The jungle on the other side of the river was different. The trees were taller, with thicker trunks and dense foliage. So little sunlight could reach the ground that it made it seem like twilight. The air was heavy with Eternum and the aura of plant life. It was unknown if this was due to an abundance of more powerful Ensouled or something else.

The area near the shore seemed shabby in comparison. It was a transition of sorts, from an ocean environment to a jungle one. It felt like this was the start of the true challenge. The prisoners that stayed close to shore might not face greater dangers but they also wouldn’t be able to get stronger. They might be able to survive a whole year but they wouldn’t be able to take the four pardon slots or ever leave this place.

Zachary led Katherine and slowly delved into the depths. Each step was made carefully, with ample scouting and study of the surroundings. He first used Boba and when the little brown snake was too tired to continue, he switched to Blue. And when the blue bird couldn’t fly anymore, it was Marble’s turn.

Katherine still only had a black and white kitten as her summon, something she received from the Ice Saint Beast Cult. She had refused very captured Ensouled when Jean Pierre had been with them. She continued to refuse at their second hunting ground by the river. Zachary had asked her if she would only be satisfied with a cat Ensouled and she answered affirmatively.

Although she remained stubborn like that, she was more willing to use Marble with just the two of them. The little cat had sharp senses that were equal to or even greater than Boba's. He wasn’t sure of its exact soul cultivation but it was definitely higher than anything he had. He estimated that it had to be in the upper half of the novice rank at least.

The pair broke through some underbrush and entered a grove of peculiar trees. Instead of towering trunks that extended high into the air, the trunks split into a multitude close to the ground, leading to twisted branches that extended horizontally. Underneath it, nothing else grew, not even moss.

Zachary stopped, feeling a tinge of foreboding. The grove was wide and they would either have to pass through it or take a detour. Blue was currently on scouting duty. It had not discovered any Ensouled around them. However, it seemed afraid of the trees in front and did not dare to rest on its branches.

He extended his soul sense forward. He examined the closest tree, its multitude of split trunks and branches as well as the vines that drooped downward toward the bare ground. He took a hesitating step forward but stopped again.

He rummaged in this pocket for the right summoning card and brought it up to his forehead. A dull burst of light deposited Onkie by his feet.

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“Onk.” It snorted as if to declare its presence.

It stood bravely against unknown challenges. Even though its face was not visible, it was obvious by its forward-leaning posture.

“Onkie, approach that tree. When you get to the base, dig around and see if you can find any grubs to eat.”

Onkie grunted at his command.

“But be careful. I will summon you back if there is danger. Be ready for that.”

He said this so that if he had to do a long-range recall, it would be more efficient. If the summon was prepared beforehand, it would struggle less and require less effort.

The furry pig grunted and started walking. Its face and snout were flat against the ground as always. It meandered forward, its long fur dragging against the ground, sniffing and making small noises as it searched for food.

Onkie went beneath the tree’s wide branches. It started to dig in random places. Its four little limbs caused dirt to fly out behind it. It let out a squeal of excitement as it sensed something delicious, its digging speed doubling in an instant.

Zachary kept a close eye on the situation. His hand remained raised with the empty summoning card, ready to activate the recall at any moment. He didn’t have to wait for long.

The tree’s branches were moving. He hadn’t noticed at first but they were much lower than before. They extended towards the pig beneath, as if to surround it and prevent it from escaping. Onkie was completely unaware even when its path of retreat had been cut off.

“Onk?” Onkie finally looked up, sensing something was wrong.

Brown branches and gnarly vines surrounded it on all sides. It circled around in confusion before throwing its body against the cage. The branches and vines creaked but did not give way.

Onkie bounced back to its feet and shook its head. With its summoner’s support, it wasn’t scared, only angry that it had been trapped. It ran around the perimeter of the encirclement and then tackled the wall of plant matter with everything it had.

Crack!

Two of the smaller branches broke, creating a small hole. It didn’t have any offensive abilities but its heavy, sturdy body was also a weapon.

Crack!

It did the same thing again, making the hole even bigger but not quite enough to squeeze through. One more good shot was probably enough.

However, by this time, the living cage had shrunk considerably. The tree, as if eager to swallow its prey whole, moved its branches more vigorously. Onkie had very little room to move around or even build up speed for a strong attack.

Zachary had seen enough. He raised his right hand, holding the empty summoning card against his forehead with his thumb and index finger.

“Onkie, come back!” He said firmly and activated his soul force.

Rays of clear, invisible Eternum emerged from between his brow, connected with the card, and then shot across the distance toward Onkie. The energy passed through the opening among the branches and went into the summon. Its body turned ethereal, then into a mote of yellow-brown Eternum, and finally flew back into the summoning card and back to safety.

“Dangerous,” Katherine muttered, “If we were trapped inside there, I doubt these fruit knives can get us out.”

“Yeah.” Zachary nodded.

He turned to one side and led them on the detour route. It would be longer, but not by much. This grove of trees couldn’t go on forever.

But they had barely taken a few steps when a tree branch swung out from a blind spot, straight at his head. Too slow to react, he took the shot across the face. It knocked him flat on his back.