Maya, Zara, and I prepared to attack the Fungoids—until Noko leaped between us with arms outstretched:
—"Wait-nya!"
—"What's wrong?" Maya lowered her sword slightly.
—"They don't want to fight us," Noko explained, ears twitching excitedly.
Zara studied the Fungoids, who swayed peacefully:
—"She's right... they don't seem hostile."
Noko approached and gently petted them. The Fungoids emitted high-pitched chirps, as if conversing with her.
—"You understand them?" I asked, amazed.
—"Of course not!" Noko laughed. —"But the spirits help me translate!"
She bounded back to us, grinning:
—"The little ones are grateful we defeated the Kurotama in the mansion. They say it had the whole forest on edge, but now they can live in peace-nya."
Maya frowned skeptically:
—"Then why attack us earlier?"
Noko relayed the question. The Fungoids responded with more chirps:
—"They say they weren't attacking to hurt us! They only put adventurers to sleep to save them from getting too close."
I pondered this revelation:
—"So... all this time, the Fungoids were protecting people."
Maya, Zara, and I exchanged guilty looks, remembering how we'd defeated several of them hours ago.
—"They say not to worry-nya! It was just a misunderstanding," Noko reassured us.
—"Thank you... for looking after everyone all this time," I said sincerely.
The Fungoids seemed to understand. They surrounded me, dancing in cheerful circles.
—"What... what are they doing?" I asked, bewildered.
—"Looks like they like you-nya!" Noko explained.
I crouched to pet one, marveling at its fluffy texture:
—"Well... I always thought they were cute," I admitted.
Zara finally relaxed with a sigh:
—"Everything worked out in the end. And we solved all the mysteries too," she said with a serene smile.
—"Hey, Noko," I asked suddenly, "can you ask if they know a faster, safer route back to Lumis?"
Noko nodded and conveyed the question. The Fungoids agreed eagerly, motioning for us to follow. After a short walk, we arrived safely at Lumis's eastern gate, where they stopped as if knowing not to proceed further.
—"Thanks for guiding us," I told the Fungoids with a grateful smile.
Maya and Zara noticed Noko still clinging to me. Zara asked:
—"Noko, shouldn't you head back too?"
—"Ah, right-nya!" Noko finally released me. —"This was so fun! Especially meeting Ren-sama!"
Maya grumbled (though without real malice):
—"Alright, enough! Time to say goodbye."
—"Yeah, it's getting late," I added. —"Thank you, Noko. You helped us a lot."
—"No problem!" Noko swished her tail. —"Hope to see you again soon!"
Maya muttered a "Bye"—though she seemed to have warmed up to Noko despite herself. Zara smiled too:
—"Thanks for everything."
With that, Noko vanished into the trees, and we entered Lumis. The gate guards recognized us immediately:
—"You're back! We knew you'd handle the forest. How'd it go?"
—"Oh, hey!" I scratched my cheek. —"Well... a lot happened."
We recounted everything: the Fungoids, the ghosts, Noko, and the Kurotama's defeat. The guards gaped:
—"Fungoids, ghosts, and a feline demi-human? What an adventure! Why not report to the guild? They'll probably reward you well."
—"Definitely! We'll do that," I smiled.
As we walked away, the guards called after us:
—"Thank you!"
We headed to the guild, satisfied to have solved the forest's mysteries.