They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 323: The Forest of Regrets

Everyone could see it. Even though he spoke to them all, his true words were for her.

“You’ve all done more than enough,” he repeated, this time with a small nod, as if sealing a vow in his heart.

“And I’m truly, deeply grateful.”

A heavy, emotional silence settled over the group. None of them flinched. No one took a step back. Their hearts had already been set long before they even reached this forest.

They were in this together, for better or worse.

“I told you already,” Nnenna replied, her voice steady and clear, “I didn’t just come on this mission for you. I came to improve my own skills too.”

She met Abuchi’s eyes directly, knowing fully well that his earlier words had been meant for her most especially.

“So after doing ‘more than enough,’ I still want to do more, not just for you, but for myself as well. I can’t grow if I keep hiding inside the castle. I have to face real danger. I have to be out here.”

Abuchi gazed at her for a moment, a mix of pride and worry flashing in his eyes, before he gave a small nod.

“Okay,” he said simply. “I understand.”

He then turned his eyes to the rest of the crew, Ekene, John, Karen.

All of them stood firm, their faces set with determination. There was a trace of fear in their expressions, of course there was.

No one could blame them.

It was called the Forest of Regrets for a reason.

But none of them looked like they were about to back down.

Abuchi let out a deep breath he didn’t know he had been holding.

“Alright then,” he said with a small, tight smile. “Let’s go.”

Without another word, the crew, the team, began moving forward.

they crossed the invisible line between safety and madness,

that moment, they would have thought

their right mind would willingly enter the Black

doing. Marching into the heart of

Two Weeks Later

Forest of

monstrous sea of trees,

trees were ancient, thick with twisting roots and heavy branches covered in moss. Strange noises echoed through the air, sometimes a distant growl, sometimes a sudden rustling from unseen

and the deeper they went, the heavier the

the group trudged

Swish. Swish.

they hacked a rough path forward. Their clothes were torn, their faces smeared with dirt and sweat, and their backpacks lighter now, carrying more hope

haven’t found a way out,” Karen said,

week? Doesn’t that mean we should be close to the exit by now? Why are we still walking like we’re lost? I can’t even see

trying to be negative, she

could

food supplies

could find in the forest,

safe and what wasn’t. Thanks to

day after day wasn’t exactly comforting, even

on the mind

tense, their nerves stretched thin like

Abuchi felt like sighing.

He was tired too.

tired, he was confused and frustrated, but he had to stay calm. He was the

a small smile. “Let me see if I can spot anything… maybe we’re closer than we

Everyone agreed quickly.

in their tired eyes as

rough bark and began to climb, his

a high branch where

sweat from his forehead, took a deep breath,

His heart sank.

he could see was