The 31st Piece Overturns the Game Board

After parting ways with the Frostmaw, Seol headed southeast, following the map.

Having gone through Yaksha and Hwigeltong's war, he found it hard to recall the last time he rested without having to worry.

'I've been overworking my body recently, haven't I?'

Although he gained a lot, continuing with such an intense pace would surely leave him drained. Having already gone through such an experience, he reminded himself of the importance of quality rest.

'I wonder how much farther do I need to go.'

Even assuming nothing went wrong, the journey to Khan would probably take him several months—assuming he moved as quickly as possible. If he continued at his current leisurely pace, it was impossible to predict how much longer it would take him.

'Hmm… It's been a while since I've traveled alone.'

It wasn't just a matter of perception.

Even when he was sent far away by the Barrier Stone’s explosion, he ended up encountering Yeva and Ishi.

He could see his reflection alongside the surrounding trees on the lake.

In truth, it wasn't necessary to pass through this sparsely populated forest filled with threats from wild animals and monsters.

There was a trade route that linked the Federation to Khan. Traveling alongside merchant caravans would have made for a reasonably safe journey.

But he had a clear reason for taking this alternate path.

'There's a place I need to stop by on the way..'

Explorer's Compass, which he inherited from Lian, pointed to a location between his destination and his current route. Since it indicated the presence of a piece’s unfulfilled desire, he needed to check it out.

'It might end up taking much longer than I expected…'

By now, his sense of urgency about reaching his destination had faded. He would have to head further south if he wanted news about Khan.

Since he was already late, there was no reason to rush or expend unnecessary effort.

Seol unfolded his map, scrutinized the terrain, and deliberated briefly.

'The shortest path is through the Boreal Forest and then past the Forest of the Slumbering… Should I just take another route?'

The Forest of the Slumbering

There were rumors about a dangerous secret hiding there, but Seol knew the truth and could gauge the risks. It wasn’t a place one should visit without a clear purpose.

'I should take the longer route. It isn't worth to deal with unnecessary conflict.'

After organizing his thoughts, he took a moment to enjoy the scenery. Tall, straight trees were blocking most of the sunlight. The lake remained perfectly still while the birds' cries carried a strange sense of discomfort.

"What a nice view."

- It absolutely isn't!

- Teacher! What kind of hellscapes have you gone through…?

- Compared to the times of Yaksha and Irizard… This does look like heaven…

- His standards of what's relaxing are too low.

Occasionally, he came across herbs and poisonous plants native to the Boreal Forest. Although it wasn't worth going out of his way to collect them, he saw no reason to ignore those scattered around.

- This one is edible.

- But it's blue?

- This one is edible, too.

- But it has dots.

- You just have to brush the dirt off and chew it for a long time.

The items he gathered served as food supplies. Although the opportunity to rest he longed for became another task, Seol enjoyed this moment of peace.

It was a moment when no words were necessary. Not needing to talk seemed to be enough to purify his mind.

'Should I settle here for now?'

Seol began preparing to camp in a spot where the trees were more sparsely spaced.

He spread an appropriate cloth on the ground, preventing insect bites, and planned to build a large fire, ensuring no wild animals would easily approach. However, he would most likely notice them and react before they could even get close.

Drip…

Having used a significant amount of drinking water during the Hwigeltong incident, his supply was starting to run low.

Gulp…

After taking a sip from the lake, Seol muttered.

"It seems fine."

After confirming it was safe, he refilled his supply of drinking water.

"Slurp…?"

He noticed a pack of wolves across the lake. They were all rather large, likely due to having eaten and rested well.

Seol smirked and waved at them.

The wolves spun around in place like dogs, then disappeared into the woods.

The sun had already set.

Fortunately, he already gathered enough firewood, so all that remained was to light the fire.

The Boreal Forest seemed to have a relaxing effect on people.

Even during the day, sunlight barely penetrated the dense canopy, and the pitch-black darkness swallowed one's vision at night.

Tss… Tss…

Fwoosh…

Seol skewered a fish he had caught barehanded earlier while refilling his water and placed it near the campfire. It was plump enough to satiate his hunger.

'Paring this with some of my stashed liquor would be perfect.'

Pop…

Crackle…

Just the sound of the campfire and the sight of the fish roasting brought him a sense of contentment.

Most people wouldn't find much to complain about even if they lived like this.

"Jamad."

Seemingly bored, Jamad emerged from the shadows and sat near the campfire.

Realizing this wasn't it, Seol skewered another fish and placed it by the fire.

It had been a while since he had camped alone.

The ticklish sense of nostalgia made him consider cooking something more elaborate than grilled fish.

"It's been a while since we've been through such a situation."

"Indeed. In the past, while dealing with minor tasks, this sort of thing was routine."

"Well, they seem minor now. Back then, they were huge."

"That's… true…"

Feeling bored, Seol poked at the firewood and said to Jamad.

"Jamad, did you guys also light fires in moments like this?"

"Are you talking about trolls?"

"Of course. Some Shamanic Spells require fire to activate. And we also hold it sacred."

"Fire?"

"Yes. We revere all elements of nature. We view ourselves as borrowing their power temporarily."

"Do you think the same way?"

"I don't think we need to hold them sacred. I just think I have to be grateful after using as much as I need. That's all."

"Hahaha… I think similarly."

With a cold expression, Seol added.

"Fire is vital for a traveler's rest. It's needed to cook food, fend off wild animals, and even detect danger ahead of time."

After handing over the first cooked fish to Jamad, Seol continued.

"But if it's too bright, it can backfire."

"Haha… I think I know what you mean."

"There are often those who are drawn by the light."

Seol said while looking through the darkness.

"Come out. Hiding is pointless."

Eyes were gleaming in the shadows.

Under normal circumstances, Seol might have used a gentler tone, but he wasn't inclined to welcome uninvited guests due to his hard-earned rest being interrupted.

Rustle…

A female figure emerged in the fire's reflection. She had wounds all over her body.

"Help me, human…"

Seol frowned upon looking at the being standing before him.

"A fairy?"

A fairy with long, elegant ears and captivating beauty stood before him, seeking aid.

- A fairy!

- You, who rolled in with the vines.

- The one missing cinematic touch has finally arrived.

- I'm fully immersed now.

Seol didn't stop the fairy from approaching the fire.

Instead, he handed her a cooked fish.

"Ah… Thank you. But the conversation comes first."

Seol found himself intrigued by the bold fairy, who was unshaken even in the presence of a massive troll.

"I'm currently being hunted. If they find me… everything… everything will fall apart."

"They? Everything?"

Seol caught a scent. It was a pungent, unmistakable stench.

As if confirming that stench, numerous choices popped up before him.

[[An unknown fairy has requested your help. However, offering her assistance is hard without knowing who she is or who is pursuing her. What would you like to ask her?]

1. What is your name?

2. How did you end up in the Boreal Forest?

3. Who is chasing you?

4. Why do you need help if you seem capable of handling this yourself?

…]

"What's your name?"

"I can't reveal it…"

She couldn't reveal her name.

'So she's someone relevant.'

In Pandea, revealing one’s name rarely led to trouble. But if her name held notoriety, the situation could drastically change.

'It's a shame… If I knew her name, I could at least narrow things down.'

For someone like Seol, who was practically a walking encyclopedia, a name was often enough to identify someone quickly. So he couldn't help but be disappointed.

[[You’re going to keep asking questions until your doubts are solved…]

1. If you don't tell me your name, I won't cooperate.

2. How long has the persecution been going on?

3. Who are you being chased by?

4. Why are you being chased?

…]

It seemed that options were going to keep appearing.

After furrowing his brows for a moment, he decided to take a different approach and ask everything at once.

"Fine, let's leave your name aside for now. If you've come all the way to the Boreal Forest, does that mean the pursuit has been going on for a while? Who is chasing you and why?"

"That's…"

The fairy's eyes circled nervously. It seemed that she was struggling to answer the barrage of questions.

"The pursuit has been going on for quite some time… As for why I'm here, it isn't because of any particular purpose. I just kept fleeing, looking for somewhere safe, and ended up here. As for who's chasing me and why… I can't tell you."

"Hmm…"

There wasn't much information he could get.

That's why he decided to ask once more.

[[You're going to keep asking questions until your doubts are solved…]

1. What kind of help are you expecting?

…]

Seol scratched his chin at the fairy's evasiveness and said, "I can't help you like this."

"Please! This… isn't something about helping me."

"What…?"

The fairy made a sorrowful expression.

"This might be about helping the world."

"Hmm… Even if you say that…"

At that moment, Seol's eyes fell upon the pendant hanging from the woman's neck. It was a necklace adorned with a large, crimson gem.

'That necklace… it feels like I've seen it before…'

[Intermediate Insight activates.]

[That is no ordinary necklace.]

Seol's memory tried to identify the necklace.

And he soon succeeded in doing so.

"The Crimson Prison…"

"…"

"That necklace. Isn't that the Crimson Prison?"

Whir…

The necklace started vibrating, confirming his suspicion—there was no doubt, it was indeed the Crimson Prison.

"How do you know that…?"

"I remember seeing something similar… Who's the one inside it?"

The Crimson Prison.

It absorbed a living being and trapped them within it. Those imprisoned inside exist as spiritual entities, able to express their will but with their biological time frozen.

While it sounded like something that could be used for malicious purposes, in practice, it was most often used for transporting something or someone precious.

For instance, in party situations, gravely injured comrades could be placed within it so that they could be taken to a High Priest for healing.

"I'm going to be honest… The being inside this necklace… is the one who sent me here."

"Hmm… To this place?"

Seol probed further.

"Did you come looking for us?

"Yes…"

Someone who had come looking for Seol's group.

Seol's heart pounded.

He had a feeling that this would be no ordinary situation.

Yet, despite the overwhelming sense of foreboding, he felt certain that he had to accept this mission, no matter what.

"What are the terms of this job…?"

"Freeing us from our pursuers."

"I can't stay with you forever."

"It only needs to be momentarily. After that, I have a way."

"The reward?"

"A Divine Relic."

"…"

Damn it.

Seol cursed under his breath.

Any Divine Relic had an unimaginable value.

He knew it better than anyone. After all, he still used the Mountain Fists he obtained during one of his early adventures.

Moreover, if it was a Divine Relic that was obtained at this stage, there was a chance he could use it until the very brink of his ascension.

"Haa… But I also have a condition."

"Say it."

"Once this mission is complete, could you tell me the whole truth?"

"That's…

Whir…

The necklace vibrated.

"I've been granted permission. Once this is over, you will learn the full truth."

"Thanks."

Seol stood up and snapped his finger.

Snap—!

Whoosh…

Swoosh…

Koko and Kukuru appeared, joyfully embracing the night air.

The two massive shadow wolves glared into the darkness.

Grr…

Grr…

The wolves from earlier, the ones he saw at the lakeshore before sunset, were now approaching them, foaming from their mouths.

Just a while ago, they seemed perfectly normal.

Something was clearly wrong. They had been normal wolves until a few moments ago.

"Well, I didn't expect this to be easy, anyway…"

Grrr…

"If we need to evade the pursuit, I guess we have no choice."

"Where are you planning to go?"

Seol glanced toward the darkness nestled deep within the Boreal Forest.

"The Forest of the Slumbering…"

[Sudden Adventure 'The Forest No One Seeks' is now active.]

[This adventure is extremely dangerous.]

…