"Damn it!" That place was too good to be true. Seriously, sometimes I miss Earth, the moments when I feel comfortable and peaceful. I don't like moving even a bit; I wanted to sleep a bit more, but Elsa hit me on the head, saying it was time to go, and blah blah.

"Stop complaining! You've rested enough," Elsa says, pursing her lips, looking stern.

"Hmph!" I turn my head, annoyed.

"HEY! Seriously, you did it again! Don't ignore me," Elsa said, hitting me with her small fist on the side.

Staring at each other, we start laughing. The truth is, we were just joking. As we've spent some time together, we've started to get along quite well. Besides going through battles, joking with each other has become quite normal.

After leaving the cave, I left some traces to find it again. I wasn't joking; the place is too comfortable. When we return, we'll rest in the same place.

Right now, we were following the river right beside us. The river will lead us to the next zone, so there's not much to do but keep walking. We're still on the border of zone 1, a place I still find strange. It literally looks like it's painted blue.

Damn place, the journey doesn't seem out of this world. We walked for hours and reached zone 2. There's a distance of 20 meters between zones, so in front of us, another forest rises, just like zone 1, but with variations. Zone 2 is full of fog; it's as if it's among the clouds. The trees are gray; you literally can't see where you're stepping due to thick fog on the ground.

We need to be careful; this zone is more dangerous than the first. There are beasts everywhere; in zone 2, they're always active. Finding shelter to rest is very difficult. That's why I took advantage of all the time I had to relax.

"Well, let's keep going, Elsa. In this forest is our mission's objective." Elsa took out the map from her identification and checked it thoroughly.

Elsa sacó el mapa de su identificación y lo revisó minuciosamente.

"According to the mission, the location of the beast is to the south, in an area where a small house can be found. It's of maximum-silver rank, described as having gray fur with a horn on its head. We have no information about what its underside looks like; He can disappear in the fog and is never alone, always accompanied by 3 of his kind."

Putting my hand on my chin, I say, "If it has the ability to lead others of its kind, it means it's somewhat intelligent. A rare variable."

Intelligent creatures are not uncommon; they can be found from ranks 5 to 8, but from 1 to 4, they are rare. They have the ability to rank up faster than others. I suppose the guild wants me to eliminate it before it ranks up.

After confirming that there is no more information available, we start walking towards the forest. Once we enter, fog blocks our view at a great distance. This place is dangerous; although you can see people around you because they basically move the fog as they walk, you can't see farther than that.

Just like zone 1, there is only silence. Although we are at the beginning where it starts, there is no danger for now. But the feeling that you are being watched at every moment never disappears; it's unsettling.

"Another strange place, can't there be a normal forest, seriously?" Elsa says.

"Zones 1 to 3, the forests are always different, shadowy and peculiar like this. From what I know, from 4 to 8, they are somewhat normal."

Every zone always has something that sets it apart from the others; of course, besides the creatures, the ecosystem will change and adapt to the power emanating from the beings that inhabit it.

From the moment I entered the forest, I activated my senses. Although I couldn't see what was ahead, I had a vague image. Losing the way is not an option.

Also, I don't want to be attacked by surprise. Sometimes surprises are bad and unwelcome.

Elsa walked beside me; I told her not to stray from me.

Pov Elsa

Walking through the fog, I feel fear, but not as much anymore. I have more confidence in myself; I can now launch projectiles. I can launch 10! It's an achievement for me; I couldn't even launch 1 before. I'm proud of myself; I can feel that I'll soon advance to mid-bronze. I'm euphoric; I haven't been able to rank up for years, and in just days, I'll finally rank up and be stronger.

Looking down, I can't see the ground, just fog. It's like we're walking on clouds, a strange feeling. Around, there's only fog; I don't know if I like this place more or the other, although in the zone 1, we could see where we were heading.

Looking to the right, I see Anthony. I feel safer with him by my side. Although I know he always protects me and treats me well, I don't want to be a burden. I also want to protect him and be more useful; that's why I have to gather courage. This zone is worse than the other, which means there are stronger things.

With a glint of determination in my eyes, we venture further into the forest, leaving behind nothing but fog, and thus disappearing into this place, to encounter who knows what kind of things.