The 31st Piece Turns the Tables - Chapter 339
Chapter 339
After parting ways with the glacier maw, Snowfall walked along the southeastern direction on the map.
Having experienced the Yasha War and the Hugeltongue War, it was difficult for him to even remember the last time he had rested comfortably.
‘I’ve been working hard on my body.’
As a result, we gained a lot, but it was obvious that we would be devastated if we continued to proceed in such a drastic manner.
Since I had already experienced this once, I was reminded that it is important to get quality rest.
‘How far do we have to go?’
As for the estimated time to Cannes, assuming nothing happens, I thought it would take a few months.
This was also assuming we moved as quickly as possible. I didn’t know how much longer it would take if I moved as leisurely as I did now.
‘Hmm… I feel like I’m moving alone for the first time in a long time.’
It’s probably not because of my mood.
Even when I was thrown out in the aftermath of the boundary stone explosion, I ran into Yeba and Ishii.
Snowfall was currently walking through the cold forest northeast of Pandea. His figure and the surrounding trees were reflected on the lakeside.
In fact, there was no need to pass through this cold forest with few people and threats from wild animals and demonic beasts.
There was a trade route leading from the Federation to Khan, and it would have been a decent trip to travel along with the upland route.
But of course there was a reason why I left the normal path and took a different path.
‘There are places you have to stop on the way…’
The place pointed to by the traveler’s compass obtained from Lian existed between the destination and the travel route. It was worth stopping by at least once since there was a horse guardian there too.
‘Maybe it will be much later than expected…’
In fact, at this point, the thought of rushing to go was gradually disappearing.
To really get the news from Khan, you’ll have to head a little further south.
It was already late, so there was no reason to rush and there was no benefit in the effort.
Kang Seol opened the map, checked the terrain, and thought about it for a while.
‘The shortest route is through the cold forest and the Forest of the Sleeping Man… Should I just go round?’
Forest of the Sleeping.
Rumor has it that a dangerous secret lurks there.
In fact, because Kangseol knew so clearly what the reality was, he was able to gauge the danger. It wasn’t a place you could head to without any purpose.
‘Why don’t you go back? Rather, something annoying could happen.’
After gathering his thoughts, Kang Seol looked at the surrounding scenery.
Straight trees and little sunlight.
A lake with no ripples and the cries of birds that seem somewhat uncomfortable.
“Good.”
– It’s not good for anyone!
– teacher! What kind of hell have you been living through?
– If you think back to the time of Yasha and Irizard… Now is heaven…
– The hurdle for forest bathing is too low for him…
Medicinal herbs that grow only in cold forests and Poisonous plants were also visible from time to time.
It wasn’t something I had to force myself to take the time to collect, but there was no reason to refuse to find it all over the place.
– You can eat this.
– It’s blue?
– You can eat this too.
– It’s spotted, right?
– Just shake off the dirt and chew for a long time.
The items obtained in this way served their purpose well as food. It seemed like the opportunity to rest after a long time became a part of the labor process, but Kang Seol enjoyed this rest.
A time when you don’t have to say anything.
Just getting away from the conversation purified his mind.
‘Should I settle down around here?’
We prepared to camp in a spot where some trees had fallen.
An appropriate cloth has been spread on the floor, so insects won’t bite you, and since the fire will be large, wild animals won’t be able to easily approach it.
You may react before wild animals even come close in the first place.
Squeak…
We used up a lot of drinking water in Hugeltongue, and the water we had loaded was slowly running out.
Whoop…
Snowfall muttered after drinking water from the lake.
“You’re fine.”
After confirming that it was safe by tasting it, he filled up the water he had run out of.
“Huh… um?”
I saw a pack of wolves across the street.
They all seemed to have grown up eating well, so they were quite big.
Kang Seol chuckled and gently waved his hand.
The wolves circled around in place like dogs and soon disappeared.
The sun has already set.
Fortunately, we had already obtained all the firewood, so all we had to do was make a fire.
The cold forest environment seemed to have a calming effect on people.
Originally there wasn’t much sunlight, but as night fell, pitch black darkness consumed my vision.
Chick… Chick…
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
of the fish I caught with my bare hands while filling the drinking water earlier, I put it on a skewer and put it near the bonfire.
Since it is quite plump, just one bite will be enough to quell your hunger.
‘It would be perfect to eat with the alcohol I had stocked up.’
Cracking…
crackling… crackling…
I was filled with happiness just by looking at the meat being cooked to golden brown with the sound of the bonfire.
Most people would not feel much dissatisfaction just by living like this.
“Jamade.”
Jamard must have been bored, so he came out near the bonfire instead of the shadow space.
Thinking about it this way, I felt like it wasn’t a good idea, so I put another piece of meat on a skewer and put it on the fire.
It’s been a long time since I camped alone.
I feel itchy and wonder if I should cook something real instead of just grilled fish.
“It’s been a while since we were in this situation.”
“Right. “Situations like this were common when I was working on small things.”
“Actually, it only seems small now, but at the time it was a big deal.”
“… You’re not wrong.”
A bored Kangseol was digging for firewood and talking to Jamad for no reason.
“Jamade, you always light a fire in times like this. Did you guys do that too?”
“You mean trolls?”
“uh.”
“Of course. Some spells require fire to be activated, and they themselves feel quite sacred.”
“Fire?”
“We consider everything in Mother Nature sacred. “I think I might borrow it for a while and use it.”
“Is that what you think?”
“I don’t think there is any need to consider it sacred. “If you use it as much as you can and be grateful for it, that’s all.”
“Hahaha… it’s similar.”
Kang Seol said this with a cold expression.
“Fire is an indispensable thing in a traveler’s bed. It’s useful for both heating food and chasing wild animals. And you can sense danger in advance.”
Kangseol said, handing the cooked fish to Jamad first.
“But if it’s too bright, it can also have the opposite effect.”
“Tsk… I think I know why.”
“There are often people who see the light and approach.”
Snowfall said, looking through the darkness.
“It’s no use coming out and hiding.”
Eyes are lurking in the darkness.
If it had been a normal snowfall, his tone would have been somewhat softer, but since his hard-earned rest was interrupted, he couldn’t welcome the uninvited guest.
Rustling…
a woman appearing in the light.
She said, looking hurt in several places.
“… Help me, human.”
Kang Seol rubbed his eyes and frowned when he saw the other person’s identity.
“You’re a fairy, right?”
A charming looking fairy with long ears asked for help.
– It’s here! The fairy has arrived!
– You have rolled around like a vine
– Finally, the one thing that was lacking in visual beauty has been made up for.
– Immerse yourself. I am immersed in this moment.
Even though the fairy tried to approach the fire, Snowfall did not bother to stop it.
He frowned and handed the cooked fish to her.
“Ah… thank you, but the story comes first.”
Snowfall was intrigued by this strong-hearted fairy who approached her without fear even though there was a huge troll next to her.
“I am being chased now. “If he finds me, everything… everything will be ruined.”
“guy? mess?”
Snowfall smelled.
There was a very terrible smell.
Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been so many options, so the smell was real.
[An unknown fairy asks for your help. However, it is difficult to readily promise help when you do not know who this fairy is or who is chasing her. What would you ask her?]
1. What is your name?
2. How did it get into the cold boreal forest?
3. What are you chasing?
4. Why do you need help when you seem to be able to do it on your own?
…
“What’s your name?”
“… I can’t reveal it.”
I cannot reveal my name.
‘It’s a dangerous position.’
There are so many life forms living on Pandea, but saying just one name usually doesn’t cause any problems.
However, if the name is a widely known name, the situation is a little different.
‘It’s a shame… If I knew the name, I would have roughly guessed it.’
It was especially disappointing because I was able to quickly figure out the known names of Kangseol, which was like a dictionary.
[You intend to keep asking questions until they are answered…]
1. There is no assistance if you do not say your name.
2. How long did the chase last?
3. Who are you being chased by?
4. Why are you being chased?
…
It seemed like the options kept coming up.
Kang Seol frowned for a moment, then changed his mind and decided to ask all the questions at once.
“Given the name, the fact that it flowed into the cold forest… did the chase last for a long time? “Who are you chasing and why are you being chased?”
“That’s…”
The fairy’s eyes were spinning.
He seemed to be contemplating answers to too many questions.
“The chase… has been going on for quite some time. The reason it flowed into the cold boreal forest was not for any special purpose. I ended up here because I was just avoiding the chase and looking for a safe place. “I cannot tell you the identity of the pursuer and why he is being pursued.”
“Hmm….”
The information that could be obtained was limited.
So one more question.
[You intend to keep asking questions until they are answered…]
1. What kind of assistance are you expecting?
…
Kang Seol scratched his chin as the other person avoided answering, and then answered:
“I can’t help you if it’s like this.”
“Please! “This… isn’t helping me.”
“… yes?”
The fairy looked sad.
“Maybe it’s about helping the world.”
“Hmm… even if they say so…”
At that time, the woman’s accessories caught Kang Seol’s eyes. A necklace with a large red gem.
‘That necklace… somewhere…’
[Intermediate Perception activates.]
[This is not an ordinary necklace.]
Snowfall traced her memories and tried to figure out the identity of the necklace.
And soon he succeeded in recalling the identity of the necklace.
“…Red Prison.”
“….”
“That necklace. “Isn’t it the Red Prison?”
Hum…
the necklace vibrated.
This made it clear.
That necklace was a red prison.
“… How did you know?”
“I remember seeing something similar… who is in there?”
red prison.
It sucks life out and traps it within.
The being trapped inside exists in the form of a soul and can express its thoughts, but its biological clock has stopped.
To put it this way, it may seem like it can be used for very evil purposes, but in reality, it is mostly used to transport something very precious.
Like when playing in a party and trapping a seriously injured comrade inside and taking them to the High Priest.
“…I’ll be honest. What exists within this… is the one who sent me here.”
“Um… here?”
Snowfall questioned the fairy.
“You really came to visit us?”
“… Yes.”
This person came to see Kangseol and his party in person.
Snowfall’s heart was pounding.
I had a feeling that this would never be normal.
However, despite the adverse conditions, I had a feeling that I would have to accept this job.
“… What are the conditions of this job?”
“Something that gets us off the chase.”
“We can’t be together forever.”
“All you have to do is cut off even for a moment. “Then there is a way.”
“What is the reward?”
“Sick stuff.”
“….”
Damn it.
Kang Seol thought about it like that.
Any new object has value beyond imagination.
I knew it better than anyone else because I was still using the Fist of the Mountain that I had acquired in my early adventures to its fullest effect.
Moreover, if it was a sacred item obtained at this point… if it was the right item, there was a possibility that it could be used until the ascension was imminent.
“Ha… I have other conditions too.”
“Speak.”
“If the job is successful, can you tell me the whole truth?”
“That’s…”
Hum…
The necklace vibrated.
“… He gave permission. “You will know the whole truth the moment this is over.”
“great.”
Kang Seol suddenly stood up and snapped his fingers.
Taaagh-!
Whiiiiiii…
Suuuuu…
Coco and Kukuru appeared happily in the night air. Two giant shadow wolves peered through the darkness.
Crrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
…
Just before sunset, the wolves I had seen on the lakeside were approaching, foam coming from the corners of their mouths.
These guys were clearly fine until just now.
It was strange.
Maybe something special has happened.
“I thought it wouldn’t be easy anyway…”
Grumble…
“I guess there’s nothing I can do to give up the chase.”
“Where do you plan to go?”
Snowfall saw the darkness deep in the cold forest.
“…The Forest of the Sleeping One.”
[An unexpected adventure ‘The Forest Where No One Finds’ occurs.]
[This adventure is very dangerous.]
…