Atticus and Whisker streaked across the terrain.

It had appeared close when shown on the map, but the forest the Pride Queen indicated was still many kilometers away from camp.

Atticus’ mind was split between the upcoming battle with the Nature King and the man beside him.

’He’s changed.’

Whisker seemed to glide through the air with no effort at all. No energy wrapped around him, nor was he controlling the world around him. Instead, he moved through it as though he were no longer bound to it.

Like he was free.

’His true will.’

Atticus gave himself an inward nod. It seemed the energy he’d formed had turned out to be perfect. Now, Whisker seemed... like Whisker. No longer did he feel limited by the Nature Will.

"If you keep staring at me like that..." Whisker turned toward him with a grin. "I’m going to start getting nervous, my star actor. Don’t tell me we’ve finally lost you to the other side."

Atticus gave him a flat look. "What are you even talking about?"

Whisker burst into laughter, amused by his reaction. "Good, good. For a second there I was already wondering how I’d gently break the news to poor Anorah."

"...there’s no news to break,"

Atticus studied him silently for a moment before speaking again.

"I’m just curious about your true will. I understand what it does in theory, but I’m not sure how it’ll actually work in a fight."

"Hmm..." Whisker stroked his chin thoughtfully, then grinned again. "Now why would I ruin the surprise for you, my star actor? You’ll see old Pounce in action soon enough."

"...I thought only women call you Pounce."

"Not exactly." Whisker smiled proudly. "I graciously allow anyone hopelessly in love with me to use it."

A moment of silence passed.

"...I’m not in love with you."

"Hah, sure." Whisker threw him a deeply amused look before suddenly putting on an exaggeratedly solemn face. "’Oh no, I can’t let him die! I’ll do absolutely anything it takes!’"

He immediately burst into laughter again.

"Oh, my star actor, I was unconscious, not dead!"

Atticus cleared his throat, embarrassed.

’So he heard everything.’

The realization only made Whisker laugh harder. Eventually, Atticus shot him a dirty look and decided to change the topic before the man embarrassed him any further.

"How do you feel?" he asked. "We’re about to fight the Nature King."

Whisker gradually fell silent. The atmosphere around him slowly shifted, turning strangely somber.

"Growing up... I really admired my father." He began. "He doted on my mother, took care of us both... he was there. At least, that’s what I believed.

"But it was all bullshit. When I was around two decades old, I discovered the truth about that bastard. He’s nothing more than a disgusting whore who spends his life chasing women, and my mother just happened to be his favorite at the time.

"Then he got bored and moved on to the next one... except that woman refused to accept him unless he killed my mother first."

"And do you know what he did?" His smile widened. "He killed her. Without hesitation."

Whisker laughed. The laughter sounded casual, almost unconcerned, yet the murderous aura slowly leaking from him chilled the surrounding air.

"That bastard killed her. Tried to kill me too, but I escaped. I’ve spent centuries building my strength, waiting for the day I’d finally get to kill him... and now I finally get my chance."

"My star actor... you asked how I feel?"

A slow, feral smile stretched across Whisker’s lips.

"Excited." He laughed. "I feel so unbelievably excited."

Atticus narrowed his eyes. The murderous intent pouring from Whisker far surpassed anything the man had ever shown before.

"My star actor..."

Atticus glanced toward him again. Somehow, the feral look had already vanished, replaced by a far gentler smile.

"Honestly, it’s a little embarrassing." He said. "I struggled with that damn true will awakening for so long, then you casually brute-forced it in one attempt. Only you are insane enough to shorten the awakening process itself."

He stared at Atticus for a moment before giving one of the most genuine nods Atticus had ever seen from him.

"Thank you."

A moment passed before a helpless smile appeared on Atticus’ face. He gave a small nod in response.

"...It’s nothing."

Silence followed after that. Soon, they reached the forest and stepped inside.

Atticus noticed the shift instantly. The air felt denser, heavier, every movement carrying the resistance of deep water. Tiny glowing spores drifted through the surroundings, and all around the forest, it felt as though countless unseen eyes were silently tracking their every move.

Atticus frowned, wrapping himself in a thin layer of will. The heaviness immediately lessened.

Beside him, Whisker hadn’t even bothered using will. His form phased cleanly through every floating spore, his speed never slowing.

Atticus faced forward. The deeper they ventured, the stronger the effect became. The air soon grew so dense with life and growth that every scorched footprint he left behind was instantly overtaken by twisting roots and blooming flowers.

Still, they maintained their pace and continued deeper into the forest.

Eventually, they stopped.

"Hm, were we discovered already?"

The voice rumbled throughout the forest.

Ahead, hovering above a towering cliff, was an army. Azure hair. Crimson predatory eyes. The Nature Spawn numbered in the hundreds, each radiating an oppressive aura powerful enough to thicken the surrounding air. Massive crowns floated above their heads, each embedded with nine brightly glowing gems.

Aside from Whisker, these were easily the strongest Nature Spawn Atticus had encountered so far.

Yet his attention was drawn elsewhere entirely.

A figure sat upon a massive throne formed from twisted roots and blooming flowers. He possessed an impossibly handsome face, azure vine-like hair, and ruby eyes carrying ancient wisdom within them. Resting above his head was a crown larger than any Atticus had ever seen.

Ten glowing gems.

Peak level ten.

The Nature King.

Whisker’s jaw tightened the moment he saw him, though he otherwise remained calm.

Atticus nodded inwardly at the sight.

The Nature King was easily the strongest being Atticus had encountered in the Crown so far. More importantly, he was a true willer. Someone who had existed for so long that his comprehension of will had long since reached a terrifying level.

This was not a fight they could afford to approach recklessly.

They exchanged a brief glance, silently reaching the same conclusion before nodding.

’We’ll finish the fight as fast as possible.’