The moment his fingertip brushed the faded map, a pulse of blue light rippled across its surface. The holographic image of the forest flickered to life — transparent lines outlining paths, trails, and landmarks. Then, as if drawn by gravity, the glowing data surged forward, dissolving into particles that shot straight into Sid’s eyes.

"Whoa— what the hell?!"

He stumbled, blinking hard as his vision flashed. Then a familiar digital tone echoed in his ears:

[SYSTEM MESSAGE!]

[Freeland Woods Map Acquired!]

[Map data integrated into your HUD.]

Sid blinked again, and suddenly a small holographic overlay appeared in the corner of his view — a detailed map showing the sprawling green of Freeland Woods, complete with terrain, elevation, and landmarks. He could even see a small blinking icon marking the cabin they had stayed in.

"Guess the old man built that cabin right on the safest part of the woods. Smart guy! He must have known this area better than anyone."

Evelise stepped closer, looking at the faded signpost.

"Freeland Woods... This was the only place I ever had the courage to visit. Humans rarely came here. They called it dangerous because of the wildlife— said the animals were pests whenever they wandered into the city. Some even wanted the forest cleared entirely, turned into something safer, maybe a zoo, where the creatures could be caged and turned into an attraction. But..."

Sid looked at her, noticing the change in her expression.

"But what?"

She took a breath, her gaze drifting toward the trees.

"Before this city became what it is, this whole area was a vast forest. When humans took over, they kept cutting it down until only this small patch— this ’nexus green’ was left. They built towers, roads, and homes around it, shrinking the forest more and more. The mayor back then decided to preserve what little remained, said it would remind people of what the world used to be... before humans took everything. That’s how Freeland Woods became the last sanctuary of nature."

Sid nodded quietly, taking in her words as he scanned the treeline.

"Guess whoever that mayor is was right. Even after all that’s happened... this place still feels alive."

Evelise smiled softly, the corners of her lips lifting with a trace of melancholy.

"Yeah... still alive. Even after everything died."

The deeper they moved into the forest, the quieter it became. Even the chirping insects faded until only the rustle of leaves and their footsteps remained. Sid suddenly stopped, holding out an arm. The wind shifted, carrying with it a sharp, foul stench that made Evelise wrinkle her nose.

"Ugh... what is that smell?"

She muttered, covering her face. Sid’s eyes narrowed.

"Stay behind me."

He raised his knife, stepping forward carefully. The light dimmed under the thick canopy, and the air grew heavier with each step. Then, through the tangle of vines ahead, he saw it — a zombie. Its body hung limp between two trees, completely wrapped in layers of green vines and roots. Its skin had long since decayed, and from its chest and skull sprouted clusters of mushrooms and pale flowers. The thing didn’t move; its empty eyes stared blankly at the ground, mouth gaping in a silent groan that would never come.

"Damn... It’s... dead dead."

He crouched closer, examining the body. The vines had burrowed deep into its flesh, almost as if the forest itself had absorbed it. The same rot and greenery spread to several more corpses nearby — all of them entangled, decomposing into the earth. Some were almost unrecognizable, their bones and organs woven through with thick roots. Evelise’s ears twitched as she stepped closer, fascination gleaming in her eyes.

"These plants... they’re alive, growing right out of them."

"Yeah, and you’re getting way too close to that thing."

Ignoring him, Evelise crouched and plucked one of the strange, glowing mushrooms sprouting from a corpse’s neck.

"I’ve never seen anything like this before. It’s my first time seeing these kinds of plants."

Sid flinched as she reached for another one.

"Evelise! Don’t touch that! It could be toxic or infected or— whatever. Just don’t."

She turned to him with a mischievous grin.

"Relax. I’m not going to eat it."

"Good. Because if you try putting any of that in our food, I swear—"

She cut him off, smirking.

"You’ll what?"

Sid hesitated, glaring at her.

"I’ll... make you eat your own cooking first."

Evelise laughed, a low, teasing sound.

"Ok."

Sid groaned, rubbing his face.

"You’re hopeless."

As she plucked another mushroom from a zombie’s rib cage, something caught Sid’s attention. He leaned closer and noticed that every corpse had the same wound — a small, clean hole in the skull, right through the forehead. It wasn’t decay or damage. It looked deliberate.

"What the hell...?"

Evelise was already moving ahead, following the overgrown path deeper into the forest.

"Sid, come on. I think we’re close to the center."

He hesitated, glancing once more at the hole in the skulls, then at the creeping vines curling around the bones.

"Yeah, yeah, I’m coming,"

He muttered, forcing himself to look away and jog after her. The rot, the vines, and the strange stillness of the corpses lingered in his mind long after they left the clearing behind.

As they walked further, the forest began to thin until, at last, it opened into a vast clearing. Sunlight poured freely onto cracked white tiles that had once been a plaza floor. Wild grass burst through every gap, softening the man made lines with green. Scattered across the space were rusted stalls, collapsed carts, and broken benches — the remains of what was once a bustling square. Sid slowed as his boots clacked on tile.

"So this... this is the heart of Nexus Green."

His eyes swept over the field of still forms. Dozens of corpses — some skeletal, others half merged into the soil, lay where they had fallen. Many were slumped against the old vendor stalls, frozen in their last moments. Near the center, one stood out — a body still dressed in the tattered remnants of a clown outfit, a cracked red nose resting beside its skull. Sid stared at it quietly.

"Guess they had performers here."