The surface of the disc - shaped plant was adorned with a layer of luminescent down that undulated rhythmically, transmitting delicate threads of life - force energy to the elf reclining upon it.

  Why on earth choose my farm of all places? Glen stared intently at the plant, suspecting that the will of this forest was intent on exacting retribution upon him.

  Gotaya also pushed her way through the throng. She pursed her lips, her gaze fixed steadfastly on her mother.

  She could sense the gradual improvement of her mother's vital signs, a development that filled her with joy at this moment.

  "Tell him to proceed to a certain location."

  The voice of the forest resounded once more within her mind, and the message it conveyed left Gotaya momentarily taken aback.

  She turned her gaze towards Glen, who was standing beside her.

  Sensing her scrutiny, Glen responded with a quizzical look.

  "Step outside for a moment," Gotaya said as she extricated herself from the crowd.

  Glen followed suit.

  "Just now, the forest will instructed me to lead you to a place," Gotaya informed him once they were at a distance from the onlookers.

  Glen furrowed his brow and pointed at himself. "Are you certain it is I whom it seeks?"

  Gotaya nodded affirmatively.

  "Ask it if it is absolutely necessary for me to go," Glen said reluctantly.

  I fear it intends to chastise me for my tree - cutting activities... he mused inwardly.

  However, Gotaya, as if she had received some communication, cast an irate glance at Glen.

  Glen was utterly perplexed.

  Then he heard her say, "The forest will wishes me to convey that it has no intention of retaliating against you. It bears no grudge for your felling of a few trees. It merely desires your assistance."

  "Is... is that so?" Glen forced a couple of awkward chuckles. "Well, then I shall go and take a look."

  Before departing, Glen turned to Ravel and whispered, "Keep a vigilant eye. Ensure these elves do not pilfer my livestock, especially that young fellow."

  Glen gestured with his chin towards Gubo, who stood with his back to them in the distance.

  Elves' long ears, however, were highly perceptive.

  Gubo suddenly crushed the specially - crafted longbow in his grasp, leaving the passing workers thoroughly bewildered.

  ...

  Gotaya led Glen on a relatively short journey.

  After traversing several patches of lush shrubs and scaling a few small hills, they arrived at the brink of a sinkhole concealed by vegetation.

  "Is this the place?" Glen inquired, his tone tinged with curiosity as his senses failed to penetrate to the bottom of the sinkhole.

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  "Yes. The forest will states that there lies a most loathsome malignancy beneath, which requires your aid in removing. It will offer you a recompense thereafter," the elven maiden said as she listened intently.

  "But why me? Are there no other suitable candidates?" Glen remained skeptical.

  The surrounding flora seemed to sway in unison.

  Gotaya replied, "The forest will has been observing you since your transformation into a werewolf. It claims you have become quite distinctive, unlike anyone else here. Your soul is purportedly unique, a fact that the great pioneer, Legira, should have apprised you of. The forest will further suggests that if you harbor doubts, you may seek the counsel of those two pioneers."

  Pioneers? Are the Black Crow couple considered pioneers? What could be the significance of this? Since it has made such a statement, it must be acquainted with the Black Crow couple... Glen fell into a moment of silent contemplation before saying,

  "Very well. Wait here for me."

  As soon as the words left his lips, he vanished into a blur of shadow, the speed of his departure generating a powerful gust of wind.

  Merely a few minutes elapsed before Glen returned, nodding to the elven maiden. "It's all right. I'm willing to descend. Inform me of all the details."

  Glen had just paid a visit to Legira. As soon as he approached their abode, Black Crow had conveyed that he could place his trust in the forest will, prompting Glen to return forthwith.

  Gotaya arranged her wind - tousled tresses and composed her thoughts before stating,

  "The forest will reveals that this sinkhole is teeming with countless malevolent spirits. They were once monsters that congregated here. After their demise, they were imbued with the unique aura of Bayek Town, transforming into rather peculiar entities.

  "Ordinary individuals who venture down would likely be driven to madness. Thus, one must possess an unwavering will. The forest will can resonate with the state of your mind during your werewolf transformation. It was astounded that you could resist the terrifying urge to kill with a composed countenance and remain lucid. Hence, you are deemed the ideal candidate for this task.

  "Beyond these malevolent spirits, there lies a polluted expanse below, a result of the old townspeople's waste - disposal practices. This poses no challenge to a werewolf, as they possess a latent talent - an exceptional resistance to pollution, for werewolves themselves are a form of advanced pollutant.

  "Upon traversing this area, you will be able to discern the malignancy that is corroding the forest. The forest will admits that its vision does not extend to that region, and thus, it has no knowledge of what this entity is, save for sensing its presence. Even if you are unable to contend with it, there is no cause for concern, as the promised recompense will still be forthcoming."

  Upon hearing this, Glen formulated several contingency plans in his mind and then promptly turned and leapt into the sinkhole.

  The elven maiden, too, desired to follow and offer assistance, but the unyielding voice of the forest will echoed in her mind:

  "You are too feeble. Do not descend."

  The elven maiden could only halt reluctantly, waiting for Glen to emerge.

  At this moment, Glen, having leaped into the sinkhole, immediately assumed the form of a Level - 3 werewolf, his claws gripping the pit wall as he gradually descended deeper.

  For the initial stretch, there was nothing amiss. There were merely numerous serpents, insects, rodents, ants, and some peculiar cave - dwelling creatures.

  However, as these living organisms gradually diminished in number, a frigid wind that seemed to penetrate the very soul wafted up from the depths of the pit.

  After descending a short distance further, Glen's lupine eyes beheld something familiar.

  They were those illusory centipedes, not just one, but a dense mass coiled around a node below. No matter how long Glen slid downward, he could not draw any nearer; they were like a mirage forever beyond reach.

  Just as Glen was pondering their nature, the centipedes vanished simultaneously.

  The next instant, he found himself immersed in a veritable ocean of phantoms!

  The ear - piercing shrieks characteristic of these malevolent spirits assailed Glen's mind like a tempestuous flood.

  Caught unawares, his body convulsed, and he lost his grip, plummeting downward. However, in less than two seconds, he regained his composure and steadied himself.

  "You devious creatures! You tried to ambush me," Glen muttered. He surmised that the centipede - like apparitions had amassed their attacks to shatter his will in one fell swoop.

  Regrettably for them, their attempt had failed.

  "It's you! You're the one who killed Abu!" A faintly familiar voice caught Glen's attention.

  Scanning his surroundings, he spotted Abu's hideously distorted form being buffeted about by other malevolent spirits in a distant corner, resembling a malleable mass of dough.

  Glen couldn't help but laugh. "Aren't you the so - called King of the Forest? Abu, what has become of you? Hahaha..."

  Glen's laughter rang out incongruously within this space, saturated with the miasma of despair, anger, resentment, and malevolence.