The forgotten child

Hugh tried hard to recall the scene at the buffet Restaurant:

The family sat in a four-seater Sofa booth behind themselves and Fors. There were four members: the father, the mother, and their two adorable children.

When the father mentioned going to Talin Island to pray for blessings, it was the little boy in the family of four who asked in a kind tone why.

I happened to turn around and steal a glance at him then, and I recognized his face.

His skin was the fair complexion typical of a child, with deep-set features, blond hair, and blue eyes. He wore a children's tailcoat with a red bow tie.

But now he's disappeared!

Including the Tour Guide, only four people came out!

But that's not all the strange things are about.

If they rush out of the Woods in a panic, the mother frantically asks everyone she meets, "Have you seen your son?" The father and the Tour Guide force themselves to calm down and try to get help from the villagers or seek assistance from the Police and church. The little girl cries and begs to find her brother or sister, and the father feels he can accept this.

As a Bounty Hunter who frequently deals with Criminal and Gang members, she was already used to such things.

They are even willing to lend a hand if their companions do not object.

The problem is:

The four of them were chatting and laughing!

It seemed that the little boy she had seen and the kind voice she had heard were all illusions and delusions; he had never existed at all!

The thought flashed through his mind, and even though it was dusk and the sun had not yet disappeared, in the warmest part of the continent, Hugh was still drenched in a cold sweat.

A chill ran down her spine, and her teeth chattered slightly.

"Hugh, what's wrong?" Fors noticed her friend's unusual behavior and quickly leaned closer, taking her hand and asking softly.

At that moment, the family and their hired Tour Guide approached them. Hugh, trying to suppress his trembling, managed to keep his voice calm. "No, it's nothing."

She sensed something was off about the group and worried about getting herself into trouble.

"Really?" Fors was skeptical, glancing at Lorry before saying, "If you're not feeling well, don't push yourself. We can go back tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Xiu couldn't help but shudder, and said resolutely:

"No, I'm fine, we'll go back today!"

A family of three and their Tour Guide passed by them, still chatting.

A woman in her thirties, dressed in expensive clothes and Jewelry, and looking only twenty-six or twenty-seven, spoke with a wistful tone:

"I really hope our wish comes true soon."

A man dressed in a black suit and a top silk hat, exuding a shrewd and capable air, sighed, "Yes, I also want to have another child."

He looked at his daughter, whom he was holding, with a smile:

"My little princess, would you like another brother or sister?"

"Little brother!" The little girl, who looked just like her mother, with the same dreamy blonde hair and wearing a white princess dress, answered without hesitation.

After saying that, she added crisply:

"But if you have a little sister, I'll like her just as much."

"Anyway, I don't want to be alone at home all day, with no one to talk to. You and Mom are too busy; you simply don't have time for me."

The honest-looking Tour Guide interjected occasionally:

"Rest assured, all three of you. The blessings offered on Talin Island are the most effective locally. I believe your wishes will soon be fulfilled."

"I hope so..." the father of the family of three replied with a smile.

They walked and talked, going further and further away.

Call!

Hugh let out a heavy sigh and looked up at Lorry:

They were sitting right across from you at the Restaurant.

"Also, we saw their family before we entered the forest. Did you notice how many people were in them?"

Lorry glanced at Fors, then looked down at Hugh and chuckled softly:

Why are you asking this?

"I didn't notice, I think there were three?"

Three? Xiu was taken aback upon hearing this and suddenly looked at his friend.

"I remember there were three too." Fors looked thoughtful, then asked with concern, "Are you hallucinating because you're too tired from the boat trip?"

After speaking, she looked at Lorry:

"Let's hurry to the pier and take a boat back to Desi Bay!"

"Okay." Lorry nodded slightly.

The three of them immediately headed in a direction slightly northeast of due north—this was where the dock was located, quite different from the direction the family of three had left in.

According to the Tour Guide, that road leads to the only hotel in Talin Village.

About ten minutes later, Lorry looked back and, making sure the Woods was no longer in sight, suddenly stopped.

With no one around, he looked at the two women and asked in a deep voice:

"That Woods has significant problems."

What are your plans?

"This is a big problem? This is a big problem!" Hugh paused for a moment, then abruptly raised his gaze, glanced at Lorry, and then looked at Fors with an annoyed expression:

"Were you two acting just now?"

Fors was also taken aback. "Uh, aren't you?"

"..." Xiu pursed his lips, his mouth twitched slightly, and he didn't speak.

Fors then realized what was happening and chuckled as he explained:

"It's too dangerous to discuss this in the same place. If we were overheard, it might cause some negative consequences."

"So let's mislead 'them' a little first, in case anyone's eavesdropping."

"You guys..." Xiu really wanted to ask when you two became so in sync, but the words caught in her throat and she felt too embarrassed to say them.

Asking that question makes it seem like you're incredibly stupid.

She coughed and changed her question, "What do you plan to do?"

Seeing the question thrown back at him again, Lorry smiled nonchalantly:

"My Sequence 7 Potion is called ' Mystery Pryer,' and I certainly won't let go of any opportunity to digest Potion."

"However, we are currently unclear about the cause of the anomaly, and there may be significant risks ahead. We advise you not to get involved in this mess."

Upon hearing this, Fors hesitated.

On the one hand, she wanted to stay and help; on the other hand, she felt that Lorry's words made sense and worried that staying would only be a burden to him.

After hesitating for a moment and still unable to make up her mind, she decided to listen to Hugh's opinion first.

After a moment's thought, Xiu said in a deep voice:

I want to stay and investigate.

"In a sense, this falls under the category of maintaining public order."

"Then I'll stay too." Fors breathed a sigh of relief, secretly pleased. Now he didn't have to worry about it anymore; he wouldn't let himself go back alone.

Lorry was silent for a few seconds, then said in a serious tone:

"We agreed in advance that you would only be responsible for the outer perimeter investigation, and you are not allowed to approach that Woods without my permission."

"This is for your safety."

Fors nodded without hesitation and gladly accepted the arrangement.

She is self-aware and not particularly interested in "solving problems" themselves, so she naturally won't overreach herself or do things beyond her capabilities.

"Guan Zhenkuan..." Xiu secretly grimaced, then readily agreed.