Deep inside the forest—
Hiraki soldiers continued their patrol.
Groups moved between the trees while keeping watch for anything suspicious.
None of them noticed the figures above.
On the branch of a massive tree—
three gangsters watched silently.
A man with messy hair smirked.
"Heh."
"Looks like that rookie finally made his move."
Beside him, a woman with tiger ears sat casually on the branch.
Her ears twitched.
"So what do we do first?"
"The Death sent us to capture that kid."
Another man cracked his knuckles.
"How about we just crush him to pieces?"
The first man immediately looked at him.
"Say that again and you'll have a scythe at your throat."
The tiger woman laughed.
"How about we kill the soldiers first?"
The large man looked down at the patrol.
"But there are too many."
The first man grinned.
"What?"
"You scared?"
The large man growled.
Before the argument could continue—
a laugh came from behind them.
"Heh."
"I don't remember ordering you three to chat."
All three froze.
They immediately turned around.
The first man bowed.
"Sir Rin."
Standing on a nearby branch was Rin.
His massive scythe rested on one shoulder.
A grin stretched across his face.
Rin looked at the group below.
Then at the first man.
"But Fern has a point."
Fern immediately smirked at the large man.
The large man rolled his eyes.
Rin turned toward the tiger woman.
"Do you have any ideas, Selena?"
Selena looked toward the marching soldiers below.
Her tiger ears perked up.
"They must have a commander."
"If we remove him first, the others will panic."
Rin's grin widened.
"See?"
"This is why I like you."
He rested both hands on his scythe.
"Kill the source."
"Then kill the rest."
The three gangsters smiled.
Below them—
the soldiers continued their patrol completely unaware that Death's hunters had already chosen their first target.
On the road to Lorum Village—
the convoy of Grizzly villagers continued moving.
Carts rolled along the dirt path while soldiers escorted them from both sides.
At the front, Gein sat on his horse and watched the road ahead.
A soldier jogged over.
"Road is clear, sir."
Gein nodded.
"Good."
He remained at his position, allowing the villagers to move past him while he watched the surroundings.
A few moments later, Rick rode his horse closer.
"We're almost there."
Gein glanced at the long convoy.
"No need to worry."
"Your people are safe."
Rick looked around.
Gein continued.
"We also have backup."
He pointed toward the forest.
Rick followed his gaze.
Among the trees—
a group of gangsters bearing the claw symbol could be seen moving alongside the convoy.
Keeping pace.
Watching.
Protecting.
Rick smiled slightly.
"I'm glad if you think so."
He guided his horse forward.
Soon he arrived beside Fiona, who was riding quietly near one of the carts.
Rick grinned.
"Fiona."
"After this, we'll start looking around Lorum."
Fiona looked at him.
"For what?"
"Our crops."
"There must be some good land there."
Fiona sighed.
"You're already planning farms?"
Rick nodded proudly.
"Of course."
Fiona looked toward the road ahead.
"For now..."
"Let's just hope we arrive safely."
Rick laughed.
"Fair point."
Around them, the convoy continued moving peacefully—
unaware that somewhere deep within the surrounding forest, eyes were already watching them.
The convoy continued moving steadily down the road.
Then from farther ahead—
another rider appeared.
The horse galloped quickly toward them.
Several soldiers immediately became alert.
When the rider got closer, Gein recognized him.
"Morgan."
Morgan pulled his horse to a stop beside Gein.
The right-hand man of Claw Gang nodded respectfully.
"Mayor Gein."
"My people have secured the road ahead."
Gein nodded.
"Good work."
Morgan continued.
"We were ordered to continue searching the forest for any threats."
Gein smiled slightly.
"Glad that kid has good allies."
Morgan chuckled.
"Kuro would never admit it, but he thinks the same."
Before anyone could continue—
Gein's expression suddenly changed.
His eyes narrowed.
The smile disappeared.
Rick immediately noticed.
"Gein?"
The mayor slowly looked toward the forest.
The soldiers exchanged glances.
Morgan followed his gaze.
The road became quiet.
Then Gein raised his hand.
"Stop the convoy."
Immediately the soldiers shouted.
"Stop!"
"Hold position!"
The carts slowed.
The villagers looked around nervously.
Fiona frowned.
"What's happening?"
No one answered.
Gein kept staring at a specific direction in the forest.
Morgan's hand moved toward his weapon.
The wind blew through the trees.
Then Gein spoke quietly.
"...Someone is there."
And every soldier immediately prepared for battle.
Gein kept staring at the forest.
"...Two troops."
"Follow me."
"Yes, sir!"
A group of soldiers quickly rode after him.
Morgan followed as well.
Together they advanced toward the edge of the forest.
The trees swayed gently.
Everything seemed quiet.
Too quiet.
Gein looked around carefully.
Nothing.
No movement.
No sound.
Then—
THWACK!
An arrow suddenly shot out from the trees.
"Agh!"
One of the soldiers was struck and fell from his horse.
"Sir!"
Gein's eyes widened.
"Fall back!"
Another soldier immediately jumped down and dragged the injured man away from the forest.
More soldiers rushed to help.
Gein pulled out his sword.
His gaze remained fixed on the trees.
"Formation!"
The order echoed across the road.
The soldiers reacted instantly.
Shields came forward.
Spears lowered.
A defensive line formed between the forest and the villagers.
Behind them, panic began spreading among the convoy.
The villagers huddled together.
Fiona gripped her reins tightly.
Rick's expression darkened.
Meanwhile—
Gein rode his horse forward.
Alone.
Stopping several meters ahead of the formation.
His sword pointed toward the forest.
"Show yourselves!"
The wind blew through the trees.
Leaves rustled.
Morgan rode his horse beside Gein and looked at the defensive line.
"We don't have Wolfbeasts here to act as the frontline."
Gein smiled.
"Don't underestimate my soldiers."
Before Morgan could reply—
figures burst out of the forest.
A group of gangsters wearing cloth marked with a red scythe symbol charged onto the road.
"There they are!"
"Attack!"
The gangsters rushed forward with weapons raised.
Gein immediately lifted his sword.
"Troop A!"
"Charge!"
"YES SIR!"
A group of Hiraki soldiers surged forward.
Gein was the first to move.
His horse lunged ahead as he swung his sword at the approaching enemies.
The clash began instantly.
Steel met steel.
Morgan watched for a moment before whistling sharply.
The Claw Gang members hidden along the roadside reacted immediately.
"Fire!"
Gunshots echoed across the battlefield.
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
The bullets flew into the forest toward possible hidden attackers.
Morgan narrowed his eyes.
"We need that convoy moving."
Several soldiers quickly turned toward the villagers.
"Keep moving!"
"Don't stop!"
"Move faster!"
The villagers hurried forward.
The carts began rolling quicker down the road.
Rick rode beside them while Fiona helped calm the frightened civilians.
Meanwhile—
at the front of the convoy—
Gein and his soldiers held the line against the red-scythe gangsters, buying time for every villager to escape.
Suddenly—
Morgan heard screaming from deeper inside the forest.
"Aaaaah!"
"Behind us!"
Morgan's eyes widened.
He immediately turned his horse and rushed toward the sound.
When he arrived—
he froze.
The Claw Gang members were fighting someone.
A man stood among them with thin strings wrapped around his fingers.
The strings flashed through the air.
Slash!
One Claw member collapsed.
Another stumbled backward.
Some didn't even realize they had been cut until it was too late.
Morgan's expression darkened.
"...Fern."
The string user smiled.
Around him, wounded Claw members retreated while trying to avoid the invisible attacks.
Morgan immediately raised his gun.
"Everyone!"
"Fall back with the convoy!"
The remaining Claw members didn't hesitate.
They began retreating from the forest.
One by one they emerged onto the road and joined the main battle beside Gein's soldiers.
Meanwhile—
Morgan remained where he was.
Alone.
Fern walked toward him casually.
His fingers twitched.
Several strings glimmered between the trees.
Fern smiled.
"Looks like you're the leader here."
Morgan pointed his gun at him.
"No."
"But I'm enough."
BANG!
Morgan fired.
Fern tilted his head.
The bullet missed.
BANG! BANG!
More shots echoed through the forest.
Fern lunged forward.
The strings danced through the air while Morgan continued firing and stepping backward, keeping distance between them.
The battle for the convoy was quickly becoming much larger than Gein had expected.