The sun rises and Natsuko finally ended her scouting above the a Torii gate after she hear the faint sound of her people below starting to wake up. After a hearty stretch in her fox form, Natsuko finally comes down to meet the ones she's protecting.

  When she entered the temple. Natsuko spotted the Beastfolks distributing food to everyone, on the other side are Grand Ecstasy indulging on their morning routine which Natsuko unknowingly joined after smelling a familiar scent.

  .

  .

  .

  Natsuko takes a elegant sip on the cup of black coffee given to her by Mateo. The aroma makes her smile faintly.

  "So this is what coffee taste like? Quiet perplexing flavor." Natsuko's calm review.

  "It's your first time drinking coffee?" Claustrine's question.

  "Yes. I only remember that dad always drinking a cup of this dark liquid everyday, more than tea. To think I need to wait a thousand years just to finally have a taste." Natsuko sigh.

  Then she continues to drink while also testing the other flavors like the cream and chocolate. The breakfast went great and give everyone the energy to face another day of survival.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  Grand Ecstasy and Natsuko are casually standing on the small field just outside of temple, inside the dome.

  On the edge of the dome are the beastfolks who stay alert and holding their spears. Observing the critters trying to enter their sanctuary.

  "The elves are taking their time. I expected them to be here in haste." Natsuko's comment.

  "I bet they probably doing some meeting on either they will send help or not." Claustrine's non-chalant answer.

  "I hope that's not the case. Besides, they have no choice but to deal with this problem brewing just outside of their territory." -Mateo.

  As Natsuko listens to the two having their talk. Her ears perked as she focus her attention on the woods where the infected critters came from.

  "What's wrong?" Mateo question after noticing Natsuko's sudden alertness.

  "Something feels off."

  "What is it?"

  "There's something coming here."

  Beltrand sigh as he hold his sword.

  "Another wave of monsters coming." He mumbled.

  "No. This time, it's not a horde."

  Natsuko focus his senses as she continues to stare on the woods. Grand Ecstasy observe her longer, anxious on what seems caught the fox's attention.

  And after seconds of holding their breath, Everyone is filled with dread when from the trees, a huge feline-like creature shows itself. Its elongated body and jet-black fur is a huge contrast on it's surroundings.

  "A Nightrax?!" Mateo's surprise.

  Everyone is confused and shocked to see the presence of the Nightrax as their knowldge of the creature is that Nightrax is a Nocturnal predator who specialized on ambush attacks in the darkness. The appearance of a Nightrax in the middle of the sunny day only brings everyone in a single conclusion.

  "It's infected." Claustrine speaks what's in their mind.

  "Everyone! Held your weapons and prepare for a breach! That Nightrax is capable of destroying the barrier!" Mateo's command.

  The beastfolk regroups and prepares to face the Nightrax, Grand Ecstasy held their weapons and Natsuko prepares her tails. The Nightrax is gallipoping towards the dome with it's black slender body. The distance between the two side becomes closer and closer as everyone prepares for the encounter.

  Only for their expectation to get shattered after they watch the Nightrax to crawl and climb the dome with haste. It runs above with no regards on everything inside the protective earth until it finally cross the other side of the barrier... And escape back the woods behind them.

  "HUH?!" Everyone's shocked reaction.

  It takes them back for few seconds before Mateo breaks the silence as he makes a deep sigh of relief.

  "So that Nightrax is not infected and just escaping. Thank goodne-"

  Mateo feels a cold sweat as he stares at Natsuko.

  "Hey Natsuko are you sensing something from where the Nightrax came from?"

  Natsuko went curious and focused her senses again.

  "What's wrong Mateo? You're still restless." Sophia's worried question.

  "I have a bad feeling after seeing that Nightrax. It looks like running away in panic."

  "Running from the infection? I bet that's the case, Nightrax are intelligent monsters so they must felt that something's wrong." Beltrand's opinion.

  "That's true, but I still restless. Natsuko do you hear something."

  Natsuko focus her hearing again to listen the noise in a wide radius. Then she proceeds to focus harder to isolate the sounds and check their sources.

  "There's only bunch of healthy animals escaping the forest." Natsuko reported.

  Then she hear the sound of the the infected as they traverse the woods in search for their victims. The infecteds are growling as they spread inside the forest.

  And suddenly, a faint rumbling noise registers on Natsuko's zone of detection which starting to become louder on each passing second.

  "Something huge is coming."

  Natsuko then walks towards Ismorela and Karka who staring at her curiously. Grand Ecstasy follows her worried actions.

  "Ismorela, go inside the temple and tell everyone to prepare for a potential escape."

  Ismorela didn't question the command after seeing the serious expression of thir Priestess. She just walk with haste.

  "Karka. Can you elevate a platform for us? I need to see it high on the ground."

  Karka nods.

  "Let's follow her." -Mateo.

  .

  .

  .

  At the top of the dome, Natsuko, Karka and Grand Ecstasy are staring at the horizon, to the sea of trees. And there, everyone see what's causing the disturbances in the woods.

  From the distance, they watch the trees falling while also new trees spouting in very abnormal and peculiar rate.

  Mateo opens his BoS and pull out his binoculars to have a closer look. And with the magnification, he see the new trees which slightly taller compared to the previous ones it replacing.

  "It's Mr. Buchan!" Natsuko's glad and excited words after seeing the act of reforestation from far away. Her worries are now replaced by hope and joy after seeing his old friend.

  "Da Forest Guardian is still protecting the woods even from the infection." Karka's comment as he smile with calm.

  But Mateo didn't share the optimistic vibe of the two as he continues to view the event through the binoculars. As he clearly see something that bothered him.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  "Natsuko. What kind of creature is Mr. Buchan?"

  "Maind your own language Mateo! Thei Forest Guardian is a sacred being, not some mere beast!"

  Karka is clearly offended on Mateo's words but Mateo didn't bulge as he continues to stare to the phenomenon.

  Instead of fueling the misunderstanding even further. Mateo offers the binoculars to Natsuko.

  "I think you need to see it in a clearer detail."

  Natsuko hesistantly get the binoculars on Mateo's hands and with his instructions, she easily uses the optic device. After a moment of adjusting and search.

  Natsuko's expression turned grim. Her posture now shaking as she watch the scene unfold in magnified vision.

  From the sights of the binoculars. Natsuko see the sprouting trees that clearly came from Mr. Buchan's powers. But...

  The new trees have sick, grotesue and twisted appearance with branches curling in absurd ways or having weird twist and turns turns. The leaves are irregular in forms and colors and the the new trees overwhelm the old ones with their mutated and sickly form.

  "N-n-no... T-this can't be happening."

  Natsuko slumped on her knees, she dropped the biculars and now everyone can see the despair in her eyes.

  "N-No... There's no way that Mr. Buchan can become infected. He's a magical being! That's absurd!" Natsuko's denial.

  Now knowing the cause of panic of his Priestess, Karka now shares the fear Natsuko is experiencing as seeing his tribe's spiritual leader in such distress puts Karka in doubt.

  "Yet you instantly know that something is wrong after seeing it in more details. I don't personally know Mr. Buchan but it seems just like us, even him is not immune on this epidemic."

  Mateo stares at the forest as the rumbling and creaking sound is slowly becoming louder.

  "And that showcase of abnormality and destruction is a clear sign that... he's already infected." Mateo's melancholic opinion

  Natsuko stares catatonicly, processing the words spouted by Mateo as he walks away with his friends.

  "Let's waste no time and evacuate the citizens Karka. We gonna hold Mr. Buchan.

  "Hould the Forest Guardian?" Karka's question after flinching hearing Mateo's plan.

  "Yes. We might need to fight Mr. Buchan if his path leads to us."

  The train of thoughts are flooding Karka's mind and causing him confusion. He still can't comprehend that they going to fight a powerful and sacred being his tribe is worshipping for generations yet despite that, the people around him is suddenly saying that the Forest Guardian is now infected by the same disease plaguing his village.

  But there's one thing that remains loud and clear in his convoluted mind. The desire to protect his people. Thus, Karka snuffed out the unnecessary thoughts and focus on defending his village, even against a deity.

  Karka tries to call Natsuko but she remains frozen in place. Staring on the forest and contemplating. With a respectful nod, Karka left his priestess alone to give her time as he follow Grand Ecstasy and descend back to the ground

  Natsuko, alone listens as the forest continues to roar. She gritted her teeth out of disgust and pain.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  In the ground, Grand Ecstasy watch as beastfolks leave the dome to relocate to a safer location. On their side are the soldiers and Karka who going to guaratee their safety from the potential infected creatures.

  As the tribe have an exodus behund Grand Ecstasy, the party of adventueres standing proudly as they wait for the rampaging creature

  They no idea what they might facing, the party is filled with doubt as fighting the unknown always bring them dread. Fighting something you have no prior knowledge is something an adventurer would never do but here they are ready to face what the beastfolks considered as a deity.

  "We just going to hold Mr. Buchan until the villagers leave the danger zone." Mateo's clarification.

  The party now feels the ground shaking, sounds of trees and foilage even becoming louder and aggressive.

  And then suddenly, Grand Ecstasy see trees sprouting to the ground. Their sickly and twisted appearance are akin to a nightmare scenery.

  Grand Ecstasy watch as the once village of beastfolk turned into a ruin conquered by the plants after the sprouting trees destroyed most of the houses.

  After more minutes. Grand Ecstasy finally meet the epicenter of the overgrowth. Between the trees, they saw a large pink figure walking towards their direction until they now see what they going to fight.

  It's a being that define their basic knowledge. It's large, the being have 6 limbs consisting of two feet and 4 arms. It walks like a gorrilla yet it have horns and a long trunk. Its pink fur just added on the bizzareneas and majesty of the being.

  But they still see the key details that make Grand Ecstasy frown as despite the divine presence of the beast, the drolling and foaming is a clear indication.

  Mateo makes a deep sigh.

  "Lets hope for the best and don't underestimate him."

  "Affirmative." Claustrine's answer.

  "Helyna, Beltrand. Lets seperate and attack in multiple angles. Trinne, focus sending long range attacks. Sophia, starts planting your wards."

  And with Mateo's simple command. The three melee combatants scattered and proceeds to close the gap between them and Mr. Buchan. Mr Buchan feel the hostility of the humans in front of him and he makes a weak growl.

  And he raise his two front arms than slam it to the soil. Mateo glances on the ground after he feel it shaking.

  "From below! Be careful!"

  Wild roots sprouted from the soil and starts lashing like supersonic whips. Creating a red zone which the melee combatants dodged by avoiding and cutting the vines and roots with their swords.

  But the overwhelming amount of growth is proven to be a a great nuisance after Mr. Buchan is instantly hidden by the twisted trees and vines. Cluttering the combat are.

  Another wave of entangled trees and vines rushes around like an organic tsunami. Threatening to engulf everything on its path.

  Only for a gust of wind to pass between the the melee fighters. It's a barrage of wind slicers casted by Claustrine to clear the wave. Making a flat deforested area. Which just instantly overgrown after the mutated plants grow in speed.

  "Lets use the trees to sneak and attack."

  The three follows the order as they use the very same wild overgrown to hide themselves to their main target. Their body starts to faintly grow as Sophia successfully planted her wards in different spots. Boosting her friends' combat capabilities.

  Mateo is in high awareness as even them are blind on what Mr. Buchan will do to attack them. And his questions got answered after a sharp vine amost hit his face. Barely eveb dodging the impaler aimed on his face.

  The pointed vine is followed by more sharp points coming in multiple angles as they all attempted to skewer Mateo who dodged the vines while also cutting his way towards Mr. Buchan who clearly knew where they are despite the zero visibility caused by the mutated nature.

  The overwhelming amount of vines is too much for Mateo as some of them landed on his body. Causing shallow cuts yet Mateo resist as he continues, gritting his teeth.

  Until his perseverance paid off as at once, he reached the core. With Mr. Buchan on his line of sight, Mateo spent a huge amount of mana to boost his legs and close his distance between him and Mr. Buchan for a short time and finally land land a hit.

  His plan is fo stab Mr. Buchan's small frama and proceed to inititate a Corkscrew Thrust. Disrupting the sacred beast's stance.

  With his sword on on his hand. Mateo is now dashing in extreme speed, with the point of his blade becoming closer and closer of stabbing Mr. Buchan.

  CREAKKK!

  A wide tree suddenly sprouted on Mateo's path. Causing his sword to got implanted on the huge tree instead. Followed by spiky vines whipping wildly that caused Mateo to back away. The distance once again in a huge gap as Mateo find himself got repelledby the wild growth.

  Mateo hears the cries of animals and whem he look around. There, his face turned sour after seeing the trapped animals who trying their best to escape the grasp of the vines. On that moment, Mateo understands how the virus uses Mr. Buchan's capabilities to spread itself.

  "Absolutely disgusting." Mateo spits in disgust.

  Mateo decides to back down even further. Away from Mr. Buchan's area of influence and from the safe spot which is the temple. There, he meet Beltrand and Helyna with their damaged forms telling a story of failure.

  "We can't even land a single hit without risking getting entangled on these vines!" Beltrand's rant.

  "Atleast we finally have an idea of Mr. Buchan's capabilities without huge loses. We should use these knowledge on formulating a plan." Helyna's optimistic suggestion.

  "I don't think that's going to that easy. The virus is unerving as I feel like it have a mind of its own."

  "Are you telling me we're fighting an intelligent being here?" Claustrine's disbelief.

  "I wish that's not the case. But on the way this infection works. It feels like it uses whatever it got held with to further spread its influence like it's following a very strict directive. And we're clearly on its target list." Mateo's anxious explanation.

  As the party's attention laxed, they didn't notice the surge of thorny vines and branhes rushing to the temple and threating to completely devour it with foliage with them included. It's late now before Grand Ecstasy finally noticed the threat but this didn't give them enough time to react. Grand Ecstasy stares frozen on the ecological wave.

  SLASH

  SLASH SLASH SLASH

  Barrages of slashes appears around the temple and shreds the wild vines into pieces. The culplrit are the 9 aqua tails fully unleashed by Natsuko as she stand behind the surprised Grand Ecstasy.

  "You should always be alert." Natsuko's calm words.

  "Uhmmm... Y-yes. Of course." Mateo's awkward answer.

  "Thanks a lot Natsuko. The village are probably on a safer area now. We should follow them hastely to assist." Sophia's suggestion.

  But the party only recieve a slow shake of head from Natsuko. Mateo see the determined expression on Natsuko's face as she face the direction of Mr. Buchan.

  "No. We're going to end Mr. Buchan's suffering. I knew he's crying inside watching his powers being used in such way. I can't stand it." Natsuko speak with spite towards the infection.

  Grand Ecstasy went silent as they all surprised on Natsuko's determination and proposal.

  "We can't even reach him without risking our lives. How we can even defeat such powerfeul being like him let alone kill it?" Beltrand's doubt.

  Natsuko extends his aqua tails again.

  "All we need to do is to pave way and destroy the plants until we reach Mr. Buchan. With my tails, we can achieve that."

  Mateo contemplates as he thinks of the potential risk of their plan. He can feel the stare of Natsuko. Her eyes are filled with determination and desire, hiding the pain and grief underneath. Mateo then smile lightly.

  "Well. We promised that we going to help with the best of our a abilities. And I'm also scared on potential destruction Mr. Buchan would unleashes if we let him free for a long time."

  Another wave of plants attempted to engulf the temple but it got repelled by the combined force of Natsuko's tails and Claustrine's wind slicers. Trimming the vines and clearing the surroundings.

  "Our plan is the same. We going to cut our path towards Mr. Buchan. The moment we reached a close distance. Natsuko, Trinne would ensure that the area around us is free of obstruction. Sophia, you focused on protecting Yourself, Trinne and Natsuko as they create an open field for us."

  "Got it." -Claustrine.

  "So we're on our own then. What an absurd confidence on our abilities." Beltrand grin.

  Helyna swallows a lump and strenghten her resolve. Natsuko remains calm and collected yet her tais are swaying with elegance and desire to cut.

  And Mateo, face the direction of Mr. Buchan who remains out of their sight and commence the plan with a shout.

  "GOOO!"