The Mountain Shadow Emerges

Along the mountain road deep in Enjiel, the terrain began to grow more complex. Two days ago, it had still been gentle slopes and forest. From today onward, it was a rugged mountain range of cliffs and loose stones.

Ryan walked at an unhurried pace. He did not use Nen to accelerate, nor did he conceal his presence. Every step landed firmly and steadily, as if he were deliberately feeling the veins of this land.

Before entering the area, he had paused briefly at a supply station outside Luan Town, replacing his provisions and portable medical equipment. He had also replenished three spare Eye power cells and one limited-edition mid-frequency detection mine. Such mines were special equipment issued internally by the Association's tactical group and were rarely used during ordinary Hunter missions.

The air here was damp. The mountains held a great deal of standing water, rotten wood covered the ground, and traces of beasts were hard to find. According to the map, this area had originally been an uninhabited border zone of Enjiel. However, after the "Southern Sample Station Disconnection" incident, the Association had designated it a Level Two Restricted Area. In reality, though, the patrol frequency fell far short of what the word "restricted" implied.

And that was precisely the purpose of Ryan's trip.

He knew that sample station was most likely no longer under human control. Like the nest in the valley before it, if the insects were truly spreading from here, he had to find their source before their influence grew any further.

Around noon, he reached a fault on the mountainside. Just as he was about to get some water, his terminal vibrated once.

He opened it. The message was from Kazif.

[The main investigation team will send other Hunters to station themselves in Luan