Chapter 88: Backtracking, Part Two

We followed Alan away from the camp and into the tree line.

We walked for a few minutes until we encountered a large, flat rock about the size of a small table. Above it was a bright red residue that emitted a dim glow.

Beside the rock was another, small enough to be held in one's hand. Along its jagged edge was more residue.

"Hmmmm," Barik hummed and knelt down, "this is from a crushed aether crystal, albeit a small one."

"Why would someone grind something like that up?" Alan asked while peering over Barik's shoulder.

Barik turned his neck toward Alan. "For a kick of spice to your food...or volatile powder. A bomb, to put things simply."

Barik then stepped to his feet and away from the rock. "It looks like whoever did this didn't have much, so I doubt they can do anything malicious with it."

"What should we do? Should we head back?" I cocked my head toward Mizuno.