The long-eared man just chuckled softly and fell silent.

The sharp-nosed man watched from the side, saying nothing.

The woman in black spoke up: "Anan, this is for your own good."

Anan shrugged it off. "Sister Lengyan, you’re scolding me too?"

The elderly leader cut them off. "Enough nonsense. Quickly sense the area. Report anything unusual."

Everyone quieted instantly. Clearly, the old man held real authority in this team.

After his order, they all activated detection magic. Results came swiftly.

Anan addressed the elder: "Grandpa Lede, I sensed only level 50-60 Monstrous Beasts nearby. The high-level ones must have fled."

The other three nodded, reporting similar findings to Lede.

Lede nodded back. "Matches my reading. But you missed something crucial."

Lengyan frowned slightly. "Nothing else, I’m sure."

She was beautiful and utterly confident in her strength. Rightfully so—a young woman at her level had every reason to be proud.

The sharp-eared man suddenly spoke. "I know what the captain means."

All eyes turned to him, especially Lengyan’s. Her glare promised trouble if he couldn’t explain.

He ignored it completely, as if used to such stares.

Lede prompted him. "Speak."

He continued smoothly. "You focused only on Monstrous Beasts. You forgot other things—like humans. This area had many adventurers. Most died in the invasion, but survivors remain. I sensed one just now: a female warrior fleeing toward the Monster Forest’s edge. Level 50-something combat strength."

Lengyan gave a soft "Oh." "That’s what you meant. My oversight."

Her tone held no warmth.

Anan grinned. "Is that all, Grandpa Lede? You just want her intel? We’ll find her."

Lede nodded. "I’m saying small things often bring big rewards."

Anan covered his ears again. "Ugh, Grandpa, you’re so wordy. I’ll go!"

He shot off toward Nora’s direction without another word.

The long-eared man tried grabbing his arm but missed. He sighed. "This kid’s never reliable. Same as when we found him. Captain, I’ll follow him. You investigate here. We’ll regroup later."

The sharp-eared man chuckled. "Li Xiaotian, you spoiled him. He’s always been your precious treasure. Anyone bullied him, you’d fight back. Now he’s grown, and you can’t control him. Throwing tantrums again?"

Li Xiaotian just laughed. "Lin Nanze, you’re no better. How dare you judge? Every time he messed up, you turned a blind eye. Covered for him. Did you think I didn’t know?"

Lin Nanze opened his mouth to retort, but Captain Lede cut in. "Enough. I know your tricks. You both spoiled him. Go. Watch him closely. If something happens, you’ll regret it."

Li Xiaotian and Lin Nanze exchanged sheepish grins, then chased after Anan.

After they left, Lede turned to Lengyan. "Xiao Yan, let’s check that area. Something feels off."

Lengyan nodded silently and followed.

They headed toward the gloomy-faced man’s hiding spot. The elder had sensed something.

Qin Jun ignored the sky drama. He simply followed Nora’s pace—speeding up when she did, stopping when she slowed.

The silly girl had nearly reached the exit after all that running.

Nora watched the exit draw closer. Her sadness eased slightly. At least rescue was near.

Suddenly, darkness flashed before her eyes. A black-clad figure blocked her path. She nearly collapsed in fright. Only when she saw it wasn’t the gloomy-faced man did her guard lower a fraction. This opponent could fly—and was far beyond her strength.

She edged back warily and asked wearily, "Who are you?"

Anan didn’t care how terrified this weak girl was. He got straight to the point. "Hey. Are you an adventurer here? Which way did the Monstrous Beasts flee?"

Hearing this, Nora felt he wasn’t evil. She answered, "I don’t know. But there’s a powerful Monstrous Beast playing games with us."

"If we lose the game, we die."

Anan’s interest sparked. "A beast like that? I didn’t sense it earlier. Must be incredibly strong. Perfect—this’ll be fun!"

"Seriously, thank you. Run now. If the beast catches you, it’s over. Oh, and one thing: you’re the only survivor left in this Monster Forest."

He turned to leave. Li Xiaotian and Lin Nanze arrived just then.

Li Xiaotian scolded him directly. "Brat! Why rush off? Didn’t I warn you?"

Anan scowled impatiently. "I know, I know! I was in a hurry. I already asked everything. Can we go now?"

Pure teenage impulsiveness. He was nearly an adult—this childishness was unbecoming.

Lin Nanze shot him a look, signaling flexibility. Anan ignored it completely.

He prepared to leave again.

This time, Li Xiaotian caught him firmly. He grinned at Anan. "Why the rush? We haven’t questioned her yet. Stay and listen."

Anan struggled but couldn’t move. His level was far below theirs. He gave up, glaring furiously at the girl.

Nora thought: *I didn’t offend you. Why stare like that?*

She didn’t know Anan wasn’t glaring at her. It was a bad habit—he’d fixate angrily on random spots when frustrated. Sometimes he’d stare blankly at walls, making others think he was crazy.

Li Xiaotian held Anan and smiled at Nora. "Little girl, did this brat do anything to you?"

Nora answered truthfully. "No. He just shouted a few questions."

Li Xiaotian chuckled. "Good. If he’d forced you, I’d have disciplined him."

Lin Nanze chimed in. "We’re like him—just seeking info. Did you see any Monstrous Beasts? Describe them. Abilities? Approximate level?"

Nora gave a detailed account. Li Xiaotian nodded, exchanging a subtle smile with Lin Nanze.

He turned back to her warmly. "That’s all we needed. Here—a defensive Amulet. Activate it for a level-75 protective barrier. It’ll help you escape the forest. Farewell."

He left with Anan. Silence returned.

Nora watched them vanish. A hollow feeling spread in her chest. She realized her own weakness. If she were as strong as them, none of this would’ve happened. The innocent wouldn’t have died.

She wiped her eyes and kept running. Now wasn’t the time to dwell. To grow stronger, she had to survive first.

Anan’s group found Lede and Lengyan near the gloomy-faced man’s hiding place.

The gloomy-faced man believed they couldn’t detect him. Even if exposed, he feared no harm from them. Better to avoid trouble—killing them might alert the powerful pursuers from last time. Not worth the risk.

Even this cold-hearted man feared stronger hunters. Survival instinct, really. Not just human—any living thing shared it.

Li Xiaotian reported Nora’s intel to Lede. Lede frowned after listening. "If true, we’ve found our main target. But his level is too high. Hidden, he’s impossible to locate. Fighting him? We might not win."

Anan laughed. "What’s there to fear? Five of us—each top-tier experts. We’ll handle him."

Lede chuckled softly. "Anan, that attitude will cost you dearly someday. When will you finally grow up?"

Anan bristled but stayed silent under the others’ stern gazes. He turned away again, glaring at empty air.

Lengyan asked Lede, "Captain, should we report to our superiors?"

Lede shook his head. "No need. They’ll arrive at dawn. We’re just the advance team. Once they come, our role ends. We got this mission only because we were closest. Truthfully—it was never meant for us."