Chapter 53 (1/2)
The expedition smoothly climbed over the hill.
Samuel was leading the expedition with great haste, saying that they needed to go past the hill before the end of the day. However, he suddenly came to an abrupt halt. Seol Ji-Hu immediately went on alert, wondering if they were being attacked again, but he soon realised that they had arrived at the hill's summit.
Standing in the front of the group, Samuel pointed to the other side.
”The Forest of Denial.” (Samuel)
Seol Ji-Hu also arrived at the summit and dazedly cast his gaze down below.
The dense forest below him boasted a colourful cacophony of many different shades of green as it span across the ma.s.sive area, as far as eyes could see. No, it was so big that the sea of green seemed to stretch on forever and ever, well beyond the horizon.
‘We're going in there?' (Seol Ji-Hu)
Something certainly set the Forest of Denial apart from every other forest they've been through until now. Could this be down to the fact that no humans set foot inside there in literally aeons? The forest that did not permit anyone to set foot inside for many years possessed this indescribable pressure than caused the onlookers to feel just a bit nervous.
Ian caught up, his breathing in total disarray. He wiped the sweat away and tried to regulate his breaths.
”As long as we go past this forest, we can go anywhere we want, apparently. Whether that's the ‘Federation', or ‘Parasites'.” (Ian)
”Now that you mention it, I hear that the conflict between those two are intensifying lately.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
Seol Ji-Hu chimed in off-handedly while nodding his head, before he sensed the gazes focusing on him and blinked his eyes in confusion. Ian's eyes opened wider still, while Samuel was staring at him with a face that said, Just what the h.e.l.l could be this guy's real ident.i.ty? Even Dylan was displaying a similar type of reaction, too.
Well, he only muttered out what he heard from Kim Hahn-Nah, that was all.
A bit of awkward silence later, Ian began guffawing out.
”Well, I'll be! You continue to surprise me, young friend. You're right! Not too long ago, the Federation announced that they were getting in bed with the Cave Fairies. Without a doubt, they now have one more ally with a great deal of power. With five races combining their resources, even the Parasite Queen will be unable to overlook this matter at all.” (Ian)
‘Federation? Parasites?' (Seol Ji-Hu)
Even though he was fl.u.s.tered, questions still arose in his head. Just how strong was the race of Parasites that five different races had to combine their powers? Thanks to his ‘dream', he was more or less aware of the truth, but it was a blurred memory now, and he couldn't be too sure of it.
”Seriously, man. I've never seen a guy hiding his level to become a porter before. I've seen the opposite plenty of times before, though.” (Samuel)
It was as if Samuel became even more sure of his thoughts being correct now. Seol Ji-Hu found it too much of a hard work to correct his misunderstandings and simply issued a long sigh as a reply instead.
Shortly afterwards, the expedition climbed down the hill.
”However, isn't that surprising? They might share a common ancestry, but for the two hostile races of Sky Fairies and the Cave Fairies to become partners?” (Dylan)
”But, that just goes to show how desperate they have become. And it's not just the Fairies, either. Only because ‘that' species started this Federation thing, did they manage to survive until now. Otherwise, they'd have been thoroughly destroyed already.” (Ian)
”Whatever the case might be, at the end of the day, it's not all bad news for the humans, no?” (Dylan)
”If you're thinking of pitting the two sides against each other, then I should tell you that you're being too pragmatic. Sooner or later, the time for humans to make that important decision will arrive.” (Ian)
Seol Ji-Hu watched Dylan and Ian chat to each other and got next to Alex.
”Alex? Did I make a mistake just now?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Mm? No, you didn't. It's not a secret, anyways.” (Alex)
”Then, why?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Ah~, that. The information on the ongoings of other races are something only shared among the high-levelled Earthlings, you see. You should at least be a level 4, in other words, to be in the loop. I mean, it's something meaningless for a lower levelled person to learn anyway, right?” (Alex)
Seol Ji-Hu displayed an expression as if he'd ask ”Why?” so Alex hurriedly continued on.
”Think about it for a sec. A newbie freshly ejected from the Neutral Zone is going around saying, this is what's happening with the politics~, the current situation with war is like this~, and even relays accurate information, then how would you feel?” (Alex)
”He's showing off?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Gimme a break. No, it'd be more like amazement. Also, others will be curious about who your backers could be, too.” (Alex)
Alex glanced at the youth with a meaningful gaze, before he lightly tapped on Seol Ji-Hu's side in a joking manner.
”That's why, you should start telling us the truth, you know? Just what is your level, really? Why did you decide to partic.i.p.ate in this expedition? Why don't you just show us your Status Window?” (Alex)
Seol Ji-Hu turned his head upwards and glared at the heavens above. The sun was gradually sinking lower to the western horizon and the dying light of the sunset coloured the world orange.
”Actually, my level is 10.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”As I thought. I knew it. So, what's your Job t.i.tle?” (Alex)
”The G.o.d of spears.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Keuh. A G.o.d, is it? I'm no longer scared of the Parasite Queen now.” (Alex)
Alex's raucous laughter reverberated around the hill.
The expedition stopped their march just short of the Napal's hill's end - in other words, right in front of the Forest of Denial. Before they set foot inside, Ian requested some time to investigate the forest first.
Now that their march had come to a stop, the group prepared to spend the night here. While Ian went around the perimeters of the forest accompanied by Dylan and Cho Hong, Seol Ji-Hu got around to performing small tasks such as setting up tents and getting the sleeping bags ready.
Of course, it wasn't as if other members of the expedition were taking it easy. For instance, Samuel was walking around the outer perimeter of the campsite and busy planting something that looked like black stones on the ground.
Seol Ji-Hu had finished with his work by then, so he stood there and observed, prompting Samuel to break out in a chuckle. He beckoned the youth to come closer.
”This is called a magic stone. You can think of it as a rock that has properties of preserving Magic Power.” (Samuel)
Seol Ji-Hu received the smooth black stone Samuel handed over and toyed around with it.
”It's one of the must-have items when you're planning to camp outdoors. If you leave it lying around here and there, then these can prevent the monsters that hate Magic Power from approaching the campsite. Since it emits a strange aura, monsters should not poke their noses in unless they are really desperate.” (Samuel)
”Must be expensive.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Of course. Well, it's still cheaper than your life, though….” (Samuel)
The ends of Samuel's sentence blurred as he stared at the Forest of Denial.
”But, if I think about all the expeditions that failed half way up until now, then I do think it's a bit of waste using this thing, really. Ahh, keep what I said just now a secret, okay?” (Samuel)
”I do understand where you're coming from, though. The cost of an expedition must be really enormous, I'd imagine.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”It's not just the cost alone, you know? Don't forget the time invested, as well as all the effort put in - you calculate all that, then the actual expense at the end of the day would be astronomical.” (Samuel)
”……….”
”Not every expedition proves to be a success, you see. Many times I returned with nothing to show for all our near-death experience; and I lost count the number of times I had to give up near the end because we weren't strong enough.” (Samuel)
Seol Ji-Hu then realised that Samuel was really anxious at the moment. They may have arrived at their destination just fine, but it was now up to Ian if they wanted to continue on. If Ian said it'd be difficult, then they would have to head back to Haramark the first thing tomorrow.
”You should remember this, if you wish to form your own expedition someday. You should go on one only when you have the financial leeway. An expedition isn't something on which you bet everything you have.” (Samuel)
Samuel spoke with a bitter tone of voice and went back to the job of setting up the magic stones.
….Plan an expedition only if you had the financial wherewithal to survive the potential failure of one.
Seol Ji-Hu engraved those words to his heart.
Ian and company returned around the time dinner was coming to an end. Samuel stopped eating and ran towards the elder Sorcerer, and they chatted for a really long time.
Ian's complexion wasn't so good, and even Samuel formed a grave expression, so Seol Ji-Hu a.s.sumed that the expedition would come to an end here.
If there was one distinct advantage to being a porter, then that would be him not needing to stay as the night.w.a.tch. He was told that it was not practical to entrust a level 1 with the most crucial job of guarding the camp, which would become even more important when camping near a high-danger zone like the Forest of Denial.
He did experience being a night.w.a.tch while walking to Haramark, but Seol Ji-Hu was still glad that he didn't need to do it again. He entered his tent and climbed inside the sleeping bag.
The night deepened, but sleep didn't come to visit him. He found it hard to close his eyes as there were many things filling up his head. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to force himself to sleep, but then, someone suddenly entered his tent while muttering out lots of complaints.
”Who's there?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”It's me.” (Cho Hong)
It was Cho Hong. She chucked a pillow and a blanket on the floor and plopped down right next to him.
”That G.o.dd*mn old man! And he was speaking in such a serious voice too, when trying to cop a feel…. I should've broken his wrist right there and then.” (Cho Hong)
”…..What about your sleeping bag?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”I don't use one. I can't sleep if I'm feeling stuffy and the like.” (Cho Hong)
When Cho Hong laid down next to him, Seol Ji-Hu couldn't help but get this weird feeling, but he decided not to mind her presence. The frequent ‘sleeping together' with the opposite s*x was one of the things he had to get used to in the Paradise, after all.
The stillness continued on for some time, before Cho Hong suddenly lied down on her side and faced Seol Ji-Hu. Her eyes gleamed slightly in the darkness.
”Looks like we might continue on.” (Cho Hong)
Her words sobered him up instantly.
”The geezer's guesses were on the money. The Forest of Denial isn't about curses, but magic.” (Cho Hong)
”Really? But, I thought the mood back then was pretty serious.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Right. He said that a really powerful ancient spell is cast here, that was why.” (Cho Hong)
”An ancient spell, is it?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”It's a type of magic only a few were capable of using even back in the days of the Empire. It's all lost now after the Parasite swallowed them up, though.” (Cho Hong)
Although he was inwardly surprised by the scope of Cho Hong's knowledge, he still continued on with his questions regardless.
”So, what did Sir Ian say?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Nothing much, really. It's just that, this magic will interfere with a human's thought process and ends up polluting your mind or something…. Uh….” (Cho Hong)
Argh, darn it, Cho Hong muttered out and roughly scratched her head.
”In any case, the point of this story is, we can use the prepared countermeasures the geezer had made. But, he also said that it'll be tough to stop the pollution at the fundamental level. We gotta suppress our emotions as much as possible inside the forest, apparently.” (Cho Hong)
Cho Hong muttered softly, before cackling in a sinister manner.
”You should've seen Hugo's face back then. Well, think about it for a sec. With that personality of his, you think it's possible for him to control himself?” (Cho Hong)
”It's the same story with you, though?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Wanna die?” (Cho Hong)
Her voice suddenly became really cold just then. So, Seol Ji-Hu decided to immediately change the subject.
”In any case, the countermeasure against the magic itself is imperfect, that's what you're saying.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”What can we do? It's already pretty impressive to resist against mind manipulation magic, to begin with…. By the way, aren't you going to sleep?” (Cho Hong)
Perhaps she got tired of answering him, Cho Hong began complaining once more.
”I've got lots on my mind and can't sleep.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”And why would you have lots on your mind, you level 1 kid?” (Cho Hong)
”Why did the royal family issue an order to scout this dangerous forest, for instance.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
That was a simple but logical question to ask. This expedition was formed in order to loot the grave goods within the tomb, but still, the pretext was the scouting mission issued by the royal family, after all.
”You're worried about some strange things. Those guys always act like that. Their eyes all bloodshot and the like, impatiently waiting and trying to reclaim their land as soon as possible.” (Cho Hong)
Cho Hong spoke with a rough tone of voice and didn't think too much about it, but for Seol Ji-Hu, he simply couldn't overlook this matter. He couldn't be certain, but there must've been a deeper reason.