Three-Pronged Advance

Dawn had yet to fully drive away the night, but the camp was already bustling in grim silence. The Hunters checked their equipment, tightened their bandages, and readied their weapons. Firelight cast every face pale and tense, while the air carried the mingled scent of medicinal herbs and rust. Days of continuous strain had made everyone understand that their enemies were not ordinary beasts, but a group capable of rapidly imitating human combat methods.

Morel stood in the center of the camp, his cloak stirring lightly in the wind and a pipe clenched between his lips. He exhaled a cloud of white smoke and said in a low voice, "Time's up. All three groups move out at once. I'll lead the first group. Knov, Ryan, Palm, and Icarus will accompany me. Our target is the depths of Stone Basin. Bring back intelligence. Knuckle, Shoot, and Linas will handle the perimeter. You must withstand the frontal pressure. Palm, make sure your records are complete."

Everyone nodded in unison, without wasting a single word.

The first group set out first. In the mist-filled forest, their footsteps sounded dull against the damp earth. Palm followed closely behind Ryan, clutching her notebook with both hands, her knuckles white. Ryan had his twin blades secured at his sides, his gait steady as his calm eyes swept the surroundings. Knov's expression was as cold as ever, his fingers occasionally tracing gestures through the air, ready to open a door at any moment. Icarus observed the tree trunks and rock walls along the way, his steps firm. Morel walked at the front, his smoke drifting faintly around him like a curtain spread in advance.

The first symbol appeared soon enough. The blade marks on the tree trunk were clear, slanted lines crossing one another, still fresh. Palm