Chapter 612: Hurry and Go Take a Look

"What? A mysterious zone?" Okabe Rintaro shot to his feet, both hands pressing hard on the table, his eyes wide as saucers, his face written all over with curiosity. "Really? Then let's hurry and go take a look!" His voice trembled slightly with excitement, and his body unconsciously leaned forward, as if already ready to set off at once.

Guo Yao, however, gently furrowed her brow, her eyes full of worry. She instinctively grabbed Li An's hand, her fingers tightening just a little, her voice soft but carrying a trace of unease: "Li An, that place sounds really dangerous—are we really going?" Her gaze revealed fear of the unknown, and was also brimming with deep concern for Li An.

Li An gently patted Guo Yao's hand, giving her a reassuring smile, his tone firm yet tender: "A-Yao, don't be afraid. I believe we can do it, and besides, this might be a perfect chance to raise our strength." A glint of confidence and resolve shone in his eyes, as if nothing could stop him from moving forward.

Hashida Itaru pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose; behind the lenses, his eyes flickered with excitement: "Yeah, this might even help us deal better with the challenges ahead." As he spoke, he quickly jotted things down on the tablet in his hands, his mind already beginning to devise all sorts of plans for coping with the unknown.

Makise Kurisu gave a slight nod, her eyes revealing calm and thought: "Although it's dangerous, if it's really like the rumors say, then it really is worth investigating." She folded her arms across her chest, leaned back slightly, and fell into all kinds of speculation about the mysterious zone.

Amane Suzuha stood up, her eyes revealing calm and decisiveness: "Since everyone's decided, then let's all go together—I'll protect everyone." Her voice was firm and strong, as if injecting a powerful stimulant into the group.

In the end, after much discussion and weighing, everyone still decided to follow Li An to the mysterious zone. Although each of them felt uneasy about the unknown, their longing for adventure and their trust in one another made them choose to walk forward side by side. (adbb)

After a long and arduous journey, they finally arrived at the entrance of the mysterious zone. Before them lay a forest shrouded in thick fog, a mysterious and ancient aura drifting through the mist. The trees were tall and gnarled, their branches and leaves intertwined, as if telling of the vicissitudes of time.

"Is this the mysterious zone?" Shiina Mayuri clutched tightly at the hem of Okabe Rintaro's clothes, a hint of nervousness and curiosity in her voice. "It feels really scary." Her body trembled slightly, and fear of the unknown showed in her eyes.

Okabe Rintaro patted Mayuri on the head, trying to put her at ease: "Don't be afraid, Mayuri—I'm right here." Though he tried to sound composed, the slight tremor in his voice still betrayed the tension inside him.

Just as the group carefully stepped into the forest, suddenly, an earsplitting roar shattered the silence. A colossal guardian beast slowly emerged from the thick fog—its body massive as a mountain, its entire form covered in hard scales, each one glinting with a cold, icy light. Its eyes burned like flames, radiating an aura that chilled the soul.

"Wh-what is that thing?!" Hashida Itaru cried out in terror, his body involuntarily stumbling back a few steps, the tablet in his hands nearly slipping from his grasp.

"Everyone, be careful!" Li An swiftly stepped in front of the group, his hands clenched tight, spiritual energy beginning to circulate through his whole body, his eyes revealing vigilance and resolve. "This is the guardian beast that protects this mysterious zone."