The group steps out of the cave.
Laitho inhales deeply, closing his eyes.
> "This air… it's incredibly pure.
At least 80% oxygen.
Being here might actually make our health better than before."
Zimi, now fully recovered, rejoins the group as they move forward.
Everyone stays alert — worried that another Golem might suddenly appear.
---
As they ascend, they come across something unexpected —
a massive field of glowing plant blooms, covering the cliffside.
Laitho stops in awe.
> "This… this is unbelievable.
A formation like this—on a mountain?
These aren't ordinary flowers… they're mythical flora."
Suddenly, a small fairy appears, glowing softly.
It flutters around and gently heals Zimi using its light.
At that moment, they spot something ahead—
a white fox, standing still.
Its fur is glowing faintly, soft and flowing,
as if it was made of clouds and moonlight.
Zimi and Zama both notice something on the fox's forehead—
a shining stone embedded like a gem.
Laitho whispers, eyes wide,
> "That's an extremely rare elemental core...
Its value could easily reach $100,000,000."
---
Suddenly—dozens of white foxes appear, baring their fangs.
They're aggressive.
Then a massive fox, standing 42 feet tall, emerges behind them.
The team realizes in horror—they're completely surrounded.
---
Zimi and Zama start running.
> "We'll come back with weapons!" Zimi shouts.
Hanu panics,
> "When will they be back?!"
NiZo stands still, saddened.
> "They won't be back…
They took the stone and ran away."
---
Meanwhile, Zimi and Zama are sprinting through the forest.
Zimi shouts,
> "Zama! What are you doing?
Use the flare gun! Fire it now!"
Through the trees, they see the camp again.
Zimi looks at Zama.
> "If NiZo hadn't been there when I got hit…
I wouldn't have survived either."
---
Back at the camp, the small foxes begin their attack,
and the giant fox grows more aggressive, preparing to strike.
It seems like the team is doomed.
Suddenly — a giant tree falls from above, slamming into the ground.
It injures many of the smaller foxes.
Everyone turns to see—
Zama, standing on top of the fallen tree,
bathed in a glowing light and powerful wind.
The wind from the crash makes the giant fox's fur whip around,
its once-white hair now soaked with blood, turning white and red.
Zimi shouts,
> "Don't be afraid — we're here!"
She tosses tools to everyone: pickaxes, axes, and weapons.
---
Zama charges forward with incredible speed.
He slashes the giant fox's body, leaving deep cuts.
He gets behind the beast and continues his attack.
The blood flowing from the wounds turns the fox's hair a terrifying crimson.
The fox roars louder, growing even more aggressive.
---
Zama leaps high into the air—
the fox opens its mouth to swallow him—
But suddenly, NiZo appears, stabbing the fox's eye with a blade.
The fox screams in pain and collapses.
Zama prepares for the final blow—
But NiZo shouts:
> "Stop!
That stone you took from its head…
Give it back."
Zama hesitates… then walks forward,
and gently places the stone into the hands of a small fox nearby.
The fairy reappears and heals the injured foxes with its magic.
---
Suddenly, from behind the trees…
someone is watching.
Dozens of tiny people—around 1 foot tall—emerge from the shadows.
One of them steps forward and says in amazement:
> "Incredible!
You actually defeated the guardian foxes!"
NiZo blinks.
> "Uh… who are these little punks?"
One tiny man jumps up.
> "Punks?! Who are you calling punks!?"
Koku giggles.
> "They're kind of adorable."
Another tiny man looks at her with hearts in his eyes.
> "And you're kind of beautiful!"
He then looks at Zama,
> "And you, strong warrior!
You defeated that giant fox alone!"
NiZo crosses his arms.
> "Yeah right, as if I didn't help at all…"
The tiny man waves his hand.
> "Quiet, you. Come with me — I have something important to show you."