"Here you go." Samuel handed me a large bag.

I hefted it and slung it over my shoulder.

Seeing that, the Pathfinder blinked and said, "I-Isn't it heavy?"

"Mm?" I glanced at the bag and said, "Not really. I've carried heavier things before."

Like that suit of metal plates back in the Neutral Zone.

"Hoh... As expected of someone Alex recommended."

It was the South gate where I entered Haramark. Apparently, the so called "Master Ian" hadn't arrived yet and we were waiting on him.

Since there was time, I took a look around.

There were two carriages, one with members of Carpe Diem and the other with Samuel's team.

Everyone was combat ready and wearing equipment.

The only exception was me, who was wearing just a plain black shirt and cargo pants. In fact, I was the odd one out, the only part showing that I was a warrior being the two swords I had at my sides, my emerald mana sword and my repaired Retractable Blade.

Well, that and the two bags under my left arm.

Since there was nothing better to do, I tuned everyone out, focusing on refining my energy and thinking about future plans.

What could I remember about the future? Honestly... not much more.

The details were escaping me now. Whether that was a result of Jihu's memories taking precedence, Fate intervening, or what else, all I could remember were key people, names, and events. But even those were vague, blurring by the moment.

I had the feeling that I could pick things out with my Insight skill, but relying on that too much... The skill itself told me, right? That the gods could sense it.

I hadn't used it too much since the tutorial after that message, but the moment I did, I had the feeling that things would hit the fan and quick. 

I didn't remember much, but I remembered that 'causality' was a thing here. And considering the nature of my ability, I was pretty damned sure that using it to scry future information would definitely break causality.

So then I just needed to bide my time.

The prerequisites to defeating the Parasite Queen were to embark on a unique path and break past mortal limits.

As for how to do that...

"Hey!" Chohong's voice called out to me. "Let's go."

With just that as a warning, I was dragged away. Blinking, the last thing I saw was a man with a bright smile and salt and pepper hair waving at me.

xxx

The inside of the carriage with Carpe Diem. The air was a bit awkward, but that was to be expected after what happened.

For a while, there was just silence. Dylan had gone on top, saying he wanted fresh air, while Hugo and Chohong looked like they didn't know how to bring up a conversation they wanted to talk about.

Eventually, Chohong broke the silence. "Your name is Seol, right?"

"Mm?" I looked up from my sword and nodded. "That's right. And you're Miss Chohong, right?"

She nodded, though she flushed red with embarrassment. Coughing, she looked at my sword and said, "That's a pretty nice weapon. Where'd you get it?"

Hugo let out a dirty laugh and said, "Wow, Chohong checking out a guy's sword. I never thought I'd see the- Kuh!"

Chohong slammed a fist into Hugo's gut and sat back down. "Shut up, idiot."

I smiled at that and shook my head. Afterwards, I looked at Chohong and said, "I made it."

"Huh?" Hugo quickly recovered from his injury and said, "Wait. You made that sword, Seol?"

"Mm... It's a bit complicated how it happened, but yeah. I needed a weapon in one of the missions back at the Neutral Zone and through certain events, I ended up with this during the course of that fight."

Chohong frowned. "What's it made of? I can sense... a lot of power coming from it? But it doesn't seem to be mana or any metal I know."

"Mm. Like I said, it's complicated." I put the sword back after storing some more elemental mana and said, "I guess you could say its power grows in proportion to mine?"

"A growing weapon?" Chohong's eyes were wide. "Something like that..."

Hugo was uncharacteristically solemn and said, "Seol. If that's true, you shouldn't be spouting that to people around."

"It's fine. The only person that can use it is me anyway... Ah. Want to try?" I sheathed the sword and handed the blade over to him.

"Can I?" His eyes looked excited and he reached out- Only to frown. "Huh?" He grabbed the blade, but his hand went through it. "What the...?"

Chohong's eyes grew wide and she said, "Can I take a look?"

"Sure." I handed it over to her as well.

Like Hugo, her hands slipped through it, like trying to catch a mirage. But then she frowned in thought and reached out with light around her hands. Mana. But the moment she did-

"Ouch!"

-A small spark zapped her hand. No, it went from her hand to the blade.

"Ah." I pulled the sword back and frowned. "Sorry about that. I honestly forgot that it drains mana..."

I was constantly feeding the sword energy and it already drank the nuclear bomb I set off in the impossible mission, so it seemed my sword had gotten a bit aggressive about draining energy.

"Drains mana?" Chohong blinked and then shook her head. "You... You're really something else, aren't you?"

I shrugged.

Seeing her act like that, I decided to change the subject. "What's your class, by the way, Miss Chohong?"

The woman shuddered and said, "Before that, could you stop?"

"Hm?"

She shook her head and said, "Chohong, Fucking Chohong... Hell, even damned bitch is fine. Just don't call me Miss Chohong, alright? You're creeping me out, you know?!"

I paused.

...I guess it would be pretty disturbing to be addressed so politely by the guy who pulled a sword on you.

"Alright Chohong. I'll remember that."

Chohong let out a sigh of relief. "Right. My class? It's 'Divine Champion...'"

xxx

After reaching the borders following two and a half days of travel, our group set out in formation, making our way towards a place called Napal Hill. Past that, we'd be at the Forest of Denial.

There were a total of 11 people in this expedition. Excluding me and the other original resident porters, the combat force totaled eight.

Samuel and Grace in the front. In the middle, me and the two other porters, Alex, and Ian. Chohong on the left, Clara on the right. And then at our backs, Dylan and Hugo.

Fairly defensible. Keeping the equipment in the middle, combat forces on the perimeter. Assuming our supposed defenselessness, it made sense too.

A bit annoying, but it let me ponder, so I didn't mind.

"Now that I think about it, first time seeing you around these parts."

A smooth voice called out to me from the side. Ian, the man with peppered hair and a white beard, stared at me.

I nodded. "It hasn't been long since I arrived at Haramark, actually."

"I see." He nodded and said, "So you came to the city to get some first-hand experience?"

"That's correct."

"Do you have any prior experience as a porter?"

I shook my head. "I've only just left the Neutral Zone, so this is my first 'real' mission, you could say."

"Hm?" Ian stared at me and said, "You say this will be your first time?"

"Yes...?"

"And you just came out from the Neutral Zone, yet you're already participating in such a dangerous expedition..." He stared at me as if completely surprised. Then, he walked over to me and leaned in to whisper. "My friend, well..."

I frowned, wondering what he was doing.

"...By any chance..." He spoke in a soft voice and looked at me with a serious expression. After studying me for a while longer, he opened his mouth and said, "Do you like titties?"

I blinked. "What?"

Ian grinned and said, "I really like them. That soft feeling when you're fondling them, the sensation when you're rubbing your face against them... it's totally the greatest thing in the whole world. Don't you agree?"

It wasn't like I didn't... But saying that so boldly was a little-

"Seol? Let's switch out positions for a bit." Chohong grabbed her mace and started moving over.

Ian leaned back and held up his hands. "Fine, fine. It seems I stepped a bit too far."

"Hmph." Chohong glared at Ian and then said, "Leave the kid be. Can't you see he's studying our formation?"

I really wasn't, but since it was an easy excuse, I let her go on with it.

"Oh? Right, this friend is new... Well." Ian patted his chest and said, "We've got plenty of time. Why don't you ask me your questions and I'll see if I can't answer them."

"Mm... In that case, you're an Alchemist, right?"

"I am indeed." Ian nodded and said, "Why? Were you perhaps interested in departing on the mystical ventures later in life?"

"I was just wondering what the difference was between that and an ordinary magician. Do you actually make potions and stuff?"

"Hm. While that is true, I also do dabble in magical research. That's why I'm here in this group, after all."

Ah, right. That was the case- Wait.

"You dabble in magical research?"

"Oh?" He smiled and said, "Piqued your interest, have you?"

I nodded. "That's right. I was always wondering... How does magic work? From what a friend told me, she does it by shaping her thoughts with words and casting a spell, but does it have to be that way? Wouldn't it be enough to use an image as a focus?"

Ian's accommodating smile turned into a genuine interested one. "Hoh? That's quite some keen insight." The Alchemist nodded and said, "That is indeed possible. Some higher leveled magicians even do just that. However, that poses a problem. Can you guess why, my friend?"

"Mm. I suppose it'd be hard to maintain the image in the heat of combat."

"Right in one." Ian nodded. "Since this world is inherently one of conflict, most magicians trend away from using such a method. Theoretically, it would be the most diverse and versatile, but possessing a potent enough image as well as understanding is difficult."

"Wouldn't it be feasible to do so with memorization then? To use a spell enough times so as to ingrain it like a muscle memory to use it on reflex?"

"Hoh?" Ian's eyes grew brighter. "Indeed it can. Such a system is called 'Memorize'. With it, a caster can store certain spells up to a limit and cast them in an instant. Of course, humans can only have so much capacity in their existence, so such a thing is still restrictive... But I'm surprised." He looked at me and said, "You don't appear to be a magician... Yet you have such keen insight."

I shrugged and said, "It's interesting. You can only do so much with swinging a sword around, you know?"

"Oh I beg to differ." Ian smiled and said, "That might be the case on Earth, but in this world swords aren't limited to just being 'swung around'. In fact, as you rise to higher levels, you will gain abilities that go beyond what normally might occur with a sword." He paused and said, "Tell me, friend- Ah, your name was Seol, was it not?"

"That's right, but you can call me Jihu. And you're Ian, right?"

He nodded. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance. And as to my previous point... Ah, well I suppose we can continue this at another time." He glanced at the distance and said, "I suppose there's something more important at hand. Since you're new... How much do you know about the Forest of Denial? Nothing?"

I nodded.

"I thought as much. Then allow me to fill the context of what dangers may occur. You see, the Forest of Denial is pretty simple. True to its name, any intelligent lifeform entering the forest suddenly starts to violently deny something's existence. But no one can predict what will end up being denied."

As we marched on, Ian started talking about various topics, giving me helpful information.

Eventually, we reached the edge of the forest. And just then, an ambush occurred.

Obviously, the more experienced members went out to fight, taking care of the monsters. Cave Ettins, two headed monsters that looked a bit like goblins.

As I watched them all and gauged their level, Ian called out to me.

"So?" He looked at me and said, "How was it?"

"Hm? What?"

He gave me a bright smile and said, "Your first impression, having witnessed the battle of an expedition team."

I glanced back at how they smoothly coordinated, jumping together to fill each other's weaknesses and...

"...Not bad. I think my friends back from the Neutral Zone and I could do better though."

Ian laughed and clapped my back. "You dream big, eh my friend?"

I smiled back, passing it off as a joke. But on the inside...

'I could do better.'

...I seriously believed it.

xxx

"The Forest of Denial." Standing at the front of the group, Samuel pointed out from the hill's summit to the other side.

It was a dense forest with beautiful scenery. A canopy rich with shades of green sparkling like an emerald sea. Stretching out as far as the horizon, it almost looked like it would go on forever.

Our expedition came to a stop just short of the hill's end. Right in front of the Forest of Denial.

After setting things up, and me unloading the supplies, Ian dragged me over while he set up the countermeasure for the Forest of Denial.

"What do you think, my friend?" He stirred a vial of magical concoction and said, "That's my theory of what's going on here."

I nodded and said, "It sound accurate." I glanced at the forest and said, "Although I'd wager that rather than a spell that operates from infecting the person's mental state, I'm wondering if it might be similar to EMF fields like on Earth. A sort of radiation that causes resonance with a person's natural mana to disturb it and then slips into the gaps."

Ian paused and said, "That... Hm." He pulled out a book from his cloak and said, "It seems possible... Mana does share some tendencies with energy waves. But if that was the case... Hm." He looked at me and said, "What do you think about casting a self-suggestive magic ahead of time and using that as a countermeasure?"

I shook my head. "I doubt it. If your research is correct, this place is dense in mana from that ancient spell, right? That means that any sort of suggestion like that would be eroded by the powerful spell. It'd be a mana contest after that between the caster and the spell. And considering there's probably a powerful magical focus-"

"That's a dead end. Mm... Well then, my friend. What do you suggest?"

I paused and said, "Is there something like a mana suppressant? I doubt that a spell of such a large caliber is active. It probably works by piggybacking off of a person's natural mana and using that to power. Like etching the pattern inside a person and making them cast it themselves? If that makes sense. If mana was suppressed or locked, would it be fine then?"

Ian nodded. "Possibly. But then that would restrict our ability to fight. And while the Forest of Denial does indeed affect all living creatures, that does not mean it is safe."

"True... Hm?"

I blinked, realizing that the others were staring at me. "What?"

Ian laughed.

xxx

A quiet expedition. The misty forest and silence, broken only by footsteps.

We were making our way deep inside. In the end, Ian came up with a potion that suppressed emotions and kept the mind stable, allowing protection from the spell by locking it in place, like I suggested.

However, it would be pointless the moment that someone lost their composure.

As a countermeasure, Ian also devised a spell that would forcibly reset a person's mental state as a result from our discussion. But that was risky, so he would rather not use it.

Thankfully, it seemed like that wouldn't be a problem.

Although there was a bit of a shock with finding the body of a Level 5 person, it calmed down and we kept advancing.

But-

"Wait." Dylan came to a stop and looked at Samuel.

-As always, silence preceded a storm.

"Samuel. Come over here to confirm-" Before he finished, a loud thud hit the ground.

Everyone froze, slowly turning to look at the source.

A giant creature slowly rising. Wild, lion-like manes. A height exceeding three meters with light-earth colored fur. Full, muscled body and gleaming yellow eyes, standing on its hind legs like a minotaur would.

Ian was the first to react. "Lioners. It seems our luck today isn't good."

Samuel laughed and slowly drew his bow. "That is quite the understatement, Master Ian."

An ominous pressure, predatory intent to kill everything in front of its eyes. That was what the so called 'Lioner' let out.

On instinct, everyone drew their weapons.

I lightly rested my hand on my hilt, eyes flitting to the surroundings.

Everyone was dyed crimson. The sign of imminent demise.

Then... Should I act?

Dylan raised his crossbow and said, "It's just one, right? We can... probably handle it."

Ian raised his staff, eyes scanning. "Were that the case, Dylan. Unfortunately, Lioners seldom travel in solitude. In fact..."

A low growl. With it, the trees rustled and other Lioners emerged, revealing themselves one by one. Three on the left, four on the right. All of them wielded weapons, slowly edging towards our group.

Hugo cursed. "Fuck me. Nine Lioners, huh... Just what the hell is wrong with this goddamned forest?" Even saying that, he picked up his axe and raised it.

Dylan stepped forward and said, "I'll take the one in front. Hugo, Clara, take the left. Samuel and Grace, the right. We need to hold on until Master Ian is done with his spell."

Speaking of Ian, the alchemist was knelt on the ground with an unfurled scroll, pouring various ingredients onto the paper.

The group scattered, dealing with the designated monsters.

I frowned, carefully observing them.

"Hmph." Chohong moved near me and said, "Don't be scared and stick close to me. This Noona will definitely protect you."

"Heh." I stared at her and nodded. "I'm holding you to that. If it turns out to be the other way around, I won't let you live it down."

Chohong grinned and said, "If you wind up saving me, I'll even call you Oppa. Happy?"

I shook my head and stayed vigilant.

It was a situation where acting recklessly would mean someone's death.

Even as strong as I was, I wasn't familiar enough with the others to fight alongside them.

A frantic situation. Grace almost dying to a Lioner after her equipment shattered. Alex burning up a crucifix to save her and Hugo.

The Lioner leader taking solid hits from three people but tanking it all.

Troublesome. Really troublesome.

"Heh." Ian smirked and stood up. "Don't worry, my friend. Those monsters are done for now. Ark Ce Acedia!"

Ian raised his staff and shouted out. With it, ice crystallized in the air, launching out towards the Lioners. Two died instantly, and the last one, the leader, was heavily wounded.

But that wasn't the end. Although the ice spears pierced through, it became like a poison, dissolving into the Lioner's body and infecting it with blue ice creep.

Soon, it was brought low like the others.

"Don't give them a chance!" Dylan shouted and said, "Kill them all!"

And with that act, the crimson on each of the expedition members turned orange.

I sighed. It looked like I wouldn't have to step in at-

Hm?

The canopy turned yellow. The moment it did, the colors around everyone turned a bloody crimson, almost black.

The Lioner leader grinned, looking at Dylan. As it did, low rumbling echoed from its throat. Laughter. At the same time, it looked at something behind me.

My eyes widened and I drew my blade. Without hesitation, I shouted, "Above you!"

Everyone froze. Despair filled Ian's gaze. Alex turned to look and paled, his eyes wide. And Dylan, while he moved to reload and change target, it was clearly too late.

Then...

A giant axe chopped through the air, moving to cleave Dylan in half.

Screams slowly echoed through the forest, like a movie stuck on 1/4 speed.

And I...

*ba dump*

...Energy coursed through my body. Emerald light scattered through the dark forest. And then-

The sound of clashing steel echoed through the forest.

"Seol!"

Alex's shocked voice.

I ignored it, staring at the Lioner.

[Female Lioner]
The strongest in a pride of Lioners.
Sly. Waits in ambush to strike at a critical moment.
Stronger than most Level 4s. Can handle a Level 5.

"That... strong, huh?"

I strained, holding back the Lioner's axe.

It was ridiculous. Despite my stats, I was at a stand still. Was this the difference between mass?

Although I should have possessed stats rivalling a Level 5 or 6 warrior, I was still being stalled by this damned monster.

"You bastard...!" I roused my killing intent, glaring at the monster.

It tensed, eyes widening. Almost immediately, it leapt back, scattering in fear.

"Huh?"

I heard someone's voice call out in surprise, but I couldn't recognize who.

Instead, I stared at the enemy in front of me.

It was still yellow. That meant attention required. Something I could handle, but a potential danger.

Then. To get rid of it-

I whipped my sword through the air.

The Lioner glanced back, it's eyes wide. Seeing my sword, it moved to dodge.

But that was what I planned.

As it did that, I drew my Retractable blade and stepped forward.

Was it because of the darkened surroundings?

Holding my blade in my right hand and moving among the leaves, I felt a strange sense of calm. A serenity like an unmoving pond- A glassy mirror.

Within that, I saw a faint line. A bright light.

Without hesitation, I swung my blade.

Sparkling light. And then the sound of shattering glass.

My trusty weapon from the Tutorial shattered and dissolved into dust, finally destroyed from my strengths.

But it didn't go without a fight.

While I couldn't cleave the Lioner in half, the attack bit deep into its side. At the same time, my mana sword pinned the Lioner's arm to a tree, causing it to stumble.

The moment it did...

Lightning streaks, crackling through the air. A dozen flurried arrows following it.

"Good job! Great job!" Dylan ran past me and grinned before charging at the remaining Lioners.

Samuel walked over to me and slapped my shoulder. "Awesome, man! Hahahaha!" With that, he ran off.

Everyone else was in high spirits, cheering at me or running after the stray Lioners.

As for me...

"...Fuck."

I gazed down at my hands, narrowing my eyes at thin cracks that only I could see.

An unexpected side effect. Was it because of the imbalance between my energy and my physical body? Or because it was still unstable from the Impossible mission? Blood leaked from my arms, dripping onto the ground.

Still, I ignored them and held out my right hand.

My mana sword, pinning the Lioner's now corpse, flew back into my hand.

Almost immediately, the pain in my body began to fade as the sword drew out the excess energy coursing through my veins. At the same time, my body began to heal, the fractures and torn tissue mending.

Ian walked over to me and said, "Great job, my friend- Eh?" He noticed my blood covered hands and his eyes widened. "Are you alright?!"

I dug around in my bag and pulled out a potion. "I'm fine. Just a flesh wound." Without hesitation, I dumped them on my arms.

Ian frowned. "That doesn't look like a mere flesh wound to me. Are you truly-?"

"I'm fine. Honest." After rubbing my arms a bit, I held them up, showing unblemished skin. "See?"

"Mm..." Ian gave me a deep look. "If you say so."