"Kgh," Zion let out through gritted teeth.

The pressure pressed heavily against his body like a weight he couldn't shake off. His instincts screamed at him to move, but his legs wouldn't.

[Host…] Uriel said, voice low. [Those entities… they are Verdant Sentinels.]

Zion's eyes widened.

'Verdant Sentinels?!' he thought. 'Here? On this planet?'

His mind raced.

Verdant Sentinels were a strong and intelligent race, widely known and respected throughout the entire universe for their unique abilities.

Yet they had appeared here? In a corner of the universe, near the unexplored areas?

[Both Sentinels have hit their species' growth limit,] Uriel continued. [They are Peak B-ranks.]

Zion gritted his teeth, locking eyes with the Sentinels.

The two Sentinels at the ship didn't approach him, seemingly still conversing with each other while occasionally pointing at Zion.

He forced himself to breathe, knowing that a sudden move could mean his end.

[Host,] Uriel said quietly. [I recommend against hostile actions.]

Zion nodded once, painfully aware of the situation.

If the Sentinels wanted him dead, there wouldn't be a universe where he would survive. That was the gap between them.

"We'll have to wait and talk," he muttered under his breath. "And pray they don't kill me."

The forest remained silent.

Finally, one of the Sentinels moved.

Its massive, thirty-foot-tall body shook the ground as it walked, leaving cracks with every step it took.

The pressure on Zion spiked, nearly forcing him to his knees. As the Sentinel reached him, he couldn't even raise his head anymore, let alone speak a single word.

Then, a cold voice echoed through the forest.

"Human."

Zion swallowed, forcing his breathing to remain steady.

"What is your purpose here?" it continued.

The pressure suddenly lessened significantly, allowing Zion to finally look up at the massive rock figure.

His mind raced, searching for the best answer to the question.

[Host, you can't lie in front of them,] Uriel quickly said, its voice slightly panicked. [They'll know instantly.]

Zion took a slow breath, his mind calming down.

"I'm a mercenary," he said, forcing his voice steady. "And I took a mission to scout this planet for the Mercenary Guild."

Silence followed.

The first Sentinel glanced back at its companion for a moment, an indescribable expression on its face.

Then it stared back at Zion, its mouth opening.

"Are you the only human who came here?"

Zion quickly shook his head. "There… should be nine more crews spread out over the planet."

The Sentinel remained silent, a single branch approaching Zion's neck slowly.

All Zion could do was take a single step back before the branch wrapped around his midsection.

"I answered honestly," Zion forced out, gritting his teeth as the Sentinel's grip tightened.

The Sentinel remained silent, lifting him in front of its massive face.

"You harvested," it said, voice cold and low.

At the same time, the second Sentinel also approached, this one slightly shorter than the first.

"A single herb," Zion let out, breath strained from the tight grip. "I didn't know this land was owned."

The second Sentinel responded this time, its voice warmer than the first.

"This planet isn't owned by us," it said. "But it is guarded."

Zion's eyes narrowed slightly.

'Guarded?' he thought. 'What are they guarding if it isn't the land and the treasures on it?'

He clenched his fist, quickly pushing the useless thoughts aside.

It wouldn't matter if he died here anyway.

"I'll return the herb and leave immediately," Zion said carefully. "And don't worry, once I'm gone, I have no intention of returning."

The first Sentinel studied him for several seconds longer.

Then the second Sentinel placed a branch on the one holding Zion, its eyes locking onto its companion. It tilted its head slightly, clearly wishing to speak with it elsewhere.

The first Sentinel nodded once, then turned back to Zion.

"You will wait here, human," it said, placing him back on the ground. "We will decide what to do with you now."

The two Sentinels stepped away from him, their massive bodies retreating several dozen meters with slow but powerful strides.

Right away, Zion felt the pressure dissipate slightly, allowing him to move freely again.

He stretched his legs slowly, his heart pounding in his ears.

'If they decide to kill me,' he thought grimly, 'staying here won't change anything.'

His eyes flickered to his ship, his mind racing.

If he ran at full speed and circled back to the ship, there was a chance. Albeit small, there was a possibility he could escape without relying on their judgment.

'It's better than waiting here like a sitting duck.'

His fingers twitched, energy coursing through his body.

[Host,] Uriel said immediately, its voice firm. [Do not attempt to flee.]

Zion clenched his jaw.

'Why not?' he thought bitterly. 'I don't want to be left to fate like this.'

[Running now only guarantees hostility,] Uriel continued. [Your current survival rate is higher than you think. If you flee, it drops to zero percent immediately.]

Zion exhaled slowly, his muscles and mind screaming at him to move.

Yet he trusted Uriel's advice more than anything.

Seconds ticked by into minutes as the Sentinels seemed to be in a deep discussion.

Suddenly, the one that had been warmer toward Zion turned away, disappearing into the dense forest opposite him.

The other finally turned toward Zion, approaching with heavy steps.

The pressure on Zion remained controlled, allowing him to breathe easily and move his body.

The Sentinel stopped several yards away, its towering frame slowly lowering as it crouched down on one knee.

Its moss-covered eyes studied him.

For a long moment, neither spoke.

Then the Sentinel lowered one massive arm and gestured toward the forest where its companion had disappeared.

"You will remain," it said coldly.

Zion nodded slowly.

"I understand," he said hesitantly.

The Sentinel rose back to its full height, turning its gaze toward the forest once more.

Beneath its shadow, Zion remained still, heart pounding and mind racing.

Whatever happened to him now was no longer in his hands.

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