[Shaan, we’ve already walked pretty far from the others, but...] Robin Hood narrowed his eyes and scanned the surroundings. [Why can’t I see the box that officer ntioned?]
"That’s impossible. I’m sure the box must be around here sowhere." Shaan pushed aside a pile of logs next to him. "We just need to look harder—damn it. Still nothing."
[See? I have told you. We’ve searched this part of the forest and still found nothing.] Robin Hood crossed his arms, his frown deepening. [That blonde girl might be right. The officer looked suspicious. He could have given us false information to trick us. We should go back.]
"Huh?" Shaan laughed. "That sounds like a joke, Robin Hood."
[Shaan, I’m not joking.] Robin Hood turned around, his expression completely serious this ti. [We should go back. Nalira and Chelsie might be in danger and need our help.]
Shaan fell silent for a mont, then slowly let out a breath. "Alright... what you’re saying makes so sense. That officer could be—"
[Shaan, what’s wrong?] Robin snapped his fingers when he noticed Shaan’s expression suddenly stiffen. [Hey, what do you see?]
"The box. I see the box, Robin Hood." A slow smile spread across Shaan’s lips. "Looks like the officer wasn’t lying after all. He told the truth."
[H-Heh, what?] Robin Hood scratched his head. [I don’t understand what you’re talking about.]
"Just turn your head. You’ll see the box imdiately."
Robin Hood quickly looked forward. His eyes widened for a split second. His face stiffened when he saw a silver box with his own eyes, half-subrged in a pool of pitch-black water in the middle of the forest.
"I’m sure that’s the box the officer ntioned."
[Jeez... but how did it end up in that pool?] Robin Hood shook his head. [That looks really strange.]
"I think the officer might have dropped it while he tried to escape from those dark creatures chasing him."
[Yeah... that sounds reasonable.] Robin Hood nodded without hesitation. [So... what are we waiting for? Let’s step into the water and grab it.]
"Hm... I don’t think that’s a good idea." Shaan stared at the dark surface, trying to see the bottom. "I can’t see anything beneath the water. Sothing could be hiding down there, waiting to attack us the mont we step into that swamp. It slls bad and we should consider about it."
[Ha-ha, that sounds more like a joke to .] Robin Hood smirked mockingly. [Fine. Stay here. I’ll step into the pool myself and grab the silver box.]
"H-Huh?" Shaan frowned at Robin Hood’s words. "Robin Hood, are you sure?"
[Yes, of course, what should I be afraid of?] Robin Hood said confidently. [I am very sure that my strength can conquer anything under that black puddle, so it’s no problem for at all.]
’Wow... his confidence level is really high.’
With firm steps, Robin walked into the dark pool and moved forward. Step by step, he pushed through the thick water and drew closer to the silver box resting in the middle.
’Hmm... maybe I misjudged this pool.’ Shaan let out a breath as he watched Robin Hood reach the box. ’It looks safe after all.’
[Hey, I told you. There’s absolutely nothing inside-]
Suddenly, Robin Hood vanished. He disappeared so fast that Shaan didn’t even blink.
"...W-what?"Shaan rushed toward the dark pool and stared into the water. "Robin Hood! Where are you?!"
Shaan kept calling Robin Hood’s na over and over, but to no avail. Robin Hood was nowhere to be seen in the puddle.
"T-this is bad... this is really bad." Shaan’s face turned pale. "What happened to Robin Hood?"
He drew in a deep breath, his chest rising as he prepared to shout again. This ti, he felt sure Robin Hood would respond.
"Okay, now it’s ti to—"
Shaan imdiately held his breath. Without thinking, he sprinted toward the nearest tree when a strange sound rose from behind a cluster of trees nearby.
’Dark creatures... They’re here.’
His heart pounded violently. Cold sweat soaked his palms as the sound echoed again. It resembled the growl of a wild bear—but sharper, louder, and far more piercing. The shrill tone sent chills crawling up his spine.
’Calm down, Shaan. Calm down.’
Shaan held his breath until the terrifying sound gradually faded away and disappeared completely.He carefully peeked around the tree,, making sure the creatures were completely gone.
"Jeez... that was close." Shaan leaned against the trunk and released a long breath. "Now I need to find Robin Hood before it’s too late.
Shaan approached the puddle again, and this ti he saw small bubbles on the surface of the puddle.
The bubbles grew more and more nurous, then suddenly a hand burst out of the dark water. Robin Hood’s hand gripped the silver box tightly as it broke through the surface.
"Oh my God—Robin Hood, hold on!" Shaan quickly grabbed a long tree branch lying nearby. "This should be strong enough to pull you out." He rushed to the edge and extended the branch toward the pool. "Robin Hood! Grab the branch behind you—now!"
Robin Hood’s hand imdiately grabbed the tree branch tightly, holding it tightly. Shaan, realizing this, quickly pulled Robin Hood’s body with all his strength until his figure slowly erged from the puddle and ca out.
"Robin Hood, are you okay?"
[Y-yes... thank you...] Robin Hood gasped for air. [Damn it. That pool kept getting deeper and stickier—like glue. I couldn’t get out without your help.]
"But at least you got out of there, and that’s a good thing."
[Right.] Robin Hood handed the silver box to Shaan. [Here. Take this back to the officer. He must need it.]
"Uhm... okay."
[ I’ll rest for a while. My body feel so exhausted because of those sticky stupid thing] Robin Hood said as his body slowly began to fade. [ Hey, just call my na if you need help. Okay?]
"I understand. Get so rest."
Robin Hood’s body dissolved into golden particles of light and vanished completely. After watching him disappear, Shaan tightened his grip on the silver box and hurried back toward the others. He expected to see the guard, Nalira, and Chelsie waiting for him.
"Hey, I brought the—" The box slipped from his hands and hit the ground. His face turned stiff."W-where are they...?"
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