Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 205: The Suffocating Forest (Part-2)

Raphael wasted no time. He slipped into the crowd ahead to inquire more directly, while Zora and the others found a nearby spot to rest and wait. It was obvious that whatever was happening inside the miasma could not be understood in mere moments.

Not long after, Raphael returned.

From his account, everyone gained a clearer picture of the situation.

Several groups had arrived at the Suffocating Forest days ago, only to discover that the suffocating miasma was slowly expanding outward. Each day, its coverage grew larger.

Worse still, monstrous roars could occasionally be heard from deep within. The sounds were unfamiliar and chilling, so much so that even veteran mercenaries who had roamed the White Mountains for decades could not identify the creatures responsible.

Some spirit warriors, emboldened by greed or confidence, had ventured inside. None had returned. As time passed, silence became the only answer, and most people had quietly accepted the worst outcome.

Now, fear lingered heavily in the air. Yet leaving without trying was equally hard to accept. And so, everyone remained, waiting for something, anything, to change.

"This is the first time I’ve heard of suffocating miasma that grows stronger by the day," Marcus said, eyes wide with disbelief.

The others fell silent. This phenomenon was entirely beyond common knowledge.

"For now, there’s no need to rush," Alaric Von Seraph finally said. "Let’s observe and think carefully."

"I agree," Zora replied softly, her gaze fixed on the rolling white fog ahead. Thoughtful light flickered in her eyes. Unknown dangers had always drawn her attention.

Whatever secrets the Suffocating Forest held, they were far deeper and darker than anyone had imagined.

Once everyone had a basic grasp of the situation, Zora walked straight toward the edge of the suffocating miasma.

She had encountered countless poisonous vapors in her previous life, yet even so, the density before her eyes made her pause. This miasma was far more concentrated than anything she remembered. It did not merely linger in the air. It pressed down, heavy and oppressive, as if the forest itself were holding its breath.

The surrounding spirit warriors noticed her actions and exchanged startled glances.

"Miss, that miasma is extremely toxic," a young man called out, unable to stop himself. He stepped closer, concern evident in his eyes. "It would be better not to approach it."

It would be a pity, he thought, if such a striking beauty were lost to something so senseless.

Zora turned her gaze toward him. The man looked to be around twenty, handsome and well-dressed, clearly not an ordinary mercenary. He was likely from a respectable family.

"Thank you for the reminder," she replied calmly, her tone polite but distant.

Then, without further explanation, she retrieved a slender silver needle from her storage pouch and slowly extended it toward the edge of the miasma.

"Master, what are you doing?" Black asked, eyes bright with curiosity.

"I’m testing the toxicity," Zora answered lightly. "To see whether it’s possible for people to enter directly."

White’s eyes widened in admiration. "Using acupuncture tools to test poison... that’s amazing."

Shihtzu crouched silently on Zora’s shoulder, its small body unusually tense. Its gaze was fixed not on the silver needle, but on the depths of the white fog beyond.

"Master," Shihtzu said hesitantly, its voice carrying a strange weight, "I feel... a familiar aura coming from inside."

Zora’s eyes flickered. "Familiar? Do you recognize the type of monster within the miasma?"

As a contracted beast, Shihtzu possessed inherited memories unique to demonic beasts. Even if it had never encountered certain creatures personally, fragments of knowledge passed down from its lineage could surface at critical moments.

Shihtzu shook its head slowly. "I’m not sure. It just feels familiar, like something I should know."

Zora smiled faintly. "That’s fine. If we hear its roar later, you may recognize it then."

Nearby, the young man who had spoken earlier watched her actions with growing confusion.

"Miss," he asked again, unable to hold back, "what exactly are you doing?"

Zora glanced at him, a trace of impatience flashing briefly through her clear eyes. She disliked being interrupted when focused.

The young man quickly clasped his hands, smiling. "My name is Stefan... Stefan Ravens. May I ask how to address you?"

When Zora did not respond, Stefan merely smiled wider, unfazed.

After all, a beauty of such caliber had every right to be aloof. Even being ignored felt, to him, like a small privilege.

"Master, that guy keeps staring at you," Black whispered, black eyes glittering with mischief. It looked like it was delighted at the prospect of chaos.

Zora didn’t even lift her head. "The most boring thing in this world is idle people."

She had no intention of paying this Stefan any attention. In her experience, people like him usually lost interest once they realized they were being ignored.

Unfortunately, she had underestimated his entourage.

"How dare you ignore our young lord?" the burly guard beside Stefan barked, his face dark with displeasure. "Do you know who you’re talking to?"

Stefan narrowed his eyes at Zora. He didn’t stop the guard, instead allowing the confrontation to unfold, a trace of smugness flashing across his features. On ordinary days, people scrambled for a chance to curry favor with him. Being ignored was unfamiliar... and irritating.

Zora’s expression turned icy.

These barking dogs were always the most annoying.

"Get lost," she said flatly.

Her voice was calm, cold, and utterly devoid of emotion. She didn’t even spare them a glance. The contempt in her attitude was sharper than any insult.

The guard’s face twisted. Stefan’s expression stiffened as well. Never had anyone dared speak to them this way.

"You’re courting death!" the guard snarled.

Zora’s brows knitted slightly. She was in the middle of analyzing the properties of the miasma. Being interrupted by such noise was testing her patience.

Just as she turned her head, ready to deal with this nuisance once and for all, a pale-gold figure stepped forward, positioning himself squarely in front of her.

"How far do you need to go," Prince Kael said calmly, "before you understand?"

His voice was low, decisive, and carried an unquestionable authority, like a command issued on a battlefield.

Stefan froze.

The words he had been about to say lodged in his throat the moment his eyes met Prince Kael’s.

Those dark eyes were deep and cold, brimming with an unmistakable killing intent. It took only a single glance for Stefan’s scalp to tingle, a sense of danger screaming at him to retreat.

This feeling was absurd... yet terrifyingly real.

Before Stefan could stop him, the guard had already shouted again, puffing out his chest.

"Who do you think you are? Daring to speak to our young lord like that? I think you’re tired of living!"

The corner of Prince Kael’s lips curved slightly.

It was a smile, but it carried no warmth. The killing intent in his gaze condensed almost tangibly, sending a bone-deep chill through the air.

Around them, spirit warriors began to gather, excitement lighting up their faces.

Ever since the appearance of this strange miasma, everyone had been tense and suppressed. A sudden spectacle was more than welcome.

"Isn’t that from the House Ravens?"

"Yeah. That newcomer’s in trouble now."

"The House Ravens brought plenty of people this time. Provoking them is really asking for disaster."

Whispers spread like ripples.

The guard sneered arrogantly, completely oblivious to the danger looming over him.

"I also think," Prince Kael said softly, "that you’re the one looking for death."

The smile on his lips finally stilled.

In the next instant—

A wave of exclamations erupted from the crowd as Prince Kael moved.

No one clearly saw how he struck.

They only heard a dull, muffled sound.

Then the guard’s body flew backward like a broken sack, crashing violently into the ground several meters away. Blood sprayed from his mouth as his body convulsed once... and then went completely still.

Silence fell.

Deathly silence.

Stefan’s pupils shrank violently as his face drained of all color. His legs went weak, and cold sweat soaked through his back.

The surrounding spirit warriors stared in disbelief, their earlier murmurs choking off mid-breath.

One move.

Just one move.

And the guard of House Ravens was already dead.

"Too violent," Baldwin sighed, rubbing his temples. He rarely saw Prince Kael make a move. Who would have thought that when he did, it would be this ruthless and decisive?

"Exactly," Marcus shook his head with a complicated expression. "Zora and Kael Moonstone really are a pair. One more terrifying than the other."

"Wow! That was so cool!" Reesa’s eyes sparkled with excitement. She clearly adored scenes that were bloody, direct, and overwhelming.