Dimensional Descent

An arrow whizzed by, arching between two thick tree branches and splitting the skull of a prowling jaguar. The beast didn't even get a chance to roar out in pain before it collapsed, falling from its high perch and landing with a heavy thud on the forest floor.

Leonel rubbed his fingers, a tingling sensation making him very much aware that the arrow had been shot by him. Ever since his body entered the Fourth Dimension, he hadn't needed to worry about slicing his fingers on his own bowstring again. But that didn't stop the thin almost metallic string from digging into him.

'There's a lot more than I thought there'd be…'

The freshmen separated out into teams to Leonel's back. If they tried to move forward in a swarm through this forest, they'd be asking to suffer.

Instead, Leonel and Aina took the vanguard as promised. As for the others, they split into the team they had originally come with, forming up groups of five to seven as they slowly followed.

By now, the group had run into several beasts, more than enough for them to realize that something was wrong. The populations shouldn't have been this dense.

Only Leonel seemed to be aware of what was happening as he had already warned them that this would occur.

The Oryx gave off a very strong odor. To humans, this was no different from any other foul smell and many would choose to just hold their nose as opposed to analyzing what was wrong.

But the truth was different from this. The foul smell that came off the Oryx was an evolutionary quirk to scare off competition. Back when the Oryx were a much weaker race, they relied on this to carve out their territory and keep themselves protected.

However, over time, this smell became more potent. It was even to the point that the most talented of the Oryx tended to have the most foul smells which helped them to gain the favor of mates.

the effect of the Oryx's smell grew even more exaggerated, it was even capable of sending

of beasts now wasn't because the Oryx could control beasts, but rather because these

the vanguard of the group, allowing them to

most beasts, but the other groups were fighting as well. Unfortunately, things weren't so convenient for all the beasts to come down toward them from just

of the freshmen. Even after over half

cautiously, they ran into other groups. Assimilating these groups wasn't as difficult as it had been to convince the first. This was simply human nature, it was far easier for others to accept something when many others already

brandishing her ax with both hands. In a thick forest, such a weapon should have been cumbersome yet Aina didn't seem to have any problems

was difficult for them to split out alone with just

But, it felt like every time they sensed something, Leonel would have long since acted. Even the more stealthy of beasts couldn't avoid Leonel's

beasts long before, it

too tense.' Leonel

he wasn't sure how to alleviate it. The group walked forward in silence, the slight rustling of leaves being about the only thing one could here. The sun was still high in the sky, though obstructed by the thick canopies, one would think that it was

of the issue, though. With their pace, it would be impossible to make it to the mountain pass before night fell. And, even

last so there's no

blood and guts of the Titan Hyena in a different direction, hoping to fool the Oryx. With their love of scents, it was no surprise that they were also quite sensitive to them. So, Leonel felt

Cleansing Waters, Blackstar didn't even have any

but wonder if it really

that moment, Leonel's pupils constricted. Holding a hand up, he brought the