They were deep inside the jungle.
Everyone was chilling, eating snacks, laughing — except Shino.
He kept glancing around like something felt wrong. He couldn't explain it, but something in the air was off.
Akaimo: "Guys, let's start fishing."
Everyone agreed.
After an hour of fishing, they only caught a few tiny fish.
Which was weird… this area was normally full of them.
Even the animals nearby looked like they were leaving the place one by one.
Shino's suspicion kept growing.
Suddenly, rustling sounds echoed through the bushes.
Momoshimo checked and found a wounded rabbit.
But the injuries… they didn't look like a predator attack at all.
They bandaged the rabbit and released it.
But then—
A scream.
Someone. Somewhere. Not human. Not animal.
Everyone froze.
Shino immediately stepped forward:
"We need to leave. Now."
But the others laughed it off, thinking someone was trying to scare them.
That's when low-tier monsters burst out of the trees.
Shizuku was injured instantly.
Jeisuke jumped in front of everyone, ready to fight.
Shino rushed to back him up — even without his eye activated.
Jeisuke activated his Green Eye.
"Thousands of Leaf!"
Shino pointed at three monsters:
"Aim at those three! Then use Ground-Breaking Bamboo! Hurry—!"
But before the move could land, a monster ambushed Shino from behind, dragging him into the forest.
Akaimo completely froze…
Heart pounding.
Mind blank.
"G-Guys… is he dead?"
Shino staggered back into the clearing, badly wounded but still standing.
Shino:
"Jeisuke, position yourself near that big tree — you'll get cover.
Momoshimo, keep Shizuku behind you.
Akaimo… don't panic. Help me track their movement."
But there were too many monsters.
Way too many.
Then, everything changed.
The animals went silent.
The wind stopped.
Several trees nearby were sliced clean in half.
The air pressure suddenly spiked — everyone felt it.
And then a voice came from behind a tree:
"Looks like we have some human kids."
Everyone turned.
"Who… who is that?"
A tall figure stepped out — dark skin, long claws, and eyes glowing like burning coal.
Kaito Monster:
"No point telling you my name. Since it's your last day alive… just know this:
I'm a Kaito monster."
Jeisuke launched an attack out of fear.
The monster didn't even flinch.
Kaito Monster:
"Pathetic. Your green-eyed brat is barely a match for Merus scum…
and you think you can face me