Heroine Netori-Chapter 84

[Quest: Find the Missing in Asellen Forest]

[Quest: Investigate Asellen Forest]

[Quest: Escort the Herbalist in Asellen Forest]

It was clear now. Madame's claims about something happening in Asellen Forest were true. Though other adventurers seemed unbothered, the missing people, the need for an investigation, and even escorts in a forest so close to the city—all indicated trouble in Asellen Forest.

So, I guess we have to go?

Once again, I sold my companions on the idea of heading to Asellen Forest using the name of Goddess Aria, and as always, they believed me. Goddess, what a cheat code... like a Deus ex Machina.

"Everyone ready?"

We had completed our self-checks and purchased a staff for Sophia. We had a hearty breakfast and checked our inventory. Now, all that was left was to proceed with the main quest.

'Finally... it begins!'

The thought of starting a real adventure with our party of heroes made my heart race.

"Ah...! Here, here! This is Brutus, the herbalist I requested for the escort."

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Deokbae, a rank 6 adventurer, and these are my companions, Sophia and Siu, also rank 6."

We had taken on the 'Herbalist Escort' quest from the guild. We could have investigated Asellen Forest without any specific quest, but why would we? Taking on a quest meant earning money and having a free guide to show us around the forest. It was too good an opportunity to miss.

Brutus, the herbalist, was initially shocked to think that just the three of us were there to escort him but soon laughed heartily, reassured by our presence, and led us into the forest. There was no reason for him to refuse since he wasn't paying extra for the escort.

Asellen Forest looked like any ordinary forest from the outside, but as we entered, the atmosphere changed. It seemed something had indeed happened; the expressions of the people we encountered were gravely serious, and there were no smiles to be seen.

"Mr. Brutus, do you normally hire escorts for gathering herbs?"

"Oh, no, not usually. But... with all the disturbing rumors lately..."

"Could we hear some of those rumors?"

"Well... it’s not just one or two things. Experienced woodsmen losing their way, piles of bones suddenly appearing, unexplained bloodstains showing up, and... oh, people going missing."

Hmm... what’s this, a mystery? It sounded like a ghost story fit for a summer night, with bones and bloodstains that seemed far too fantastical. No wonder the rumors hadn't spread to the city.

But with reliable information from Madame, it couldn’t all be just tall tales... What, are there demons in the forest?

"Brother... are we okay?"

Upon hearing Brutus's story, Sophia clung to me, clearly frightened, but it seemed more like she was using fear as an excuse for some physical closeness. Yeah, Sophia wouldn’t really be scared by this kind of thing. I played along and comforted her by wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"Mr. Brutus, are you not worried? With rumors like these, it sounds dangerous."

"Ha! With adventurers like you around, what’s there to be scared of? Plus, with fewer competitors, I should take the chance to gather as much as I can."

Brutus planned to venture deeper into the forest than usual to collect herbs that were not typically reachable. With no competitors and escorts present, he seemed eager to make the most of it. We didn’t object to his plan. Even if Brutus had chosen not to go, we would have insisted; it actually worked out better this way.

"But, brother... doesn’t something feel off?"

As we walked towards our destination following Brutus, Siu spoke up from behind with a concerned tone. It seemed he had noticed something that we had missed. Trust a hero!

"Siu, don’t scare me!"

"Why? What’s wrong?"

Seizing the moment, Sophia once again clung to my arm, pretending to be frail while I comforted her and pressed Siu for an answer. But really, is he so unfazed by this level of contact now? The kid’s all grown up.

"It feels like we’re walking in circles... I’m not sure, but haven’t we seen that tree several times already?"

"Really?"

When I looked where Siu pointed, I indeed recognized the tree. It was a significantly leaning tree that I remembered thinking was surprisingly still standing...

Wait, are we lost?

"Sophia, no!"

This time, Sophia genuinely seemed frightened as she buried herself into me. Her trembling was real, not like before.

"What if it's true? Brother, what if we’re trapped here forever?!"

"Calm down, Sophia..."

Seeing Sophia genuinely scared was endearing, but her near tears made my heart ache. I held her tight, trying to soothe her.

"I can’t believe it... losing our way? Then those rumors—oh no!"

Even Brutus, not typically one to lose his composure, slumped to his knees as if he had just gambled away his last coin.

"Mr. Brutus, snap out of it!"

"Actually... I’ve been aware since earlier... I hoped it wasn’t true..."

You knew? You should have said something earlier! It was frustrating. If Siu hadn’t realized, we might have wandered aimlessly much longer, wasting energy.

"Brother! What do we do now?"

Siu, are you panicking too? Even Siu seemed to panic, as shocked as a child who had lost his parents in a department store. Come on, you’re supposed to be a hero—keep it together!

'Sigh...'

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Everyone relies on me too much. Sophia leaves everything to me, and Siu looks to me for answers instead of trying to figure things out himself. This is not good.

'Ah well.'

"What do you mean, what do we do? If we’re lost, we find our way."

I turned away from Siu and sighed heavily before using my Observation skill. And just like eating a piece of cake, I easily found the cause.

'As expected... so this is what happened.'

"Brother! Did you find something?"

As I confidently led the way to a particular spot, Sophia, seeing hope, brightened up and stuck close to me. I patted her head and stopped in front of the tree Siu had pointed out.

"There’s a barrier."

"A barrier?!"

"Yes, there’s a barrier on this tree."

It wasn't visible. I couldn't feel it. But my Observation told me it was there. If it says there’s a barrier, then there is.

"Ah! I can feel a faint magic here!"

Really? She’s not just a saint for nothing. Sophia easily felt the magic I couldn't and praised me. That’s... a bit embarrassing.

"It’s true... you’re amazing, brother!"

Hearing that we had found the barrier, Siu regained his composure and came over, quickly verifying the magic of the barrier and looking at me with trust. Ah, the guilt.

"Really?!"

Brutus too? The herbalist followed Siu to the tree and expressed his amazement.

"Mr. Brutus, do you feel the magic too?"

"No, just going with the flow."

"Ah, I see."

...This guy really is something. I thought I was the only one who couldn’t feel it!

"Can we find our way again if we break the barrier?"

"Yes. But... revealing the hidden space might also bring out whatever is concealed by the barrier."

"Eek! What if there are loads of monsters inside!"

What then? We fight and kill them.

I wasn't too worried. Siu, true to his hero role, would likely receive [N O V E L I G H T] a protagonist's buff in a crisis, and Sophia had her staff with a shield function, worth five gold pieces. I had also grown much stronger, and in a pinch, I could resort to my hidden technique.

However, the fact that someone had created a barrier was concerning. Are there really demons, or perhaps a monster with high intelligence... This fight might be tougher than expected. The fight with the modified goblin was already challenging, indicating that this place had a higher difficulty level.

"Don't worry. We'll handle the monsters. If the barrier is broken, Mr. Brutus, please return to the city and request support from the guards."

"Ah, understood!"

"Then everyone, get ready!"

We left Brutus behind and prepared for battle. Everyone drew their weapons, and we formed the battle line we had practiced continuously the day before.

How do we break the barrier? We have a hero wielding a holy sword.

"Siu!"

"Yes! Here I go!"

-Kwaaaang!

As Siu swung his holy sword towards the barrier, a loud noise echoed, and the tree was cleaved, distorting the scene in front of us. Along with it, a dank, musty smell wafted through the air, assaulting our nostrils.

-Kwieek? -Kwik!

Why is there an orc here?