As expected, the distance between the Forest of the Demon Realm and Nirva was a bit far, so it couldn’t be helped that it took time to travel. I really missed the Cheonggeuk Chariot of the old Royal Palace during moments like this.
“Ever since winter vacation started, it feels like I’ve just been riding all day.”
“Sigh, what are we doing while everyone else is having fun?”
Even though it was a serious situation, I couldn’t just keep frowning, so I complained a bit.
“What should we eat?”
“Well, we do have some convenience food we bought earlier.”
“During times like this, we need to eat meat. Wait, let me catch a good one.”
When we were camping in the mountains, we’d sit around the campfire and catch nearby wild animals to roast and eat.
“Look, when using two swords, the most important thing is…”
“Isn’t that too centered around you? I don’t have that kind of strength.”
“No, you can’t tell me this won’t work?”
“Wait, can it actually work?”
I was teaching Hayun how to use two swords simultaneously at night, with two swords strapped at her waist.
As I tossed a branch into the crackling campfire, Hayun was sitting across from me, hugging her knees and looking at me.
In the end, I didn’t fully accept it, but I had to concede.
“Okay, okay. I was wrong. It might have been a bit much to swing a sword like that.”
I thought others could do it since I managed, but I ultimately lost to the rare occasion when Hayun raised her voice in rebuttal.
“I wasn’t silent because of that.”
I flinched at Hayun’s strange reply. Wasn’t that the reason?
Then what was she upset about?
“Ah, is it because I drank all the peach juice I secretly brought without telling you?”
“… I wasn’t upset at all, but now I think I might be a little bit because of that.”
“……”
I dug my own grave.
So she wasn’t upset after all.
“Then why were you looking at me?”
“……”
Hayun’s mouth disappeared into her arms hugging her legs. I realized she was expressing her unwillingness to speak that way, but after a little while, she couldn’t hold it in anymore.
“I really hope you end up with Eris.”
“Uh?”
It was such a sudden topic that I was a bit taken aback, but looking at Hayun’s expression, I could tell she was actually holding back her words because of that.
“Hmm.”
I had already mentioned to Hayun during our journey that I was falling for Rin and May. Back then, I had yelled at her saying not to talk nonsense, that it was impossible.
‘Wait, could it be because of that?’
Am I having feelings for someone other than Eris?
Well, from her perspective, she might think of it as betrayal. She had helped me hoping I would get along with Eris and spent time because of me.
Thinking about it now, I felt sorry.
“I want to end up with Eris too.”
“… Really?”
Hayun tilted her head slightly.
Since I could confidently express my sincerity only to her, I nodded while poking the campfire with a long stick.
“Yeah, really.”
“Great, I also hope you get along with Eris. I’d rather not see you with someone like the scoundrel May or the crazy Elise. I genuinely hope you connect with someone beautiful and kind like Eris.”
Whoa, her saying all that is kind of touching.
“I’ll do my best.”
As I replied with a smile, Hayun burrowed into the sleeping bag she had been sitting on.
“Good night.”
“Yeah, good night.”
*
From the entrance of the Forest of the Demon Realm, Hayun’s expression had been oddly stiff.
Of course, it was only natural.
Entering the Forest of the Demon Realm, known as the Demon Eye and regarded as the existing Hell, was only for foolish adventurers or those in despair wishing for suicide.
Or maybe someone was really driven to flee to the Forest of the Demon Realm because they couldn’t survive outside.
Of course, there was no need to categorize them.
Everyone ended up facing the same conclusion, regardless of their circumstances.
Especially when Sherpa, who had been the centerpiece of the Forest of the Demon Realm, wasn’t around.
“Don’t worry, keeping you safe while wandering the Forest of the Demon Realm is as easy as taking a stroll in the Aios Academy garden.”
“I trust you, but… I just can’t seem to take a proper step.”
“Take a deep breath and follow my back.”
With that said, I took a step deeper into the Forest of the Demon Realm, and behind me, Hayun took a big breath and tightly gripped the hilt of her sword, following along.
‘Thinking back to when Sharcarl was around, we have to go deep into the Forest of the Demon Realm.’
If she’s really struggling, I could always leave Hayun at the witches’ village for a bit while I go alone.
“Do you remember what I told you? Recite it again.”
“Don’t treat me like a child!”
“I was only hoping you might pick some herbs that could be worth some money…”
“First, act only within Daniel’s line of sight.”
Look at that, she drops her head the moment money is mentioned. I wondered if people could really be this one-dimensional.
“Second, don’t touch anything carelessly.”
“Third, don’t scream.”
“Fourth, if anything happens, look for Daniel first.”
I had always made sure to instill these simple guidelines in previous clients before guiding them through the Forest of the Demon Realm.
Of course, even if they memorized it in their heads, many couldn’t follow. Still, it was a necessary process.
At least they should operate within the minimal range where I could guide them.
“The air feels thick.”
“It usually is like that here. Once we go deeper, just breathing will become hard.”
We need to gradually adapt as we enter, or else we might die from suffocation in the unpleasant air that envelops the entire body, characteristic of the Forest of the Demon Realm.
I’ve seen people who managed to reach deep into the Forest of the Demon Realm while avoiding many magical beasts, only to die because they didn’t know how to breathe properly.
“Deep breaths, keep inhaling and exhaling. That way, your body will adapt to the air here faster.”
“Ah, got it. Hoo! Ha! Hoo! Ha!”
Hearing Hayun’s deep breathing sounds as I moved forward, I suddenly stopped. It was already a signal that something had appeared, and Hayun, having learned that, lowered her breath.
Coming towards us were Deminas, magical beasts with goat faces but entirely muscular bodies, marching along.
Grrr!
“Ugh, it’s a Demina!”
Those creatures with goat heads always blow out winds like a bull. They stomp a few times with their hooves, ready to charge at any moment.
“Demina? They’re infamous for their bad temper! We need knights to handle…”
“No, it’s fine. Just hop on my back for a sec.”
“… Seriously?”
Hayun was clearly making a face that said no.
“I did say there might be times I carry or throw you on my back, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, you did. Honestly thought you were half-joking.”
Jokes? No way.
I’ve carried clients like this often during times we needed to avoid a fight.
For reference, when it comes to Eris, she jumped onto my back without me even saying anything.
With Hayun on my back, the Deminas charged straight at me, and I took a few steps back while scanning my surroundings.
Grrr!
The Deminas charged at us with fierce huffing sounds. I could feel Hayun trembling slightly from their intensity.
I slipped between the trees beside me, dodging their direct charge.
The tricky part about Deminas, unlike other charging beasts, was their speed and ability to change direction.
They were lowering their bodies, putting their hands on the ground, or using trees to turn and charge at the same time.
Crack! Crunch!
Huge teeth and tongues burst from the trees they were passing by, beginning to swallow them whole.
“Yikes!”
Oh right, I forgot to explain it since it’s been a while.
“That’s a man-eating tree. They’re common around here, but as long as you don’t touch them, there’s no problem. We’re heading towards an area with more man-eating trees, so try not to touch anything.”
Leaving the Deminas to fight the trees, I slipped past them.
Hayun, startled by the unexpectedly bizarre scene, had her hands tightly around my neck, squeezing a little too much, making it hard to breathe.
Thanks to that, I caught a whiff of her unique scent, but…
“Hey, cough. Hey! I can’t breathe!”
“Ah… S-sorry.”
Even though her strength loosened slightly, she was still clinging on way too hard.
But honestly, it was perfect. It was easiest to protect those who would throw away their shyness and trust me, the Sherpa.
“The Forest of the Demon Realm is a predator’s territory everywhere. There’s no way it won’t be dangerous. But conversely, if you understand the predators’ behavioral principles, their territory becomes a safe zone for me.”
Just like now, if we move without disturbing the man-eating trees, they’ll disguise themselves as ordinary trees and won’t attack us first.
As I recalled my past self, who learned all of this through experience, I couldn’t help but admire the audacity. Learning all this through my body was painful but necessary.
“Stick close to me. The moment you touch even a single leaf, those things will wake up and charge at us.”
“Are you… trying to scare me on purpose?!”
“……”
Did that show?
Seeing Hayun tremble was too cute, so I decided to joke around a bit.
However, while saying that, I noticed Hayun was tightening her grip even more, trying her best to stay close to me.
