Chapter 62: The Hut (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 62: The Hut (1)
"Let's move quickly."
We hurriedly left. After going through all that trouble to hunt a Canivaro in five minutes, there was no time to rest.
"So, are you okay now?"
"Now that I got some rest, I feel betterrr. Thanks. But how long did I sleep?"
"Probably about three hours." That was a lie. In reality, it couldn't have been more than one.
"T-That long? No wonderrr..."
In technical terms, this was called the placebo effect. Thinking she slept that long would be more beneficial to her mental and physical health. Although I was starting to become the problem now. "Bjorn, you don't look good."
Having slept, Missha was no longer falling behind. However, my speed was rather slow now. That was to be expected. Just because my natural recovery rate was high didn't mean my fatigue would go away.
"I'll carry you. Why don't you get some rrrest?"
I mean... thanks for the offer, but how does that make sense?
"It's okay, I can handle it." Of course, I was tired. I'd probably pass out in one second if I were to lie down right now. But... "Let's speed up a little more."
Again, there was no other choice. A cool analysis of my current condition told me that even if I pushed myself as hard as I could, I only had a few hours left in me. After that, mental fortitude or not, my body wouldn't be able to stand anymore.
"Speed up?"
"Yes, that's the only way."
We needed to find a safe place while I still had stamina. Such places were randomly generated in the Witch's Forest at regular intervals and would exist for eight hours. The field effects were nullified there, and no monsters appeared, either. In other words, you could sleep safely.
"But what if we can't find it?"
Well, then things will get a lot worse.
Still, the last time we found the safe zone had been two days ago. At this point, it was likely to appear again.
I don't know about me, but she seems to have some luck on her side...
Just look at the last time we found a safe zone. We had been taking a break because she was whining that her leg hurt when a safe zone appeared right next to us.
"From now on, you take the lead."
"M-Me?"
"Just go where you want to. It's not like we know our way around here, anyway."
I didn't believe in superstitions, but I put Missha at the forefront just in case. We moved quickly by destroying only the proactive monsters we encountered.
How much time had passed?
"Huh? Bjorrrn! Look over there! Isn't that it?"
"...Looks like it."
Some people seemed to have all the luck. To our surprise, in less than thirty minutes, we found an unusual tree. It looked similar to the other trees around it, but a soft purple glow was radiating from the bark. It was a sign that this was a conduit that would take us to the safe place.
"Good job, Missha."
"Hehe! You can prrraise me more!"
What was she saying? After ruffling her hair to indicate that she did a good job, I approached the tree and, together with Missha, put my hands on the bark.
[You have entered the Witch's Hut.]
The moment we put our hands on the tree, a purple mist wrapped around us. Before long, a warm wind reminiscent of a spring breeze blew to disperse the fog that had been covering our surroundings.
Shaaa!
Eventually, when all the fog disappeared, the gloomy forest was nowhere to be seen. The floor beneath us was a lawn in full bloom. The skinny thorns covered with rotten vines had been replaced by an abundance of leaves.
"Bjorn! Look at this! Aren't the flowerrrs pretty?"
Yeah, sure. But since I already noticed that last time...
"Don't do anything pointless and go rest."
"Hnng, you unromantic barbarian!"
Romance? That's only for people with the freedom to be romantic. Being a romantic while you were on the verge of starving to death only made you seem like a poor person who was lying to themselves.
Creak...
Leaving behind Missha, who was strangely energetic, I opened the door of the central hut. There was one bookshelf, a dining table, a carpet, and a stove. Even though it was called the Witch's Hut, there was nothing special about the interior. It was an ordinary hut that anyone could come up with.
Still, I think Raven or Dwalkie would have liked it.
Wizards loved unusual spaces like this. There were also books on the bookshelf, so they would have checked those out as soon as they arrived.
But I was a barbarian, and a very exhausted one at that.
Slump.
So I went straight to bed and collapsed. Then I buried my face in the pillow and muttered, "This time, you sleep on the chair."
Reaching my physical limit, I sent Missha to the rocking chair I slept on last time.
"A-All right! You must be tirrred, so get some rest."
Crackle.
As I closed my eyes, I heard the sound of wood beginning to burn in the fireplace. Missha seemed to have sat down too, because I could hear the sound of creaking at regular intervals.
Creak, creak.
"...Good night, Bjorrrn."
My consciousness gradually faded away.
***
Was it because I was exhausted? I was dreaming for the first time in a while.
As always, I was at work. I was working on administrative stuff, and once I finished, my ex-girlfriend came to greet me.
...Wearing black stockings.
Anyway, we went back to my place, ordered chicken, and each did our own thing. I played games and she read a book quietly in the corner. A peaceful silence ensued. When it was time for bed, we naturally curled into each other's embrace and went to sleep.
That was all that happened in the dream.
As soon as I realized it was just a dream, I was booted out into reality. A small hut we had found while wandering through the Witch's Forest... an old bed inside... and a large barbarian body filling it. Once that barbarian woke up from his slumber, he'd drag his monstrous body out to face monsters to survive. This was my reality.
...So let's do what we have to do.
It didn't seem like I could fall back asleep, so I turned my head to the fireplace. The fire, which had been blazing bright before I fell asleep, had lost its strength and was almost going out. This meant that the hut was about to close. I checked my watch to see just how long I had slept.
[You have entered the Witch's Hut.]
The moment we put our hands on the tree, a purple mist wrapped around us. Before long, a warm wind reminiscent of a spring breeze blew to disperse the fog that had been covering our surroundings.
Shaaa!
Eventually, when all the fog disappeared, the gloomy forest was nowhere to be seen. The floor beneath us was a lawn in full bloom. The skinny thorns covered with rotten vines had been replaced by an abundance of leaves.
"Bjorn! Look at this! Aren't the flowerrrs pretty?"
Yeah, sure. But since I already noticed that last time...
"Don't do anything pointless and go rest."
"Hnng, you unromantic barbarian!"
Romance? That's only for people with the freedom to be romantic. Being a romantic while you were on the verge of starving to death only made you seem like a poor person who was lying to themselves.
Creak...
Leaving behind Missha, who was strangely energetic, I opened the door of the central hut. There was one bookshelf, a dining table, a carpet, and a stove. Even though it was called the Witch's Hut, there was nothing special about the interior. It was an ordinary hut that anyone could come up with.
Still, I think Raven or Dwalkie would have liked it.
Wizards loved unusual spaces like this. There were also books on the bookshelf, so they would have checked those out as soon as they arrived.
But I was a barbarian, and a very exhausted one at that.
Slump.
So I went straight to bed and collapsed. Then I buried my face in the pillow and muttered, "This time, you sleep on the chair."
Reaching my physical limit, I sent Missha to the rocking chair I slept on last time.
"A-All right! You must be tirrred, so get some rest."
Crackle.
As I closed my eyes, I heard the sound of wood beginning to burn in the fireplace. Missha seemed to have sat down too, because I could hear the sound of creaking at regular intervals.
Creak, creak.
"...Good night, Bjorrrn."
My consciousness gradually faded away.
***
Was it because I was exhausted? I was dreaming for the first time in a while.
As always, I was at work. I was working on administrative stuff, and once I finished, my ex-girlfriend came to greet me.
...Wearing black stockings.
Anyway, we went back to my place, ordered chicken, and each did our own thing. I played games and she read a book quietly in the corner. A peaceful silence ensued. When it was time for bed, we naturally curled into each other's embrace and went to sleep.
That was all that happened in the dream.
As soon as I realized it was just a dream, I was booted out into reality. A small hut we had found while wandering through the Witch's Forest... an old bed inside... and a large barbarian body filling it. Once that barbarian woke up from his slumber, he'd drag his monstrous body out to face monsters to survive. This was my reality.
...So let's do what we have to do.
It didn't seem like I could fall back asleep, so I turned my head to the fireplace. The fire, which had been blazing bright before I fell asleep, had lost its strength and was almost going out. This meant that the hut was about to close. I checked my watch to see just how long I had slept.
Still, I slept nearly seven hours.
It was quite fascinating that my body had woken up at the appropriate time without even an alarm. I forced my eyes open and looked up at the ceiling. As I slowly woke up, a strong headache erupted from the back of my head, like my brain was whining at me that it needed more sleep.
I knew that if I sympathized with such a feeling of weakness, there would be no end to it. And so I sat up.
When did she get here?
I didn't know why, but Missha was sleeping with her body on top of mine, using my torso as a pillow. While also drooling. She seemed quite comfortable because she was even purring with every breath.
Was the chair uncomfortable?
I lifted her head and moved it to the side, then got up from the bed. Waking her up early would help get her in good physical condition before it was time to leave, but I decided to let her sleep for now.
Crack!
I stretched out my stiff body, then went outside the hut to get some sun. To be honest, I was in a much better mood.
...Is this why Missha likes looking at the flowers?
When I thought about it that way, I could understand how Missha felt, but it was still a difficult sentiment for me to empathize with. Not that it was wrong, but it was just a matter of preference. Exposing yourself to the sun at least made you feel like you might be getting some vitamin D. Looking at flowers wasn't even hypnotic. It was less effective as a placebo.
But anyway, I should probably wake her up now.
"Missha, wake up."
"Mmmm, five more minutes..."
"Get up. We have to get out of here soon."
"Then just until then..."
What was this kid talking about? She seemed incapable of rational thought because of her sleepiness, so I forcibly lifted her by the waist. Then I shook her up and down.
"Ahh! Agh! O-Okay! I'm awake! Stop!"
"Sure."
"You barrrbarian jerk!"
That's why you should've woken up when I told you to.
I handed a canteen to a huffing Missha. I knew she was grumbling, but not because she was really mad.
"...Oh, thanks."
Now that she was awake, we sat next to each other and chewed on some bread and jerky. Although I didn't have an appetite right after waking up, I knew I wouldn't have time to eat once we got out.
"If you're finished, you should stretch. There are only a few minutes left."
"Okay." Soon, Missha slowly stretched and warmed up her muscles. Because she was a high-agility character, her body was incredibly flexible. I was organizing my backpack in the meantime when Missha spoke up while stretching. "Uh, Bjorn..."
"What is it?"
"About Hikurod, Dwalkie, and Brrrown..."
"Spit it out."
"What do you think happened to the thrrree of them? Do you think they're still alive?"
Oh, so that's your question.
I figured she'd ask about that. Humans tended to start wondering about other things after their bodies got better. I answered without hesitation. "I don't know."
Still, I slept nearly seven hours.
It was quite fascinating that my body had woken up at the appropriate time without even an alarm. I forced my eyes open and looked up at the ceiling. As I slowly woke up, a strong headache erupted from the back of my head, like my brain was whining at me that it needed more sleep.
I knew that if I sympathized with such a feeling of weakness, there would be no end to it. And so I sat up.
When did she get here?
I didn't know why, but Missha was sleeping with her body on top of mine, using my torso as a pillow. While also drooling. She seemed quite comfortable because she was even purring with every breath.
Was the chair uncomfortable?
I lifted her head and moved it to the side, then got up from the bed. Waking her up early would help get her in good physical condition before it was time to leave, but I decided to let her sleep for now.
Crack!
I stretched out my stiff body, then went outside the hut to get some sun. To be honest, I was in a much better mood.
...Is this why Missha likes looking at the flowers?
When I thought about it that way, I could understand how Missha felt, but it was still a difficult sentiment for me to empathize with. Not that it was wrong, but it was just a matter of preference. Exposing yourself to the sun at least made you feel like you might be getting some vitamin D. Looking at flowers wasn't even hypnotic. It was less effective as a placebo.
But anyway, I should probably wake her up now.
"Missha, wake up."
"Mmmm, five more minutes..."
"Get up. We have to get out of here soon."
"Then just until then..."
What was this kid talking about? She seemed incapable of rational thought because of her sleepiness, so I forcibly lifted her by the waist. Then I shook her up and down.
"Ahh! Agh! O-Okay! I'm awake! Stop!"
"Sure."
"You barrrbarian jerk!"
That's why you should've woken up when I told you to.
I handed a canteen to a huffing Missha. I knew she was grumbling, but not because she was really mad.
"...Oh, thanks."
Now that she was awake, we sat next to each other and chewed on some bread and jerky. Although I didn't have an appetite right after waking up, I knew I wouldn't have time to eat once we got out.
"If you're finished, you should stretch. There are only a few minutes left."
"Okay." Soon, Missha slowly stretched and warmed up her muscles. Because she was a high-agility character, her body was incredibly flexible. I was organizing my backpack in the meantime when Missha spoke up while stretching. "Uh, Bjorn..."
"What is it?"
"About Hikurod, Dwalkie, and Brrrown..."
"Spit it out."
"What do you think happened to the thrrree of them? Do you think they're still alive?"
Oh, so that's your question.
I figured she'd ask about that. Humans tended to start wondering about other things after their bodies got better. I answered without hesitation. "I don't know."
"Yeah, but you can make a guess."
It wouldn't be a guess but a wish. Before she launched into a needlessly lengthy speech, I cut her off. "No matter what I predict, it won't change anything."
Whether they were alive or not, it was pointless to worry. Even if they had found themselves in a difficult situation, what could we do when we were lost in the Witch's Forest? We had to focus on surviving above all else. After all, we would inevitably know the outcome once we returned to the city.
"So if you're done stretching, check over your equipment." Because that was all we could do right now.
Crackle.
The last remaining log had gone out.
[The Witch's Hut is closed. You will be moved to the Witch's Forest.]
It was time to leave.
***
[Status effect Witch's Eye has been upgraded to level 6.]
***
[Status effect Witch's Eye has been upgraded to level 7.]
***
[Status effect Witch's Eye has been upgraded to level 8.]
***
[Status effect Witch's Eye has been upgraded to level 9.]
***
Day eleven of exploring the labyrinth. In other words, it had been almost eight days since I had been left behind in the Witch's Forest.
[Status effect Witch's Eye has been upgraded to level 10.]
Now we really didn't have time to catch our breaths. We had to keep walking. Witch's Eye should have entered its most powerful phase by now. According to my calculations, a Canivaro would appear if we stayed in one place for even three minutes.
Still, the fortunate thing is... for now, things can't get worse from here. That is, assuming that nothing else pops up.
Of course, there was also the possibility of something positive popping up. For example, an essence, or an essence, or an essence...
Fuck.
Wandering through the Witch's Forest, we had to hunt many monsters regardless of whether we wanted to or not, but no essence appeared. It was extremely unlucky. Any essence would increase our fighting power right now, plus some essences would be powerful enough to turn this situation around.
For example, this bastard's.
"Bjorn! It's a Witch's Lamp!"
"Let's take it down quickly and move on."
The rank-nine spirit-type monster—the Witch's Lamp—looked just like a goblin fire on the outside. It had low combat ability, so it could be dealt with using elemental powers without any issues. Its active skills were also garbage, except in the Witch's Forest.
[The Witch's Lamp has cast Witch's Lamp.]
Its summoning skill, Witch's Lamp, shockingly summoned a Witch's Lamp. Yes, this bastard summoned itself. In other words, if you ate the essence of a Witch's Lamp, you could summon a Witch's Lamp too.
"Come to me, essence!" Missha chanted that spell and quickly defeated the Witch's Lamps, which had quickly multiplied from one monster to six. However, once again, there was no essence.
Dang... getting an essence from this joker to use as a guide would secure our way out of this forest... I guess we have no choice but to hold on until the last day.
Realistically, that was the most plausible scenario since the third floor closed on the fifteenth day. If we could survive the next four days, we could return to the city. The problem was, though, that I couldn't be confident that we'd even survive those few days.
"Missha, how is your stamina?"
"Mm, I'm pretty tired, but it's not bad since we took that break earlierrr."
Last night, we were lucky enough to find another hut to rest in for a while. The discovery had been made and the break had been taken after nearly fifty hours. In a nutshell, we hadn't been able to sleep or eat properly during that time, and had just kept moving.
Plus, we discovered the hut pretty late, so we only had four hours to rest.
Finding a hut was pure luck. If we were unlucky, we may not find a single hut in the remaining four days. This was also why we'd been hunting Witch's Lamps every chance we got, since it was better to try everything we could.
"Bjorn." Missha, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped, so I stopped too and looked ahead. "An adventurrrrer."
For the first time since we had been left behind, we had run into a non-monster.
"A barbarian and a beastwoman? Is it just the two of you?"
We couldn't be sure yet whether this was a positive or negative turn of events.
"Yeah, but you can make a guess."
It wouldn't be a guess but a wish. Before she launched into a needlessly lengthy speech, I cut her off. "No matter what I predict, it won't change anything."
Whether they were alive or not, it was pointless to worry. Even if they had found themselves in a difficult situation, what could we do when we were lost in the Witch's Forest? We had to focus on surviving above all else. After all, we would inevitably know the outcome once we returned to the city.
"So if you're done stretching, check over your equipment." Because that was all we could do right now.
Crackle.
The last remaining log had gone out.
[The Witch's Hut is closed. You will be moved to the Witch's Forest.]
It was time to leave.
***
[Status effect Witch's Eye has been upgraded to level 6.]
***
[Status effect Witch's Eye has been upgraded to level 7.]
***
[Status effect Witch's Eye has been upgraded to level 8.]
***
[Status effect Witch's Eye has been upgraded to level 9.]
***
Day eleven of exploring the labyrinth. In other words, it had been almost eight days since I had been left behind in the Witch's Forest.
[Status effect Witch's Eye has been upgraded to level 10.]
Now we really didn't have time to catch our breaths. We had to keep walking. Witch's Eye should have entered its most powerful phase by now. According to my calculations, a Canivaro would appear if we stayed in one place for even three minutes.
Still, the fortunate thing is... for now, things can't get worse from here. That is, assuming that nothing else pops up.
Of course, there was also the possibility of something positive popping up. For example, an essence, or an essence, or an essence...
Fuck.
Wandering through the Witch's Forest, we had to hunt many monsters regardless of whether we wanted to or not, but no essence appeared. It was extremely unlucky. Any essence would increase our fighting power right now, plus some essences would be powerful enough to turn this situation around.
For example, this bastard's.
"Bjorn! It's a Witch's Lamp!"
"Let's take it down quickly and move on."
The rank-nine spirit-type monster—the Witch's Lamp—looked just like a goblin fire on the outside. It had low combat ability, so it could be dealt with using elemental powers without any issues. Its active skills were also garbage, except in the Witch's Forest.
[The Witch's Lamp has cast Witch's Lamp.]
Its summoning skill, Witch's Lamp, shockingly summoned a Witch's Lamp. Yes, this bastard summoned itself. In other words, if you ate the essence of a Witch's Lamp, you could summon a Witch's Lamp too.
"Come to me, essence!" Missha chanted that spell and quickly defeated the Witch's Lamps, which had quickly multiplied from one monster to six. However, once again, there was no essence.
Dang... getting an essence from this joker to use as a guide would secure our way out of this forest... I guess we have no choice but to hold on until the last day.
Realistically, that was the most plausible scenario since the third floor closed on the fifteenth day. If we could survive the next four days, we could return to the city. The problem was, though, that I couldn't be confident that we'd even survive those few days.
"Missha, how is your stamina?"
"Mm, I'm pretty tired, but it's not bad since we took that break earlierrr."
Last night, we were lucky enough to find another hut to rest in for a while. The discovery had been made and the break had been taken after nearly fifty hours. In a nutshell, we hadn't been able to sleep or eat properly during that time, and had just kept moving.
Plus, we discovered the hut pretty late, so we only had four hours to rest.
Finding a hut was pure luck. If we were unlucky, we may not find a single hut in the remaining four days. This was also why we'd been hunting Witch's Lamps every chance we got, since it was better to try everything we could.
"Bjorn." Missha, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped, so I stopped too and looked ahead. "An adventurrrrer."
For the first time since we had been left behind, we had run into a non-monster.
"A barbarian and a beastwoman? Is it just the two of you?"
We couldn't be sure yet whether this was a positive or negative turn of events.