34

For Naya and Leon, the outer labyrinth zone of Eilant was already their third time around.

First time—they’d chased the S-rank bounty bandit Vanessa through the night.

Second time—they’d hunted the 10,000-silver-coin “Butcher,” only to accidentally crush a Druid conspiracy.

Third time—right now—helping the Druid girl Anya reach the Murmuring Forest.

Aile had pulled strings to get a royal carriage from the palace. It happened to be delivering supplies to the outer zone, so it could drop them off at the volcano’s base.

Along the way, they passed the ruins of a Sorcerer town—most of the goblins who’d occupied it were now wiped out thanks to adventurers.

Speaking of goblins—

That 10,000-silver-coin bounty on the “Butcher” was never meant to be paid out! The Druids had played the entire Adventurer Guild for fools. Anya herself was now on the latest wanted poster (alive).

She’d had to disguise herself as a cat to hide. Probably stuck on that poster for life.

“Hungry, Leon?” Naya opened a lunchbox. Without him lifting a finger, a sandwich hovered to his lips.

He took a bite and was surprised—the eggs inside weren’t burnt this time. Naya had put ten times the care into it.

Sandwiches made you thirsty—and the next second, thoughtful Naya already had a water flask ready.

“Thanks, Naya,” Leon said, taking it. “Anya’s on the wanted list. Can’t we add her to our party for now?”

“Once things calm down, I’ll have the Second Prince talk to his brother. Anya wasn’t involved in the Archdruid’s plan. We owe her for warning us.” Aile took the sandwich Naya handed her, then passed another to Ruri.

“Thanks,” Ruri murmured.

“The Second Prince’s brother is the secret boss behind the Adventurer Guild?” Leon asked.

“Yep. The First Prince founded the Guild.”

Ivan Reyes. King of all adventurers.

Leon had long suspected the Guild’s hidden leader was extraordinary. Honestly, the Silver Lion King’s sons were impressive—one founded the Adventurer Guild, the other the Aeon Sect.

The carriage rolled slowly toward the cone-shaped volcano.

“I heard the Murmuring Forest is bigger than the king’s entire domain. Anya, do you know where the Archdruid went?” Naya asked.

“Meow. Meow meow meow meow.” Anya replied in cat speech—utterly incomprehensible.

“If she speaks human words, she’ll expose her Druid identity,” Aile whispered into Naya’s ear.

By dusk, the carriage finally reached the volcano’s base. After bidding the driver farewell, Naya’s group began their journey into the Murmuring Forest—

“By communing with Nature’s Will, I can find where my teacher went.” With no outsiders around, Anya finally spoke human words, leading the way as a cat.

“What’s it like, communing with nature?” Naya asked.

“Druid teachings say all things have spirit. We can even talk to a blade of grass—it answers. It’s… not so different from how you pray to Aio.”

“Not the same. Aio is a god,” Aile cut in. “Your teacher must have confused Nature’s Will with some demon who controls nature.”

Perhaps the truth would surface once they reached the Murmuring Forest…

Over the hill, beyond the volcano—

An endless sea of trees stretched before them.

Leaves shimmered like stained glass.

“It’s like a fairy tale,” Naya breathed.

“I expected monsters like the Butcher to swarm us the moment we stepped in,” Leon said after entering. He scanned the glowing trees—no trace of danger lingered in the air.

“Danger still hides here.” Anya lifted a paw toward a red-and-white spotted mushroom. “When I spoke to it, it kept muttering ‘eat me, eat me, eat me.’ Definitely poisonous.”

“You could tell just by looking…” Naya muttered weakly.

“As long as it doesn’t grow legs and chase you, it’s harmless,” Leon said.

What’s going on with this forest? It felt safer than Leon’s starting village outskirts. Something had to be wrong.

Darkness fell as they walked. Time to camp! Leon lit a fire. Aile and Naya gathered faintly glowing leaves to铺 bedding. Ruri and Anya foraged non-toxic mushrooms to roast.

It felt like a school field trip—the first day slipped by just like that.

Midnight—

As the only guy in the group, Leon took first watch.

The fire was dying, flames flickering unsteadily—he quickly added dry wood. Glancing at Naya sleeping nearby, he found her wide awake, silently watching him.

“You’re not asleep—” He stopped as Naya pressed a finger to her lips.

Aile, Ruri, and Anya were deeply asleep. Naya crept close, pressing against Leon’s side. “Tired, Leon?”

She was so near, whispering into his ear to avoid waking the others. Her breath carried a sweet scent that melted his weariness.

“Not tired. Why aren’t you sleeping?” Leon whispered back, his lips brushing her ear. Naya shivered.

“I… can’t sleep… when I’m this close to you…” she stammered.

A shadow darted past! Startled, Naya toppled onto Leon.

“A legged mushroom monster?” Leon tensed.

Naya shushed him, pressing her ear to his chest.

Seconds ticked by. Leon savored her warmth against him. Her silver hair flowed like a waterfall—silky strands slipped through his fingers.

“Seventy-seven…” Naya’s eyes sparkled. “Your heart beat seventy-seven times just now.”

Leon rolled over, pinning her beneath him.

“!?”

With his sword-trained arms, Naya felt feather-light—so easily overpowered! She froze, stunned by his bold move.

Leon pressed his ear to her chest. A minute passed—

“Ninety beats,” he murmured.

“…That means I’m more flustered than you!” Naya’s face flushed crimson.

Without warning, his lips met hers.

“Eh!?!?!” Naya’s neck burned up to her forehead.

“Shall we count again?” Leon smiled. “Sorry. You looked too tempting.”

“I—I can only hear my own heartbeat now.” Her heart thumped wildly. Scarlet-faced, she hid her eyes.

Thank goodness Aile and the others were sound asleep. If they’d seen this… no excuse would work.

*Just a heartbeat game while he pinned me down?* Would they ever believe that?

To be continued.