Death Notice Book 8: Chapter 6: Lost in the Thicket

Release Date: 2026-05-24 21:22:52

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A thin morning mist lingered beneath the forest canopy in the early hours, making distant scenery seem a little blurry and dreamy. Layers of tree crowns formed a patchy green dome far above. Crisp and melodious birdsong echoed from time to time within the dense branches and leaves.

A bright, warm ray of sunlight filtered through the leaves, falling onto Qin Lun’s face. It caused a pleasant, tingling itch in his sleep, like someone had scratched exactly where he itched.

Qin Lun slowly opened his eyes. He stretched the arm he’d been using as a pillow, shielding his eyes with his palm. He sat up with a yawn, arching his back. His bones cracked all over like popping firecrackers. As his mind cleared a bit more, he heard the sound of gurgling water, resembling the tones of a guzheng.

He squinted, turning his head towards a small stream in the woods far away. Crystal-clear water rushed eastward along a stepped riverbed. In the stream, small groups of brightly colored, unidentifiable fish swam against the flow. Forced by the swift current, they hovered suspended in the water as if frozen, like pieces of sparkling crystal fossils.

Qin Lun stood up from the thick tree branch, looking down while holding onto the trunk. A small clearing lay beneath the tree. Inside the clearing was a capsule-shaped sleeping bag and a pile of cooking fire, white smoke still curling upwards as though it had only recently gone out. The Elf Rogue responsible for the last watch was nowhere to be seen, probably off nearby gathering firewood.

“Qin Lun, you’re awake!” Right as he was looking around, Longer emerged from the bushes, his arms laden with firewood. A string of creek fish dangled from a branch in his right hand.

“Uh-huh!” Qin Lun jumped down from the tree. He dragged a large boulder from the edge of the clearing and used his dagger to carve a big hollow into it to serve as a stone pot. Taking purified water from his Storage Space, he poured it into the “rock pot”. He then helped Longer prepare a pot of savory fish soup.

When the soup started to boil, the Elf Rogue took a packet of seasoning from within his clothes and poured it into the stone pot, stirring it casually with a peeled stick. This seasoning packet also functioned as a recovery item. Besides flavoring, it acted as a simple universal antidote, preventing an Apostle from eating unclean food in the wild during a Quest World.

Picking up a bowl, Qin Lun blew on the surface of the soup, took a sip, and let out a satisfied sigh.

Over these two days spent together, not only had Longer benefited greatly himself and begun to respect Qin Lun’s analysis and judgment, but even Qin Lun had developed a measure of respect for this Elf Rogue. His experience in adventure far surpassed Qin Lun’s by several levels; Qin Lun had learned a lot of wilderness survival knowledge from him.

“Qin Lun, we should be nearing the Elven Royal Court now, right?” Longer asked with concern after smacking his lips and using his knife to pick his teeth.

Their journey over the past two days had involved frequent stops and starts. Starting from having zero clues, they had gradually discovered several abandoned Elf tree houses deep in the forest. It was clear they were approaching the Elven Royal Court.

“Hmm, we should already be near the outskirts of one Magic Cup Court. But the Elven Royal Court probably has large-scale concealment illusion magic. Being close doesn’t necessarily mean we can find it.” Qin Lun paused thoughtfully, shrugging helplessly.

“Why? If your earlier analysis was correct, and we belong to the Qiongda’er Elves’ own kind, would they really not let us enter the city?” Longer asked, sounding quite astonished.

“It’s not like that!” Qin Lun sighed, explaining with a wry smile, “Elves are the masters of the forest. We’ve been in the Qiongda’er Forest for two days. Elven Rangers might have already spotted us. But precisely because we’re their own people, they wouldn’t bother intervening.”

Longer quickly understood. Elves themselves were a race that valued freedom. If one or two Elves were out hunting or training in the forest, patrolling Rangers wouldn’t get involved at all.

If all ten Apostles of the Fortress Team had entered the Qiongda’er Forest together – including both Elves and Humans – Ranger scouts might have appeared long ago. But now it was just the two of them, both Elves. Naturally, they were seen as Elven warriors undergoing personal trials.

Qin Lun had only figured this out slowly after entering the forest. Hindsight made him wish he had asked one of the Human Apostles to enter the forest with him.

“So what should we do?” Hearing this, Longer sounded a little anxious. “If we linger around here too long, it’ll likely raise suspicion too?”

Qin Lun gave Longer a slightly surprised look. The fact that the Elf Rogue could grasp this point showed progress; two days ago, he probably wouldn’t have. Anyone who became a Professional Apostle wasn’t actually foolish. It was just that Longer, used to following the Fortress Team’s routines with their standardized tasks, let his individual abilities become restricted, turning him into a rule-follower.

Qin Lun lowered his head in deep thought. Lingering here for too long would certainly attract the attention of Elven Rangers. While they probably wouldn’t be treated as enemies, if trust became an issue, it could block access to crucial late-stage storylines later on. That was unacceptable to him.

“Today is our third day in the forest. If we still can’t find any clues tomorrow, we’ll take active measures to attract the attention of the Ranger patrols,” Qin Lun declared decisively, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.

“I wonder how the rest of the team is doing,” Longer responded thoughtfully, nodding.

The Elf Rogue didn’t bother asking Qin Lun how they would attract attention; making a deliberate ruckus wouldn’t be difficult. On their journey deeper into the forest, they’d passed numerous lairs of High Rank magical beasts. These beasts possessed considerable intelligence and wouldn’t actively attack Qiongda’er Elves; as long as Elves didn’t intrude on their territory, a truce held. They could easily provoke one of these High Rank beasts into a fierce fight, likely drawing the Rangers. But then, they’d face questions. The caravan was destroyed. Instead of returning to the Royal Court to report, why were they here stirring up High Rank beasts? Could they avoid suspicion?

“Don’t worry,” Qin Lun reassured him with a smile. “Unless something major went wrong with the team, Nicole and the other two should be rescued by tonight at the latest. We just need to focus on our own task!”

Two days ago, Stark and Philip, along with the other three First-Rank Apostles, had headed south in pursuit. Barring major issues, a round trip would take roughly two days. They should definitely be back near Elbad today. Scouting the town itself would take one day, followed by a rescue raid tonight to extract Nicole and the others.

For that, Qin Lun had given them a sneaky tactic: if holding Nicole in the jail involved strong defenses, they should implement a decapitation tactic in Elbad—capture the Human lord of Elbad to exchange for hostages. If Elbad lacked strong local leadership, rescuing their comrades should be a sure thing. They’d likely shake any pursuers by tomorrow afternoon and enter the forest. Either way, they’d waste three or four days. If rescuing their comrades drew a large chasing force, requiring detours… then the delay could be unpredictable.

“Qin Lun, which direction should we head today?” Longer patted his cheeks, shaking off his thoughts before turning to ask.

“Today we stay. Right here.” Qin Lun looked towards the clear stream in the distance and said with a smile.

“Stay? Do you have a plan?” Longer’s eyes lit up as he pressed urgently.

“Look. This stream is probably the cleanest, best water source in the area. It must attract all the forest animals.” Qin Lun pointed towards the stream ahead. “Elves have close relationships with animals. If we observe these creatures carefully, we might pick up traces of the Ranger patrols.”

Longer followed Qin Lun’s finger. The clear stream shimmered under the sunlight. Animals emerged constantly from the bushes along the banks, dipping their heads to drink.

Moose with sharp, forked antlers; fluffy, white wind hares; fierce rhinos covered in thick armor; fire foxes with their bushy, flame-red tails; imposing winged lions… Beings at the top of the food chain or mere grazers—all lowered their heads to the water, not sparing a glance for creatures nearby. This early morning at the stream, the law of the jungle seemed suspended. Weak and strong alike existed peacefully together in harmony.

“This is a sanctuary within the forest. No creature hunts here at the water, avoiding pollution,” Longer remarked thoughtfully. “Compared to Humans, these creatures with lesser intelligence understand better how to protect their own habitat.”

“Huh?” Qin Lun raised one long, white eyebrow, focusing intently on an animal near the water’s edge.

“See something?” Hope flashed across Longer’s face as he followed Qin Lun’s gaze. “A Gale Panther? That’s a pretty rare Wind Element magical beast!”

About three hundred meters ahead of them, a large cat with dark brown fur extended its tongue to drink from the stream. It resembled an ordinary Fang Panther at first glance, but upon closer inspection, its distinctiveness became apparent.

Fang Panthers boast sharp tusks like sabre-toothed tigers. Their claws are sharp, capable of shredding even heavy knight plate armor. Yet, they are a low Rank magical beast without innate magical abilities.

The Gale Panther, while its cousin in appearance and kin, is entirely different. It’s a High Rank Wind Element beast. Its key distinctions are snow-white paws, like boots, and a distinctive patch of white fur beneath its chin, resembling a collar encircling its neck.

True to its name, the Gale Panther moved swift as wind thanks to an innate affinity with its element. An adult possessed a Wind Breath attack, unleashing Wind Blades. Its fighting prowess made it a top predator within its wooded domain.

“What’s wrong?” Longer moved closer to Qin Lun and asked softly.

“Look at its hind legs!” Qin Lun pointed towards the back of the Gale Panther with a smile.

Longer stared intently and his eyes immediately brightened. This Gale Panther seemed recently injured. Its movements were slightly impaired, and blood matted its fur. Most fascinating of all, someone had tended its wound. Despite the blood soaking through, the distinct form of a man-made bandage was visible.

“Getting close to a Gale Panther and earning its trust is no easy feat,” Qin Lun remarked, a faint smile touching his lips as he waved gently. “Prepare yourself. We’ll let this gentleman lead us to that kind-hearted Elf.”

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