softly. The ground in the forbidden zone was where the majority of creatures stayed. It was the place she felt the least comfortable.

As she was halfway to her destination. The tree in sight, Jessica had to pause. Her foot had stepped on something strange. The ground had become moist after a few days of rain. So when she felt solid hard ground something didn’t feel right.

Looking down she saw that the grass she was standing on was wet. Even the clumps of dirt in between showed signs of being rained on. Staring up, she was able to confirm that she was in between multiple trees.

From her vantage point, sky could be seen sneaking through the ceiling that attempted with all its might to seal the ground beneath it. Finally taking a step to the side, she discovered, once again the ground was wet and soft.

With two sides done, she continued to do the same for the last two. Moving slowly and cautiously, not daring to ignore her surroundings. Stopping only once she was done.

Jessica had no choice but to squat. Finding a fallen branch, she didn’t immediately poke and prod the ground. Only with an instrument was she willing to further the investigation with some distance between them.

Confirming that the ground was truly off. With another look around she started to study the earth on that spot. Finding nothing she was only able to catch a slight glimpse of a spot that just didn’t look right.

Using her stick, she was able to leverage the piece of wood underneath the patch of dirt and grass. Looking around, for a different reason. She noticed that on a piece of ground that had been risen by a tree.

There was a slight incline hill that was bare. Originally believing it to be natural. Jessica couldn’t find anything off about that section, however, the ground here had to have come from somewhere.

With this suspicion she lifted the loose earth. The patch of dirt and grass came off without much effort. Underneath she was able to find traces of a fire. The hard ground she had come across was broken down pieces of burnt wood.

Having attempted to hide the traces, the ground had been pressed down causing the normally soften wood to collapse until a solid clump of a harden combination of wood and dirt. With narrowed eyes, she started to observe the immediate surroundings for subtle clues.