Chapter 221 – Ronye (1)

-Giying!

A moving magic circle. A man and a woman emerged from the forest, glancing around, their heads swiveling from left to right.

“Lucky us.”

Tae-yang and Aori.

On rare occasions, they both would be transported to the same location by simultaneously using the magic circle. It was ideal for those who planned to work together from the very beginning.

Those who formed a team would typically gather for the first time on the third day.

However, Aori appeared rather uncomfortable as she glanced at Tae-yang and scrunched up her pretty face.

“It would’ve been better if I was with a handsome man…”
“What did you just say?”
“I don’t want to be with a guy who has a pathetic cock.”
“Fuck off. You must be loose.”

They glared at each other, their eyes filled with murderous intent, as a frosty battle of nerves ensued.

“Premature ejaculator.”
“Slut.”

After insulting each other’s sexual prowess, they scanned their surroundings with faces flushed with anger.

There was no boundary between them, for they had lived like family. Such was typically the case between the descendants of King Mokryeong and those who inherited half of his power.

“If it’s too difficult, perhaps we should act separately.”

“…Should we?”

Aori was taken aback by Tae-yang’s words. Pride wounded, he let out a warm breath.

But they couldn’t part ways, not when there was so much to accomplish.

“So, how shall we find this person?”

The reason they had come here was twofold: to seize the power of numerous tree spirits, but above all, to locate the one who had succeeded King Mokryeong. The king must be nearby, for their heightened sexual desires served as evidence.

Aori poked her cheek with a finger and feigned contemplation for a while.

“Ummm…”

Finally, she offered a solution.

“If we engage with everyone we encounter… won’t we eventually find the right one?”
“Oh.”

Tae-yang admired her insight. It was a clear and straightforward answer.

Aori sniffed the air as she circled the area once.

“And. It smells erotic.”
“What, what smell?”
“The masked man… The scent of that person who looked so enticing.”

Aori seductively licked her lips, as if savoring a delicious memory. Her red hair brushed against her tongue and got caught at the corners of her mouth.
Tae-yang chuckled inwardly.

‘What a crazy woman…’

A woman with a radar for desire.
Though she usually appeared expressionless and lost in thought, when she set her sights on a man, she could outdo even the most cunning of foxes.

Aori caressed her lower abdomen and pointed in one direction within the forest.

“North.”
“So, what are you going to do if you meet him?”

In response to Tae-yang’s probing question, Aori looked at him as if the answer was obvious.

“…Of course.”

Her slick tongue darted out from her parted lips.
Aori licked the side of her index finger with the pronounced ridge on her tongue. A trail of clear saliva stretched out long.

The tongue, reminiscent of a ripe, bright-red apple, retreated back into the mouth.

“I must catch and devour it. Mmm~”

Her protruding snaggletooth sparkled.

* * * * * * * * * *

This forest seemed to be the worst place for a mage.

-Whoosh!

A long blade of wind extended, only to dissipate midway. It was enough to slay several wolves, but it still didn’t feel satisfying.

‘The natural recovery of mana seems to be virtually non-existent.’

Magic doesn’t work well, and mana doesn’t recharge. In reality, it was accurate to assume that the mana upon entering the forest should be rationed for a week.

“Huff.”

While navigating through the branches and creating a path, I walked for a long time. I stopped along the way to wipe the sweat off my brow.

I must have walked for at least two hours, yet nothing comes into view.

I have no maps, no water, no food.

All I possess is a teleport scroll, prepared for emergencies. It’s an artifact that automatically activates when one surrenders or becomes incapacitated in battle.

Even I wouldn’t survive without drinking anything for a week. There was a need to establish a basis for living.

‘At least I can hear the sound of water.’

-Gurgle

The distant noise of the flowing river is my only solace.

‘I wonder if Sansuyu is managing well on her own.’

It would be nice if she didn’t struggle with Gukmok. She hasn’t forgotten about coming to see me, has she? No matter how slow-witted Sansuyu may appear, she never forgets her responsibilities.

She’s not unintelligent. Her written grades consistently rank among the top of the school. Sansuyu was even the one who prepared study materials for the forest keeper selection.

‘Three days.’

The time until the characters scattered throughout the forest locate their respective teams and settle in.
Until then, it is practically an individual contest.

I paused momentarily as I walked along the path.

-*Rustle*.

A silhouette ensnared by my magic detection.
As I neared the water source, a figure gradually came into view.

The small-framed silhouette continued to walk steadily forward. Noticing my presence, it quickly turned its head toward me.
Though the face and body were not visible, they could be sensed by their own magical powers.

A mage, perhaps?
Quite perceptive.

I steadied my breath and gathered magic into my staff.

-*Zizz*!

At that moment, I felt goosebumps on my skin.

From behind the tree where I hid, blue light flickered, and a forked lightning bolt hurtled toward me.

-*Whoosh*!

I swung the staff and deflected the spell.

-*Crash*!

To the left.

-*Kaboom*!

To the right.

I deflected the barrage of spells with my staff, standing still and swinging it from side to side, as if playing baseball.

The lightning bolts that grazed the staff sparked fires as they ricocheted nearby. Burnt grass transformed into ashes and fluttered about the vicinity.

‘This isn’t an ordinary mage, is it?’

As the magic subsided, I leaped up and climbed a tree. My body felt much lighter when I enveloped it in mana.

-Zzzzap!

Dodging lightning bolts flying through the air, I finally caught sight of my opponent.

A petite woman’s silhouette, wearing a large brown witch’s hat. As soon as she saw me, she extended her staff and conjured lightning.

-Sssssizzle!

Twisting my head to evade the incoming lightning, I lost my balance.

Teetering, my body seemed ready to plummet downward. I reached down and grasped the tree branch I was standing on.

-Whirl.

Just like that, I spun around the tree.

After assuming my stance, I launched myself towards the tree ahead of me. The battle-ready body allows for calm and flexible responses in any situation.

The dazzling yet restrained movements, perfectly suited to the situation, sometimes resemble the dance of a performer.

– *Whirik!*

Twisting in midair, I stepped on the trunk of the tree. Propelling myself off the trunk, I flew like a bullet through the gap of two trees growing between the woman and me.

– *Zizzz!*

The woman, who had read my trajectory, cast her magic spell.

I hooked the staff I was holding onto a tree branch, ceased my flight, and climbed up the middle tree.

“…What?”

The stray lightning bolt futilely stretched towards an empty space. The astonished woman’s voice reached me through the translator.

[*Giiing-*]

Three airborne cameras captured the scene. The number was no joke.

Her blue hair shimmered, even amidst the heavy dungeon air.

The small national emblem on her shoulder belonged to France.
I hoisted the staff as if it were a blunt weapon.

‘An unusually large number of cameras, blue hair.’

So, the opponent must be a national titleholder.

It seems they’re trying to conserve as much magical power as possible. Right now, that’s going to be a headache.

-Zzzzzt!

Lightning splitting into four branches, aiming for vital points. Skillfully stepping on trees, branches, and platforms raised midair, I twisted the trajectory of my movements.

Midway, I mixed in a few wind cutters to hold her at bay, causing the woman’s face to show irritation.

-Hwoom!

The distance between us was now less than a few meters.

“…Tsk!”

Left with no choice, the woman gathered magical power into her staff. This time, red lightning emanated from within.

Lightning clusters filling the field of vision like a scattergun.
With the dazzling surge of magical power, I raised my staff high.

Grasping the tail end of the staff with both hands, I swung it with all my might.

– Quaang!

A heavy, satisfying sensation. This time, it’s a home run.

Lightning slid along the surface of the staff, converging at a single point. Crackling and buzzing, the sound was like thousands of flies flapping their wings right next to my eardrums. My muscles strained and creaked. As long as I don’t remove the status window, my body remains at grade A. Nonetheless, I put strength into both hands holding the staff and unleashed the magic.

– Kwajijijik!

The rebounding magic carved a massive hole in the tree beside me. The woman’s face was a mix of shock and embarrassment. Without hesitating, I brought the staff down onto her head.

With all my might.

– Bang!

A barrier formed.

“Hib.”

Startled, a hiccup escaped from her mouth. A faint crack appeared at one point on the barrier that had been struck.

“Wait—”

I was about to strike the staff down like a hammer again, but paused mid-swing at the woman’s words.

“Negotiation. Let’s negotiate. At this rate, I have no choice but to use all my power. You don’t want to waste your magic either, do you?”

An urgent proposal from the woman.

“…Is that what the one who attacked first should say?”

The woman’s lips twisted as she heard my words through the translator.

“I didn’t know you would be so strong. Fine. I’m sorry.”
“What negotiation?”
“You know it. The atmosphere here right now. It’s the worst environment for a sorcerer.”

The woman shrugged her shoulders, sweating profusely.

‘The national tree of France…’

Heart-shaped horse chestnut.

Negotiation, indeed.
Well, the opponent is a national tree. It was evident that it would be troublesome if this person tried to eliminate me without even considering enduring for a week.

She glanced at the surrounding cameras and continued. The conversation wouldn’t be broadcast anyway.

“If I bring you down now, I could definitely secure the value of my name.”
“Do you honestly think you can defeat me?”

“There’s nothing I can’t do.”

She clenched the staff in her hand, her veins bulging on her flexed forearms. The woman’s mouth twisted into a bitter grimace.

“We fought while helping each other, and we won. Imagine the outcome if we fought with our full strength.”
“You’re tough…you.”

Her voice, quite captivating through the translator, sounded like a young cousin speaking French.

Conversing in French would probably be more enjoyable.

“Don’t you have more to lose?”

I asked, and she swallowed hard.

“What do you want?”
“Teaming.”
“Ah, hold on. That’s difficult, you know? I’d welcome someone with your skills, but the numbers don’t work.”
“That’s not it. I’m talking about a nonaggression pact.”

If we based our team on three members, not being targeted by the three nationalities would be enough of an advantage. Marronnier seemed to think that was acceptable, nodding her head in agreement.

“Alright. Who’s on your team?”

“Yellow hair. Mention the Cornus family, and they’ll know who you mean.”
“…Ah, that one.”

Marronnier nodded her head. As she carried on the conversation, she stealthily reached her hand behind her back.

Her movements were so professional and skillful that they were nearly imperceptible. A high concentration of mana was gathering in her hand. Reversing the process would be difficult. I collected my staff and spoke to her.

“Alright, I understand.”

Upon hearing my words, Marronnier’s face softened, and she released the barrier. Her relieved expression was endearing, like that of an expensive, antique-looking cat with a plump frame and a timid nature. A French native cat, the Chartreux – that was the exact feeling.

“You won’t break your promise, will you?”
“No, no.”

However, her interior was incredibly cunning.

As I tried to turn my back, I suddenly accelerated and brought the staff down.

“Hyaaak!”

Right next to her face. Above her shoulder. A spot that barely grazed her cheek.

– Kwaang!

The trunk of the tree before us is violently torn apart. The staff, wielded with such force that it resembled a morning star, prompted Marronnier to release it and collapse onto his backside.

“Hic-”

As the magical hat falls, a flawless face is revealed.

“Why, why…?”

A look of confusion. The tone of speech has changed.

“You were gathering magical power.”

At the cold question, she cried out as if wronged.

“Just in case… I was collecting it.”

Did she misstep? Yet in that single action, I sensed a threat. If trust was her intention from the beginning, she shouldn’t have acted that way.

“I’m memorizing attack spells very discreetly. Should I just let it slide?”
“Ah, alright…”

We might not know if we were to meet outside, but here, status is irrelevant. Surely, humans as influential as national figures wouldn’t harbor personal feelings.

‘Well, if she claims ignorance, that’s the end of it.’

Even if one harbors resentment, this is a contest to select forest keepers, and we haven’t even exchanged names yet. In other words, it’s not bound by social status. I’m not sure what people around the world watching this might think, but overall, there’s an atmosphere of accepting whatever unfolds.

As long as it doesn’t go against morality, the raw thrill of combat can be enjoyable.

I gripped the staff, wielded as a blunt weapon, correctly. Marronnier continued to hiccup and shiver. It seems my strike was truly invisible.

I gazed intently at the seated Marronnier.

A skilled archer… a valuable asset when engaging from a distance. After all, it was about time to conquer the dungeon within the forest.

“Get up.”
“…Why, why?”

Perhaps I should take advantage of this.

A grin crossed my face.

“Let’s travel together for a while.”