Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Tag
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It had been three days since we left the cabin and started walking.
No matter how far we went, it felt like we were circling the same spot—the scenery refused to change.
We weren't actually lost or anything. It was just that the mountain range was so vast, there were no real landmarks to mark our progress.
"Haa."
By our original schedule, it should've taken four more days to reach the nearest village, but I was bored out of my mind.
We weren't chatting much anymore, either.
Nameless and I had lived together for years, and he was always the one striking up conversations. Without him taking the lead, talk just dried up.
On top of that, with the landscape barely shifting no matter how much time passed, even he was running out of things to say.
'Bored, so bored.'
I needed something to shake things up.
The obvious fix was to tell Nameless to come up with some topics, but forcing chit-chat didn't sound appealing at all.
'Better if it happens naturally.'
Pushing it would just tire us both out.
Besides, it'd make me sound like a total nag.
People should live young and free.
As I pondered ways to kill the boredom, a sudden idea flashed through my mind.
'That'd be fun.'
My lips curled into a grin that nearly split my face.
"Nameless."
"Yes, Master?"
He turned to look at me, and cold sweat immediately beaded on his forehead.
"If we keep going straight this way, we'll hit a village, right?"
"...Yes, that's correct."
He forced a stiff smile, like he was desperately denying his own unease.
'Even with that pitiful look on your face...'
I was too bored to care.
Plus, it was something I needed to check sooner or later anyway.
"In that case, let's see the results of your training for once."
I immediately circulated energy through my body, priming myself to bolt.
"Hup—"
"Wait—what?!"
Nameless reached out to grab me, but...
'No chance.'
I kicked off the ground hard.
"Try and catch me!"
If I kept up this pace, we'd reach the village Nameless mentioned long before sunset.
A cool breeze brushed my cheeks, drawing a natural smile to my face.
By the time the sun dipped behind the mountains, painting the world in red hues, I'd arrived at the village.
"Hmm, so this is the village Nameless used to visit."
Unlike what I'd imagined, it wasn't all that big.
To be bluntly honest, if I set my mind to it, I could probably take over the whole place without breaking a sweat.
'Did I expect too much?'
Even I—who still hadn't fully grasped this world's power balance—could only rate it as pathetically undefended.
A rickety wall of weathered stones encircled the village, hardly looking sturdy.
The guards meant to watch it were yawning nonstop at the gate, half-asleep on their feet.
'Well, that's just proof of how peaceful it is here.'
Good for them.
I stopped eyeing the wall and peered beyond it.
At the center stood a large building, with four roads branching out like spokes, dividing the village into districts.
The sun hadn't fully set yet, so people bustled about the streets. Children's laughter echoed now and then, mingled with the lively scents of human habitation—something hard to come by up in my mountains.
I stared at it all, a strange feeling settling in.
The world kept turning just fine without me.
Or with me, for that matter.
'What was I so scared of, holing up in those mountains all this time?'
A self-deprecating smile tugged at my lips.
It was my choice in the end, and I had no regrets.
Just a tiny twinge of what-if.
I couldn't wait around forever for Nameless, so I headed toward what looked like the main gate.
I figured I'd grab us an inn room first, so he could rest easy after his nonstop sprint.
Standing before the half-dozing guard by the wide archway, I lightly stomped my foot to wake him.
Finally noticing someone was there, he fumbled his helmet straight and shook his head like he was trying to snap out of sleep.
His eyes landed on me, still bleary. He zoned out for a second before muttering "Ah" and stepping forward.
"Could you show some proof of identity?"
"Hmm, nothing like that on me. Does that mean I can't enter?"
The guard broke into a sweat, eyeing me up and down like he was searching for clues, his face twisting in confusion.
'Did I do something wrong?'
Then, as if steeling himself, he nodded firmly and spoke up.
"What's your name?"
"Heaven Cleaver."
Maybe since he couldn't verify my status, he was settling for a name.
'But why's he so tense about it?'
Relief washed over him at my answer; he let out a sigh and softened his rigid expression.
"Heaven Cleaver...? That's unusual. No family name?"
"Oh, my given name's Harang, surname's Cheon."
"R... right?"
His face stiffened right back up.
Frustrated by the holdup, I furrowed my brow and pressed him.
"Is there a problem?"
"N-no! Uh... could I check what's in your bag? It's just procedure..."
His stammering made it clear—he'd probably had a bad run-in before, and it stuck with him.
'Tsk tsk, poor kid.'
There was nothing dangerous in there anyway, so no reason not to show it.
I slipped off my bag and handed it over.
"Eh, sure, whatever."
"Th-thank you... I'll check it—Ack!"
He clearly hadn't gauged the weight; his knees hit the dirt.
'With strength like that...'
Could he even handle guard duty? Maybe the area was even more peaceful than I'd thought.
I looked down at him pitifully as he grunted and heaved the bag just high enough to glance my way. His expression was priceless.
"Why not just set it down and open it?"
"Ah, y-yeah..."
Finally, he pried it open. I rubbed the back of my neck watching him.
Having a guard this dim-witted? This place was too cushy.
After rummaging forever, he looked up at me, puzzled.
"Um, are you here to sell goods, by chance?"
With fourteen wooden swords inside, I guess he figured me for a merchant.
"Nah."
"Oh, wait."
He fished around in his pocket and pulled out a sheet of paper, squinting at it.
"Are you delivering training swords?"
"Training swords?"
"Yeah, though the quantity's kinda low for a full shipment..."
I thought it over.
Saying yes might get me in quick, but I'd deal with the fallout later.
Nope, scratch that.
Nameless would catch up soon anyway. Better to be upfront and play it safe.
"They're not for delivery. These are my swords."
"Huh?"
I could only sigh at his denseness.
'Nameless was sharp even as a kid.'
How was this guy even on guard duty?
My gaze and tone toward him turned icy by instinct.
"...Do I have to say it twice?"
"N-no! Sorry!"
He hastily closed the bag, handed it back, and bowed at a perfect ninety degrees.
"You're good to go in!"
"? Thanks."
Fine by me, but was this village okay letting strangers waltz in so easily?
And that deep bow—way too polite.
'Does he know who I am?'
From his perspective, shouldn't I be some shady outsider to watch out for?
'Or maybe...'
A dizzying thought crossed my mind.
'Do I look that old?'
I mean, sure, I didn't really care about my actual age...
But him going full formal respect like that? It made me feel ancient and depressed me for no reason.
My lips pouted despite myself.
Safely past the gate and into the village, I was hit by presences everywhere.
It made my stomach churn uncomfortably.
'Ugh...'
Had staying cooped up so long given me social anxiety or something?
I needed to fix this quick, but my head was already starting to throb.
I clutched my aching temple and scanned the surroundings.
I had to book an inn for Nameless, but with no idea of the layout, where to even start?
Asking passersby seemed dicey.
'Not easy.'
The sun was fully setting now, thinning the crowds. And the few still out had rough, intimidating faces.
Their auras felt weak—I wasn't worried about a fight—but appearances mattered.
A guy strutting around covered in scars might be harmless, but he sure didn't look it. Hard to approach.
'Wish they'd talk to me first.'
All I could do was sigh at the situation.