Chapter 4: The Mist of Blindness

Kin arrived at the foot of the East Mountain. His eyes took it up and down, staring at it like the man of many thoughts such as himself. He took a deep breath and, his thoughts were interrupted.

"Young boy... Please, Be Careful."

Said the Driver if the Carriage, Worryingly.

"Don't worry, Mister. Despite my Age and Looks, I'm a Supreme-Tier Adventurer!"

Said Kin then smiled brightly.

As the bright young lad went up in the mountain, Instead of seeing the sunset, things were slowly turning almost Pitch Black as the mist covered the mountain.

It worried him but didn't scare him. His curiosity grew, his eyes scavenged, and his mind spoke louder and louder.

"It's getting really dark..."

Kin pulled some torch from the bag that was given to him by the driver of the carriage, and lightened it. He was surprised because even though he was holding it as far as his arms could reach, he still can't see anything.

Maybe because the Orb of Light that is bringing the East Mountain Light isn't in the Altar. So sources of light might not be as effective. It's like I'm in the Void all by myself... Can't see anything.

Kin thought to himself.

As he ventured, the sounds of rock being crushed by his steps were replaced with sand, he could also see torches from the distance, barely... He crouched and touched the ground.

"No doubt, this is sand or silt."

He could hear the sound if his steps not in sync with his movement. He Stopped and Heard steps that wasn't his' approaching. Even though he had fast reflexes, everything was as pitch as the darkest side of the moon. He had to act swiftly, he needed to do his instinct's justice.

"There's Three of them— No, Five!"

"Who's there?"

Kin shouted.

An unfamiliar voice answered:

"We're the People of the East Mountain. I am a Chief in a Nearby Village. Please, stay where you are, there are traps nearby to refrain Bandits from taking advantage of our current situation."

Kin used [Trap Detection]

Traps were Highlighted in Kin's vision.

They aren't lying, There are traps Nearby.

If I didn't use 「Trap Detection」 I would've been bruised or scarred. He heaved a sigh of relief. A step further from harm but two steps closer to another risk.

"Boy, can you see the torches over there? Head beneath them so we can safely approach you."

"Ah, Sure."

Kin responded in a calm tone.

Bandits are taking advantage of this horrible Situation? But they can't see anything... That's right, The Villagers should know that... And I'm still down here so there shouldn't be any Villages for at least an hour of climbing—

He heard unsheathing of swords— at that moment, he realized that those who called out to him were Bandits. He Immediately leaped back to maintain distance.

They must've realized that I'm too strong to be taken out by traps, so they decided to take me out by themselves.

After Kin landed he stepped on one of their traps, causing it to activate. He felt that something fairly large was about to hit him.

At the last second, he was able to evade the thing that was about to hit him. It hit a wall, causing it to make a loud sound as if two giant rocks collided.

He activated 「Trap Detection」again, just to be safe. Kin could hear the bandits retreating. Despite the darkness, they were moving fast and efficient, Kin could sense them basing on their footsteps and voices slowly vanishing.

Kin was impressed by their deceiving technique, telling the truth by telling there are traps, approaching adventurers that can't be taken out by traps then proceeds to attack them...

After some time of walking, Kin finally arrived at the part of the mountain where remote villages are located. He knew because using 「Trap Detection」, he saw traps that were fairly simple and badly built. The trap's purpose was not to injure or kill but to alert them that there are someone. Tripwires were attached to bells, if the tripwires were stepped on, the bell will ring which will alert them. Despite the complete Darkness, they were able to build something like this.

"Villagers and Bandits here are smarter than I am..." Said Kin.

"Y-you! Stop right there!" Said what seems to be a female local, close to his age with a trembling voice.

"Eh... You can see me?!"

"Of course, I could! This isn't the first time the Orb was stolen. Father taught me Thermal Vision, your temperature is really low! Are you even Human?"

I knew this would happen. Kisho-san told me about this.

Kin remembered what Kisho told him. It was to keep his temperature as low as he can at all times, especially at cold places.

"Look, I'm an adventurer. Your current situation right now was posted in the guild's quest board—"

"WHAT?! QUEST BOARD?! THAT'S UNFORGIVABLE! THE KINGDOM SHOULD TAKE ACTION INSTEAD OF THE GUILD! WHAT WOULD ADVENTURERS DO IF THERE WAS A CARDINAL SIN HERE?!"

Wow, she's mad, really mad. Well, I guess that's understandable.

Kin stayed quiet instead of saying it out loud.

"Cardinal Sins? W-what's that?" Kin asked.

"What are you, An Elite Adventurer? The Cardinal Sins, Evil-doers who could turn the world upside down. Led by the one shall not be named. It consists of 8 Members, whose abilities can scale up to country to continental threat..."

Said the local— Suddenly, Kin could feel footsteps closing in. It was neither in a hurry nor trying to not be heard and it was alone.

"Mako, stop scaring the masked boy. The Cardinal Sins are mere fiction."

It was an Old man. The Footsteps were Footsteps of an old man. It seems that he overheard their conversation. Kin was kind of upset when he heard that the Cardinal Sins were made-up. His expression was unpaintable because of his Immeasurable disappointment, it's not like they could see him. They can only see his temperature which he can control at will.

"What did you come for, young boy?"

The old man asked.

"I-I came here to retrieve the Orb of light."

He replied with a loud and confident voice. Kin hesitated to say it, but he's got the spirit. This is an important quest whose people's lives depends on.