21
Chapter 21
Packing for the forest didn't actually require much preparation.
The backpack already contained the basic items.
However, my food supplies were nearly exhausted from the two-day journey.
I went down to the inn's kitchen.
I briefly explained my situation of heading to the forest to the landlady, who had been busy since early morning.
After hearing my story, the landlady gladly handed me two loaves of freshly baked bread.
The warm, savory smell tickled my nose.
I naturally felt grateful for her generous hospitality, as she even added a few pieces of dried meat as a bonus.
After filling my canteen with water and putting the bread and meat into my backpack, I felt quite reassured.
'Preparation is mostly done... what should I do now?'
The sun was still rising, and there was quite a bit of time left until the request.
I wanted to rest because of my wretched body, but since I was already up, I felt like doing something.
'Right, let's test the staff's performance.'
I took out the Droplet Staff that I had kept wrapped inside my robe.
The clear, blue crystal ball glowed softly in the morning sunlight.
Given the nature of my magic, which reduced mana consumption when water was present, this staff's abilities would provide a significant advantage in many ways.
"Let's find a clearing that isn't too far from the village first."
I lightly tapped the staff and started walking.
After passing through the brush behind the village and crossing a small slope, I luckily found an appropriately sized clearing.
The weeds were quite overgrown, but it was fine for practicing magic.
I took a short breath and infused mana into the staff.
The mana that traveled up the staff emitted a thin light from the crystal ball.
[Water Bullet]
A smooth and sharp water drop formed at the tip of the staff and cut through the air.
It was a much faster and more stable movement than before.
'Control has definitely become much easier.'
This time, I summoned a blue stream of water over my palm and spread a Water Barrier.
Swish, swish. I swung it a few times, but there were no noticeable changes.
"Hmm, it did say only the control ability would increase...."
I muttered softly and withdrew the barrier.
'Has the water storage ability not activated yet?'
Just in case, I fired a few more Water Bullets, but I couldn't feel any distinct changes in the staff.
The crystal ball was still clear and transparent.
The fixed probability condition wasn't attached for nothing.
"Well, I just need to use it more."
The moment I fired one last Water Bullet.
The crystal ball at the tip of the staff glowed faintly, and a tiny water drop rolled and formed inside it.
In an instant, the water drop slowly grew in size and filled the inside of the crystal ball.
Just like rainwater gathering in a glass sphere, clear and calm.
"......Oh?"
I lifted the staff and held it up to the light.
Water was definitely pooling inside.
It wasn't just my imagination.
"It finally activated."
Feeling inexplicably proud, I swung the staff once.
I couldn't know the exact numerical increase, but the change was quite satisfying.
Compared to the stat cards that barely made a difference, this noticeable change felt much better.
'I guess it was worth choosing this.'
Of course, there was the physical penalty of it being a staff... but well, isn't it nice to look like a magician?
'I guess I can't hide being a magician now.'
Come to think of it, carrying around such a long staff was the same as announcing that I was a magician.
I hadn't suffered any losses for being a magician so far, but it was still much more convenient if others didn't know.
Besides, it was good for surprise attacks in a fight.
Considering all that, the staff's presence was close to zero in terms of pros and cons.
It was noticeable, but neither a loss nor a benefit.
I wanted to experiment with the maximum storage capacity or how the stored water affected my magic.
But since I didn't know what might happen when, it would be better to save my mana.
I hid the staff inside my robe and left the clearing.
***
As I headed towards the village entrance, the members of the mercenary group preparing to leave caught my eye.
Barret and Geminic were maintaining their equipment without a single flaw, even under the morning sunlight.
Both of them showed familiar and flawless movements.
I carefully raised my hand and greeted them.
Barret spoke without taking his eyes off the staff sticking out from over the robe.
"The staff suits you well. It really brings out a magician vibe."
Geminic also nodded and added.
"That staff, it seems quite well made."
I smiled at those words and answered.
"Thank you. It feels like a perfect fit for me."
Barret raised his head, looked at me, and continued.
"I heard you are heading to the forest. We'd like to help, but we have a job we took."
"It's a request I received, so it's right that I go alone. ...But what brings you out?"
I asked.
Barret raised an eyebrow slightly and answered immediately.
"We got a request from the village herb gatherer. They said there was a report of a goblin sighting recently. We're going to investigate that."
Goblin.
That single word made me think a lot for a moment.
I was also on my way to the forest for a similar reason.
"If it's the forest... is it the same direction as me?"
I asked, wondering if we could go together.
However, Barret shook his head.
"From what I heard, it's the North Forest. Isn't your destination the East Forest, Sir Riv?"
"...That's right."
I had heard that the hunter's cabin was at the 'edge of the East Forest'.
I didn't know the terrain well, but didn't the village people say it was a path hunters often frequented?
As I confirmed the direction, Geminic said quietly.
"The request is important, but you yourself always come first, Sir Riv. The forest can be more dangerous than expected."
Barret also smiled lightly and added.
"Well, since it's Sir Riv. I trust you'll handle it well."
I'm not at that level though....
Feeling awkward, I decided to leave.
"Well then, I'll be going now."
Barret said as a final request.
"Sir Riv, please be very careful. And if anything happens, be sure to let us know."
"Yes, please have a safe trip too, Mr. Barret."
I bowed my head to them once more, then slowly turned my steps towards the inn.
***
I was sitting in my inn room, staring blankly out the window.
The sun was slowly setting, and shadows of people stretched long across the village paths one by one.
I had already packed all my bags.
My staff was next to me, and I checked the ring in my inner pouch.
It was a rare moment of leisure, but my mind wasn't that at ease.
Tomorrow, I enter the forest for the first time.
'Is it at least a relief that I'm not alone?'
I recalled the talk about the guide the village chief was sending.
Just then, the inn owner's voice came from downstairs.
"Sir Riv, you have a visitor! It says they're the guide!"
I got up from my seat, opened the door, and went down the stairs.
I saw a person standing near the entrance.
It was a young man with short, light brown hair.
His eyes looked kind and he seemed to speak little, but looking at the short sword at his waist and light clothing, he seemed somewhat skilled.
How should I say, he was a typical scout style.
"You must be Sir Riv? I am Milen, tasked with guiding you through the forest tomorrow."
"Ah, yes. I've heard."
I reached out my hand, and he accepted the handshake with a slightly stiff motion.
His expression was serious, but I felt some awkwardness somewhere.
He looked like a person whose actions came before words.
"We plan to depart tomorrow morning before sunrise. I will see you in front of the inn."
"Is the path to the East Forest okay?"
"It's fine up to the entrance. Beyond that... you'll have to see for yourself."
He spoke carefully, sparing his words.
Rather than hiding something, it seemed like consideration not to scare me beforehand.
"Departing early is no problem."
"Yes. Then please get a good rest today. I'm telling you just in case, but do not go near the water. It's a bit dangerous right now."
I nodded.
"Understood. Thank you for the advice, Mr. Milen."
He bowed his head in greeting and left the inn.
Once the door closed, the inside of the inn became quiet again.
'Near the water is dangerous...?'
Is there a lake in the forest or something?
His vague tone lingered in my mind.
But I didn't bother to ask.
I had no reason to go near the water anyway, and we would be moving together tomorrow regardless.
I went back up to my room.
It was getting dark outside.
I said a short prayer, hoping the weather would be clear tomorrow.
***
Before sunrise, the air in front of the inn was chilly.
The wind was calm, but the smell of dirt mixed with moisture tickled the tip of my nose.
I let out a long breath and stretched in front of the door.
"Hnggh-"
There was no one on the street yet, but the sound of donkey hooves could occasionally be heard from afar.
The village was also just about to start its day.
A moment later, a familiar silhouette appeared from the corner of the alley.
It was Milen.
He was neatly armed like yesterday, dressed in a simple outfit wearing only the necessities.
"Good morning."
"Yes. It's a bit chilly."
He nodded quietly.
He was still a man of few words, but I actually felt more at ease in that strange silence.
His gaze fixed on my fingertips.
"...A staff?"
He narrowed his eyes and scanned the staff once again.
He didn't look surprised or flustered, but it felt like he was quickly calculating something in his head.
That quiet look held me for quite a while.
"Were you a magician?"
I hesitated for a moment before nodding.
There was no need to hide it. He would find out soon enough anyway.
"A little bit. I'm still learning."
"...I see."
His words were brief, but I could feel his unspoken trust subtly shifting.
It wasn't that he was trying to distance himself, but it felt like another layer of wariness had been added.
What is it? Does he not like magicians?
"Let's depart. It's not that far to the entrance."
"Can we go slowly?"
"Of course. There is no need to overexert yourself."
We passed the village entrance and entered the narrow path leading to the forest.
Dew that had fallen overnight rested on the leaves of grass around the path, making a careful rustling sound with every step.
I held my staff in my hand, looking around as I quietly followed.
Naturally, my steps fell in line with Milen's.
"Is this a path you take often?"
"Not really. However, the layout of this forest is simple. As long as we don't lose our sense of direction, we will be fine."
"...I'll trust your words."
He seemed to smile subtly.
It was a short, faint smile that was truly hard to notice.
"Are you used to fighting, Sir Riv?"
"...I'm not that good at it."
"Then I will take the lead. Please give me a signal if you feel it's dangerous."
If he takes the lead, it's easier for me.
I nodded and answered.
"Understood."
Like that, we walked in silence.
The East Forest was still in shadows, and the light seeping through the leaves was faint.
The feeling of entering the forest one step at a time in the cool air.
It felt as if I was stepping over the threshold of another world.
The forest path was quieter than expected.
At first, I thought it might be because it was dawn.
But it was strangely quiet.
The fallen leaves under my feet rustled, and there was wind brushing against the branches.
Even so, there were no bird songs.
To be exact, all the natural sounds that should be in a forest were missing.
"...Is this forest always this quiet?"
I raised my head slightly and asked Milen.
He stared deep into the forest for a long time before giving a short reply.
"No. You'd normally see a lot of birds around this time."
Those words only sharpened my inner guard.
Milen stopped in his tracks.
I stopped along with him, and my ears suddenly felt strangely muffled.
"This is strange."
At his words, I subconsciously looked back.
The forest path we had just walked.
But even there, I couldn't hear a single sound or sense any presence.
The wind seemed to be blowing, but not a single leaf was swaying.
"Does some monster live around here by any chance?"
"No. Even if there were, it wouldn't be this quiet. This is..."
He trailed off and looked around.
I put a little more strength into the hand holding my staff.
I drew up my mana thinly and let it flow to my fingertips.
So that I could fire a water drop at any moment.
"It's this way. If it's the edge of the East Forest... based on the terrain, it should be just over that hill."
Milen slowed down slightly and took the lead.
I followed behind him in silence.
Like that, we crested the gentle slope.
Milen stopped at the top of the hill.
He let out a small sigh as he looked out over the forest.
"Found it. Do you see it over there?"
I followed the direction his finger was pointing.
At the edge of the forest, a small, old cabin stood among the tall trees.
From a distance, it looked like it hadn't been touched by human hands for a long time.
One side of the roof had caved in, and parts of the walls were half-covered in vines.
"...It doesn't look like a place where anyone lived."
"Perhaps it's the aftermath of Carl's disappearance."
I nodded.
"I heard it was a cabin at the edge of the East Forest. The location seems right."
"Yes, it matches the description. However...."
He trailed off and looked back at the cabin.
"However?"
"It's a bit strange. There are no footprints nearby, no birds, and no beasts. It's suspiciously quiet."
I turned my head to look at the cabin again.
At first glance, it looked like an old hunter's shelter.
It was lifeless, clearly showing signs of neglect.
"Milen, do people... really pass by here?"
He quietly scanned the surroundings before nodding.
"Yes. Herb gatherers come by occasionally, and I heard Mason definitely came looking around here two days ago."
Mason? Does he mean the person the village chief sent?
I looked at the ground in silence.
The fallen leaves were untouched.
For someone to have come looking, it was too clean, as if no one had stepped foot here.
And then I looked at the window.
The slightly open window slowly closed, even though there was no wind.
Creeeak—
"That window, it was closed from the inside."
"......."
Milen narrowed his eyes.
The cabin's small window was built in a way that couldn't be closed from the outside.
That meant someone had closed it from the inside.
Which means...
This cabin wasn't abandoned.
Feeling a cold sensation creep up my spine, I gripped my staff tightly.
With the wind completely dead, only the cabin seemed to exist in the forest.
"...Riv."
"...Yes."
"Let's be careful. Just in case."
I nodded.
Quietly, and very carefully, I took a step toward the cabin.