I was nervous. Afraid. Drenched in guilt for not being able to do anything to try and save Marcus, even though I was the only one who saw him.
But… what could I have done?
I'm just an ordinary human. No powers, no skills—just a witness who hesitated.
All I could do was wish.
I wished Marcus was still alive.
I gathered myself with difficulty and took a step toward the employer. I spoke in a low voice, but it was loud enough to be heard:
"Excuse me... but I think I know where Marcus is."
The employer looked at me sharply and asked with focus,
"And where do you think he is?"
I hesitated for a moment, then replied nervously:
"He... he's with the monster."
Those words—"he's with the monster"—slipped from my mouth like a confession of a crime. I felt the ground tremble beneath me, as if my whole body was recoiling from the weight of the sentence. All eyes turned to me—some shocked, some angry, and most... afraid.
The employer fell silent. It was a heavy silence—suffocating, like the place itself had stopped breathing. Every glance, every stifled gasp, every trembling hand poured oil on the fire of my anxiety.
He didn't leave me hanging for long. His voice came back quickly, firmer now:
"Where exactly with the monster?"
The question pressed against my chest as if I were being asked to pinpoint the coordinates of a tragedy.
I answered tensely, trying to be clear:
"To be exact... the monster dragged Marcus somewhere into the forest. I wasn't focused on it at the time, but I remember the direction well. It wasn't too far—I believe he's still there. Not much time has passed."
The employer sighed slowly, then said:
"We don't have a choice. You, Reagan, and I will go. The rest will stay here."
It felt like I had sunk deeper into the mud. Part of me wanted to scream, "No! I can't!"
But another part—tiny, fragile—clung to a faint hope that maybe... maybe I could do something.
No sooner had he spoken than the protests began.
"Why are you taking that weak guy? And Reagan—he didn't even help us!"
"You should take Knox and Luxian instead. They're strong!"
The words hit my chest like deliberate insults.
I knew they saw me as a burden. I knew I lacked what others had.
But... I hadn't wanted it to be said out loud.
My face froze. My limbs trembled slightly. I didn't look at anyone.
But the employer didn't hesitate. He looked at everyone and spoke in a decisive tone:
"I chose the man you're calling weak because he's the only one who knows where Marcus might be.
And I chose Reagan because he's strong—maybe even stronger than me. True, he didn't help us before... but I'll make sure he does this time."
A moment of silence followed. It wasn't approval—it was temporary acceptance.
Some sighed, others turned away, and a few looked at me with clear displeasure.
As for me…
I stood in the middle of a circle of anger, doubt, fear, and shame.
I felt hurt when they called me weak. But I couldn't deny it.
I wasn't strong.
But at the very least... I was going to try to find Marcus.
And I would try... not to be the kind of person who stands idly by.
I placed my hand over my chest, breathing slowly, and told myself:
"I'm scared... really scared."
I paused. Then, without any heroics or grand words, I looked down and said quietly in my heart:
"But... I'll keep going."
The employer's voice came dry:
"Come on. Let's go."
We walked out of the hunting office with steady steps. Outside, the world looked calm, as if it hadn't heard a thing about what happened inside that building.
But I turned to him and asked:
"How are we getting to the forest quickly? Isn't it a two-hour trip?"
He looked at me for a moment, then said:
"I have a red stone. It's different from the blue one we used to get here.
This red stone takes us back to the place we were before using the blue stone. But I didn't use it inside the office because it teleports every living thing nearby... and I don't want to accidentally bring half the village with us."
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. Then I asked:
"Then... why didn't the blue stone teleport the monster when we used it?"
He shook his head, his tone thoughtful:
"The stones only teleport people—not monsters. That's why they're not used in battles against them. They're tools meant to save humans... but they don't deal with everything in this world."
A light shiver ran down my spine.
This world held more secrets... more than I ever imagined.
We walked until we were far enough from the village and any buildings, making sure no one else would be accidentally teleported with us.
The employer stopped, pulled a small dark red stone from his pocket, held it firmly, and said clearly:
"Return."
Suddenly... the stone emitted a green light.
It wasn't like the blue light from before. It was warm, still—like a light glowing from the heart of an ancient tree.
It glowed gently, and its particles danced like green leaves falling into a quiet river.
It wasn't an ordinary light... it felt like it carried something from the old nature of this world.
I didn't feel the shift like last time... it happened softly, silently.
And suddenly... we were there.
Back in the same place where the monster attacked us.
But this time, the scene was completely different.
The atmosphere felt strangely mournful.
The sky was filled with pale gray clouds, as if it too was grieving what had happened.
Dirt was scattered everywhere. The marks of battle were still visible, but... without noise.
As if the fight had ended long ago, leaving only ruins behind in silence.
There was no one. Not even the monster.
The silence was harsh.
The air was cold, still, and even our breaths could be heard clearly.
Even the branches... didn't move.
I felt a sorrow I couldn't explain.
Not because the place was dangerous... but because it had lost something that had been alive just moments ago.
I looked around, saying nothing.
Then our journey began...
The journey to find Marcus.