I blacked out which felt like a moment ago or two, now I wake up in a jungle. Hold on... This looks familiar! Too familiar on that note. Lino wasn't here yet, could he be in the same void as me earlier. Maybe he's already here? Yeah, that would make more sense. I've been here for awhile now, he should've been warped here by now. The next game is either easier or harder than the last, I'm not taking chances going through those activities alone. I need at least someone who I know I can trust to help me out here.

With that in mind, I proceeded to search through this jungle. Funny, the ribbons I've placed are still here. Once I've found Lino, should we go through the domain? It looks like the key to get outta here. I'm still unsure, I'll have to consult him about our decision later on.

Minute after minute... I've been walking and searching through this jungle for a while, still not a single trace of him. I found more ribbons along the way, however, the colors have changed? Could these be the ones that Lino placed when we were here before? Hmm... Maybe we were transported where the ribbons ended. It made sense! Good thing that he was good at mapping directions through this weird jungle.

Followed it till it stopped, and look who I found... Lino!

"You've been here the entire time and didn't bother to look for me? Seriously, clearing this thing would be better if we were two."

"Not that I didn't want to find you, it's just that letting you search for me was just more convenient for the both of us." I was shocked that he had said that, I found it funny, and it made sense so I didn't object.

"Ah, I see! I mean... It does make sense if you take a look at it."

"Now, I have some leads on what we can do to advance to the next stage."

"Let me know, I'm all ears."

"You see, we were here before if I'm not mistaken. I found a domain-like structure in the direct center of the forest. It could be the entrance to the next activity! Don't you think so?"

"A weird domain at the direct heart of this place was discovered earlier... Let's do it." He swiftly stood up and proceeded to walk through the forest using the ribbons as a guide. We had to use a single ribbon to tie our wrists together, it was way too easy to be lost.

We have finally located the domain, but we both ended up stepping on a tile that you would find in a movie setting booby-trap. The domain door opened slowly, a low growl came from inside, and the jungle turned into the darkest time of night. I had to freeze and process everything, but Lino was quick to react and dragged me off to run from whatever was going to chase us.

The sound of the creature sounded like something back on Earth. I couldn't care to look back since I only had to look in front if I didn't want to get caught. Honestly, it sounded like some mutated tiger. I felt like we were getting farther and farther away from the domain. The footsteps chasing us were getting progressively closer, we couldn't run in a straight line anymore. We just had to!

I could already tell it was physically behind us... We still— "Damn it!" For some unknown reason, whatever was chasing turned into air and separated Lino and I. However, I think he started to chase Lino as well. I heard him scream "Margana, let's meet again at the start!" The words sounded weird, but I was able to grasp the message. The jungle was still dark, I couldn't see where I was stepping. Cold harsh winds, it felt like winter! What's next, thunder— ... Wow, that's exactly what happened. An extremely loud bang of thunder crashed through my eardrums at that very moment. Why is my hair going up? Oh hell no. I had to run for my life to find shelter, I was literally about to get struck by lightning. I'm not taking chances, I'm coming out alive. There! A secluded cave, it should be fine in there. I stepped inside, my hair came back down, and I was saved. However, the lightning went down in front of my cave, the ground was... Shaking? The cave was crumbling too!

I ran aimlessly into who knows where, I tried to find Lino but I had zero leads on where he was. Running was the only thing I could think of, it will eventually make me go somewhere, right? Well, no.

The thunderstorm hinders my human capabilities, I wasn't able to hear the predator's footsteps towards me. I was faced by the mutated tiger right there, I fell towards the ground in fear. I froze as it came closer and closer by the second. It's low growl scared me in ways I couldn't imagine, I can't move.

As it was getting ready to bite, I closed my eyes and heard more footsteps. The predator stopped growling, I heard flesh... Not in a good way. I opened my eyes and saw no one other than Lino. "What an idiot!" I immediately stood up and managed to spark my Taekwondo lessons. I know it sounds funny but it's true anyway.

Getting the tiger off his wrist is probably the most we can do, but we just have to run after. Kick after kick, it finally worked. I dragged Lino off using the wrist that he didn't use, we went straight for a cave where we can spend the night in. Rain was still pouring down from the sky, it was still dark as a void.

I took a deep breath and said, "You're such an idiot, do you know that?"

"Hey, at least I didn't freeze and allow you to be killed without putting up a fight."

"Come to think of it, you're a bigger idiot than me." He laughed afterwards at the thought, does he even mind his bleeding wrist?

"Whatever! Let's just go somewhere away from the hideous creature and tear your wrist. We're going back in one piece and your wrist is part of that."

"Also, a question to you Lino, do you even feel the slightest pain? You seem unfazed. If you were from my world, you'd be crying."

"Hm... Hard to say. We're actually humans too, but maybe something differentiates our type from yours."

"That's news to me, thanks for answering!"

Of course, a chuckle and a smile comes from him. What more can I expect from the Lino, right?

We came across a secluded cave, it looked pretty safe and sturdy. We could probably spend the night here, I don't think the creature will find us through all the plants we went through to get to this cave. I have zero knowledge on how I can treat a person but... Something to stop the spill of blood will probably help.

I just asked Lino if I could go out to look for something, and... Sad to say, he wasn't convinced. He didn't allow me since it was for my "own safety". I mean, Lino has a point but still! I held his wrist up...

"Lino... What the hell? Wasn't it bleeding a few moments ago?"

"What? Oh? It's normal, isn't it?"

"Uhm.. No, to the point that weird is an understatement."

"It's a normal thing in the Esse-ver, not sure on Earth."

"I'm just in awe, that's all."

"No reason to go out then."

"How'd you know?"

"Margana, listen, you're the easiest person to read. Don't be too surprised."

He's either really kind or really annoying... It's fine, variety is better anyway. What should we do now? There's no telling when it'll come— At that split second while I was lost in thought, spaced out, Lino just pushed me over to the left. I snapped back to reality quickly, the creature has found us again. I went ahead and grabbed his wrist and ran! Hold on, what if we go into the domain? We should be safe there, right? I know the way there, I quickly overtook Lino who was in front of me and made him chase me towards the domain.

Once I reached the place, I didn't hesitate or think twice to hit the huge red jewel with a sign that said "Play". The portal opened before us, we took each other's hand and immediately went through the gateway. 

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Author's Note!

Heyyy! This chapter has more dialogues than usual since I thought of giving a bigger glimpse of the two MCs! Honestly, about 4-8 chapters more and the story might be completed already. However, this is the first book in the series! Please look forward to everything to come!