Chapter 76: Into Deeper Forest
Reinhard’s eyes glanced across the chaotic landscape. Then his gaze caught on something in the distance, and his eyes widened.
An enormous tree stretched skyward far beyond their current position. Its trunk was impossibly massive, easily bigger than any building Reinhard had ever seen.
The trunk rose straight, disappearing into the clouds above with no visible top.
"That’s so massive." Reinhard muttered, unable to keep the awe from his voice.
Marie nodded excitedly as her entire body trembled with barely contained glee. Even her platinum hair was shaking as a grin formed on her face, and her eyes were shining with excitement. "It’s the Great Tree! Supposedly, it’s the true center of the Colin Forest Monster Zone, while the other inner forests are just for their area."
Joseph’s attention was completely absorbed by the distant tree. "I can definitely believe that. Even from this distance, I can see it pretty well." He paused, his head tilting slightly. "I wonder if something lives there."
"Lots of the small Phantasm Beasts live there," Marie said softly after placing her hands on her hips. "Some theorize it’s because the bigger and stronger ones don’t make trouble around it."
Reinhard hummed thoughtfully. "Is it because they’re afraid of damaging it?"
Marie nodded as her expression grew more serious despite her obvious excitement. "It’s believed the Great Tree helps nourish the entire Monster Zone forest, and so causing damage to it may lead to the end of the zone itself."
Reinhard nodded slowly as he understood the implications. A critical resource would naturally be protected.
Not through any organized effort, but through the collective instinct of every Phantasm Beast that depended on the forest for survival.
Even the most powerful Phantasm Beasts would recognize, on some level, that destroying the source of their territory’s vitality would be self-destructive.
Joseph pulled out his map before unrolling it with his eyes and scanning the markings briefly. Then, tracing paths with one finger before he rolled it back up and tucked it away.
"Fortunately for us, we don’t need to go deep. We just need to head straight up to leave the zone." Reinhard said.
All three of them nodded in agreement before they began walking.
The broken branches created obstacles and opportunities in equal measure, such as detours or sometimes providing elevated paths that let them avoid thick grass below.
Reinhard took in every detail around, such as the fewer bird calls and more insect noises.
The buzzing and clicking of countless creatures hidden in bark and leaves created a constant background noise.
The air was a lot warmer with the smell of decay and blood.
The Great Tree remained visible in the distance even after they had walked for ten minutes and passed through various trees.
It was a constant landmark that dominated the horizon and one that amazed Reinhard as it towered over everything in the forest.
But it’s way smaller than that towering Frost Giant from Odin Dream. Reinhard thought as he recalled the giant stood above everything. He wasn’t sure about the scales or the size of the things in the dream, as it kept changing.
But he felt that if that towering Frost Giant was to appear in the world and stand next to the Great Tree.
It would make it look like a pretty small twig, and such a thought made Reinhard inwardly chuckle.
They passed beneath one of the broken branches that formed a bridge overhead. The wood had cracks on its surface and was also covered in moss.
Reinhard could see where smaller beasts had burrowed into the dead wood, creating networks of holes and tunnels.
A rustling sound came from above, leading Reinhard to look up as his body tensed, but he saw nothing. Whatever had moved was already gone, disappearing into the dense branches before he could identify it.
"Just keep moving." Marie said softly, having noticed his reaction. "Lots of things live in the branches here, but most won’t bother us if we don’t bother them."
They continued forward through Area 9, heading steadily toward the northern exit that would finally take them out of the Monster Zone.
Leekos moved through the area in small groups, their diminutive forms darting between trees with practiced agility.
They carried their wooden spears casually, not as weapons currently in use but as tools always ready.
Reinhard watched one group leap from a low branch to a fallen log, their movements synchronized without any visible communication.
They paused there, several of them reaching up to pull fruits or leaves from overhead branches, stuffing the vegetation into crude pouches slung across their bodies.
Another group passed directly across their path, moving perpendicular to the humans’ direction.
The Leekos glanced at Reinhard, Marie, and Joseph with dark, intelligent eyes, but showed no fear or aggression.
They simply continued their journey, disappearing into thick undergrowth on the far side.
Above, on the bridges formed by massive roots and accumulated leaves, were the Kodamas marching in an organized group. The small white figures moved in a line, each one following the one before it.
Their black eyes stared forward, their bodies swaying with their characteristic rhythmic motion.
Reinhard counted at least twenty in the procession, all heading toward some section of forest that required their purifying touch.
The bridge they walked upon was remarkable, but it’s expected since the foundation needs to be strong enough to support the weight of dozens of Kodamas.
Leaves and smaller vegetation filled the gaps and remained from the countless footsteps that had previously pressed down on them.
Marie’s head tilted back to watch them, her expression bright with fascination. "They’re probably responding to some section that needs attention. I read that they can sense when parts of the forest are struggling."
A rumbling approached from ahead, accompanied by heavy footsteps. The trio moved to the side of the path, and then in the next four seconds, a group of Tonothus emerged around.
Six of them were rushing forward with the lead. Tonothus fixed one eye on the three humans as it approached. Its gaze held neither hostility nor fear, just acknowledgment, and then it continued forward with the others.
Reinhard, Marie, and Joseph pressed closer to the side as the herd passed. The ground shook with each step the Tonothus took, with the youngest stopping to look at them.
Its eyes were curious, leading Marie to giggle as she gently caressed its head and then pointed to its family, who were still moving.
The younger Tonothus rushed away while Marie waved at its back with Reinhard and Joseph chuckling.