Panic ensues throughout the forest, making Lyrica feel uneasy. To swim across the river, or to climb on top of one of the giant trees, Lyrica could not decide on what to do. This is all because of the uncertainty of where or when a monster would appear and decide to attack her.
"That loud roar... That's the reason why this is all happening." Said Lyrica while cautiously keeping her attention on her surroundings. "It's got to be the ruler of the forest."
"Yeah, there's no doubt about it." The voice replied. "It's the Guardian Snake."
A question rises, following the voice's response.
Not long ago, the voice claimed that the Guardian Snake is resting on its nest located in the center of the forest.
If that's the case, then what caused the Guardian Snake to let out such a loud cry that brought panic all around the forest?
That's when Lyrica remembered what the voice mentioned before.
The Guardian Snake protects the forest and other inhabitants from outsiders that disturbs their peace. If ever a disturbance occurred within the forest, it would mean that there are uninvited that have entered the forest with ill intent.
"Judging from the sound of its cry, the Guardian Snake shouldn't be far from where you are, Lyrica." Informed the voice.
"I can tell." She answered. "It's a shame, but it's time to leave the forest."
Lyrica faces the same path she took back when she was making her way to the Snake River.
"Eh? You're leaving?"
Lyrica planned to stay for a while longer, considering the amount of EXP she could get from the monsters living in the forest. But after hearing that roar, Lyrica's safety becomes even more than uncertain.
"The plan has changed. I'd like to farm EXP, but I also like to do it in a safe place."
Her decision to leave the forest is the right call in the current situation, the voice thinks so, too. But contrary to her thoughts, the voice stops Lyrica.
"Wait a second, hear me out."
The voice demanded to the girl.
"The Guardian Snake is a ruler whose presence alone is enough to keep the monsters from causing a ruckus in the forest."
In other words, it has no reason to let out a cry unless someone or something disturbed the forest or the Guardian Snake itself.
The girl then made it clear that she remembered what the voice mentioned before–That if ever a disturbance occurred, it would mean people with ill intent have entered the forest.
"I'm not as dumb as those people in movies who would deliberately wait and even approach something that could kill them," Lyrica stated. "I have to get going before the Guardian Snake finds me as well."
Right then, Lyrica started backtracking the path she took earlier.
Frankly speaking, Lyrica has no ill intention or anything that would disturb the silence of the forest. Her only goal is to make her and her magic ability grow. But even then, Lyrica is someone who shouldn't be in the forest.
She's only a guest, just like whoever's foolish enough to anger the Guardian Snake.
Now that the Forest of No Return has gone into a situation where her safety is uncertain, the best option Lyrica only has is to leave the forest and find a more secure place to grind EXP.
"But that's not always the case."
"Ha?"
The voice words put Lyrica into a halt.
"The Guardian Snake is not just a large-sized animal that rules a forest of giant trees."
"What do you mean?"
"The Guardian Snake is one of the few creatures that can sense danger, a danger that threatens not only them and their territory but also the world."
To put it simply, the voice is trying to tell Lyrica that the ruler of the forest's loud cry could be a sign that it sensed danger which could involve the whole Alteria. However, despite what she's trying to convey to Lyrica, the voice has no proof if that were the case whatsoever.
Following this, Lyrica came to a conclusion.
"Are you saying that I should go and find out what caused this disturbance?"
The voice responded with a resounding yes, although Lyrica immediately refused right after.
"You must be thinking of me as a naive, suicidal idiot who would volunteer to do something dangerous."
Who knows what's happening out there? There's no guarantee if the Guardian Snake did sense danger or not. Well, even if it did, Lyrica's safety is not guaranteed so long as that being is awake and causing panic all around the forest.
"But we won't know for sure if you don't go." The voice insisted.
And like Lyrica said to the voice, she cannot go to something dangerous.
"What's the use of finding out what danger awaits Alteria if I can't protect myself from the danger right in front of me?"
The voice stuttered, trying to articulate the right words to persuade Lyrica. Unfortunately, though, nothing comes to mind, especially after hearing the words that came out of the girl's mouth.
Lyrica looks down, seemingly in deep thought. Right then, she came up with an idea that the voice probably did not even think of.
"How about this, if you can guarantee my safety, I will gladly investigate what's happening out there."
"Huh?"
"I can tell from the tone of your voice, you want to know, but you can't without me going there, right?"
Knowing the Guardian Snake's capability to sense danger, Lyrica started wondering whether the voice's predictions were right or not.
Admittedly, Lyrica wants to know, too. The problem is that she doesn't have the power to protect herself if something horrible were to happen while trying to find out what disturbed the Guardian Snake.
What if the Guardian Snake possesses abilities like Tibay or Heavy Metal? What if it can sense someone's presence and launch a surprise attack and kill Lyrica? Not knowing everything about the ruler of the forest is what makes going a really risky move.
"Since you're planning to use me to find out what's going on out there, it's only fair that I get something in return like keeping me safe, for example."
As the words escaped Lyrica's lips, the voice turned silent. Perhaps she's becoming hesitant? Although Lyrica has no way of knowing that.
"It's not like I'm forcing you to do it, but you have to decide quick." She mouthed. "I don't want to stay around here any longer."
Despite what Lyrica said, the voice took her time thinking things through. Should the voice use her powers to guarantee Lyrica's safety, or should the girl just get out of the forest, not knowing what's happening?
A moment passed, and the voice finally made up her mind.
"All right."
Lyrica lets out a sigh. "You sure make up your mind slowly."
The voice eventually agreed to Lyrica's terms, and once again, a deal has been made.
"Let's go."