Sometime later, the two Rangers finally left the towering forest and were met with atmospheric change almost immediately.
The tall trees that had imprisoned the sky for days now gave way to open air, Rhos narrowed his eyes against it as his ponytail whipped behind him. They had reached the rocky ridge, it stretched for kilometers in both directions like the exposed spine of some long dead giant.
Jagged cliffs of weathered gray stone stretched in uneven layers across the landscape. Cracks split the ancient rock beneath their feet while patches of stubborn moss and wiry shrubs clung to whatever little soil they could find.
Far below, there was another stretch of forest spreading out like a dark green ocean, its endless canopy gently swaying beneath the evening breeze.
It was getting late now, the sky had already begun to surrender to dusk.
The west burned in fading shades of amber and crimson while the east was already conceding itself to deep blue. Wisps of clouds drifted idly across the sky, illuminated from beneath the dying sun.
Nature was beautiful. Almost enough to make one forget how many people had died just a day ago.
Without the dense canopy shielding them anymore, the wind carried a sharp chill that forced Rhos to zip his torn jacket higher around his neck.
After spending nearly two days beneath an artificial dusk created by the towering ancient trees, the open expanse felt strangely foreign. Rhos found himself looking around way more often.
Though there was something comforting about seeing the horizon again while not falling to his death.
Beside him, Nimra had recovered enough that he no longer needed to carry her. She was walking under her own strength now. At the same time, she was eating.
The monkey’s severed arm rested casually in both hands. Every few steps she would sink her teeth into it and tear away another strip of flesh before chewing thoughtfully. Blood trickled down the corner of her lips each time she took a bite.
When she reached the elbow, she snapped the joint apart with a loud crack, sucked the marrow clean, then tossed the stripped bone over the ridge.
Crunch, rip and chew. Rhos was tortured by these unpleasant noises for the next hour.
’I’m never getting used to that’
Watching her eat like that was not an appetizing sight, he forced himself to keep his eyes forward.
Nimra ate the severed limb raw. There wasn’t much of a choice because stopping to prepare a proper meal would have been suicidal.
Building a fire would have attracted unwanted attention, not to mention resting would have given the Wrath tracking them to close more distance between them. So eating it raw while walking was the safer option.
Centuries ago, humans would have risked parasites, bacterial infections, food poisoning and all manner of diseases simply by consuming uncooked flesh. Their digestive systems had no adaptation against them.
Modern humans were different. Or at least, some of them weren’t entirely human anymore.
Beast-type Patron Spirits fundamentally altered the body over time. Predators had stronger digestive systems, increased stomach acidity and teeth capable of tearing through hide and tendons without effort. Their bodies rejected very little, extracting nutrients from flesh that would have hospitalized someone from the old world.
Prey underwent different changes, like for one, they had gradually lost the ability to tolerate meat. Even the smell alone wasn’t pleasant. He had tried it before and it was like chewing damp bark soaked in spoiled oil.
At his side, Nimra had already nearly finished half the arm. She was beginning to look healthier now. Some color had returned to her face and the unsettling sharpness in her eyes was gone.
Rhos hoped that single arm should be enough to sustain her until they reached the Biome.
Thinking of which, it was already in sight.
They finally saw the Elderwood Biome, one of humanity’s final six sanctuaries.
Even from this impossible distance, it dominated the horizon with an enormous sphere shimmering against the darkening sky.
The artificial barrier called the World Shell climbed dozens of kilometers into the heavens before disappearing into the clouds themselves. Its surface resembled rippling glass with layers of pale emerald light flowing across one another.
From where the two Rangers were, the cities within remained little more than indistinct silhouettes. This was mainly because of the World Shell as it naturally distorted whatever lay behind it, making observation from the outside nearly impossible.
Even so, just seeing it like this was enough. It made his legs feel lighter and subconsciously picked up the pace.
After surviving this far, they were actually close enough to see civilization again, close enough to reach it.
Fortunately, the rocky ridge was strangely peaceful. Aside from the relentless wind that threatened to throw them off balance every few minutes, the journey across it remained uneventful.
It made Rhos feel uneasy, but he wasn’t about to complain about receiving good fortune for once. He welcomed it with open arms.
Besides, now they were about to reach civilization, he had to think about the future. Or rather, the lack of one.
Ranger Division 14 was done. Even if the Corps intended to rebuild the Division, it would take months, years even.
Out of the twenty six Rangers, only two remained. Naturally this would call for an investigation, reports would need to be filled. New personnel would have to be assigned and a replacement Keeper appointed.
’Keeper Taru’
He wondered if the bastard had made it or not before shaking his head. He did not want to think about him.
At any rate, Division 14 was effectively gone, leaving him without a job.
So was Leopard Cat Nimra but she won’t have as trouble as him. Gamma-Class Rangers were valuable after all. She would simply get reassigned elsewhere, he was the one in trouble here.
Rhos sighed quietly. This wasn’t a new feeling. His options had always been limited. Finding another support Division in the look out for live bait wouldn’t be so hard, right? If that doesn’t work out, finding another position inside the Corps wouldn’t be impossible, right?
’I could apply as a scout. My perception and navigation could be worth something, right?’
Upper Divisions were constantly looking for people like him. Which was precisely the problem.
Scouts died frighteningly often, even more so than live bait. They were always first into unknown territory and usually the first to encounter danger.
’No thank you. I’d rather stay bait’
At least he usually dealt with ordinary wildlife. It sounded like luxury by comparison because it came with reasonable survival odds.
Rhos let out a long sigh that drew the attention of Nimra who was humming a tune. She did not say anything though, letting him carry on with his thoughts.
’Future me can deal with it. Current me just wants to get back to safety and chuck down some liquor’
Before long, they left the rocky ridge and were welcomed by another forest. The moment his heavy boots crossed beneath the first branches, something familiar penetrated his expanded senses, moving very rapidly.
Rhos stopped walking, his face hardening.
"Damn bastard"