As soon as possible, Volka unleashed his powers disguising Howa's cave so that no one, especially humans, would see it. Let's hope that works because this is the first and last time Volka has brought out the abilities he has had since that birth.
"Where's that cave, Apsel? We've walked a long way until thorns injured my toes, but we still haven't found the Howa cave!" hissed one of the residents in the army led by Apsel.
"Can you shut your mouth? I was focusing on finding their caves. Don't let my concentration become so bad because of you who always ask me," Apsel replied as he spread his gaze around the forest.
Although they have searched any side of the forest, Howa cave has not been found by humans even though it is only one resident.
"Sorry, but he was right. There hasn't been any sign indicating that it was Howa cave, where the Jotuns lived. So should we not just go back to guard at home?" said one of the men.
Apple also doesn't understand what just happened. His enthusiasm for killing the Jotuns decreased because he did not find any clues. However, he had thought that maybe it was Emmett or Tom who would find Howa's cave. So finally, he complied with the request of his neighbours to return to the position where Emmett formed the group.
"Alright. Since I feel like your remarks have some truth, we'll go back," Apsel replied.
They also walked back, following the rope as a direction to go home that they had already put up. Arriving at their destination, they were surprised they saw Tom and Emmett and their respective groups who had been there first.
"Sir, are you here? Did you find anything?" asked Apsel.
"No, I didn't find anything, so I came back here because it was getting dark. I don't understand why this could happen, and there's no way that the Jotun's residence is somewhere other than this forest!" Emmett irritably while smoking his cigar.
"Then, what shall we do, sir? Do I have to give up my wife so easily? but, until when will this happen?" asked Apsel again, confused and resigned.
"Relax. I didn't find anything, but Tom did. he found patches of blood that looked fresh. The spot sticks to the dry leaves with a still fiery red colour," Emmett said, calming the restless Apsel.
Apsel then forcibly took the leaf, which was still in Tom's grasp. He was curious because it could be a clue to the existence of Jotuns in this forest.
"Where did you find this?" asked Tom. His spirit seemed to rise again after previously looking desperate.
"It's not far from here. it's probably about two hundred meters to the east."
Not saying much, Apsel hurried to run in the direction Tom called. He ran alone without carrying a rope in a direction home as before. Seeing Apsel, who left without hesitation, Emmett yelled at him because he couldn't wander in this forest alone because it would endanger his life.
"Apsel! Wait!" shouted Emmett.
But unfortunately, Apsel did not hear the master's screams. It's not that he doesn't listen. On the contrary, he is so focused on other things that he doesn't care about anyone blocking his way to finding his wife.
With a gasp, Apsel finally reached the point where Tom found the leaf he was currently holding. He searched around the end because he was sure to find other clues.
"Come on, and you can find it, Apsel! There must be something else you can find!" muttered Apsel with both eyeballs rounded.
Luckily he was when he seemed to be paying off. He found a snag of cloth that had blood stains on the surface. Whether it's the same blood or not, the fabric has been torn apart as if it has been used to seal the wound. The stain has a dark colour in the middle and fades around it. And also, the colour was right in the middle of the fabric.
Although begun, at this time, he still did not see where the signs of Howa cave were. Apsel again spread his gaze around the forest while shouting in annoyance,
"Where are you guys hiding the damned Jotuns?! Where is my wife?! Don't be a coward who can only attack humans when in other places! To fight with me if you guys dare! Where are your guts?! I'm not afraid of you stupid monsters!"
Apsel's shout echoed throughout the forest. The atmosphere gets even tenser when bats fly in large numbers in a direction that makes Apsel feel like it's unusual. The bat flew as if it had penetrated an invisible space. The reason is that the swarm of bats disappeared without a trace after flying straight towards the east.
Apsel tried to follow the direction the bat flew out of curiosity. However, as he continued his steps, a thick, thick, pitch-black smoke came to overshadow him. Out of nowhere, the smoke came from. However, the darkness of the Dark forest was not as dark as the smoke now negating Apsel's body. Slowly, two red lights appeared emerging from the smoke right in front of Apsel, who was currently silent without a move.
"W-what creature are you?!" asked Apsel as the red light looked like a pair of eyes watching him.
The 'smoke' did not answer Apsel's question. Instead, all there was there appeared a line shaped like a grinning smile filled with sharp teeth and dripping saliva.
"Oh, so you're the dark lord? Tsk! No need to scare me. I'm not afraid of you!" exclaimed Apsel as he thrust a dead torch with shaking hands. He tried to attack the creature by shaking off his torchwood, but it was futile. But, of course, no one can penetrate the smoke even with a sharp sword.
"Hahahaha, You're not afraid of me? Then, why do you look so nervous?"
Apsel hadn't had time to answer. But then, someone suddenly pulled Apsel's arm from the direction behind to make him startled.
"Apsel! Let's go quickly before he kills us!" hissed Tom. So they finally ran as fast as they could leave the Dark forest.
As it turns out, Tom caught up with Apsel while saving himself from the threat of Volka. Yes, the pitch-black smoke is Volka. So then, what exactly happened at this time? Why can't the humans see the existence of Howa cave, which is a cave not far from where Apsel stands?
All humans saw was an ordinary forest with nothing in it, including the cave in which the Jotuns lived. This means that the Jotuns and humans are in two different worlds. That was the power of Volka that he issued to protect the Jotuns and the inhabitants of the Dark forest.