The forest was no longer as quiet as before.
After the battle, something had changed. The air itself felt heavier, thicker—almost as if the forest was… watching.
Nolan moved slowly, each step deliberate, calculated.
"…There's something here."
He spoke softly—not a vague instinct, but a clear certainty.
"Echo Sense."
The world subtly warped.
The pulse of space.
The flow of mana in the air.
Even the smallest movements—
All revealed themselves.
"…There are traces."
He crouched down, placing a hand against the ground.
A shallow depression came into view.
"…Not a monster."
A footprint.
Clean.
Measured.
Rhythmic.
"…Human?"
Nolan straightened.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Or something close to human."
He continued forward, following the trail.
The forest gradually changed.
Trees grew sparser.
Light filtered down more freely.
And then—
A faint scent.
Soft.
Yet unmistakably clear.
"…That again."
Not blood.
Not beast.
But something…
Familiar.
Almost pleasant.
"…Dangerous."
Nolan let out a quiet chuckle.
"…and interesting."
Suddenly—
WHOOSH!!!
An arrow shot toward him.
Nolan tilted his head.
The arrow grazed past his cheek.
"…Oh."
He turned.
On a tree branch—
A figure.
Fast.
Clean.
And—
Perfectly concealed.
"…So we finally meet."
Nolan exhaled.
The figure didn't respond.
Only raised their bow again.
"…Wait."
The second arrow—
Was already flying.
Nolan stepped slightly to the side.
"…A bit slower than a spider."
A faint smile appeared.
"…But more precise."
The figure paused.
One second.
Enough for Nolan to confirm—
"…It has intelligence."
He raised a hand.
"I have no intention of fighting."
Silence.
The wind passed through.
Then—
The figure vanished.
"…Fast."
Nolan didn't give chase.
"…No need."
He looked down.
A piece of fabric.
Left behind.
"…A clue."
He picked it up.
The scent—
Stronger now.
"…So it's real."
Nolan smiled.
"…I'm not alone anymore."
In the distance—
A pair of eyes watched him.
"…He's noticed."
A voice, barely a whisper.
"…Interesting."