"Attention, passengers. We will soon be arriving at Silent Forest Stop One. Please prepare to disembark."

A gentle announcement echoed through the airship.

Allen opened his eyes, their deep blue depths perfectly clear.

He gazed out the window at an endless sea of green forest.

Sunlight pierced the thin clouds, spilling across the canopy and creating a shimmering golden wave.

A faint, shimmering mist drifted through the trees, making the ancient forest feel tranquil and mysterious.

This was the Silent Forest.

It was one of the Seven Towers Alliance’s most famous sites for ecological research and Magic Potion ingredient collection, as well as the home to countless Low-Level Magical Beasts and Magic Plants.

Yet, hidden beneath this seemingly tranquil beauty was deadly peril.

The airship slowly descended onto a platform built from massive logs. A Defense Array was inscribed around its perimeter, ensuring the area’s safety.

The four of them disembarked one by one.

A refreshing breeze greeted them, carrying the clean scent of grass and trees mixed with the faint aroma of Magic Power.

Allen glanced at his teammates.

Baston was already holding his Tower Shield, ready for battle at a moment’s notice. Lina surveyed her surroundings with curiosity, a peculiar light glimmering in her eyes.

Bruno, on the other hand, took a deep breath, a blissful expression on his face, as if he were in his element.

"Bruno," Allen said.

"Yes, sir!" Bruno snapped to attention.

"From now on, you take the lead. We need to find the most recent signs of Crystal Shell Burrowing Insect activity."

Allen issued his first directive. "Remember, safety first. Don’t take any routes you’re uncertain about."

"Understood!" Bruno nodded firmly and pulled an Alchemy Compass from his pocket.

The Compass’s needle didn’t point north or south. After a slight tremor, it pointed toward a direction deep in the forest.

"This way."

He pointed to a small path half-hidden by vines. "I can feel it—the earth elements are unusually active over there. It must be the kind of place those insects like."

Allen nodded, not questioning his judgment. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

He had chosen Bruno precisely for this unique ability.

"Baston, you take point and clear the path. Lina, watch our surroundings. Report any abnormal ’emotional’ fluctuations to me immediately. I’ll take the rear." Allen quickly finalized their formation.

"Move out."

He glanced back one last time at the empty wooden platform. The Alchemy Airship had already ascended again, vanishing over the horizon.

From this moment on, they would have to rely solely on their own strength to complete a mission no one thought possible, deep within this perilous forest.

The team of four officially set foot into the Silent Forest.

Allen couldn’t risk using his Flying Skateboard. Flying here would make him a sitting duck for aerial Magical Beasts.

The ground was covered in a thick layer of humus, soft and springy underfoot.

The branches of towering ancient trees intertwined overhead, forming a vast green canopy that fractured the sunlight into countless specks of dappled light, which swayed gently with the forest breeze.

A peculiar fragrance filled the air—the mixed scent of countless Magic Plants and fungi, which was fresh yet tinged with a cloying sweetness.

Even the trees, described in their briefing as ones that would glow faintly and whisper, were silent now.

Baston walked at the front. His tall, sturdy frame was like a moving wall, pushing aside the obstructing vines and low-hanging branches.

He didn’t use a weapon, relying only on the tough physique granted by his Hill Giant bloodline to press steadily forward.

Each step was solid, as if he were one with the earth, constantly prepared to assume his [Unyielding Stance].

Bruno followed close behind, the needle of the Compass in his hand swaying slightly as it guided the team.

Every so often, he would squat, lift a pinch of soil to his nose to smell it, or touch the bark of an ancient tree, closing his eyes as if sensing something.

His actions might have seemed strange to an outsider, but in Allen’s eyes, they were the very mark of a professional.

"Thirty meters ahead and to the left, under that crooked birch tree, there’s a... a pocket of ’nervous’ emotion."

Lina’s voice, soft yet clear, suddenly cut through the quiet.

She wasn’t looking in that direction, yet her description was as precise as if she were seeing it with her own eyes.

Allen immediately gave a hand signal, and the team halted.

Baston swung his Tower Shield from his back, holding it protectively in front of him. His muscles tensed as his wary gaze swept toward the direction Lina had indicated.

Allen activated his Magic Detection, but he perceived nothing beyond the dense shrubbery. Magic Detection was ineffective against Magical Beasts with low magic signatures or those skilled in camouflage.

He didn’t doubt Lina’s judgment. The perceptive abilities of her psychic discipline were inherently different from conventional Witchcraft detection.

"What is it?" Allen asked in a low voice.

"It’s small and weak... like a frightened rabbit."

Lina tilted her head, as if "listening" for more specific emotions. "It’s afraid of us," she said. "There’s no malice."

"We’ll go around it," Allen said without a moment’s hesitation.

In a place this dangerous, any unnecessary contact could lead to unforeseen trouble.

Their target was the Crystal Shell Burrowing Insect; they weren’t here to hunt.

The team silently changed direction, giving the birch tree a wide berth.

The entire time, there was no movement from the thicket.

But after they were nearly a hundred meters away, Baston glanced back and said quietly, "I think something just ran off from back there."

This time, even Baston was in awe of Lina’s ability.

In a complex jungle environment, an early-warning ability like that was worth its weight in gold.

They continued deeper into the forest.

The farther they strayed from the path, the more primeval and bizarre their surroundings became.

Glowing mushrooms grew on some of the tree trunks, bathing the area in an eerie blue light. Patches of slimy, writhing moss began to appear on the ground, exuding a faint, bitter smell.

"Hold on a second." Bruno suddenly raised a hand.

He crouched down, pointing to an inconspicuous mound on the ground.

The soil there was fresher than the surrounding area, as if it had just been disturbed.

"These are tracks left by a burrowing insect."

Bruno’s voice held a trace of excitement. "Look here."

He brushed aside the top layer of soil, revealing the inner wall of a tunnel beneath.

"When they move underground, their innate ability solidifies the soil and gravel to form these tunnels. Based on this tunnel’s diameter and the concentration of elemental residue... it looks like it wasn’t very large. It was probably scouting for a new food source for its colony."

Allen crouched down as well and touched the inner wall with his finger. It was cold and hard, with a faint elemental fluctuation still lingering.

"Which way was it headed?" Allen asked.

"That way!" Bruno said, pointing in the direction indicated by his Compass.

"Their nest should be in that direction, no more than five kilometers away. Crystal Shell Burrowing Insects are highly territorial, so their scouts have a limited operational range."

"Good." Allen stood up, a flicker of approval in his eyes.

’Bruno’s expertise far exceeded his expectations.’

Their objective was clear.

"We could run into a fight at any moment. Everyone, stay sharp."

Allen warned, "Baston, watch your step. Be ready for surprise attacks from underground. Lina, stay on high alert!"

"Understood."

The two replied in unison.

The team set out once more, the atmosphere far more tense than before.