The Rotten Forest was full of trees, dry and with sharp branches that often cut the hurried beasts and careless Carriers who strayed into this land. However, they were not particularly impressive in size, unlike the one standing before Ethan and Menir's astonished gaze.

The tree in front of which the Voracious Plant seemed small, its head not even reaching the middle of the trunk, below which nestled a green orb — the Essence.

It differed from the one Ethan encountered in the Anomaly at the Grim Peaks. The spiked black orb was born from the energy of the Anomaly and was tiny compared to the Essence of Rotten Forest, both in terms of energy and size.

The Essence had no spikes, but a dense energy that caused a cascade of green leaves to move in a whirlwind around it. That wasn't its only defense, the tree's great roots hid the orb, leaving only a few gaps visible.

There were no monsters or traps around, at least Menir couldn't see any, and that worried her more than anything else.

"Ethan, we shouldn't rush. This Essence has fenced itself in with thorny vines. Carnivorous plants the size of houses roam around here. It can't be that simple."

"Hmm, I agree." Ethan nodded. "But... What do you suggest? Just stand here and wait for something to happen? I'm ready to go ahead if I can use my ability to quickly close the distance between us."

"That's a good plan. If you can somehow get to the Essence right away, don't rush to absorb it. First, we need to get to a safe place."

Over the past month, they not only worked to buy the Green Mist Stone but also trained, which allowed them to get to know each other's abilities well and understand how they could work together even better than when fighting Black Horn and Konrad.

Step.

Ethan took a step forward when a crackling sound of breaking branches came from behind.

They spun around only to stare in wide-eyed disbelief. A girl with crimson hair and dark eyes stood before them.

In her hand was a rapier, its sharp tip aimed at Menir, who was closest to her.

Something immediately caught their attention — the number of items the girl was carrying. Two daggers hung from her belt, several rings covered her hands, and an extra spear hung from her back. A green cloak covered her shoulders and lower face, while a green light created a barrier protecting her from the poisonous mist.

Unlike Ethan and Menir, who used a one-time Product, this girl had enough money to buy an Artifact specifically for a trip to the Poisonous Field.

Sure, to gain access to the Artifact's ability, it had to be bound to the Circle. However, if it was a passive effect of the Artifact, then changing the Artifact was not necessary.

If Ethan had the same cape as the girl, he could have kept his dagger and its Projection while still being protected from poison. The Projection of the cape would be unavailable to him.

"Agh... Agh... Agh..."

Heavy breathing came from the girl as Ethan's eyes widened.

He recognized her.

"L-Leyla?" Ethan shuddered in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

She was the one who tried to humiliate Ethan for his cheap Ascension Crystal, for which she immediately received a response. Ethan felt no malice towards her, at least not now, since he was too shocked to see her.

"You, how did you defeat that monster?" Leyla became wary, her eyes darting from Menir to Ethan. "That bitch did almost nothing. Your power was enough to kill an Iron Tier Monster. HOW?! You're a Broken Trash!"

Before Ethan could respond, Menir strode forward, fearless, standing in front of Leyla. The sharp blade of the rapier was no threat to her.

"Oh, I see." Menir raised her chin, looking down at Leyla. "So you're the rat who ran away? Judging by your appearance, you robbed your friends and ran away, leaving them to die, didn't you?"

Leyla clenched her teeth.

"Shut up! I wasn't talking to you! I didn't abandon anyone! We didn't expect this monster to appear out of nowhere! When I came to, all I saw were two hanging corpses!"

Then, she raised her hand to slash.

"Get out of the way, whore!"

BAM!

Menir's fist sank into Leyla's body, but not in her stomach, but right in her solar plexus to cause maximum pain.

"GHA!" Leyla gasped for air as Menir knocked the rapier out of her hands and slammed her to the ground.

Then, Menir's fist came down hard on Leyla's face, causing splashes of fresh blood to frame her pale cheeks.

Ethan stood to the side, watching as Menir repeatedly smashed Lyela's face, completely ignoring her pleas to stop.

"Wait...! I... I was wrong! Let's talk... STOP!"

Usually, when the conversation turned to violence, it was men who were considered more brutal than women.

But the fierce rage with which women could fight each other, without any mercy, could be frightening.

Clutch.

Menir's hands tightened around Leyla's neck while she desperately tried to reach the dagger at her waist.

"I don't know how you know Ethan, but showing yourself was a big mistake. You should have kept hiding, like the rat you are. You want to stop us? Well, I'm afraid you won't be able to do that when you're dead!"

Tap.

Ethan's hand fell on Menir's shoulder, causing her to turn around.

"Agh?"

He threw her aside, saving Leyla seconds before she met her end.

"Rgha! Rgha! Rgha!" Leyla coughed, trying to recover from Menir's wild attack.

Menir hit the ground.

"What are you doing? She could ruin everything!"

Strangely enough, Ethan took the situation calmly and scratched the back of his head.

"Well, aren't you always talking about pragmatism? Killing her before figuring out the situation? Sooner or later, that's going to lead to a major mistake."

Menir frowned, but she couldn't deny it.

"What's more," Ethan pointed ahead. "We're going to need help. Even if it's Leyla."

At that moment, numerous roots emerged from the ground, clearing a path for dozens of figures with green eyes shining like lanterns.

Their strength was nowhere near that of the Voracious Plant, but it was a growing legion eager to protect its core.