603 Only a living adventurer is an adventurer (1/2)

Just as Seiji wanted to answer, Lloyd and Lana's figures vanished yet again.

What exactly were these projections…? No, since he was able to influence their world, this was no simple ”projection.”

What exactly was going on?

'It seems like none of Shika, Hisashi, or Kazuko noticed them. I'm the only one who can see them.

'And, not only can I see them, I can even influence their world.

'Is this some time of otherworld disruption? Overlapping?'

That ”ghost” vanished once again.

Lana wanted to talk to him, but it seemed that communication would be impossible.

”What do you think that was?” Lloyd asked her.

”I don't know, but I don't think he's a ghost. He doesn't have the aura of death around him. Nor does the power he used to help us seem like a type of negative energy,” Lana replied.

Lloyd recalled what just happened. He had already resolved himself to die to this high-level magic beast. Yet suddenly, a mystical golden figure appeared in midair and crashed into the giant wolf, seriously injuring it.

He wasn't able to see clearly what that golden figure was. He only saw that it approximately seemed like a strange snakelike creature.

”You want to have him help us escape from here?”

”That would be best. Even if that isn't possible, I still want to know who and what type of existence he is!” Something flashed in Lana's eyes.

”As expected of a student at the Sage Academy.”

”Of course! Thirst for knowledge is something absolutely necessary for a student sage!”

”In plainer terms, isn't it just curiosity? It's bad for an adventurer to have too much curiosity because the unknown equals danger. Seeking the truth too much will typically end in one's death… that was the way I was raised.”

”Such a depressing way of thinking that you were taught. As an adventurer, shouldn't you bravely seek adventure and search for unknown treasures?”

”That's quite logical, but…” Lana wanted to say something but didn't do so in the end. She simply smiled. ”Let's continue onwards, Lloyd.” Lana started walking again.

Lloyd followed after her. He secretly took a look at his wrist and saw some dark-green runes upon it.

This forbidden district was forbidden not only because of the high number of magical beasts. The other important reason was this… the ”Green Poison”!

Lloyd didn't dare to think about how much time he had left.

Him being able to resolve himself to face death so quickly against the giant wolf was also because he wanted to play the role of hero at the end.

He felt that chances were miniscule that he would make it out alive. But at the very least, he wanted Lana to make it out farther than he did. This was his final pride as a man.

Lloyd covered the dark-green runes on his wrist with an armlet and silently followed after Lana.

During the entire process of conquering the second area in the Forest Palace, Seiji didn't see Lloyd and Lana's figures again.

Nor did he see them while conquering the third area.

As Hisashi continuously absorbed mist, his power of thunder kept increasing. He became more adept at using his powers and learned new abilities.

*Boom!!*

A black ball of light exploded on a large bear monster's body. Countless sparks of lightning danced all across its tremendous body, locking down its movements like chain lightning fetters.

Seiji lifted his long White Lotus spiritual sword while Shika raised her gigantic blade of ice. Both slashed down forcefully at the exact same time! They inflicted serious damage to the bear monster with their classical X-shaped teamwork slash attack.

”Awrrrr!!”

The large black bear roared in pain as it transformed into mist.

Hisashi went up to absorb the mist with a happy expression.

”It seems that you're enjoying this,” Seiji commented.

”Yeah. The more I absorb, the better I feel. I can concretely feel myself becoming stronger at a swift rate.” Hisashi adjusted his eyeglasses. ”This type of feeling is so immersive that it's addicting.”

”…Will you be alright?”

”I'm still fine right now. If I feel like something's wrong, I'll let you know right away. Or, if either of you see that something's wrong with me, stop me immediately,” Hisashi told him seriously.