Chapter 52. Forest of Denial (2) (1/2)

The carriage ride came to an end after two and half days of travel from Haramark.

According to Samuel, this was where the area of relative safety ended. If they wanted to continue on carriages, then it was indeed possible to do so, but 'going back' would pose a serious problem; without the protection of the expedition team, the carriage drivers would not be able to escape from the danger zones by themselves.

The two drivers knew how precious their own lives were, so as soon as they received the balance of payment, they left the area.

“Today's goal is to get to Napal Hill! As long as we go past that, we will be at the Forest of Denial!”

….And, along with Samuel's urging, the group began their march towards their destination.

In Paradise, a Level 1 Earthling would start as a porter almost always regardless of whether one was a Contracted or an Invited. It wasn’t because they were only good for carrying luggage, but it was actually for them to participate in many different expeditions and adventures in order to learn and experience as much as possible.

That was why Seol Jihu paid utmost attention to every little thing occurring around him.

'The marching formation is arranged like a rhombus.'

There was a total of 11 people in the expedition. Excluding Seol Jihu and two other original residents serving as porters, the actual combat force was 8.

Right at the front of the pack stood Samuel and Grace. The Archer led the way while the Warrior acted as his guard.

In the middle were three porters, including Seol Jihu, Alex, and Ian. Chohong was on the left side of the formation, while Clara was on the right. It was as if these two were positioned there in order to protect the porters.

And finally, the rear position had the same arrangement as the front – an Archer and a Warrior. In other words, Dylan and Hugo were positioned there.

Honestly, Seol thought that the pairing of Dylan and Hugo being out in front made more sense, rather than that of Samuel and Grace. Of course, although he was curious about this arrangement, he didn't dare raise his voice carelessly.

'I'm sure they have their reasons.'

“Now that I think about it, first time seeing you around these parts.”

While Seol Jihu was in the middle of thinking to himself, he suddenly heard a smooth voice coming from his side. When he shifted his gaze over to look, he saw Ian with a warm smile slowly stroking his white beard next to him.

“It hasn't been long since I came to Haramark, actually.”

“I see. You were also an Earthling, huh. You came to the city to get some first-hand experience?”

“That's correct.”

“Do you have any prior experience as a porter?”

Seol wondered why someone as important as a Magician was asking him all these questions. He was inwardly nervous but still managed to answer honestly.

“This is my first time. It hasn't been too long since I left the Neutral Zone, actually.”

“Hmm? You say this will be your first time?”

“Yes.”

“Huh-uh. You just came out from the Neutral Zone, yet you’re already participating in such a dangerous expedition….”

Ian stared at the youth as if he was completely surprised by this revelation, before walking in closer to Seol Jihu. He comfortably took over the spot and leaned in closer to whisper.

“My friend, well….”

He then suddenly lowered his voice.

'Why is he doing this?'

Seol Jihu tilted his head slightly, but still met the older man's gaze.

“….By any chance….”

When Ian formed a serious expression, even Seol Jihu became serious as well. Could there be something dark and sinister with this expedition, a truth he hadn't figured out yet? Could he have been too rash by joining this expedition? All sorts of thoughts raced by in Seol's mind.

Ian studied the youth for a bit longer, before cautiously opening his mouth.

“Do you like titties?”

Seol Jihu doubted his own hearing just then. Grace sneaked a glance towards her back and began giggling softly. Seol wondered if he was being pranke, but Ian's expression was serious….

“I really like them.”

….His expression was not at all serious as he giggled rather slyly.

“I mean, that soft feeling when you're fondling them, or when you're busy rubbing your face against them, it's totally the greatest thing in the whole world. Don't you agree?”

“Seol? Let's switch our position for a sec.”

Ptooi, Chohong spat on her hands and gripped her mace tighter. Seeing this, Ian began laughing in a jovial manner.

“I made a fool of myself. Do forgive me and let me live for a while longer, would you?”

“It'd be better to match what you're saying and what your expression looks like, you hear me? At the bare minimum, say those words while looking a little bit surprised or apologetic, okay?!”

“Eii~ing. I see that the mood in Paradise has worsened lately. I only meant to joke around with a newbie so that his anxiety would be lessened.”

Ian began complaining. Chohong was about to blow her top, but then, she heard Dylan warn her with “Chohong, your temper,” from the back.

Judging from Dylan's attitude, as well as how Samuel acted earlier on as well, this Ian must have been a highly respected person in Haramark.

“Damn it, fine. Whatever, you stop bothering the kid and leave him alone. Can't you see that he's busy studying our formation?”

“Oho! Studying, is it?”

Ian lightly clapped his hands and formed a content smile.

“You were a young scholar burning the midnight oils of academic variety, I see! Instead of helping you, I was actually disturbing you, wasn't I? Alright. Do ask me what you're curious about, and I shall answer.”

Seol Jihu was slightly apprehensive about the older man spouting some other random nonsense, but there were things he was too curious about. So, while getting mentally ready to switch his position with Chohong at any given moment, Seol Jihu asked Ian.

“What criteria do you use to assign the positions at the front and at the back?”

Aha, Ian grinned softly with a slight nod. As there was a chance of offending some people, Seol did his best to beat around the bush, but the older man accurately grasped the actual meaning of the question. “First of all, do you know that an Archer always takes the lead regardless of whether it's an expedition or a strategic assault mission?”

“Yes.”

“As the lead in an expedition, there are two important things you need to do. The first is leading your comrades down the correct path, and the second is sensing the approaching enemy in time and alerting your team. When considering these two points, Samuel is the perfect man for the job.”

That was what Seol Jihu couldn't understand at all. Dylan was also an Archer and not only that, he was a Level 5 High Ranker.

“Samuel proceeded from Level 3 Tracer to Level 4 Pathfinder. His overall combat prowess might fall a little behind those of his peers, but as far as finding the right path, he's among the very best. If we find ourselves in a maze or an area still left unexplored and therefore with no paths to follow, his true value will naturally reveal itself. If Samuel is thinking of advancing to Level 5 Grand Pathfinder, his abilities should evolve even further.”

“Master Ian, it seems that you've read my mind already.”

Samuel turned his head back and showed his astonishment.

[…When you reach Level 5 and become a High Ranker, you will be asked to choose which god you wish to serve. That is the moment when the class path you have chosen becomes critically important….]

[….Think of it this way. Your class will either evolve or become even more specialized to suit the powers of the gods you choose….]

Seol inexplicably recalled what Agnes told him a while ago.

“On the other hand, Dylan is a Level 5 Arch Shooter. Simply put, he concentrated on increasing his combat potential. So, he'd display an overwhelmingly frightening prowess during guerrilla warfare, but compared to Samuel who’s walking the path of trackers, he'd lose out somewhat in his ability to investigate his surroundings.”

Ian must have been feeling thirsty as he stopped talking there and took a gulp from a water bottle.

“Keuh. And, with Dylan behind us, he's able to give a sense of stability to the formation too. If something happens, he should be able to figure out what's going on from there and come up with a plan to deal with it pretty quickly. If my guess is correct, Dylan will be taking the lead as soon as a battle breaks out, am I wrong?”

“But, wouldn't there be a case where the rear is attacked first?”

“That's why we have Hugo there as protection. So? How about it? Has your curiosity been satisfied somewhat?”

Ian winked at Seol. The youth bowed to show his thanks as his curiosity had indeed been satisfied.

“Thank you.”

“Oho. You are a rather courteous fellow, eh.”

Ian began chuckling softly.

“If you don't find this old man's ramblings boring, then I'd like to chat with you for a while longer. By any chance, how much do you know about this Forest of Denial?”

“Actually, I don't know anything about the place.”

“It's pretty simple. Any intelligent lifeform entering the forest suddenly starts to violently deny something's existence.”

What could he even mean by that? Seol Jihu's eyes gleamed brightly with interest, causing Ian to speak up with lots more energy as well.

“No one can predict what you'll end up denying, you see. It's completely random.”

“But if it's only denying something, that can't be a big enough problem, right?”

“That's too simple a way of looking at things.”

Ian shook his head right away.

“I told you this, didn't I? No one can predict what you'll end up denying. For instance, what do you think will happen if you suddenly start denying my existence?”

Seol Jihu became speechless, then.

“I'm sure you'll try to kill me no matter the cost. Not only that…. What if, in the middle of a battle, you suddenly decide to deny the existence of your own weapon? What then?”

“….”

“Would that be all? What if you want to deny your own existence? What then?”

The continuing chain of questions succeeded in giving Seol Jihu goosebumps running down his spine.

“Did something like that really happen before?”

“The number of expeditions that got annihilated like that are far too many to mention, young man. It's to the point that the royal family almost ended up proclaiming the entire area as a forbidden zone for any type of expeditions. If it weren't for Haramark, such a decision would have been passed already.”

“It's a scary place, then.”

“It's definitely not a place to fool around, that's for sure. However, I've been researching the Forest of Denial for a long time. I've prepared some countermeasures too. If my theory is correct, then the mysteries of the Forest should be unraveled by our group soon enough.”

Although he was worried about the possibility of this countermeasure not working, Seol Jihu didn't go out of his way to voice them. He thought that he shouldn't become a wet blanket so early on in the expedition.

Perhaps sensing the youth's anxiety, Ian gently patted him on the back.

“Don't sweat it, my friend! If my countermeasure doesn't work, we simply turn around and go back to Haramark. That's all there is to it. You see, I don't want to die just yet.”

That made much sense. Thanks to Ian talking to him in an overtly friendly manner, some part of Seol Jihu's anxiety had been assuaged.

Ian might possess a lecherous side to him, but he was also a Magician with a bountiful knowledge base. For someone like Seol Jihu, who knew practically nothing about the ongoings of Paradise, every word Ian spoke had the potential to become his flesh and blood in the long run.

Also, Ian knew how to spin his tales in an entertaining way, so Seol Jihu completely forgot about the boredom of the march and focused deeply into the older man's stories. It felt like he had become a grandson listening to the tales of his grandfather.

As they marched on while chatting to one another, the sun slowly crept ever closer to the horizon and the scenery gradually changed. The Rahman River, serving as their waypoint until now, branched off into several smaller tributaries, while the earth became rougher and muddier as if it had absorbed way too much moisture.

Samuel stopped his steps just about then.