Chapter 34 – The Crossroads of Promotion (2)
What Stachis showed was a sword carved into a tree.
It was dug pretty deep.
Looking around, there was not a single trace.
Starting from the first trail, there were cut grass and injured trees as if they had been hit.
Some of the thin trees were cut down and fell.
Starchis wondered how he hadn’t found such a large trail until now, but in a way it was natural in this dense jungle where he couldn’t see an inch ahead.
“Look.”
He put his hand on one of the marks and said.
A sticky sap came out.
“…It’s not old.”
It was the traces of the sword monkey that the other party members had never seen before, but it was so clear that they couldn’t believe it was from another monster.
If it was a human, there would be no way to have caused such a mess in this dangerous dungeon, and if there were no monsters, there would be no way that such neat sword images would have been left behind.
It all caught up
“What are you going to do? Are you going to chase?”
Asked Russ, looking up at the sky.
“It’s going to get dark soon.”
Looking up, the sky was still blue, but in a corner far away, an orange light was eating away at it.
In addition, if you are in a jungle like this, even a slight movement of the sun will quickly get dark.
Everyone knew that through various experiences.
Stachis was also worried. Whether to camp or to follow this trail he barely found.
I also had to think about deteriorating physical condition when camping.
I don’t know if it’s anywhere else, but this was the first jungle type dungeon, and the surrounding enemies were also dangerous.
If you choose to camp in a place like this, the tension will take away your physical strength and mental strength.
If it is possible to fight immediately after following this trail, it is better if it can be finished before dark.
However, he had to think about the possibility of finding them late, or if the battle was prolonged, the fight would continue in the dark.
Combat in the dark is not an unfamiliar field, but I wanted to avoid it if possible.
Being familiar is also a story when the target is only one monster.
Can multiple dogs fight in the dark?
Missing even one would be dangerous.
Stachis said while rubbing his fingers stained with tree sap.
“We’ve found the trail, so let’s camp. It’s our first time, and it’s dangerous to fight at night. There might be monkeys nearby, so let’s go back the way we came and settle down.”
No one followed his decision without complaint.
Stachis led the way, and Vienne showed him the way.
.
.
.
.
It was dark at night in the jungle.
As night fell, the damp air here transformed into chilly air and revealed its appearance.
Didn’t light a fire.
I didn’t want to attract unnecessary attention, and even if the enemies were attracted by the light came right next to me, there was a high probability that I wouldn’t notice them in this environment.
In exchange for not lighting a fire, he was given a cold and lost his sight.
They couldn’t see each other even though they were right next to each other.
The sound of each other’s breathing was the only way to confirm each other’s existence.
But again, no one complained.
It was Starchis’ decision and I believed in his decision.
Party Barefoot was covered with a blanket that barely kept out the cold wind.
It wasn’t unbearably cold, but the damp floor bothered them.
During the vigil, Russ was sitting and watching.
When she opened her eyes, she couldn’t see anything, so she just pricked up her ears and paid attention to everything she heard.
“… Um.”
Starchis groaned and straightened himself to lie down.
No matter how she lay down, the discomfort did not go away.
It’s not the first time I’ve slept in this dampness, but today it’s oddly more uncomfortable.
“…Chis, are you sleeping?”
A voice came from the darkness.
A voice you can barely hear if you concentrate.
It was Russ.
She sensed his discomfort and seemed to ask.
“…Isn’t it hard, Russ?”
Starchis whispered the same quietly.
Even if the grass bugs cried a little louder, they wouldn’t have heard each other.
“Hehe.. No. Someone has to.”
What kind of monster would wander through this darkness, but with such confidence or misunderstanding, they could be annihilated in one shot.
Not everyone knew that, but Russ was putting her discomfort first.
As I tried to fall asleep that would never come again, I heard Russ’ voice.
“..Is it Chis?”
“Yes?”
– Swish.
As I answered, I heard someone moving nearby. It was not a threatening sound.
“..Is it Chis?”
Russ called Starchis again.
This time her voice was a little closer to Stachis.
“Why?”
-Swish
The sound of something crawling again.
“.. Starchis.”
Russ chews each letter in his mouth and exhales slowly. A bewitching atmosphere flowed through me as I whispered my name.
This time Russ’s voice was heard right in front of Starchis.
She was on her way to Stachis.
Starchis answered, thinking it had been a while since Russ had called her full name.
“Say it.”
At the sound of his voice, a hand appears and places it on Stachis’ chest.
“Is this you?”
Of course it was Russ. It seemed that she was approaching because nothing could be seen in the already boring night watch.
“I am.”
Starchis answered, but as if she had to confirm, she felt her chest and stomach once, her forearm once, and her face once before she withdrew her hand.
Starchis felt her Russ’ shoulder against her own.
With that little gesture, we felt each other’s warmth.
It was warm, but Starchis reflexively tried to reject it.
“Russ, my girlfriend-“
“-No one is watching.”
Russ whispered a warm breath in Stachis’ ear.
Stupidly, Starchis felt her heart beat slightly.
Maybe it was because her imagination added up as her eyes were covered.
“And really, are you going to do that with just this?”
True to Russ’ words, she barely touched her shoulder.
When Starchis thought about it, there was no reason to reject Russ’ actions.
It was warmer, and since the distance was close, it was easy and safe to talk.
I was also able to calm down my anxious feelings.
“It’s been six years.”
Even so, he felt his conscience prick as he imagined Elzain without Starchis.
Either way, the conscience was going to be pricked.
She can barely do this to Russ and tells her that she has a girlfriend, and she lies, with a conscience to be stabbed
The remorse you will feel for betraying Elzain.
The two fought
Finally Starchis closed his eyes tightly and gently dropped his shoulders.
The pure love in the heart won.
Starchis couldn’t confirm Russ’ reaction to that action.
Actually, Russ didn’t mind. Because she knew this.
She was satisfied with just creating a situation to talk to Stachis.
“…Lethal.”
However, her reason and sensibility must have been different, and her mouth knew what she was saying.
Somewhere an owl cried.
It probably wasn’t a normal owl, though.
The cries that had been so faint until just now seemed to be tasteful.
No matter how much Starchis slightly avoided her shoulder, courage blossomed because they were by each other’s side.
“Sometimes, I think of the time when I was working for the Kingdom Guard.”
Russ, who had gotten closer, whispered.
Starchis, who was confused by Russ’s appearance for a moment, closed her eyes and listened to her calmly in order to fall asleep again.
“Coming to think of it, there was nothing like that. It wasn’t dangerous, it wasn’t busy, and the money was right. Right?”
“…It was worth it.”
“These days, when I was walking down the street, I kept thinking of going around the alleys here and there with you. Is there any place you haven’t been to?”
“Because they were partners.”
Russ and Stachis worked as kingdom guards and often went on patrol.
It was such a simple job as rescuing a cat from a tree or leading a group of bullies who were quarreling with each other.
The two became partners and did everything together for several years.
It was the most precious memory to Russ.
“… Could you be honest, Chis?”
“What?”
No matter what anyone says, there is the power to draw attention to the deep inside that says they are honest.
Starchis was also drawn to it, and though he couldn’t see anything, he opened his eyes and looked in the direction where Russ was.
“I had no intention of becoming a gatherer until you told me.”
“… Okay?”
“Really. However, I was interested in your straight eyes when you said you would become a gatherer.”
Russ imagined Starchis at that time. Contrary to Starchis who opened her eyes, this time Russ closed hers.
“I don’t know what the wind blew and it suddenly happened, but once you make a decision, you never look back.”
“…”
“It was only later that I realized that you were following your older brother, but I was a little surprised at that time.”
‘And I was afraid of you leaving me,’ she swallowed the words.
The starchies she had been talking about leaving her at any moment could be seen vividly in front of her russ.
Even though he had been a partner for several years, he seemed to have no regrets.
Starchis said like a ray of light to Russ, who was hurting her inside because of his appearance.
“‘Let’s go together,’ you said. I remember?”
“… It did.”
“Honestly, we’ve been friends for a long time, but you don’t know how upset I was when I thought you were leaving coldly.”
“Anyway, you’re Russ, who I’ve been with for years, so I’m leaving so suddenly?”
“Hehe.. That’s right.”
What followed next was Russ’ actions, not words.
She moved her body again and put it on her shoulder.
And before Starchis could react, she leaned her head on Starchis’ shoulder.
“Russia-“
“-But Stachis, why did you ask me to go with you then?”
Russ’ head leaned against her, and her scent came through.
Her shoulder against her was warm.
Starchis choked his chin.
As she said, Starchis suggested that we become gatherers together at the time.
“… What?”
“If you’re going to have a party, you don’t have to be me. Is there any other reason?”
Starchis started recalling his memories from six years ago.
It was a long forgotten memory.
Then why did she make her offer to her.
Stachis said after thinking for a while.
“…I was able to trust you after seeing you for a long time.”
“In addition?”
“Because he’s kind, I didn’t think there would be any conflict with me or the other party members.”
“In addition?”
“… I wanted to find someone similar to my skills.”
“In addition?”
Starchis asked Russ’ continued question.
Her head continued to lean.
“… Do you have the answer you want, Russ?”
“…Yes.”
What is it? Stachis pondered.
At that time, she lived with her all day.
Because they were tied up as partners, she wasn’t there except after work when she would drop out.
Stachis thought.
‘Why did I propose to her?’
She also remembered her time with her.
She hadn’t spent that long time in vain.
Solved many things, prevented many incidents.
She made a lot of memories and exchanged a lot of emotions.
Deep in his heart, he re-told his old feelings.
Yeah, maybe it was her interest in her.
That’s why he proposed to her first without thinking of finding other party members first.
It was more of an interest than a liking.
If something gets stuck, grab it or let it go.
Russ and Stachis have been friends for a long time.
And as time went on, Stachis felt that the relationship was anchored in the form of friendship.
After the party ‘Barefoot’ was created, the weight of that anchor was clearly felt.
Now that Russ is starting to draw her line.
In the meantime, Starchis’s interest in her was also cooled and eventually disappeared.
Now it came to mind
Her insistent questioning her from Russ was one of the big reasons she suggested her to her party her.
However, Starchis could not convey this point. It is the reason and emotion that have already passed.
With her girlfriend her named Elza in the setting, it would be absurd to convey her feelings her to anyone.
Starchis answered Russ after a long silence.
“… It’s just you.”
“… Okay?”
“Russ, and now this is difficult.”
Gently Starchis pushed Russ’ head away.
Russ said her heart sank.
When I think of my relationship with Starchis in the past, there was a feeling of tickling each other.
Maybe it was all just her own illusions, thought Russ.
But no matter how much she was mistaken, Russ had to be him already.
Even if the pillar of her heart was an illusion that Stachis might have been interested in her in the past, it was not an illusion that she loved him.
“… Sorry. I don’t have any questions anymore Come on, Chis.”
She spoke to Starchis in a barely calm voice.
I let out a big sigh inside.
And Russ, who could feel the tears welling up in her eyes, she finally admitted.
Like Vienne and Lily, she has finally accepted her defeat her by Elzain.
And she promised.
She also said that she would wait until Stachis and Elzain broke up.
And at the next opportunity, I will go with all my might.
