The next morning came quickly, sunlight streaming through the small windows of their shared room at the inn. Shunjiro stretched and yawned loudly, earning a groan from Tetsuo, who was still half-buried under a pile of blankets. Itsuki was already up, humming softly as she fastened her gear, while Yoshinori sat at the small table, reviewing the details of their quest on the scroll. “Alright, team,” Shunjiro announced, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. “Time to kick off our first mission as the Strongest Guild! Let’s find that merchant and get to work!” Tetsuo rolled out of bed, groaning as he pulled on his boots. “Do you have to be this loud this early?” he muttered, though a small grin betrayed his amusement. “Of course I do!” Shunjiro replied with a laugh. “This is the start of something great.” The group gathered their belongings and made their way downstairs to the inn’s common area, where the innkeeper greeted them with a knowing smile. “You’ll find the merchant you’re looking for at the market square,” she informed them, pointing toward the cobbled streets outside. The streets were bustling with activity as the four adventurers wove through the crowd. Merchants shouted over one another, advertising their wares, and the air was thick with the scents of fresh bread, spices, and the earthy aroma of the forest. “There he is,” Yoshinori said, nodding toward a frazzled-looking man pacing near a cart laden with goods. His clothes, while once fine, were now crumpled and stained with dirt, and his face was lined with worry. Shunjiro approached the man, his usual cheerfulness tempered by the seriousness of the situation. “Are you the merchant who reported your daughter missing?” he asked gently. The man turned, his eyes widening with a mix of hope and desperation. “Yes, that’s me. Are you the adventurers here to help?” “We are,” Itsuki said with a reassuring smile. “We’re here to find your daughter and bring her back safely. Can you tell us everything you know about what happened?” The merchant nodded, running a trembling hand through his disheveled hair. “Her name is Aya. She’s only twelve. We were traveling through the woods on our way to the village when she went missing. It was late, and the forest was darker than usual. I thought she was right behind me, but when I turned around, she was gone.” His voice cracked as he spoke, and he looked away, shame flickering across his face. “I searched for hours, calling her name, but there was no sign of her. It’s like she vanished into thin air.” Shunjiro placed a comforting hand on the merchant’s shoulder. “We’ll find her. Do you remember anything unusual about the area where she disappeared? Any landmarks or strange noises?” The merchant thought for a moment before nodding. “There was a large, old tree with twisted roots near the path. I remember seeing it just before I realized she was gone. And… there was a strange sound, like whispering, but I thought it was just the wind.” “Whispering Woods, living up to its name,” Tetsuo muttered under his breath. “Creepy place.” “Thank you for the information,” Yoshinori said, his tone calm and professional. “We’ll start our search near the tree. Stay here in case Aya finds her way back on her own. We’ll return as soon as we have news.” The merchant nodded, his eyes brimming with gratitude. “Thank you. Please, bring her back safely.” With a clear starting point, the group made their way into the forest, the atmosphere shifting immediately as they left the bustling market behind. The Whispering Woods lived up to its reputation; the dense canopy overhead filtered the sunlight into eerie beams, and the air was thick with an unnatural stillness. Every rustle of leaves and distant chirp of a bird seemed amplified, and the faint sound of whispering seemed to follow them. “Alright, let’s stay focused,” Shunjiro said, his usual lightheartedness replaced by determination. “We’ve got a little girl to find.” Itsuki, walking slightly ahead, scanned the ground for any signs of disturbance. “The merchant said there was a tree with twisted roots. Keep an eye out for anything that fits that description.” Tetsuo grunted in acknowledgment, his sharp eyes sweeping the surroundings. “This place gives me the creeps. Feels like we’re being watched.” Yoshinori nodded. “It’s likely there’s more to this forest than meets the eye. We should be ready for anything.” As they pressed deeper into the woods, the whispering grew louder, an indistinct murmur that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. Itsuki stopped abruptly, crouching near a patch of dirt. “Footprints,” she said, pointing. “Small ones. They might belong to Aya.” Shunjiro knelt beside her, studying the prints. “Good catch. Let’s follow them.” The footprints led them further into the forest, the path winding and uneven. They passed gnarled trees with moss-covered trunks and patches of wildflowers that seemed to glow faintly in the dim light. The whispering grew louder still, and Shunjiro couldn’t shake the feeling that the forest itself was alive, watching their every move. “Over there,” Yoshinori said, pointing to a massive tree with roots that jutted out of the ground like the claws of some ancient beast. “That must be the tree the merchant mentioned.” They approached cautiously, their senses on high alert. The air around the tree was colder, and the whispering seemed to emanate from the very bark. Itsuki shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. “This place is… strange. Be careful.” As they examined the area, Tetsuo noticed a piece of fabric caught on one of the roots. He pulled it free, holding it up for the others to see. “This looks like part of a dress. It could be Aya’s.” “Good find,” Shunjiro said, his eyes scanning the surrounding forest. “But where is she? Aya!” he called, his voice echoing through the trees. “If you can hear me, we’re here to help!” There was no response, only the persistent whispering. The group exchanged uneasy glances. “This doesn’t feel right,” Yoshinori said, his voice low. “It’s as if something doesn’t want us here.” “Well, too bad for it,” Shunjiro replied, determination flaring in his eyes. “We’re not leaving without Aya.” They fanned out around the tree, searching for any clues. Itsuki found a faint trail of crushed grass leading away from the roots. “Over here!” she called, motioning for the others to follow. The trail led them deeper into the forest, where the trees grew denser and the air colder. Shunjiro couldn’t shake the feeling that they were walking into a trap, but he pushed the thought aside. They had a job to do. After what felt like hours of searching, they reached a small clearing. In the center stood a circle of stones, each one etched with strange, glowing runes. The whispering was deafening now, a cacophony of voices that made it difficult to think. “What is this place?” Tetsuo asked, his voice barely audible over the whispers. “I don’t know,” Yoshinori replied, his eyes narrowing as he studied the runes. “But it’s not natural.” Shunjiro stepped forward, his fists clenched. “Aya!” he called again, his voice cutting through the noise. “If you’re here, answer me!” The whispering seemed to shift, the voices growing more frantic. The ground beneath their feet trembled slightly, and a cold wind swept through the clearing. “We need to be careful,” Yoshinori warned. “Something’s not right here.” “Agreed,” Itsuki said, her voice steady despite the tension. “Stay close and be ready for anything.” As the group prepared for what lay ahead, Shunjiro’s resolve hardened. They hadn’t found Aya yet, but they were close, he could feel it. And no matter what this forest threw at them, they wouldn’t leave without her.