Desolate World

After landing in the forest, Ace said, "It seems we can only walk from now on. Geo, let out Jumpy and Torch."

Geo nodded. He then took the two pets out. And then a big metallic spider and a bird that was a little similar to a quail with fire danced on top of her head appeared in front of them.

"Let's go!" Ace then led them to continue their journey. 

Cloud seemed to want to say something, she then called Geo who walked behind Ace.

Because of Red's size, she had a little difficulty moving among the tree. So with Cloud's suggestion, Geo called her into his world ring.

In the following journey, they didn't encounter any accident, no strong monster ever attacked them again. Only a handful of low-level monsters came to them. However, with Jumpy as a tank and Torch and Blue as the damage dealer, they were easy prey.

As they encountered many monsters along the way, Ace realized that their journey would take longer. It made him sighed. However, it couldn't be helped. There was a powerful creature that was powerful enough to threaten them in the river and flying above the forest was not an option, because it would make their search harder, or worse they might miss the refugees.

Torch, Geo's new pet, proved that she was a good scout. Ace didn't know how, it seemed the fog couldn't hinder her vision at all. Like their parents, it could roam around the forest freely like fish in the water. Her light step was also really useful in the forest that had a lot of vegetation, as it didn't cause much noise.

It was a good thing. As Ace didn't have to scout anymore. With Geo's trait that enabled him to have mental communication with her from a long distance, she became a perfect scout.

Ace only needed to ask Geo periodically about the situation in the front to make sure no surprise was waiting for them. 

As for Jumpy, he was always near Geo like a dedicated knight defending his master. On another hand, Blue was always on top of them prepared to give support anytime Geo needed.

It could be said, Geo's pet composition was balanced and powerful. It must be noted, Geo was only 6 years old. He had just celebrated his birthday on March 7th. No one would believe such a young child could get some powerful pets. 

Of course, it was because he had such a fierce mother who was picky about his son's pets. With access to all monsters' information in her library, it was impossible for Sofia to let Geo choose subpar pets. All of Geo's pets had the possibility of becoming lord monsters or even if Geo was unlucky, they would reach elite grade.

***

It had been three days since they started their journey. There was no eventful situation that occurred. For them, monsters' attacks were a daily occurrence, so they didn't take them to their minds.

They only considered them as walking experiences. In fact, Geo's pets normally could face the monsters' attacks by themselves. However, because Ace didn't want to waste a lot of time, he always participated in the battle.

The most pitiful one here was Jumpy. Because he was the most powerful defense-wise, he always became the tank. He must rush to the monsters to confront them. 

Usually, there were Sampson, Adrian, and Derek who became tanks. He only needed to deal with the weakest monsters and finish them as fast as he could, so the tanks weren't surrounded by the monsters.

However, with the absence of tanks, he had to deal with them alone. Of course, Ace, with his overpowered damages, would finish the weakest monsters fast. With the barrage of lightning attacks from Blue and unpredictable fireballs from Torch, the rest of the monsters were finished. As for Geo and Cloud always gave him healing when he needed it.

They never met a difficult situation because they chose to face fewer monsters and avoided monster groups that had a large quantity.

Such days were a joyful moment for Cloud. Spending her time with her grandson gave her happiness that she had never felt when becoming a scientist. She hoped such days would continue forever. Witnessing Geo growing up had become the goal of her life.  

After leveling up to level 15, she got a skill called 'soul scan'. It was the last special skill of her job as a witch doctor. This skill would scan a 100 meters radius of her to find if any soul-based existence was near her. To level it up, she used it frequently. At least once in five minutes, she would do it. With its mana consumption of only 15 mana each time she used it. It was a cheap deal for her. She hoped by doing it frequently, its level could increase fast.

She was also curious about what soul-based existence was. As she had never seen it since she played this game. 

As usual, she activated a soul scan. Her expression then began to turn dignified.

'Am I imagining things?' She asked in her heart. She doubted her perception because for the first time her skill got a reaction.

She then used a soul scan once again. In the end, she was sure that there was a soul-based existence in the East.

"Ace, Geo. Let's go! there is something there," Cloud said. She then quickened her pace.

Ace asked, "What's wrong?"

"There is a soul-based existence there," Cloud said without turning her head. There were only a few times her interest piqued these months. As a former scientist, unknown things were really interesting for her.

Ace and Geo followed the old woman. They seemed interested in what Cloud had said.

She then saw her. A transparent little girl that wore a robe was squatting under a tree. She seemed sobbing.

"G-ghost!?" Cloud exclaimed with a trembled voice.

"What do you mean by ghost? You saw a ghost?" Ace asked.

"Where is the ghost?" Geo was looking around with a curious expression. It seemed he didn't fear the ghost thing.

"Let me talk to her," Cloud said. She then approached the ghost girl.

"Are you okay?" Cloud asked.

Ace and Geo looked at her with a strange gaze. It was a combination of doubt and confusion. It seemed they couldn't see what she was seeing.

As Geo wanted to ask once more, Ace patted his son's head. And after getting Geo's attention, he shook his head and put his index finger on his mouth. Indicating him to be quiet. Geo seemed to understand his father's intention and kept silent. The two then saw Cloud squatting.

Cloud tried to touch her, but her hand got through her body. But it succeeded in getting the ghost girl's attention.

The girl then turned her head and saw an old woman looking at her with a kind expression. 

It seemed Cloud's presence startled her. She then leaned to the tree with a panicked expression. 

"W-who?! Who are you?" The ghost girl asked with a trembling voice. It seemed she was afraid of Cloud.

Cloud felt funny. Wasn't she who should be afraid? However, she didn't show it.

Cloud then smiled and said, "Don't worry. I don't mean bad. I just want to ask, why are you alone here? In the middle of a forest."

With a little suspicion, the ghost girl asked, "Really? Then why are you yourselves here?"

Cloud thought the ghost girl was starting to open herself to her. It was a good start.

"We are looking for other human refugees. We are from a village over there," Cloud said while pointing in the West direction.

The ghost girl seemed to be trying to evaluate Cloud's statement. Cloud gave her time to think. She didn't want to disturb her.

The ghost girl seemed to finish thinking. She then asked, "Why do you want to search for them?"

"Of course to invite them to our village. There are many dangers inside this misty forest. We have houses and food. They don't have to roam this dangerous forest anymore," Cloud said with a slow and clear tone. 

She wanted to convince this ghost girl. She had a feeling, this girl would become the key to finding human refugees.

The expression of the ghost girl became better. She then asked Cloud with a hopeful gaze, "Can I trust you?"

Cloud nodded hard, she then said with confidence, "Of course. We are good people."

The ghost girl loosened her expression. Cloud knew her attempt was successful.

Seeing the ghost girl didn't show any suspicion anymore, Cloud then asked her, "By the way, Can I know your name?"

***