Chapter 75, Overnight

Translator: Barnnn

 

The three of them had been trudging across the sandy terrain for half an hour before they finally called their first break.

The loose, shifting sand was far more taxing on their legs than they’d expected.

 

“We might have to give up on covering much distance today,” Fieda said. “No point pushing ourselves and risking injury.”

“…Sorry,” Hal muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.

“It’s not your fault. We’re all feeling it.”

“…Thanks.”

 

With a slow exhale, Hal raised his hand and cast a gentle spray of water into the air. A soothing breeze followed, swirling the cool droplets around them, easing the heat clinging to their skin.

 

“Ahh, just what I needed,” Ize sighed, closing her eyes and tilting her face into the mist.

Fieda gave Hal a sidelong glance. “Didn’t know you could pull off delicate stuff like this too.”

Hal smirked, eyes glinting with playful pride. “My control’s pretty good, huh?”

“I would’ve complimented you if you’d just kept your mouth shut,” Ize quipped, lips pursed in a scowl. Her own magic control was still shaky — too much raw power, not enough finesse. Watching Hal handle it with such ease only stoked her irritation.

“Aww, too bad.” Hal chuckled, then uncorked his water bottle and took a long swig before lazily swinging it toward Ize. “By the way, Ize, I noticed you’ve got a good handle on shifting your weight over the sand. Got any tips?”

“Hmm…” She tapped a finger against her chin. “If you lean forward too much, you’ll sink and tire yourself out faster. Try keeping your posture flat — and don’t just lift with your ankles. Bring your knees into it more.”

“Got it… and yeah, I was hunching without realizing. I’ll watch my form.”

 

Hal had been so focused on his footing that his eyes were constantly fixed downward, making him subconsciously hunch even further. At her advice, he straightened his back, consciously relaxing his shoulders. The difference was immediate — his balance felt noticeably more stable.

 

“Ize, any hostiles nearby?” Fieda asked, rising to his feet and scanning the tree line.

“One. Within the next thirty minutes. Still deeper in the forest,” she answered, her eyes narrowed in concentration as she swept the area with her Perception skill.

“All right. If it doesn’t come out on its own, Hal, we’ll need you to lure it with your magic.”

“Got it.”

“Let’s move.”

 

Twenty minutes later, they came to an abrupt halt.

Ize stiffened. The presence of a Komodo Dragon surged into focus, its aura flaring unmistakably.

 

“Anything else in the vicinity?” Fieda asked, hand already inching toward his weapon.

“No other signals,” she confirmed. “Just this one.”

Fieda’s eyes sharpened. “Hal, aim as far back as you can. If you hit, we’ll engage right after. Watch your footing.”

“”Got it.””

 

They swiftly spread out, taking their positions.

Fieda met Hal’s gaze and gave a single, deliberate nod before raising his fingers. The silent countdown began.

 

Three.

Two.

One.

 

“Haah!”

 

On the final beat, Hal thrust his palm forward. A razor-sharp bullet of water shot through the foliage, tearing toward their unseen prey.

 

CRACK!

 

The bolt slammed into a tree trunk with a splintering impact.

 

“GYAAAAAOOOOHHH!!”

 

A guttural roar ripped through the woods. Trees splintered as a massive, slate-gray lizard — nearly twice Ize’s size — burst through the underbrush, its muscled frame sending dust billowing into the air.

Just then, a flash of information skimmed the edge of Hal’s vision, making his stomach clench.

 

“Oh no…! It’s venomous! Ize!”

“On it!”

 

Without missing a beat, Ize unleashed the Detoxify spell she had prepared for dealing with Cockatrice encounters.

 

“Gya-gya-gya-gyaaa!” The beast let out a piercing shriek as the venom in its fangs and glands was neutralized. It thrashed violently, its claws gouging deep furrows into the dirt. The ground shook beneath its tantrum, kicking up a storm of grit and dust that choked the air and obscured their vision.

 

“Good, venom’s nullified! Its stamina’s halved!” Hal called out, squinting through the swirling haze. “Weak spot — underbelly!”

“Hal! Use water! Dampen the dust!” Fieda barked.

“Right!”

 

Hal proceeded to spray fine mist in a wide arc. The water weighed down the airborne grit, clearing their vision — and the amount of water was just enough to not turn the ground to mud.

 

“Nice one, Hal!” Fieda called, his voice sharp with adrenaline.

 

Hal’s eyes narrowed in concentration, and with a quick gesture, he summoned a burst of upward wind. The sudden gust caught the Komodo Dragon off guard, briefly lifting its front half into the air and exposing its pale, vulnerable belly.

 

“Now! Hit the underside!”

“Here goes…!”

 

Seizing the opening, Ize cast Cleanse, stripping the Mystic Beast of its residual resistances, making its limbs falter for a split second. Its massive frame swayed, unsteady, its defenses momentarily weakened.

 

“GROOOOOOOHHH!”

 

The beast thrashed violently, its claws raking the air in blind fury.

 

“Hraaah!”

 

Fieda shot forward beneath its raised forelimbs. With a swift motion, he drove his sword upward in a clean, unbroken slash — carving from the exposed jaw straight down to its belly. Blood spattered his arms as the beast convulsed, its enraged roar twisting into a frenzied wail.

The Komodo Dragon attempted to lunge at Fieda, maw gaping wide — only to be ensnared mid-strike by tendrils of dark magic. They coiled around the beast’s snout and limbs, binding it in place.

With the beast pinned, Fieda gritted his teeth and plunged his sword deep into its pale, vulnerable stomach, driving the blade to the hilt.

Then, two spears of ice shot forward in rapid succession. Hal’s magic pierced the beast’s exposed throat with precise, brutal accuracy.

 

BOOM!

BOOM!

 

The force of the impact rocked the beast’s enormous frame. Its limbs jerked violently with each strike.

The Komodo Dragon let out a final, ear-splitting shriek, its guttural roar devolving into a choking death rattle. Seizing the moment, Fieda wrenched his sword free, then plunged it back in — this time carving straight through its heart.

 

“GYAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!”

 

The beast’s form gave one final, shuddering convulsion as its strength bled out. Then, with a low, rumbling groan, it crumbled into nothingness — leaving behind only the spoils of the hunt.

The three of them gathered around the loot pile. Ize crouched down and swiftly stashed the Magicite, fangs, and hide into her Magic Bag. She frowned slightly as she scanned the counted the items.

Hal caught the faint mutter she let slip under her breath.

 

“…No meat…”

 

He smirked faintly but didn’t comment.

 

“Was there any mention of venom in the Guild’s info?” he asked, shifting the topic.

“Actually, no.” Fieda shook his head. “We’ll need to report it.”

“Good thing Detoxify worked, then,” Ize said. “At least we got to test the Cockatrice countermeasures.”

“Yeah, that was a big win for us,” Fieda agreed. “And the teamwork back there — that was solid.”

“Hal, your magic’s timing was spot on,” Ize added with a small grin.

“Thanks. You did great too, Ize.”

 

Their eyes met, and they exchanged a small, triumphant bump of their fists.

Ize’s gaze drifted to Fieda, giving him a once-over. Her brow furrowed slightly.

 

“Fieda, you were fighting pretty close,” she said, arms crossing. “You sure you’re not poisoned?”

“No, I’m perfectly fine,” he said dismissively. “Besides, your magic nullified it from the source, remember? …That’s how it works, right, Hal?”

“Yeah, but some of its blood splattered on you,” Hal pointed out. “Just in case, let’s hit you with a Detoxify and Heal.”

“Fieda, quit being stubborn,” Ize scolded, fixing him with a pointed look.

“…Fine,” Fieda muttered.

“I’ll make this quick. Aaaand… here we go!”

 

Ize cast Detoxify and Heal on all of them, purging their systems of any toxins and restoring their stamina.

Satisfied, Ize let out a small huff of breath.

She had been startled earlier when Fieda charged beneath the Komodo dragon’s belly. She didn’t know how long her venom nullification would last and couldn’t be certain that being exposed to the beast’s blood wouldn’t have some delayed effect. She hadn’t said anything at the time, trusting Hal’s ability to evaluate physical condition, but now that she’d cast her spells, she could finally relax.

Hal, with a mischievous glint in his eye, reached over and ruffled her hair.

 

“Okay, then…” Fieda sheathed his sword. “Think we can keep going?”

“Yeah, no problem,” Hal replied.

“I’m good, too,” Ize confirmed, running a hand through her slightly disheveled hair.

“At this pace, we’ll reach the staircase in about two and a half hours,” Fieda estimated. “Maybe a bit longer if we run into more beasts or stop to rest.”

Hal rubbed the back of his neck with a slight frown. “We’ve been going for over six hours… we probably won’t be able to cover the whole way today.”

“Right,” Fieda agreed with a nod. “Might be better to call it for today before we hit the stairs. Ize, is there anything else on the map?”

“Two directly in our way — A third might drift into our path if we keep going.”

“Got it. Let us know if anything changes. Let’s move out.”

“”Right!””

 

◆

 

By the time they decided to call it a day, they had fought four battles over the course of two hours.

They scouted around for a suitable campsite, prioritizing a spot with good visibility.

 

“Hey, how about here?” Hal called out, pointing toward a patch of flat ground.

Fieda briefly scanned the area. “…Yeah. Looks good. Any other adventurers nearby?”

Ize’s eyes narrowed as she focused on her Perception map. “None,” she confirmed. “At least not right now.”

“Right now is good enough,” Fieda nodded. “Let’s hurry up and bathe. Whose turn is it first?”

“Me!” Hal shot his hand up with the enthusiasm of a child claiming dibs. “I’m covered in sand from head to toe, so…”

“When the last one’s done, I’ll take Slappi for a walk,” Ize reminded.

“Ah, right. It’s about time, huh — got it. I’ll let you know when I’m done.”

“Mm-hmm.”

 

Slappi — the name Ize had given to the water-purifying Slime that lived in their bath’s drainage system — needed to be let outside every few months. It was apparently necessary for its health, though the specifics were still something of a mystery. Considering how humans were more prone to illness without a varied diet, they figured it might need to absorb other substances from time to time as well.

As Hal made a beeline for the portable bath, Ize set about preparing their meal. She retrieved a portable table from her Magic Bag and began laying out their food. With Stealth output maxed, they didn’t have to worry about noise or scent giving them away. She took full advantage, stacking the table with a generous spread.

 

“Anything you feel like eating, Fieda?” she asked, listing off the options. “We’ve got Miss Etta’s handmade thick-cut bacon and egg sandwiches, those whole crispy-fried fish we bought in town, some skewers, and that seared giant tuna Poe gave us. Oh! And—”

“Hey, hey, that’s way too much,” Fieda cut in with a half-exasperated chuckle. “And don’t forget the vegetables.”

“Got it. Let’s add Miss Elene’s steamed vegetable salad, then. And for dessert… how about some jelly from Siren’s Lullaby?” She held up the small, jewel-toned cubes.

“Huh…” Fieda peered at the glossy dessert with mild interest. “Looks pretty.”

“They make it with a special farmed Slime, and… well, they say if you ask too many questions about how it’s made, you’ll lose your appetite. So, uh… that’s all I know.”

“…Wise decision,” Fieda muttered dryly.

 

After rinsing his hands in the wooden basin of water Hal had left behind, Fieda took a seat. Normally, he would’ve preferred they all eat together, but their current situation called for caution. Even with Stealth masking their presence, Fieda’s instincts — honed from years as a horsebus guard — kept him vigilant. He insisted they stuck to doing things in shifts.

Grabbing one of the thick-cut sandwiches, he bit into it without hesitation, unbothered by its ridiculous girth.

 

“Mmm… Good stuff,” he grunted in approval, already going in for a second bite.

“Miss Etta’s a great,” Ize said with genuine admiration. She crunched into a crispy-fried fish, bones and all. The delicate skeleton had been fried to a perfect brittle crisp, giving it an addictive texture.

“Her inn really is top-notch. Good clientele, too.”

“Good thing Miss Kikuno recommended it to us. It’s a bit pricey initially, but Hal’s seasoning ideas and recipe tweaks got us a pretty generous discount — should bring the cost down a fair bit.”

“And we’ve been here for five months already, huh…” Fieda muttered, his voice low and contemplative. “It’s been years — over a dozen, maybe — since I’ve stayed in one place this long.”

Ize glanced at him, her head tilting slightly. “Oh, yeah… You were always on the move, huh?”

“Can’t complain. The road’s still fun — and hey, I’m looking forward to what’s to come.”

“…I’m glad to hear that.”

 

Without breaking pace, Fieda finished his sandwich and reached for the seared giant tuna. He slid a few slices onto a small plate, then drizzled a thin stream of soy sauce over them. The rich, briny aroma wafted up as he brought the first piece to his mouth. The delicate flesh melted on his tongue, buttery and tender — it was one of his favorites.

Piece by piece, the pile of tuna steadily disappeared. Spoonful by spoonful, it vanished from his plate like a snowdrift under the morning sun.

 

“You know,” Fieda said, wiping the corner of his mouth with his thumb, “I’m having a hell of a good time. Even when you two are running me ragged.”

“Hehe… consider it a cultural exchange between worlds.”

“…If I hadn’t read up on the records of Sages and their companions, I might’ve thought you were normal.”

“Huh? We ARE normal. TOTALLY normal.”

“Yeah, right…” he drawled, arching a single eyebrow.

 

Ize opened her mouth to protest, but before she could get a word out, the portable bath’s door creaked open, and Hal emerged, rolling his shoulders with satisfaction.

 

“Whew! Man, that hit the spot!” He ran a hand through his damp hair and called over, “Ize, I swapped out the water, so you’re good to go.”

“Hal! Fieda was being mean!” Ize announced, pointing dramatically. “Get revenge for me, okay? I’m counting on you! I’m off!”

“Consider it done! Have a good soak!” Hal shot back without missing a beat.

 

Ize stomped toward the bath, kicking up dust in an exaggerated display of wounded pride.

Chuckling, Hal dropped into the chair she had vacated, muttering, “Food, food, food,” under his breath. He grabbed a forkful of warm vegetable salad, chewing contentedly as he turned to Fieda.

 

“So? What’d you say to rile her up?”

Fieda smirked as he picked up his dessert. “Just that otherworlders aren’t normal.”

Hal snorted. “That’s it? Pfft. I thought you were giving her grief about acting more girly or something.”

“I wouldn’t say that. If she’s being herself, that’s good enough.”

“Yeah. She’s not forcing it, so no point in worrying.”

“Agreed. Besides, she’s way more grounded than she was at the start.”

“True. She’s even ditched the whole cutesy act outside the Guild,” Hal noted, biting into a chunk of meat from a skewer. “Though… she might fall back into it when we meet strangers on the road.”

“That’s just how it is, given how she looks,” Fieda said with a shrug and chuckled softly, washing down his meal with a sip of tea.

 

Hal continued to eat in comfortable silence, savoring the warmth and rich seasonings of his skewers.

 

“By the way,” he said between bites, “Mister Zoddoa sent word. The resting container should arrive next week.”

“Finally, huh?” Fieda exhaled through his nose. “Should we test it out in the Dungeon first?”

“Yeah. If there are any issues, better to find out close to town. Wouldn’t want it malfunctioning in the middle of nowhere.”

“Good thinking. We’ll plan it out for sometime next week,” Fieda agreed with a nod.

 

As they went over their plans, the breeze rustled the sparse leaves around them.

Inside Jasted’s walls, the shift in seasons was barely noticeable, but one step outside, and it would be clear — spring was already halfway gone.

And with it, the day of their departure was drawing near.