The next morning, as the fog gradually cleared, Borne immediately sprang into action.
He climbed up a sturdy tree, reaching the top of the canopy to scan the surroundings.
Squinting, he carefully searched for any signal flags from his comrades.
Before long, Borne spotted a familiar figure on a distant hill raising two flags in the air.
It was a communication signal from his teammate, waiting for his response.
Without hesitation, Borne raised his own flags, signaling back that he had received the message.
His teammate waved their flags once more to confirm that Borne understood, and Borne responded accordingly, indicating that he was ready to receive further information.
Next, his teammate began a series of complex flag movements, their motions smooth and precise, delivering important intelligence.
Borne closely observed and quickly decoded the message: Lucius had discovered several magic beasts' nesting grounds.
After deciphering the information, Borne immediately relayed the situation from his side, informing his teammate of the water source he had found and warning them of areas with frequent magic beast activity that should be avoided.
Once both sides had exchanged all necessary information, they waved their flags again, confirming the successful communication.
Borne remained in the treetops for a while longer, keeping a watchful eye on the distant forest. Soon, he noticed Harley's flag emerging from the canopy.
Squinting, Borne carefully confirmed Harley's flag signals to ensure there were no mistakes. He then raised his own flags, waiting for Harley's reply.
As Harley waved back, the two began another exchange of intelligence.
Harley reported that his reconnaissance area showed signs of magic beast activity but, fortunately, no immediate danger.
Borne briefly relayed his findings of the water sources and beast habitats, confirming the absence of large-scale magic beast attacks.
With their daily exchange complete, Borne swiftly descended from the tree, landing with a steady thud before adjusting his gear and continuing deeper into the Celestoria Mountain Range.
The air grew colder, and the trees thickened, creating a canopy so dense that sunlight barely pierced through.
Borne walked carefully on the damp soil, stepping lightly, with only the faint sound of wind and the occasional bird call breaking the silence.
Every step was calculated, as the deeper reaches of the mountain range were rife with magic beast activity, keeping Borne's nerves on edge.
Borne, Lucius, and Harley maintained a steady pace, always cautious.
They neither rushed nor delayed too much, aware that the treacherous terrain and lurking dangers demanded constant vigilance.
Every morning, the three of them confirmed each other's status through flag signals, a crucial method for survival in such hostile territory.
The flags weren't just for sharing intelligence—they also served as life signs.
If anyone missed the scheduled signal or failed to respond, the other two would have to assume the worst and immediately devise a retreat strategy.
Borne found a relatively safe spot, sat down, and carefully unfolded his map.
With focus, he began marking the terrain of the Celestoria Mountain Range.
He noted the rise and fall of the land, the cliffs, and various landmarks, using his reconnaissance experience to identify safer routes for future troop movements.
As he meticulously documented the changing vegetation—dense at lower altitudes and thinning out higher up—a sharp, pungent smell hit his nose, making him freeze.
The overwhelming scent of urine flooded his senses, a sign that a magic beast was nearby.
Borne immediately lowered his map and held his breath, silently packing away his tools.
He pressed his body against the ground, ears alert for any movement while his eyes scanned the surroundings.
The strong smell indicated the beast was close.
Moving with caution, he began to search for a hiding spot.
While the terrain offered limited cover, a dense thicket lay not far ahead.
With deliberate care, Borne crept toward the bushes, keeping his movements so quiet that not even the leaves rustled.
Once within the cover of the thicket, he cautiously reached for his dagger, preparing for any sudden threat.
Peeking through the foliage, Borne saw a large brown bear.
It was a medium to large-sized carnivorous magic beast, and the powerful stench came from it.
The bear stood in a shallow stream, using its massive paws to fish with surprising skill.
Borne held his breath, watching as the bear employed a form of thunder magic to stun the fish in the water, causing them to leap into the air.
With precise timing, the bear opened its jaws and caught one mid-air.
Realizing the danger, Borne knew he couldn't stay.
He needed to retreat before the bear noticed him.
With painstaking caution, Borne began to slowly back away, his gaze never leaving the bear.
Every movement was calculated to avoid stepping on twigs or leaves that could alert the creature.
His body remained low to the ground as he crawled backward, inch by inch.
The cold air helped mask his scent, and after what felt like an eternity, Borne finally felt he was far enough to be safe.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, he silently thanked his luck for avoiding a confrontation.
Just as he thought he was in the clear, a chill ran down his spine.
It was a primal instinct, a sudden sense of dread.
He turned his head.
Standing by the bushes was a cub, watching him with round, curious eyes.
The little bear seemed innocent, yet Borne knew the danger it posed.
His heart raced, adrenaline surging through his veins.