Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Starry Night Awakening
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Blink. Blink.
A familiar ceiling.
It was a cave I'd spent nearly my entire life in—so far, and counting.
'Here...'
I slowly pushed myself upright.
And the memories from before I passed out came flooding back.
Right. I'd definitely removed the poison and returned to the cave before collapsing.
So, had I just woken up now?
Swish swish swish.
I cautiously made my way out of the cave.
As I moved, I felt a slight sense of unfamiliarity. It seemed the removal of the poison sacs had thrown off my balance a bit.
'Feels light, but kinda hard to get my bearings.'
But I'd get used to it soon enough.
Splash.
'Ow.'
Of course, it was still tough to move much right now.
But this was plenty. I'd already fully exited the cave and stepped outside.
Ah, no idea how long I'd been out, but probably not days. If it had been that long, I'd have woken up starving and devoured an Amrita right away.
'Not days, then. Maybe a few hours.'
So, I'd arrived in the daytime and woken up at evening. Good thing it hadn't been over a day.
If it had, Cheong and Silpi would've worried even more.
Twinkle.
'Whoa~ Pretty.'
Had I ever gazed leisurely at the night sky like this before?
Not that I could remember.
I'd been awake at night plenty of times, but scrolling the gallery—not stargazing outside.
'So many stars.'
The night sky here was truly beautiful.
Gazing at the brilliantly shining stars invisible from Earth, I found myself blankly entranced.
Click.
Was it because I'd just woken up, all sentimental?
I couldn't keep this view to myself!
Yeah, a sight this beautiful needed sharing.
So, I posted to the gallery with a photo of the night sky.
Comments poured in right after posting.
And most were about how beautiful the night sky was, and how theirs wasn't like that.
Probably another perk of ancient times.
In other words, a privilege unique to me in the gallery.
'So even that night sky will vanish someday.'
Sad as that was, it was too early to mourn it.
And even when the time came, I'd probably be more thrilled that the modern era—where my desired protagonist acts—was approaching, rather than sad about the sky.
Rustle.
"?!"
What was that? The bushes over there just shook.
I narrowed my eyes, glaring in that direction.
Could've been the wind, but slim chance it was alive.
And if it wasn't like Cheong's kind, high odds it'd turn into a fight.
Throb.
"Shaaah."
'Ow, mouth hurts.'
But bigger problem than moving was my mouth.
The wound from poison removal hadn't even been a day; no way it'd heal yet.
Just opening it sent sharp pain from both sides—I could barely part my jaws.
'Fighting now would be a disaster.'
So please, just the wind's prank.
Body's off, strongest weapon poison gone.
Fight like this? Might as well say die.
'Worst case, yell to wake Silpi or Cheong.'
But I hoped it wouldn't come to that.
For an hour, I maxed my senses, including the bushes, staying vigilant.
Surprisingly, no changes besides that initial rustle.
'Really just the wind?'
Only then did I relax and sigh in relief.
-Kyaaah! W-where'd it go!
"Mya mya meow!!"
'Both awake.'
But my relief was short-lived.
A familiar scream echoed from deep in the cave.
Silpi and Cheong must've woken up.
"Shaa!"
'I'm here!'
In case they took it bad, I replied quickly.
Couldn't shout loud 'cause mouth hurt, but something flew from the cave—right toward me, like a wind spirit heard.
-El! You're awake!
Silpi appeared before me on the wind, checking my body all over for changes in that short time. Cheong, slower than wind, dashed over as fast as she could.
"Mya myaong!"
Whoosh.
-Cheong-ah, El's a patient—no roughhousing!
"Meong?!"
She'd charged without slowing, nearly colliding, but Silpi quickly shifted the wind to avert disaster.
-El. How's your body?
"Shaa."
'Really hurts.'
No lie, really.
If told not to hold it in, tears would've poured like a waterfall.
It'd eased a bit with time, but still.
Thinking again, I was insane to pull it off.
How'd I even manage?
'Gross.'
But no worries now.
Poison cleanly removed!
"Shaa."
'Silpi.'
-Yeah?
"Shaaaah."
'Can you help me contain mana in my body?'
Silpi tilted her head at first, then her mouth twitched before she nodded.
Just affirming without words.
She must've checked my state while I was out.
And been shocked.
Poison gone in that short time.
"Shaa. Shaa."
'Why the stiff face? Better we solved it early.'
-...Haa. Don't do that again. Could've died from shock.
Won't, even if asked.
Who'd repeat this madness?
I nodded vigorously... then felt mouth pain and answered briefly.
"Shaa."
'Got it.'
Tap. Tap.
"Shaa?"
'What?'
I turned at Cheong lightly prodding me.
She held out an Amrita.
Worried about me, brought one.
"Shaa."
'Thanks.'
"Myaaang!"
But tough to eat in this state.
To eat without opening wide, I had no choice but Silpi's help.
-Ugh! A wind spirit doing this!
Grind grind grind.
Silpi swung her hand; razor wind blades shredded the Amrita instantly.
But not stopping there.
For patient me, grumbling Silpi whipped the wind fiercer.
Grind grind grind.
Soon, the chunks were pulverized into liquid, unrecognizable from before.
-Here, ahh~!
She carefully poured it into my mouth.
Gulp.
Mm. Delicious.
Blender skills solid.
I mentally gave the 100% Amrita juice 5 stars and started moving my improved body.
-Never thought I'd live to do this... Hey, where you going!
Where?
The bushes I'd mistaken earlier.
Freer with Amrita, I headed there.
Some nagging suspicion lingered.
Swish swish swish.
"...Shaa."
'...Nothing there.'
But nothing when I checked.
Huh. Bust.
After the brief nighttime incident, we all slept till morning when sunlight rose.
-Euek! Bitter!
Silpi's morning freakout woke me and Cheong.
We turned to watch her rolling wildly in the air.
'...What's with her this early.'
Tongue out, tumbling like a kid who'd eaten something gross.
-Ugh! Bitter! This is way too bitter!
She hurled some weird jar—who knows from where.
Me and Cheong approached to check.
Sniff. Sniff.
Cheong's sharp nose went first; seconds later...
"Haaak!"
Screeching, she swatted with her paw.
'What the heck is it to react like that.'
Silpi too, and now Cheong.
Curiosity piqued, I neared the jar.
Stuck my face in to inspect.
"Shaa?"
'What's this green stuff?'
Unidentified green goo smelled like herbal medicine.
No wonder first-timers panicked—especially sharp-nosed Cheong.
'Did Silpi eat it?'
Hence the tantrum, chomping Amrita to kill the taste.
"Shaa."
'Silpi. Don't eat weird stuff recklessly.'
Even so.
It's obviously sketchy.
Silpi, puffed cheeks stuffed with Amrita, replied indignantly.
-Didn't look dangerous.
Ah, so straight to mouth unknown stuff?
'What even is...'
-Thought it'd help you, so I tried first.
What to say to Silpi's random munching? Or thank her thoughtfulness?
-Ugh, tastes bad! Even Amrita leaves a bitter aftertaste!
Truly unpredictable spirit.