Gustavo began to explain the complex situation that had led to the central part of South America becoming sparsely populated with survivors’ camps. As he spoke, Terry, Rebecca, and Vanessa listened intently, realizing that the challenges they faced were far more intricate than they had initially assumed. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Gustavo’s voice carried a weight of experience and knowledge as he detailed the reasons behind the area’s current state. He explained that the monsters that inhabited the region were formidable opponents, making it difficult for ordinary people to survive. Those who possessed the skills to fight back had managed to endure and establish camps in spite of the perilous surroundings.

However, the situation had taken a drastic turn when a mysterious portal appeared in the area. People began to vanish during the night, one after another, leaving their camps deserted. The enigmatic nature of these disappearances was what had prompted Gustavo and his group to move further south.

Terry furrowed his brow, absorbing this information. The sudden disappearance of individuals without any trace or sign of struggle was indeed perplexing. The fact that no monsters seemed to be leaving the portal added to the mystery, raising questions about the nature of this new threat.

"That is quite interesting, we never heard of such a monster," Terry said. "When did it appeared?"

"Six months ago," Gustavo appeared. "Did something happen around that time?"

Around that time, perhaps a few weeks later, Terry Awakened his trait, but there was no way that was related to it. Even overlords didn’t have the time to see the future, if they had and they knew that someone troublesome would appear on Earth, they would have killed him already instead of letting him learn better ways to use his power.

"Can’t say that I do," Terry replied. "What about you guys?"

"I don’t remember doing anything aside from struggling to survive," Rebecca replied.

"Things were peaceful in New York," Vanessa added.

"I see... I guess we were just unlucky if losing around ten thousand hunters and two times more civilians," Gustavo said while shrugging.

The subtle hint of sarcasm in Gustavo’s words didn’t go unnoticed by Terry and the others, but in the face of the challenges ahead, they chose to focus on the task at hand. With a shared understanding of the gravity of the situation, they moved forward, determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious portal.

The group followed Gustavo and Fernanda, who skillfully utilized their telekinesis to soar through the air. Terry, Rebecca, and Vanessa ran with a purpose, their footsteps quick and determined. As they covered the distance, the landscape around them changed, from dense forests to open expanses, each step taking them closer to their destination.

After a couple of hours of swift movement, they arrived at a frozen lake. The cold air bit at their skin, but they were undeterred, their focus solely on the portal that stood in the middle of the icy expanse. The portal itself was an enigma, a gateway to another world that held the key to the disappearance of countless individuals.

Terry’s gaze fixed on the portal, his mind racing with thoughts and theories. It was a formidable sight, a mysterious tear in the fabric of reality that beckoned them to unravel its secrets. As he studied the portal, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the heart of the problem, the epicenter of the disturbances that had led them on this journey.

"We never got this close since we lost some spies when they tried... they suddenly vanished as well, but I guess the enemies are afraid of you," Gustavo said.

"Let’s check the area around for footsteps," Terry said.

"No need, I can sense the presences of everyone here," Vanessa declared. "It is faint, but they were here a few days ago. Hector, Roger, Lucy, Natalia, Kai, Joan, Vincent, Mary, Dean and Samuel... all of them had been here."

It was hard to say if that was good news or not. First of all, Vanessa didn’t say that they had crossed that area, but there was also a chance that someone erased the traces of magic.

Terry couldn’t completely dismiss his own suspicions. His instinct for detecting hidden motives and potential threats was as sharp as ever, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that there might be more to the situation than met the eye.

As they all stood near the portal, Terry’s gaze swept over the frozen landscape and the figures surrounding him. Gustavo and Fernanda’s intentions might seem genuine, but Terry had learned over time to be cautious, especially when dealing with matters that could have far-reaching consequences.

His mind worked like a puzzle, piecing together the fragments of information he had gathered so far. The disappearance of individuals, the sudden appearance of the portal, and the cryptic behavior of those involved all created an intricate web of uncertainty. Terry couldn’t afford to let his guard down, not when the stakes were so high.

"We didn’t find any traces of those who disappeared before," Gustavo said while looking around and keeping his guard up. "Your senses must be good... anyway, we never saw them fighting, nor did my spy, but we heard that the guild masters were strong... Can you find any signs of battles here?"

Everyone shook their heads. The frozen landscape around the portal was eerily still, devoid of any signs of recent battles or struggles. The lack of evidence pointed toward a scenario that Terry had been dreading: the possibility that the guild masters had been captured without putting up a fight. It was a chilling thought, one that sent a shiver down his spine.

Terry’s mind raced as he considered the implications. If the guild masters had been taken without a struggle, it meant that whoever was behind this operation was not only powerful but cunning as well. The absence of any visible traces of combat suggested that the enemy had executed their plan with precision and efficiency, leaving little room for resistance.