From Ahsinav's (POV):

We continued our journey toward the forest. Healing every wounded mercenary, Zephyria came flying to me. Sitting on my shoulder, "Why did you choose to heal those wounded mercenaries?" she asked.

I looked at her, "Every person deserves a second chance, don't you think?"

As we ventured deeper into the woods, we found a secluded spot and settled our camp for a day. I could feel the weariness seeping into my bones as I leaned against a tree trunk, my eyelids growing heavy.

Suddenly, Ankeet stood up, casting a discerning gaze upon me and Noah. "You both seem worn out." "I will take care of hunting while you rest," he said. I was not in a condition to Deny. So, Noah and I agreed.

As Ankeet disappeared into the woods, Noah turned to me, "What was that last move?" he asked softly, his eyes searching for answers from me.

"Ah, now that's a secret," I replied, leaning back against the tree and closing my eyes.

I was tired. I closed my eyes for a second and fell asleep.

"Am I doing it wrong?"

"Wait, how should am I supposed to make a tent?"

The sound of Noah talking came to my ears as I slowly opened my eyes. I saw Noah struggling to make a tent and Ankeet cooking the food. Cold, wind blowing, fire cracking sound, the clear view of stars. I could hear, see, and feel it all. I was so tired that it had become nighttime when I woke up.

I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "Sorry, guys," "I didn't mean to fall asleep."

Noah glanced over, his expression a mix of frustration and relief.

"Ahsinav, you are awake? Help me make the tent!"

Pushing myself to my feet, I shook off the remnants of fatigue and joined Noah, lending my assistance in assembling the shelter.

Ankeet hunted a Froststag alone while I was asleep. Froststag is a magical deer with one horn. It is also known as the friendliest animal. Out of all parts, its horn is the most important. Its horn is used to make potion powder, effectively healing wounds.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

As we savored the unique flavor of the Froststag meat, Noah couldn't help but inquire about Ankeet's culinary skills.

He asked, "Ankeet, Who taught you how to cook?"

Ankeet's smile, "I learned from my master," he replied, his tone soft yet evasive.

Noah pressed further, intrigued by the mention of Ankeet's mysterious mentor. "What kind of master was he?" he asked, his gaze fixed intently on Ankeet.

Ankeet's smile seemed strained, a flicker of discomfort crossing his features before he quickly regained his composure. "Oh, just someone who taught me the basics," he deflected, though his words lacked conviction.

Despite Ankeet's attempt to brush off the subject, a sense of unease lingered in the air, leaving us to wonder about the true nature of his past and the identity of his enigmatic mentor.

After eating, we went to our tent. As I lay, the nocturnal sounds filled the air, mingling with the crackling of the dying fire outside. I couldn't remember when I fell asleep.

Midnight:

I heard a soft rustling sound that stirred me from my half-dream state. With a start, I reached for the oil lamp. I saw Noah sleeping, but Ankeet was nowhere to be found. I ventured outside. The grass swayed gently in the breeze, the sound of the river near our tent, but I couldn't find Ankeet anywhere.

Approaching the river, I caught sight of a figure bathed in moonlight, dancing gracefully amidst the rippling waters. I couldn't see anything except her white hair.

Spellbound by the sight, I moved closer, drawn by the dance. But as I attempted to step into the water, an invisible barrier halted my progress, leaving me rooted to the riverbank in awe and confusion. Sensing my presence, she turned to me, her gaze piercing yet inscrutable. And then, in a blink, she vanished, leaving me alone standing on the riverbank.

I looked all around but couldn't find her or Ankeet. I rushed towards the tent to wake up Noah, but as I approached our tent, I saw Ankeet sleeping. I was confused and couldn't comprehend the situation. Without saying anything, I went to sleep.

"Ahsinav, Ahsinav, Wake up"

I heard someone calling my name. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I found myself greeted by the familiar faces of Ankeet and Noah, both already prepared to resume our journey. With a sense of urgency, I joined them, my mind still grappling with the strange events of the previous night. Making my way to the river, the cool water offering a refreshing respite from the weight of unanswered questions.

As I splashed my face with water, the memory of the mysterious figure danced at the edges of my consciousness. Shaking off the lingering unease, I rejoined Ankeet and Noah, ready to continue our journey towards the unknown forest.

As we ventured deeper toward the core of the forest, we found ourselves surrounded by trees, their branches forming a dense canopy overhead. Suddenly, a sharp crack split the air as a stone whizzed past, narrowly missing our group. Startled, we looked up. We saw groups of Orge-like monsters looking at us with angry looks.

"Loop Monkeys," Ankeet muttered under his breath.

The appearance was of a monkey with white fur, but their body size was big, and their ear was like elves. With their agile movements and working in groups, these creatures were known for their territorial nature, fiercely guarding their domain from intruders.

As the Loop Monkeys continued to hurl stones and shout their warnings, Noah stepped forward, his voice calm yet firm. "We mean no harm," hoping to reason with the creatures. "We're just passing through."

But the Loop Monkeys remained unrelenting, their cries growing louder as they urged us to leave their territory at once. As the clamor of the Loop Monkeys' protestations filled the air, a hush fell over the crowd as an elderly figure emerged from their midst. With slow, deliberate steps, he approached us.

The other Loop Monkeys bowed their heads in deference as the elderly one drew near, a sign of respect for their leader.

"Leave everything you have there, and we will let you leave," he commanded, his voice carrying the weight of authority.

As tension hung heavy in the air, Ankeet's voice shattered the silence with a defiant proclamation, "What the hell are you talking about, huh? I hate when someone underestimates me, you see," "Came at me, you damn monkeys.". His words rang out with an unexpected ferocity, challenging the authority of the elder Loop Monkey and his tribe.

I watched in astonishment as Ankeet, usually calm and reserved, stood tall, smiling. His bold defiance ignited a spark within me. For the first time, I saw Ankeet smile, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. At that moment, he radiated a fierce energy.

Seeing him made my heart race, and excited.

"Thump-thump, thump-thump"

I could hear my heartbeats, my inner voice telling me to go all out.