Chapter 4: The Overgrown Chicken
"Haa… so this is Cool Forest."
I stretched my arms and took a deep breath.
Despite the ridiculous name, the place was… beautiful.
Tall ancient trees formed a natural cathedral overhead, sunlight filtering through layers of leaves like golden threads.
A cool breeze brushed past my skin, carrying the scent of earth and moss.
"Not bad," I muttered. "Pretty damn good, actually."
As I walked deeper into the forest, I noticed something strange. A crowd.
People had gathered around something ahead, whispering excitedly. Curious despite myself, I pushed closer and saw the source of their attention.
A luxury car.
Black, polished, expensive.
On its door was a symbol carved in silvernsword piercing through a crescent moon.
"…Moonslayer."
My eyes narrowed.
That symbol belonged to House Moonslayer, one of the noble houses directly tied to the main female lead.
Right.
One of them.
Because of course the hero had a harem.
"Why the hell is a Moonslayer here?" I muttered.
I should have walked away.
I meant to walk away.
"I don't care," I told myself. "I came here for the gate."
And yet—
My feet betrayed me.
I edged closer, keeping my distance, and overheard an old man speaking to a young woman.
"Lady Luna, we must wait a little longer," the old man said calmly. "The timing has not yet aligned."
His voice was respectful.
Submissive.
A butler.
"Again with the waiting," the girl replied impatiently.
Even without seeing her face, I knew.
Luna Moonslayer.
I finally looked at her.
And my first thought was—
"…What an overgrown chicken."
Yes, I knew how she was described in the novel.
A goddess.
Perfect proportions.
A flawless beauty.
But in reality?
Her chest was too big for her age. Her body felt exaggerated, unnatural. Pretty, sure—but oddly unbalanced.
Honestly?
Miss Valentine was more beautiful.
I turned away immediately.
"This isn't my business," I said. "Let's do what I came here for."
Four days passed.
Four long, exhausting days.
I searched.
I walked.
I climbed.
I checked every suspicious rock, tree, and clearing.
Nothing.
"No gate," I groaned, collapsing onto a fallen log. "No magic. No ruins."
Just trees.
Again.
"Where the hell is this damn gate?"
The novel made it sound so easy.
But real life wasn't that kind.
I rubbed my face.
"…Did I miss something?" I stared at the forest ahead, frustrated.
Then I clenched my fists and stood up.
"Alright," I said firmly. "One more day."
And somewhere in the shadows of Cool Forest something shifted