Interlude 2: Neguro’s Nightmare
“Damn it…! This is way too early!”
I’ve been chasing after Rio-chan since we left the kingdom, heading south, but I feel like I’ll never catch up. The black-haired duo stands out enough, and considering they’re selling prey at the Guild that doesn’t match their Adventurer rank, it can only be those two. So, tracking them down is relatively easy, but…
“Ah, I saw those two about three weeks ago.”
Gaaahhh! Why?! Every time I ask about them in the next town, the gap just keeps widening! When I heard about them in the town next to the Royal Capital, it was ten days ago! Some towns I haven’t even stopped by seem to have no traces of them at all. What the hell is this pace?!
But wait… If I think about it, that means Rio-chan is being dragged along at this pace too. Damn that guy, making my Rio-chan go through all this… I won’t forgive him!
“Hey, bro, you alright? You’ve been making all sorts of faces over there. Something up?”
“Oh, no, it’s nothing.”
Even the other passengers in the Shared Carriage are worried about me. The only other fast travel method I can think of is a swift horse. But that’s not something an individual can easily use. I might be able to arrange it with enough money, but when I checked with the shops that handle horses, there were no signs that the black-haired duo had used them.
“I guess there’s no choice. I’ll just have to keep chasing them the old-fashioned way…”
However, when I entered the commercial nation and arrived at Fenrir Village, the winds shifted a bit. Even after asking around about the two, it seemed they hadn’t been separated.
“But I haven’t seen them since they headed toward the Heavenly Wolf Forest.”
“What?!”
Are you serious? That forest is home to packs of Silver Wolves, right? I can’t believe they would just charge in there for a chance at some fortune-making mushrooms. No way that’s not reckless! But still, Mizumoto was pretty strong… I couldn’t do a thing against him, much to my chagrin.
“Every year, a few Adventurers don’t come back from the forest. It’s unfortunate, but it’s not unusual.”
“I see…”
After asking several villagers, it seems almost certain. Beyond the forest lies a town called Raven, known for its craftsmen. They explained the geography to me, but taking a detour around the forest would take too much time. I’m already struggling to keep up with their speed as it is. If I don’t hurry, Rio-chan might fall prey to Mizumoto’s poisonous fangs… I need to do something fast…!
“Damn it, I have no choice but to go!”
With that, I resolved to cut through the Heavenly Wolf Forest.
“GYAAAAAHHHH!!!”
Now, I’m running through the forest, screaming in desperation. I’m curious about what’s happening behind me, but I don’t have the luxury to look back. In fact, I’m too scared to turn around.
To be honest, I underestimated the Silver Wolves! Just because they’re C Rank individually, I’m sorry for looking down on them!
If this keeps up, I’m in serious trouble. I feel like a mist is starting to roll in, and it’s getting hard to see my feet. If I trip, I’m done for.
“But Rio-chan came this way, didn’t she?!”
Half out of desperation, I scream while desperately moving my legs. I’ve been running with all my might, but I can feel them closing in on me. The breath of the Silver Wolves is becoming audible in my ears.
“Damn it!!!”
As I muster the last of my strength to keep moving, a building suddenly appears right in front of me.
“What?!”
The mist has thickened so much that my visibility is nearly zero, but maybe luck is finally on my side. Upon closer inspection, I see the entrance is open. I have no real basis for it, but I pray that the pursuing Silver Wolves won’t follow me inside as I leap into the building.
“Hah… Hah… …Ugh.”
Gasping for breath, I look around inside the building. It’s dimly lit, but it seems to be a round room. It’s about thirty meters in diameter, I’d guess. There are no partitions or other rooms, and it doesn’t look like there are any stairs. My blood runs cold as I take in the interior of the building.
I instinctively glance back, but… thankfully, the Silver Wolves haven’t followed me in.
“Haha… I guess the danger has passed… for now.”
Feeling a wave of relief wash over me, I unexpectedly lose consciousness within the building.