The road disappeared sooner than he expected.
At first, there was a trail.
Narrow, barely visible, but still leading forward.
Liebe followed it for hours, trying not to lose it.
But then— it simply ended.
“…What?”
He stopped.
Before him stood a forest.
Dense.
Unfamiliar.
And quiet.
Too quiet.
Liebe frowned and looked around.
No signs, no traces of people.
Only trees stretching upward like a barrier.
“Moniyan… which way…”
He clenched his fist.
For the first time since leaving, doubt crept into his thoughts.
Can I really make it there…?
The wind passed through the branches.
No answer came.
Liebe took a deep breath.
“…I can’t stop now.”
He stepped forward.
Into the forest.
The path was harsh.
Branches tore at his clothes, the ground became soft and slippery.
Several times he nearly fell, but each time he held himself up.
Time moved slowly.
The sun rose… then began to fall.
And still no way out.
“…Damn…”
He stopped by a large rock and sat down.
Fatigue hit him all at once.
Hunger returned.
“…I won’t get far like this.”
He looked at his hands.
Weak.
Injured.
But still moving.
And then— he noticed.
Tracks.
Small.
Clear.
Not an animal.
Human.
Liebe stood up instantly.
“…So someone is here.”
His heart started beating faster.
Hope.
He followed the tracks carefully, trying not to lose them.
Step by step.
Through the forest.
Until— he saw light.
Between the trees, a road appeared.
A real one.
Worn.
Alive.
Liebe stopped at the edge of the forest.
This time— he smiled.
Faintly.
But genuinely.
“…I’m going the right way.”
And without hesitation, he stepped onto the road.
Toward Moniyan.