The world outside the carriage had turned dark quickly. As the carriage moved through the mountains, I could not help but feel an uneasiness in my heart.

I could tell that the others looked uncomfortable as well, but the old driver kept driving our cart.

"Hey, isn't this the south side of the groove entrance? We specifically told you that we did not want to enter the groove from here, right? Do you not recall what we said?"

Leo asked as he looked around and recognized our environment. I had no idea how he did that, and I felt that it would be better not to know either.

"Don't worry. I don't know what you are so scared of, but I have been born and raised in this forest. I know it like the back of my hand, so I will get you to safety on the other side in no time."

The old man looked certain of his words as he picked up the pace.

It caused the carriage to shake, and I almost broke my head due to the sudden motion. But the carriage driver continued forward without as much as a word. And the second time this happened, the driver laughed it off.

"Silly horse. Why are you heading toward the boulders like this? You will make our customers uncomfortable. I am sorry, dear guests. I will try to be more careful next time."

The man told us… seconds before he hit another curve in the road and we went flying. It caused everyone in the cart to get shoved forward.

I was used to the sudden jerks of public transport, so I was able to catch myself in time. But everyone else did not have as much practice as me and got shoved everywhere.

They clutched their seats to steady themselves, but they looked disoriented.

"Maybe we should have paid more or something. This trip might kill us before we reach the groove."

Luna whispered, and I had a feeling that she had not meant to complain. These words had slipped out of her mouth without her knowing.

The driver kept going until he entered the forest. After some time in the forest, the carriage stopped. It gave me a weird feeling, and the outside was starting to get dark as well.

'I should buy a light source. A torch should be ideal.'

I opened the system store to check what was available, and the lighting section had something called the Source of 'Holy Light.'

It seemed like a ball of light but was advertised to have the brightest of lights. That's what I ended up ordering.

[You have purchased a Source of Holy Light for 100 coins. Remaining Balance: 550 Coins.]

The small ball ended up in my hand as I watched my account bleed. To not feel the ache of my emptying account, I turned the light on the orb.

It was sharp enough to illuminate not only the carriage but the outside as well. The light almost made it seem like it was daytime outside.

"W–What happened? Why is there suddenly light all around us? It feels so bright."

Leo whispered as he looked around. His expression also looked comfortable.

I held the light near me and opened the door.

"Let me go and check where the driver is. If I cannot find him anywhere, then we might need to walk from here. But I am sure we will be just fine."

I told the others, mainly because that was how I felt. As soon as the light was bought and placed in my hands, the forest suddenly felt safer.

Leo stood up after me to head out as well, but I stopped him.

"Don't come out with me. Stay with the kids for now and protect them. I'll quickly take a look and come back."

I told Leo and he sat back down. His eyes still looked a little doubtful, but he did not stop me either.

I made sure I was always basking in the light of the holy source. It allowed me to walk out with more confidence and to check up on the situation.

The old man who was driving the carriage was nowhere to be found, and neither was the horse. It would be better for us to start walking.

'Let's see. Can I get a map of this forest?'

I took out my phone and looked for that feature. But there was none.

Thankfully, a map was only 1 coin, so I purchased one, and 1 more I paid for a digital version. The digital version showed my current location and that of the groove as well. It was some distance away, but not far enough that we wouldn't be able to make it.

Once I checked on this, I came back to the carriage and watched as eager eyes turned toward me.

"Shopkeeper, what's going on? I'm getting scared now."

Nyx told me as she clutched her twin's hand. Erebus looked nervous as well, and his eyes kept looking outside at the dark.

I felt sorry for the kids, and I sighed as I helped them out of the carriage.

"Both our driver and our horse have disappeared. It would be better if we head out on foot from here. That would be less tedious for us at this point."

I told the others, and they nodded before they got out one after another.

Cawwww

There were some loud noises in the background, but we did our best to ignore them and keep moving forward.

The sharp light source illuminated our surroundings, causing the darkness to be dispelled. It made it much easier for everyone to walk around.

"Wow–! It's so bright out here."

Nyx whispered as she started to walk faster. I had to grab her arm to stop her from walking ahead and out of the light source.

"Nyx, Erebus, stay close to me. The forest might be dangerous on our own. Grab your luggage and give it to me. I will store it for us all."

My inventory had no limit… or at least, I had not found one yet. And even now, it swallowed everything without much trouble.

Once that was done, we all started to walk.

________

The old man stopped the carriage before he opened the horse's muzzle and helped the horse get away.

He looked at the carriage he had brought to the forest before he melted into the shadows. His human skin was peeled away, and all that was left behind was a monster.

The main reason he had brought these people here was as food. And now, he just needed these people to step out before they all had a feast.

But as soon as the carriage door opened, a bright light pushed him and the others of his kind back. They were not able to get close to the carriage.

The monsters hiding between the trees hissed and shrank back, their bodies curling away from the harsh glow that poured out of the orb. Their skin sizzled wherever the light brushed them, and a low rumble of frustration echoed through the forest.

They had expected an easy hunt.

Instead, they were burning.

The old man let out a guttural growl as he pressed himself deeper into the shadows. His twisted form twitched in irritation, claws scraping against the bark beneath him.

This was not part of the plan.

They were supposed to scatter like frightened animals. They were supposed to panic the moment they realized they were stranded in the forest with no escort. They were supposed to flee blindly into the arms of the monsters waiting for them.

But none of that was happening.

Instead, that light—that cursed light—kept them firmly out of reach.

He peered through the branches, watching the humans gather themselves, the bright sphere resting in the shopkeeper's hand like a miniature sun. Every inch the glow touched became forbidden territory.

The other monsters shifted impatiently, restless and hungry. A few tried to dart in from the edges, but the light seared their limbs instantly, forcing them to retreat with shrill, animalistic shrieks.

The old man clenched his jaw. They couldn't attack like this. Not unless the light dimmed or the orb slipped from the human's grip.

He stared hard at the shopkeeper.

'Darn it. I am so close to having a proper meal. I should have eaten them by now. Why did i decide to bring them here? Was that a mistake…?'

The driver questioned. He had more than enough rationality to do that at least.

But the others were different. They were hungry and they wanted to hunt.

If they wanted their meal, they needed to wait. The light wouldn't last forever. Even enchanted objects flickered eventually. And humans always made mistakes—especially in fear.

He backed further into the trees, signaling the others to stay hidden.

The feast would simply be delayed.

For now.

But they would get what they wanted soon enough.

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