Geralt rubbed his chin and said quietly:
"According to the map, more than one monster abducted the high school students. Once they had their captives, they scattered in different directions to throw off pursuit."
"That means the monsters might be smart, or someone might be controlling them."
"What's their motive? Is someone targeting the Gates Group? Or did the monsters just want a few high school students for a tender, warm meal?"
Judging by how methodically the monsters had acted,
Geralt leaned toward the former.
If so, Daniel was probably still alive. The others might not be so lucky.
Ten million Beli... Hmm. How about a sports car?
Geralt drew his alloy machete.
He followed one of the routes deeper into the Flying Dragon Mountains.
Exploring a jungle was difficult and dangerous. A primeval jungle was something even the best survival experts dared not underestimate.
Its dangers included venomous insects and fierce beasts, scarce food and drinking water, disease, hypothermia, mental collapse, other humans, and all manner of supernatural Weird Monsters.
Geralt had followed John and Mary all over the world since childhood. He had spent at least a quarter of that time in godforsaken deserts and remote forests.
The jungle was familiar to him. He even found it comforting, almost nostalgic.
Ever since the Forbidden Spellmark had been tattooed onto his body, ordinary diseases had ceased to trouble him. All his pain came from the physical agony and mental torment the mark inflicted.
Everything came at a price.
Venomous snakes, spiders, centipedes, mosquitoes... The jungle's common, deadly creatures all gave Geralt a wide berth, as if afraid they might poison themselves while trying to poison him.
Winchester.
Every one of them was a master of jungle survival.
"The scent's gone. Sorry, boss."
Morgan, a member of the mercenary squad,