Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Royal Road Hero Tale (22)
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Yep, it's confirmed.
Madam's words about something happening in Asellen Forest were spot on.
The other adventurers didn't seem too bothered yet,
but the missing persons reports, the investigations, and the need for escorts in a forest right next to the city—all signs pointed to trouble brewing in Asellen Forest.
Guess we should check it out, then?
I invoked the name of the Aria Goddess once more to convince my companions to head to Asellen Forest, and as always, they trusted me without question.
The goddess is a total cheat code... straight-up deus ex machina level.
"Alright, everyone ready?"
Self-checks done, staff for Sophia purchased.
Breakfast was hearty, inventory confirmed.
Now all that's left is to tackle the main quest.
'Finally... it's starting!'
My heart raced at the thought of embarking on a real adventure with the hero's party.
"Ah...! Y-Yes, here! I'm Brutus, the herb gatherer who posted the request."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Deok-bae, Rank 6 adventurer. And these are Sophia and Siwoo, also Rank 6 adventurers."
We took the 'Escort Herb Gatherer' request at the guild.
We could've investigated Asellen Forest without it... but why?
Take the request, earn some cash, and get a free guide to boot?
No way were we passing up that two-for-one deal.
Herb gatherer Brutus was stunned to see just three of us show up for the escort but quickly laughed it off, relieved, and led us into the forest.
No need to pay extra fees anyway, so he had no reason to refuse.
Asellen Forest looked like your standard woodland from the outside, but once we stepped in, the atmosphere shifted noticeably.
Something had definitely gone down—people coming and going wore grave expressions, no smiles in sight.
"Mr. Brutus, do you usually bring escorts when gathering herbs?"
"Oh, no, not normally. But... lately, there've been some nasty rumors floating around..."
"Mind sharing what kind?"
"Well... it's not just one or two. Experienced woodcutters getting lost, sudden piles of bones showing up, mysterious bloodstains everywhere, and... disappearances, too."
Hmm... what the hell? This sudden mystery? At this point, it's straight-up ghost stories.
Not some spooky summer night tale—the bones and bloodstains sound way too outlandish.
That's why the rumors haven't spread to the city yet.
But with reliable info from Madam, it's not just empty gossip... Could there be demons deeper in the forest?
"Oppa... you think we'll be okay?"
Sophia clung to me after hearing Brutus, looking scared stiff.
But she wasn't trembling—that was just an excuse for some skinship.
Yeah, Sophia wouldn't freak out over this.
I played along, wrapping an arm around her shoulders under the pretense of comfort.
"Aren't you worried, Mr. Brutus? If the rumors are true, it's dangerous, right?"
"Haha! With adventurers like you here, what's to fear? Plus, fewer competitors means I can rake it in now!"
Brutus planned to venture deeper this time, gathering rare herbs he usually skipped.
No rivals, escorts provided—he was gonna milk this opportunity.
We didn't object. Even if he bailed, we'd have dragged him along anyway. This worked out perfectly.
"Hey, bro... something feels off, doesn't it?"
As we chatted idly with Sophia and followed Brutus toward our destination, Siwoo called out anxiously from behind.
His tone suggested he'd spotted something we missed.
As expected of the hero! Knew I could count on you!
"S-Siwoo! Don't say scary stuff!"
"Why? What's up?"
Sophia seized the moment to hug my arm, feigning weakness, while I pulled her close in mock reassurance and pressed Siwoo for details.
Man, this level of skinship feels totally normal now? Kid's growing up...
"Feels like we're looping the same area... Not sure, but haven't we passed that tree a few times already?"
"...Really?"
The tree Siwoo pointed out rang a bell.
A massively tilted one—I'd thought it was miraculously holding up...
Wait. Does that mean we're lost?
"N-No way!"
This time, Sophia dove into my arms for real, trembling in genuine fear—unlike before.
"It's true? Oppa, what do we do?! Are we trapped here forever?!"
"Calm down, Sopi..."
Her terrified cuteness tugged at my heart, especially that near-tears face. I hugged her tight, soothing her as best I could.
"Me... me getting lost?! Then those rumors... N-No!"
Sophia wasn't the only one crumbling—Brutus collapsed to his knees in despair, looking like someone who'd just lost a fortune gambling.
"Pull yourself together, Mr. Brutus!"
"T-Truth is... I-I knew since earlier... Hoped I was wrong..."
This guy? Speak up sooner if you knew!
I was floored. Without Siwoo's sharp eyes, we'd have wandered way longer, wasting energy for nothing.
"...Bro! What now?"
Not you too, Siwoo?
He was panicking hard, flailing like a kid lost in a mall.
No, not everyone can lose it—the hero's gotta stay cool!
'Haa...'
Everyone relies on me way too much.
Sophia's handing me everything, Siwoo's begging for answers instead of solving it himself.
This ain't good. Real bad.
What if the bus driver asked me for directions...?
'Sigh.'
"What do you mean 'what now'? Lost? Find the way out."
I turned from Siwoo with a heavy sigh and activated Observation.
And just like that—like slicing into cake—I pinpointed the cause.
'Ah, so that's how it is.'
"Oppa! Find something?"
As I strode confidently toward a spot, Sophia perked up with hope and stuck close.
I ruffled her hair and stopped before the tree Siwoo had pointed out earlier.
"There's a barrier here."
"A barrier?!"
"Yeah, this tree has one."
Can't see it. Can't feel it.
But Observation told me it's here.
If it says so, it is.
"Ah! I can feel faint mana here for real!"
...For real? Not for nothing she's a saintess.
Sophia sensed mana I couldn't, then praised me: "As expected of Oppa."
Uh... kinda embarrassing.
"It's real... Amazing, bro!"
Siwoo, mentally recovered by the news, confirmed the barrier's mana and shot me a "Knew you could do it" look.
Ah, inferiority complex kicking in.
"I-It really is!"
No, even Brutus?!
The herb gatherer followed Siwoo to the tree, acting amazed.
"You can sense mana too, Mr. Brutus?"
"Nah, just going with the vibe."
"Ah, got it."
...This guy's a total riot.
I legit thought even he could sense it, and I couldn't!
"Breaking the barrier will get us back on track?"
"Yep. But... it'll reveal whatever space it was hiding too."
"Eek! What if it's packed with monsters?!"
What if? We fight and kill 'em.
Not too worried.
Siwoo's the hero—he'll get that protagonist buff in the clutch.
Sophia's got her shield staff. Five gold, solid.
I'm plenty strong now, and I've got inner energy as a trump card if needed.
Just... who set this barrier? Kinda nagging at me.
Actual demons? Or some high-IQ monster? Either way, tougher fight than expected.
Felt it against that modded goblin—this world's scaling hard.
"Don't sweat it. We'll handle monsters. Once the barrier drops, head to the city and call for guards, Mr. Brutus."
"R-Right!"
"Everyone, get ready!"
We sent Brutus back and assumed combat stances.
Weapons out, formations from yesterday's drills set.
How to break it? We've got a holy sword-wielding hero.
"Siwoo!"
"Got it! Here goes!"
-KABOOM!
Siwoo swung his holy sword at the barrier. A massive crash echoed as the tree split, the scenery warping before our eyes.
With it came a sinister, musty stench assaulting our noses.
-Kweeek?
-Kweek!
Why the hell are orcs here?