Chapter 339
Chapter 339
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 339
>Chapter Title: The Pursued Fairy
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After parting ways with the Glacier Grip, Kang Seol walked steadily southeast according to the map.
Having gone through the Yaksha battle and the Whigeltung War, he could hardly recall the last time he'd been able to relax without worry.
‘I've been pushing my body too hard lately.’
He had gained plenty from it, but continuing at this brutal pace would surely wear him down.
Having experienced it once before, he reminded himself that quality rest was important.
‘How much farther do I have to go?’
Even assuming no incidents, it would take at least a few months to reach Khan.
And that was if he moved as quickly as possible. At this leisurely pace, who knew how much longer.
‘Hm… It's been a while since I've traveled alone.’
It wasn't just his imagination.
Even when he'd been flung out by the border stone explosion, he'd run into Yeva and Ishii.
Kang Seol was now walking through the northeastern cold forest region of Pandea. His reflection, along with the surrounding trees, shimmered on the lake's surface.
In truth, he didn't need to pass through this cold forest, which was sparsely populated and rife with threats from wild animals and beasts.
There was a trade route from the Federation to Khan, and traveling with merchants would have made for a perfectly fine journey.
But there was, of course, a reason he'd chosen a different path over the well-trodden road.
‘There's a place I need to stop by on the way…’
The Traveler's Compass from Lian pointed to a spot between his destination and the route. Since there was a horse fragment there too, it warranted a visit.
‘It might take even longer than expected…’
At this point, the urgency to hurry was fading.
To get proper news on Khan, he'd probably need to head further south anyway.
It was already late, so there was no point in rushing, nor any real benefit.
Kang Seol spread out the map, checked the terrain, and pondered for a moment.
‘The shortest route is through the cold forest and the Forest of the Sleeping… Should I just go around?’
The Forest of the Sleeping.
Rumors said it harbored dangerous secrets.
Kang Seol knew exactly what it was, so he could gauge the risk. It wasn't a place to visit without purpose.
‘I’ll go around. Might cause unnecessary trouble.’
Having sorted his thoughts, Kang Seol took in the scenery.
Tall, straight trees and faint sunlight that barely filtered through.
A lake with not even a ripple, and the somehow unsettling cries of birds.
“Nice.”
- No one would call this nice!
- Teacher! What kind of hell have you been living in…?
- If you compare it to the Yaksha and Lizardman times… this is paradise…
- His bar for forest bathing is too low…
Herbs and poisonous plants unique to the cold forest caught his eye here and there.
Not worth detouring to gather, but no reason to ignore what was plentiful underfoot.
- This one’s edible.
- It’s blue?
- This one too.
- It’s spotted?
- Shake off the dirt and chew thoroughly.
These finds served well as rations. What was meant to be a rare rest had turned into a bit of labor, but Kang Seol enjoyed it.
Time without needing to speak.
Just escaping conversation purified his mind.
‘Might as well camp here.’
He prepared in a clearing where trees were spaced out.
With a cloth spread on the ground, no bugs would bite, and a large fire would keep wild animals at bay.
Not that any would get close without him noticing.
Drip, drip…
He’d used a lot of drinking water in Whigeltung, and supplies were running low.
Slurp…
Kang Seol scooped and drank from the lake, muttering.
“Clean.”
After tasting to confirm safety, he refilled his depleted waterskins.
“Phew… Hm?”
Wolves appeared across the lake.
All well-fed and sizable.
Kang Seol chuckled and waved his hand lightly.
The wolves circled like dogs before vanishing.
The sun had already set.
Fortunately, he'd gathered firewood earlier, so he just needed to light it.
The cold forest's atmosphere had a calming effect.
Sunlight was scarce even by day, but night brought pitch-black darkness that swallowed vision.
Crackle… Crackle…
Whoosh…
He skewered fish he'd caught barehanded while filling water and held them near the campfire.
Plump with flesh, one would sate his hunger.
‘Pair it with the stored liquor—perfect.’
Crackle…
Pop… Pop…
Just watching the meat roast over the fire, accompanied by its sounds, filled him with contentment.
Most people would find no great complaint in such a life.
“Jamad.”
Bored, Jamad had emerged near the fire instead of the shadow space.
Realizing it might be neglectful, Kang Seol skewered another fish and added it to the flames.
Solo camping had been ages ago.
It felt ticklish, and he wondered if he should make something more proper than grilled fish.
“Been a while since a setup like this.”
“Indeed. Back when we toiled over small things, this was daily life.”
“It's only small now in hindsight. Back then, it was huge.”
“…Fair point.”
Bored, Kang Seol poked the fire and chatted idly with Jamad.
“Jamad, you always light a fire in situations like this. Did your kind too?”
“The trolls?”
“Yeah.”
“Of course. Some sorceries require fire to activate, and it's held sacred in itself.”
“Fire?”
“We revere all of great nature. We think of it as borrowing it briefly.”
“You too?”
“No need to revere. Use it fully, give thanks—that's enough.”
“Hahaha… Similar thinking.”
Kang Seol said coolly with a straight face.
“Fire's essential for a traveler's camp. Heats food, repels beasts—all effective. And it lets you spot danger early.”
He handed Jamad the first done fish.
“But too bright, and it backfires.”
“Heh… I see.”
“Draws in those who spot the light.”
Kang Seol pierced the darkness as he spoke.
“Come out. Hiding's pointless.”
Eyes lurked in the shadows.
Normally, he'd be milder, but this interruption to his hard-earned rest earned no welcome for the intruder.
Rustle…
A woman emerged into the firelight.
Wounded here and there, she spoke.
“…Help me, human.”
Kang Seol rubbed his eyes, confirmed her identity, and scowled.
“A fairy?”
An alluring fairy with long pointed ears sought aid.
- She's here! Fairy time!!!
- Rolled right in, vines and all.
- Finally, the visuals are complete.
- Immersed. Totally immersed.
Kang Seol didn't stop her approaching the fire.
He handed her a done fish with a frown.
“Ah… Thanks, but talk first.”
Undaunted by the massive troll nearby, Kang Seol took interest in this bold fairy.
“I'm being pursued. If they find me, everything… everything goes wrong.”
“They? Wrong?”
Kang Seol sniffed.
A foul stench wafted.
Without it, so many options wouldn't arise—so it was real.
[An unidentified fairy requests your help. But promising aid without knowing who she is or who's chasing her is difficult. What will you ask?]
1. What's your name?
2. How did you end up in the cold forest?
3. What's pursuing you?
4. You seem capable alone—why need help?
…
“Name?”
“…Can't reveal.”
Can't reveal her name.
‘Dangerous status.’
In Pandea, with countless beings, names rarely caused issues.
But a widely known name changes things.
‘Too bad… A name would give clues.’
Especially for Kang Seol, like a walking encyclopedia—known names were easy to pinpoint. Regret stung.
[You intend to keep questioning until doubts clear….]
1. No name, no help.
2. How long the pursuit?
3. Who's chasing you?
4. Why are you chased?
…
Options kept coming.
Kang Seol furrowed his brow, then switched tactics—ask all at once.
“Fine on name. But drifting to the cold forest… pursuit lasted long? Who and why?”
“Well….”
The fairy's eyes darted.
Overwhelmed by questions.
“Pursuit… quite long. Ended up here fleeing to safety—no special purpose. Chaser's identity and reason… can't say.”
“Hm….”
Limited info.
One more question.
[You intend to keep questioning until doubts clear….]
1. What aid do you expect?
…
Kang Seol scratched his chin at her evasions.
“Can’t help like this.”
“Please! It's not… just helping me.”
“…What?”
The fairy looked sad.
“Might be helping the world.”
“Hm… Words say so, but….”
Then, Kang Seol spotted her jewelry. Necklace with a large red gem.
‘That necklace… familiar….’
[Mid-level Insight activates.]
[Not an ordinary necklace.]
Kang Seol racked his memory for its identity.
Soon succeeding.
“…Red Prison.”
“…….”
“That necklace. Red Prison, right?”
Hum…
It vibrated.
Confirmed.
It was the Red Prison.
“…How did you know?”
“Seen something similar… Who's inside?”
Red Prison.
Sucks in life, imprisons within.
Trapped exist as souls, able to express will, but biological clock halted.
Sounds sinister, but mostly used to transport valuables safely.
Like sealing a badly injured party member en route to a high priest.
“…Truth: Inside is… the one who sent me here.”
“Hm… Here?”
Kang Seol pressed the fairy.
“They sought us out?”
“…Yes.”
Someone who came directly to Kang Seol's group.
His heart raced.
Absolutely not ordinary.
Yet, despite the bad omens, he sensed he must accept.
“…Terms?”
“Free us from pursuit.”
“Can’t travel together forever.”
“Cut them off once. Then, ways exist.”
“Reward?”
“Divine relic.”
“…….”
Damn.
Kang Seol mulled it bitterly.
Any divine relic held unimaginable value.
He still used the early Mountain Fist profitably—knew better than most.
And one now… if top-tier, usable until near Ascension.
“Sigh… I have terms too.”
“Speak.”
“Success, and you reveal all truth?”
“Well….”
Hum…
Necklace vibrated.
“…They permit. End of this, all truth yours.”
“Good.”
Kang Seol stood, snapped fingers.
Snap-!
Whoosh…
Sss…
Koko and Kukuru emerged, delighted by night air. Twin massive shadow wolves pierced the dark.
Grrrrr…
Growl…
Just before sunset, the lakeside wolves approached, foaming at mouths.
Fine earlier.
Something odd.
Special circumstance maybe.
“Knew it wouldn’t be easy….”
Grrrr…
“To shake pursuit, no choice.”
“Where to?”
Kang Seol eyed deep cold forest darkness.
“…Forest of the Sleeping.”
[Sudden adventure 'Forest No One Seeks' occurs.]
[This adventure is highly dangerous.]
……