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The Paper User: Exiled for a ‘Trash Skill,’ Awakens True Power and Rises with Two Unique Skills ,Volume 2 - Chapter 12

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Chapter: The Dolls’ Cult

A few hours later, we were making our way through the northern part of the Gahon Forest.

The forest was dim, with only faint rays of light filtering through the thick canopy. Somewhere in the distance, the chirping of birds echoed. The air was cool and carried a hint of dampness—probably because there was a water source nearby.

Up ahead, Piln, who had been leading the way, suddenly stopped.

“Yakumo, how big do you think the temple is?”

“No idea,” I replied while scanning the surroundings.

“My guess? It’s probably underground, like a cave. If it were above ground, someone would’ve found it by now.”

“So, all we need to do is find the entrance to the cave?”

“Pretty much. But I’m betting the entrance is well-hidden. In a forest like this, it’d be easy to cover it up with rocks and plants.”

“In that case, if Piln finds it, Piln will be the hero of the day!”

Her violet eyes sparkled with excitement.

“We’ll find the temple and prove how amazing Piln is!”

“Good luck with that, Piln,” Almine said with a laugh.

“The more achievements our party racks up, the sooner the Kingdom will acknowledge us—and grant us permission to enter the Great Labyrinth of Chaos.”

“Leave it to me! Piln will make your wish come true, Almine!”

Piln thumped her small chest with pride.

And then—

A faint rustle came from the bushes behind Almine.

My eyes flicked toward the sound—just in time to catch a glimpse of a man in black clothing lurking there.

He hurled a knife straight at Almine.

A Dolls’ Cultist?!

I focused my mind, instantly manifesting several sheets of reinforced paper in midair.

Clang! The knife struck the paper, ringing out like metal on steel.

At the same time, Kinako noticed the intruder and darted straight into the bushes.

“Guh!”

The cultist ripped a dagger from his belt and swung it at her.

“Too slow!”

In a blur, Kinako slipped to his flank and smacked his ribs with her soft pink paw.

Boom! The impact sent him flying.

The man’s body slammed against a tree trunk and crumpled to the ground, motionless.

“Almine! Do you have any restraints?”

“Y-Yes!”

Almine pulled a blue rope from her magic pouch and tossed it to Kinako.

With practiced ease, Kinako tied up the cultist’s hands and feet.

“Thank you, Yakumo,” Almine said, relief flooding her voice.

“I didn’t even notice I was being targeted.”

“That’s what I’m here for—to protect you.”

“To… protect me…”

A faint blush crept across Almine’s cheeks.

“Yakumo…”

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

“N-No, it’s nothing…”

She turned her face away from me.

“R-Right! We need to report this to the Flame Dragon Company!”

Without another glance in my direction, Almine activated her long-distance communication device.

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