Adaptation #004
Pock! Paak! The deeper they ventured into the forest, the thicker the underbrush grew. Hyeo Ga-on swung his spear to hack away the obstructing foliage as he pressed forward, when a voice called from behind.
"Um, excuse me. Hyeo Ga-on-ssi. What was that just now?"
Yi Cho-rin hurled the question to satisfy her curiosity even as she struggled up the hillside after him, panting heavily. Her torn skirt fluttered with each step, exposing her thighs.
"I have no idea what you're referring to."
"You took out all those monsters by yourself! You handled it so skillfully—is that something you trained in?"
"Yes. About twenty... months."
Ga-on nearly said twenty years out of reflex but quickly corrected himself. His current body was only twenty-one years old. Claiming twenty years of spear training would mean he'd started in the womb, which made no sense.
Yi Cho-rin beamed, her suspicions confirmed, though she still tilted her head in puzzlement. She just couldn't wrap her mind around it. Where on Earth could someone even learn spear arts these days? And even if they could, a young man who looked barely into his early twenties dispatching five monsters in seconds? It stretched belief.
I need an excuse ready.
She'd no doubt pepper him with more questions once they found a spot to rest. Better to prepare now and avoid trouble later.
They trudged on like that for a while longer. After about an hour, fatigue set in, followed by thirst. Even a mountain trail with a proper path would drain you after an hour nonstop—this place had no path at all.
Ga-on glanced back at Yi Cho-rin. She was heaving for breath, on the verge of collapse. Yet even soaked in sweat from head to toe, she never once suggested a break. She knew they had to keep moving if they wanted an easier time later. She understood the danger they were in. Whether because Ga-on was her only lifeline now, or due to her naturally passive nature, she followed without complaint.
Confirming as much, Ga-on began checking his own condition. He swung the spear repeatedly to clear the brush, feeling his muscles respond. Weighing the weapon in his grip, he sensed the change.
Pretty decent.
His physical abilities had improved. The effect of his Unique Ability, Indomitable. He'd benefited from it in the goblin fight earlier too. The outcome wouldn't have changed without it, but the help was real. A stroke of luck.
This level of performance wouldn't lag far behind those hailed as geniuses in the Union. Of course, those types were born with multiple Unique Abilities, embodiments of unfairness. Nobles by birthright. High elves, for instance, started with an innate affinity for nature, then layered on spirit arts, archery, or tracking skills. Effort built on that foundation, honing them further. Humans weren't particularly strong in the Union, frankly. The mighty were mighty regardless of race—it was a brutal world of the strong devouring the weak.
Almost there...
As Ga-on sorted through his memories, he spotted the rock wedged between two trees and nodded. They'd nearly reached the nest. For reference, this was a sort of neutral zone, midway between goblin and orc territory. Safe enough, barring the occasional patrol. Especially at this awkward hour—no one would show unless something major happened.
Ga-on turned to Yi Cho-rin. "Yi Cho-rin-ssi. Let's rest a bit. You look exhausted."
Yi Cho-rin, who had been dragging one foot after the other, slowed as he turned. She waved her hands frantically at his words. "Huh? Oh, no, I'm fine."
She wasn't. Her legs trembled visibly; one wrong step on a root, and she'd crumple.
Ga-on stated firmly, "I'm the one who's tired. Let's rest."
Ignoring her reply, he plopped down beside the rock. A perfect spot—perfectly shielded if you faced away from the front. Watching him, Yi Cho-rin sat cautiously beside him.
"...Thank you."
"I don't know what you're talking about. Let's just rest."
"Okay."
Yi Cho-rin smiled. Ga-on's gruff consideration warmed her.
The sun dipped low. Higher than the towering forest canopy, the sky-embedded orb tilted, painting the world red. Dusk would fall soon. Time to head to the planned shelter.
"Sun's setting. We need to hurry."
"Haa... Okay."
Worry clouded Yi Cho-rin's face. They'd wandered the woods for hours since their break, finding no suitable spot. Of course, that was just her view—Ga-on had a place in mind. He'd even been circling it deliberately.
Not to tire her out, but because while safe, the spot was rough. Neutral zones belonged to no faction, sandwiched between territories. Why hadn't goblins or orcs claimed this one? Simple: no merit. No streams or lakes for water nearby. He and Yi Cho-rin would have to venture far tomorrow for supplies and food. A few extra steps now beat deviating from the plan.
Bad news for Yi Cho-rin, but tomorrow would be tougher than today.
Under Ga-on's lead, they arrived. A massive tree, dwarfing the others. Its roots had hollowed inward, forming a cavity.
"Yi Cho-rin-ssi. We'll stay there tonight."
"Hoo... Okay. Let's go in."
Tight for two, but exhaustion dulled her objections. She'd follow him right in. That's why he'd looped around—to wear her down. If they'd found it early, she might've suggested looking elsewhere. More hassle.
Ga-on and Yi Cho-rin sat facing each other, backs to the wooden walls. Contrary to appearances, it was cozy. Smooth walls, soft enough—no worry of scratches in sleep. Perfect for one night.
They rested in silence, unmoving. Even Ga-on, his body still ordinary human stock, was drained from hours of hiking. Their breaths mingled in the cramped space.
About thirty minutes passed. The sun vanished fully; moonlight bathed the ground. Ga-on, gazing at the star-speckled black sky, felt a prickling gaze and turned to Yi Cho-rin.
She'd been fidgeting, hesitating. Their eyes met; she introduced herself cautiously. "Sorry it's late, but let me reintroduce myself. I'm Yi Cho-rin. Twenty-three."
"...Hyeo Ga-on. Twenty-one."
Her eyes sparkled at his age. Feeling the distance shrink, she relaxed a bit. "You're two years younger than me, but so calm... Amazing. Those goblins earlier? You dispatched them in seconds. Thanks to you, I survived. Really, thank you."
"No big deal."
Ga-on had worried she'd act superior once ages were out, but her reaction eased him. And honestly, it wasn't a big deal. Years of training, and struggling against mere goblins? Wasted effort.
But that was his view. Not hers. "No, it is! ...You could've handled them alone in that clearing, right?"
"......"
Ga-on stayed silent, but Yi Cho-rin pressed on, convinced. "If I hadn't interfered, no one would've scattered... I messed up."
Had he crushed the ten goblins solo in the open, the runners might've rallied around him, deeming him safe. She blamed herself for ruining that.
A foolishly kind woman. "No. My mistake. I spoke out of turn, scaring everyone. Staying quiet would've ended it bloodless."
"...You think? I hope the others are okay."
She propped her chin on drawn-up knees. Worrying for strangers when her own safety hung by a thread. Peak pushover behavior. Why care about people she'd known less than a day?
Ga-on couldn't fathom it. ...Couldn't, but as an ally? Ideal. If she didn't shed the trait and became a liability, it'd sort itself in this world. Time to plan ahead properly.
"Yi Cho-rin-ssi."
She lifted her face from her knees. "Ah! Yes?"
"As you saw, we need to survive a month."
"Yeah... Right."
A glum reply. Up till now, sheer exertion had left no room for dread, but his words made it real.
Ga-on summoned his status window, eyeing the Unique Ability tab as he spoke. "My ability is called Psychometry. I can gather info from my surroundings."
"Pardon?"
Yi Cho-rin blinked wide at the sudden reveal from this secretive man.
But Ga-on hadn't spilled for nothing. Essential. The ability was fake, of course—but it let him leverage past-life knowledge without suspicion.
"To stick together, trust comes first. Sharing abilities builds that. We need to know each other's to rely in a pinch."
"R-Right."
She nodded, and Ga-on stared pointedly. Your turn.
Under his insistent gaze, she summoned her status and read off her tab. "Mine's Life Exchange. Absorb or grant life force... But I don't really get it."
"Life Exchange..."
Like a wuxia novel's energy absorption art. The description was vague, but based on it, Yi Cho-rin could manipulate life force directly. A broad concept, packed with potential effects. Excellent ability. High chance of healing wounds, like a priest's.
"Sorry. It's weird, right?"
Misreading his thoughtful silence, she apologized, thinking it useless.
"For now... I'll mull it over. Do you know how to use it?"
"...No. Nothing on that. Sorry."
"No need to apologize. It's late—let's sleep. Tomorrow's worries for tomorrow. This hike's worn me out."
"Okay. Good night, Hyeo Ga-on-ssi!"
Not deep night yet, but the day's ordeals had drained even a normal person. Lying side by side at a slight distance, Ga-on and Yi Cho-rin closed their eyes.
Yi Cho-rin wasn't athletic; her fatigue would drop her into sleep fast.
Ga-on waited for that—then she bolted upright. "Ga-on-ssi!"
"...What is it?"
"Can we just sleep?"
"Pardon?"
"Monsters might come while we're asleep."
"......"
Smarter than expected. Ga-on hadn't planned to sleep anyway, but this forced the issue. Watch duty it was.
"Fair point. We'll alternate—five hours each. I'll take first."
"Huh? No! Let's make it fair. Rock-paper-scissors?"
She balled her fist, refusing one-sided kindness. Ga-on shook his head.
He had other matters. "Sleep first. My spear training means I can manage."
"R-Really?"
"Yes. Arguing like this tires me more."
So quit it and sleep.
Feeling his resolve, Yi Cho-rin hesitated, then nodded cautiously. "Okay, I'll sleep then. Wake me in five hours?"
"Of course."
Only then did she relax and lie down.