Chapter 77: Leave Everything Here!
The air near the mountain pass that supposedly led to the Yang region was thick with a palpable tension, a stark contrast to the relative quiet of the deeper Dark Forest.
Daniel, moving with the almost supernatural silence of his S-Grade [Twilight Phantom Step], felt it first.
His [Aura Sense+], honed by countless assimilations and amplified by the ambient Yin energy, painted a grim picture in his mind even before Nyx relayed a confirmatory, worried yelp from her treetop vantage point.
A large group of Awakened, at least fifteen strong, radiated auras thick with greed, desperation, and a chillingly familiar predatory intent.
They were gathered near the narrowest point of the pass, clearly intending to control access or ambush anyone attempting to cross.
There were three faint, flickering life signs nearby, full of fear and pain, so it was clear they had already found victims.
"Looks like our toll booth theory was correct," Daniel murmured, his voice a low rumble that Lia and Ayra, following a short distance behind, picked up easily despite the oppressive gloom. "And they’re already open for business."
He signaled them to stop, then let his [Twilight Phantom Step] fade, revealing him beside a twisted obsidian tree cloaked in shadows.
"Stay here. I’ll scout ahead. Don’t engage unless they spot you first."
Ayra grunted, her hand already tightening on the haft of her great-axe. "More bullies? This forest is crawling with them.
Lia, her A-Grade Staff of the World Ash held with serene readiness, placed a calming hand on Ayra’s arm.