Alone in the Dark

She had no idea where she was now.

Relying on her memory and the map of Azure Bay Mountain, she estimated she should be somewhere in the central area of the mountain.

She was likely not far from the stream the old man had mentioned.

After some thought, Ash came to this conclusion.

She looked up at the sky.

It wasn't completely dark yet, but she didn't dare head toward the stream in her current condition.

Her stamina was depleted after running so hard for so long.

If the rustling sound returned, she was certain she wouldn't be able to escape again.

So, she decided to rest here.

It was getting dark anyway, and continuing on would only increase the risks.

Having made up her mind, Ash sat down under a large tree.

She didn't dare venture out to gather firewood.

Instead, she pulled a waterproof sheet from her backpack to cover herself and sprinkled some Insectum Golden Spray around her—a product she'd bought from the item shop.

Ash wasn't sure if it would repel venomous insects, but she had to hope it would work.

But having something was better than having nothing.

Ash was utterly exhausted—not just physically from the strain on her legs but mentally as well.

Everything in the wilderness was unpredictable.

No one could foresee what kind of danger might appear the next moment.

In this desolate and uninhabited expanse of Azure Bay Mountain, Ash felt, for the first time, the sheer weight of her isolation.

If something truly catastrophic happened, she couldn't count on anyone to come to her rescue.

The only person she could rely on was herself.

Thinking about this, Ash couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

She had to admit that her trip to Azure Bay Mountain had been a complete failure.

Not only had she failed to find any trace of the Ripple Fruit the old man had mentioned, but she'd also managed to land herself in a dangerous situation.

"Well… what's done is done. Might as well make the best of it," Ash muttered, shaking her head in an attempt to stop herself from overthinking.

Since she had already come this far into Azure Bay Mountain, there was no reason to retreat.

Wrapping herself tightly in the waterproof sheet, Ash closed her eyes.

She needed to seize every moment to rest and replenish her energy.

Only by doing so could she better face whatever crises might lie ahead.

...

At the same time, on the outskirts of Azure Bay Mountain, the rustling sound persisted, following the path Ash had taken.

It moved steadily forward, leaving a long, thin trail across the leaf-covered forest floor.

...

Darkness.

Endless darkness, nothing but darkness.

The entire sky seemed as though it had been covered by a giant curtain, heavy and oppressive.

"Boom... Boom..."

A distant rumbling sound echoed, indistinguishable between thunder or something else.

Countless withered plants trembled and swayed in the roar of the wind, as if they might be snapped in half at any moment.