At that moment, Tonpa knew what Law was about to ask, and Law understood the meaning behind Tonpa's words.
No one inside the Slu Tribe's settlement?
The bad premonition was confirmed. Law didn't immediately rush into the passageway but stared at the few piles of clothing on the ground, his brow furrowing unconsciously.
Tonpa's eyes were filled with astonishment. He hesitated, "Could it be that something... invaded?"
"That's the only possibility. Because the Slu Tribe's people couldn't have abandoned their nest completely. This is the only place that guarantees their safety," Biscuit said gravely.
Law said nothing. He crouched down, sifted through the clothing, and found some bone-made accessories… marks the Slu Tribe's people used to display their bravery and strength.
Ging came to his side, also crouching to observe the clothing closely.
The appearance of these piles here was, in itself, a very strange matter.
The others gradually entered the passageway, examining the scattered piles of clothing on the ground.
"Ging, what do you think?" Law asked without looking up.
"Do the Slu Tribe's people have a habit of using weapons?" Ging asked in return.
Law shook his head. The pride of the Slu Tribe's people was their leg strength and their ability to freely manipulate high-temperature phenomena.
Although they did use weapons, they relied more on their physical bodies.
"I see." Ging picked up a string of bone-tooth armbands from the clothing pile and pondered, "It's as if... people suddenly vanished into thin air, leaving behind the clothes and accessories they were wearing."
"Yes, and there are no obvious signs of battle here."
Just then, Kuro emerged from the back of Law's hand and asked suspiciously, "Could it be the work of the Shadow?"
Tonpa glanced at Kuro and continued, "If it was the Shadow, it would have swallowed the clothes and bone accessories too, right?"
"That's true."
Kuro shook his head. If the Shadow had devoured them, why would it spit out the bones?
"Let's go inside and take a look."
Law glanced at his teammates around him and led the way towards the end of the passageway.
Passing through the not-too-long passage, they arrived inside the Slu Tribe's settlement.
Dozens of star stones dotted the cave ceiling, their soft, faint glow overwhelmed by the light from the algae.
Rows of orderly stone buildings came into view. The surroundings were silent, with not a single person in sight.
Everyone stood at the entrance of the passageway, quietly observing this village built inside the Vein Stone.
From here, they could see several more piles of clothing scattered on the streets.
The slightly eerie phenomenon made the mood of everyone present somewhat heavy. They didn't know what could have attacked the Slu Tribe's people.
Law sighed inwardly and then instructed, "Tonpa, confirm once more."
"Alright."
Tonpa closed his eyes upon hearing this, focusing his mind intensely.
The Nen Circle emanating from his body swept across every inch of space within the Slu Tribe's settlement.
After a moment, he opened his eyes and said, "No living beings."
"Mm."
After confirming there were no other living beings inside the Slu Tribe's settlement, the team spread out to conduct a carpet search of the area.
Law and Machi formed a pair, entering a house that Law himself had personally built.
All the furniture inside the house, including bowls and chopsticks, were carved from Vein Stone.
Upon entering, Law and Machi immediately saw three piles of clothing scattered near a dining table, with bowls and chopsticks still placed on the table.
The two approached and discovered that the bowls and plates still contained food, but it had turned black and shriveled into small lumps, with no discernible smell left.
The clothing scattered near the table consisted of two large sets and one small one, likely belonging to a family of three.
"Are the Slu Tribe's people already..."
Machi tilted her head to look at Law's solemn expression.
From the clothing in the passageway, to the clothing visible everywhere on the village paths, and finally to the clothing inside the houses.
Judging by all signs, the Slu Tribe's people were most likely already in dire straits.
Law didn't speak, merely giving a slight nod, agreeing with Machi's statement.
'What exactly happened here?'
Law wondered silently in his heart.
Whatever attacked the Slu Tribe's settlement, based on the three locations where clothing was found, there were no signs of battle before the Slu Tribe's people vanished into thin air.
Even a spatial ability belonging to Emission or Conjuration categories couldn't achieve transferring only the people while leaving all external objects behind.
Only a certain Calamity from the Dark Continent could accomplish such a thing.
Law suddenly let out a soft sigh. The clothing and accessories left behind by the Slu Tribe's people offered no useful clues.
'If only there were survivors.'
"Let's go check other places."
"Alright."
The two left the house and went next door, which was an empty house.
Then, they went to the next house, again finding several piles of clothing fallen on the floor inside.
Half an hour later, everyone gathered at the passageway entrance, reporting their respective findings.
Without exception, they had only found scattered clothing on the ground, with no other discoveries.
Integrating all the search results, the conclusion was: the Slu Tribe's people inside the settlement were likely attacked by something unknown, then vanished from the face of the earth in a short period, leaving only their external belongings.
Judging from the scene with no signs of battle whatsoever, the Slu Tribe's people showed no indication of resistance either before or after the attack. That is to say, they likely had no awareness at all after disappearing.
From this, it could be seen that whatever attacked them wasn't conspicuous.
Regardless of what attacked the Slu Tribe's people, the fact that it could round up the Slu Tribe's people scattered throughout the settlement in a short time showed the terrifying nature of the attacker.
Having such conjectures, everyone's expressions became exceptionally grave.
"This place should have been the safest location in the underground world."
Law looked at the Slu Tribe's settlement he had personally renovated, his expression complicated.
To survive harshly in the underground world, the Slu Tribe's people had painstakingly chiseled open the Vein Stone, bit by bit, creating a sanctuary within.
Relying on the Vein Stone's sturdy shell, they kept countless underground creatures at bay.
Yet now, it had become an empty village.
Recalling the vibrant energy the Slu Tribe's people displayed when he left, how could Law have imagined that, returning years later, he would find such a scene of deathly silence.
Based solely on the clothing scattered throughout the settlement, it was impossible to identify who the owners of these clothes were.
Law reined in his emotions and looked at everyone present, saying, "I need to make a sword for Nobunaga, so we'll stay here for a few days first, then make plans."
Naturally, no one objected, nor did they ask about the team's next steps at this time.
Judging by the leftover food in the houses, the attack happened at least a year ago. The information left at the scene was pitifully little, making it unclear where to even begin investigating.
After deciding to stay, at Law's request, everyone gathered all the clothing. On an undeveloped empty area within the settlement, they built rows of cenotaphs.
It took considerable time before the task was completed.
Afterward, Law designated buildings close to the mountain wall as the team's temporary resting place.
The houses were clustered together, allowing for immediate support in case of an emergency.
After arranging accommodations, Law brought a large piece of Vein Stone, intending to first craft a long sword for Nobunaga.