Attack (Part 1)

A rainforest-like forest.

No one came here year-round, save for the occasional adventurer.

Fortunately, it was already late autumn, and there were far fewer mosquitoes and insects. Otherwise, that alone would have been a major problem.

But at this moment, the group had already reached the end of the road.

"Potter, run!" A voice came from behind him. Almost at the same instant came a pfft, followed by Captain Ouka's muffled groan of pain.

Potter spun around sharply and saw only Ouka lunging forward violently. An arrow had pierced his leather armor, and blood splattered out.

Potter roared and charged straight ahead.

He had only run a short distance when a familiar scream rang out. "Ah!"

Potter clenched his teeth hard and ran for his life, gasping heavily. His lungs seemed to be on fire, and his limbs were so exhausted they had gone numb. He had thrown away every weapon on him except that bag of coins.

His eyes stung from sweat. Pain consumed every thought in his mind. At last, beside a river, he stumbled violently and rolled down the riverbank.

The drizzle had stopped. Sunlight slowly struggled free from the dark clouds, revealing a corner of crimson, a bright scarlet that seemed as though it had been stained during slaughter.

Though it had just rained, the air was thick with a fishy stench. The ground was wet, yet that dampness carried a bone-chilling cold.

Potter slowly crawled to his feet. His hands and feet felt stiff and numb, but his mind gradually cleared. Whether it was the fishy stench in the air or the wet, slippery feeling beneath his feet, both made him want to vomit.

Suddenly, tears stung his eyes. He got up and paced two circles nearby. Only after touching the money pouch in his