Chapter 30
The two moons reach their apex in the sky, granting increased luminosity in the early hours of the day. I stealthily make my way out, lingering a little too long in front of Moe’s room.
There are so many things I wish I could tell her: the reason why I’m undertaking this dangerous mission, the fact that I’m one foot in the grave regardless and that should I survive, I might be cursed anyway.
But I cannot. I don’t think I could bear it if she looked at me differently. Even if our relationship never progresses to the level I dream of, her friendship is equally as important to me. And when I’m gone—if I’m gone—then I would like her to remember me fondly.
“Please don’t forget me,” I whisper, my hand hovering in the air over her door. “If I never come back… I hope you will remember me.”
I sigh and shake my head. The more I linger, the harder it will be for me to leave.
Wearing my thick coat, I swing my bag over my shoulder and head to the coach station. According to the instructions and the map I received, the journey to Horan Forest will take me some two to three days.
Horan Forest is at the bottom of the Gaigo Mountain, part of the Gaigo-ne Mountainous Region. Public transportation can only take me to the bottom of Perr Hill, a popular touristic attraction.
Gaigo Mountain is an eighteen-hour trek from Perr Hill, which means I will have to cross the hill then walk across a rugged and rocky canyon before reaching the edge of Horan Forest. That’s where the difficulty starts.
I must traverse a vast expanse of forest and reach the mid-point, which is marked by the red tree trunks of the rare feiyin tree. That’s the heart of the forest and the most dangerous part. The mythical beasts live a distance from there.
The first ride is via public coach, which takes me to the outskirts of Sattoriya. Public coaches, though a cheap means of transportation, are usually crowded and loud. Especially at this hour, since people tend to commute. I find a spot in the back, squeezing in between a few bodies.
Another reason why I need to buy a carriage. I would hate for Moe to have to withstand this, or be pressed against sweaty bodies. Just thinking of anyone accidentally touching her makes my blood boil.
Yes, she needs her own carriage; with plush, soft cushions and plenty of space to relax.
Perhaps I will have enough money to afford a flying horse.
Those are so much faster. To pass the time and to give myself some courage for what’s to come, I make a list of all the things I’ll buy for Moe once this is over.
Three hours later, I get off at my stop, a town called Invider which is right outside of Sattoriya.
It takes me a couple of tries to find the next coach stop to board my next carriage.
This time, the destination is the town of Jober and the journey takes four hours.
Luckily, I find a seat before the carriage gets overly full.
This is my first time traveling by myself outside of Sattoriya.
That thought alone makes me excited—as if I’m taking the reins of my destiny for the first time.
My eyes are glued to the window as I take in the changes in scenery—things I’ve never seen before.
Yet as much as I admire all the beautiful landscapes, I wish I had someone to share it with. Someone like…
Stop it, Nykander! I mentally chastise myself for not lasting even one moment without thinking of her. But with so much time alone with my own thoughts, I find it hard not to. Especially now that we’ll be apart for quite some time.
Jober is a small coastal town but it sees a lot of tourists all year round.
There is another locality one hour away called Oppiya that is a favorite place for the nobility who seeks to get away from the bustling capital.
It’s the main reason why Jober has become such a popular destination.
Oppiya is for the aristocracy. Following the trend, the plebes made their own destination.
Since it’s almost noon, I decide to grab a bite at a tavern before getting on my next leg of the journey.
The place is as busy as expected, but most people are at the bar and the gambling tables. There are quite a few empty tables in the back for dining. The server leads me to one of them and gives me the menu.
I try to focus on the printed text but it’s hard with all the commotion around.
People are laughing and yelling, some even sobbing over lost money.
Movement flashes at the edges of my eyes.
I catch a glimpse of a long black coat as someone takes a seat right behind me.
I half-turn to see a male with a thick woolen hat and a pair of tinted glasses.
He brings up the menu to his face, obscuring his features.
“Ready to order?” The server interrupts my scrutiny.
“The soup of the day please.”
More loud noises echo in the tavern, and soon a fight breaks out in the gambling area. I finish my food, pay and leave, not wanting to waste more time there.
My last journey by coach is also the longest one.
Ten hours of being packed inside a crowded vehicle with barely enough time to breathe.
If Jober was popular then this next destination is ten times more so.
Perr Hill is a popular resort and every family with means strives to come here at least once a year.
It has all sorts of attractions, and I learn all about it from the chatter I hear all around me: the fun shows, the ancient bath-houses reputed to have been visited by ancient Lord Supremes and the energy-filled pools.
The excitement is palpable, and I can’t help but imagine what it would be like to come here with Moe.
If I make it back, I must take her here.
She would greatly enjoy the historical attractions.
And if I’m successful in my mission, I will also have enough money to splurge on any holiday she may want.
I smile to myself. That’s something to look forward to—and one more reason to survive this ordeal.
I fall asleep for a few hours. When I wake up, we’re close to our destination. Stiff from sitting in the same position for hours but a little more refreshed, I plan my next steps.
My supplies are running low, and since I’m looking at an eighteen-hour trek, I need to replenish them. But how am I going to carry them and walk?
An idea suddenly comes to mind. What if I use the Utopiya token to briefly store the items in the proto-realm? Since the contract with the mysterious gentleman will not end until I finish my excursion, I might be able to use the proto-realm as storage.
To try that, I touch my token and I attempt to deposit a bottle of water inside the proto-realm. It doesn’t reject it. But the true test comes when I exit and return.
I hold my breath as I open the proto-realm.
It works!
The bottle is right where I left it!
This will make everything so much easier.
With no need to limit my space, I go to the nearest convenience store and stock up on water, food and some spare clothes.
I also buy medicine and bandages, light torches and matches.
For added comfort, I get a portable tent, a sleeping bag and extra blankets.
And so my long trek begins.
The weather in this region is cooler. I pull my coat tighter against my body. If it gets colder I will have to layer another sweater under my coat.
I walk for an hour. Then two. By the third, I already feel myself growing tired. The temptation to use a vial of Zantrax to increase my speed is ever growing. But I’m already on my last couple of vials and considering the danger I’m walking into, I need to keep them for later.
“Damn it,” I mutter to myself.
Stopping to catch my breath, I once more glimpse movement from the corner of my eye.
I turn suddenly.
There’s no one there.
Odd.
Remembering the male I caught following me and Moe the day before, I tense.
I’ve been sloppy.
With how crowded the carriages were and with how many people passed by me since I started this journey, I stupidly did not think to be vigilant. Anyone could have followed me and I was none the wiser.
Because you were too busy daydreaming about your future dates with Moe.
Fair enough. I did spend the entire time thinking about Moe.
“So damn stupid!” I ball my hands into fists.
No matter how much I’ll blame myself for being reckless, it won’t change the fact that I am potentially being followed.
So far, though, not only have they not revealed themselves but they have also not attacked me.
Just like the male from before. That makes me wonder what their purpose is. Surveillance? But why?
Is it someone sent by the gentleman from Utopiya or is it someone sent by my mother?
The only way to find out is to draw them out and force them to answer my questions. With nightfall only a few hours away, I can’t afford to fall asleep with a potential enemy lurking around.
But first… Let’s ensure they are indeed following me.
Taking out my map, I carefully analyze it for alternate paths. If they still follow me when I go off the beaten path, I will be sure they are not some random hiker.
In about an hour I should reach the top of Perr Hill. If I were to go up the marked road, the descent would be rather swift and easy. But if I take a different path, I will have to take a detour through a perilous forest. That will delay me by at least a few hours.
I sigh in annoyance, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. If I can get rid of my potential follower fast, then I won’t have to worry for the rest of the journey.
My plan made, I ditch the marked road and cut through the tall trees on the side. At first, I increase my speed, but as the terrain becomes rougher, I slow my stride.
From the corner of my eye I see the same movements as before. Flashes of material and the outline of a silhouette.