Haah… Raven is missing, and Carlos went out to look for him.
"Why didn't you wake me up earlier?"
"Haah, do you think we didn't try? We've been trying to wake you up for almost half an hour."
While Rian and Tala were exchanging blame, Carlos was wandering through the town streets, asking everyone he met about Raven. As he continued searching, he entered one of the shops. It was a clothing store, and there was a woman working there who seemed to be the owner. As soon as Carlos entered, she welcomed him warmly. It was a bit strange, but judging by Carlos's appearance and clothing, it was clear he was a traveler or an adventurer. So she hurried to greet him, hoping he would buy something. She grabbed his hand and dragged him toward her merchandise. As she kept explaining and promoting her goods enthusiastically, it was obvious Carlos had gotten himself into trouble with her, and every time he tried to interrupt, she would interrupt him instead.
"Haaavo… Looks like there's no escape from this mess…"
Since talking wasn't helping, a little roughness was required. Carlos pulled his hand away from the woman. A moment of silence followed as she stared at him while he tried to explain why he had come.
"Sorry, but I didn't come to buy clothes. I'm really sorry, I just have a question. Have you seen a boy almost my height, with slightly curly, somewhat long hair, gray with a slightly greenish tint? His clothes are also a bit ragged and kind of old?"
That was the precise description Carlos gave the shopkeeper.
"Hmmm, well… actually, yes. I've seen someone who matches that description."
The moment she said that, Carlos cut her off:
"Are you sure? Where did he go? And when was that? And where—"
Carlos bombarded her with questions one after another, his tone serious and slightly excited. This left the woman visibly confused.
"Haah, okay okay… I actually saw him heading south early in the morning. It was when I was opening the shop. I saw him heading toward the south."
"South? What would make him go there, I wonder? Looks like we've gotten ourselves into another problem…"
Carlos was extremely annoyed; it clearly showed on his face. But before leaving the shop, the shopkeeper stopped him.
"Hey, wait a moment. Hold on."
Carlos turned around to look at her.
"What is it?"
She said, "Since your friend headed south, there aren't any shops or anything like that on the southern side of town. So I think he may have headed toward the southern gate."
"What? The southern gate?"
"Yes, the gate beyond which lies the Black Forest."
"The Black Forest?"
"Yes, haven't you heard of it? It's a terrifying forest, and it's said that a dangerous monster lives there. Recently, all adventurers who entered it disappeared without a trace. Judging by your appearance, you must be an adventurer, and since that person is your companion, he must be one too, in a sense. I think your friend entered the Black Forest. Honestly, I don't recommend you go after him if you value your life."
"Haah… A Black Forest and a powerful monster?"
"Looks like we're stuck in something we really don't need right now…"
"Hah, alright. Thank you for this valuable information. And I'm also sorry for earlier, I acted rudely."
"Haha, no need to apologize. I was also wrong to cling to you like that."
"Alright then, goodbye."
Carlos left the shop, and it seemed he had gained some useful information. Now he had two options: either go into the forest alone, or return and inform the rest of the team.
Given the situation, the second option was the more reasonable one. Carlos immediately headed back toward the inn they had stayed in the previous night. Meanwhile, Rian was once again arguing with Till and Tala.
"Haah! Why do I have to just stay here and wait until Carlos returns? We should split up and search for him! That way we'll find him faster!"
That was Rian's perspective, which Tala considered a stupid idea.
"Impossible!"
That was Tala's answer. "There's no way we split up and search individually. Stay where you are until Carlos returns. If we follow your stupid plan, we'll end up searching for you too, not just Raven!"
While the argument continued, Carlos walked into the room and found them like that. He placed his hand on his face, hopelessly.
Seriously… when will this team ever get better?
"Carlos is back!"
"Hey Carlos! Did you find him?"
"No, no, wait a bit. I got some information, but we need to prepare first."
"Hah? Prepare? Why?! Let's just go search for him! I hate these stupid plans!"
Tala intervened to shut Rian up and told him to keep quiet.
"Let's listen to what Carlos has to say first."
Once Rian finally went silent, Carlos explained the situation to the team.
"So… you're saying Raven entered a dangerous forest full of powerful monsters? Awesome! I can smell an amazing adventure already!"
The moment Rian said that, Tala smacked him on the head.
"What's awesome about that, you idiot?! Didn't you hear? He said it's a dangerous forest with monsters in it!"
Tala couldn't really understand what Rian was feeling; she wasn't a fighter, and she had never been in a real battle before. Her survival instinct was very different from his.
But even though Tala was hesitant, entering that forest seemed inevitable.
She accepted reality and mentally prepared herself for the ordeal… but Carlos had a different opinion.
Carlos's idea was very clear: Tala and Till should return along the original route and head back to Arka, then wait. That would be the safest option. Meanwhile, Carlos and Rian would head toward the forest to search for Raven. The plan suited some of them and didn't suit others. Rian agreed and seemed quite open to it.
"Yeah, yeah. Carlos and I will go. So Tala, you should head back with Till."
Tala felt the same way Rian did; if this plan worked in her favor too, then returning with Till was definitely better than heading into an unknown and dangerous journey.
But Till had a different opinion. He protested against the decision, feeling that excluding him from the mission was completely unjustified. From the start, the team should travel together and return together. Splitting up was not something Till liked.
However, Till's opinion lacked any logical justification compared to Carlos's reasoning.
Carlos answered clearly: The main reason for this plan was two things. First, Tala — Carlos had no idea what this journey might lead to, so risking Tala's safety was unacceptable. And second… Till himself. Yes, Till was injured. Even though he had somewhat recovered and stabilized, there was no way they could risk dragging him into something like this in his current condition.
And so, the matter was settled. The team had no choice but to split into two groups: one that had to return early, and another that would enter the forest to search for Raven.
End of the chapter