The situation matched Interle’s estimate. Indeed, it took over half an hour before Luris’s mother finished negotiating with Moonlight City. She was deeply worried about Xiamu, but without anyone from the Realm of Magic present, she had to stay in Aite City.

“Mom, don’t worry. We’ll definitely rescue Sister Xiamu!”

Luris knew her mom couldn’t act. Without another word, she grabbed Interle and left.

“Luris, I’ll notify your dad right away. Even if you go ahead, absolutely do not enter the Bone Forest!”

Luris’s mother warned immediately. Luris didn’t respond, unsure if she’d heard. Her mother quickly grabbed a communication device to contact her husband. But she doubted it’d be easy—the Slot family hadn’t arrived yet.

“Seriously, why do Realm of Magic folks take ten days for a single gathering?!”

When Juben reached the gate with his sword and Magic Stones, the other three were already there. Yan Yi was fastest—he’d even snagged a carriage on the way.

They exchanged few words. Grabbing a servant to drive, they set off.

Passing through the Teleportation Array went smoothly. Even Moonlight City’s lady sent someone to greet them. On the road to Moonlight Village, Interle shared her theory.

“So, we’d better search a stretch within the absolute safe zone.”

Juben clutched a Magic Stone to restore mana. Clearly, he was far from full strength—his mana hadn’t peaked in seven days.

“Exactly. That’s ideal. If Sister Xiamu isn’t there, we’ll be useless afterward.”

Interle sighed weakly. Strength was their hard limit. Against Realm of Magic’s Demon Summoning, even S Realm stood little chance—let alone their Class B and Class C levels facing Demon Ascension.

Luris was anxious too. Strength blocked so much. But speaking of strength, she suddenly eyed Yan Yi.

“Yan Yi… are you from the Realm of Magic?”

The other two stared at him, hope flickering. If Yan Yi was Demon Ascension, success would hit 80%. But reality always bit… Yan Yi’s face twisted strangely. It screamed disaster. Disaster. Doomed.

“Wh-what’s wrong?”

Luris jumped. Lately, Yan Yi swung between serious and crazy—nothing normal. It exhausted them.

Yan Yi wore a pitiful look. Ignoring Luris, he turned robotically to Interle.

“Interle… th-that Spirit… can you touch it with your body?”

His hopeful tone made Interle blink. Why ask such a basic thing? Still, she answered.

“Spirits can’t be touched unless they form a physical body. Even then, it’s just sensory—not real flesh. But magic works. Why?”

Yan Yi’s “I knew it” smile spread. He gazed out the window, resigned. Broken by reality. Heh. Resistance is futile. Heh.

Damn shitty reality! Is this seriously messing with me?!

“Actually… I’m not hiding mana. All my attacks are just physical strength…”

Silence——

The three froze, faces blank. Interle snapped first. She stood, pointed at Yan Yi, and yelled.

“What good are you?!!”

“…”

Yan Yi’s heart ached. No defense. He hadn’t even gotten to drive. Truly useless.

“Yan Yi, n-now’s no time for jokes.”

“Yeah, Master… you—you’re joking, right?”

The others were shocked too. They prayed he was just messing around. If he couldn’t hit Spirits, his strength meant nothing.

Yan Yi gave a sincere stare. “Look into my eyes—would I lie?”

Well, even if he was joking again… this time it was serious.

The three facepalmed. Whatever. Just reach the destination. Strategy? Heh. Useful?

“Ah… so we’re a suicide squad?”

“Sis, sorry. This foolish brother couldn’t find a Demon Ascension elder. But I’ll save you—even with my life.”

“Sister Xiamu, please be in the safe zone. Or we’ll enter Bone Forest… even if Mom forbade it.”

“Sigh——”

Three sighs echoed—helplessness, heartache. Yan Yi felt his disciple’s treasonous thoughts brewing. The others? He’d get no mercy this time.

Swallowing hard, he slipped out of the carriage. Sat with the servant.

Commoners suit commoners best. Inside… he probably couldn’t return.

At dawn, they reached Moonlight Village.

A rare place where humans and Spirits coexisted. Near Moonlight Forest, Spirits often stayed after emerging memory-less.

Half the villagers were Spirits. Life was happy—until now. All Spirits vanished.

They left the carriage with the servant guarding it. Entered the village.

Villagers guided them to the chief. He looked young-middle-aged. Greeted them personally.

“Chief, what happened to the missing Spirits?”

Juben and Luris wanted to rush into Moonlight Forest. But Yan Yi and Interle insisted on basic intel.

Outvoted 2-2, the others compromised. Juben fidgeted impatiently.

The chief explained swiftly. A month ago, Spirits grew dazed. Then nightly disappearances. One villager saw a Spirit head toward Bone Forest.

Terrified villagers reported to Moonlight City. Western Magic Academy issued a Class B quest. Now, quest-takers arrived.

The quest seemed fine. Moonlight Forest’s Magical Beasts were low-level. Bone Forest held only mindless Spirits. A Class B rating showed Moonlight’s importance.

Yan Yi and Interle wanted to interview the witness. But seeing the others’ anxiety, they dropped it.

Interle’s thoughts were unclear. Yan Yi figured Xiamu was either safe or doomed. A few minutes wouldn’t matter.

A misconception—he never considered capture.

They prepared to leave. The chief escorted them out. As the trio rushed toward the forest, Yan Yi’s words froze them.

“Chief… you’re not human, are you.”