Weeks into the search for the Chimera Ant Queen, Kite had scarcely allowed himself a moment’s rest. Nearly a month of constant movement had worn him down more than he cared to admit. Now, in a rare pause, he sat in a small forest clearing, his back resting against the rough bark of a tree as he allowed his body a brief reprieve.

The quiet didn’t last.

The faint rustle of branches and leaves cut through the stillness. His head turned instantly toward the sound, eyes narrowing as they fixed on the disturbance. Without hesitation, his hand moved to the hilt of the katana at his side, fingers poised to draw at the slightest sign of danger.

But instead of an immediate threat, a figure emerged from between the trees.

Kite shifted back on instinct, his body subtly retreating to widen the distance between them. Something about the stranger felt… wrong. Their presence lacked the familiarity of a human aura, yet it didn’t resemble that of a Chimera Ant either. Unnatural—but undefined.

He held his ground, choosing caution over aggression.

After a tense stretch of silence, Kite finally spoke. His voice carried a firm edge, though tempered with restraint—careful not to provoke something he didn’t yet understand.

“Who are you?” he asked, eyes never leaving the stranger. “And what are you doing out here at this hour? With everything happening… wandering around like this isn’t just careless—it’s dangerous.”