The forest fell into a strange and unnatural silence.
There was no more sound of rain falling. No wind moving through the leaves. The only things left were the strong smell of blood, the wet smell of mud, and Kai's heavy breathing in the empty forest.
Kai was still sitting there, leaning against a broken tree trunk. His whole body was covered in blood, as if he had just crawled out of hell.
In front of him, the dead goblin lay on the ground. Its body slowly began to break apart into tiny gray dust. The dust floated in the air like dangerous pollen.
Kai frowned and narrowed his eyes as he watched it.
Kai (breathing heavily):
"Damn… this thing again…"
He quickly raised his hand and covered his mouth, trying not to breathe in the dust spreading in the air. Duke's warning about burning goblin bodies suddenly came back to his mind.
Kai muttered quietly.
"How am I supposed to burn it now… the rain just stopped…"
Pain from his injured arm and leg suddenly returned at the same time. Kai gritted his teeth and held his bleeding arm while trying to stand up.
His knees shook badly.
He almost fell again.
Kai (moving slowly, voice shaking):
"This really hurts… damn it… my arm… my leg…"
Every step felt like hundreds of needles stabbing into his muscles. Drops of blood fell to the ground, leaving a long red trail behind him.
Kai forced himself to move away from the goblin's body as fast as he could. He wanted to get away from that dangerous dust.
Suddenly…
"AAAAAAAAAA!"
A scream broke the silence of the forest.
Kai quickly turned his head.
"What the hell…"
The scream was very close.
Right after that, he heard many small footsteps running through leaves and tree roots.
Not one.
Not two.
Many.
Kai swallowed nervously. His heart started beating fast.
Kai (breathing quickly):
"Too many… even more than before…"
Then he remembered something.
Earlier, he had screamed loudly in pain and anger.
That stupid scream might have told every monster in the forest where he was.
Kai gave a bitter smile.
"This stupid fucking mouth…"
Somewhere else – outside the forest
There was a large room filled with soft blue light. The light came from giant screens made from shining crystals.
Tree roots and vines grew along the walls, creating a strange mix of nature and technology.
Several people wearing white robes stood in front of the screens. Their faces were cold, like scientists watching an experiment.
One person spoke while looking at a screen.
"Test subject number 33 is in critical condition."
Another replied.
"The death rate has already passed 70 percent."
Someone asked seriously:
"Should we interfere?"
One of them turned and said quickly:
"Call the lady."
The only wooden door in the room opened.
After a few seconds, a familiar person walked in.
Sopharie.
Her eyes were calm and cold, as if she had just entered a normal meeting.
Sopharie spoke calmly.
"Report. How many are left?"
One scientist answered.
"My lady, there are 600 candidates remaining. The original number was 2000."
Sopharie nodded slightly. She did not look surprised.
"That progress is acceptable."
Another scientist pointed to a large screen.
"My lady, test subjects number 1, 2, and 3 are showing excellent results."
On the screen were three people: Hajime, Deniel, and Chad.
All three looked strong and calm. Their bodies showed no serious injuries.
"In three days, they have stayed in perfect condition. According to the records, they have killed at least 100 goblins so far."
Sopharie's lips curved slightly.
"Better than expected. 'He' will be pleased."
She then asked:
"And the others?"
The scientist replied.
"Most of them are hiding… or badly injured."
Sopharie walked toward a smaller screen.
The image showed Kai.
He was covered in blood and slowly walking through the forest.
Sopharie stopped for a moment.
"What number is this one?"
"My lady, test subject number 33. The survival chance is very low. Should we…"
Sopharie interrupted him.
"If there is no order from 'Him', no one have the right to interferes."
"Yes, my lady."
Even after turning away, Sopharie's eyes stayed on Kai's image for a moment longer than necessary.
Back in the forest
Kai had just lifted his head when a goblin jumped out from the bushes.
Without thinking, Kai punched it in the face with his good arm.
"Damn it… there are so many of them…"
Hungry screeching sounds came from every direction.
But the goblins did not rush him all at once.
Instead, they surrounded him slowly.
Step by step.
Like they were playing with their prey.
Kai gritted his teeth.
Why aren't they killing me right away?
What are they waiting for?
Just as he lost focus…
A goblin suddenly jumped from the side.
Kai panicked.
"Shit…!"
Whoosh!
An arrow cut through the air and pierced the goblin's head, pinning it to the ground.
Kai froze.
He quickly turned toward the direction the arrow came from.
Through the light rain, two familiar figures stepped out from between the trees.
Duke and Mike.
Both of them were covered in wounds. Their armor was torn and dirty. But their eyes were still bright and determined.
Duke gave a tired smile while breathing heavily.
"Are you alright… you idiot?"
Kai's eyes widened.
His throat felt tight.
In this deadly forest…
He was no longer alone.