After three days of aimless wandering, or so Kael felt, he and Lumino remained bound by the cursed red thread, a consequence of the accursed Orb's magic. Despite their efforts, they had found no answers. And even worse...
"Lumino, try this one. Just a bit."
Kael offered a wooden spoon filled with steaming soup.
"Hmm… I think it tastes perfect already," Lumino replied after sipping, eyes softening.
Kael smiled proudly.
Damn it.
...He getting way too comfortable. He clenched his jaw slightly.
No, we need to focus. We have to figure out something about this thread.
Lumino held out his bowl, eyes hopeful. "May I have seconds?"
Kael scooped more soup into the bowl. Lumino's eyes were shining as he watched, then his own welled up, and he took a bite, almost crying.
"It's… delicious. It's been so long since I had eaten something home-cooked."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "So what the hell have you been eating all this time?"
Lumino tilted his head. "I don't know… wild mushrooms, edible fruits, sometimes roots…"
Kael cringed. "I'm amazed you haven't poisoned yourself yet."
After the meal, Kael leaned back against a tree, rubbing his full stomach.
Three whole days… and nothing's tried to kill us. This is suspiciously peaceful. No sign of Shadow's either.
Since finding the river, they had built a temporary shelter nearby. But the cursed thread had complicated everything. They couldn't split up to search efficiently, and any attempt to wander even slightly apart ended with one of them being violently yanked back.
Having ventured too far while gathering firewood, Kael was abruptly pulled back. On another occasion, Lumino, captivated by a peculiar flower and oblivious to their boundary, wandered off and collided with Kael.
It's a nightmare. Kael sighed.
To make matters worse, his hunter system interface had started acting up. His access to information grids and communication with his world's Hunter Association was either delayed or blocked entirely. Not that he used it much… but still.
Fortunately, the inventory system still worked. He could still summon cookware and camping tools.
"No progress…" Kael groaned out loud.
"I agree," Lumino said calmly, arms folded. "But what kind of progress are you hoping for?"
Kael turned to him, then glanced at the sky.
"Progress about the Orb, of course."
Lumino made an "O" shape with his mouth, thoughtful. "What if we try heading north this time?"
Kael frowned, considering. They had already searched the west and south. East was where they came from.
North... made sense.
But…
"Judging from the topography, don't you think there's a cliff in that direction?" Kael asked skeptically.
Lumino lowered his gaze. "…You're right. So what do we do then?"
Kael stood, brushing off his pants. "No. Let's go. We'll follow your suggestion."
He placed a hand atop Lumino's head.
"Let's give it a shot."
Lumino gulped, unsure, but nodded. "Then… let's go."
*******************************************
"Damn it—!"
Kael ran, boots soaked in filth, coat long lost. Sweat dripped down his temples, dark hair whipping to the side as he darted through the thick mud.
"Damn it! I knew I shouldn't have agreed to this!"
"Kael," Lumino's voice cut in suddenly, appearing by his side, "what do you think that thing is?"
Kael winced. "No clue. And no time to figure it out. JUST RUN!"
He glanced behind—there it was. A massive creature barreling toward them in fury, stomping and shrieking.
"Run faster, Lumino! Why are you slowing down?!"
"We should fight it," Lumino said calmly.
Kael nearly tripped in disbelief.
"You insane bastard!"
But there was no choice now. Kael came to a stop, planting his feet beside Lumino.
"Don't move recklessly. You know we can't be too far apart."
Lumino crouched into a stance, his fingers glowing faintly.
Kael turned just slightly to yell again—
"This is your fault! You cursed woman—!"
A voice cut him off.
"Well, you're the one who agreed, didn't you?"
A short woman, over 150 cm, stepped forward from the fog. She wore a short white lab coat, a yellow button-up, and white shorts. Her eyes glowed gold.
"Quit blaming each other and focus," she snapped.
Kael cursed under his breath.
This situation is a direct consequence of saying yes to something without checking all the information first.
=====================
Three hours earlier.
"Just as I thought," Kael muttered, glaring over the edge of a steep ravine.
"The north path is nothing but a damn cliff."
Lumino leaned forward, peering down. "So what do we do? Climb down?"
Kael stared at him. "Are you serious?" He grabbed Lumino's collar. "Do you even know how deep this is?"
"Relax, Kael." Lumino nuzzled his hand down.
"Have you noticed something strange? It's unusually foggy here, but the temperature isn't that cold."
Kael frowned. He had noticed. "So?"
"I think we should try jumping."
Kael blinked. "Jumping? Are you insane?"
"You forget—I can teleport. I'll hold onto you. If we fall, I'll just teleport us back up."
…Hold on to me?
Kael coughed. "Ehem. Not a terrible idea, I guess."
Lumino wrapped his arms around Kael from behind.
"Ready? One… two… three!"
They jumped.
And… nothing.
Kael opened his eyes.
"Uh… we're not falling?"
They were still on solid ground.
Before them, the fog parted slightly, revealing a silhouette.
"There!" Lumino pointed. "A building!"
Kael squinted.
Sure enough, a moss-covered structure emerged from the mist, surrounded by thick, soupy mud.
"Let's check it out."
"C-Can you let go of me first?" Kael asked. Lumino suddenly realizing he was still holding Kael from behind.
Lumino scowled, cheeks tinged pink. "Y-yeah. Let's go."
They approached the building, feet sinking slightly in the mud.
"This muck is impossible to walk in," Kael grunted.
Lumino clutched Kael's discarded trench coat, eyes flicking around nervously.
"This place is… creepy."
Kael agreed silently.
Then the sound came—a low, guttural groan from their right.
They turned just in time to see hands reaching out of the swamp.
One, then two… then dozens.
Shambling mud-like creatures rose from the earth, their forms barely humanoid.
"Graowlll…"
"Aaaaa!!" Lumino shrieked, already bolting for the building ahead.
"You idiot! Don't run—"
But the monsters were too close.
"Damn it!" Kael dashed after him.
Lumino burst through the doors first.
Kael followed and slammed them shut behind him, chest heaving.
"You okay?" he asked, glancing over.
Lumino was pale, eyes wide, trembling.
"That… that was terrifying."
Kael rolled his eyes. "What happened to sticking together, huh?"
Lumino didn't answer. Instead, his gaze wandered across the room.
"Wait… isn't this place a library?" Kael blinked, following his line of sight.
Bookshelves stretched high above them, filled with ancient tomes and glowing scrolls.
"You're right," Lumino said, stepping toward a shelf. "And it's huge…"
Then, a voice echoed from above.
"Lost lambs… what gave you the courage to enter this place?"
Kael spun, sword at the ready. "WHO'S THERE?!"
A figure appeared above the shelves, peering down at them with glowing eyes.
"Welcome," the voice said. "…to my library."