Chapter 145

Chapter 145

145th Episode: Part 2 – Prologue

-Crunch, crunch.

After hunting the troll, Layla meticulously butchered it with a dagger. She skinned it, collected the extracted blood into pouches, separated the flesh and muscle, and removed the core. Troll blood and hide were quite valuable materials. The blood, imbued with regenerative properties, was used as an ingredient for potions, and the hide was used as a raw material for parchment to contain magic, or dried and used as armor material. Layla carefully dismantled the troll and organized the resulting byproducts. During the series of processes, her body was covered with troll blood and fat, but Layla didn’t care at all. After finishing all the work, she stood up for a moment and looked at the dismantled products. It wasn’t even close to a mimic, but she felt a little proud. After examining the byproducts for a while, Layla reached out into the air and slashed down.

-Swish.

Then, as if space was splitting from the air, a black rift was created. The identity of the rift, about two spans of the palm in size, was a sub-space created from the core of a mimic. The mimic’s bizarre ability to expand the internal space through the ingested material was recycled as a magical tool, boasting astronomical prices, but in the past, she was able to obtain the expensive magical tool due to a contract with Quirjev. Layla threw the troll’s hide and blood-filled pouches into the rift, then approached a nearby rock and sat on it. “Whew.” In the end, she couldn’t find the mimic. Still, she wasn’t too disappointed because it was a natural thing in a way. Even in a land teeming with monsters, mimics were extremely rare. The characteristic of not being able to digest minerals, especially jewels and gold, and the ability to dwell in objects in the form of possession, gave birth to the legend of the treasure chest monster of the Robenium Grand Labyrinth in the past, but as magic developed, scholars began to pay attention to the box itself rather than the treasure inside the box. As the ability to create sub-space could be reproduced through the core, the value of the mimic soared astronomically. Therefore, among adventurers, the existence of a mimic was almost a legend. ‘Was it just a rumor after all?’ Layla sat on the rock and untied the cloth that bound her chest. As the cloth that had been barely covering it was loosened, her well-shaped, teardrop-shaped breasts were revealed under the fragmented sunlight. Due to the heat and humidity, she was dressed in a bare outfit that would be worn by barbarians in the southwestern region, but her body had lost its original luster, covered with troll blood and fat. However, even though it was covered in stains, the beauty of the female body was enough to be created by the near-perfect curves of her body, including her full breasts and slender waist. After untying the cloth that had been tying her chest, Layla put down the main belt around her waist and the greatsword she was holding, and even took off her pants and underwear. She felt a little uncomfortable wearing clothes soaked in blood and sweat. She was naked in an instant, and she enjoyed the sunlight shining on the rock for a while in that state. It was a scene that would have been a feast for the eyes if someone saw it, but there weren’t many crazy adventurers wandering around the Great Forest in the hot summer. Therefore, Layla didn’t care much about being naked outdoors. And even if there were people, she might not have cared much.

-Gurgle.

As if to comfort her, a light pink slime crawled out of the pouch tied around her waist. It was Arum, Layla’s familiar and her companion. Her combat ability was not good even as a euphemism, and she was an unreliable companion, but her little pet had one useful ability.

-Swish.

“Ah, thank you.” As Arum stretched out her body and covered Layla’s arm, she smiled and expressed her gratitude briefly. As if in response, Arum’s light pink slime instantly deepened, and soon began to cleanly absorb the dirt covering her arm.

-Gurgle, gurgle.

The light pink slime stretched its gelatinous body here and there, covering Layla’s body. Every time the slime passed over her skin, her body, which had been covered in blood, began to regain its original jade-like color.

-Gurgle.

Arum made a pleasant sound and cleaned her body thoroughly. Her blood-soaked, jet-black hair regained its luster, and her pink nipples, which seemed to be peeking out over her luscious breasts, returned to their original color.

-Swish.

“Hmm….” As Arum’s slime covered her slender waist and seeped between her slender thighs, Layla closed her eyes and let out a soft moan. The sensation of the moist slime flowing over her body was similar to a gentle caress, so she felt her body lightly heat up. However, no matter how much she had learned martial arts, she couldn’t relieve her sexual desire in the middle of the Great Forest. After using Arum to clean her body and suck up the blood that had soaked into her clothes, Layla put her clothes back on. She had wandered the Great Forest for four days, hunting various monsters. Although she didn’t find the mimic she was aiming for, it was time to return. // Unlike Karaldin or Mesatria in the southeast, the stronghold city of Yurkin was closer to a village than a city. The buildings made of wood instead of high walls and bricks and concrete seemed too shabby to be called a stronghold city, but Yurkin’s adventurers were proud of the shabby appearance of the village. That’s because Yurkin’s other name is the Hunter’s Village. This village, where most of the people who make up the village are adventurers, was the easternmost stronghold city among the stronghold cities in the eastern part of the Kilkird Kingdom. In other words, it could be said that it was a village built within the territory of the Mesin Great Forest. The reason for this was that a small settlement that was originally a base camp for adventurers gradually grew in size. Due to its geographical characteristics of being located in a relatively high altitude area and being too close to the Mesin Great Forest, it was a small village that was frequently attacked by monsters and goblins, but Yurkin was thoroughly defended and maintained its existence thanks to the skilled adventurers who stayed there. Unlike other stronghold cities where you have to walk a long way from the entrance to the inside of the Great Forest, Yurkin, which is already inside the territory of the Great Forest, was also one of the popular factors among veteran adventurers because the distance to the inside of the Great Forest was relatively short. After all, a hunting environment with abundant prey was the best for skilled hunters. Anyway, due to such a background, the Yurkin Adventurers Guild had unique characteristics that were different from the Adventurers Guilds in other stronghold cities. And the most attractive of these characteristics was that the Yurkin Guild Seal was recognized as a symbol of skill anywhere in the east. Layla drifted from the Earldom of Taibon to Yurkin, the end of the east, not only for Mien’s research, but also because of this advantage. It had been four days since she had wandered the Great Forest, but it only took a day to return. Layla, who returned to Yurkin, greeted the soldier guarding the main gate lightly. “Paltzes, it’s been a while.” She couldn’t maintain the same outfit from the Great Forest, so she was currently wearing armor made of hardened leather like other ordinary adventurers. “It’s been a while, you’re alive?” The soldier, who was carrying a sword around his waist and a musket on his shoulder, looked happy to see Layla. “When have you ever seen me die? It’s always like this.” The soldier chuckled at her answer. No proof of identity was required to pass through the gate. As it was not a large village, the soldiers and knights in charge of Yurkin’s security preferred to identify the staying adventurers based on memory rather than documents. Moreover, even a fool would remember the face of the only female guard in Yurkin and an adventurer who received a silver plate in the shortest period of time. And even if it was a clumsy new soldier, it was not difficult to recognize Layla with just the description of her ebony-black hair, beautiful appearance, and the greatsword she was carrying on her back. Paltzes asked her, checking the musket he was holding in one hand. “Did you have any success?” “No, it was a waste. Well, I was stupid to believe in mimics and stuff.” “Huh, that’s really a shame.” Paltzes’ face looked sincerely regretful as he said that. Layla tilted her head at the vivid reaction. It was her who failed, so there was no reason for him to feel sorry. Paltzes, who had figured out her question, answered with a bitter smile. “I made a bet this time.” “The word ‘this time’ doesn’t suit you. You always make bets, don’t you?” Layla’s sarcastic words were not false. The act of betting, or gambling, in a small village gives people vitality – that was the common perception of Yurkin’s adventurers and knights. “This time is a little different. The subject was a mimic. Most people thought you would fail, no matter how good you are.” “And I failed. They were right.” Layla sighed and grumbled. And Paltzes received her sigh. “Then I lost 100 rads too.” “That’s a shame.” 100 rads was a bit too much for a casual bet. It would be quite a big loss for him as a private. Layla offered Paltzes a simple consolation. “Well, it’s okay.” “Oh, now that you mention it, are there still people betting on my death?” The content of the bets can sometimes be excessively cruel. However, Layla, as well as most of the other Yurkin adventurers, didn’t care much about such extreme content. “Well, I don’t know. As far as I know, I don’t think there have been any since after about twenty times.” The number twenty meant the number of times she had entered the Mesin Great Forest alone and returned safely. It was even more amazing than receiving a silver plate in the shortest period of time. Wandering alone for days in a land teeming with monsters without a watchman required tremendous courage and skill. Even veteran adventurers who had experienced all kinds of hardships were in awe of Layla’s terrifying survival skills. “What number is it now?” “Let’s see…. It’s probably the 37th time.” “….You were counting all of that?” Layla asked back in bewilderment when Paltzes answered seriously to her question. Then Paltzes smiled and answered playfully. “I have a good memory.” // After talking with Paltzes for a while, Layla entered Yurkin. She greeted the passing adventurers she knew briefly and moved towards the Adventurers Guild. The Yurkin Adventurers Guild, Untierjager, had a simple wooden building. The appearance of the guild, which looked more like a huge hut than a building, was just right to be called shabby compared to other stronghold cities.

-Creak.

When she opened the wooden door made of crude planks, the rusty hinges made an old sound. The man sitting at the counter raised his head and looked at her after hearing the unnecessarily loud sound of the hinges. He wasn’t old enough to be called an old man, but the traces of time could be seen in the wrinkles etched on his face. For adventurers with short lifespans, age is an indicator of skill, experience, and a bit of luck. In that respect, Dkan Sieger, the guild master of Untierjager, was qualified enough to run the Yurkin Adventurers Guild. “….You’re back.” “Aren’t you tired of saying that?” “No one ever comes back. No matter how bright the flame is, it will eventually fade.”

Lila sighed softly at Dekan’s words, which sounded like grasping at straws. Even if there was no malice intended, the words could sound like a blatant curse if one were to listen closely. However, Lila knew it was pointless to argue with a man whose flame had already died out, so she could only give the same answer as always. “I plan to burn long and steady, so don’t bother with useless worries.” “So be it.” Dekan nodded indifferently and took something out of his drawer. He opened the bundle of papers, examined it, and handed it to Lila. “Letters.” “Thank you.” Lila replied, looking inside the bundle of papers. Inside were three envelopes. Mien, Emily, and Lutricia. Lila checked the names on the letters and tried to recall her memories. Come to think of it, it was about time for Lutricia, who had entered Perrezanta in the capital around last year, to finish her semester and return. Perhaps the contents of the letter were related to that. ‘She often wrote letters saying she wanted to return as soon as possible.’ Living away from home is quite difficult. Of course, there are many who don’t feel that way, but if you grew up in a proper noble family like Lucy, it might be difficult to adapt to an unfamiliar environment. “…How did the trip go?” Lila, who was holding the bundle of letters and blankly recalling her memories, turned her head at the voice that suddenly rang in her ear. It was Dekan’s voice. Lila noticed the curiosity in his deep bass voice and shook her head with a bitter smile. “Failed miserably. Couldn’t even find a trace.” “It’s not the first time. I guess it was the same this time.” “Dekan, where did you bet?” “I didn’t. The odds were too low.” It was unnecessary to even ask which side had the lower odds. ———= Author’s Note ========= The H scene will be out soon.