Gregory Lawrence thought for a moment, and it did seem to be the case.

"Forget it, forget what I said earlier, this must be the same pool of water that Wasteland encountered!"

He became very certain.

One monster was certainly better than a horde.

Arnold Simmons looked towards Wasteland, "Have you discovered any clues or familiar places?"

Wasteland walked to the edge of the pool and carefully checked each stone, then pointed at the innermost one, "Here, there are traces."

Gregory Lawrence leaned in, "What kind of traces?"

Hannah also wanted to take a look, and Arnold Simmons followed her over.

The four of them gathered around the edge of the pool, looking back and forth.

Wasteland explained, "These traces were made when the monster came out."

After thinking for a while, he emphasized, "It’s very big."

Gregory Lawrence didn’t notice anything unusual and touched it nonchalantly, "Aren’t these just some scratches..."

"Gregory Lawrence!"

His hand had just touched the water’s surface when he heard someone call out.

Before he could distinguish who it was, Hannah had already pulled him away.

Immediately after, the entire ground began to shake, the pool water churned as if something immensely large was rolling around in its depths.

And the spot where Gregory Lawrence had just been standing had collapsed, if he had been a step later, he would have fallen into the pool.

With his heart still racing, Gregory Lawrence looked at Hannah beside him, "Is it the monster coming?"

Wasteland frowned, "It’s here."

Gregory Lawrence felt weak in the knees, "Should we, maybe, run?"

"No!"

Hannah and Arnold Simmons exclaimed in unison.

The two exchanged glances, and finally, Hannah explained, "If there really is a monster, running into the mist now would be like walking into a trap."

In the mist, directions are indiscernible, visibility is low, running into it is akin to having a black cloth blindfolding you.

Fighting a monster without seeing it is simply a death sentence.

Gregory Lawrence also realized, "Right, we can’t hide."

Hannah passed her long sword to Wasteland, "Here, your thing."

Wasteland hesitated a moment, didn’t take it, and looked at Hannah.

Hannah turned her head away, "Take it before I change my mind."

Still, Wasteland didn’t take it, "You keep the weapon, for protection."

Arnold Simmons watched silently from the side, simply tightening his grip on Hannah’s hand.

Hannah shoved the long sword into Wasteland’s arms, "Annoying, just take it when I say it’s yours; I’m not even good with a sword, just take it."

Wasteland glanced at Arnold Simmons.

Arnold Simmons said, "I will keep her safe."

Only then did Wasteland accept it.

He had barely accepted it when Hannah spoke again, "You have a weapon, when the monster comes, you take the front."

Gregory Lawrence’s eyes bulged.

Could it be done like that?

Weren’t they on the "warm and fuzzy" route just a moment ago?

How had it switched to the "cold-hearted and ruthless" route so quickly?

Wasteland didn’t seem to find anything amiss and nodded, "Okay."

He agreed very quickly. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Gregory Lawrence looked left and right, quite confused.

Hannah added another comment, "Never mind, you stay and protect Gregory Lawrence."

Alright, the plan had changed again.

From their previous encounters, Hannah had basically gauged Wasteland’s strength.

Although strong, he wasn’t quite ready to lead.

So, keeping him to protect Gregory Lawrence was for the best.

During the minute they spoke, the tremors beneath their feet grew stronger.

The soil at the water’s edge kept sinking, as if it were about to crack open a gap wide enough for the monster to emerge.

Hannah looked up at Arnold Simmons beside her.

Their eyes met, and they both realized the same problem.

Arnold Simmons furrowed his brow, his expression serious and heavy.