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墨書 Inktalez
The next morning, the team gathered together, ready to embark on a new day's journey. Jonas stood at the front of the group, his gaze steady and focused as he scanned the entire team. He watched Raymond directing the mercenaries, distributing equipment and supplies efficiently. Everyone was busily preparing, tense and ready to face the challenges ahead. Raymond's commands were crisp and clear, and everyone executed them with trained precision, strapping firearms, supplies, and exploration gear onto their backs.
Jonas's eyes shifted to Isabella, who was standing nearby engaged in a low conversation with Urahesa, Old Witch, and Raja. He couldn't hear their discussion clearly, but it was evident that Isabella wore a serious expression, seemingly involved in some important communication. Urahesa's face bore an undeniable authority, while Old Witch appeared mysterious, holding a staff adorned with feathers and occasionally nodding in agreement. Raja stood to the side, his gaze intense and stern, muscles taut as if he were ready for battle at any moment.
As their conversation continued, Isabella nodded from time to time, seemingly accepting Urahesa's instructions or advice. Jonas understood that this journey was fraught with unknown dangers, and the local knowledge they possessed might provide crucial survival guidance.
However, what troubled Jonas most was the weak link within the team. He turned his gaze toward Allison, Samuel, and Mocus. Although each excelled in their respective fields, they were undoubtedly the most vulnerable members of the team in such extreme conditions.
Allison stood nearby clutching her medical kit. Though her expression remained gentle yet resolute, Jonas could see the unease in her eyes. She knew her responsibilities were significant but also understood that the upcoming challenges might exceed her capacity to cope.
Samuel appeared somewhat dazed, staring blankly ahead as if he had not fully recovered from yesterday's shock. His hands fidgeted with a portable tablet, revealing his agitation. Jonas sensed that Samuel's mental state was still unstable and could collapse at any moment.
Mocus lingered at the edge of the group, his gaze somewhat vacant as if lost in thought. Jonas noticed the weariness etched on his face and an inexplicable fatigue that stirred unease within him. Mocus seemed more withdrawn than before; his demeanor starkly different from how he usually was. Recalling Mocus's unusual reactions from last night only heightened Jonas's concern for this expert on ancient civilizations. Even though he did not display overt fear or anxiety, there was something hidden behind that silence that made Jonas wary.
Jonas slowly approached Samuel and Mocus, ensuring their stability was paramount; otherwise, any slight mental breakdown during their journey could lead to catastrophic consequences.
“Samuel,” Jonas asked quietly, trying to keep his tone calm yet firm. “Are you alright? Last night's events affected you quite a bit, didn’t they?”
Samuel paused for a moment before looking up at Jonas with a hint of confusion in his eyes. Then he forced a smile and nodded slightly; however, that smile betrayed an unmistakable unease.
“Yeah... I'm okay; just... a bit nervous,” Samuel replied with noticeable hesitation in his voice.
Jonas patted his shoulder in an attempt to reassure him. “It's alright; we’ll take care of each other. Let’s focus on what’s ahead and keep ourselves steady.”
Jonas walked towards Mocus. Mocus's gaze remained somewhat distant, as if he were pondering some profound question. Jonas stopped in front of him, his tone gentle yet tinged with concern. "Mocus, are you ready to face today's challenges? We need your expertise."
Mocus pulled his gaze back from the void and looked up at Jonas, a flicker of barely noticeable panic crossing his eyes before he quickly masked it. He took a deep breath and nodded. "I... I'm ready, Jonas. I'll do my best."
As Jonas approached, Allison stepped forward, her face adorned with a professional yet warm smile, trying to ease the atmosphere a bit. She leaned in and whispered to Jonas, "Their physical conditions have mostly recovered, but they might still be a bit tense mentally. After all, last night's scare had quite an impact on them. I will do my utmost to care for them and ensure they remain stable during the upcoming journey."
Allison's calm and resolute tone brought a sense of comfort to Jonas. He knew she was an exceptionally competent doctor, and her presence was crucial for the entire team. Even in the face of so many unknowns and dangers, she maintained her composure and professionalism, which Jonas valued most.
Samuel stood nearby, and upon hearing Allison's words, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as if he had been redeemed. His shoulders relaxed slightly, and then he forced a smile as he began to vent about the plan. "Honestly, I shouldn't even be part of this mission. The effectiveness of electronic devices in this dense jungle is practically negligible; the environment here is a nightmare for signals and precision instruments... Instead of relying on technology, we should listen more to the Indigenous people's advice since they've lived here for thousands of years."
His tone carried a hint of helplessness and regret, as if he felt defeated by his powerlessness in this environment. Samuel was used to relying on advanced technology and data, but in this jungle, his equipment and skills seemed insignificant, which left him feeling quite frustrated.
Jonas nodded at Samuel's complaints, understandingly patting his shoulder. "I get how you feel, Samuel. But each of us has our role in this mission. Technology may indeed be limited here, but it is still a significant asset for us. And remember, you have other skills that can help us; don't forget that you're our only tech expert here."
Samuel managed a faint smile at that; although he still felt somewhat uneasy, Jonas's words helped him regain a bit of confidence. He nodded and tried to relax himself. "Yeah... I'll do my best."
Allison watched this exchange with a gentle smile before turning to Jonas. "Don't worry; I'll keep a close eye on their condition. If anything comes up, I'll handle it right away."
As they were talking, Mocus suddenly broke his usual silence with an unusual urgency in his voice as he addressed Allison. "Allison, I really feel fine; you don’t need to pay so much attention to me. Samuel is young and inexperienced; you should focus more on him."
Though his voice was calm, everyone present could sense something amiss. Mocus was typically cautious and rarely expressed his feelings so strongly—especially not in such circumstances where he actively requested others to shift their attention away from him. This unusual behavior made both Jonas and Allison feel uneasy.
Allison furrowed her brow slightly, her eyes reflecting clear concern as she scrutinized Mocus closely, trying to discern any abnormalities from his expression or body language. However, Mocus's face showed no obvious signs of distress; instead, he appeared somewhat anxious, as if eager to escape her scrutiny.
“Are you really okay, Mocus?” Allison asked softly, her tone laced with tenderness and concern. “Your behavior last night was a bit unusual, and I just want to make sure everything is alright now. If there’s anything wrong, please don’t hesitate to tell me, okay?”
A flicker of barely noticeable panic crossed Mocus's face, quickly masked by a forced smile. He waved his hand dismissively and said, “I’m really fine, Allison. I just… I might have been too tired last night. After resting for a bit, I feel much better now. You don’t need to worry about me; I’ll take good care of myself.”
Allison remained unconvinced. She keenly sensed the unnaturalness in Mocus's words, which only heightened her concern. However, she understood that excessive pressure and questioning in such an environment could backfire. She could only nod reluctantly and replied softly, “Alright, but if you feel any discomfort, you must tell me.”
Jonas quietly observed Mocus from the side. Although Mocus appeared to have regained his composure on the surface, Jonas's doubts deepened. He knew Mocus was not the type to lie easily, yet at this moment, he seemed to be desperately hiding something. This abnormality made Jonas more vigilant; he silently resolved to keep a close watch on Mocus’s every move during their upcoming journey to ensure the safety of the group.
Mocus forced a smile again before retreating silently back into the group, standing aside without saying much more. Yet inside him churned a wave of unease and fear. He knew he couldn’t escape the whispering voice in his mind nor fully trust his own feelings. But at the same time, his obsession with the truth compelled him to press on; no matter how dangerous the path ahead might be, he had no other choice.
Allison continued to watch Mocus’s back, her worries undiminished. She knew this adventure was fraught with unknown dangers, and Mocus’s condition could become a liability. She silently prayed that this was merely a fleeting mental disturbance and wouldn’t escalate into something more serious.
Jonas nodded gently, signaling everyone to continue preparing for departure. His gaze swept over the entire group once more to ensure everyone was ready before issuing the command to set off. Whatever awaited them ahead, they had to face it in their best condition.
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