After spending hours running, Ellis group became wore out and decided to take a rest to regain their energy. But resting in the forest was not possible due to the sound of mystic beasts running around the place.

" What's the need of resting when we can't even close our eyes for ten-second due to the forest dwellers roaming around the place," said Ray in frustration.

" Could you please just quite a little," said Ellis in a low tone.

" Does it matter if I say a word" replied Ray in annoyance?

Choosing to ignore Ray, they started meditating and when they heard the sound of something stepping on a branch not too far from where they are residing they got up and race forward at top speed.

In the forest, the straw bandit was already together and among them was a bit of complaint from the leader and some members against a certain member.

" How can you be so unprofessional to let them escaped," said straw bandit #1

" I just can't believe you give out our position," said straw bandit #4

" It wasn't intentional, I didn't know could be dry branches laying on the floor" replied straw bandit #3 that was at fault.

" Enough with all the complaint and search for our prey. Let me remind you the Gibson young master pay a huge amount of money for this quest and failure will lead to our dismissal" said the leader of the straw bandit.

" But there is no way we'll be able to locate them in the dark unless we use our spiritual senses to locate them which is quite demanding on mental state" complain straw bandit #2

" There is no need to worry, in two hours later the sun will be out" replied the leader.

" But two hours is more than enough for them to arrive in Hiepia empire," said straw bandit #3

" I wouldn't say that if I were you," said the leader of the straw bandit.

" What is the leader talking about," asked the straw bandit #2

" Do any of you know the name of this forest," asked the leader of the straw while looking at his men?

" Did you still remember the story about the fall of Winfrey the thief," asked the leader once again?

" How could we ever forget about how Winfrey the thief and his gang wander into the Curious Wetland Wood and were never heard from again" replied straw bandit #2, and before he could continue with what he was saying, straw bandit #4 suddenly interrupted him.

" Wait a minute, leader are you saying we are actually in the Curious Wetland Wood," asked straw bandit #4 in fear.

" Exactly, this forest is filled with illusion so leaving it in two hours or more won't be easy even for us" replied the captain of the straw bandit.

The straw bandit became quiet after realizing they were in the Curious Wetland Wood.

Somewhere else in the forest Ray and his group were running and by the look of things, they have been fleeing for a long time. While running forward Maria suddenly stopped and begin to look around in confusion.

" What is it Maria, have they finally caught up with us," asked Ellis.

" No young master is just that this place looks kind of familiar like we have already passed through here" replied Maria while turning to the group.

" Come to think of it, it looks like we have already passed through these places," said Ellis while looking around.

" What going on guys," asked Ray out of fright.

" Look like we have already been caught in the illusion of the forest" replied Kate with a big frown on her face.

" Don't tell me we are in Curious Wetland Wood," asked Ellis while looking at his maids angrily.

" We don't have a chance other than to enter the forest replied Kate while searching for a way out of the forest.

" Since you two are knowledgeable about this place then you must know of a way to counter the illusion," asked Ray with a little hope.

When they heard what Ray has said, Kate and Maria couldn't help but shake their head in disapproval.

Seeing them like this Ray almost bust in tears before saying.

" Since you don't know anything about this place then why did you bother to bring us here," said Ray in low spirit.

" We decided to enter the forest because we thought the straw bandit will not be entering since they know about the forest, and after waiting for some time we will leave but who could have thought that they will chase us and force us to go deep into the forest leading in our present situation," said Maria.

" We are doomed," said Ray while sitting on the ground.

" Not Ray, it will be dawn soon enough and with light, we will be able to walk out of the forest" replied Ellis.

Once again Ray was hoping what Ellis is saying is true, but that's when Kate has to ruin.

" Young master, once you have fallen in the illusion the day is not different from the night and the only way one will be able to walk out of the forest alive is through luck".

" Curse you, Kate, why must you spoil the moment. You guys better find a way out of this creepy place since you were the one that drags us Into the forest in the first place" said Ellis in a bad mood.

Hey calm down bro, you don't have to yell at them and besides, it was the only choice we had at the moment," said Ray while trying to calm Ellis.

Kate and Maria felt better when seeing Ellis calm down and were just about to breathe in relief, a ray suddenly barks at them.

" You have from now till dawn to figure a way out else if I were to die here my soul will hunt you for eternity and if you two were to die here also then your souls will have to die by my own hands".

They were both dumbfounded by Ray's threats and Ellis who has already calm down couldn't help but wonder who should be calming who now.