Chapter 27
Far away on another continent of the world.
A kid was running through a dense forest.
His body was covered in dust and minor injuries.
He was a Player from the Druid race.
"Nature Curse."
The moment those words left his mouth.
The ground behind him shook violently.
BOOM!
Hundreds of gigantic tree roots burst out from beneath the earth.
Each root had an extremely sharp tip, resembling a spear.
The roots shot toward a group of Magic-class monsters known as Stone Spiders.
The giant monsters, each nearly fifteen meters tall, immediately moved to evade them.
Despite their massive bodies, they were incredibly fast.
However, the roots continued to extend.
Continuing to chase.
Continuing to hunt.
Baldir ran while cursing inwardly.
I need to get out of here quickly!
Who would've thought I accidentally wandered into a Stone Spider nest!?
Root after root continued to hinder the monsters' movements.
Buying time for Baldir to escape.
Several minutes later.
Baldir's eyes widened.
"That's the exit!"
He used a Scroll of Speed once again.
And finally managed to leave the Stone Spider territory.
The moment he got out.
He immediately dropped to the ground.
"Haaah..."
"I'm really unlucky today."
"Good thing I realized it quickly."
"If I had gone any deeper..."
"I definitely would've run into hundreds of Stone Spiders."
Baldir wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Hmm..."
"Well, at least they were Stone Spiders."
"Their movement speed isn't that fast."
"That's much better than running into Flaming Fireflies."
"They fly incredibly fast and always move in groups."
"Even my skill is completely ineffective against them."
"Magic-class monsters are seriously troublesome."
After resting for a while.
Baldir started running toward his kingdom once again.
Four hours passed.
Finally, he arrived at the royal city where he lived.
The kingdom of the Druid race.
The Kingdom of Arkenos.
A kingdom filled with giant trees and buildings that blended into nature.
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Baldir walked toward a shop.
The moment he entered.
He immediately called out to someone.
"Father."
A middle-aged man turned around.
"Oh?"
"Baldir."
"You're back."
The man's name was Bafal.
Although Baldir called him father.
Bafal was actually only his adoptive father.
Both of Baldir's parents had died when he was still very young.
Since then, Bafal had raised him.
In the past, Bafal had been an adventurer.
But now he was retired.
He ran an adventurer supply shop.
Selling everything from potions.
Scrolls.
Items.
To artifacts.
Baldir immediately spoke.
"Father."
"I found a Stone Spider nest."
Bafal froze.
"!!"
"You entered a Stone Spider nest!?"
"Yes."
"I wandered into it by accident."
"But fortunately I realized it quickly."
"Otherwise..."
"I might not have made it out alive."
Bafal immediately let out a relieved sigh.
"Good heavens, son."
"You need to be more careful next time."
Baldir smiled awkwardly.
"Umm..."
"Father..."
"Don't get angry, okay?"
"Hm?"
"Why?"
"Promise me first that you won't get angry."
Bafal raised an eyebrow.
"Alright."
"Just say it."
"What happened?"
Baldir scratched his cheek.
"I used up four Scrolls of Speed."
Bafal remained calm.
"Hmm?"
"Four Scrolls of Speed to save your life?"
"That's a very cheap price."
"Even if it took ten scrolls, your father would gladly pay for them."
Baldir immediately smiled in relief.
But then.
He continued.
"And..."
"I also lost the Wind Staff [Epic] artifact."
Instantly.
Bafal shouted.
"WHAT!?"
Baldir immediately covered both ears.
"But you promised you wouldn't get angry!"
Bafal held his forehead.
"Haaah..."
"Again?"
"Good grief."
"How many times have you lost that thing already?"
"Even if it's only Epic-class."
"It's still worth more than ten Scrolls of Speed."
"You've lost five!"
"Not two."
"Not three."
"But five Wind Staffs!"
"Sorry, Father."
"I guess I'm just not suited to using staffs."
Bafal immediately pointed at Baldir.
"But that artifact works perfectly with your skill!"
"Trap enemies inside a wind barrier."
"Then activate Nature Curse."
"Boom."
"The monsters die easily."
Baldir shook his head.
"But Father."
"My skill already has its own area control."
"And its attack range is already very large."
"Meanwhile, an Epic-class Wind Staff can only trap about three-tenths of my attack area."
Bafal fell silent for a moment.
Then said.
"I could actually buy you a Unique-class Wind Staff."
"But for now."
"You need to practice using the Epic-class version first."
"Father!"
"I already told you I'm not suited for staffs!"
Bafal smiled gently.
"Baldir."
"You've only been a Player for two months."
"Your level is still low."
"And you still need much more experience."
"I'm sure."
"One day."
"You'll get used to it."
Baldir fell silent.
Reflecting on every word his adoptive father had spoken.
A few moments later.
He nodded.
"Alright, Father."
"Then I'll work even harder."
Bafal smiled proudly.
"Good."
"That's my son."
Then he added.
"For now."
"How about going to see your friends?"
"I'm sure they'll be amazed when they hear today's story."
Baldir's eyes immediately sparkled.
"That's true."
"Alright."
"Father, I'm heading out."
"Mm."
Bafal nodded with a smile.
After Baldir left.
That smile slowly faded.
He stared at the back of his adopted son.
He's only eighteen years old.
Children his age should still be enjoying their youth.
Still playing with their friends.
Still living without burdens.
Yet Baldir already had to risk his life every single day.
Among the Druid race.
Eighteen years old was equivalent to a human child of around seven years old.
Meanwhile.
Back in the Kingdom of Monotiz.
Izumi was still sleeping soundly inside Rey Renold's house.
Meanwhile, at the inn.
Nera.
Welly.
And Liliy were inside their room.
As usual.
Nera and Liliy had already fallen asleep.
While Welly was still busy reading a book.
Eventually, she closed it.
"It's already midnight."
She glanced toward Izumi's empty bed.
"Where did Rumi go?"
Welly stood up.
Then walked toward the window.
A human from another world, huh...
This is the first time I've ever heard a story like that.
A short while later.
She left her room.
Creeeak.
The door opened.
She walked downstairs.
As usual.
Uncle Zix was still sitting there watching over the inn.
"Uncle Zix."
"Do you know where Rumi went?"
Zix shook his head.
"I don't know either."
"She only said she wanted to walk around the royal city."
"I see."
Zix smiled.
"Are you worried about her?"
"Don't worry."
"I'm sure she's fine."
"Yeah."
"I know."
Welly returned to her room.
Then fell asleep.
The next morning.
Izumi slowly opened her eyes.
"Aaaah..."
She stretched her body.
"Hmm."
"This bed is pretty comfortable."
Suddenly, a voice was heard.
"Oh?"
"Look who's finally awake."
Izumi instantly froze.
"Huh?"
In the corner of the room.
A man was sitting leisurely while looking at her.
"Did you sleep well last night, Miss?"
"Or should I call you Miss Rumi?"
Izumi frowned.
"Hm?"
"Who is this guy?"
"And where am I?"
Slowly, her memories returned.
Drinking.
The bar.
Rey.
Zak.
Then...
Blank.
Did I fall asleep after drinking?
Izumi looked around the room.
Meanwhile, the man continued smiling.
"Hm?"
"Why are you so quiet?"
"No..."
"Na..."
"Ru..."
"Mi..."
Izumi narrowed her eyes.
This guy...
Why is the way he talks so annoying?
He's doing it on purpose, isn't he?
The man's smile widened.
"Or..."
"Should I call you this instead?"
His gaze suddenly became sharp.
"Miss Rumi."
"The girl from Werenty Village."
"The one who killed two knights."
Instantly.
All traces of sleep vanished from Izumi.
Her body tensed.
And for the first time that morning.
She became truly wary of the man standing before her.