Flames crackled softly within the cave, their orange glow dancing against the rough stone walls.

The sound was the only thing breaking the silence that reigned in the cave.

Outside, cold wind howled endlessly through the twisted forest while crimson fog blanketed the forest floor.

Occasionally, the distant sound of shrieks and roars echoed briefly before the darkness swallowed everything once more.

The Crimson Forest remained as dreadful as ever. Yet despite all this, the cave had become the only different thing to them.

The group had barely spent three days within the Crimson Forest. But after everything they had survived together, the cavern no longer felt like a random shelter.

It felt familiar; like something that was truly theirs. And though it was not safe, it was still the only place in this cursed expanse that have them even the slightest illusion of assurance.

The eight forgotten exiles sat around the fire in a weary silence. This time, all eyes were fixed on Regaleon as they waited quietly...

They were waiting to hear about what happened back at the Nest after he chased that mysterious robed female deeper into the cavern.

Regaleon sat near the fire with his Halberd resting beside him. The flickering flames reflected faintly against his silver hair and calm golden eyes as he started speaking.

"The first thing we need to understand is that we are not alone in this Lands." He started, his voice solemn while his gaze swept across the group.

Surprisingly, none of them reacted strongly.

And why would they?

After everything that they had witnessed, that truth no longer sounded shocking.

Impatiently, Veyrath waved his hands as he urged. "We already know that. Get to the part that matters."

Regaleon glanced at him calmly.

"You may already know that..." He replied. "...but do you know that Kaeloris was actually correct?"

Veyrath blinked blankly. "...I have no idea what that means."

"Exactly." Regaleon said smoothly. "So be quiet and listen attentively."

For a moment, silence filled the Cave.

Then, Valmyr burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! Veyrath, did Regaleon just gaslight you?"

The failed Vanguard’s eyes twinkled wickedly as he wheezed.

Veyrath immediately pointed accusingly toward him and shouted. "Shut up!"

"No. Seriously..." Valmyr continued with a wide grin. "...that was actually quite smoo-"

"Can you guys be serious for once?" Caelestra finally interrupted with a visible with as she rubbed her temples tiredly.

She genuinely felt a headache coming.

Somehow, whenever something important was being discussed, those two would inevitably begin with their shenanigans.

Especially Valmyr...

That failed Vanguard somehow possessed the incredible ability to turn nearly everything into a joke.

Really, it was very exhausting.

Valmyr immediately gave her a mock salute and replied. "Ma, yes, ma!"

The cheeky grin on his face made Caelestra sigh even harder.

Then, as though finally reaching her limit, the failed Merchant turned toward the quiet silver-haired girl nearby.

"Aureleah, can you please talk some sense into them?" She asked tiredly.

Aureleah slowly shifted her gaze from Caelestra... And narrowed it at the duo. There was nothing more; no words nor expression. Just a look.

Immediately, both Valmyr and Veyrath straightened subconsciously.

Their transformation was almost comical, going from playful to serious within a second.

They knew that while they could joke around with everyone else in this Cave, they didn’t dare try it with Aureleah.

The failed Assassin was someone who did not understand the meaning of light-heartedness. Insstead, she only understood seriousness... And death.

Seeing them finally quiet down, Caelestra visibly relaxed. "Thank Aetherium..."

Then she gestured toward Regaleon. "... please continue."

With that, the atmosphere settled once more.

Outside, the distant howl of wind drifted faintly through the Cave entrance...

Regaleon exhaled softly before speaking further.

"Well..." He began. "The reason I said Kaeloris was correct... Is because the Sauryeans are actually real."

Aureleah’s silver eyes narrowed slightly as she put the pieces together immediately. "You mean that robed woman was a Sauryean?"

Regaleon shook his head.

"You are mistaken. She is not a woman..." He corrected calmly. "She looked around our age. Barely eighteen."

Then his expression turned serious again. "But yes. She was a Sauryean."

Now even Kaeloris leaned forward slightly. "So, what did she look like?"

Hearing that question, Vaelorin slowly turned toward him with an incredulous stare.

"Of all the possible questions..." He said dryly. "...that was the one you asked?"

Kaeloris furrowed his brows and asked confusingly. "And what is wrong with my question?"

The failed Pyromancer’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Everything is wrong with it..."

Then he eyes the failed Gnost weirdly. "Wait... Do not tell me you you have some strange fascination with girls that are not human."

Kaeloris’ expression darkened instantly.

"I asked that question because physical distinctions between races are historically important." He stated.

Vaelorin nodded his head. "Ah yes. Historical importance. I see..."

"Not everyone thinks like you..."

And before the argument could escalate further, Caelestra sighed loudly.

"Not you two now..."

Vaelorin immediately realized his mistake and coughed awkwardly.

"... Right. Sorry."

Then he gestured toward Regaleon. "Please continue..."

Regaleon shook his head slightly before speaking.

"Actually, Kaeloris’ question makes sense..."

Hearing that, Kaeloris immediately flashed a smug smile at Vaelorin.

The failed Pyromancer rolled his eyes so hard it almost looked painful.

"Also, there honestly isn’t much difference between the Sauryeans and humans." Regaleon stated.

"At least not visually. The major distinction is their horns alone..."

He paused briefly, before continuing.

"...The girl’s horns were golden, while the man’s horns were purple."

Veyrath suddenly interrupted.

"Wait!" His eyes widened as he asked. "Did you just say man?"

"As in, there were actually two Sauryeans in that Breeding Nest?"

Regaleon shook his head slightly.

"Actually, the man wasn’t there physically."

Then he explained further. "I encountered some kind of altar deeper inside the Nest. It was through it that the man appeared as a projection."

Kaeloris’ brows immediately further as he muttered. "So the altar was a communication medium?"

Regaleon nodded. "Yes. That seemed to be the function of the altar. Whether that’s only function, I don’t know."

Then, Aureleah asked quietly. "So, is there any kind of relationship between the man and the girl?"

Regaleon frowned slightly. "That, I do not know." He leaned back against the Cave wall. "But what I can say certainly is that both of them are clearly important."

"Also, the man mentioned something called the Sauryean Dominion."

There was a slight silence before Veyrath finally asked.

"And what exactly does that mean?"

"Most likely a kingdom." Kaeloris answered thoughtfully.

Everyone turned towards him...

The failed Gnost adjusted his glasses before speaking. "The word "Dominion" suggests organized governance. Which means that there may be an entire civilization somewhere within the Nether Lands."

Veyrath stared blankly and asked in a low tone.

"Are you trying to tell me... That there might be an ancient race living here?"

Kaeloris nodded slowly. "It’s possible."

With that, the atmosphere instantly became heavier, because everyone knew the horrific implications of that idea.

The Nether Lands was supposed to be uninhabitable; a cursed wasteland where nothing survived for long.

Even finding isolated survivors would be shocking enough...

But an entire race?

A whole civilization?

Now, that was something deeply unsettling.

This was the kind of revelation that quietly shattered everything they thought they understood...

For several moments, only the sound of crackling flames remained.

Then Regaleon spoke again.

"That is not even the strangest part..."

The group turned toward him immediately.

"The strangest thing was that the man also spoke about humans."

Aureleah narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"

Regaleon’s expression hardened as he explained.

"The way he spoke... It sounded like this was not his first encounter with humans. I meant he spoke with clear disdain as though he had long since understood humanity and was disgusted by it."

Hearing that, Veyrath’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

"... Don’t tell me..."

"That there may be other humans in the Nether Lands." Caelestra finished softly.

Even the way she spoke made it evident that she didn’t believe the words that came out of her mouth.

Silence consumed the Cave once more.

Then, Kaeloris spoke at last. "B-but that’s impossible."

It seems that even the smarty-pants didn’t believe it himself.

Regaleon immediately looked toward him. "I don’t think so."

His calm voice carried surprising weight as he spoke further. "If we are able to survive for two days already with our meager strength, then why is it impossible for others to have done the same?"

"Also, don’t forget that we are not the first group of people to be exiled into the Nether Lands. There have been precedents. Others have been here before; and some were likely to be stronger than we are when they came."

The group slowly fell silent as realization settled over them. They clearly accepted that the Forgotten Knight was right...

Hope flickered briefly in Veyrath’s eyes as he spoke quietly.

"If that’s true, maybe we should search for those survivors."

His tone was soft and uncertainty as the words left his mouth.

Everyone understood what he meant. If other humans survived... Then perhaps, they were not alone after all.

Regaleon looked toward him calmly and asked. "And where exactly would you suggest we begin searching?"

There was no mockery or disdain in his voice as he asked. Only realism.

"The Nether Lands is vast..." He continued. "And we have barely survived within this section of the forest alone."

His gaze shifted toward the Cave entrance where crimson fog drifted endlessly outside.

"If we venture deeper without preparation, we will die without doubt."

Hearing that, the hope within Veyrath’s eyes dimmed as his shoulders slumped slightly.

Then Valmyr spoke quietly.

"So what do we do?" The tension in his voice was unmistakable as he continued. "If the Sauryeans truly exists, them after what we did back there... They are definitely coming after us."

The Cave was silent again as they all agreed.

Valmyr was right. They had destroyed the Breeding Nest, killed those Wights, and likely ruined something significant.

With all of that, there was no way the Sauryeans would simply ignore them...

Regaleon remained calm as he spoke. "Valmyr is right... The Sauryeans are likely aware of us now."

Then his gaze swept across everyone’s face. It was resolute and firm.

"Still, I don’t regret destroying that nest. Because if we left those creature’s alive, who knows what they would have become after fully hatching."

"Also, I think that we gained something valuable from that battle."

"Was it the Aether Cores?" Kaeloris asked.

Immediately, Valmyr looked bitter again. "Have you forgotten that they were completely wasted?"

Then his gaze shifted to a particular someone. "Courtesy of him."

This particular person pointed at himself defensively. "Why is everyone blaming me?"

"Because it’s your fault!"

Before another argument could ensue, Regaleon interrupted calmly.

"You guys should use your brains for once. If even artificial creatures possessed Aether Cores, them what about the natural beasts roaming the forest?"

The duo quieted immediately. Then Valmyr’s eyes widened as a grin spread across his face.

But before the excitement could rise fully... Sylveris spoke for the first time.

"Regaleon, didn’t you say only Rank One and above Anima produce Cores?"

Regaleon nodded.

"But if we struggled against Rank One already, what will happen when we encounter even stronger ones?"

And just like that, the excitement vanished as the grin on Valmyr’s face turned upside-down.

Still, Regaleon was calm as he replied. "I never said we should hunt them immediately."

His voice was steady as he addressed the group. "Instead, I suggest that we train first..."

"We will learn the functions of our Essence Runes property... And then, when I deem us ready enough..."

He turned toward the cave entrance, toward the endless crimson forest outside.

"Only then... Do we hunt."