Chapter 5: Watch Your Back!

"Please, Mr. Archie!" Matt prostrated in front of Dio's grandfather.

The old man pursed his lips as he stared at the young man bowing his head in front of him. "Why does it have to be Dio?"

"Dio knows a lot about herbal plants. Aside from the fact that he is the second-best when it comes to medicine, he is the only one I could ask to come with me," Matt answered truthfully.

Archie turned to look at his grandson who was looking down. It felt like too much of a coincidence that Dio suddenly asked about his opinion on him being an adventurer last week and an adventurer suddenly visited to ask if he could take Dio with him on a mission.

"Dio. . ."

"I didn't do anything, Gramps."

Archie sighed when he sensed the truth when he looked at Dio's eyes. However, Dio didn't even try to hide his expectant and happy gaze towards Matt.

"Can you promise to protect Dio?"

"Even at the cost of my life, Mr. Archie."

"Matt!" Dio blurted out of shock. "You don't have to go that far."

"It's just proper to assure your grandfather that I'll keep you safe even if I had to die doing that." Matt looked at Dio and let out a warm smile. "The wild forest is too dangerous and your grandfather knew that."

"If you knew the reason why I'm reluctant, why do you still insist?" Archie said with a stern voice.

"I had to do it and only Dio could help me. I'm also confident with my strength."

Archie stared at Dio while thinking about the matter at hand. He saw his grandson's shoulder dropped as he played with his fingers.

"Fine, but you must watch your back. You knew that you had to be vigilant all the time, right?"

Dio's face lit up after hearing Archie's voice. The young boy immediately moved to hug his grandfather. "Thanks, Gramps!"

"Don't get too carried away, young man."

Dio chuckled as he let his grandfather pat his shoulder.

Matt heaved a sigh of relief as he watched how the situation turned out. He was actually nervous that the old man would be a hard nut to crack.

"Matt, you can meet Dio at the central market tomorrow. You can go prepare now." Archie smiled at the young man who once again bowed his head in goodbye.

"Take care, Matt. I'll see you tomorrow!" Dio waved his hand and watched Matt's back grow smaller.

When Matt was too far to be seen, Archie looked at Dio and messed his hair.

"Though I wanted to keep you away from situations that might hurt you, I don't think I can do that forever, right?" He smiled at his grandson.

Dio smiled and chuckled. "I can't be protected all the time, Gramps."

Archie sighed. In his eyes, Dio was a kid whom he wanted to spoil. However, Dio already turned out to be a young man who needed to get out of his protection.

"The fledgling needed to go out of its nest now, huh?" he mumbled to himself as he watched Dio who already busied himself in cleaning the store.

Morning came and Archie bid goodbye to his grandson who was obviously excited to go on his first adventure.

"Dio, heed my words, okay?"

Dio nodded his head. "Yes, Gramps. I'll watch my back and be vigilant all the time. Monsters are not my only enemies, after all."

Archie smiled after Dio's remark. "Well, make sure that you don't just memorize it. Put it into action, okay?"

"Don't worry too much, Gramps." Dio scratched his nape and smiled to assure his grandfather that he'd be fine. "You know that I could protect myself now."

"Yes, that's right. You're strong enough to protect yourself. Just take care and off you go!" Archie gently pushed his grandson out of the store.

"Bye!"

He crossed his arms as he watched Dio walk his way to the central market.

"I thought your grandfather stopped you from going," Matt said with his arms crossed and brows furrowed.

"You know that my old man would keep his word," Dio replied with a grin.

"He's a noble after all."

"He's a former noble. Not anymore," Dio corrected him.

"Don't you want to be a noble just like your grandfather?" Matt asked as he looked away. The two of them already tread the way towards the wild forest.

"I don't. Being a noble is bothersome; I'm content being here with Gramps."

Matt saw Dio's lips curved into a smile. Though he didn't understand why would Dio say that it was bothersome, he could understand the satisfaction written all over his face.

"It must be so nice to be you," Matt said with an envious tone.

Dio scoffed as he chuckled. "Yeah, it must be nice."

Matt saw how Dio looked away as he said those words. The sarcasm in his voice was very obvious but he decided not to stick his nose on it anymore.

The next hour was spent in silence as they walked. Matt's strides were bigger given his adult build, but Dio made sure to catch up. On the other hand, Matt was quite impressed since he was expecting Dio to ask for breaks during their trip, but he didn't hear either a single request or a complaint from the kid.

"I can see the entrance to the forest," Matt said with a grin as he patted Dio's shoulder.

"The comfreys are found in the heart of the forest right?"

Matt nodded as he pulled out his sword from the scabbard on his waist. Contrary, Dio looked more excited than nervous, unlike Matt who suddenly switched to a serious and observant manner.

The silence once again prevailed between them as they trod the forest grounds. Both of them were careful as they crossed the border, the line where the barrier was located to protect the civilians from monster attacks, they were ready to attack as their hands tightly gripped their weapons.

From Dio's side, a faint growl could be heard. Dio turned to his right and saw a berserk boar monster with sharp fangs and red eyes. A dark aura was surrounding the monster and its killing intent was focused on him.

"Dio!" Matt ran towards the Dio when he saw the boar leaped towards the kid. However, his actions were too late.

His brows furrowed as he stared at the thirteen-year-old kid who was standing still as if his life wasn't threatened by a monster.

"Let's get moving," Dio urged Matta as he continued to walk deeper in the forest.

"Standing still like that was dangerous, Dio. What if the boar didn't run away?" Matt reprimanded him but his relief was evident in his voice.

"Running away from a monster was more dangerous, Matt. Didn't you know? Monsters can sense whether you're afraid or not. Aside from eating human flesh, monsters also feed on our negative emotions."

He gazed at him with awe. He knew that Dio was a bright child with how he maturely carried himself, but he didn't expect him to have a vast knowledge of monsters.

"You sure did your homework, kid." Matt grinned.

"It's normal, considering that my grandfather is such an overprotective old man. Aside from books about herbs and medicines, books about survival and monsters filled our bookshelves."

Matt let out a laugh after hearing Dio's explanation. "That's really like your grandfather."

"That's why I'm so happy when he allowed me to accompany you."

"Did it feel like getting out of a cage?"

Dio shook his head with a warm smile on his face. "No, it's more like flying out of the nest."

Matt only nodded his head because Dio's words rendered him speechless. In the south city, kids his age already had the freedom to do what they want while carrying the responsibility of their actions. He was expecting him to feel suffocated because of his grandfather's overprotective personality, but he displayed a satisfied expression instead.

They continued to go further in silence. Both of them were careful not to attract monsters and beasts residing in the forest.

They stopped when they heard a howl a few meters away from them. Once again, Matt positioned himself in a fighting stance in front of Dio.

Just like what happened earlier, the wolf-like magic beast called Canis ran away from them.

Matt heard a faint chuckle from behind him so he turned to face Dio who was pursing his lips to prevent himself from grinning.

"Was that your doing?" Matt asked as he put his sword back to the scabbard.

"How could I scare a beast with a weapon like this?" He said innocently as he showed him his twin daggers.

The daggers looked like they came out of a treasure chest. The obsidian blade shone like a jewel and the rune carvings on the fuller made it look more special than it already was. The edge was thin and sharp; it gave off a feeling that it could cut flesh just by making contact. The hilt looked expensive from the golden pommel, grip made of didae hide, the most durable leather, and a crossguard embedded with magic crystals.

What a beautiful dagger. As expected from a former noble. Matt thought as he stared at the precious item held by Dio.

"Well if that's the case, should we move on?" Matt said as he pointed towards the foggy part of the forest which was a sign that they were near the heart.

"After you, Mr. Adventurer." Dio grinned as he followed Matt. His heart was beating fast from excitement as he stared at the white fog that grew thicker as they walked further.

I'm really on an adventure. He thought as he twirled the dagger in his right hand.