I Reincarnated to Another World as a Woman-Chapter 296: Hunted in Green

In a lush forest, where everything is green, birds sing freely and wild animals roam undisturbed, there are no humans in sight.

Suddenly, a loud noise shatters the serenity, sending birds scattering into the sky.

Deep within the forest, far from any modern city, where sunlight barely reaches, a figure flashes past.

Moments later, several more figures follow.

Their speed and movement are far beyond what regular humans, even Sentinels, could achieve.

They race through the forest as if playing a deadly game of tag.

The group stays close behind the lone figure, chasing relentlessly.

When the leading figure glances back, her face is revealed.

It catches the faint light filtering through the trees.

A strikingly beautiful woman, with bright blue eyes, long thick lashes, and soft pink lips. Her cheeks are flushed from running.

The rest of her features are hidden beneath a green hooded robe, blending seamlessly with the forest.

But those chasing her wear similar robes as well.

Tsk. They’re still behind me. How can I shake them off?

Her focus slips for a moment as she searches for an escape.

Too late, she notices a large bear suddenly appear in front of her, blocking her path.

Her star-like eyes widen, but only for a split second.

She raises her hand.

The bear is instantly split apart.

She runs through without slowing down.

The way she killed it defies logic.

The only explanation...

She is using magic.

But a magic user, deep in a forest like this?

Who could she be?

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Theo snaps his fingers, and the tongue pulling him is cut instantly.

He lands smoothly on the ground, his eyes fixed on the haelion the severed tongue belonged to. Around it, other haelions continue snatching people and debris, feeding without pause.

Theo taps into the dungeon mana, scanning his surroundings.

No Hawk. Good.

He moves his hands, drawing on the dungeon mana to form fire snakes. They shoot forward, slipping into the creature’s mouth and burning it from the inside.

The haelion thrashes in pain, but it dies quickly.

Theo ignores the dying creature and searches for Alicia.

He spots her, struggling to cut a tongue with her Wind Slash.

Theo has no time to shake his head or comment on what she is doing. He needs to save the others without revealing that he is using magic.

He quickly casts an invisibility spell on himself and moves through the chaos, burning the haelions one by one and pulling survivors to safety.

Several people run, screaming after being saved. Fear has shattered their sense of reason. No one steps up to lead them.

Theo knows this is dangerous, but he cannot force anyone to take charge.

This is Alicia’s role.

He moves quickly toward her. She is still struggling to free herself. She has managed to injure the haelion’s mouth, but the tongue remains tightly wrapped around her.

"Why. Is. This. Tongue. So. Thick?! I can’t cut it!" she says in frustration.

She has been trying for what feels like hours.

Suddenly, the tongue is cut clean.

She starts to fall.

"Ah!" she gasps in surprise.

But her Sentinel training takes over, and she lands on her feet.

She spins around and sees fire snakes entering the haelion’s mouth.

But Theo is nowhere in sight.

She scans the area and whispers, "Thea!"

Theo appears behind her. "Alicia."

Alicia jumps slightly, then exhales. "Please don’t do that again."

She turns and grins. "Good. You managed to save them without being seen."

"You saw? I thought you were too busy trying to break free." Theo smiles faintly.

"Yeah, I was. That disgusting tongue is thick. And now I’m wet, sticky, and smell like saliva." She closes her eyes in defeat.

"Hey, we still have work to do. I don’t see Hawk. I don’t know where he is. But I’m not worried about him. He can use magic. He’ll be fine," Theo says.

Alicia nods. "Makes sense. What do you want to do next?"

Theo points toward a scattered group of people. Some are running, some are screaming, some are sobbing. They are in complete disarray.

"I want you to lead them back to the camp near the exit. They can’t be left alone. We can’t afford for them to wander and run into more haelions. It’s already difficult enough saving them. And I’m sure Arthur and the others will enter soon," Theo explains.

"But the gate is already closed. It won’t open until the dungeon is cleared. How can anyone come in?" Alicia asks.

"Julian, under Arthur’s orders, has been working on a device that can bypass the gate. I don’t know if it’s finished yet, so I’m putting some faith in him. But even if it isn’t, I can clear this dungeon... as long as I don’t run into Hawk."

Alicia nods. She does not doubt for a second that Theo can clear the dungeon.

"I’ll take them back to the camp. If I run into Hawk, I’ll say I haven’t seen you. It’s an easier cover story for both of us," Alicia says.

"Agreed," Theo replies, then slowly disappears.

"Be careful," Alicia whispers.

She turns and walks toward the crowd, staying alert. Even so, she knows Theo is still watching over them.

After a few minutes of coaxing, the group begins to move, following Alicia back toward the camp near the exit.

The walk back is slower than Alicia expected.

Along the way, she passes more bodies. Limbs scattered across the ground.

The sight unsettles the group. Fear deepens.

Some of them slow down.

Alicia clenches her jaw. "Move! If you don’t hurry, the haelions will come back!"

That is enough.

Panic takes over, and they start moving again.

Somehow, she manages to lead the group of ten to twelve mentally shaken people back to the camp.

As it comes into view, she hears relieved exhales behind her. Some of them even begin to move faster.

She exhales as well, tension easing slightly.

The camp is nearly empty. Most have already been taken by the haelions. Only a few managed to escape.

Including the man inside the Pod.

He is safe, but still unconscious.

Theo had shown Alicia how to use it.

This time, she sets up the camp properly, using the Pod as the center.

She activates an Aegis dome around the area, preventing the haelions from snatching anyone again.

Feeling safer, those with minor injuries begin helping the others.

The camp slowly settles into order.

But Alicia remains vigilant.

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"How much longer, Jules?" Arthur taps his fingers against the stone gate, clearly impatient.

Julian takes a deep breath, trying to rein in his annoyance.

"For the nth time, Art, I don’t know. What I’m trying to do right now is not exactly science." He pauses, frowning slightly.

"Well... it kind of is. I built the device using logic, which makes it science. But..." Julian starts rambling.

"Cut the crap, Jules," Arthur snaps.

Julian whips his head toward him.

"Hurrying me or snapping at me isn’t going to make this thing work any faster. I already apologized for not telling you the device was finished. But, Art... we were all busy," Julian says, irritation slipping through.

Arthur says nothing, but the tension in his posture makes it clear he is holding back his temper.

Julian turns back to the device.

"I was annoyed at you for forcing Liam and me to keep training. If you hadn’t, I would’ve gone back to my lab earlier, seen the device was ready, and we could’ve tested it already."

He exhales slowly. "But that’s not what happened. I should’ve told you sooner. I get that. But let’s move on."

Julian turns to face Arthur again.

"Look, Art. I know you’re anxious about Thea. I am too. But you need to hold it together. She’s the strongest among us. She’ll be fine."

He gestures toward the device.

"And honestly... I’m not even sure this will work. This is the first time I’m trying it. It could take a while."

He looks back at Arthur.

"So puh-leeease," he drags the word dramatically.

"Stop breathing down my neck. Go do something useful. Like figuring out who those four men are."

Julian turns back to figuring out how to bypass the gate.

Arthur closes his eyes and begins a breathing exercise. He recalls the sensation of seawater around his legs, back when he was in St. Lucas.

After several attempts, his breathing slows.

Arthur opens his eyes.

"Lieutenant Cole is already investigating their identities. It’s not easy. DEU isn’t exactly an intelligence unit or the police. And she doesn’t hack. Liam is already keeping an eye on them. So far, they haven’t done anything, but..." Arthur trails off.

Julian nods. "Yeah, I get it. I’ll help Lieutenant Cole once I’m done here. I’m still staying out here with Liam while you and Maeve go into the dungeon, right?"

"I mean... if I can get this damn gate open," he adds quickly.

Arthur nods. "Yes. Help Liam make sure those four don’t do anything that puts us at a disadvantage. If Thea is right and they can use magic, the officers won’t be able to handle them."