Rayleigh heard the tremors coming from the center of the island. Behind his round glasses, his eyes followed the massive, shattered log as it slowly fell, while a nostalgic smile spread across his lips.
"That lunatic. After all these years, he hasn't changed. Still reckless in everything he does."
Mandel also looked toward the center of the island. Unlike Rayleigh's nostalgia, the expression on Mandel's face suggested he had little interest in seeing this former companion.
"Come on. We're already here, so we might as well see him."
Gordon frowned too, but his brow soon relaxed, and his earlier smile returned, though it wasn't particularly obvious on his plump face.
As Gordon had said, even if Mandel didn't want to see that fellow, they were already here. He could only nod and silently follow Rayleigh, who had already entered the forest.
But shortly after the three of them entered the forest, an enormous roar rang out from within-a lion's roar.
Accompanying that terrifying roar was a massive lion with a mane like steel needles bristling around his neck. His gaping maw was full of yellow fangs and reeked of blood. A hideous scar crossed one eye, while his remaining eye glared furiously at Rayleigh as he entered the forest.
At that moment, in the center of the island, an enormous tree fell with a thunderous bang...
This time, however, it failed to draw the trio's attention. Their eyes were all fixed on the lion that had suddenly appeared before them.
"This fellow really is huge."
Mandel looked at the lion roaring at him, letting the spittle spraying from his mouth with every roar splatter onto his body as he spoke in his deep, muffled voice.
His heavily callused hands involuntarily clenched into fists.
Unlike Mandel, Gordon stood beside him with