[You reach the clearing where you first encountered the harvesters…

You begin to lead the elder in a northeast direction…]

Lem’s simulated self felt tense. It had been too long since he had been in danger, and it felt like something was about to go wrong. It was an eerie feeling that bordered on presentiment.

Lem was watching with his usual detachment.

He had just finished a long session of visualization, and he needed a break. At the same time, even though he expected that his simulated self would die soon, in one way or another, he was still invested in the details of exactly how it would happen.

The silence that had stretched between Lem’s simulated self and Master Brightflame was broken in an instant.

There were sounds in the brush!

Lem’s simulated self felt sure that something bad was about to happen.

Was this the danger that he had been expecting?

A moment later, there was movement from between nearby trees. The source of the disturbance revealed itself.

A couple of rabbits jumping around. They quickly fled from sight.

Lem’s simulated self and Master Brightflame continued to walk, as the silence reemerged between them.

And then it was broken again. There were more noises coming from the forest ahead.

Lem’s simulated self stopped. His breath was caught in his throat.

More rabbits, hopefully?

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A moment later, they saw what was causing the sounds…

There were three wolves standing less than a dozen meters away. They were sleek and bulky, with thick coats and tongues rolled out as they panted.

One of them turned, its canines glinting as it looked calmly at Lem’s simulated self.

It continued to pant.

“Keep going.” Master Brightflame motioned forward.

As they approached, the wolves suddenly scattered into the forest.

Master Brightflame turned, looking at Lem’s simulated self without speaking. The implication was clear.

Why didn’t you sense anything?

Lem’s simulated self shrunk back until the martial elder turned his gaze back to the forest ahead.

The silence quickly returned.

[As you are leading Master Brightflame through the forest, you encounter a few wolves. They scatter as you pass by…]

Lem did not know if it was his imagination, but the martial elder appeared more disgruntled than before.

He took solace in the fact that they were only a day away from reaching the harvest tree. Whatever happened, his simulated self was still safe for the present moment.

They had barely continued walking, when they both stopped abruptly.

There were sounds coming from the brush again. At first, it appeared that there was something ahead of them, but then the rest of the surrounding forest burst into motion.

Dark figures with triangular ears were suddenly visible in every direction, flitting in and out between trees, panting, yipping and growling. It was difficult to tell how many there were.

Wolves again!

Most of them were trotting, without the intent to move approach, but a few were more courageous than the rest, running up until they were only a couple meters away, before darting back.

One of the wolves behind them howled, and Lem’s simulated self turned around reflexively.

Another wolf howled.

Lem’s simulated self had a sinking feeling in his chest. They were being targeted. He looked at the martial elder.

Master Brightflame still looked relatively serene in his crimson robes.

Lem’s simulated self wondered briefly whether he should mention his feeling. For the first time, it was authentic. But it was also too late.

He had a strong suspicion that speaking now would only heighten the anger of the martial elder.

A moment later, Lem felt his body freeze up. The familiar pressure robbed him of his ability to move.