If she didn't want to grow old on this island without cola, air conditioning, the internet, and where she could become Beast feces at any time, this adventure was imperative.
The transmitter was the only hope at the moment.
"Alright, I will lead the way."
Alice nodded, but then added seriously.
"But I must warn everyone, that valley is very dangerous and has many ferocious monsters. If we encounter anything wrong, we must retreat immediately; absolutely do not try to be a hero."
"Don't worry, little Alice."
The blond Hughes, who felt invincible with a bow in hand, saw Alice looking serious and seemingly lacking confidence. He walked over, patted Alice's weak shoulder nonchalantly, his face carrying a kind of tolerance and protectiveness from a strong person toward a weak one.
"When the time comes, just stand honestly behind me. I will protect you well and use my bow and arrow to clear the way for you. This will be my repayment for the water and food you provided yesterday."
Alice looked at his confident appearance, then looked at the bow and arrow in his hand, which looked powerful but might be no better than a back scratcher in front of a real giant Beast, and could only sigh silently in her heart.
"I hope you can run a little faster than you brag when the time comes."
Just as the team was preparing to set off, another person joined in.
"Wait, I'm going too."
That was the bald middle-aged man who had been clutching his luggage bag for dear life yesterday; everyone called him Donald.
Curly-haired Banner noticed that besides a thick wooden club for self-defense, Donald was still tightly clutching that brown leather luggage bag to his chest, in a posture like a mother holding a newborn baby.
"Why are you bringing your luggage bag?" Banner kindly reminded him. "The road in the jungle is hard to walk; the lighter the load, the better. Leave it at the camp, and we will keep an eye on it for you."
"No, absolutely not!"
Donald reacted violently, as if someone had touched a raw nerve.
"I need to keep it with me. It's fine, I'm strong, and it's not tiring to carry. Besides, there are some tools in my luggage bag that might come in handy—yes, tools."
His eyes flickered, clearly lying.
But since he insisted, there was nothing more anyone could say.
After all, everyone has their own privacy and quirks.
Just like that, a five-person expedition team to search for the radio transmitter was officially formed.
Guide and survival expert: Alice, the transmigrator in a loli's body.
Self-proclaimed main damage dealer: Master Archer Hughes.
Technical support: Dr. Banner.
Team medic and designated snark: Dr. Stephen Strange.
And the mysterious luggage porter: bald Donald.
The group of five, under Alice's guidance, turned their backs to the rising Sun and stepped into the ancient forest filled with the unknown.
When they first entered the jungle, the atmosphere was still quite relaxed.
Compared to Alice's caution—observing her surroundings with every step, trembling as if walking on thin ice—the others felt nothing but a calm akin to a picnic, aside from their curiosity about the prehistoric plants.
Especially blonde Hughes and Strange; these two appeared the most relaxed.
Hughes held his bow and arrow, occasionally aiming at squirrels in the trees or birds flying past, making various sound effects with his mouth as if playing a live-action CS game.
As for Strange, he wore one side of his headphones; although he only wore one for safety, the way he bobbed his head and tapped his fingers on his thigh to the rhythm made it look less like a life-or-death expedition and more like a stroll in Central Park.
"This damn road."
Strange stepped into a puddle of mud, and as he pulled his foot out, his expensive handmade leather shoes made a 'pop' sound, covered in black sludge.
"When I get back, I'm definitely going to file a complaint against this airline. Not only did they drop us in this godforsaken place, but they also don't provide shuttle service."
"Strange, save your energy." Banner, walking in front, pushed aside a cluster of thorny vines with the wooden stick in his hand. "The road is indeed difficult; everyone be careful."
Suddenly, Strange, who was complaining, stopped in his tracks.
His keen Doctor's sense of smell allowed him not only to detect perfume but also to distinguish certain peculiar odors.