Chapter 410
Chapter 410
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 410
Chapter Title: Kim Katt in the Forest
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Somehow, the extreme rage that had been clouding my mind felt like it was melting away the moment she offered me that intriguing necklace.
This little fairy punk actually knows how to hold a conversation.
And not only that—her guts to try bribing me of all people? Pretty impressive. Yeah, that's the way to do it. If there's trouble, cough up the cash quick and beg for mercy.
If she pays up, I might just let it slide.
I'm always open to talk.
Solving problems through dialogue and compromise? Maybe this world isn't so bad after all.
"Fine, whatever. Fairies gonna fairy. Just pick your pranks more carefully from now on. Actually, scratch that—just don't mess with humans at all. You might think it's harmless fun, but the poor sap who gets caught could end up dead."
What they call pranks could be straight-up deadly torture for us humans.
—Luring people into the woods with hypnosis for kicks.
The fairy might fly off giggling, but the poor bastard left behind gets torn apart alive by the forest's horrors in the dark.
Differences in species. Differences in values. Differences in how we live. Humans and monsters? We're worlds apart. Nine times out of ten, any contact turns into a fight for your life.
Monsters eat human flesh, after all.
"Got it."
"You hear that, fairy?"
The trembling fairy behind them nodded and zipped away. Good riddance—I never want to see that pest again.
"Hand over the necklace."
I stepped forward and took it from her.
—Sparkle.
Upon inspection, it looked like a jade necklace. The intricate embossed patterns on the surface suggested it had real value.
"Merciful human, please spare the spirits from destruction. And we beg you not to take their essences."
Essences, huh.
A bit of a shame, but you can't be stingy with someone who came to negotiate with a bribe. I nodded agreeably. If I could avoid tangling with these mystery mages, that'd be ideal.
Fighting could backfire spectacularly.
Mages always have an ace up their sleeve.
"I won't touch the essences either. Here's hoping our paths don't cross again over this."
"We feel the same."
"But since I'm letting you keep the essences, you owe me one more favor."
"...What?"
The fairies looked flustered at my words.
Of course, I'm not asking for anything outrageous.
"Chasing that fairy made me lose my way. You know the area—any human villages nearby? Or a major road?"
Perfect chance to ask locals.
"I just want out of this forest fast. Me sticking around only means more destruction, right? Better for everyone if I go."
"..."
They fell silent at my question, then all pointed in one direction. Nothing but trees now, but keep going and you'd hit it, apparently.
"This isn't bullshit, is it?"
Trust issues, still.
I toyed with my sword hilt and asked again.
"...It's the truth."
"If it's a lie, every fairy and spirit I meet answers for it."
"We understand. We want peace too. No lies."
"Alright. But what if I get lost midway? Got a fix for that?"
Heading one way in a forest ain't easy. Might as well lock this down while I have the chance.
"The necklace will show the direction."
"The necklace? It does that?"
"Yes."
"Hm..."
These were the types to offer up their necklace just to talk. Probably not lying. I turned to leave.
"Live well, then. Don't show yourselves to humans and get killed."
"...We'll do that."
"Oh, right. Hey, apparently I'm wanted."
That bitch Naias.
Wanted? Doesn't make sense. I mentioned it, and she replied.
"...Just some local fairies and spirits gossiping. We'll rein them in, so don't worry."
"Real trustworthy, huh."
Dunno if words will work on those types, but whatever—time to go. I'm in a hurry anyway.
I sauntered out of there casually.
Glancing back, the fairies were gone too.
Super-speed, perfect invisibility, or teleport? Whatever it is, takes serious power. But they didn't go offensive with magic, so maybe support specialists, not combatants.
Mystery punks are always dangerous. Who'd have thought they'd sue for peace? Dodged a bullet.
"Heh heh heh."
Cost me time, but I got directions and fairy bling. If the necklace is worth what I think, I'm square.
Broke even after all that hell, survived, picked up some intel—fair trade.
—Rustle.
I pulled the necklace from my pocket.
"Fuck."
They said it'd guide me. No way they'd bluff after putting up the goods. There had to be a trick to it.
And sure enough—
—Tzzzt.
A faint green laser-like beam flickered from the pattern's center, pointing the way they'd indicated.
...Magic energy?
"Hmm..."
Looks fishy now that I see it.
Is this really legit? If fairy magic's involved, they could lead me into a trap easy.
Like straight to some mega-monster den.
Smart monsters could pull that off.
"Eh."
Whatever—sword's always ready. No better option than following blindly. Trouble? Dodge or kill 'em all.
Not that far out anyway.
Krasheim, Isvant, Dovens Barony nearby. Heavy trade traffic between 'em.
Lots of people.
Not some untamed frontier like outside Krasheim—this is civilized. No insane super-monsters unless you're unlucky.
They'd have been spotted and hunted by now. Strongest around? Ogres maybe, but aside from that random one, no reports.
Ogres leave massive traces—can't hide.
High-end solos like owlbears, trolls, adult drakes, cockatrices? Possible.
I could take those fuckers.
Won't fight? Easy escape.
Most folks die on sight, but mid-tiers ain't a crisis for me.
So, I followed the necklace's beam, ready for anything.
* * *
Nothing eventful on the way.
Watched the skies—no harpies. Given up the chase? They got lives too; quit when it's not worth it. Worried about orcs tracking me—nada.
Sliced and roasted a small cockatrice I ran into. Tasted like shit, but filled the gut.
Kept going till sunset, then whipped up a shelter quick. Mountain bivouacs? Piece of cake.
Crawled in—nightfall.
Slept sword-in-hand, waking every bit for ambushes. Brutal cold and fatigue, but better than nothing.
Sheer will to survive kept me wired. Somehow, morning came.
"Ugh, fuck."
No issues. Crawled out, did some Morning Stretch Fist strikes, shook the fairy necklace.
—Tzzzt.
Faint beam shot toward last night's mark.
But the glow was way dimmer than yesterday. Battery-powered? Sticky from no wash, but onward.
—Trekked for hours.
Still better than that jungle nightmare—no looping. Mountains are my jam.
By noon, the payoff hit.
"Fuuuuck yeeeeah!!!"
A road.
Straight line slicing the forest edge. Wagon ruts everywhere. People road!
"Holy shit!"
Finally escaping this godforsaken hellhole.
Forward or back—village or city awaits. Then to Isvant. Might even link direct if lucky.
Those fairy bastards weren't half bad.
Next time, chat unless it's serious.
Elated, I checked the necklace again. Forward. Pocketed it, strutted like a tourist.
"Chongno sound good?"
Myeongdong? Cheongnyangni maybe? Humming old tunes. Water plentiful, rations solid.
Couldn't be happier.
—Clop clop.
—Rumble rumble.
Hours later, sounds ahead—horse head appeared. Wagon train. Merchant caravan?
Stepped aside to signal no threat. Lead wagon halted before me. Flanking guards hands on weapons, glaring.
"Who're you?"
Guy in the middle of nowhere? Fair caution. And yeah, I look like hammered shit. Not attacking's polite enough.
"Merchant?"
Flag and crest—seen in cities. Yep.
"That we are."
"Perfect. Name's Katt, D-rank adventurer with the Isvant Adventurer's Guild. Got lost."
Flashed my plate—he nodded, signaled guards down.
"Mind if I ask your destination?"
"Isvant."
Fuck yes, saved.
"Great. Mind company?"
"Hm... Free escort, eh?"
Merchant eyed me sharp.
Not like they own the road—paths overlap, but yeah, to him I'm freeloading safety. People think selfish.
Caravans do get paid hitchhikers for protection, though.
Gray area, but desperate times.
I'd bend.
Speeds match; might as well roll with 'em to the city. No point pissing 'em off.
Not like I'm bedding down here.
"Paths overlap, that's all. Isn't Isvant that way? Don't need escort—I'll handle bandits or monsters up front. D-rank here. I'm firepower."
Smooth talk.
"...Fair enough. Tag along, then."
And so I hitched with the caravan back to Isvant. Two days out, they said. Fuck, finally heading home.
Missing my girls—Winia most, probably worried sick. Gonna catch hell when I get back.