Seed of Titan-Chapter 140: Misty Forest

Moments later, a cloud of angry buzzing insects appeared in the distance, swarming toward them.

Drai didn’t know how the Swarm King’s minions were able to track them this far, and he figured such an ability would be useful for him, so he thought of gathering their essence in the future, hoping to acquire a related skill.

Drai glanced at Max, wondering why they were just standing there instead of fleeing deeper into the woods. But still, Drai didn’t question him—Max was a pro, and he was just a newbie.

Just as the swarm entered the forest, to Drai’s surprise, they suddenly stopped. The group hovered around the edge of the fog for a few moments before leaving.

The loud buzzing faded, leaving only silence. Both men immediately collapsed onto the grass, looking exhausted.

After his breathing had steadied, Drai said, "Sorry for causing this, Max."

Max waved his hand dismissively. "Bah. It’s not your fault the Swarm King’s a petty asshole—sooner or later we’d provoke his ire. At least we weren’t caught off-guard and managed to escape safely."

Drai nodded. He didn’t expect the Swarm King to be so vengeful that his minions would chase them this far outside the valley. He did kill perhaps more than a hundred of them before he escaped the gorge, but Drai felt it was quite an insignificant amount compared to the number of insects he could probably amass. Even the previous swarm seemed to consist of more than a thousand insects.

"About the green moon," Max began explaining, "it sometimes appear during a full moon. During this time, in Funky Valley, the creatures gather at the gorge, apparently to feed the Swarm King, if what you said is true. And in Bigass Jungle, the apes converge on a particular hill, roaring and unleashing lightning until the moon reverts—it’s quite a sight. Other locations have their own peculiarities too when the green moon occurs. It’s really a mysterious phenomenon."

"I think the green moonlight has something to do with these strange events," Drai guessed. "During my investigation earlier, I saw a pillar of green light shine onto the Swarm King, and his whole body was glowing, as if he was absorbing the light or resonating with it."

Max rubbed his chin, contemplating Drai’s words.

"By the way, why did the swarm leave?" Drai asked.

Max shook his head. "I’m not sure."

"But based on your actions, I’m certain you knew that would happen," Drai pressed.

"You’re not wrong," Max replied. "I knew this place would probably save us because it once saved me too in the past. The same thing happened back then—the beasts that were chasing me suddenly became confused and left right after."

Drai looked at his surroundings, but he only saw normal-looking trees and a faint fog.

"Is it because of this fog?" he guessed, twirling the faint white air with his fingers.

"Maybe," Max replied, looking uncertain. "Though that’s the reason I named this place Misty Forest. But I don’t think we can actually live here, though."

Drai’s brows furrowed. "Why is that?"

"Just listen."

Drai immediately shut his mouth and perked up his ears. A moment later, he finally said, "Is there supposed to be something? I don’t hear anything."

"Exactly," Max replied cryptically.

Somehow, Drai understood what Max meant. He listened closely once more.

"...It’s too quiet," he eventually remarked.

Max nodded. "It’s not just too quiet—every time I’ve visited this place, there’s been nothing but dead silence."

Drai suddenly banged his fist on the tree beside him, shaking it. He observed his surroundings, but aside from the sound of rustling leaves and creaking trunk, nothing happened.

"Is this forest dead?" he asked.

"Aside from the trees and grass, I think so," Max replied. "I’ve never seen any animals here—not even a single insect."

Hearing the word "insect", Drai suddenly recalled one of his skills. He immediately froze and slowed his breathing.

A few seconds later, his eyes widened. "There are movements!"

"Where?!" Max asked, looking around cautiously.

Drai shook his head. "Not here, but deep inside the forest. Wanna check it out?"

Max thought about it briefly before shrugging. "Sure, why not? I can’t sense anything, though, so you should lead the way."

The two stood up and began walking toward the inner part of the forest.

Not long after, Max said, "Is it just me, or is the fog getting thicker?"

"I think so too. It’s getting a bit harder to see ahead," Drai replied.

"Strange... It wasn’t like this when I explored this forest before. I wonder if it’s because of the green moon... Anyway, let’s keep going."

Drai nodded and continued walking forward. Along their way, he had to stop several times to check for the vibrations and adjust their direction accordingly.

Minutes later, Drai stopped once again, activating Arachno Sense.

"We’re close! It’s just ahead of us!" he blurted, looking rather excited. He turned around to look at Max, but his excitement instantly vanished.

Max was gone.

Drai looked around, but aside from the white fog and tree shadows, he couldn’t see anything.

"Max! Where are you?!" he shouted.

Seconds passed, but there was no reaction.

"Max! I’m over here!" he yelled again. But still, Max could neither be seen nor heard.

Drai wasn’t afraid of ghosts, but the eerie forest and Max’s sudden disappearance sent a cold shiver down his spine.

He could still sense movements from ahead, but now he was unsure if he should proceed.

"...I think I’ll head back," Drai eventually said after making up his mind.

But as he was about to turn around, his entire body suddenly stiffened, because at this moment, a female voice was whispering gently.

Come here, child.

Drai’s face turned pale, and cold sweat trickled down his back. Countless scenarios flashed in his mind, but none could clearly explain this bizarre occurrence.

A few possible figures appeared in Drai’s head: a stranded woman, a female ghost, and a parrot that could somehow mimic a female.

Just then, the voice whispered again.

Fear not, child. I just want to talk.

Drai didn’t trust the voice. "Sorry, but my parents told me not to talk to strangers," he replied.

The voice let out a light chuckle before whispering once more.

Don’t you want to reunite with your companion?

Hearing this, Drai’s expression turned solemn.

"What did you do to Max?"

Come, and I will gladly tell you.

Drai didn’t have a choice. He felt indebted to Max, so he didn’t want any danger to befall him.

"Fine. Let’s talk," he said, stepping deeper into the forest as he followed the source of vibrations.

Moments later, Drai halted his steps.

"Why is this thing here?!" he exclaimed, utterly shocked.