Bonfire and Song by the River

"Reze?"

Why are there so many more people in the camp?

Linsey walked straight toward the explorer.

The other party is directing the setup of the campsite; camping completely outdoors at night is not a good option.

When Reze saw that it was the hunters returning, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief, "It's the fleet that left the city later."

"They had a hard time finding a suitable place to moor their boats. When they came down the Echo Valley River and saw our side, they wanted to set up camp with us."

"I understand," Linsey said, turning to leave.

Instead, Reze who stopped him and asked with some curiosity, "Drake, aren't you worried that they might pose a danger to us?"

"People should be more cautious at times like this, right?"

"..."

—Because I've already seen it on the map.

Linsey, of course, didn't answer that way, but instead offered a more polite explanation:

"In times like these, helping each other is more conducive to survival."

"..."

Reze's gaze was somewhat subtle.

The next moment, he made an invitation that Linsey hadn't expected. "Drake, would you be interested in joining my Exploration Team?"

"Our team is capable of surviving in the wild, but we don't have any professionals like hunters. Besides, expeditions need people like you who understand things."

Linsey shook her head and refused:

"I'm sorry, I have important matters to attend to and don't have much time."

Reze didn't force her; he shook hands with Linsey and offered his blessings.

"Well, then I can only wish you good luck."

"..."

The hunters who had ventured into the forest returned with a considerable amount of prey, and the atmosphere in the camp immediately improved.

Linsey then got to know the new crew members.

They are a team organized by businessmen.

Members would take any ship they were paid to do so, so the number of members was much larger than Reze's fleet.

Moreover, compared to Linsey and his group, the later fleets spent a full day sailing on the river.

This is a forest in the midst of riots.

They were not only attacked by Devil Beast, but one of their boats was also accidentally entangled in river plants and eventually capsized.

They experienced quite a few thrilling moments.

They have now been accepted by another team and cherish this safe environment. They are behaving very well and are putting in a lot of effort in the construction of the camp.

Linsey returned to the spot where she had left off.

Even in the wild, the identity of the awakened is respected.

He built a shelter out of wood where he left it, and the campfire was still burning. The wood next to it was piled up in a triangle, enough for about a day's use.

Weikena was nearby, helping to transport the felled timber.

When the young man saw Linsey return, he ran over with the piece of wood in his arms, his excitement undisguised. "Mr. Drake, how is the situation outside?"

Linsey shook her head:

"Neither good nor bad."

"We did not encounter any unexpected dangers, but we also see no signs of the forest anomalies subsiding."

Perhaps it's because there are more people in the camp.

Moreover, it has opened up a lot of space.

Wickna was in much better shape than when Lindsay left, and even cracked a joke, "I heard that some remote towns in the Forest Garden were built because people got lost in the forest and couldn't find their way out."

Do you think our place might end up like that too?

Linsey corrected this statement. "The people here come out for adventure, and they're unlikely to stay here."

Weikena gave an awkward smile.

He leaned closer, pulled a small paper packet from the pile of wood next to him, and pointed it at the later arrivals. "When these people came, they distributed some supplies as a gesture of goodwill."

"I also saved one for you."

Linsey opened it and found 3 gold coins.

It's normal to use money to buy people's hearts.

After Linsey examined the items and found no problems, he took two for himself and tossed one to Weikena in front of him.

Weikena's expression changed, but Linsey spoke before he could:

Don't refuse.

"I may have to go hunting again in the next few days. You stay at the camp and keep an eye out for anything that happens. Tell me about any noteworthy changes."

Upon hearing this, Weikena accepted it.

Linsey also went into the shelter to rest while also opening the map to help everyone keep watch.

That night.

A brand new camp has been basically established.

Although the surrounding trees swayed wildly, like ghostly shadows, no one was injured thanks to the presence of more than a dozen awakened individuals ensuring their safety.

Explorer Reze clearly understood the importance of mindset.

He directed his companions to light a campfire in the center of the camp and invited everyone to gather around to sing and dance. The positive atmosphere quickly dispelled much of their worries.

Linsey emerged from the shelter.

He sat beside him, quietly watching the scene unfold under the night sky.

Reze led the singing in Common Language:

"Who will you be, the explorer from a thousand years in the future?"

I cannot send you a wave from Silent Valley, nor a warm breeze from the clouds of an empty island.

Look at what's in front of you!

As we wander through unknown lands, we are like dancing in the surging waves of the ocean, where the magnificent scenery of thousands of years has never left us.

Let's embrace this thrill together! And may you enjoy this blessing from thousands of years ago on your journey...

The song's content is not complicated, and the melody is simply positive and uplifting, celebrating adventure.

But then I heard people singing along.

It has to be said that Linsey's mood improved, and she even sang along quietly in a voice that only she could hear.

A group of people singing and dancing in the face of a crisis is definitely better than huddling together and trembling.

As she sang, Linsey once again turned her gaze to the map.

"Um?"

His gaze, which had just relaxed, instantly sharpened.

He immediately stood up and shouted loudly towards Reze by the campfire:

"Reze, something is approaching from the east; there might be danger!"

Swipe—

The Awakened Ones in the camp responded almost instantly.

The dancing and singing stopped abruptly, and then the bowstring was drawn taut, and the sword was unsheathed.

People in the camp drew their weapons, and the power of the Essence spread out under the glow of the campfire.

Everyone held their breath, ready for battle.

Countless eyes are fixed on the East.

"..."

Time slips away little by little with each breath.

In times of crisis, people become more sensitive to the passage of time.

Less than two minutes later, the atmosphere in the camp became strange, and some people began to breathe heavily.

They still hadn't detected any danger approaching from the forest.

But the swaying trees, rubbing and pattering, and the noise fostered mutual suspicion and a desire to deny danger in people's hearts.

Soon, some people turned their questioning gaze toward Linsey.

His expression became a mixture of emotions.

"..."

Linsey remained silent.

He casually pulled out a dagger and handed it to Weikena beside him, remaining on high alert.

As the number of questioning glances continued to increase.

Explorer Reze's ears twitched, and his skills were activated!

Even without any sound or noise, his powerful sixth sense gave him a strange premonition of impending danger! Reze immediately roared:

"Don't let your guard down!"

"Drake's information is correct. Something is approaching from the east. Everyone, prepare for battle!"