The Light Beyond the Forest

Everyone was excited for the class trip.

Some talked enthusiastically about the festival.

Others argued over which games they wanted to try first.

Meanwhile, Yuka sat quietly near the window as usual, earbuds resting in his ears while chatting

on his phone.

[Infire]:

bro if you disappear during the trip too im exposing you online 💀

A faint smirk appeared on Yuka’s face.

[Yuka]:

do that and your 5k subscribers disappear with me

Around the center seats, several students crowded around Erika, offering her snacks and drinks while trying to start conversations.

As always, she handled everyone calmly with a polite smile.

The atmosphere inside the train felt lively.

Normal.

Peaceful.

Then suddenly—

Yuka’s expression changed slightly.

A voice called out to him

But not through his earbuds.

Inside his mind.

Yuka slowly closed his eyes.

The noisy train vanished instantly.

Darkness surrounded him.

An endless black void.

Then—

A glowing yellow sphere appeared before him.

Its soft light pulsed gently within the darkness.

The familiar voice echoed around him.

“You’re getting close to it.”

“But be careful.”

“This one is different.”

Yuka remained silent as he listened carefully.

“If things do not go according to plan...”

“Then you already know what to do.”

Yuka lowered his gaze slightly.

“...Is it from there?”

For a brief moment, the glowing sphere shined brighter.

“Yes.”

Then—

The light disappeared.

The darkness shattered.

Yuka slowly opened his eyes.

The sounds of the train returned once again.

Students laughing.

Conversations.

Music.

Everything felt normal.

As though nothing had happened.

Without changing his expression, Yuka resumed chatting with Infire.

Several hours later, the train finally arrived.

The students excitedly exited onto the platform before entering the nearby town.

A massive festival was taking place throughout the streets.

Bright lights illuminated the evening sky while colorful stalls lined the roads.

Games.

Food.

Music.

Prizes.

Groups of students quickly scattered around to enjoy themselves.

Meanwhile, Yuka wandered around alone.

Then suddenly—

He stopped walking.

“...?”

A game booth caught his attention.

“20 Chocolate Ice Creams if You Hit All 10 Targets!”

Yuka stared at the prize for several seconds.

Then he quietly walked toward the stall.

“I’ll play.”

After taking the payment, the shopkeeper handed him the rifle.

Several nearby people watched curiously.

Yuka calmly loaded the weapon and raised it toward the targets.

But instead of aiming directly at them—

He aimed toward the iron frame holding the targets together.

The shopkeeper laughed.

“So you’re trying to look cool now?”

A few people nearby chuckled quietly.

Yuka ignored them completely.

His eyes focused carefully on the connection point between the iron bars.

Adjusting.

Calculating.

Observing.

Then—

Bang!

The bullet struck perfectly.

The impact caused the entire connected frame to collapse instantly.

All ten targets fell at once.

Silence.

Everyone around the stall stared at him in shock.

Even the shopkeeper froze speechless.

Yuka calmly held out his hand.

“My prize.”

A few minutes later, Yuka returned carrying a massive stack of chocolate ice creams.

Several classmates looked at him in complete disbelief.

“...Where did you even get all that?”

Without answering, Yuka quietly hid the ice creams behind his back.

As evening arrived, the students headed toward the hotel where they would be staying overnight.

The hotel was famous for its hot springs and beautiful mountain view.

From one side, the glowing festival lights could be seen across the town below.

And from the other—

A deep forest stretched endlessly into darkness.

Yuka stood silently near the window, staring toward the forest.

Something felt wrong.

Very wrong.

Then the teacher called everyone toward the hot springs.

The students immediately rushed off excitedly.

Yuka followed quietly behind them.

The hot springs were peaceful.

Steam rose gently into the cold night air while students relaxed and laughed nearby.

For a brief moment—

Everything felt normal again.

Afterward, everyone gathered in the dining hall for dinner before eventually returning to their rooms.

But Yuka couldn’t relax.

Not after what he had sensed earlier.

Late at night, he quietly returned to the window overlooking the forest.

The dark trees stood motionless beneath the moonlight.

Then suddenly—A bright green light flashed deep within the forest.

Only for a second.

Then it vanished.

Yuka’s eyes narrowed instantly.

He quickly checked to make sure nobody was watching him.

Then—

He opened the window and jumped outside.

The moment his feet touched the ground, he accelerated forward at monstrous speed.

The world blurred around him.

As he rushed through the darkness, bright light surrounded his body.

His clothes transformed instantly.

Black combat wear.

Mask.

Boots.

Sword.

Gun.

Within seconds, the ordinary student disappeared once again.

Only the hunter remained.

The closer he got to the source—

The heavier the air became.

Then he arrived.

And froze.

A girl stood deep within the forest.

Her long light-blue hair moved gently in the cold wind.

Thin glowing strings tightly restrained her body.

Blood covered her clothes.

Her eyes—

Were gone.

Blood slowly flowed from the empty sockets as she weakly struggled against

the glowing restraints.

Her lips trembled slightly.

Trying to speak.

But no words came out.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

Blood fell silently onto the forest floor.

For the first time in a very long while—

Yuka’s expression completely changed.