I was stunned. Compared to realizing when Kohru, the cute animal was Elvian's pet that could rage like a tiger, this made me more surprised. How could someone come out of the blue, suddenly asked was I a human being or not? Although I didn't make up my face to enhance the disguise. I was sure enough to fool others.
A drop of sweat appeared on my forehead. An idea crossed my mind if this woman was a kind of witch capable of reading people's thoughts. Came from the royal capital and accidentally met me. I felt so bad. There would be a big problem if people knew that I was a Haier-Elvian.
"What? I don't understand what you mean," I said, pretending not to understand a thing.
"You know what I mean, young girl! Although your skin and hair color resembles a human being," in one blink, her hand already entered into my hood. Then stroked my long ears from the bottom up to the top. I didn't have time to react. Just silent like a marble statue for a while, "but not with long ears that you were hiding. Your camouflage technique is not good enough."
The smile showed on her face full of satisfaction. As I was stunned, I decided to immediately flee from the spot. Although I had bumped into people and food carts on the super busy street several times, I still didn't reduce the pace. There was no reason to look back. Whoever she was, she knew my actual race. I had a bad feeling when my presence was known by this country.
After a few minutes of running, my stamina decreased. My breath was heavy. Sweating much from my whole body. I forced these two legs to walk farther to get to the bench that was five meters ahead. These thick and completely enclosed clothes made it worse. I sweltered. Luckily, this bench was in the shadow of the building. So the sunlight didn't worsen the situation.
I used my hand to wag toward the neck. Actually, I'd like to open the hood and let the breeze caressed me with its natural coolness. But I didn't dare to take risks. I was wary if someone saw my long ears like before.
I cast a glance around. It was a residential area on the edge of town. The architecture of the houses in this area wasn't too appealing. Looked very simple. This place seemed to be a settlement of middle-class people. Fortunately, I didn't get to the area of the nobility lived. Not just anyone could go in there. Ordinary people would be punished if caught trespassing.
The wind was blowing hard, releasing this stifling that covered my body. Then drying these lips. I stroked my dry throat. Thirsty! No drinking taps here. The shops also closed. The streets looked deserted. The windows and doors closed. It seemed like a lot of people here went into the Sun Festival.
While tormented by fatigue and thirst, suddenly there was someone who gave me a drink. "Here ... drink!"
I grabbed a plastic bottle from her hand, then drank it. That was a cold orange juice. Super tasty beverages in this misery. I emptied the glass in an instant. It was bliss!
"Thanks," I said, throwing a gaze at the person who gave me a drink. She stood beside me and laughed. When looking at her face, I was shocked. "You again? How come?!"
The woman who was previously in the square before, somehow already had been here. My eyes widened. I wanted to run as fast as I could, but the body not allowed me to. My strength was gone. My legs felt petrified.
"You don't need to worry." She chuckled, then sat beside me with a relaxed and friendly attitude. "Not so hard to chase you, you know? You ran away while leaving Esze trails. Really! What a total idiot you are! You should have pressed your energy in order not to lose control."
"Esze? You mean?"
After confirming that she wasn't as dangerous as I thought before, I became more relaxed. Asking with curiosity about the word that bothered me. Esze? It was the first time I heard the term.
"What were you talking about? Are you kidding me! A person who used disguise techniques like you was impossible not to know Esze."
I shook my head. Didn't understand a thing. This woman should give an answer I want. Rather than making it more complicated.
Even the woman looked surprised. "Did you just come out of the cave? Did you not realize about yourself?"
I shook harder.
She tapped her forehead. "Geez! I just knew there was Elvian who didn't know herself."
"Elvian? No. I'm not Elvian, but -."
"Follow me!" She pulled my arm and dragged me to follow her steps without knowing where she would bring me.
We passed the road leading to the southern city wall. Many buildings here were made of wood and zinc. The pattern of housing was irregular. There was a house part recessed to the road. There was also a house blocking the street, so we had to walk along the sidelines at the wooden building to pass it. The path was also narrower, which was impossible to pass by a horse carriage. Not only that, broken and muddy roads exist everywhere. At an instant glance, this area was similar to the slums in Jakarta's suburb.
"Where are we going?" I asked quietly. Because of the distance from the street to the door of the houses, only one meter. I didn't want my voice to annoyed people who were in it.
"Shut up and follow me!"
I followed her from behind, tried adjusting to her quick footsteps. On the road, I paid more attention to this woman. Leaving aside about 'who is she?' I liked her tall figure, my height around her shoulders. A lovely dark hair went down to her shoulders. She also had brown skin. It was the embodiment of an exotic tropical girl.
Although my body had become a woman, I was quite interested in her captivating appearance. Looked like my man's side hadn't gone entirely.
A few moments later, we arrived at a small wooden house. It took a bit of wariness when climbing two or three stairs to get to the front door. If you didn't, you might fall. The woman let me in after opening the door. The interiors were not very good. Just an old house.
"Sit down, please!"
I sat on the sofa in the living room. That woman headed to the next small room, which seemed to be the kitchen and dining room. I could tell from looking to the cursory at a long dining table and a stove near a window.
My eyes took a glance around. This house measuring 7x6 meters and had four rooms. In addition to the living room, one bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. Quite narrow, but the stuff she had was quite a lot. As a result, some of the furniture overlapped with other goods, making this building no different from the used warehouse. I had absolutely no objection to this mess condition. After all, the state of Dark Night hunter base was worse than this place.
Moreover, it made me sure that if she wasn't a person who meant harm. She presented me with a lukewarm green tea.
"Have a drink, please!" She said.
Without thinking twice, I immediately took a small cup and sipped. It was the first time I drank green tea in this country. The taste didn't seem much different than I had ever remembered.
"You must be wondering why I brought you here, right?" She already knew I wanted to ask. Her exclaim was very precise.
I nodded slowly.
"Let's start with the self-introduction first. My name is Almira. I'm just a normal bread factory worker. At least that's my identity in this country." She showed a thin smile. Then snapped her fingers. My eyeballs almost came out. In an instant, her appearance changed. Her brown hair color decaying to golden yellow. Similarly, her brown skin suddenly became very pale. I was stunned when I saw pointed ears that longed almost 30 cm. "But my real name is Elywien-Kri, a former scout of the West Elvian Kingdom."
A knotted thin smile on her lips. As if to say a lot of meaning, but I had no ideas.
I gasped. Five seconds ago, there was an exotic tropical woman in front of me. But now, she'd turned into a beautiful fairy figure. Her body looked graceful. A sweet smile adorned the face. A beautiful woman like her was hard to find. It almost made me wonderstruck. My consciousness returned, I tried to grasp it all. How could be a human who turned into an Elvian? But wait! I thought I had missed something. Oh yeah! Didn't she say she was the former scouts? That means she was a patrol force of West Elvian Kingdom. Did she come here to arrest me who had repeatedly been hunting in their territory? Suddenly I became wary once. I was tightly gripping the sofa handle. My eyes didn't turn away for a moment from that Elvian woman, afraid if she would make any sudden movements. I thought of running from this place immediately. The fatigue was no longer felt. But what if she was after me again? In this head, appearing concerns and questions with uncertain answers. Swe
Without realizing it, the sun had climbed up to the top of my head. The heat should have struck when the sun was shining. But I didn't have to worry about being burned. A collection of tall trees around protecting my skin from the sunray. The foliage was lush and leafy. Made a shade for anyone on the ground.I was in Tenerif Forest, a forest directly adjacent to the West Elvian Kingdom. Together with Almira, we walked along the edge of a big river dividing the forest into two. Sometimes the woman looked across the land, perhaps missing the homeland where she came from. While I was looking at Kalen River, where my friends and I first came to this world. We both walked in silence, passing the pebbly river rocks and sand.Around here, there was no one. I took off the straw hat given by Kak Shella and draped it over my back. Likewise, Almira appeared confidently with her Elvian form. Our sharp sense could feel if someone approached. So we weren't afraid when we both got ca
This was my third day since Grussel drove me out of the base. After that, I hadn't met with any members of Dark Night at all. Likewise Dimas. I wonder what he was doing now. The town wasn't too big. We could easily meet or cross paths, let alone this Aunt Saantya's clinic building, which wasn't too far from the hunter base. Perhaps he had forgotten about his best friend.Even though I wanted to be accompanied by someone in a dull time like this. I couldn't disturb Kak Shella or my other friends. They were working during the day like this. Only the hunter had a long spare time when the sun was still shining. Of course, I couldn't just visit them. The bastard old man indeed would drive me away.I let out a long sigh. Staring out the window of my room, which was on the third floor in a large building behind the clinic. Not much could be seen from here. Just buildings that were built so close to each other and people passing below. Actually, I wanted to buy something
I forced my head to think harder, trying to understand the book's content once again. But it remains the same. The book said the Spirit Crystal of Hope was a star-shaped pin. No doubt. It was the mysterious glowing object that brought me into this world.Spirit Crystal of Hope, Nadjieza. Being able to grant any hopes came true. It was still weird. If the object I picked up was indeed a real one, why the earth did that thing drag my friends and me to this place? I didn't remember to demand a great adventure in another world and became a woman. After all, wasn't it belonged to the Goddess of Hope? What the heck that thing doing in my former world?Geez! I really couldn't connect all these facts into a single line. My body became limp. I bowed my body like a ball while hugging the book with both hands and closed my eyes tightly. Suddenly, an idea came up. There was someone who seemed to know about this."Almira!" I cried. "Yes, it's true. She is Elvian. Maybe she k
The dusk wore on, the atmosphere in this bar was increasingly busy. Some workers who had finished their work stopped by here just to eat something or rest for a while after working all day long. From the double doors that opened wide, people who came in were more than going out. Making this shop more packed. So, sharing the table between them wasn't rare. The frenzied sound burst abysmally, made our meeting were not conducive. It seemed we picked the wrong place and time.Right now, Dimas, Kak Shella, Vian, Vani, and I were holding a meeting. Only five persons were present because of only us who were still living in Glafelden Town. The rest were mostly boys, signed into the royal army in the capital, or became an itinerant assistant merchants.We had just finished having dinner. Leaving dirty dishes on the table. I gathered them here to tell the information I just obtained a few days ago. The Spirit Crystal. I also mentioned two solutions given by Almira and asked for
"Hunting? You wanna hunting right now?" Dimas looked at me in disbelief. I nodded slowly. "Tomorrow night, Grussel let me back to join the hunting. After a week of not doing anything, I'm afraid if my reflex and ability reduced. Moreover, I'm not a good hunter. I need personal training. You should know that." "But it's dangerous if you crossing Elvian territory." "Of course not. I won't go there, just the woods around the town," I said with a big smile. The boy sighed softly and patted my head. "Okay, but one condition. I'll come with you to make sure you are okay." "No problem." The sky now completely fell to the dark. The evening ray lines in the sky had vanished. Under the field of stars, we left the tower. Took a walk toward the base of Dark Night. After about half an hour of walking, we finally arrived. I waited in front of the store next to the base while Dimas went fetch my weapon. I was still in the punishment period ri
Some moments had passed. The pain in my head vanished little by little. No longer hurt as much as before, my consciousness began to return. With the starry night sky as the background, the foliage moved quickly, like falling from a waterfall. The floor surface where I laid down was repeatedly shaken violently.I glanced around. Dozens of wooden boxes and baskets were neatly arranged. Only one box next to me was broken apart and spilling its contents.No doubt, I was in the cargo where I fell.When trying to get up, the pain came back. My hand immediately held my head until the pain was gradually disappeared by itself. I sat in one corner. The cargo wall was quite high. Even though I was standing, I still couldn't see the coachman nor outside. The opened roof made the cold wind wrap my body. I was shivering with cold. Then drew a cloth that covered a wooden basket to keep me warm.I rechecked my own body carefully. In addition to ensuring that all parts of
Like a domino effect in which one event triggered a series of other events. At first, there were only two guards, but a few moments later, four other guards came up, two more from the top floor and three people getting up from the bottom below.I had just a dagger at my waist. My bow and arrows were shattered in pieces when I fell into the cargo. I also didn't have any Viglet after broken at the hunting some time ago. Despite having a weapon, I still feel uncertain it could take me out of this hellish situation. After passing through the corridor intersection, I turned to the right aisle. Because three more guards were chasing off from the left."Dammit! Why are too many guards here?"Fortunately, they couldn't use Esze to get me. Before, they leashed out Esze but missed and destroyed an urn. Perhaps the goods at this place were so precious since then, they no longer use Esze. I looked back. The soldiers were numbered a dozen. Each of them carrying spears and sh
A loud thumping sound was created as the wisp of wind smashed against the wall and caused part of the ceiling to collapse. Luminous rocks, dirt, and pebbles rained down from above. Half of the vast square was covered in thick dust, making it impossible to guess where Dimas was.My energy was gone. Chill ran down the spine and gave this body a feeling of intense horror. While hanging on to the root fibers of the Hanarusa tree, my eyes widened. Looking down, hoping that Dimas would immediately come out of the dust and attack the monster's feet like before.However, he still didn't appear even though time had passed. Beads of sweat dripped from my forehead. Not a word was spoken from this mouth while hoping for the best possibility.But when? Until when should I keep hoping? What if that hope never appeared?Negative questions kept coming to my head, making me unable to think clearly. Coupled with excessive indecision and anxiety, my fear is getting worse. I looked up. The exit was just
My eyes locked on two lights shining in the darkness. Part of my brain had sent orders to this body to leave immediately. But some were curious about what was behind the gap in the wall. The feeling of horror was increasingly enveloping my whole body and making me completely numb. Cold sweat started pouring down profusely when my ears caught a growling sound inside the gap. I froze, too shocked and couldn't remember to move. Needless to say, Dimas was frightened too. This was the first time I'd seen his hands shaking like this. Though usually, he was not afraid to face anyone, even though his opponent was the Elvian army.I forced myself free from the stiffness of my body, trying to move my legs little by little."Dimas! Dimas!" I screamed loudly, but the man ignored me. My hand grabbed Dimas' shoulder, then shook his body hard to wake him up."Uh, what?" he answered, looking confused. He was too fixated on a figure and ignored the other stuff."Let's get out of here quick
"No, Fool!" he replied curtly. "Haven't you gotten more of an idiot lately?""I already get it. But you don't really mean to go down there, do you? What if the Spirit Crystals aren't there?""We won't know unless we go, right?"I scratched the back of my head even though it didn't itch. Maybe it was an expression of my frustration when I found out what Dimas meant. At first glance, the idea may seem frivolous. Even though I saw a massive room underground, I wasn't sure what it was.It was like winning the bet if the Spirit Crystal was in that room. Conversely, we might find an underground monster lair. When using Super Sense, I only saw the dirt wall and the roots of the Giant Hanarusa tree. However, down there was still dangerous. It could be that there was a nest of centipedes, worms, or other monsters that were giant in size.However, I'm curious.After thinking for a while, I decided to go down the hole. I stepped to the edge of the hole, squatted down, then tried to put one foot
"S-Sister? S-So you are … Almira's brother? I mean Elywien's?" I asked in a high-pitched voice. "Elywien is my sister. She used to be an intelligence member of this kingdom. Before finally leaving her job and family after marrying a human. Are we talking about the same person?" I immediately covered my wide-open mouth. Unable to contain the shock of such an unexpected coincidence, I shuffled back a little. "Yes, you're right. My friend Almira is indeed Elvian, who eloped with her husband," "How is she now? I haven't seen her in years," Elzhar asked enthusiastically as if he didn't care about the condition of his body that had not fully recovered. "She's fine, really. Indeed she lived a simple life, but she is now happy. I've never met her husband. I think he's a loving husband. Oh, yeah! She also has an adorable five-year-old son, his name is Cedric," Elzhar suddenly smiled, an expression of relief now attached to his face. "Thank God she's happy. I'm glad to hear that," "Don
As the night got late, I found Elvian's words were the truth. The entire forest area was flooded due to springs suddenly appearing everywhere. The water discharge was swift enough to submerge this forest as deep as two meters in a short time.Fortunately, I was already on top of the Hanarusa tree, which was quite high and far from stagnant water. The Elvians called this giant bonsai tree that way. I didn't know where the name came from. At least now I knew the right name for this tree. Then for this forest, they named it the Hanarusa Sacred Forest. It seemed the Elvians respected highly to this forest for some reason I didn't understand."After this, we head to that tree!" exclaimed the limp young Elvian while pointing to a Hanarusa tree near me." We have to make a detour to a deserted place.""Okay," I answered briefly. Then I translated it into the Lurivian language so that it was easy for my friends who didn't speak Elvian to understand.Dimas carried the Elvian carefully on his ba
I sat limply in front of the teenager Elvian, lying helplessly. The sign of life in his eyes faded away, his breath getting weaker. It was only a matter of time until he lost his life.But is this correct?Is killing someone the right thing to do at this time?At first, I just wanted to paralyze him. I never thought the arrow I let out would thrust into his chest. Oh, my god! I didn't want to see someone die in front of my eyes because of me. Imagining the grief that the Elvian family had to go through instantly made my chest hurt.I knew I couldn't be naive. In this journey, there must be a time for me to take the lives of others. But not so fast as this. I wasn't ready to bear the responsibility and guilt of killing people.Deep down, I wanted this teenage Elvian to stay alive. If only I could—."...-ggi. Anggi!!!" Suddenly Dimas' screams echoed in my ears. It was as if the voice had just emerged from the silence."Eh, wh-what
"Are you sure?" asked Shella enthusiastically."Very sure," I answered confidently. "You probably can't. But my eyes could see that many people are walking on the branches and doing activities there.""They made the city on a tree?" now it was Dimas' turn to look very excited."You could see for yourself later."Hearing of a city being built on a tree made them both furious. It was a normal reaction for people from another world like us. Even when I first arrived in Ruvia City, I was just as enthusiastic as them. Looked around with sparkling eyes like a peasant. Looking back, my reaction was even worse."Let's go down immediately!" exclaimed Dimas, who immediately left me, followed by Shella behind him.Geez! They were like little kids impatiently waiting for a birthday present. I also followed the two behind, adjusting the two people's fast-moving footsteps.This small team descended the mountainside quite quickly. We arrived at the
I looked down to confirm what I found, and sure enough, it was the Black Selenium Mushroom. The characteristics were precisely the same as those described by Shella before. This mushroom has dark black color and was shaped like a pouch. From what I remember, the sap of this mushroom was very dangerous when it came into contact with the skin. I better be careful not to hurt myself.I was silent for a moment, thinking about how to pick this thing without touching it. Too bad I didn't have leather gloves to protect my palms.In the darkness, my eyes were caught by the faint glint of the dagger hanging from my waist. That's right! I completely forgot I had this thing.I immediately pulled the dagger from the belt and tried to cut the mushroom's stem. Doing this in the dark without light aid would be difficult for humans. Luckily I had Haier-Elvian's ability.I have been grateful hundreds of times for being blessed with this ability! Although I also swor
My sense of hearing, which was more sensitive than humans, immediately felt excruciating pain. It was as if my eardrum had been pierced by a nail until it penetrated my head. My palms couldn't even hold back the loud sound that came in. Although the howl didn't last long, my energy was drained just to endure the deafening sound.My body almost fell to the ground if my brain didn't give me the command to stay alert. I cast my gaze forward. The bear monster had thick white fur similar to a polar bear, it was about three stories tall. The beast had two pairs of arms and two legs, with a fat, flabby body.I briefly remember the Biology lessons taught in my old world. This monster was similar to Tardigrada, a microscopic animal shaped like a bear. The shape of the head that only had a mouth without eyes was also very similar. I even felt that the monster standing in front of me was initially a Tardigrada who was enlarged with a Doraemon magnifying flashlight, then given a h