"Coo~ coo~"
Deep in the Twilight Forest, the light was dim. An owl stood on a faintly glowing branch, its little head swiveling nimbly as it relied on Dark Vision to search for possible prey below.
But before long, a dull, continuous tremor suddenly shattered the forest's silence.
In the owl's sight, the outline of a colossal creature came crashing in. It ignored sharp thorns capable of piercing leather armor and treated the densely growing tall trees as if they were nothing. Wherever it passed, thick trunks groaned under unbearable strain before collapsing with a thunderous crash.
"Coo—!"
The owl flapped its wings in panic and took flight. The very next second after it escaped, the tree it had been perched on was knocked down by the giant beast, then crunched apart and swallowed by that enormous maw that seemed capable of devouring everything.
On Pei Qi's broad back, Count Bran stood with his hands on his hips and his head held high, imagining himself as a majestic captain steering a massive ship through raging waves. No matter how violently the vessel pitched, he maintained the confidence of someone in control of all things.
"Your Majesty, it looks like the end of the forest is up ahead!" Count Bran called as he turned back.
A small slime split off from Chen Yu's main body, bounced nimbly, and leapt onto Pei Qi's back in just a few hops.
"Pei Qi, stop and rest."
"Snort~"
Pei Qi obediently let out a long nasal sound and stopped in one of the rare open clearings in the forest. Her enormous body slowly lowered itself to the ground.
The exhausted demonic beast army was finally able to rest as well. They stopped one after another, letting out low hums.
Count Bran unfolded the map that