The forest felt different from the open plains.
Thicker. Quieter. Watching.
James walked at the front, hands in his pockets, eyes constantly scanning. Behind him were Martis, Sampon, and the members of the Perspicientia clan.
Karria walked slightly behind James, clutching his sleeves nervously while glancing around.
"U-um… this place feels like something might jump out at us…" he muttered.
Sampon smirked. "Relax. If something jumps out, it dies first."
Karria swallowed. "…that doesn't help…"
---
As they continued deeper into the forest, they began spotting other players.
Small groups here and there.
Some were exchanging information.
Others were arguing.
A few stared at them cautiously—especially at Martis.
One girl suddenly approached them, hands clasped together.
"Excuse me… would you like to join our Christianity clan?" she asked politely. "We're rebuilding faith in this new world—bringing the name of Jesus to guide people again—"
Before she could finish—
"No."
Martis' voice cut through the air coldly.
Everyone went silent.
The girl froze.
"We already have a clan," Martis added, not even looking at her.
The girl awkwardly nodded. "…I see… sorry to bother you…"
She quickly walked away.
Sampon leaned toward Martis. "You could've said that nicer."
Martis glanced at him. "Why?"
"…" Sampon sighed at Martis response.
---
James, meanwhile, opened his system quietly.
He checked something.
Then frowned.
"…John's far," he muttered.
Sampon looked over. "How far?"
James exhaled slowly. "Other side of the world far."
Sampon nearly tripped. "O-other side?! That's not even funny—!"
James closed the window. "We're not meeting them anytime soon."
A brief silence followed.
Reality settling in again.
This world wasn't small.
It wasn't forgiving.
---
Time passed.
The sun dipped lower.
The forest turned darker.
Then—
James suddenly stopped.
His eyes narrowed.
"…wait."
Everyone halted.
"What?" Sampon asked.
James pointed ahead.
"…I know them."
A group of teenagers stood not too far away.
Six figures.
Familiar ones.
James' eyes widened slightly.
"…Eumie."
He raised his voice.
"Eumie!"
The group turned.
For a second—
They froze.
Then—
"KUYA JAMES?!"
Eumie ran toward him, the others following behind.
Relief hit their faces instantly.
"You're alive!" Ashley said.
"We thought—" Herro started.
"You disappeared!" Clark added.
James let out a small breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"…yeah. You guys okay?"
They nodded quickly.
"We stuck together," Mhae said.
"Good," James replied.
---
After a short reunion, they joined the group.
Introductions followed.
Karria awkwardly bowed multiple times.
"H-hi… I'm Karria Gally…"
Anagon stepped forward with a warm smile.
"Well, aren't you all good-looking?" she said, glancing at the girls.
Eumie scratched her head shyly. "Ate… ikaw din po."
Anagon scratches her head not understanding since she's not Filipino.
Ashley giggled.
The tension eased.
For a moment—
It almost felt normal.
---
Then—
Martis' eyes shifted.
Sharp.
"…something's in the bush."
Everyone froze.
Silence.
Rustle.
Rustle.
Sampon tilted his head. "That's not wind."
James stepped forward slowly.
"…come out."
The bush shook again.
Then—
A small figure stepped out.
A little boy.
Maybe around 8 or 9 years old.
Dirty. Pale. Shaking.
And in his arms—
A baby.
Everyone froze.
Even Martis' expression shifted—just slightly.
"…a kid?" Sampon muttered.
Anagon moved immediately, crouching down slowly.
"Hey… it's okay," she said gently. "We won't hurt you."
The boy flinched.
Tightened his hold on the baby.
"…d-don't come closer…"
His voice trembled.
Anagon stopped, raising her hands.
"Okay. I won't. Just… breathe."
Silence.
A long one.
Eventually—
The baby made a soft crying sound.
The boy looked down, panicking.
"I-I don't know what to do…"
His voice cracked.
That was enough.
Anagon softened even more.
"You did well," she said. "You kept the baby safe."
The boy blinked.
"…really?"
"Really."
---
Minutes passed.
Slowly—
The boy calmed down.
Eventually, he spoke.
"…my name… Hypokra…"
He held Anagon's hand now.
Still shaking.
"I was in an adoption center… then suddenly… I was there… that big place… people fighting…"
Greenland.
"…I got scared… so I ran…"
His voice grew smaller.
"…then… everything changed again…"
The new world.
"…I was alone…"
The group stayed silent.
Listening.
"…then I heard crying…"
He looked at the baby.
"…I found her… on the ground…"
His hands trembled again.
"…so I picked her up… and… just kept walking…"
"…until I saw people… so I hid…"
"…and then… you…"
Silence.
Heavy.
---
Anagon gently pulled him into a hug.
"You're safe now," she whispered.
The boy froze.
Then slowly—
He hugged back.
Tightly.
---
Meanwhile—
On the side—
Martis was holding the baby.
Carefully.
Awkwardly.
Like it might break.
Sampon burst out laughing.
"Look at you—The 'Immortal Transcendent' babysitting!"
Martis glared. "Shut up."
The baby stopped crying.
Just stared at him.
Martis blinked.
"…why is it looking at me like that?"
Sampon grinned. "It likes you."
"…impossible."
---
James watched everything.
Quietly.
Then muttered under his breath—
"…this world is really messed up…"
His jaw tightened slightly.
"…even kids…"
No one argued.
No one disagreed.
Because it was true.
Too true.