Episode 328: The Taboo Forest and Ogura Sandwich
Rest and Ula advanced through the “Taboo Forest.”
They trod on the humus-covered ground, using magic to push aside branches and leaves, carefully walking step by step through the forest.
The dimly lit, humid forest made it difficult to see even a few meters ahead, and an indescribable eeriness permeated the air.
“Jara-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra!”
“[Wind Cutter]!”
“Jara…”
He sliced off the head of a giant snake that had attacked from above.
They encountered monsters several times along the way, but thanks to [Life Search], he was able to sense their presence beforehand, preventing any surprise attacks.
Rest steadily took down each monster that appeared.
“I’ve defeated quite a few monsters, but… I haven’t seen anything that looks like a Diamond Bear…”
“Deep.”
“Ah… It lives in the Deep Forest. How did they hunt the one that was offered to the Royal Palace before?”
“It happened to come out.”
“So, they hunted one that happened to come out of the forest… They were lucky.”
“Gwoooooooo!”
“Alright, alright. [Earth Shield].”
“Gwo…!”
He stopped the charging boar monster with a wall of earth.
Once it stopped moving, he activated another spell to deliver a follow-up attack.
“[Earth Thorn].”
Several spears that protruded from the ground pierced the boar’s defenseless body from below.
The boar monster died instantly, collapsing and ceasing to move.
“Impressive.”
“Yeah, I have to be able to do at least this much… We’ve been walking for over an hour now, are you not tired? Should we take a break?”
“Yeah, let’s.”
“Okay, then let’s make some space.”
He used magic to cut the grass and harden the soil, creating a space where the two of them could sit.
He also used Barrier Techniques to set up a barrier to ward off monsters.
While the barrier was active, it constantly consumed Magical Power, but for Rest, who possessed Infinite Magic Power, it was not a problem.
“Okay, that should do it… Now, let’s sit down and rest.”
“Yeah, rest.”
“Mmm…”
Rest sat down in the space he had created on the ground, but next to him… Ula sat down so close that their shoulders were touching.
“Ula… You’re too close?”
“Mm.”
He tried to urge her to move away, but Ula looked up at him from right next to him.
Her gaze was direct. The silent pressure made Rest flinch instead.
“W-Want to drink some water?”
“Drink.”
He handed her the water bottle, and Ula drank, her throat bobbing.
“Here.”
“Ah… Thank you.”
“Indirect kiss.”
“…………”
Rest drank from a different part of the bottle than where Ula had put her mouth.
“Boo… Mean.”
“Ah… How much further do we have to walk to get to where the Diamond Bear is?”
Rest blatantly changed the subject.
Ula, looking dissatisfied, pointed to the Deep Forest.
“One hour.”
“So, one hour left… By the way, is it not possible to fly over the forest now?”
“No, it’ll startle it.”
“The Diamond Bear will be startled and run away?”
“Mmm… Black one.”
“Ah, are you talking about the black monster from earlier?”
“…………That’s right.”
Ula nodded after a long silence for some reason.
“Black one, surprised. Not good. Attack.”
“So, the black monster will be surprised and attack… Well, it’s best to avoid unnecessary battles.”
He didn’t know what kind of creature the black monster was… After all, the goal this time was the Diamond Bear.
He had no intention of risking his life by fighting unnecessarily strong opponents, even if they were as weak as the boar from earlier.
“Sandwich.”
“Ah, sorry… Wait, is that an Ogura Sandwich!”
Ula took out a lunch box and offered it to him.
It was a sandwich filled with red bean paste and butter.
“Favorite.”
“Ah… You like red bean paste. I’m happy. Thank you…!”
“Shy.”
As Rest munched on the Ogura Sandwich, Ula looked happy and shyly smiled.
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I have posted a continuation of this episode in the limited recent updates.
If you like, please read it as well!