Forest Shadows

Then, it turned around abruptly and ran back the way it had come.

The other shadows exchanged glances.

After a moment's hesitation, they followed the smaller shadow, disappearing into the depths of the forest.

But this time, they didn't make it far.

A sudden surge of invisible pressure, radiating the terrifying aura of a top-tier Spirit Beast, exploded from the forest's depths and slammed them into the ground.

"Eek! Eek!"

The shadows let out piercing screams of terror, struggling frantically in an attempt to escape from the oppressive force.

But it was futile.

No matter how much they thrashed and wriggled, the invisible pressure bore down on them like an immense mountain.

They were utterly pinned down, unable to move, let alone flee.

The sound of leaves rustling grew louder and closer, accompanied by the unmistakable approach of footsteps from within the forest.

The shadows abruptly stopped struggling.

They stared straight ahead, their pupils wide with sheer terror.

The weight pressing down on them intensified with each approaching step, growing heavier and heavier…

Until the footsteps stopped.

Unable to bear the crushing pressure any longer, the shadows' bodies began to swell like balloons, until—

Bang!

One by one, they burst apart, like fragments that was scattering everywhere.

A few seconds later, everything returned to an eerie stillness, as if nothing had ever happened.

Only faint specks of black light drifted in the air, scattered like glimmering dust.

...

Ash, of course, had no idea what had just occurred in the forest.

At this moment, she had already arrived at the waterfall at the end of the creek with Larvavine.

Because of the earlier attack by the giant Vespitoxin, the recessed area in the rock face Ash had discovered had completely collapsed, revealing a narrow, dim pathway that was barely wide enough for one person to pass through.

Standing at the entrance, Ash tested the air and could clearly feel a cool breeze blowing outward from within.

She took out the flashlight she had prepared in advance and holding it in her hand.

Then, after a brief moment of thought, she moved to a patch of weeds nearby and gathered some dry twigs to fashion a makeshift torch.

Larvavine watched her curiously, its gaze full of questions as Ash skillfully assembled the torch.

This precaution wasn't something Ash had invented herself.

She vaguely remembered seeing it in survival videos by Survival Lilly, The Outdoor Gear Review, or other wilderness survival experts.

The advice was simple: when exploring caves or similar places, it's always a good idea to bring a torch.

Not only can a torch provide light, but it can also help detect high levels of carbon dioxide in enclosed spaces.

Even though the steady breeze coming from the cave suggested there was likely no risk of oxygen depletion, Ash figured it was better to be cautious than sorry.

After all, it never hurt to play it safe.

"Are you planning to climb onto my head?" Ash asked while arranging some tools in her pack for easy access.