#078
I cast a puzzled look, but Taro just stared back with round eyes as if asking “why?” Carlisle was the one who provided the explanation instead.
“That guy is from the desert, so he’s not much help in the snowfields.”
Carlisle spoke coldly, but rather than being hurt in his pride, Taro nodded his head vigorously in agreement. I thought four people would be better than three to finish battles quickly, but this time Freya chimed in.
“We need someone to watch the lodge instead of me.”
I wondered if there would be anyone looking for a lodge in this ruined world and in the middle of such a snowstorm, but well, there might be other expedition teams.
Around that time, what I gathered from the conversation and atmosphere of the three was that Freya wasn’t just a simple guide but a member of Carlisle’s expedition team. Anyway, Taro being left out seemed to be something they had all agreed upon, so it wasn’t something for me, a temporary member, to interfere with. I could only be maddeningly envious of him sitting in front of the fireplace, smiling and waving his hand gently at us departing into the snowstorm.
By the way, this was the first time I learned that Taro was from the desert. Is that why he climbed the palm trees so well at the oasis?
Ding.
[Quest: Secret of the Frozen Mansion]
Just as we were about to leave the lodge, a quest window appeared.
[Break the curse on the frozen mansion and appease the soul of the mansion’s owner!]
[Reward: 2 bottles of Tranquility Potion, 10,000 Rual]
“……”
Well, I’m grateful that they’re giving Tranquility Potions, but isn’t the timing of when the quest window appears rather ambiguous?
I had been somewhat anxious about what would happen since no sub-quest involving Tranquility Potions had appeared in the village, but whatever the case, I was relieved that one appeared. At least I’ve secured potions to use for the next expedition. (If I succeed in this quest, that is.)
However, I couldn’t help but think this was a system completely lacking in consistency. Now it doesn’t even ask if I want to accept it. I suppose I can’t complain if they’re adding rewards to something I have to do anyway.
Anyway, now that the quest was officially issued and the reward confirmed, I came back out into the snowstorm with a much more settled mind. With the fur hat and goggles Taro lent me, I could at least prevent the pain of feeling like my eyeballs would freeze. He offered to lend me thick padding too, but I gave up after Carlisle’s sarcasm about whether I planned to roll around in the snow. I thought it would be too much to wear such padding in a situation where I’d need to fight, even if it would be fine for just normal travel.
I glanced enviously at Carlisle’s coat. I noticed he had changed from his usual trench coat to a winter wool coat. In reality, it would be perfect attire to freeze to death in this snowstorm, but that was definitely a special item so it would be warm. Freya also had her lean body wrapped in a sleek sheepskin coat.
Only I was still dressed in old, shabby work clothes. Of course, I had put on a thick work jumper and had a heating band plus the special gloves Seiz made for me, but it was true that my outfit was relatively poor. There’s such a thing as mood, isn’t there? No matter how important a farmer’s identity is, I’m not even farming anymore, so do I really have to stick to this outfit?
I grumbled internally as we pushed through the blinding snowstorm. The strange thing was, despite being tossed around by the incredibly strong wind, the cold didn’t feel that severe in this outfit.
‘Did the heating band’s performance improve tremendously?’
It was rather fascinating. In the desert, even with the cooling band, I had to endure the suffocating heat of midsummer, but now, while it was certainly cold, it wasn’t to that extent. Was it because I was using heat stones generously? Or was the Tranquility Potion I drank just before leaving doing good work for once, making me forget even the cold?
Feeling somewhat puzzled, I diligently chased after Carlisle and Freya so as not to fall behind. If I lost sight of those two, I might become lost in the snowy mountains. Speaking of being lost, I suddenly remembered the bracelet I got from the beach festival event. I’m still wearing it now, but… I have no idea what this thing is for.
“Monster approaching.”
Freya’s voice rose above the sound of the wind. A cool tension filled the air. It was a different kind of tension from anxiety – in some ways, it seemed almost pleasant. It was probably because I had reliable companions by my side unlike before, but it would also be the result of the Tranquility Potion’s effects.
“I missed this feeling.”
I smiled slightly without realizing it as I gripped my sword tighter and swung it around. Beyond just feeling comfortable, I was starting to feel good. Was I becoming addicted? I couldn’t tell if it was a good sign or not.
***
It couldn’t be called easy, but the battle ended safely without anyone getting seriously hurt. The pure white snowfield was covered with the corpses of large and small monsters and red and blue bodily fluids.
Freya’s performance was dazzling. In terms of combat ability alone, she was incomparable to Taro or me. Rather than a guide, the title “Warrior of Snow” suited her much better. I could fully understand why Carlisle showed not the slightest regret about leaving Taro behind.
However, the monsters of the snowy mountains were more numerous than expected and particularly persistent. While I hadn’t been seriously injured, there was no way someone like me, who was just barely pulling their weight, could be unscathed. Blood seeped thickly from scratches on my arms and legs here and there.
But there was no time to leisurely catch our breath while treating wounds and recovering stamina. Darkness had begun gathering from the far side of the sky. Time had been delayed more than expected.
“Hurry!”
Freya shouted, and we ran madly up the steep hill road, chased by darkness. In the distance, a massive iron gate was faintly visible. There were no signs of people anywhere, but that gate was slowly closing with creaking sounds. If that gate closed, we wouldn’t be able to enter the mansion.
“Huff, huff.”
Blood dripped from my untreated wounds, staining the white snow. My health and stamina bars began flashing and rapidly decreasing. I could hold out until we crossed the gate, but the problem was that as my stamina actually dropped, even my running speed began to slow.
My mind was urgent, but my body wouldn’t listen. My vision was blurry and my legs were heavy. It felt like my lungs would burst. But there was no time to slow down and drink a stamina potion. In that brief moment, the gate would close.
The gate was right in front of us, but the pursuing darkness swallowed my left foot. Was I too late?
‘Shibal.’
The moment I cursed internally, my nape was suddenly grabbed. And immediately, before I could be surprised by what was happening, I was thrown forward. A sharp whooshing sound of wind hit my ears. My body literally flew. In the brief time my body crossed through the air, time seemed to slow down just for that moment.
Thud!
The moment I realized Carlisle had thrown me (Carlisle must have deliberately slowed down and been running right next to me), I fell noisily to the ground. I was able to avoid injury by falling onto the piled-up snow that hadn’t frozen yet.
Carlisle, who had thrown himself inside at the same time as throwing me, also rolled beside me. The only difference was that I was buried in the snow as I fell, while Carlisle nimbly got up.
“Are you okay, Raon?”
Freya, who had entered first and was waiting, asked dryly. Despite having taken a Tranquility Potion, I felt a bit embarrassed.
‘I need to study rolling techniques more, this won’t do…’
Reflecting on myself, I answered Freya that I was fine. As I got up brushing snow off my whole body, my eyes met Carlisle’s, who was standing with his arms crossed, watching quietly.
‘I’m going to get an earful again.’
Many lines came to mind, like still being slow, or when was I planning to stop being a burden, or didn’t I say this time would be different. But for some reason, he only looked me up and down. He glanced with slightly furrowed eyes at Freya, who was halfheartedly helping me brush off snow from the side, then just turned his body away.
“We’re late. Move quickly.”
We headed toward the mansion’s entrance. But after taking a few steps, I realized Freya wasn’t following.
“Freya?”
When I turned around, Freya showed an expressionless face and lightly raised just one hand. That image ominously overlapped with Taro, who had been smiling and waving his hand.
“My job is to guide you this far. Enjoy yourselves, customers.”
“What? Then where will you be and what will you do?”
Outside the gate was already a den of darkness monsters, so it would be difficult for her to return alone. It seemed like it was already closed and blocked from entry and exit. But to wait here in the garden all night…
I looked around the gloomy garden covered in snow and darkness. The white statues visible here and there didn’t look ordinary either. It felt like they would roll their eyes and chase us if I looked away. Wouldn’t it be not only dangerous but also scary to be alone?
“I’ll be resting over there, so take care and I’ll see you in the morning.”
The place Freya pointed to was a small space attached next to the gate that generally looked like a guard post. Only then did I notice the sign that read “Guide Waiting Room.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
