Chapter 7 - Trial Woods

Linn, Tomodachi, and Yuzu continued their journey, venturing down the winding path that led away from Kido Village. The sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow on the surrounding landscape.

"So, Yuzu," Linn said, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them. "Mind telling us where we're headed? Any idea where we might find my friends?"

"And more importantly," Tomodachi chimed in, his stomach rumbling audibly, "when are we going to eat? I'm starving!" Linn sweatdropped, a familiar exasperation washing over him. Yuzu giggled, her expression amused.

"We're heading to the closest village from here, Honsen Village," Yuzu explained, pointing ahead along the path. "It's a decent-sized place, and travelers likely pass through there frequently. Maybe someone there has seen your friends. As for the food..." Yuzu gestured towards a grassy spot nestled beside a sprawling forest. "We can stop there. It's a nice, peaceful place, and I can whip us up something to eat."

"Yay, food!" Tomodachi cheered, his hunger momentarily overriding his usual composure. Linn sighed, shaking his head with a fond smile.

The trio made their way to the grassy spot that Yuzu had indicated. The area was indeed quite picturesque, with a clear stream babbling nearby and the towering trees of the forest providing a sense of tranquility.

"This looks like a perfect place to relax and have breakfast," Yuzu said, her eyes sparkling enthusiastically. She efficiently set down her backpack and began unpacking with surprising speed and organization. She produced a variety of cooking utensils, fresh ingredients, a portable fire pit, and even a small, collapsible table.

Linn and Tomodachi exchanged bewildered glances, their jaws practically dropping in unison. How was she keeping all that in that seemingly small backpack? They wondered, their minds boggling at the sheer improbability of it all.

"Here we go," Yuzu announced, finishing setting everything up with a flourish. She turned towards the boys, her expression cheerful and commanding. "Now, you boys sit down here and make yourselves comfortable while I prepare breakfast. It won't take long!"

Linn and Tomodachi, still slightly dazed by the sudden appearance of a fully functional kitchen, obediently sat down at the table, their eyes fixed on Yuzu as she donned a colorful cooking apron and began to work her culinary magic.

Thirty minutes later...

Yuzu, humming a cheerful tune, placed the final dish on the table with a flourish. She had prepared a traditional Japanese breakfast, a feast that looked both delicious and nourishing: steaming bowls of fragrant miso soup, fluffy mounds of white rice, perfectly grilled fish with a delicate glaze, and golden-yolked fried eggs, each one a work of art.

"Breakfast is served!" Yuzu announced proudly, striking a pose with her ladle held aloft in a two-fisted grip, her chest puffed out with satisfaction.

"Wow, this looks amazing, Yuzu!" Linn exclaimed, his eyes widening in delight. He reached out to grab a piece of the grilled fish, his stomach rumbling in anticipation, but Yuzu swiftly swatted his hand away with her ladle, her expression stern.

"Not so fast, Linn-san," Yuzu said, her voice firm but not unkind. "You have to say your prayers first. It's important to show gratitude for the food we're about to receive."

"Oh, right, sorry," Linn said sheepishly, rubbing his stinging hand.He quickly put his hands together in a prayerful gesture and offered a brief, heartfelt thanks for the meal. He then picked up his chopsticks, his mouth watering, and was about to dig in when he noticed something peculiar.

Tomo has been awfully quiet. What is he doing? Linn thought, his brow furrowing with concern. Turning his head to the left, he found Tomodachi staring intently at his plate of food, his eyes sparkling with an almost otherworldly intensity, and his mouth practically drooling. Linn sweatdropped, a bead of nervous perspiration trickling down his temple.

"Uh, Tomo?" Linn said cautiously, his voice slightly hesitant.

Tomo turned towards his master, his gaze still locked on the food, his eyes wide and shining, and his breath coming in short, excited pants. "Yes, Master?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper, filled with a mixture of awe and anticipation.

"Aren't you going to... eat?" Linn asked, gesturing towards the untouched breakfast with a slightly bewildered expression.

"Can I? Can I? Can I? Is it okay? Don't you have to do the thing?" Tomodachi asked rapidly, his words tumbling over each other in his eagerness.

Linn was momentarily confused, trying to decipher Tomodachi's excited babble, but then he remembered.

"Oh, yeah! The 'go boy' thing!" Linn said, snapping his fingers once in the air. Tomodachi's entire body tensed, his muscles coiled like a spring, and when Linn's finger snapped, he launched himself at the food with astonishing speed and ferocity, abandoning all pretense of table manners.

"Go boy!" Linn snapped his finger once. Tomodachi began to devour the food with incredible speed and enthusiasm, shoveling it into his mouth with both hands, completely ignoring the chopsticks and making a considerable mess.

"Slow down, Tomo! You're going to choke!" Linn exclaimed, his voice a mixture of concern and exasperation.

"Was he really that hungry?" Yuzu asked, watching the spectacle with amusement and mild disgust.

"Beats me," Linn replied, shaking his head with a fond, exasperated smile. "He can't control himself when it comes to food. He just... he really, really likes it, I guess."

"He's making quite a mess, from what I can see," Yuzu deadpanned, skillfully dodging a rogue piece of rice that Tomodachi had sent flying across the table. "Honestly," she said, taking a delicate bite of her own rice, "you need to teach your beastkalin some manners."

Linn looked at Yuzu, his expression puzzled. "My... beastkalin?" he repeated, the word sounding foreign and unfamiliar on his tongue.

Yuzu blinked, realizing her mistake. She had almost forgotten that these boys were from another world and wouldn't be familiar with the local terminology. "Oh, yes, that's right. You guys came from another world; you wouldn't know what a beastkalin is," Yuzu said, putting down her chopsticks and adopting a more explanatory tone. "A beastkalin is a... well, it's a half-human, half-animal hybrid. They have characteristics of both humans and the animal they were born with."

"I see," Linn said, nodding slowly, his expression thoughtful. ''That's fascinating. So Tomo is a beastkalin?"

"Yes, he is," Yuzu confirmed. "He's a dog beastkalin, hence his... enthusiastic eating habits."

"That reminds me," Linn said, biting his eggs. "Thanks for the food, it's delicious. By the way, Yuzu, what is this world called? And is there any way to get back to my world?"

Yuzu put her finger to her chin, considering the question carefully. "Well..." she began, her expression thoughtful, "I guess from your point of view, this would be a magical world, much different from your own. There are things here that you probably wouldn't believe existed. But I'm probably not the best person to ask about other worlds. I've lived here my whole life; I didn't even know there were other worlds until you guys showed up."

"Oh..." Linn said, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Do you at least know what this world is called?"

Yuzu smiled, her expression brightening. "That's easy! It's called Seren."

"Seren..." Linn repeated, testing the word on his tongue. "Seren. I'll try to remember that. Seren..."

Linn finished his breakfast, pushing his plate away with a satisfied sigh. "Thanks again for the food, Yuzu," he said, putting his hands together in a gesture of gratitude. He was about to get up from the table when Yuzu stopped him, her expression suddenly serious.

"Not so fast, Linn-san," Yuzu said, her voice firm. "There's one more dish you have to finish." She pointed to the untouched grilled fish on his plate, her eyes narrowed slightly.

Linn began to sweat nervously, his smile faltering. "Oh, I was... saving it for later?" he stammered, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head.

Yuzu adopted a scolding stance, her hands on her hips, her expression disapproving. "Now, Linn-san, it's not nice to lie to your friends," she said, her voice stern but not unkind.

"I'm not lying!" Linn protested weakly. "I'm just... I'm so full from everything else that I can't possibly eat another bite.''

"Linn-san," Yuzu said, her voice softening slightly, but her gaze remaining firm. "Do I look like an idiot? Do you think I don't know when my child…when my friend is lying to me? From what I can see, you simply don't like fish, and that's okay. But I already made it, and it's not good to waste food. Plus, fish is a good source of protein, and you're still a growing boy, and-"

As Yuzu continued her gentle but persistent nagging, Linn, his eyes darting nervously, secretly pushed his plate of grilled fish towards Tomodachi's side of the table, hoping to dispose of the offending dish without eating it himself.

"-and another thing..." Yuzu said, opening her eyes and noticing Linn's surreptitious maneuver.

"LINN-SAN!"

"AH!" Linn exclaimed, startled, his hand slipping as he pushed the plate towards Tomodachi. Tomodachi, his ears perking up at the sound of food, saw the plate of grilled fish sliding his way and, without hesitation, devoured it in one enormous gulp, leaving nothing but a clean plate behind. He looked around for more, his expression crestfallen as he realized that the meal was truly over.

"Oh, there's no more..." Tomodachi sulked, his shoulders drooping in disappointment.

Meanwhile, Linn sighed in relief, his plan having seemingly succeeded. "Oh no, my dog ate my food," Linn said dramatically, feigning surprise and disappointment. "Oh well, there's nothing I can do about it now, ha ha ha..." Linn laughed nervously, his laughter dying in his throat as he met Yuzu's gaze. Her expression was dark and stormy, her eyes narrowed into slits, and a dangerous aura seemed to emanate from her small frame.

"We are going to have a nice, long talk about this, do you understand me, Linn-san?" Yuzu asked, her voice low and menacing, sending a shiver down Linn's spine.

Linn gulped, his bravado vanishing in an instant. "Y-yes ma'am..."

000

After finishing their breakfast and cleaning up their makeshift campsite, the gang prepared to resume their journey.

"Okay," Yuzu said, gripping the straps of her pink backpack firmly. "Now that our tummies are full and we're all refreshed, we should get going. Honsen Village awaits!"

"Yeah!" Linn said enthusiastically, grabbing his own backpack and slinging it over his shoulder, Tomodachi trailing closely behind him. Just then, Tomodachi's ears perked up, twitching slightly, and he began to sniff the air intently, his nose twitching.

Linn and Yuzu exchanged curious glances. "What's wrong, boy?" Linn asked, his voice filled with concern.

"Someone's here," Tomodachi announced, his voice low and serious.

At that, Linn's face hardened, his expression becoming alert and guarded, while Yuzu looked around nervously, her hand instinctively reaching for the handle of her ever-present ladle.

"Who is it, boy?" Linn asked, his eyes scanning the surrounding area.

"I don't know," Tomodachi replied, his nose still twitching as he tried to pinpoint the source of the scent. "But I'm picking up... some hostility. A strange, unsettling feeling."

"Is it that Detriment creature again?" Yuzu asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"No, it's someone else," Tomodachi said, his body relaxing slightly. "But it's... weird. I'm definitely picking up hostility and a sense of danger, but there's also something calming and almost familiar about the presence."

"There!" Tomodachi suddenly pointed towards the edge of the dense forest that loomed beside them. A figure emerged from the shadows of the trees, their form shrouded in a long, dark cloak that concealed their features.

"Oops, looks like you found me," said the figure in a smooth, masculine voice, confirming that the mysterious individual was male.

Linn subtly signaled to Yuzu and Tomodachi to stay behind him. He stepped forward cautiously, his eyes narrowing and fixed on the cloaked figure.

"Who are you?" Linn asked, his voice firm and demanding. "What do you want? Why are you following us?"

"Who I am is not important," the cloaked man replied, his voice a low, melodious hum. "What is important is who you are. Linn Tsukiyomi, correct?"

Linn's eyes widened slightly, his glare intensifying. "How do you know my name?" he demanded.

"Let's just say I did a little... research," the cloaked man said, a hint of amusement lacing his voice. He reached inside his cloak and pulled out a thick, leather-bound book, its pages filled with intricate writing. He opened the book and began reading aloud, his tone casual and conversational. "Linn Tsukiyomi, age 12, height 4'11", weight 88 lbs, blood type AB. Favorite things to do are watching anime and wrestling. Shall I continue?" the man asked rhetorically, his voice dripping with sinister knowledge.

The gang stood in stunned silence, their faces pale with shock and disbelief. How could this stranger know so much about Linn, details that were incredibly personal and seemingly impossible to know?

"Why do you know so much about me?!" Linn yelled, his voice a mixture of fear and outrage.

"Like I said, I did a little research," the cloaked man repeated, his smirk hidden beneath his hood. "Now that I have you here, you can assist me. You're going to help me."

"And why would I help you?" Linn asked, his voice defiant despite his inner turmoil.

The cloaked man blinked, a flicker of genuine confusion crossing his face. He seemed genuinely surprised by Linn's resistance. He consulted his book once again, flipping through the pages with a gloved hand.

"That's weird," the cloaked man muttered, his brow furrowed in concentration. "It says here that you help people in need, no questions asked. A regular little hero, always ready to lend a hand."

"Yeah, but I'm not going to help people who are clearly up to no good," Linn retorted, his arms crossed stubbornly.

"Uh, Master?" Tomodachi interjected hesitantly, his ears drooping slightly. "Didn't you, like, help that Madoka girl get away after she stole from the village?''

Linn sweatdropped, his face flushing with embarrassment. "T-that was just an accident! I didn't know she was a thief at the time!"

The cloaked man closed his book with a snap, his expression hardening slightly. "Well, in any case, you will help me. You don't get a say in this."

Linn glared at the man, his fists clenching at his sides. "And if I don't? What are you going to do about it?"

"Then I'll tell your friends your... little secret," the cloaked man said, his voice dropping to a low, menacing whisper.

Yuzu and Tomodachi exchanged worried glances, their eyes darting between Linn and the cloaked figure. What secret could this stranger possibly know about Linn?

Linn hesitated for a moment, his resolve faltering. He knew this man was dangerous, and the threat he held over him was clearly significant. The cloaked man waved his hand, beckoning the Linn to come closer. The cloaked man chuckled softly and leaned in, his hooded face close to Linn's ear.

The cloaked man whispered a few words, his voice barely audible, his tone laced with dark amusement. Linn listened, his eyes widening with each word, his face draining of color and turning a sickly shade of pale.

"WHATTTTTT?" Linn screamed, his voice cracking with a mixture of horror and disbelief. The sound echoed through the clearing and startled Yuzu and Tomodachi.

"W-what? W-why? H-how do you even know that?!" Linn stammered, completely flustered and discombobulated, his composure shattered.

"Hehehe," the cloaked man chuckled, a low, sinister sound. "It's all in the book. Everything I need to know. So, are you in a helping mood now? Or should I start spilling the beans?"

 ''I-I-I'll be right back," Linn said, his voice trembling. He turned and stumbled back towards Yuzu and Tomodachi, his face still a mask of shock and embarrassment. The cloaked man watched him go, chuckling softly to himself.

Linn stood before Yuzu and Tomodachi, his entire body shaking. His face was still flushed, and his eyes were wide with a mixture of panic and shame.

"Linn-san! Are you okay?!" Yuzu asked, her voice filled with concern. "You look like you've seen a ghost!"

"I'm... I'm fine," Linn said weakly, his voice barely a whisper. "But I've decided... I've decided that we're going to help this man."

"Why?" Yuzu asked, her brow furrowed with confusion. "He seems rather suspicious. Why are you so willing to help him all of a sudden?"

"Because it's... It's the right thing to do," Linn replied, his voice unconvincing. He couldn't bring himself to meet their gazes, his eyes darting nervously.

"You don't sound very convinced, Master," Tomodachi deadpanned, his ears drooping slightly.

"Anyway," Linn said quickly, trying to change the subject, "We just need to help this man, get whatever it is he needs, and then we can be on our way. The sooner we get this over with, the better."

"Does it have something to do with this... 'secret' he mentioned?" Tomodachi asked, his voice filled with suspicion.

"No!" Linn lied, his voice cracking slightly.

"Master..." Tomodachi said, his tone flat and disbelieving.

"Linn-san..." Yuzu added, her expression equally skeptical.

"Okay, yes!" Linn blurted out, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "I have to help him, or he's going to tell you guys about it. And trust me, you don't want to know."

"Is it really that bad?" Yuzu asked, her eyes widening with curiosity and concern.

"It's SUPER bad," Linn confirmed, his voice filled with dread and embarrassment.

"Wait, Master," Tomodachi said, his ears perking up slightly. "What could it possibly be? I know everything about you. We're together all the time."

"You... you don't know about this, Tomo," Linn said, his face growing even redder.

"Do you want to help him?" Yuzu asked gently, her voice filled with empathy.

"I... I don't know," Linn admitted, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "But I definitely don't want him to tell you guys about it. It would be... mortifying."

"Wouldn't it be better if you just told us?" Tomodachi suggested reasonably. "Then he wouldn't have anything to hold over you, and we wouldn't have to do whatever he wants."

"I CAN'T DO THAT!" Linn screamed, his voice cracking again, causing Yuzu and Tomodachi to flinch at the sudden outburst.

"W-why not?" Yuzu asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Because..." Linn began, his voice barely a whisper. He looked away, his face contorted in shame and internal struggle. He started to shake, his hands trembling like an embarrassed schoolgirl's.

"I... I JUST CAN'T!" Linn finally blurted out, his voice filled with desperation. Yuzu and Tomodachi exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions a mixture of confusion and concern.

"Look," Linn said, taking a deep breath and trying to regain some semblance of composure. Let's just help this guy get whatever it is he wants, and then we can go. The less time we spend with him, the better. So, will you help me? Please?" He looked at them pleadingly, his eyes filled with desperate hope.

Tomodachi and Yuzu exchanged another look, their expressions thoughtful. They could see the genuine distress in Linn's eyes, and despite their reservations about the cloaked man, they couldn't abandon their friend when he so clearly needed their support. They nodded in unison.

"Of course, I'll help you, Linn-san," Yuzu said, reassuringly smiling. "We're in this together, no matter what it is."

"You know I'm with you, regardless of the situation, Master," Tomodachi added, his voice filled with unwavering loyalty.

Linn smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile this time, his earlier anxiety replaced by a wave of gratitude. "Thanks, guys," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

The gang walked back towards the cloaked man, their expressions determined, though tinged with apprehension. The man was sitting on a nearby rock, holding a sketchbook and casually drawing.

"What are you doing?" Linn asked, his voice still slightly strained.

"Drawing your favorite anime character," the cloaked man replied, his tone nonchalant. He held up the sketchbook to show Linn the drawing. It was a surprisingly accurate and detailed sketch of Linn's favorite anime character, a character he had never mentioned to anyone outside of his closest friends.

Linn was taken aback, his eyes widening in disbelief. "How do you even...?"

"Book," the cloaked man said simply, tapping the side of his head with a gloved finger.

"Right..." Linn sighed, shaking his head in resignation. "Anyway, I've decided to help you. Just tell us what you want, and we'll get it done."

"Excellent," the man said, getting to his feet and putting his sketchbook away inside his cloak. "It's not like you had a choice or anything, hehe," he chuckled, his voice laced with a hint of sinister glee.

"Just tell me what you want," Linn said, his voice tight and annoyed.

"Touchy," the man said, raising an eyebrow. "It's simple, really. See those woods?" He pointed towards the dark, imposing forest. "I was exploring earlier and dropped my briefcase somewhere in there. I need you to go in and retrieve it for me. It shouldn't be too hard to find."

"Sounds easy enough," Linn said, shrugging. He started to walk towards the edge of the woods, eager to get the task over with, but Tomodachi stopped him, placing a paw on his arm.

"Hold on, Master," Tomodachi said, his voice filled with suspicion. He turned and glared at the cloaked man, his hackles slightly raised. "Suppose you were exploring these woods and dropped your briefcase. Why can't you go back there and get it yourself? Why does my master have to do it for you?"

The cloaked man just chuckled, a low, unsettling sound. "Simple. Because I said so, I'm the one in charge here, and you'll do as you're told. Now get going, mutt, unless you want your precious 'master's' little 'secret' to come out."

"Why you...!" Tomodachi growled, his teeth bared. He prepared to launch himself at the cloaked man, his anger barely contained. But Linn quickly stepped in front of him, holding him back with a firm hand.

"No, boy, down! Stay!" Linn said sternly, his voice leaving no room for argument.

"But Master..." Tomodachi protested, his eyes still fixed on the cloaked man with a burning fury.

"No buts, Tomo," Linn said firmly. "Let's just go and get this over with. The sooner we find his briefcase, the sooner we can be rid of him." Linn turned and walked into the dark woods, dragging Tomodachi along by his collar, Yuzu following close behind.

"Have fun!" the cloaked man called after them, his laughter echoing through the trees, sending a shiver of unease down their spines.

000

Linn, Tomodachi, and Yuzu continued their trek through the dense forest, their eyes scanning the undergrowth and towering trees in search of the cloaked man's missing briefcase. The deeper they ventured, the more oppressive and ominous the atmosphere became.

"I still can't believe we're doing this..." Tomodachi complained, his voice a low grumble.

"You've said that about three times already, Tomo," Linn said, his tone slightly annoyed. He was growing increasingly frustrated with their current predicament and Tomodachi's constant grumbling.

"Because I genuinely don't understand why we have to help this obviously shady individual," Tomodachi persisted, his ears drooping slightly. "He's clearly up to no good and practically blackmailing us!"

"Because he knows my secret, and I really, really don't want that getting out, okay?" Linn said, his voice tight with a mixture of exasperation and desperation, as if explaining the most obvious thing in the world.

"That's another thing I don't understand," Tomodachi said, his brow furrowed in confusion. "You're letting this completely unknown man blackmail you into doing his dirty work, and all because he knows some 'secret' about you?"

Linn sighed heavily, rubbing his temples wearily. "You wouldn't understand, Tomo. It's... complicated."

"Then can you explain it to me in a way that I can understand?" Tomodachi asked, his voice pleading.

"I can't," Linn replied, his jaw clenching.

"Why not?" Tomo asked, his tail, though invisible, probably drooping sadly.

"I just... I JUST CAN'T, OKAY?! NOW DROP IT!" Linn yelled angrily, his voice echoing through the silent forest. Tomodachi stopped in his tracks, his ears flattening against his head, and his eyes widening with hurt. He began to tear up, his lower lip trembling.

"LINN-SAN! That was mean!" Yuzu said, her voice filled with concern. She immediately went to Tomodachi's side, crouching to comfort him and offering a reassuring pat on his head.

"I didn't mean to..." Linn looked down in guilt, his earlier anger replaced by remorse. He hadn't intended to lash out at his loyal companion.

Yuzu gently wiped away Tomodachi's tears and turned towards Linn, her expression softening slightly. "It's okay, Linn-san," she said, her voice soothing. "We understand. Whatever this secret is, we know it means a lot to you. We won't pry anymore. We trust you." Yuzu offered a small, reassuring smile, her eyes filled with empathy.

"Thanks, Yuzu," Linn said, his voice barely a whisper, a wave of gratitude washing over him. He approached Tomodachi hesitantly. "Tomo, I'm really sorry that I yelled at you. I was just... I'm just really stressed about this whole situation, and I didn't mean to take it out on you."

Tomo's ears perked up at the sound of his master's apology, and he sniffled, his tears subsiding slightly. Just then, his sensitive nose twitched, and he suddenly shoved Linn with surprising force.

"Tomo?!" Linn exclaimed, stumbling backward in surprise.

"Watch out!" Tomo shouted, his eyes wide with alarm, his body trembling slightly. He grabbed Yuzu by the arm and pulled her behind him, shielding her from an unseen threat.

A giant, orange boar-like creature burst from the dense undergrowth, its eyes glowing with feral intensity. The creature was enormous, easily twice the size of a grown man, with razor-sharp tusks and thick, bristly fur. It charged into the clearing, its hooves pounding the earth, its presence radiating raw power and aggression.

"What the heck is that?!" Linn exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief. The boar skidded to a halt, its gaze fixed on Linn, its nostrils flaring. It stomped its hooves impatiently, its massive body trembling with pent-up energy, and then charged towards Linn with terrifying speed.

Linn, completely taken aback by the sudden and ferocious assault, barely had time to react. He instinctively grabbed the boar's tusks, his hands gripping the sharp ivory as the creature tried to impale him. The boar was incredibly strong and easily pushed Linn backward, dragging him across the forest floor. As Linn was forced to the ground, he desperately placed one foot on the boar's stomach and used all his strength to flip the creature backward. The boar was sent flying through the air, crashing into a nearby tree with a resounding thud. However, it landed on its hooves with surprising agility and immediately turned to face Linn, its eyes burning with fury. It stomped its hooves again, its body quivering with rage, and charged towards Linn once more.

Linn, his body aching from the initial attack, struggled to get back on his feet. He tried to defend himself, but the boar was too fast and too powerful. It rammed Linn with its snout, sending him flying through the air like a rag doll.

"Master! Linn-san!" Tomodachi and Yuzu cried out in unison, their voices filled with panic and concern. Linn crashed heavily to the ground, clutching his stomach in pain. The boar, its bloodlust clearly not sated, stomped its hooves again, its eyes fixed on its downed prey, and prepared to charge at Linn for a third time.

As Linn braced himself for another devastating attack, Yuzu suddenly stepped in front of him, her small frame standing defiantly between him and the enraged boar. She held her trusty ladle in a firm grip, her expression surprisingly calm and resolute.

"Yuzu? What are you doing?!" Linn exclaimed, his voice filled with shock and disbelief. He couldn't believe she was putting herself in harm's way to protect him.

Yuzu glanced down at Linn, offering a reassuring smile. "Protecting you, of course," she said simply, her voice filled with unwavering determination.

"But-" Linn began to protest, but he was interrupted by the boar charging towards them, its massive form a blur of orange and fury. Yuzu turned her attention to the charging boar, her eyes narrowing, her grip tightening on her ladle.

As the boar closed in, its tusks aimed directly at them, Yuzu swung her ladle in a smooth, golf-like motion, putting all her weight and momentum behind the swing. The ladle connected with the boar's chin with a resounding crack, sending the creature flying through the air once again.

"Wha...?" Linn's and Tomodachi's jaws dropped in collective astonishment. They had never seen Yuzu fight like this before. Her movements were fluid and precise, her strength far exceeding their expectations.

Yuzu spun her ladle casually, her expression calm and collected, and then charged towards the stunned boar. The boar, shaking off the effects of the blow, got back to its feet and charged at Yuzu once more, its tusks gnashing.

The boar swung its tusks wildly, but Yuzu sidestepped with surprising agility, her small frame moving with incredible speed and grace. She then delivered a sharp clonk to the boar's head with her ladle, the sound echoing through the forest. The boar roared angrily, an angry tick mark appearing comically on its forehead. It tried to swing its tusks again, but Yuzu dodged again this time by leaping into the air, her movements almost balletic. As she landed on the other side of the boar, she swung her ladle downwards with all her might, striking the creature on the head again.

The boar, now thoroughly enraged, stomped its hooves furiously, its eyes burning with a mixture of pain and fury. It lowered its head and charged at Yuzu with all its speed, its massive body a force of nature.

Yuzu, undaunted by the boar's ferocious assault, spun her ladle expertly, her movements a blur of motion. She charged towards the boar, meeting its charge head-on. Yuzu, with her seemingly ordinary ladle, and the boar, with its razor-sharp tusks, clashed with a resounding impact, the force of the collision sending shockwaves through the surrounding area. The two combatants stood on opposite sides, their breaths coming in short, ragged gasps, the tension in the air thick and palpable.

Linn and Tomodachi watched in awe, their eyes wide with amazement and disbelief. They couldn't believe the incredible display of power and skill they were witnessing. The next thing they knew, the boar's eyes rolled back into its head, its legs buckled, and it collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud. Three comical bumps rose on its head and swirled in its eyes, its defeat absolute and undeniable.

Yuzu spun her ladle once more, her expression nonchalant, and then casually tucked it back into her hoodie, as if she had just finished a routine chore. She walked towards the boys, her demeanor calm and collected, as if nothing extraordinary had just happened.

"Are you okay, Linn-san?" Yuzu asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

"I'm... I'm fine," Linn stammered, still reeling from the incredible sight he had just witnessed. "But... but that was amazing, Yuzu! Where did you learn to fight like that?"

"Yeah!" Tomodachi added, equally impressed. "Where was that when we fought that Detriment creature? You could have taken him down in a second!"

Yuzu giggled, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "I did tell you guys that I'm pretty handy in a fight, as long as I have my ladle," she said modestly. "I would have fought against Detriment, but someone decided to take my ladle and run off with it." She sent Linn a pointed glare, her smile fading slightly as Linn whistled innocently, avoiding her gaze.

"In any case," Yuzu said, changing the subject and looking up at the darkening sky, "we've been walking for quite a while, and it's getting dark. Maybe we should stop and set up camp for the night? We're not going to find that briefcase in the dark."

Linn looked up at the sky, and sure enough, the sun had already set, and the forest was now shrouded in the inky blackness of night. The only light came from the faint glow of the stars and the sliver of a crescent moon.

"That sounds like a good idea," Linn agreed, his earlier bravado replaced by a growing weariness. "I was hoping we could find that briefcase and get this over with in one shot, but I guess that was a bit much to ask for."

"Plus, I'm starving," Tomodachi added, his stomach rumbling loudly. Linn sweatdropped, a familiar exasperation washing over him.

Surprise, surprise, Linn thought wryly.

Yuzu giggled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Well, you're in luck, Tomo! I was already thinking of setting up camp and making dinner. And I know just what to make..." She glanced at the unconscious boar lying on the ground, her expression suddenly gleeful, a star practically shining in her eye. She moved towards the massive creature.

"Do you need any help, Yuzu?" Linn asked, offering a hand. Yuzu shook her head, her smile widening.

"No, I've got this," Yuzu said confidently, her voice filled with determination. She then proceeded to lift the enormous boar over her shoulder with surprising ease, the creature's weight seemingly negligible to her. Linn and Tomodachi stood there, their jaws dropping in comical shock, their eyes wide with disbelief.

"You boys wait here while I get everything set up," Yuzu chirped, carrying the massive boar as if it were a mere sack of potatoes. She disappeared into a nearby clearing, leaving the two boys standing in stunned silence.

Tomo nudged Linn with his elbow, his expression a mixture of awe and apprehension. "Master," he whispered, his voice barely audible, "remind me never to piss off Yuzu. Like, ever."

"Remind me too," Linn whispered back, his eyes still wide with disbelief. "I definitely don't want to be on her bad side again."

000

Having finished their boar meat dinner, the trio resumed their search, their steps heavy with fatigue and apprehension. The forest, now cloaked in darkness, seemed to press in on them, the shadows twisting into grotesque shapes that played tricks on their eyes.

"Where is that briefcase?" Tomodachi asked, his voice a low grumble.

"I don't know," Linn said, his tone tight with frustration. "But I hope we find it soon. I really don't want to be stuck in this creepy place all night."

"Don't worry, you guys," Yuzu said, trying to sound reassuring, though her voice trembled slightly as she swept the beam of her flashlight across the gnarled trees and tangled undergrowth. "We'll find it. I'm sure of it! We just need to keep looking."

They continued their search for what felt like an eternity, the silence broken only by the rustling of leaves, the snapping of twigs under their feet, and the occasional, unnerving hoot of an owl in the distance.

"Wait, what's that?" Linn suddenly said, pointing towards a dark, rectangular shape lying on the forest floor. Yuzu directed her flashlight beam towards the object. It appeared to be a brown, narrow, hard-sided case, its edges slightly obscured by fallen leaves and shadows.

"There it is! The briefcase!" Linn exclaimed, relief flooding through him. He rushed towards it, his earlier exhaustion forgotten, and eagerly picked it up.

"But... are we even sure it's the right one?" Tomodachi asked, his ears twitching with lingering suspicion.

"It has to be!" Linn said, his voice filled with a desperate hope. "Yuzu, shine your light on it, will you?" Yuzu complied, directing the beam of her flashlight onto the case. Sure enough, there were large, crudely carved words on its surface: 'THAT MAN'.

"Yeah, that's his alright," Tomodachi deadpanned, his expression flat.

"We found the briefcase! Finally! Now let's get out of this creepy forest," Linn said, turning to leave with a renewed sense of purpose. Yuzu followed close behind. Tomodachi, however, remained rooted to the spot, his gaze fixed on the surrounding trees.

"Um, guys?" Tomodachi asked hesitantly. Yuzu and Linn stopped and turned back to face him, their expressions a mixture of impatience and concern. "It's great that we found the briefcase and all, but... how do we actually get out of this forest?''

Linn and Yuzu froze, their earlier elation evaporating as the realization of their predicament sank in. They had been so focused on finding the briefcase that they hadn't paid any attention to their surroundings.

"It's fine," Linn said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "I'm sure Yuzu knows the way out. Right, Yuzu?"

Yuzu flinched, her eyes darting nervously. "Y-yeah, of course! It's... It's that way!" she said, pointing vaguely in a random direction, her voice uncharacteristically uncertain.

"That's a tree," Tomodachi deadpanned, his expression flat and disbelieving.

"Oh..." Yuzu sweatdropped, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"Don't worry," Linn said, forcing a smile. "We'll just retrace our steps. It's not a big deal. There's nothing to worry about—"

Hiss!

The three of them froze, their blood running cold. A long, drawn-out hiss echoed through the forest, sending a shiver of primal fear down their spines. Tomodachi's ears perked up, his body trembling slightly, while Linn instinctively adopted a defensive stance, his fists clenched and his eyes scanning the darkness. On the other hand, Yuzu assumed a wide-eyed, panicked pose.'

"W-what was that?" Yuzu wailed, her voice high-pitched and trembling.

"I don't know," Linn said, his voice low and tense. "Tomo, can you pinpoint its location? Where did that sound come from?"

"Hold on," Tomodachi said, closing his eyes and focusing his enhanced hearing. He strained to listen, filtering out the rustling of leaves and the chirping of insects. He could hear a faint, rhythmic slithering sound, coming closer and closer.

"It's coming... from the south," Tomodachi said, his eyes snapping open, his gaze fixed on a point behind them. The other two followed his gaze, their hearts pounding in their chests.

"There!" Tomodachi exclaimed, his voice filled with alarm. A massive, serpentine creature emerged from the dense undergrowth, its scales shimmering an iridescent green in the dim light. It slithered into the clearing, its body as thick as a tree trunk, its eyes glowing with predatory hunger.

"A S-SNAKE?!" Yuzu wailed, her eyes widening until they were completely white, comical tears streaming down her face. She looked like she was about to faint from sheer terror.

"Wow," Linn said, his voice filled with a strange mixture of awe and apprehension. "A giant snake. That's... impressive."

"Linn-san! This is not the time to be impressed!" Yuzu scolded, her voice shrill with panic. She bent forward slightly, her fists clenched tightly at her sides, her body trembling with a mixture of fear and adrenaline.

"It's attacking!" Tomodachi yelled, his voice urgent. The giant snake lunged at the group, its massive head striking with lightning speed. The trio scattered, dodging out of the way just in time to avoid being crushed. Linn charged towards the snake, throwing a powerful punch at its midsection. The snake hissed in pain, its scales rippling, and turned its attention to Linn. It opened its massive jaws, preparing to strike, its fangs dripping with venom. Linn braced himself for the attack, his heart pounding in his chest. Just as the snake was about to bite down on him, Yuzu stepped in front of him, her ladle held firmly in front of the snake's gaping maw.

She then swung her ladle in a powerful, golf-like motion, striking the snake on the chin with a resounding thwack. The snake stumbled backward, its head snapping to the side.

"Nice shot, Yuzu!" Linn complimented, his eyes wide with admiration.

"Thanks, Linn-san!" Yuzu replied, a small smile gracing her lips, though her eyes still betrayed a hint of fear.

Before the two could celebrate, however, the snake recovered quickly. Its eyes narrowed, and it coiled its massive body around them, its grip tightening with terrifying force. Linn and Yuzu gasped for air, their faces turning red as the snake's coils constricted around them.

Tomodachi panicked, his ears drooping, and his tail, though invisible, tucked between his legs. Whatdo I do? What do I do? The master hasn't given me the order to attack yet, he thought frantically, his mind racing.

The snake continued to squeeze, its coils tightening around Linn and Yuzu. Their struggles weakened, their faces turning blue, their lungs screaming for air. Tomodachi looked on, his expression torn between fear and loyalty. He knew he was supposed to wait for Linn's command, but his friends were in mortal danger.

Dammit! Tomodachi thought, his internal conflict reaching a boiling point. He couldn't stand by and watch them die. He charged at the snake, his teeth bared, and took a large, vicious bite out of its side.

The snake hissed in pain, its coils loosening slightly. It thrashed wildly, its massive body convulsing, and finally, it released Linn and Yuzu, sending them sprawling onto the forest floor. The two of them lay on the ground, gasping for air, their lungs burning, their bodies trembling. Tomodachi rushed to their side, his expression filled with remorse and anxiety.

Linn looked up at Tomodachi, his chest heaving, his voice weak. "Way to go, Tomo... you saved us..." he managed to say, his words punctuated by ragged breaths.

Before Linn could finish, Tomodachi threw himself onto his master, hugging him tightly and burying his face in Linn's chest.

"Master, I'm so, so sorry! Please forgive me!" Tomodachi sobbed, tears streaming down his face in comical waterfalls. Linn and Yuzu exchanged bewildered glances, completely confused by Tomodachi's sudden outburst.

"What are you talking about, boy?" Linn asked, gently pushing Tomodachi away, though the dog beastkalin clung tightly to him.

"I'm sorry I attacked without your permission, Master! I know I'm not supposed to act without your orders, but you and Yuzu were in danger! I didn't have a choice! Please don't be angry with me!" Tomodachi pleaded, his voice choked with emotion.

Linn, still catching his breath, got to his feet and gently pried Tomodachi off him. "Tomo, it's okay," he said, his voice surprisingly calm. "I'm not mad. Why would I be? You saved our lives. You did the right thing."

Tomo wiped his tears, his ears drooping slightly. "But... but I still attacked without your permission, Master. I disobeyed you."

"Tomo, you don't need my permission to help or defend yourself," Linn assured him, placing a hand on his shoulder. You're your own person—a dog… person. You can make decisions for yourself. You have to learn to trust your instincts."

"Then why did you always get mad at me when I did that back in our world?" Tomodachi asked, his head tilting in confusion.

"What do you mean?" Linn asked, his brow furrowed.

"Back home, you would always scold me whenever I tried to bite cats, or mailmen, or Kaila," Tomodachi explained, his voice filled with a hint of resentment. "You would lock me in that dreaded cage and say, 'From now on, you can't bite anyone without my permission!' It was very confusing."

Linn blinked rapidly, his face flushing with embarrassment. "I... I said that?" he asked, his voice incredulous.

"Yes," Tomodachi confirmed, his expression serious.

"Linn-san..." Yuzu said, giving him a disappointed, motherly look.

Linn waved his hands frantically, trying to explain. "Wait, it's not what you think! He was just a puppy back then! I was training him, and—"

Hiss!

A loud, impatient hiss interrupted his explanation. The trio turned towards the sound and found the giant snake glaring at them, still alive and very much annoyed. It was impatiently tapping its tail against the ground, its eyes fixed on them with a predatory gleam. The snake hissed again, as if to say, ' I'm still here, you know.'

The group tensed, their earlier relief replaced by a renewed sense of danger. They got into battle stances, ready to face the snake once more. The snake coiled its massive body, preparing to strike. But then, its gaze suddenly shifted. Its eyes widened, and it became fixated on something on the ground behind them.

The trio followed the snake's line of sight and noticed it was staring intently at the brown briefcase lying on the forest floor. The snake's tongue flicked in and out of its mouth, its body trembling with a strange mixture of desire and anticipation.

Linn's eyes widened with realization. The snake wasn't interested in them anymore; it wanted the briefcase!

Nobody moved. Nobody made a sound. The only sound was the gentle rustling of leaves in the wind. A single leaf detached from a nearby branch and began to fall slowly towards the ground, its descent agonizingly slow. The tension in the air was thick and palpable, the silence deafening.

As soon as the leaf touched the ground, both the snake and Linn lunged for the briefcase. The snake grabbed it with its teeth, its jaws clamping down firmly, while Linn grabbed it with his hands, his fingers digging into the leather. A bizarre tug-of-war ensued.

Yuzu and Tomodachi stared at the scene, their expressions a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

"Um..." Yuzu said, breaking the surreal silence. "What... what's going on?"

"It apparently wants the briefcase," Tomodachi answered, his ears drooping slightly.

"But... why?" Yuzu asked, her brow furrowed.

"Who cares why?!" Linn shouted, his voice strained with effort. "He's not getting it!" Linn was still trying to pry the briefcase from the snake's jaws, his muscles bulging with the strain. Yuzu, realizing the futility of their current approach, ran to Linn's side and grabbed him around the waist, hoping to add her strength to the tug-of-war. Not wanting to be left out, Tomodachi followed suit, grabbing Yuzu around the waist and forming a human (and dog) chain. The three of them pulled with all their might, their feet digging into the soft earth, but the snake's grip was too strong. The tug-of-war continued for what felt like an eternity, neither side giving an inch.

"Linn-san!" Yuzu finally spoke up, her voice strained. "This isn't working! He's too strong! We're not going to win like this!"

"Try harder!" Linn yelled back, his face red with exertion.

"Why don't we just... give him the briefcase?" Yuzu suggested, her voice hesitant.

Linn looked at Yuzu as if she had just suggested something utterly insane. "What?! Are you crazy?! "

"He doesn't want to hurt us anymore," Yuzu explained, her voice calm and reasonable despite the bizarre situation. "He seems more interested in the briefcase than in us. If we give it to him, he might just leave us alone. It's not worth getting hurt over this."

"But... but my secret!" Linn protested, his voice filled with desperation.

Yuzu's expression turned serious, her eyes locking onto Linn's with unwavering intensity. "Linn-san," she said, her voice firm and resolute, "what's more important? Your secret? Or our lives? Are you really willing to risk everything for a stupid briefcase?"

Linn fell silent, his internal conflict raging.. He pondered for a moment, his grip on the briefcase loosening slightly as he considered the gravity of the situation.

"LINN-SAN!" Yuzu scolded sharply, her voice filled with urgency.

"What?! I'm thinking!" Linn snapped back, his voice strained and panicked.

Tomodachi, glancing between Yuzu, his master, and the tenacious snake, suddenly remembered something. He released his grip on Yuzu's waist and began rummaging frantically through Linn's backpack.

"Tomo, what are you doing?" Linn asked, his voice filled with confusion and annoyance. Yuzu watched him curiously, her brow furrowed. Tomodachi continued his frantic search, his paws digging through the contents of the backpack. Finally, he found what he was looking for and pulled it out triumphantly.

"I got it!" Tomodachi exclaimed, holding up the object he had retrieved. It was the large, slightly bruised cabbage that the grumpy cabbage merchant had given to Linn back in Kido Village.

Linn and Yuzu just stared at Tomodachi, their expressions blank and utterly bewildered.

"Um, boy?" Linn hesitantly asked, his voice filled with incredulity. "What... what are you going to do with that?"

"Just watch," Tomodachi said, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint. He wound up like a baseball pitcher and threw the cabbage directly into the snake's gaping maw.

The snake swallowed the cabbage whole, its eyes widening in surprise. It looked confused for a moment, its head tilting to the side. Then, its expression changed to one of sheer disgust and discomfort. It started gagging violently, its massive body convulsing, its grip on the briefcase loosening. Seizing the opportunity, Linn pulled the briefcase free from the snake's jaws. The snake, now thoroughly incapacitated by the foul-tasting cabbage, released its hold completely and began hacking and gagging uncontrollably.

Linn, holding the briefcase tightly, watched the spectacle with a mixture of relief and morbid fascination. "Wow," he said, his voice filled with disbelief. "Are those cabbages really that bad?"

Linn and Tomodachi turned to Yuzu, seeking an explanation. Yuzu simply shrugged her shoulders, her expression equally bewildered.

"Don't ask me," she said, her voice flat. "I've never had them."

"Well, who cares?" Linn said, a wide grin spreading across his face. "We got the briefcase back! Finally! Let's get out of here!" Before Linn could take a step, he was struck from behind by the snake's tail. The force of the blow sent him flying forward, colliding with Yuzu and Tomodachi and sending all three of them sprawling onto the ground, the briefcase slipping from Linn's grasp. The snake, still gagging and hacking, seized the opportunity. It slithered forward, dragging the briefcase with its tongue, and began to flee, disappearing into the dark depths of the forest.

"NO, WAIT!" Linn shouted, scrambling to his feet. He got up and ran after the snake, his voice filled with desperation.

The snake was faster. Despite its obvious discomfort, it managed to disappear into the dense undergrowth, its movements surprisingly swift and agile. And just like that, it was gone, taking the briefcase with it.

Linn collapsed to the ground, his shoulders slumping in defeat. His earlier triumph had turned to utter despair. Yuzu and Tomodachi walked towards him, their expressions filled with concern.

"Master, are you okay?" Tomodachi asked, his voice gentle.

Linn got up slowly, his face etched with exhaustion and frustration. "No," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "No, I'm not okay. We need to get the briefcase back."

Linn turned and began walking in the direction the snake had disappeared, his movements sluggish and determined. Tomodachi followed, his ears drooping, his tail, though invisible, dragging on the ground. Yuzu, however, did not move. She stood there, her gaze fixed on Linn's retreating figure, her expression a complex mixture of worry and resolve.

"Wait, you guys," Yuzu said, her voice firm, stopping them in their tracks. Linn and Tomodachi stopped and turned back to face her, their expressions questioning.

"What's wrong?" Linn asked, his voice weary.

"Maybe... maybe we should just give up," Yuzu said, her voice hesitant but resolute. Linn looked at her in stunned disbelief.

"WHAT?! Why?! What are you talking about?" Linn yelled, his voice filled with shock and betrayal.

Yuzu put her hands on her hips, her expression hardening. "Linn-san, we've been in this forest all day. We're exhausted, it's pitch black, and we've already encountered several dangerous creatures that almost killed us. I'm sure we're all completely drained and at our limit."

"But I need that briefcase! Don't you understand? Or else..." Linn trailed off, his gaze falling to the ground, his voice filled with a desperate plea.

Yuzu gently grabbed Linn's hands, her touch surprisingly firm. "I know, Linn-san. Your secret. But like I said before, what's more important? Our lives? Or your secret? I'm sorry, Linn-san, but I'm not going to stand here and risk all our lives for some stupid briefcase. So can we please just drop this and continue on our journey?"

Linn was silent, his mind racing. He didn't know what to do. He was torn between his desperate need to protect his secret and his growing concern for his friends' safety. Yuzu, her grip still firm, tried to pull him gently, urging him to leave the forest. Linn, however, remained rooted to the spot, his gaze fixed on the dark, impenetrable woods. He couldn't stop thinking about the cloaked man's threat, the images of the man laughing triumphantly, and his friends' shocked and disappointed expressions flashing through his mind. He couldn't bear the thought of them knowing his secret. It was too much to bear.

He violently yanked his arm out of Yuzu's grip, his movements sudden and forceful. Yuzu and Tomodachi recoiled in surprise, their eyes widening in shock and disbelief. They had never seen Linn act like this before.

"I'm sorry," Linn said, his voice strained and desperate, his eyes filled with a tortured resolve. "But I can't leave here without that briefcase. I just... I can't."

At that moment, Yuzu's concern turned into anger. Her expression hardened, and she adopted her 'scolding stance', her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowed and blazing.

"Linn-san! What part of 'not risking our lives for your secret' do you not understand?! I know this 'secret' means a lot to you, but I'm not going to stand here and put all our lives in danger for said secret and a stupid briefcase! It's insane!"

"I'm sorry, Master," Tomodachi piped up, his voice small but firm. "But I must agree with Yuzu. This has started to become an... an obsession. And I'm getting really worried about your mental state. This secret, whatever it is, is not worth risking your life, or ours."

Linn's eyes blazed with a fierce, almost manic intensity. He turned his glare on Yuzu and Tomodachi, his expression contorted with a mixture of fear, desperation, and rage. The sheer intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down both of their spines.

"WELL, IT IS TO ME!" Linn yelled, his voice cracking with emotion. "I CAN'T HAVE THAT SECRET GETTING OUT TO YOU GUYS! I JUST CAN'T! IT'S TOO IMPORTANT! I NEED THAT FREAKING BRIEFCASE! AND IF YOU GUYS DON'T WANT TO HELP ME ANYMORE, IF YOU'RE JUST GOING TO STAND THERE AND JUDGE ME, THEN TO HELL WITH YOU BOTH! I'LL DO IT MYSELF!"

With those harsh, cutting words, Linn turned and ran into the dark, foreboding forest, disappearing into the shadows in the same direction the snake had gone.

"Linn-san!" Yuzu cried out, reaching out her hand in a futile attempt to stop him, but it was too late. Linn was already gone, swallowed by the darkness, his angry words echoing through the trees, leaving Yuzu and Tomodachi standing alone, their hearts heavy with worry and a growing sense of dread.

000

Linn, driven by a desperate need to retrieve the briefcase, plunged deeper into the forest, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of the giant snake.

"Where did you go?" Linn muttered to himself, his voice echoing through the silent trees. Just then, he heard a rustling sound coming from a nearby thicket of bushes. His heart leaped with a mixture of hope and trepidation. He turned towards the sound, his body tense, his senses on high alert. He carefully moved the branches aside, peering into the darkness, half-expecting to see the massive serpent.

Instead, he found Tomodachi standing there, his expression a mixture of concern and determination.

"Tomo?" Linn questioned, his surprise evident. "What are you doing here? And how did you even find me? I thought you were with Yuzu!"

Tomodachi stepped out from behind the bushes and explained, "I came looking for you, Master. I was worried. And... well, I have your scent on me, so you weren't exactly hard to track down."

"Oh," Linn said, his earlier anger and desperation softening slightly at the sight of his loyal companion.

"Master," Tomodachi said, his voice serious, his gaze unwavering, "be honest with me. Is this 'secret' really worth risking your life over? Is it worth abandoning your friends and throwing everything away?"

Linn sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "No..." he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. Maybe you're right. I... I am obsessed. The thought of you guys knowing my secret and not liking me anymore scares me. It's irrational, but I can't help it."

Tomo stepped closer to Linn and gently grabbed him by the shoulder, his grip firm but reassuring. He looked Linn directly in the eye, his expression filled with unwavering loyalty and affection.

"Master Linn," Tomodachi said sternly, his voice filled with a depth of emotion that Linn had rarely heard before, "I'm your dog. I'm your companion. Your friend. Do you honestly think that I would ever think less of you? That anything you could say or do would change how I feel about you? I love you, Master. And I would stick by your side, no matter what. Through thick and thin. Always."

"Tomo..." Linn said, his voice choked with emotion, his eyes welling up with tears.

"And you may not have known Yuzu for as long as you've known me," Tomodachi continued, his gaze softening, "but does she really seem like the judging type to you? Does she strike you as someone who would abandon you because of something you told her? She's shown nothing but kindness and compassion since we met her."

"No..." Linn replied, slowly shaking his head, his earlier fears dissipating.

"Then you have nothing to fear, Master," Tomodachi said, offering a reassuring smile. "We would accept you for who you are, flaws and all. We're your friends."

Linn smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile this time. His earlier anxiety was replaced by a wave of gratitude and relief. He reached out and hugged Tomodachi tightly, burying his face in the dog beastkalin's fur.

"Thanks, boy," Linn said, his voice muffled but sincere.

"You're welcome, Master," Tomodachi replied, returning the hug with equal affection.

Linn released the hug and looked around, his brow furrowing with concern. "Hey, where's Yuzu?" he asked, suddenly realizing her absence.

"Don't worry, she's in the same spot as before. " Tomodachi said. "I'll lead the way."

Linn and Tomodachi began walking back in the direction Tomodachi had come from, their pace quickening with each step.

"Oh man," Linn said, his anxiety returning, though this time directed at a different source. "I hope Yuzu's not too mad. I just ran off on her."

"I'm sure she's fine," Tomo said, trying to sound reassuring, though a mischievous glint flickered in his eyes. "Although..."

"What?" Linn asked fearfully, his eyes widening.

Tomo paused dramatically, adopting a thoughtful pose. "I vaguely remember her saying something like, 'He is so grounded when I see him again. And I already have a punishment in mind...'."

"Ah!" Linn shrieked, his face paling. Tomo burst out laughing.

"I'm just kidding, Master! Haha, you should have seen the look on your face! You turned white as a ghost!" Tomodachi chuckled, clutching his stomach with amusement.

Linn glared at him, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "That's not funny, Tomo! I told you, she's scary when she's angry! I'm still traumatized from the last 'punishment' she gave me."

Tomo chuckled, though he tried to suppress his laughter. He rubbed his shoulder, which Linn had playfully punched. "In all seriousness, Master, she was really worried about you. She was pacing back and forth, muttering about how reckless you were being."

"Yeah..." Linn said, his expression softening. "I know. I'll apologize to her properly when I see her."

As the two of them reached the spot where they had last seen Yuzu, Tomodachi stopped and sniffed the air intently, his nose twitching.

"What's wrong, boy?" Linn asked, his eyes scanning the area.

Tomodachi sniffed the air again, his expression turning panicked. He turned to Linn, his ears drooping slightly. "Yuzu's scent... It's gone!"

"What do you mean it's gone?!" Linn asked, his voice filled with shock and disbelief.

"I mean, it's gone!" Tomodachi explained, his voice trembling slightly. "I was following her scent, and then it just... it just disappeared! It's like she vanished into thin air!"

Linn's eyes widened in alarm. He looked around frantically, his earlier relief replaced by a renewed sense of panic. He ran towards the spot where Yuzu had been standing, with Tomodachi following close behind. They reached the clearing, but Yuzu was nowhere to be seen.

"Where did she go?!" Linn asked, his voice rising in panic.

"I don't know!" Tomo said, equally panicked. "I told her to stay put! I don't understand how this could have happened!"

"We have to find her! Now! We can't lose her, too!" Linn exclaimed, his voice filled with desperation.

"Yes, Master!" Tomodachi agreed, his expression grim.

The two of them began frantically searching the forest, their earlier mission to find the briefcase momentarily forgotten. They called out Yuzu's name, their voices echoing through the trees, but there was no response. They searched everywhere they could think of: behind bushes, in the hollows of trees, under large rocks. But Yuzu was nowhere to be found.

After thirty minutes of nonstop searching, their energy began to flag. They stopped to take a break, their bodies aching, their hopes dwindling.

"Where is she?" Linn asked, his chest heaving, his voice filled with exhaustion and despair.

"I don't know," Tomodachi replied, equally winded. "I can't find her scent anywhere. It's almost like she's not even in this forest anymore. It's like she just... disappeared."

"That can't be!" Linn said, his voice rising in denial. "She wouldn't just abandon us! She's still here! I know it! She has to be!"

Linn resumed his frantic search, his movements becoming increasingly desperate. He searched every nook and cranny, his hands raw from pushing aside branches and lifting heavy stones. But Yuzu was nowhere to be found.

"Master..." Tomodachi spoke up hesitantly. "I don't think she's in this area anymore. I would have sensed her by now if she were close."

"Then we'll look in a different area! We can't give up now! We can't just leave her here!" Linn insisted, his voice cracking with emotion.

"Master, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we've searched all over this part of the forest, and I can't sense her anywhere," Tomodachi said gently. "That means she's either not in the forest anymore... or she's..." Tomodachi trailed off, unable to bring himself to voice the unthinkable, his ears drooping sadly.

"Don't you dare finish that sentence!" Linn retorted sharply, his eyes flashing with anger and pain. "She can't be... that! She's here somewhere! I just... I..."

Linn's legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed onto his knees, his body wracked with sobs. Tomodachi watched his master with deep concern, his heart aching for his friend.

"Yuzu! I'm so sorry!!" Linn cried out, his voice filled with anguish. "I've been a terrible friend! I was selfish and reckless! You can punish me! You can do whatever you want! Just... just come back to us! Please!" Linn pounded the ground with his fists, his body shaking uncontrollably as he sobbed, his grief raw and unfiltered. Tomodachi watched on helplessly, his ears flattened against his head, his own eyes welling up with tears.

Linn was still kneeling on the ground, his body shaking with sobs, when he felt a gentle touch on his back. He turned around, his vision blurred by tears, and found Yuzu standing there, her expression soft and concerned.

"There, there, hun," Yuzu said in a soothing, motherly tone, her voice gentle and comforting. "It's okay. Mommy's right here. Everything's alright."

"Yuzu!" Linn exclaimed, his face lighting up with a mixture of joy and disbelief. He scrambled to his feet and threw his arms around Yuzu, hugging her tightly.

"You're okay!" Linn said, his voice filled with relief. "Thank goodness you're safe!"

"Yes, I'm fine," Yuzu said, her voice slightly strained. "But, uh, Linn-san, you're kind of crushing me. I can't breathe."

"Oh! I'm sorry—" Linn began to say, releasing her slightly, but then he stopped, his eyes widening as he took in Yuzu's appearance. She was covered in dirt and grime, her usually neat hair was disheveled and tangled, she had several bruises on her face, and her hoodie was torn in several places. He also noticed several bite marks on her legs.

"OH MY GOD, YUZU, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!" Linn yelled, his voice filled with alarm and concern.

"Oh, this?" Yuzu said casually, waving her hand dismissively, though she winced slightly as she moved. "Let's just say I had to... 'persuade' a certain serpent to return some things that didn't belong to him. He was being rather... uncooperative."

Linn stared at her, his jaw dropping in disbelief. "You... you fought the snake? Alone? And you... You won?"

"I did," Yuzu confirmed, her expression nonchalant, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "And guess what I got back?" She reached into her backpack and pulled out the brown briefcase, handing it to Linn with a triumphant smile.

"I..." Linn said, his voice filled with awe and gratitude, as he took the briefcase. "Thank you, Yuzu. I don't know what to say."

"You're welcome," Yuzu said, her smile softening. She shifted her weight slightly, her expression somewhat sheepish, and began to twiddle her fingers nervously. "And I'm sorry, Linn-san. I should have been more understanding about your feelings. This 'secret' obviously means a lot to you, and I shouldn't have pressured you to reveal it before you were ready. I was just worried about you, and I... I panicked."

Linn looked at the briefcase in his hands, then back at Yuzu, his expression thoughtful. He placed the briefcase on the ground and turned to face Yuzu, his gaze filled with a newfound resolve.

"No, Yuzu, I'm the one who should be sorry," he said, his voice firm and sincere. "You were right. I was being selfish and reckless. No secret is worth risking my friends' lives, especially yours. And you got hurt because of my stupid pride. I should have just told you guys the truth from the beginning. You deserve to know."

Yuzu's eyes widened, and she put her hands to her mouth in surprise. Tomodachi, who had been listening silently, raised his eyebrows in curiosity.

"You're... you're sure, Master?" Tomodachi asked, his voice hesitant but hopeful.

Linn nodded firmly. "I'm sure. Because of this stupid secret, we ended up in this mess in the first place. And... and Yuzu got hurt. You were right, Tomo. I should have just done this from the beginning. It's time you both knew."

Linn took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as he prepared to reveal the truth. Yuzu and Tomodachi listened eagerly, their expressions a mixture of anticipation and concern.

"Okay," Linn said, his voice barely a whisper, his gaze fixed on the ground. "Here goes. The truth is... I..."

000

Silence hung in the air, thick with a mixture of relief, awkwardness, and lingering tension. The trio stood there, the weight of the moment pressing down on them. Yuzu and Tomodachi stared blankly at Linn, their eyes wide and unblinking. Linn, on the other hand, shifted nervously, his gaze fixed on the ground, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.

"So... what do you think?" Linn finally asked, his voice barely a whisper, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Yuzu blinked twice, her expression slowly shifting from stunned silence to one of mild amusement. "That was your secret?" she asked, her voice incredulous.

"Yeah..." Linn said, his gaze still fixed on the ground, his cheeks burning.

Yuzu smiled, a genuine, warm smile that reached her eyes. "Is that all? Really? That's what you were so worried about?"

"Huh?" Linn said, his head snapping up, his expression a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

"Linn-san, that's... that's normal for boys your age," Yuzu said, her smile widening. "It's nothing to be ashamed of. I wouldn't think any less of you for something like that."

"Even I do it, Master," Tomodachi added matter-of-factly, his tail, though invisible, probably wagging slightly.

Linn just stood there, dumbfounded, his earlier anxiety replaced by a growing sense of incredulity. "Wow," he said, his voice flat. "So... all of this could have been avoided? All this drama, all this running around, all this fighting...?"

"If you had just told us from the beginning," Tomodachi finished, his tone dry. "As I believe I mentioned earlier."

An awkward silence filled the air once more, punctuated only by the chirping of crickets and the distant hooting of an owl.

"So... what do we do now?" Yuzu asked, breaking the silence.

Linn picked up the discarded briefcase, his expression hardening with a newfound resolve. "All of this happened because of this stupid thing," he said, his voice filled with frustration. He wound up like a baseball pitcher and threw the briefcase with all his might, sending it soaring through the air and disappearing into the darkness of the woods. Yuzu and Tomodachi gasped in shock, their eyes wide with surprise.

"Linn-san?!" Yuzu exclaimed, her hand flying to her mouth.

"Master, was that wise? Don't we need that?" Tomodachi asked, his ears drooping slightly.

"This all happened because I let some random guy blackmail me into doing his dirty work when I could have just been honest with my friends from the beginning," Linn said, his voice firm. "I'm done doing his bidding! If he wants his briefcase, he can go get it himself! I'm not risking our lives for it anymore."

Yuzu applauded, genuine and enthusiastic applause replacing her earlier shock with admiration. Tomodachi nodded sagely in agreement.

"Let's just get out of this stupid forest," Linn said, turning to leave, his steps filled with a newfound purpose. Tomodachi followed close behind, his earlier apprehension replaced by a sense of relief. Yuzu, however, lagged slightly behind, her movements a bit slower.

"Eep!" Yuzu let out a pained cry as her leg buckled beneath her, causing her to stumble and land heavily on one knee. Linn immediately rushed to her side, his earlier anger replaced by concern.

"You okay?!" Linn asked, his voice filled with worry.

"Yes, I'm fine," Yuzu replied, wincing slightly as she tried to stand. "I guess I'm still a little banged up from... You know."

"Master, I suggest we rest here for the night until she feels better," Tomodachi suggested, his ears drooping slightly.

"I agree," Linn said, nodding in agreement. He turned around, knelt down, and outstretched his hands in a gesture of offering. "Get on, Yuzu. I'll carry you to a safe location where we can rest."

"Oh... okay," Yuzu said, her cheeks flushing slightly. She carefully climbed onto Linn's back, wrapping her arms around his neck. The trio then made their way to a secluded spot deeper in the forest, a small clearing bathed in the moon's soft glow.

"This looks like a nice spot," Linn said, gently lowering Yuzu to the ground.

"I'll set up camp," Tomodachi offered, pulling a surprisingly compact portable tent and a portable fire-starting kit from Linn's seemingly bottomless backpack.

"I'm sorry, guys," Yuzu said apologetically, her gaze fixed on the ground. "This is supposed to be my job. I feel like I'm just slowing you down."

"Hey now," Linn said, taking a seat beside her, his voice gentle. "Your job now is to rest and get better. You're hurt. We're a team, and we look out for each other."

"Yes," Yuzu said, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm sorry I worried you."

"It's okay," Linn said, his expression softening. "But it did get me thinking." He hesitated for a moment, then continued, his voice filled with a hint of uncertainty. "Are you really sure you want to keep traveling with us? You got hurt because of me, because of my stupid mistake. And I think—"

Before Linn could finish, Yuzu reached out and gently placed a finger to his lips, silencing him.

"I know what you're thinking, mister," Yuzu said sternly, her eyes locking onto his. "And my answer is no. I'm not returning to my village." She removed her finger, her gaze unwavering.

"But... but don't you think you'd be safer there? " Linn asked, his voice filled with concern.

"Maybe," Yuzu conceded, her expression softening slightly. "But as I said before, I can't, in good conscience, let two people who don't know anything about Seren, who are completely lost and vulnerable, travel alone in this dangerous world."

"But—" Linn began to protest, but Yuzu cut him off once again, her voice firm and resolute.

"No buts, young man," Yuzu said, adopting a playful but authoritative tone. "I'm staying, and that's final! You're stuck with me, whether you like it or not."

"Okay, okay, geez!" Linn said, throwing his hands up in mock surrender, a small smile playing on his lips. "You're so stubborn sometimes."

"What was that?" Yuzu glared.

Linn defensively put his hands up, his smile widening. "I meant that in a good way! It's a compliment! It reminds me of Kaila, my other friend back home," Linn explained.

"Oh," Yuzu said, her expression softening. "That reminds me. What are your friends like? The ones you're trying to find?"

"Honestly? They're kind of like you," Linn said, his voice filled with a hint of nostalgia.

"Really?" Yuzu asked, her eyes widening with surprise.

"Yeah," Linn replied, nodding. "Kaila has long blond hair, just like you, and she can be... well, she can be a bit aggressive, bossy, and annoying sometimes, just like you," Linn joked, teasing her gently.

"Meanie," Yuzu pouted, her cheeks flushing slightly. Linn laughed.

"But she can also be incredibly kind, caring, and fiercely protective of her friends," Linn continued, his voice softening. "She's always there for us, no matter what."

"Oh," Yuzu said, her expression thoughtful.

"The same with Erica," Linn added. "She can be soft-spoken and gentle, almost... motherly, in a way. She's always looking out for us, making sure we're okay."

"I see," Yuzu said, her gaze fixed on Linn, her expression a mixture of curiosity and understanding.

"I miss them so much..." Linn said, his voice filled with a longing sadness. He suddenly came to a realization, his eyes widening. "Oh! That's it!"

"What is it?" Yuzu asked, her brow furrowed.

"Maybe that's why I was so worried about you," Linn said, his voice filled with a newfound understanding. "It's because you remind me of them. Of Kaila and Erica. And... and I lost them. I was afraid I would lose you, too. That I would be alone again."

"I see," Yuzu said softly, her expression filled with empathy. She reached out and pulled Linn into a warm, comforting hug.

"It's okay, Linn-san," Yuzu said gently, her voice soothing. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for you, and we'll find your friends. I promise."

"Thanks, Yuzu," Linn said, his voice muffled by her shoulder. His earlier anxiety was replaced by a sense of comfort and reassurance.

"You're welcome, Linn-san," Yuzu said, breaking the hug. Her smile was warm and genuine.

"Um, Yuzu?" Linn said hesitantly. Yuzu blinked, her head tilting slightly.

"Just call me Linn," Linn said, his cheeks flushing slightly.

"Really? Are you sure?" Yuzu asked, surprised.

"Yeah," Linn said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "I feel like we're close enough now. And it feels weird being addressed with 'san' all the time. It makes me feel old."

"Okay, Linn then," Yuzu said, a small smile playing on her lips. "What will you do after you find your friends? Do you have any plans?"

"I honestly don't know," Linn admitted, his expression thoughtful. "But like I told Tomo earlier, I want to find them first and worry about that when the time comes. Right now, my priority is getting my friends back."

"I see," Yuzu said, nodding in understanding. Just then, Tomodachi approached the two of them, his expression neutral.

"The tent is ready," Tomodachi announced.

"Okay," Linn said, getting to his feet and stretching his arms. "Go on and get some rest, Yuzu. You need to recover."

Yuzu blinked, her head tilting slightly. "Go on where?"

Linn raised an eyebrow, his expression incredulous. "In the tent, silly. Where else would you go?"

Yuzu looked at the small portable tent, then back at Linn, her expression a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

"But... but how are we all going to fit in that tiny tent?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.

"We're not," Linn said, his tone matter-of-fact. "You're going in the tent. Me and Tomodachi are sleeping out here. It's not a big deal."

A small gust of wind blew through the clearing, carrying a lone tumbleweed across their path, emphasizing the awkwardness of the situation.

"Eh?!" Yuzu exclaimed, her eyes widening in alarm, all traces of her earlier composure vanishing.

"What?" Linn said, oblivious to her distress.

"What do you mean, what?!" Yuzu said, her voice rising in panic. "You two can't sleep out here! Alone! In the dark! With all sorts of dangerous creatures lurking about!"

"Why not?" Linn asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

"Why?!" Yuzu said, her voice incredulous, her hands gesturing wildly. "It's dark and cold, and there are wild animals, and who knows what else is out there! It's not safe!"

Linn walked up to Yuzu and gently patted her head, his expression reassuring.

"Hey, it's okay," Linn assured her, his voice soothing. "We'll be fine out here. We can handle ourselves. You go into the tent and get some rest. You need to recover from your injuries."

"But..." Yuzu said, still hesitant.

Linn adopted Yuzu's earlier 'scolding stance', his hands on his hips, his expression firm. "No buts, young lady. You go in that tent and get some rest right now!"

"Okay, okay, geez!" Yuzu said, turning her head and pouting, though a small smile played on her lips. "And I'm the stubborn one..." Linn and Yuzu shared a small laugh, the earlier tension dissipating.

"Seriously, though, Yuzu, go get some rest. We'll be fine out here. We'll keep watch," Linn said, his voice gentle but firm.

"If you say so," Yuzu said reluctantly, her expression still filled with concern. "Goodnight, you two. Please be careful." She then turned and headed towards the tent, disappearing inside.

"Night," Linn said softly, watching her go. Tomodachi approached Linn, his expression neutral.

"Master, our futons are ready," Tomodachi announced.

"Alright," Linn said, stifling a yawn. "Let's get some shut-eye. It's been a long day."

"As you wish, Master," Tomodachi replied.

The two boys laid down on their respective futons, their bodies heavy with exhaustion. They quickly drifted off to sleep, their breaths deep and even. Yuzu peeked out of the tent flap, her gaze fixed on the two sleeping figures. She watched them for a moment, her expression softening, a warm smile gracing her lips. But then, her smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of sadness and concern. She sighed softly and retreated back into the tent, lying down to sleep.

000

The next morning, weary but relieved, the trio packed up their meager supplies and prepared to leave the cursed forest behind them.

"Oh, thank goodness!" Linn cheered, stretching his arms wide as they emerged from the dense treeline. "We're finally out of that nightmare!"

"And I can see a village in the distance," Tomodachi pointed out, his sensitive nose twitching as he caught the scent of civilization.

"That must be Honsen Village," Yuzu said, squinting at the cluster of buildings in the distance. "Normally, Honsen Village would only be a mile or so away from Kido Village. That forest must have been some kind of twisted shortcut."

"Speaking of the forest," Linn said, turning to face his companions, his expression serious. "Let's all agree right here and now: we are never going back in there. Not for any reason. Ever." Tomodachi and Yuzu nodded their heads in fervent agreement, the horrors of the previous day still fresh in their minds.

As they began to make their way towards the village, Tomodachi suddenly stopped, his nose twitching, his ears perked up.

"What's wrong, boy?" Linn asked.

"Someone's coming," Tomodachi announced, his voice low and growling.

Linn's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing. "Don't tell me... It's him, isn't it?"

"Yes," Tomodachi growled, his hackles slightly raised. "That obnoxious but... strangely familiar scent. I'd recognize it anywhere."

The trio turned to the side, their bodies tense, their senses on high alert. Emerging from the edge of the forest, the cloaked man sauntered towards them, his face still obscured by the deep shadows of his hood, but the amusement in his voice was unmistakable.

"Well, well, well," the cloaked man said, a wide grin spreading across his face, though it remained hidden beneath his hood. "You all made it out alive. I was beginning to lose hope that you'd actually survive my little... errand." He glanced at the group, his eyes scanning them, and his smile faltered slightly as he noticed their empty hands.

"But what's this?" he frowned, his voice laced with disappointment. "I don't see my briefcase. Where is it? What happened?"

Linn stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the cloaked man, his expression a mixture of anger and defiance.

"I'll tell you what happened," Linn said, his voice firm and unwavering. "We found your stupid briefcase, but we didn't bring it back. Because I'm not taking orders from you anymore. You want your briefcase? You can go get it yourself. We're done with you."

The cloaked man raised an eyebrow, his head tilting slightly in surprise. He reached into his cloak and pulled out his strange book, flipping through the pages until he found the one he was looking for.

"Ah, I see," the man said, his voice thoughtful as he scanned the page. He closed the book with a snap. "It says here that you have... 'memory issues'. How unfortunate. Because I distinctly remember telling you that if you failed to retrieve my briefcase, your little secret would become public knowledge."

"I remember what you said," Linn retorted, his voice filled with a newfound confidence. "And I don't care anymore. I was so scared that my friends would see me differently, that they wouldn't accept me if they knew. But because of that fear, one of them got hurt." He glanced at Yuzu, his expression softening with guilt and affection. "And that's when I realized that my friends are more important than some stupid, embarrassing secret. So go ahead. Tell anyone you want. I'm not doing your bidding anymore!" Linn stepped forward, adopting a fighting stance, his fists clenched, his eyes blazing with determination. "And if you have a problem with that, then I won't hesitate to fight you right here, right now!"

The cloaked man stood silent for a moment, his head bowed, his expression unreadable. Then, he chuckled softly, a low, rumbling sound that sent a shiver down their spines. He raised his head and put his hands up in a gesture of peace.

"Hey now, no need for violence," the man said, his voice surprisingly calm. "I just wanted to have a little... fun with you. See how far you were willing to go."

"Well, your 'fun' almost got us killed!" Yuzu interjected, stepping forward, her hands on her hips, her expression indignant.

"I apologize for that," the cloaked man said, his tone sincere. "My... methods can be a bit unorthodox at times. But be that as it may, I still need that briefcase. It's... rather important to me. And unfortunately, I'm still unable to retrieve it myself. So, I still need your help."

"Are you kidding me?!" Tomodachi growled, his teeth bared slightly. "After everything that's happened, you still expect us to help you?! You have got to be out of your mind!"

"Relax, boy," Linn said calmly to Tomodachi, reassuringly touching his shoulder. He then turned his gaze back to the cloaked man, his expression thoughtful. "I already told you, we're not doing your bidding."

"Don't worry, I'm prepared to offer a... more suitable incentive this time," the man said, his smile returning. He reached into his cloak once more and pulled out a small, rectangular object wrapped in plastic. It appeared to be an action figure of a rather... unusual individual. The figure was of a middle-aged man with a strangely blank expression, wearing a bright green shirt that proclaimed 'You Can't See Me' and ridiculously short jean shorts.

"You retrieve my briefcase for me, and I'll give you... This," the man said, holding out the action figure.

"Humph!" Yuzu scoffed, rolling her eyes. "If you think we're going back into that deathtrap of a forest for a stupid toy, you've got another thing coming—"

"You've got a deal!" Linn exclaimed, his eyes widening with unadulterated glee, stars practically shining in them. Yuzu face-faulted, her jaw dropping in disbelief, while Tomodachi gaped at his master, utterly bewildered.

Yuzu grabbed Linn by the ear, her grip surprisingly strong. "No, thank you. We are leaving. Right now," Yuzu said through gritted teeth, her voice dangerously low as she began to drag Linn away.

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Wait, Yuzu! That's a limited edition! It's the last one I need for my collection! Please!!" Linn cried out, his voice filled with pain and desperation.

"I don't care if it's dipped in gold and signed by the gods themselves!" Yuzu said sternly, her grip tightening on Linn's ear. "We are not going back into that forest for a dumb toy! Do you understand me, young man?!"

"But—! Ah!" Yuzu pulled Linn's ear harder, eliciting a comical scream of pain.

"No buts, young man," she said darkly, her voice leaving no room for argument. "We. Are. Leaving. Now."

Yuzu continued to drag Linn by the ear, the boy whimpering and pleading comically, his feet dragging along the ground. Tomodachi just shook his head and sighed, a mixture of exasperation and amusement on his face, and followed behind them, leaving a trail of dust in their wake.

The cloaked man watched them go, a genuine smile spreading across his face, now partially visible in the morning light. He carefully tucked the action figure back into his cloak and chuckled softly.

"Linn Tsukiyomi, you are indeed a most... interesting fellow," the man mused, his voice filled with a strange mixture of amusement and intrigue. He turned and walked back towards the edge of the forest, his cloak billowing behind him. He paused at the treeline and glanced back at the retreating group, his smile widening slightly.

"Donec iterum conveniant, Linn Tsukiyomi," the man whispered, his voice carrying a strange, archaic weight. He then turned and vanished into the shadows of the forest, disappearing as mysteriously as he had appeared.