Beast Evolution Forge

Chapter 92 The Forest Awakens

The night was strangely quiet, the usual sounds of the forest absent. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath, as if the world itself was waiting for something. Vell sat cross-legged by the fire, his eyes reflecting the flames as he stared into the darkness beyond. The others were scattered around, some eating, others tending to their wounds, but all of them felt the tension in the air.

Jia sat apart from the group, her back against a tree, her gaze distant. She hadn't spoken much since they left, and her silence was a heavy presence. Yenna glanced at her occasionally, concern etched on her face, but she didn't approach. Now wasn't the time.

Kana, sitting closer to the fire, poked at the flames with a stick, her expression troubled. She had been quiet too, her usual bravado replaced by a somber introspection. Jolly, on the other hand, seemed to be in better spirits, her new mana core giving her a sense of purpose. She was chatting quietly with Sia and Mia, the twins listening intently, their ears twitching at every sound.

"Something's off." Vell's voice broke the silence, low and measured.

The group turned to him, their attention immediately drawn. Yenna frowned. "What do you mean?"

He didn't answer right away, his gaze still fixed on the darkness. "The forest... it's too quiet. Even after a battle, there's usually some noise. Animals, insects, something. But now... nothing."

Wren, perched on a low branch above them, tilted her head. "Maybe they're scared of us. We did just take down the queen."

He shook his head. "No. It's not fear. It's... something else."

As if in response to his words, a low rumble echoed through the ground, faint but unmistakable. The fire flickered, and the group tensed, their hands instinctively reaching for their weapons.

Jia's head snapped up, her eyes wide.

"What was that?" Kana asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Vell stood slowly, his senses on high alert. "I don't know. But we're not staying here to find out."

Jia dodged a massive fist, her daggers slashing at the creature's arm. The bark-like skin was tough, but her blades found purchase, cutting deep. The creature roared in pain, its glowing eyes locking onto her.

"Jia, move!" He shouted, but it was too late. The creature's other hand swung at her, too fast to dodge. She braced herself for the impact, but it never came.

A blur of motion intercepted the attack, and Vell stood between her and the creature, his arm raised to block the blow. The force of the impact sent him skidding back, but he held his ground, his expression fierce.

"Don't let your guard down," he said, his voice calm but firm. "This thing isn't playing around."

she nodded, her heart pounding. "Right."

The battle raged on, the group working together to wear the creature down. It was strong, but slow, and they used that to their advantage. Yenna and Wren kept it distracted, while Vell and Jia went for the more powerful attacks. Kana and Jolly provided support, their attacks chipping away at the creature's defenses.

Finally, with a powerful strike from Vell, the creature let out a final roar before collapsing to the ground, its body dissolving into a pile of roots and bark. The group stood there, breathing heavily, their bodies aching from the fight.

"What... what was that?" Kana asked, her voice shaky.

Vell sheathed his sword, his breathing steady as if he did not fight at all, "I don't know but something is for sure off here." He turned to Jia who looked at the pile with her eyes wide with terror. 'Seems this has to do with the queen's death, does the forest have a safety mechanism?'

[Quest: Kill all the forest guardians]

[reward: System upgrade]

[Time limit: 4 days]