Chapter 327: The Taboo Forest
The next day, Rest, guided by Ula, headed towards a forest within the Lavender Barony Territory.
It was a forbidden area known by the local people as the “Taboo Forest,” where entry was prohibited without the lord’s permission.
Before Rest, a dense thicket of trees stood, making it difficult to see even a few meters ahead.
“There really aren’t any signs of people having entered… But why is this forest called the ‘Taboo Forest’ in the first place?”
“Monsters, strong.”
“So, it’s off-limits because there are strong monsters… Well, I guess that’s not impossible…?”
Like the Subnock Plain, there were several places in this world where one could lose their life just by stepping foot inside. This forest might be one of those places.
“By the way… what kind of monsters are there?”
“Black…”
“Black?”
“Like… people?”
“Like…?”
Maybe monkeys? Ula’s words were vague, so the identity of the black monsters was unclear.
“Ring, have?”
“Ring? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
Was she talking about the Rainbow Crystal Ring she had asked for before? That ring wasn’t finished being processed yet, so he hadn’t brought it here…
“Ring, gave.”
“Ah… you mean the ring you gave me before?”
“Yes.”
“I have it, it’s this, right?”
Rest reached into his pocket and took out the ring Ula had given him before. He had kept it in the back of a drawer, but he remembered it when he was summoned this time and brought it with him.
“Put it on.”
“Put it on, this?”
“Yes, lend it.”
Before he could finish speaking, Ula snatched the ring from Rest’s hand. Then, she took Rest’s hand and forcefully put the ring on his finger.
“Muu…”
It was on his left ring finger. Engagement rings existed in this world as well, but there was no specific finger designated. Therefore, there was probably no particular meaning behind Ula putting it on that finger… Still, it was unavoidable that he felt a strange sensation.
“Good. Now it’s okay.”
“Could it be… is this ring some kind of pass?”
“Mm.”
“I see… thank you.”
There were no crests or letters engraved on the ring, but what kind of meaning did it have? If anything, the purple glow matched the Lavender Barony House, but that was about it.
“Monsters, there. Be careful.”
“Yeah, I’ll go first, so stay back.”
Rest stepped on the fallen leaves and moved deeper into the forest. At the same time, he activated his [Life Search] magic. He sensed the presence of countless living things in the forest.
(Well, of course they’re here… Cut out living things with magical power below a certain level. Mark living things that might pose a threat.)
By limiting the information entering his mind, he increased the range and accuracy of his perception. With this, he wouldn’t be caught off guard by a surprise attack.
“There’s no Diamond Bear… huh?”
There were no living things of that size near the entrance of the forest. It seemed it wouldn’t be that easy. He needed to go deeper into the forest.
“And… here they come! Monsters!”
“Gara gara gara gara gara!”
A large strange bird flew out, making a bizarre cry. What appeared was a creature resembling a chicken, about two meters long, with vividly colored feathers. The strange bird opened its large mouth and tried to bite Rest.
“[Wind Cutter]!”
“Gara!”
The Wind Blade slashed the strange bird’s neck, and blood spurted out, but the strange bird only flinched slightly. Its eyes bloodshot, it pounced again.
“I see… it’s tough.”
He cast a Wind Blade again, this time with more magical power. This time, the strange bird’s head was severed, and it fell to the ground, no longer moving.
“It’s stronger than I thought… it seems I need to be careful.”
“Amazing.”
Ula praised him as she pulled out a comb-like feather from the severed head of the strange bird.
“Mm.”
“Huh?”
Then, she inserted it into Rest’s chest pocket. She looked at Rest’s clothes adorned with the vividly colored feather and nodded in satisfaction.
“Good.”
“…Okay, that’s good.”
She had a strange sense of aesthetics. Rest decided not to think too deeply about it and headed deeper into the forest.
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I have posted the next episode in the limited recent updates.
If you like, please read it as well!