Realizing he still lacks powers to defeat HOLY, Kazuma goes to the Alter Forest, a place within the Lost Ground filled with animals that contain powers, remembering that Cougar once told him it was the source of Alter. After managing to avoid hurting the animals, Kazuma encounters the same Alter who killed Ryuho's mother and dog. The two start fighting with Kazuma being overpowered. After impaling his enemy, Kazuma receives a new power from the Alter and leaves the forest.