Through the Dense Forest: A Leech Crisis

Early the next morning, the six of them set out.

Saitama walked at the front, taking long strides. He seemed to be in a good mood.

Gon and Killua followed behind him, looking around curiously at everything.

Kurapika walked in the middle, occasionally examining the plants and rocks beside the path and comparing them with the ancient scroll's descriptions.

Leorio carried the Medical Kit and was a little short of breath.

He still hadn't adjusted to the gravity. With a large pack of medicinal herbs on his back, he was exhausted.

Genos brought up the rear, his eyes glowing blue as he scanned their surroundings the entire way.

The six headed west toward Giant Crocodile Lake.

The farther west they went, the denser the vegetation grew.

Towering trees blocked out the sky, letting little sunlight through.

The air grew damper and more stiflingly hot.

Before long, everyone was drenched in sweat.

"What kind of place is this?" Leorio wiped his brow. "It's hot and muggy as a steamer."

"A mangrove swamp," Kurapika said. "We're close to the lake. High humidity is normal."

Killua moved ahead to scout, his footsteps so light they made almost no sound.

His nose twitched.

"Something smells strange," he said. "Sweet and bloody."

Gon sniffed the air too.

"I think I smell it."

The silence around them was eerie.

No insects chirped, no birds called, and not even the wind stirred the leaves.

It was unnervingly quiet.

Saitama didn't seem bothered. He picked a fruit from beside the path, wiped it, and took a bite.

"Pretty sweet," he said.

Everyone: "..."

Nothing seemed to faze him.

They walked for another ten minutes or so.

Killua suddenly stopped.

Frowning, he raised an arm and pulled back his sleeve.

Several plump black leeches clung to his wrist.

Each