By the time we crossed another narrow mountain path, the sunlight had already started fading behind the trees.
The forest looked darker now.
Colder too.
The shadows between the trees stretched longer across the ground while the sounds of insects gradually replaced the distant bird calls from earlier.
I slowed my steps slightly while checking the system map in my mind again.
The marked location was still far ahead.
At least another hour.
Maybe two if the paths became worse.
Normally, continuing forward would save time.
But not at night.
Not in a forest filled with wolves, wild boars, poisonous plants, and whatever creature made those giant footprints earlier.
I stopped walking completely.
"We stop here tonight," I said calmly.
Everyone looked toward me immediately.
Han Li reacted first.
"Tonight?!"
"Yes."
Her expression instantly changed.
"You mean… we are sleeping inside this forest?"
