episode_0038

‘As expected… this case is not Janes’ arbitrary kidnapping.’

Dincia’s expression became more serious as he was organizing step by step all the evidence and circumstances that had been discovered.

I wonder if I missed anything.

I wonder if I’m mistaken.. After checking it several times, I was able to narrow down the most likely possibility.

first. Someone kidnapped Da-hein by threatening her with the lives of Jane’s family. As evidence, as a result of searching the area around the mansion, we found black marks that someone had artificially dug up and buried. When we checked, we were able to confirm that the severed left hands that appeared to belong to her parents and brother were still buried there.

second. This incident began when Janes returned with a [portable hand warmer]. On the day when I reported to confirm the source of the [portable hand warmer] made by Dahuin… Janes’ expression clearly showed his loyalty to Dahuin. In fact, since it happened early in the morning that day, Janes would not have had time to check on his family’s fate.

third. The criminal would have needed Janes, who could cross the [security device], to kidnap Da-hein. That’s why he created this blind justification to use her.

fourth. If all of that comes to fruition, it is highly likely that Janes deliberately provoked the [Gobblet] group to create an opportunity for him to escape. Unlike the [Gobblet] group that usually uses mean-spirited tactics, they showed heterogeneous movements as if something had broken down, and they appeared in a frenzy that seemed to have no purpose whatsoever.

＇That appearance…it was as if the movement was being guided and manipulated by something.’

Even his pupils, which should have been yellow originally, were dyed purple, as if he was being controlled by something.

However, this is only a part of the most powerful guess… Since it was not completely certain, Dancia began to move while keeping all possibilities open based on the evidence gathered so far.

Knock.. Knock.. Knock!!

After delivering a letter detailing Da-hein’s personal information to Deacon Nam, Dincia begins to give orders.

“Stop by and contact nearby villages and all nearby kingdoms..”

Her expression looked more solemn than ever, and the weather was so close that it seemed difficult to even approach her.

“All right. Lord…”

Deacon Nam, who quietly received the letter at Dincia’s words, fixed the monocle he was wearing upward and quickly took action.

‘Just stay alive..’

＇I will definitely find this mother.. Dahyun-ah.＇

The small letter that left Dincia’s hands was quickly copied and delivered to different villages and kingdoms, and details began to spread about the existence of a man who knew how to use magic and his appearance, as well as his current missing condition. did.

It was clear why Dincia revealed Dahyin’s existence, which had been kept secret, to the outside world in this way.

It was a way to spread the fact that there was a mysterious entity targeting Da-Hin and at the same time expose Da-Hin’s current existence to the outside world to acquire information about their existence faster than anyone else.

Of course, it was clear that he would not be able to avoid the threats and attention from the village that would come due to this choice, but for Dincia, only Dahuin’s safety and life or death are important…

There was no room for her anymore.

***

‘I can’t see anything..’

‘We need to find a place to hide quickly..’

Only the shape of a large tree nearby appears blurry.

The snow clouds that looked like they were about to fall at any moment did not allow me even a single ray of moonlight.

Tdduk..

The sound of mysterious footsteps slowly approaching from a distance.

I was able to recognize that this sound coming from all directions in the pitch black was not the sound of human footsteps… but my animal feet.

After running like that for a while, I realized I couldn’t go any further, so I grabbed hold of the huge tree right in front of me and started climbing.

Hot!! Ujijik!!

‘I have to go up..’

I had never been criticized in my current life, much less in my previous life. But why? My body, which was usually heavy, had disappeared everywhere, and all my nerves were reacting to climbing the tree as if I could do it on my own.

Excited.. Excited..

I don’t know when it was wrapped, but my left hand was still in an armed state and was digging into the hollow as if squeezing a huge tree, and I was able to climb it with great ease.

Although I didn’t even realize it myself, I was just grateful that my arms worked like reflexes, and after climbing up the tree, I began to catch my breath for a moment.

“haha..”

I was embarrassed because I had never seen a night sky this dark before, so I just hid from something that was chasing me and began to look at the situation as if I was holding my breath.

The sound of tired breathing leaking through the gap began to bring out even more tension.

＇Now… aren’t you following me?＇

As expected, the first thing he felt was the magical power of an ominous monster that he felt somewhere.

Until now, I had to hold the magic stone close and observe it right in front of my nose to feel the magical power of the monster, but at some point I could sense it from afar. Not 100% sure yet. It just felt that way.

However, I was certain that it was not just one animal.

‘I guess I’ll have to stay here tonight…’

I take the water bottle out of my bag and take a gulp to soothe my rough throat.

Gulp.. Gulp..

‘If I stay like this and fall asleep… I might fall.’

After taking a moment to catch my breath, I stretched out the blanket I was wearing and tied it to the high branches and legs, securing them as tightly as possible to prevent them from falling. Actually, this was the best. There wasn’t enough blankets to wrap around the trunk of this huge tree.

＇As expected… are the guys following now… the monsters that made Janes like that?

To warm my shaking hands and feet, I took a [portable hand warmer] out of my pocket and squeezed it tightly. I calmly assessed the situation.

A dangerous situation where you never know when you might get bitten by a monster and die.

The harsh cold and dark environment that would tear your skin apart.

All of these things tried to make me weaker, but they were no longer a source of fear for me. Of course, until we confirm their existence.

Small clothes.. Small clothes.. Small clothes.. Small clothes..

As I was watching the situation with bated breath, I heard the sound of people coming from right below and soon made out their shapes, albeit vaguely.

‘Uh.. is that.? [Tululpo]??’

[Tululpo]

It has a size of about 2m, has no sight and follows its prey using smell and vibration of the ground.

They usually move in groups of 3 to 4, and hunt by keeping their prey at bay.

It has high intelligence and has a habit of following through to the end and taking revenge when an attempt is made to attack or harm its group.

Although I couldn’t see them clearly, I confirmed the existence of what seemed to be about 5 [Tululpo] through the {Check Information} ability. I immediately recognized that they were out of sight, and quickly took out the [Birch Fruit] I had in my bag and made it glow red. It started to radiate.

[Birch fruit], which boasted a considerable red color even in the cave, quickly spread around me.

And then I witnessed a shocking scene.

‘Mi.. crazy..’

I was worried that the sound might escape, so I quickly covered my mouth.

Hot!!

What about 5… A group of 8 [Tululpo] gradually narrowed down their surroundings as if they were smelling me, and soon after discovering traces of the scent ending, they began searching around the area under the tree.

After confirming the information about [Tululpo], which is active only in the evening and is sensitive to sounds, vibrations, and smells, I just held my breath and hoped that the group of [Tululpo] would leave.

***

Last night, when I was nervous with my eyes open, the dawn I had longed for came.

The group of [Tululpo] that had been circling around the tree I climbed suddenly began to disappear, and I quickly let out a sigh of relief after confirming that there was no one nearby.

“under….”

I couldn’t sleep even a wink.

I couldn’t even breathe comfortably.

The maddening pressure of survival began to surround me.

After a moment of silence filled with anxiety, I felt the {armed} left hand being gently brushed aside.

Even in this urgent situation, I felt miserable as I was busy running away.

‘What are you doing.. me.’

I bow my head for a moment and close my eyes against the overwhelming fatigue.

The {armor} covered in sharp titanium slime could easily break even hard stones.

It showed considerable sharpness, enough to dent even thick and dense trees.

I thought that if I used this {armoring} skill that I had learned so hard, I would be able to protect myself from the swarming monsters. But this was just my big mistake and delusion.

As an ordinary human being, let alone combat experience… I didn’t even have the knowledge of killing something, so not only did I not even dare to try it, I also didn’t even think about facing multiple monsters.

Moreover, it was only through the same experience that I could feel that it is difficult to stand up to a confrontation with something that takes a life, no matter what it is.

It was incomparable to [Slime]…

I was literally conceited, let my guard down, and my careless judgment was the worst failure.

***

As if I had fallen asleep like that, the sun began to rise in the sky. Moreover, snow, which had not fallen all night, began to fall like a storm from the sky.

I quickly shook off the snow that had accumulated on my clothes, untangled the blanket from my body, and carefully got down from the tree and looked around.

dump!!

What caught my eye at that moment was…

‘This… trace…’

It was none other than… Sharp claw marks were clearly visible all over the trees around me, as if [Tululpo] had attempted to climb them.

This allowed me to know.

From now on, if it isn’t a huge tree like this… I can’t escape from the threat of [Tululpo], and I’m not sure about this huge tree either.

‘Let’s move quickly…’