In the vast forest, far far away from Wallace, there stood a massive Tree that reached up high as if touching the heavens.
Deep within the heart of this giant tree, a secret world thrived away from prying eyes.
Unbeknownst to humans, many extraordinary creatures lived among the complex branches.
Among them, a peculiar mix of bees and ants buzzed around tirelessly.
They moved through the air with purpose, their gigantic flap of loud wings dancing to the rhythm of nature.
Guided by an unseen force, they emerged from the depths of the Tree with empty limbs and a clear mission.
Yet, when they returned, they carried an assortment of treasures—leaves, dead insects, and other strange items that hinted at the mystery of their existence.
These creatures were unlike anything seen before—an insect that looked really like they prey on others, its elongated body exuding a sense of danger. Their colors ranged from dark browns to blacks and deep reds, blending seamlessly with the shadows.
But it was their most remarkable feature that fascinated and terrified—a long, thin beak protruding from their heads. This sinister appendage could inject venom into their unsuspecting victims.
When not in use, it curled beneath their bodies, concealed but always ready.
With powerful front legs, these creatures could capture and subdue their prey efficiently. Their bodies were protected by a strong shell and blended perfectly with their surroundings, providing both defense and camouflage.
The most dangerous aspect of these creatures? They would come out of the shadows out of nowhere even if their presence wasn't there before.
It was peaceful, organized and rhythmic too.
However, the tranquility within the Tree was shattered by an unexpected disturbance.
A primal shriek-like growl echoed through the air, awakening the inhabitants from their busy routines.
"Greeaaaakkkkll!!"
From the depths of the giant Tree emerged a creature unlike anything witnessed before—a monstrous version of the surrounding insects, but enlarged and more menacing.
Its presence loomed large, casting a dark shadow across the forest floor.
"Rowaaaaerrkkkkk!"
The creature's bellow-like sound resounded, a primal declaration of its dominance over the world.
What's more, the creatures surrounding it suddenly began to converge around it!
Now, the giant creature looked like a father surrounded by his hundreds of children. And by crawling, he would take his children to a park!
…
Wallace had been hiding in the thick bushes for hours, blending perfectly into the foliage with his camouflage skillfully used.
He carefully scanned the area, keeping a vigilant eye out for any movement. But this time, it wasn't a graceful butterfly fluttering among the shady leaves that grabbed his attention.
No, it was something completely different—a black beetle, its dark shell shining ominously in the speckled sunlight.
Curiosity seized Wallace as he observed the insect, expecting something extraordinary.
He held his breath, waiting for what felt like an eternity until, suddenly, the beetle was split in two like the butterflies.
Shocked, Wallace furrowed his brow, not because he couldn't sense the presence of the unknown force responsible for this gruesome act, but because he could.
Unlike the butterflies victims he had seen earlier, whose presence escaped his notice, this beetle victim left a noticeable mark.
Determined not to waste another moment, Wallace put on his visor, scanning the scene with his eyes. And then, he saw it—the creature that had caused the beetle's demise.
However, as soon as he sensed its presence, it vanished into thin air, leaving Wallace bewildered.
"It can disappear in the shadows?" he murmured, his mind filled with fascination.
"Interesting," thoughts of this mysterious creature consumed him, and after a few thoughtful moments, realization dawned on him. "I understand..." he whispered with a knowing smile forming on his lips.
Driven by this new understanding he just found, Wallace reached for the Toraz beast encyclopedia given to him by Captain Guard Dylan.
Opening its worn pages, he searched for the details about the butterflies he had been fixated on before.
"Oh..." he exclaimed, his voice tinged with realization. "I've been focused on the creature that cuts the butterflies, but I never truly observed the butterflies themselves."
As he immersed himself in the detailed descriptions of the delicate insects, a revelation struck him.
"Now I get it," he declared, his voice filled with a mix of enlightenment and regret. "Those butterflies, with their captivating beauty, have the ability to enchant and distract me temporarily. It's because of this distraction that I fail to sense the presence of the true predator…"
"Now, with the beetle who lacks any sort of magic to distract my senses, I can easily detect and observe the true predator since they move much slower compared to facehuggers," Wallace would remark.
Suddenly, a thought crept into his head: "Can I catch it?" he wondered, his voice sounding unsure of his ability to do so.
But then, a question popped up in Wallace's mind: "Why does this creature have such a powerful ability?"
He remembered a conversation with Butler Mendez, a wise and knowledgeable person, although he had a weak will, Wallace had gotten used to talking to him in these three days, so he had trust in him.
Mendez had talked about 'True Beasts', creatures different from their radioactive counterparts, with magical powers.
Could this bug creature be one of them?
Skepticism started to creep into Wallace's thoughts. He wasn't one to easily believe such claims without proof.
To check his theory, he turned to the creature encyclopedia of Toraz town again.
With hopefully anticipation, he flipped and flipped through the pages, searching for any mention of the mysterious creature that hides in the shadows. His heart raced as he realized it wasn't mentioned anywhere.
The creature remained a puzzle, unknown to the people of Toraz town.
Soon, a sudden surge of excitement rushed through Wallace's body.
The pieces were coming together, and he could sense a connection between his mission of the system tomorrow and these strange insects.
With determination in his eyes, he tightened his fists, a smile of anticipation forming on his lips. "I'll hunt these bugs," he declared with unwavering resolve.
…
Meanwhile, at the gate, the air was heavy with tension as Butler Mendez, Captain of the guard Dylan, and the group of guards found themselves in a state of panic. Time seemed to slip away from them like tiny grains of sand as they desperately looked for the missing young Baron.
"Quickly!" Butler Mendez's voice trembled with fear and desperation, his eyes darting around. "We need to find the young Baron, sir! His life might be in great danger!"
Captain Dylan, his face filled with worry lines, nodded in agreement. "But where could he have gone?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with frustration and helplessness. "He turned invisible earlier, remember? Even if we search for him, it's like trying to find a ghost. The odds are against us, and our chances are slim, to say the least."
As they frantically scanned the area, their hearts pounding in their chests, a sudden voice cut through the chaos. "What's the matter?" it asked, breaking the tension like a sharp blade.
All the men turned their heads simultaneously, their eyes widening with a mix of relief and surprise. Before them stood a figure, wrapped in shadows, concealing her or his features. It was an unexpected encounter at such a crucial moment.
Butler Mendez's voice trembled as he replied, "We're searching for the young Baron. He vanished into thin air, and we're worried about his safety. Please, if you have any information, we beg you to share it."
The mysterious figure remained silent for a moment, their eyes shining with an inscrutable emotion. Finally, they spoke, their voice low and mysterious. "I might be able to assist you," they said, their words carrying a sense of fascination. "But first, you must promise me something in return..."
Butler Mendez inquired, "What is it?"
The girl responded, "Five neutral magic crystals!"