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Suppressing her fear, Grace suggested, 

“If there is someone inside, it would be best to persuade them to come to the village. Living in the dead land can’t be good in the long run, no matter how you look at it.”

To live in the dead land implied someone who lived avoiding others’ eyes, indicating they had some unfavorable circumstances.

Understanding the implication, Benjamin hesitated for a moment over Grace’s proposal.

‘But it’s unlikely that a truly malicious criminal would hide here.’

Even the most malevolent person would avoid contaminated or dead lands. This was why novels often depicted criminals fleeing to the northern territory of Duke Felton.

“…For now, if there is someone, I’ll attempt to persuade them, but I doubt there will be anyone here.”

Benjamin took the lead.

As they ventured further in, Grace felt a peculiar confidence from Benjamin that no one was inside.

“How can you be so sure that no one’s inside? It could be dangerous if there is.”

“If someone was hiding over there, they would have sensed our presence long ago and either would have come out to untie the ribbons or should have moved somewhere else.”

“…”

“People that are in hiding usually have a quick sense of their surroundings.”

“You seem to know a lot.”

“Well, hunting monsters has taught me that.”

‘So, he’s equating humans with monsters now?’

While Benjamin spoke with a hint of bashfulness, Grace worried that he might confuse humans and monsters in the future.

She instinctively brushed the back of her neck with her hand.

Suddenly, Benjamin stopped in his tracks.

“What’s the matter?”

“There’s a… peculiar feeling…”

Benjamin whispered, drawing his sword cautiously.

Grace asked in a hushed tone, 

“Do you sense a presence?”

“No. I feel something, but it’s not so much a presence, it’s something similar to…”

Hesitating as if unsure, Benjamin finally added, 

“It’s eerily similar to the aura of a monster.”

“A monster?”

“Yes, it’s subtle, only those familiar with monsters would notice.”

“Isn’t that dangerous?”

“No, it’s quite different from that.”

His brow furrowed slightly as if he couldn’t quite understand himself.

‘What exactly is he sensing?’

Grace peered into the dark forest, but all seemed still.

‘Is it because I am anxious that I feel slightly nauseous?’

Perhaps someone who has dealt with monsters more often would perceive differently. She sneaked a glance at Benjamin.

“…A mine?”

A moment later, the word that emerged from Benjamin’s lips was “mine.”

He stared at the silhouette illuminated by the lantern, marking the entrance to the mine. In front of it hung a rope with a knot.

“It appears to be an abandoned mine.” 

‘So, this is the symbol of an abandoned mine.’

“There are also signs of recent visitors.”

“…?”

Grace was curiously looking at the knot, then quickly turned her head at Benjamin’s words.

“Is someone inside?”

“No, these marks were made from the outside. It seems they intended to hide this place.”

“Why?”

“They probably didn’t want anyone to get curious about this location.”

Benjamin bent down, pulling up some ivy stacked around the mine’s entrance. Some of it fell away easily, indicating it had been deliberately placed there.

“If they had stacked this ivy before entering, there should be debris underneath…”

“But there’s none.”

“Yes, one could think it’s just dead plants falling apart easily.”

Grace stared intently at the entrance of the mine where the ivy was scattered.

“Huh?”

When the light from the lantern faintly illuminated the dark interior, something glittered from the shadows beyond.

“What did you find?”

“Wait, there’s something shining over there.”

Grace pointed her finger at the source of the light. Benjamin must have found it too, so he told Grace to wait and went inside.

After picking it up, Benjamin’s expression became profound.

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