Chapter 32: Rook

As they circled the ancient tree, its colossal roots sprawled across the ground like the limbs of a slumbering giant. The roots twisted and turned, some disappearing into the earth while others lay exposed, creating a natural labyrinth. The trio moved with purpose, their eyes scanning for any anomalies.

Reyoma's keen eyes finally caught something. On the far side of the tree, what appeared to be a solid wall of roots revealed itself as a vast, yawning passage. The massive hole seemed to beckon, a hidden artery leading to the heart of the tree.

Reyoma's breath hitched. "This tree... it's not fully anchored to the ground. The roots are like the veins of a giant, feeding life to its body," he thought, a mixture of awe and curiosity bubbling within him.

Driven by an insatiable curiosity, Reyoma stepped into the passage. The fertile soil underfoot was soft, reminiscent of the swamp's yielding embrace. Each step was a deliberate exploration into the unknown.

Footprints soon captured his attention. He knelt to inspect them, noting their size and depth. "These footprints... whose might they be?" he wondered aloud. They were large, unmistakably adult, and recent.

"Tamura," he murmured. "He's the only one I can think of with such big feet."

A sudden, sharp voice shattered the silence, startling him.

"HEY REYOMA, IS THAT YOU I SEE?" Ishin's voice echoed through the hollow passage. Beside him, Nobunaga winced and covered his ears.

"Damn, Ishin! Don't start shouting out of nowhere," Nobunaga grumbled, his irritation palpable. "Is that omen ignoring you, or has he gone deaf?"

Reyoma recognized the voice and called back, "COME THIS WAY! I'VE FOUND SOMETHING INTERESTING!"

Nobunaga glanced at the sky, his expression wary. "We have just four hours left. If we don't return, we might get stuck here."

"Yeah, we still have four hours. It won't hurt to see what's so interesting here," Ishin replied, his curiosity piqued. He started towards Reyoma without another word.

"Damn it," Nobunaga muttered, reluctantly following. Without his teammates, he felt exposed, his usual bravado tempered by the daunting surroundings. Ishin, despite his brusque manner, was the anchor that kept their group steady.

As the trio regrouped within the passage, Reyoma pointed to the fresh footprints. "Look at these. Someone's been here recently. These prints are fresh."

Nobunaga, typically brimming with bravado, approached the prints with uncharacteristic caution. "These aren't from any creature we've encountered. They're human."

Ishin, ever vigilant, scanned the surroundings and noted at least five distinct pairs of footprints. "We need to be careful. If someone else is here, we're not alone."

"Let's keep moving, but stay alert," Reyoma suggested. "Whoever left these prints might still be nearby."

The air grew hot as they ventured deeper into the passage. An eerie silence enveloped them, occasionally broken by the sound of their footsteps and the distant echo of dripping water.

'If these belong to any trainee seekers, it's definitely Tamura's. But that still doesn't explain the five pairs of prints. Could this be a...?' A chilling thought crossed Reyoma's mind, but he kept it to himself, his senses heightened, every nerve on edge.

They followed the footprints deeper into the tree. With each step, the temperature gradually increased, causing sweat to bead on their foreheads. The air thickened, and an oppressive heat pressed down on them.

The trio emerged into a cavernous chamber at the heart of the tree. Here, the footprints vanished, swallowed by the heat and the dark soil. In the center of the chamber, a massive pit gaped open, filled with bubbling lava. The searing heat radiated from the pit, creating a shimmering haze in the air.

A single drop of lava fell from a tiny crevice above, plopping into the molten pool below. It was as if the tree itself was alive, its very lifeblood dripping into the fiery abyss.

"Why are we even here? This is torture," Nobunaga grumbled, furiously waving his hand to cool himself. "There's nothing useful here, Ishin. And why are we even here in the first place? The footprints are long gone."

"It certainly is hot," Ishin replied, his earlier excitement ebbing away. 'How disappointing. I really thought this was some sort of test for us, but it had to turn out this way,' he mused, a shadow of frustration crossing his face.

He glanced at Reyoma, who was staring intently at the roof. "You're unusually quiet."

"Just thinking about how we're going to kill those corrupted beasts. By now, some of the top groups should have already collected one or two heads, while we still have none," Reyoma replied, his voice tinged with worry.

"It can't be helped. Not only do we have no heads, but we haven't even seen a single corrupted beast. Let's just say our luck is bad," Ishin said, attempting to maintain some optimism.

"I totally agree, and it's all because of you, omen. Let's get out of here already. I feel like I'm being roasted alive," Nobunaga complained, his tone dripping with irritation.

Ishin, his interest thoroughly waned, turned and began to walk off, with Nobunaga trailing behind him. Reyoma, however, continued to scan the surroundings, his eyes flickering with intensity.

"Hey, omen, follow us. At least you're good at carrying things. Don't die yet. If you want to die, wait until our examination is over. I might even help you with it," Nobunaga taunted, his voice laced with mockery.

Reyoma's eyes gleamed dangerously for a moment as he stared at Nobunaga. A grin, uncharacteristic of his usual stoic demeanor, briefly curled his lips before he followed the others out of the tree cave. Their footsteps echoed softly in the humid passage, a reminder of the oppressive heat and the mysterious depths they were leaving behind.

As they retraced their steps, the air around them thickened with unspoken concerns. The weight of their unmet mission and the sweltering heat bore down on them, each stride distancing them further from the enigmatic heart of the ancient tree.

Exiting the dense forest onto the expansive green plain, the trio of trainee seekers paused, captivated by the breathtaking sight of the setting sun painting the sky in shades of crimson. Reyoma, ever alert, dashed back toward their starting point with urgency evident in his every move. Ishin followed close behind, while Nobunaga, momentarily left alone, muttered curses under his breath before begrudgingly joining his companions.

They traced their path with precision, bypassing known hazards lurking in the shadowed woods where wolves held sway. Without light to guide them, they'd be easy prey.

Breathing heavily, sweat trickling down their faces, the trio burst from the forest onto the open plain that separated woodland from swamp. Ishin glanced skyward, noting dusk's approach, the sun now a mere crescent on the horizon. "We can make it," he reassured himself and his comrades.

But just as they neared the swamp's edge, a dark shape dropped from the trees directly before them. Startled, they halted abruptly, their hands instinctively seeking swords.

Before them loomed a formidable creature—a blend of wolf and bird, its presence commanding and intimidating. Standing tall on powerful hind legs, its muscular frame was cloaked in dense black-gray fur. Wolf-like in its head with keen, predatory eyes and sharp ears, yet its snout was replaced by a formidable eagle-like beak—razor-sharp and curved for rending flesh.

Its forearms seamlessly transitioned from fur to sleek, glossy black-gray feathers, lending an avian elegance to its rugged form. Long, feathered skirts adorned its thighs, akin to a bird's plumage, modestly covering its lower body.

Instead of a traditional wolf's bushy tail, it boasted a fan-like array of feathers, providing both balance and avian grace. At its hips, small yet robust feathered wings protruded, enhancing its bird-like attributes, though insufficient for flight.

Reyoma stared, sweat dripping unabated, heart pounding with adrenaline. Beside him, Ishin and Nobunaga mirrored his tension, their expressions a blend of fear and resolve, "Rook".

"We must not falter," Ishin muttered, his voice steady yet tinged with urgency. "Stay vigilant and prepared."

Nobunaga, though visibly shaken, nodded firmly, tightening his grip on his sword. "Together, we take it down," he declared, trying to muster courage despite his unease.