The forest remained quiet after Fayzan and his companions disappeared into the distance.
Even after their footsteps faded, the atmosphere did not completely relax. A faint tension lingered among the trees, as though the forest itself was still observing them.
Rio walked ahead without a hint of concern. Her pace was steady, her posture relaxed, and her expression unreadable. It was as if the encounter had been nothing more than a brief interruption.
Ryota followed a few steps behind, occasionally glancing around at the darkening woods.
"You knew that would work, didn't you?" he asked.
Rio didn't stop walking.
"What?"
"The deal."
Ryota scratched the back of his head.
"They agreed a lot faster than I expected."
Rio stepped over a thick tree root protruding from the ground.
"People like him don't gamble blindly."
Her answer came immediately.
"He already decided to trust me the moment he realized I knew more than he did."
Ryota blinked.
"That sounds kind of insane."
"It is."
Rio didn't deny it.
"His appearance makes him look careless, but he's much smarter than he lets people believe."
She brushed aside a low hanging branch as they continued deeper into the forest.
"That's exactly why the negotiation worked."
Ryota nodded slowly.
The deeper they traveled, the darker the surroundings became. The sunlight filtering through the canopy grew weaker with every step, transforming the forest into a maze of shadows and muted colors.
For several minutes neither of them spoke.
Then Rio suddenly stopped.
Without warning, her arm shot out in front of Ryota.
The gesture was simple.
Stop.
Ryota froze instantly.
Not because he was forced to.
Because he trusted her judgment completely.
His muscles tensed as he scanned the surroundings.
Then something dropped from above.
Fast.
Silent.
Deadly.
A flash of crimson hair appeared among the shadows.
A dagger gleamed as it descended straight toward Rio's neck.
CLANG!
Steel collided with steel.
Rio's Imperial Saber rose at the last possible moment, intercepting the attack before it could land.
The impact sent a metallic shockwave through the forest.
Leaves trembled.
Nearby branches shook.
For a brief moment, the two girls remained locked together.
Face to face.
The attacker was young.
Crimson-red hair framed a confident face.
Sharp violet eyes gleamed with excitement rather than hostility.
And on her lips rested a grin that suggested she was enjoying herself far too much.
Rio smiled back.
Then the assassin vanished.
Not stepped away.
Not jumped backward.
Vanished.
[Assassin Skill: Backlash]
The air distorted slightly where she had been standing.
Then nothing remained.
Ryota's eyes widened.
"What—"
Rio remained perfectly still.
She didn't even turn around.
Instead, she quietly began counting.
"Three."
The forest remained silent.
"Two."
Ryota tightened his grip.
Still nothing.
"One."
The instant she finished speaking, a presence emerged behind her.
The assassin reappeared.
Her dagger flashed through the air.
Rio moved first.
She ducked.
The blade sliced harmlessly over her head before burying itself into a nearby tree.
CRACK!
The enormous trunk split cleanly in half.
The upper section collapsed with a thunderous crash, scattering leaves and debris throughout the clearing.
The red-haired assassin landed lightly on her feet.
Still smiling.
Still amused.
"Nice."
Ryota immediately moved forward.
His body shifted into a fighting stance.
Every instinct screamed at him to protect Rio.
But before he could advance, Rio extended one hand.
Stop.
He halted instantly.
The assassin noticed.
A hint of surprise flashed across her face.
The forest fell silent once more.
Then Rio slowly stood.
Her saber remained in her hand.
A faint smile rested on her lips.
Without saying a word, she pointed toward the girl's right shoulder.
The assassin blinked.
"Hm?"
Her eyes lowered.
Then widened.
A clean cut ran across her shoulder.
The wound wasn't deep.
But it was precise.
Blood slowly seeped through the torn fabric.
The smile disappeared from her face for the first time.
"Since when did you land a hit on me?"
Rio's smile remained unchanged.
"The moment our weapons collided."
The assassin frowned slightly.
Rio continued.
"You used Backlash."
She tapped the side of her saber lightly.
"That created an opening."
The red-haired girl's eyes widened.
Then she laughed.
A genuine laugh.
"You're good."
She rolled her injured shoulder casually despite the wound.
"No normal player reacts to Backlash like that."
Her violet eyes narrowed.
"Especially not this early in the game."
Rio tilted her head slightly.
"And no normal assassin manages to sneak up behind me and the Eternal Lions."
The assassin froze.
Rio continued calmly.
"You listened to an entire conversation."
Her gaze sharpened.
"And somehow avoided detection from Ayame."
Ryota blinked.
"Wait."
He looked between them.
"You mean she was there the whole time?"
The red-haired girl smirked.
"Impressive."
She crossed her arms.
"I thought I stayed outside everyone's sensing range."
Rio shrugged.
"You followed them."
A pause.
"I followed you."
Silence.
Then the assassin chuckled.
"So you knew."
"Since we left the city."
The grin returned.
Sharper this time.
"I like you."
Rio remained completely unimpressed.
"You're a player hunter."
The girl didn't bother denying it.
"That I am."
She stretched casually.
"Players drop loot when they die."
Her tone sounded almost bored.
"Usually around sixty percent."
She shrugged.
"I take whatever sells."
Another shrug followed.
"The rest is worthless."
Ryota frowned.
"There are really people like you."
The assassin glanced toward him.
"Welcome to Evermount."
Her smile softened slightly.
"Some people do what they can to survive in the real world."
Rio stepped forward.
Her saber rose slightly.
Not enough to attack.
More than enough to warn.
"So what do you want?"
The assassin's grin widened.
Rio continued.
"You didn't attack us without a reason."
Her eyes narrowed.
"And you didn't go after Fayzan's group."
The assassin didn't respond.
"Which means the hidden dungeon doesn't interest you."
The girl's grin became even wider.
"Smart."
Rio lowered her blade a fraction.
"Then talk."
The assassin studied both of them.
Her eyes lingered on Rio.
Then shifted toward Ryota.
Then returned to Rio again.
Finally she laughed.
A low, amused laugh.
"It takes a monster to recognize another monster."
She gestured vaguely toward the direction Fayzan had gone.
"That group earlier?"
A dismissive wave followed.
"They're nothing special."
Then she pointed directly at Rio and Ryota.
"But you two?"
Her eyes gleamed.
"You're much more interesting."
Her gaze settled on Rio.
Especially Rio.
The forest seemed to grow quieter around them.
This wasn't a misunderstanding.
It wasn't a negotiation.
And it certainly wasn't a random encounter.
The girl wasn't here for information.
She wasn't here for a hidden dungeon.
She was interested in them.
That made her far more dangerous.
Rio recognized it immediately.
Because curiosity from a player hunter was often more dangerous than outright hostility.
And judging from the smile on the red-haired assassin's face—
This encounter was only just beginning.