Elydes

Chapter 296 - Lost in the Mist

The rowboat scraped against the bottom of the lake, coming to a halt a few meters from where the willow branches dipped into the water. Kai stretched Mana Observer over the island as far as the shrouding mist allowed.

Trepidation mixed with anxiety. His knuckles whitened, gripping the sword. From what he could see, there was nothing except trees and critters that barely touched upon Red, already retreating in their dens at their approach.

The surge of relief made his shoulder slacken. He loosened his grip on the leather hilt when annoyance poked his gut. There were hundreds of islets in the lake, but part of him still expected to find the cultist. It wouldn’t be the most ridiculous coincidence caused by his Favor.

Would I even recognize if we were in the right place…?

It wasn’t as if the cultists would leave a sign: ‘Turn right at the second tree stump and knock on the mossy rock for the Evil Hideout. P.S. Please, take off your shoes before entering. P.P.S. Use the second entrance to deposit kidnapped innocents.

A brief check confirmed there were indeed no welcome signs—how disappointing. Hallowed Intuition hummed a vague closeness to his goal, but no significant danger.

Kai didn’t lower his guard. Skills and arrays had already proved they could interfere with his ability. He retracted Mana Observer too. Rarely anybody noticed his subtle touch, even among people at Yellow, but that didn’t mean never. A living exception sat across from him.

Rain let his hand hang overboard, drawing circles on the water with an absent expression.