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.

effect of the Oryx's smell grew even more exaggerated, it was even capable of sending beasts into a frenzy from

influx of beasts now wasn't because the Oryx could control beasts, but rather because these beasts were running away from

the vanguard of the group, allowing them to dodge the most populated regions, they still ran into so

groups were fighting as well. Unfortunately, things weren't so convenient for all the

the freshmen. Even after over half an hour, though they were still over 45 kilometers from their destination, not a single person had died

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

a thick forest, such a weapon should have been cumbersome yet Aina didn't seem to have any

out, it was difficult for them to

wanting to be burdens. But, it felt like every time they sensed something, Leonel would

found these beasts long before, it was just that he only acted when the best opportunity presented

is too tense.'

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

With their pace, it would be impossible to make it to the

more than one. But, I'm not sure how long that will last so there's no point in telling them this to

direction, hoping to fool the Oryx. With their love of scents, it was no surprise that they were also quite sensitive to them.

Blackstar didn't even have

but wonder if

hand up, he