Midas couldn't believe his luck. As they continued their journey through the forest, he marveled at how well his mysterious routine had worked on Mori, Neres, and Boreas. They seemed genuinely convinced that he was just a traveler with secrets, and it made him chuckle to himself. It wasn't entirely a lie, after all. He was a traveler, and he did have secrets, just not the ones they were imagining.

However, Midas knew he couldn't let his guard down completely. He still had to be cautious about what he revealed and how he presented himself. The less they knew about his true origins, the better it would be for everyone. He had seen enough in his own world to know that some truths were best kept hidden, even from those you trusted. People are scared of things they do not understand; and even a cornered animal will lash out. His mind briefly wandered to the wars between the various sects in his world, and the purges carried by the zealous White Lotus Sect, on what they considered heretical cultivation ways. He shivered as he forced his mind into the presence.

As the group delved deeper into the forest, they felt a sense of unease settling over them. The air felt heavy with an otherworldly presence, and the sounds of the forest seemed to grow more distant and eerie. It was as if they were trespassing in a realm that didn't belong to them.

Suddenly, a loud and bone-chilling howl echoed through the trees. The group's instincts kicked in, and they started running, not knowing what was chasing them or why. They pushed themselves to the limits, Midas using his enhanced agility to keep pace with the hunters.

"Any idea what's after us?" Mori called out, her voice tense with adrenaline.

"No clue," Midas replied, his eyes scanning their surroundings. "But it doesn't sound friendly."

As they ran, Midas noticed a set of footprints on the forest floor. They looked surprisingly humanoid, which was unexpected considering they hadn't encountered any signs of civilization in the Endless forest before.

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"Hey, take a look at these," Midas said, pointing to the footprints. "I think we might not be alone out here."

Boreas furrowed his brow as he examined the footprints. "You're right. These look too organized to be natural. But who could be out here?"

Before they could ponder further, they stumbled upon a strange sight. A group of shambling figures emerged from the shadows, their movements slow and awkward. They resembled humans, but there was something off about them. Their eyes glowed with a sickly green light, and their skin seemed to pulsate with an unnatural energy.

Mori raised her weapon, her voice laced with concern. "What are they? Are they hostile?"

Neres checked his hunter's manual and grimaced. "These are corrupted shamblers. They are humans who have been affected by some sort of dark energy, turning them into mindless creatures. They range from level 2 to 9, but their numbers could overwhelm us."

Midas's jaw tightened as he assessed the situation. "We can't let them get any closer. We need to find the source of this corruption and put an end to it."

With their resolve renewed, the group fought back against the corrupted shamblers. Midas used his star-wrought fists to deliver precise and powerful blows, while Mori and Neres displayed their hunter skills with deadly accuracy. Boreas, despite his injuries, fought with the determination of a seasoned warrior.

The battle was fierce, but the group managed to hold their ground. As the last of the corrupted shamblers fell, they took a moment to catch their breaths.

"This is bad," Mori said, wiping sweat from her brow. "If there are more of these corrupted creatures lurking in the forest, it could be a serious threat to anyone who enters."

"We need to find the source of this corruption," Boreas added. "And put an end to it before it spreads further."

Midas nodded in agreement. "Agreed. Let's follow the trail and see where it leads us. There's something strange going on in this forest, and we need to get to the bottom of it."

As they followed the trail of footprints, the forest seemed to grow darker and more foreboding. The sense of unease lingered, but they pressed on, driven by the need to protect this world from whatever darkness was lurking within it.