I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl-Chapter 374 - 370 – Night in the Endless Green Forest

Their journey continued westward; the cool evening breeze gradually turned into a colder, damper night wind. The gray sky darkened, stars above beginning to twinkle faintly like small lamps lighting up one by one. Noir flew steadily, wings beating with a calm rhythm, the camouflage spell still active making them nothing more than a powerful gust sweeping through the treetops below. Sofia leaned closer against Sylvia’s back, her golden hair fluttering gently, the new crystal necklace on her chest glimmering faintly whenever the last rays of sunlight touched it.

But the farther they flew, the clearer one thing became: the vast green forest showed no sign of ending. No more small towns, no rivers, no hills or ruins of the old world. Only an endless expanse of lush green leaves stretching forever, tall trees rising like living pillars, thick roots sprawling across the ground like the veins of a giant. Thin mist began rising from the soil, carrying the scent of wet earth, decaying leaves, and something wilder: the smell of forest animals they hadn’t encountered since leaving Nocture.

Sylvia narrowed her deep red eyes, gazing downward. "This forest... is too vast. No signs of settlement."

Sofia nodded, her voice soft. "Yeah... it’s been nothing but trees and more trees for a while now. The sun’s almost set. We should land, Sylvia. A night in a forest like this could be dangerous."

Sylvia gave a small nod. She patted Noir’s neck gently. "Descend. Find a safe spot."

Noir rumbled lightly, a sound almost like a contented purr of agreement then began lowering altitude. His wings slowed, the once-strong wind becoming gentler. Below, among the dense trees, a small cave appeared on the slope of a low hill. Its mouth was dark, framed by tree roots sprawling like a giant spiderweb, but there were no signs of life nearby. Hidden enough, safe enough for tonight.

Noir landed softly in front of the cave mouth. The ground trembled faintly; leaves drifted down from the trees above. The camouflage spell faded with a wave of Sylvia’s hand, the deep purple runes dissolving into the air. They dismounted; Sofia leaped lightly onto the mossy ground while Noir shook his head as if shaking dust from his scales.

Sylvia scanned the surroundings first, her red eyes glowing softly in the encroaching darkness. The Chain of Abyss trembled faintly on her wrist, as though scanning for threats. Nothing moved except the wind and swaying leaves. "Safe for tonight."

She raised her right hand again. Faint purple runes glowed, and the Class A portable tent materialized from her inventory system a thick black fabric roll that instantly unfurled into a sturdy octagonal structure. Inside were already a soft floor mat, two sleeping bags lined with phantom wolf fur, and a small lantern that automatically lit with smokeless purple flame.

Sofia clapped her hands in tiny delighted bursts. "Our home for the night! It appears so quickly."

Sylvia didn’t reply, but she knelt at the cave mouth, checking the ground with her fingers. The soil was damp but not soggy; no large animal tracks. "Noir, smaller again. Fetch dry branches from around here. Don’t go far."

Noir rumbled softly; his gigantic body shrank once more with the familiar sound of cracking bone and shifting scales. In seconds, he was back to the size of a full-grown house cat pitch-black scales faintly gleaming, blood-red eyes glowing like small embers. He hopped from Sylvia’s shoulder, tail swishing, then trotted lightly toward the nearest trees. Soon he returned, mouth full of dry branches, some thick logs, some thinner twigs, all perfectly dry as if he knew exactly what was needed. He carefully dropped the pile in front of the tent, then sat like a small guard dog, tail gently thumping against the mossy ground.

"Good," Sylvia murmured. She arranged the branches into a small pyramid in front of the tent, then flicked a pinch of death flame from her fingertip deep purple fire that felt no heat to her but could burn anything else. The flame touched the bottom twigs, and in an instant a small campfire blazed. Its soft purple light illuminated the cave mouth and cast long shadows across the surrounding trees.

Sofia scooted closer, holding her hands toward the fire. "Warm... finally. This forest gets so cold once the sun goes down."

Sylvia sat beside her, legs crossed, her black cloak spread like raven wings across the mossy ground. They were silent for a moment, listening only to the quiet crackle of wood and the night wind slipping through the leaves. This green forest was different from the dark woods around Nocture lush green foliage instead of black-silver, fresher and more alive scent of soil, yet wilder too. In the distance, occasional night-animal sounds drifted: low far-off roars, strange bird calls like lullabies but laced with eerie notes.

Sylvia gazed into the dark cave mouth. "The cave isn’t deep. But it’s enough shelter if rain comes."

Sofia nodded, curling closer to the fire. "I like this forest. It’s more... green. More alive than around Nocture. But also a bit scary at night. Did you hear that sound earlier? Like howling, but not lycanthrope."

Sylvia gave a small nod. "New creatures from the fusion. Maybe remnant wolves adapted to this forest. They won’t approach while the fire burns."

Noir hopped into Sylvia’s lap, curling up there like an ordinary cat, though his eyes remained open, glowing red in the darkness. He rumbled once soft, almost a contented purr as if saying he would guard them.

They sat for a long time by the campfire, not speaking much. Sofia occasionally took small snacks from the bag she’d bought in Emberford and shared them with Sylvia. The sweet-astringent taste fits perfectly on the tongue, reminiscent of Nocture honey but fresher. Noir sniffed the berries, then shook his head. He preferred raw meat.

Night deepened. Mist rose thicker, wrapping the trees like a thin white blanket. The campfire burned steadily, its soft purple light illuminating the tent and cave mouth. Inside the tent, sleeping bags were already spread, one for Sylvia, one for Sofia. Noir chose to sleep outside, in front of the tent, his small body curled but eyes still watchful.

Sofia crawled into her sleeping bag first, curling up like a child. "Sylvia... Thank you for bringing me here. Even though this forest is a bit scary, it feels... free."

Sylvia sat outside the tent, gazing at the fire. "Sleep. I’ll keep watch."

Sofia smiled, her golden eyes beginning to close. "Don’t stay up too long. You need rest too."

Sylvia didn’t reply, but she reached out and briefly touched Sofia’s golden hair, a cold but gentle touch. "Sleep."

Sofia’s breathing became steady within minutes. Sylvia remained seated, watching the fire, the dark forest, Noir guarding in front of the tent. The Chain of Abyss trembled once softly not a warning, but something like... approval.

She thought about the day: friendly Emberford, warm smoked-meat soup, townspeople’s smiles unafraid of strangers. This fused world was slowly changing no longer just blood and fire, but also honey bread and vast green forests. Maybe Sofia was right; the world was beginning to heal. Or maybe they were the ones learning to see beauty amid the change.

Sylvia let out a small sigh, cold breath mingling with the purple campfire smoke.

"Tomorrow we continue," she whispered to the night wind. "There’s still so much forest to cross."

The wind answered with a gentle gust, carrying the scent of wet leaves and living earth. The fire burned on, its soft purple light illuminating the tent, the peacefully sleeping Sofia, and the faithful Noir on watch.

In the heart of the endless green forest, beneath a sky full of secrets, Sylvia allowed herself to feel tonight’s peace: a simple peace, without war, without reports, just a campfire, a sleeping friend, and a small dragon standing guard.

Noir purred softly again, like a lullaby for his queen. And the green forest continued to breathe quietly around them.

Midnight arrived without warning. Sylvia still sat in front of the tent, her red eyes half-closed, the Chain of Abyss trembling faintly as if listening to something distant. Noir curled in her lap, his small body warm from the still-glowing campfire. Sofia slept deeply inside the sleeping bag, her breathing steady like the calm rhythm of the forest.

Suddenly, a low rumble echoed in the sky, not ordinary thunder, but a distant roar from rapidly rolling clouds. The once-gentle night wind turned into a strong gust, carrying the scent of wet earth. Leaves whipped wildly in the trees; branches creaked as though about to snap. Sylvia opened her eyes fully, her hand immediately touching the Chain of Abyss. Noir lifted his head, red eyes blazing brighter, small ears perked.

The rumble drew closer, then the first lightning struck a blinding white flash piercing the thick mist. Soon after, rain poured down in torrents. Water fell like a thick curtain, pounding the mossy ground with deafening noise. Wind howled, carrying cold raindrops that sprayed into the cave mouth.

Sylvia rose slowly, pulling the tent closer to the cave wall to avoid splashes. Fortunately the cave mouth was deep enough and slightly elevated rainwater rushed past in front, forming small puddles that quickly drained down the hillside without entering. The campfire continued burning steadily thanks to the death flame that refused to be extinguished; its soft purple light illuminated the moss-covered cave walls.

Sofia stirred, awakened by the thunder. "Sylvia... it’s raining so hard," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes, golden hair tousled. She crawled out of the sleeping bag, moved closer to Sylvia’s side, and curled up near the fire. "Good thing we’re in this cave. If we were in a regular tent, we’d be soaked."

Sylvia gave a small nod, her black cloak trailing on the ground. "This cave is safe. Water won’t come in. We wait until it lets up."

Noir hopped into Sofia’s lap, curling there while rumbling softly, a sound almost like a soothing purr. The rain continued pouring relentlessly, the sound of water hitting the ground mixing with occasional thunderclaps. Outside the cave, the once-calm green forest had turned into a sea of noise: swaying leaves, rushing water, and distant night-animal howls now clearly audible.