CH 31.2

We left the dungeon.

I had no need for the magic book, the legacy of the creator, but there was no reason to leave it either, so I brought it with me.

I didn’t have the talent to learn magic, but wouldn’t this be helpful to the possible people I would recruit later?

After leaving the dungeon, I told Asher what I was thinking.

“Asher.”

“Yes.”

“Expand your power once and swing your sword.”

“…Yes?”

She flinched and turned to me.

She probably had misunderstood something, so I shook my head.

“I’m not asking you to attack me. I’m asking you to do it to an empty space.”

“Ah…”

The reason I made this request out of the blue was because there was something I wanted to check.

Asher looked puzzled, but she didn’t ask why and she meekly drew her sword.

I spoke again to her, who was about to wield her sword.

“Do it with all your might. You can even use any of your special abilities.”

As a member of the White Moon, Asher had a racial trait that enhanced her magical powers.

I wanted to see her in full power while using that trait.

A little taken aback by my request, Asher hesitated, then she nodded her head and showed off her ability.

Saaa.

Asher’s body glowed softly, and soon the skin all over her body turned white.

It was the first time I had ever seen her use this. Because she hadn’t used it until now.

Adjusting her stance, she caught her breath and began swinging her sword.

Waa!

A sword strike was drawn in the air, producing an unbelievable sound from just her swinging the sword.

I maxed out my super sensory and stared at her sword dance.

…I could see it.

I could see the sword movement, enough for me to react even if that sword was directed at me.

My senses had become so good that I could detect even the movements of a level 81 person. And there was even still room for it.

It seems like it’s enough to respond to a level 80 to a certain extent.

But what if the enemy was stronger than that?

I recalled the movements of the warrior I saw on the escort ship or the mad blows I encountered in the hallway during the Lords’ meeting. The ancient mage’s attack that had completely razed my side earlier.

The attacks before gaining super sensory were not visible at all, so there’s no way I could guess them even if I recalled them… but I don’t know. Unless I checked it again myself.

Anyway, after confirming the somewhat satisfactory results, I opened my mouth.

“Stop.”

Asher stopped and took her breath lightly.

She didn’t even wield it much, but it seemed that she really used her strength with all her might.

And for some reason, she was staring at me as if she was expecting something.

“…”

Why was she looking at me like that?

I tilted my head and realized why.

Did she think I ordered her to do that so I can evaluate her skills?

Looking at those strangely expectant eyes, that seemed to be the case.

I was silent for a moment and then said.

“There is definitely potential. Keep trying.”

“…All right.”

She nodded her head with a slightly regretful expression.

I felt apologetic because she seemed to expect more, but what advice could I give her with my skills?

It was dark at night, but we went straight through the forest without stopping.

It exhausted me but I could endure because I had super regeneration. I wanted to sleep as soon as we reached the carriage.

It wasn’t until the sun rose in mid-sky that we arrived at the carriage and saw Baros, who was eating alone

“You’re here, my lord.”

He must have been hunted somewhere, seeing as how he was eating a well-groomed rabbit and roasting it.

Asher and I joined him and ate on the spot. Then went back to the city.

***

Back in the city, I stopped by the Adventurer’s Guild again to find out what happened to Railo.

I heard from another adventurer that she had returned to the city and that she had rushed off to another city the moment she did.

She must have felt terrified.

Her situation was kind of funny. Anyway, I just made sure there wasn’t anything wrong with her, so I could put my mind off her.

After we stayed for one more day, we immediately left the city.

The next destination, as originally planned, was the territory of the First Lord, the Wiseman. It was a bit far this time.

From the current location, we planned to go through the Fourth, Third, and Second Lords’ territories in a curved line and traveled the shortest route.

After so much time, we arrived at Cubax, one of the large cities on the border of the Third Lord’s territory.

I was lost in thought as we waited at the checkpoint at the castle gate and waited for our turn.

This is now a fork in the road…

I was a little worried.

One of the most necessary abilities for me was blood magic. Elrod Forest was the place to get it.

Elrod Forest was far to the west of this city of Cubax.

Should I continue on to the First Lord’s territory as it is, or should I stop by Elrod Forest?

According to the original plan, I was going to put aside getting blood magic and just focus on mysteries.

However, after gaining the floating veil and super sensory, I became more confident in my ability to save myself, so I felt a bit of regret just passing the forest like this.

After a short thought, I decided it would be better to just go to the First Lord’s territory.

No matter how I thought about it, there were too many variables if I went to Elrod Forest.

Even though I was sure of my safety, I had to talk to the vampire tribe living there in order to get blood magic. But was that even possible?

So, as originally planned, it would be best to put off blood magic and focus on the mysteries.

“…?”

I was lost in my thoughts, but I looked out the window as there was a commotion outside.

There were several wagons passing proudly to the side, ignoring the checkpoints standing in front of the gate.

I could see the sight of the passers-by standing in line, hesitating and looking away.

One wagon’s luggage compartment was barred with iron bars, making it look like a prison in which young boys and girls were imprisoned.

…Slave traders?

I rested my chin on my hand and stared at them.