Surrounded by an endless sea of trees, Finn trudged onward, each step echoing the relentless march of time lost in this vast expanse of green. The towering trees loomed overhead, their thick canopies weaving a tapestry of shadows that danced across the forest floor. As fatigue gradually seeped into his bones, Finn's strides grew heavier, each movement a battle against the weight of exhaustion. Finally, unable to continue, he sought refuge beneath the sprawling branches of an ancient tree, its gnarled roots a perfect cradle for his weary body. He closed his eyes, hoping to escape the world around him, allowing the gentle breeze to brush against his face. It carried with it a hint of coolness and tranquility, a fleeting moment of peace designed to dispel the chaos and confusion swirling within his mind.
However, this brief tranquility was short-lived. A faint and rapid rustling sound suddenly emerged from the depths of the forest, like a lurking threat stalking the night wind. It shattered the serene atmosphere, sending a jolt of alertness coursing through Finn. His eyes flew open, dark and intense, flickering with an instinctual wariness akin to that of a wild animal. In that moment, he became acutely aware of the hidden dangers lurking just out of sight.
As the sound drew closer, Finn's body seemed to be propelled by an unseen force. He burst forth with astonishing speed, each movement fluid and instinctual. He deftly maneuvered through the tree branches, leaping up with grace, resembling a swallow in flight. He quickly vanished into the dense treetops, leaving behind only a series of blurred shadows, fleeting glimpses of his presence that were difficult to grasp.
"Leader, it seems there's movement over there," a low voice called from the nearby thicket, tinged with a cautious edge.
"Hmph, it's indeed not simple. Quick reaction and high alertness. But from the sound, it should be a small beast, nothing to worry about." the leader replied, his tone carrying a hint of disdain. Yet, a flicker of interest ignited in his eyes as he continued, "However, since we've encountered it, let's add some fun to today's hunt. Brothers, what do we still need for our order?"
"Two large combat beasts," a voice chimed in, eager for the thrill of the chase.
"Oh? Good, Oh? Good, catch that little fellow for me too," the leader responded, his excitement palpable.
With a signal, a group of rugged men sprang into action, moving like a pack of wolves on the hunt, their presence a silent wave of menace as they closed in on Finn's hiding place.
Not far away, on the winding mountain road, a luxurious carriage drawn by eight magnificent horses stood quietly. Inside, a long hand elegantly flicked the ash from a cigar, a cloud of smoke curling in the air. "Joseph, it seems there's some excitement over there; we might as well join in," came a low, magnetic voice from within.
"Yes, boss." In front of the carriage, a burly man with bulging muscles replied softly, his mere presence instilling fear. With a gentle tug of the reins, the carriage surged forward like a runaway horse, racing along the winding mountain path.
"Don't let it get away! Damn it, I can't figure out what that thing is; it runs so fast in the woods, almost as quick as a tree spirit!" exclaimed a sturdy man wielding a giant axe, panting as he struggled to keep pace, frustration evident in his voice.
"Heh, now that's a challenge," a lean man beside him, gripping a dagger, smirked, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"You're obviously having an easy time, skinny as a stick and carrying less weight. Try running with my axe; let's see if you can keep up!" the burly man retorted.
"Who cares about your complaints? I didn't pick your weapon for you." The lean man scoffed, their bickering adding a hint of levity to the pursuit.
"Enough, both of you! We must catch that guy today!" The leader's voice rang out, authoritative and undeniable, cutting through their jesting.
"Yes, leader!" they replied in unison, quickly refocusing their attention on the faint shadow that flitted ahead.
As they chased, over fifty hunters behind them silently adjusted their formation, creating a semicircular encirclement, steadily advancing like a tightening noose.
"Hmph, do you think you can escape?" The leader's eyes narrowed, revealing a cunning glint that hinted at his determination. "I know you're not an ordinary beast; you must be human. Moving so swiftly through the forest is indeed impressive. But don't waste your energy; hehehe, I will catch you myself."
Meanwhile, deep within the thicket, Finn felt pressure closing in from all directions. The air thickened, heavy with impending danger. He sensed the change, the tightening atmosphere warning him to be cautious. Yet, he maintained his astonishing speed and agility, darting through the underbrush and around towering tree trunks, as if navigating a complex maze crafted by nature itself.
"The surroundings are tightening, the sense of danger is intensifying, and there's a strong killing intent," Finn warned himself internally, his instincts screaming for him to be wary. Also , an unusual sound caught his attention—the distant echo of carriage wheels, jarring and out of place amidst the quietude of the mountain road.
"Hmm? That sound… a carriage, and quite a luxurious one at that. Traveling on this mountain road, its owner must be extraordinary." he leader mused, frowning slightly as he processed this new development. "I can't let anyone else ruin my fun." He quickly conveyed a few discreet gestures to the men behind him, urging them to quicken their pace, fixated on the approaching rustling sound, determined to capture his prey before anything could change.
"Boss," Joseph's voice cut through the tension, low and mechanical, conveying an undeniable respect and obedience, as if he were a finely tuned machine.
"What's up?" Elmo, inside the carriage, emerged through the half-open curtains, a cigar delicately held in his mouth. His square face was marked by the resolute traces of time. His neatly trimmed mustache cleverly concealed a faint scar at the corner of his mouth, while his narrow eyes were half-open, seemingly savoring the moment's tranquility, though his mind churned with unspoken secrets.
"There's an obstacle ahead; we need to make a choice," Joseph reported succinctly, his tone devoid of emotional fluctuation.
"Hmph, I've never liked trouble." Elmo frowned slightly, exhaling a puff of smoke. He casually instructed, "Can we go around?"
"If the boss still wants to see the excitement, we can't go around," Joseph's voice remained calm but hinted at subtle insistence.
"Oh?" Elmo's lips curled into a playful smile. "My intuition tells me the excitement ahead is quite interesting; let's do as you say and clear the obstacles. I, Elmo, won't miss any performance worth watching."
With Elmo's command issued, the carriage slowly set off, continuing toward the unknown commotion, each wheel turning with purpose and intention.
"Leader, the prey seems to have stopped and is waiting for our arrival," a man with a sharp blade whispered.
"Hmph, he's indeed an interesting one," the leader sneered, the corners of his mouth curling into a cold smile. He gave a command, "Keep the formation. I'll go meet him personally. Keon, take the team and check the rear. The carriage is getting closer."
"Don't worry, leader. We have more than thirty brothers covering the rear. It's just a single carriage. Is it really that serious?" Keon mumbled, gripping his massive axe.
"Perhaps there's a powerful guard for the carriage. After all, they could be rich people..." The leader murmured, a hint of caution flashing in his eyes.
"Who can hide from the leader's ears?" Keon said nonchalantly, not seeming to take it seriously.
"Better to check, no harm in being cautious," the slender man who had been arguing with Keon shrugged, drawing his knife.
"Why aren't you going?" Keon asked in irritation.
"Go when you're told, scram."The leader shot a sharp look, growling in a low voice, Keon immediately darted off.Then muttering to himself, "Damn it, that carriage gives me a bad feeling."
"Leader, the encirclement is complete, everything is ready. No matter how fast that thing is, it won't escape our grasp," Moi whispered, moving close to the leader after receiving a signal from a comrade.
"Mm, good. Be ready for any changes. I'll go alone," the leader nodded and then took a step forward.
On the other side, Finn's body trembled slightly from the tension. He could clearly feel the pressure and dangerous aura coming from all directions. Suddenly, his sharp senses detected a strange presence approaching—a weighty and imposing energy unlike anything he had ever felt before.
Meanwhile, deep in the thicket, Finn's body trembled slightly with tension, acutely aware of the pressure and danger closing in from all sides. Suddenly, he sensed an unusual presence approaching—something heavy and authoritative that sent a chill down his spine.
"Someone… no, it's a master!" Finn's heart sank as he quickly turned to look in the direction of the leader. However, he saw no figure, only heard the voice, a clear indication that the enemy's concealment techniques had reached perfection.
"Hmph, so it's just a child. Quite unexpected," the leader's voice seemed to penetrate through layers of leaves, directly reaching Finn's ears. Despite Finn's remarkable vision, it felt ineffective against the leader's unseen presence.
"Hey? Not bad, being able to perceive my presence from such a distance and move so swiftly. Especially those eyes—beautiful enough to captivate; truly a masterpiece bestowed by nature," the leader continued, his voice oozing with a mix of mockery and intrigue. As the words fell, his figure gradually emerged from among the leaves, silent as a ghost.
The pressure Finn felt intensified, a palpable force that threatened to engulf him. He tried to retreat, but it was as if his body was bound by invisible chains, rendering him immobile. The surrounding sense of oppression felt tangible, nearly suffocating him in its grip.
"Joseph, why have you stopped again? Didn't I say I'm very interested in what's happening up ahead? I don't want to waste time on trivial matters. If you don't hurry, the show will be over," Elmo's voice filtered through the air, slightly dissatisfied.
"Understood, boss. I won't delay." Joseph glanced at the grass, speaking blandly, then cracked the whip, and the carriage started moving again.