CHAPTER 28: CHAPTER 27: PARADISE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOREST (1)

The masked man’s eyes never stopped scanning the area with sharp caution.

His gun was raised at a fixed angle while his other hand tightened around the bag beside him.

He looked ready to retreat or attack at any moment.

Tell lifted her head toward him.

"Why do you look this tense?"

He did not look at her. His eyes were fixed between the trees.

"Do you remember what I told you about the domain of the mythical creature? I feel that domain has started expanding, and I am also picking up traces of other mythical beings nearby."

"Wait, is that even possible? And why are other creatures showing up here?"

"If someone increases the power they possess, yes, it becomes possible. As for why more of them are here, this is something I cannot confirm."

"Didn’t you say this was the safest route? You need to reevaluate your information immediately."

"This is no longer the safest path."

"Are you serious? What are we supposed to do now? One of them already died, and now you are going to cause even more to die?"

"No one else will die. Do not worry about that. I am a man who keeps his word. And my word now is that I will get every one of them out alive."

"Hold on. Does that mean you were not planning to get them all out alive before now?"

Before he could respond, a soft movement came from between the trees.

In one quick motion the masked man unwrapped the white cloth around his hand, then removed his glove.

He raised his gun with a steady hand.

He closed his eye, loaded the weapon, and fired a single shot toward the moving shadow.

A bright light burst through the forest for a moment then faded suddenly.

When it vanished, something was standing in front of him.

A creature shaped like a human but unnaturally tall.

Its limbs were long and thin, and its face was completely inverted.

Eyes where the mouth should be, and a wide mouth stretched across where the eyes should have been.

It wore a black formal suit and a long coat touching the ground.

On its head rested a wide brimmed black hat resembling a sorcerer’s hat.

The moment it appeared, a dark black fog spread around everyone.

Everyone standing behind the masked man collapsed unconscious.

The creature removed its hat lightly and gave a small bow.

"We meet again, Hunter of Mythical Creatures."

The masked man raised his gun, but the creature waved its finger gently and pointed behind him.

"I would not recommend firing."

The creature’s smile widened until it nearly split half its face.

"The little companions behind you may never wake up if you do that."

The masked man lowered his weapon.

"What is the reason for this sudden appearance? I thought you were on another continent."

"I never expected you to care about humans this much, Hunter. As for your question, I am here to retrieve what you took from me."

"How did you find me? I did not know you considered this forest your home."

"Tracking you is easy, especially someone who spends his time hunting mythical beings and killing their followers everywhere."

"So you were the one directing those creatures toward me. You control this type since your real body is here. Are you trying to lie to me?"

The creature’s smile widened even more at the masked man’s last sentence.

"It seems you noticed."

It disappeared and reappeared behind the masked man.

The masked man turned quickly, raising his gun.

But the tall creature placed its finger on the weapon’s barrel.

"Did fighting the Great Spirit of Autumn exhaust you this much?"

He stepped back.

"Hunter, you are in terrible shape, and the humans behind you are even worse. Why not return what you took from me, and we end this simply?"

The masked man did not move. His hand holding the gun was steady.

"This is not your real body. If it were, you would not be able to enter the Great Forest and track me like a rat without exposing yourself. The most you can do with this body is give me a short nap."

The creature laughed loudly.

"Oh, you figured it out. What a shame. But this time it is not about you, it is about those behind you."

It disappeared and instantly appeared near Oliver and the others lying unconscious.

The masked man fired at him quickly, but the creature vanished and reappeared in front of him again.

"Return what you took, and I will guarantee these humans remain alive."

Tell’s voice came from inside his coat.

"What is happening? Why is everyone suddenly silent? Who are you talking to? I cannot hear anything..."

He ignored her and kept his eyes on the creature.

"You guarantee their safety even after I leave?"

"There is a nearby village. I will allow them to stay there safely."

The masked man gestured with the hand holding his gun.

"I did not know a village existed here even though I have passed through this place for years. In that case, lead the way. I will follow you."

The creature turned and walked toward the direction of the black leafed trees.

The same place where the old man had died.

At that moment the masked man raised the hand that had previously been wrapped in bandages.

He reached into his bag and slipped a red bullet between his fingers.

...

When Oliver opened his eyes, he found himself lying on a bed in a small room.

He blinked several times and grabbed his head, which felt unbearably heavy.

The last thing he remembered was walking behind the masked man in the forest, and now he was here.

He sat up quickly and looked around.

The room seemed familiar. It resembled his room in the village, but it was not the same.

The furniture arrangement was identical, but the colors were different.

The window was similar, but the view outside did not match his memory.

He stood up and rushed to the door, and as soon as he opened it, he bumped into a woman passing by.

He stumbled back and looked up at her.

A woman with long brown hair and warm brown eyes. She looked like Eleanor, but she was not her.

Oliver froze as if he had seen a ghost.

She extended her hand toward him.

"Are you all right?"

Oliver did not answer. He pushed her hand away.

Then he stood and ran, bumping straight into someone’s back.

It was the sage.

"Sage, what is happening? Where are we?"

The woman approached, and Oliver immediately hid behind the sage the moment he saw her.

She asked the sage,

"Daniel, is he all right?"

The sage replied,

"Do not worry. He is only a bit confused."

Oliver pulled on the sage’s shirt and looked at the woman then back at him.

"Why does she call you Daniel? Why do you let her call you by your name, Sage?"

The sage placed his hand over Oliver’s mouth.

"Excuse me, I need to speak with him in private."

Then he grabbed Oliver and dragged him forcefully outside.