Chapter 177
Chapter 177
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: Prelude (10)
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As he walked out of the forest, Suhyun sank into thought.
The forest had been intriguing. There were probably still things he didn't know about it, but now wasn't the time to search for them. First, he needed to get out and make the medicine for Erendil.
‘I'll explore the forest more later when I have time. Not right now.’
Ayrum knew less than expected. Suhyun had hoped Ayrum would have answers to his questions, but the world didn't work that simply.
Of course, hearing about his enemies in the forest had been an unexpected windfall...
‘What does it mean that they're all in Luzeng?’
The fact that they were all dead before he could even do anything left him with a strange feeling.
He'd put off questions about the forest for now, so the only thing left to ask about was the dragon. Ayrum seemed quite knowledgeable on the subject.
‘But I wonder if I should even mention this.’
It wasn't exactly a secret, but for some reason, he felt a reluctance to share. Government officials and those in the know were aware, but oddly, he just didn't feel like telling Ayrum.
"Wait. I have one more question about the dragon."
"What is it?"
Suhyun explained to Ayrum what had happened with the dragon. As he listened, Ayrum's expression turned peculiar. Only then did Suhyun realize why he hadn't wanted to say anything.
From Ayrum's reaction, he could guess how the elf would take such a story without needing to hear it.
"You had a hallucination like that?"
"It wasn't a hallucination here. I experienced it for real."
"Yeah, yeah, let's just get out of the forest first. Once we're out and breathing fresh air..."
Suhyun grabbed Ayrum by the scruff of the neck and flung him aside.
"Ugh!"
"Now will you listen?"
"No, you crazy human! You have a hallucination and take it out on me? Think being strong and a mage makes you all that?"
"And what if it does?"
"Uh... well, it pretty much does!"
As Suhyun took a step closer, Ayrum—who was still on the ground—seemed to grasp the reality of the situation. He hastily hauled his plump body up and replied.
"Ca-cal-calmer now..."
"I've been calm this whole time. So think about what I went through."
"Listen, human. Hear my story first. Back when I was young, I was the kind of guy who lived off my looks alone, you know? It was to the point where the village girls in an elf settlement all fell deathly ill from love at first sight of me. Once, I ran into some orc warriors, and even they were so awestruck by my face that they let me go without touching me."
Ayrum paused and looked at Suhyun.
"What do you think?"
"I think you're spouting crazy nonsense."
"...That's exactly how I feel right now, you bastard!"
As Suhyun raised his hand, Ayrum hurriedly added an explanation.
"That's how big a deal it is that the dragon didn't touch you!"
"I get the gist."
Ayrum suddenly looked saddened. It wasn't particularly because of his appearance.
"Dragon stories vary, but there are a few common threads. One is their aggression toward intruders. On the human side, are there any tales of someone encountering a dragon and coming back alive?"
"Not that I know of."
"Right? Dragons are that strict with intruders. You're mistaking it because you're in this forest right now..."
"Cut the bullshit. Even so, assume it's true. No matter how slim the odds, you can't deny something that's already happened. Why do you think the dragon just left?"
Suhyun spoke gravely, his eyes unwavering. Even Ayrum, who had been trying to dismiss Suhyun's experience, fell silent at the sight of those eyes. They weren't the eyes of someone affected by the forest.
‘Come to think of it, this human was resistant to other illusions too.’
As a rare mage even among elves, his resistance to such things would be on another level. Ayrum nodded and spoke, his momentum deflated.
"I can't think of any reason a dragon would just leave you be. No similar cases either. If I force a reason, it boils down to basics."
"Basics?"
"There must be a reason the dragon wouldn't attack you. Dragons are powerful monsters, but they're still living beings. Maybe you were really its type and it let you go..."
Suhyun's gaze darkened, and Ayrum pounded his chest in protest.
"That's all I've got! You think because I'm a sage, I know everything?"
"At least I thought you'd answer my questions. Whatever. Let's just get out of here."
* * *
Once outside, Suhyun sensed something was off. Outwardly, nothing seemed amiss, but his senses, honed on the battlefield, picked up more than that.
It was the smell of blood.
"Looks like something happened."
"You came out?!"
Jerwen, hearing the noise, approached and exclaimed in surprise at the sight of them.
"My goodness. You're even more impressive than I thought. To enter the Koldara Forest and walk out unscathed."
"Jerwen. What happened? You seem flustered."
Ayrum scratched his chubby cheek and asked. Jerwen finally snapped out of it. She urgently grabbed Ayrum's arm and said,
"Good thing you brought him out. We need your help."
Before Ayrum could respond, the two were dragged along by Jerwen.
As they climbed the tree, Suhyun gave Ayrum a pitiful look. No matter how much weight he'd gained, an elf huffing and puffing over a single tree...
"Don't just stare—help me! Can't you see they need my skills right now?"
"If they need you, it doesn't seem that urgent."
"!"
With those words, Suhyun lifted Ayrum using telekinesis. Ayrum's eyes went wide as he stared at Suhyun.
"You can use telekinesis too?"
"I've got dozens more tricks besides that."
Telekinesis strong enough to lift a person this easily was rare. Ayrum was inwardly impressed. He'd acknowledged human technology, but he'd thought their superpowers still lagged behind elves. Yet here was a superhuman of this caliber already.
"This isn't the time to act all smug! Hurry up!"
"Uh, uh? Sorry. Coming now!"
From their exchange, Suhyun could guess the state of their relationship. Thinking that, he followed behind.
* * *
"This is..."
"Quite vicious."
They were greeted by the wounded. Injuries varied in severity, but all were groaning with pained expressions.
"Lord Ayrum..."
"Don't speak! I'll make medicine soon!"
Even Ayrum, who had been carefree moments ago, seemed flustered in this situation. He set down the herbs and moved to rush out.
Ignoring that, Suhyun asked Jerwen,
"Where were they hurt? No monsters around here. Don't tell me humans?"
"No. Orcs. There've been rumors lately, but I didn't think it'd escalate to open conflict like this."
Suhyun approached the injured elves. He saw cuts and stabs from sharp objects, and unusual wounds that looked like superpower attacks. Fortunately, none seemed life-threatening.
"Wait, what are you doing? Getting close to the wounded..."
Suhyun extended his hand and used his healing ability for the first time in a while. Since his superpowers had strengthened, so had his healing. The elves' wounds closed rapidly, as if time itself was rewinding.
"...!"
Jerwen's eyes shook. The elves had said he was strong, but she hadn't imagined this level of superhuman.
Less than a minute later, all the wounded were healed. Suhyun hadn't broken a sweat. He turned to Jerwen and asked,
"By the way, where are the elves I came with?"
"They're resting inside... No, how did you...?"
"Healing ability? Elves have those too, don't they?"
"It's not about whether they exist..."
Jerwen hesitated. No elf could heal so freely without restrictions like Suhyun.
"You waited long?! I made some temporary medicine!"
Panting heavily, Ayrum arrived with the potions. It had barely been any time since he'd left, yet he'd prepared the exact number needed for the injured. Rushed as it was, it was impressive work.
But that skill was meaningless now.
"Huh?"
"You should've listened before running off. I healed them."
"??"
Suhyun spread his hand to demonstrate his superpower.
"Telekinesis and healing?!"
"I said I have dozens of tricks."
Ayrum looked around. The elves, who had been lying there on the brink of death, now stared at him awkwardly. All his painstakingly made potions rendered useless by a single superpower. It felt humiliating somehow.
"Glad I saved you some work? Then let's head to Erendil right away. I'm in a hurry too."
"......"
* * *
"Doesn't all that stamina drain tire you out?"
"I'm fine."
"Might be an illusion. You might not feel it after being in the Koldara Forest. It numbs the senses."
"Didn't notice anything. The elves here are overly timid."
Ayrum glared at Suhyun in indignation. Ordinary elves couldn't even approach it, and it had taken him years of trial and error to navigate properly.
"Healing isn't always good. Sure, it's necessary in emergencies, but rapid healing brings immense pain. When life isn't at risk, natural recovery is sometimes better."
Ayrum tried to nitpick the healing ability.
"Oh. Mine doesn't hurt."
"？！"
"It used to, but the symptoms vanished as my superpowers grew."
‘%&@$&(@...’
Reciting an ancient elven curse under his breath, Ayrum kept moving. Luiril, who had been standing around blankly outside, greeted them warmly as they approached.
"Luiril, long time no see!"
"Long time no see, Mr. Ayrum."
Seeing Luiril slip on her mask so adeptly, Suhyun suddenly grew curious. Did any elves know about her grand thefts?
* * *
"Of course not! Are you insane?!"
"Yeah, fair enough."
Luiril whispered softly. Her earlier expression was gone. She spoke anxiously.
"You're not thinking of telling, are you? You really can't."
"Why would I? Don't worry."
By then, Ayrum had finished his diagnosis. He nodded as he stood.
"Just as I thought. Overly powerful superpowers are the issue. I'll make medicine, so have her take it while training. Make sure to tell Edan properly. He won't listen if you say there's no instant cure..."
"Thank you, Uncle Ayrum."
"You've had it rough too."
With the situation more or less settled, Suhyun grabbed Ayrum's shoulder to ask what had been on his mind.
"What? I need to make medicine."
"Fine, answer on the way. Any trouble around here? Conflict with orcs?"
There were so many mercenaries roaming the area that pinning down exact numbers was hard. Aggressive orcs would inevitably clash. Better to know in advance if possible.
"Common story. Rogue orc tribes have been drifting in. Rogues cause trouble everywhere, right? Starting from trees, picking fights to steal them— that's how problems arise. No need to worry. Jerwen will handle it."
"Pillar husband?"
"Wh-wh-who're you calling pillar husband?! Didn't you see my skills?"
"Oh, sorry. Slipped out. Don't mind it."
"You say your piece and then 'don't mind'..."
Ayrum grumbled but said no more. He was that intimidated by Suhyun.
"Interesting. Rogue tribes around here too? I thought they stuck to harsher lands."
"How should I know what orcs think? Curious? Go ask them."
"Good idea."
"？！"