Chapter 40: By The River

Insig woke up cheerfully, when suddenly, he started looking around warily, as if he was afraid of something. However, all he saw was level 1–3 trees surrounding him.

'Wait..!'

"G—Guster.... whe.... where... are we...?"

Insig asks in a hoarse voice. His throat was still parched and bone-dry and every word that rolled out of his throat needed arduous effort. His eyes were also heating up because of the dehydration.

But he still persevered due to his fear. He was wary and scared of the enemy. The last event damaged his mental health too much. He felt like every time he lets his guard down, death would be coming for him.

"We're somewhere inside the forest near the camp. Don't worry, there's no one coming for us."

Insig heard a feminine and nonchalant voice answering his doubt. He quickly looked at the source of the sound and he saw a beautiful girl looking at him.

He observed that her face looked clean and perfect, but her body was in a weird state, as if it was a watermelon that grew inside a box, thereby making her body 'squarish'.

Insig recognized that the girl was the one he saved back then, but that was not what was in his mind.

"J.....Jane!?"

Insig involuntarily blurted out her name. Her wavy blue hair and other features were almost the same as Jane, but the glow in her pupil and her charisma was thousand times different, as if they were ... a twin.

"Close, but no. I'm Janine."

Janine said, but her mind already recorded his words as a critical clue.

'Jane? What does he mean by that? Does he know me somehow?'

"Y—You're... not...? Oh...."

Insig weakly exclaimed.

'I guess that the dizziness is clouding my judgment...'

Insig takes a deep breath to calm down his chaotic thoughts. He was organizing the past events in his mind bit by bit, so that the confusion in his mind would subside for even a little bit.

'That's right.... that's what happened...'

Insig said to himself while recalling what happened yesterday.

'It's a miracle that I'm still alive right now.... I guess I shouldn't blindly use magic...'

Insig reminds himself after remembering why he lost consciousness when he healed himself instead.

"Are you okay?"

Korban asked worriedly, but he was suddenly interrupted.

Janine conjured a small sphere of water and sent it into Insig's mouth.

"Drink."

Janine didn't need to say that, because Insig was really thirsty. He felt hot and powerless all over his body and it felt like living was such a hassle already. He wanted to hydrate his body so bad.

*Splash* *Gulp*

Insig had a hard time drinking because he was lying down, but every time he gulped a large amount of the freshwater, this hassle was stored in the back of his mind.

The cold yet silky texture of the water streamed down his throat, neutralizing the heat in his body and hydrating his every cell.

Even though sand will still be sand when you splashed it with water, at least the sand cooled down a bit.

Insig's throat was still dry, but later on, it would heal on its own as long as he applied life magic and water energy to it.

"Thanks."

Insig thanked Janine while arduously standing up. It felt like his body was heavy and his joints were stiff, so much so that a simple task seemed so difficult.

Janine nodded and said to Korban.

"Help him up. We need to go soon. If the enemy found us like this, then it's the end for us."

Hearing this, everyone tensed up and immediately got serious. Korban hurriedly helped Insig ride the wolf and they immediately moved on.

".... By the way..... Where are we.... going?"

Insig's speech was slightly getting better, but his throat was still parched.

"We're looking for a nearby water source so that we could completely remove the flame element in your body."

Korban answered.

"Oh..."

Insig nods in understanding.

"By the way.... My name is... Insig."

Insig introduced himself while warily looking around, searching for signs of danger. He has learned his lessons already and he didn't want to repeat it. Also, he didn't give his full name, as he deemed it unnecessary.

"Oh. You can call me Korban. I don't thank you for saving me, by the way."

Korban introduced himself and thanked Insig. He was really grateful because he was so scared of dying.

At the brink of his death, all of his hidden emotions crashed out. His grievances, his love towards his family, his regrets, his dreams, his future. He wanted to live so badly.

When he discovered that the enemy fires dozens of fireballs, he was only thinking one thing.

'I WANTED TO LIVE!'

When Ignis came to save him, the gratefulness in his heart overflowed and even though he won't sacrifice himself for Insig, he will still help him as long as he lives.

'I'm gonna repay this favor someday!'

Insig nodded as a response but he was still looking around.

Korban, seeing this, can't help but be affected by his antsy behavior. He also started becoming wary of his surroundings too.

*Hours Later*

*Growl*

Suddenly, tranquility between the group of three was disturbed by a sound. Insig and Korban looked around and they found themselves focusing on Janine.

*Cough*

"Let's rest for a bit first."

Janine said, trying to remove the embarrassment, but her face didn't have the slightest emotion.

Everyone agreed because they were actually quite hungry too. Guster looked for a place where they could stop, when suddenly, a subtle and unique sound flowed through their ears.

*Splash*

"Wait...! It's the sound of water!"

Korban exclaimed while looking at the direction of the source of the sound. Unconsciously, everyone developed a hint of anticipation in their eyes.

"Wow! Just like what Janine said, there really was a water source here!"

Korban blurted out, while Insig looked at him speechlessly. He shook his head and thought.

'If you say it like that, then Janine might think that you're doubting her ability. You won't leave a good impression on her that way."

Insig actually kinda liked Jane too, but he didn't pursue her.

'It's because I don't love her! That's right! It's not because I'm scared, but because I don't love her!"

Insig nodded as he convinced himself

Unbeknownst to the both of them that Janine was just as shocked as them. But she was focusing on a different matter.

'The aura is getting closer... It seems like it's in the direction of the river but.... the aura of the river is more concentrated, unlike the aura that I'm feeling... Just what is this?'

Guster was about to proceed to the place, when Insig suddenly stopped.

"Guster, don't run. Just advance carefully without making a sound."

Guster didn't understand Insig, so he just stopped.

Seeing this, Insig thought in his head.

'Should I train him? But I don't even know if he'll survive, nor if I plan to bring him with me....'

Insig went down from Guster's back and wobbly walked towards the source of the sound carefully, while also demonstrating how to quietly advance to Guster.

He looked at Guster and said in its ears.

"Kwaaaa-yet. Quiet."

Insig proceeded to advance silently towards the water source while making sure that Guster was keeping up with him.

Guster didn't understand the term 'Kwayeet' but he still slowly and silently kept up with Insig.

*Thud*³ *Splash*⁴

The soft sound of footsteps resounded in the forest, but it was nearly imperceptible because of the sound of the water.

After a minute of walking silently, a blue light blinded their vision.

"Wow....."

Korban exclaimed while delightfully enjoying the scene.

The blue light, of the sky, water, or whatever, was reflected in the surface of the large stream— or river, if you want to call it that way.

The river was as far as the eye can see, and the width was as long as... an estimated 150 meters.

The constant flow of the river was strong, but it was not strong enough to sweep away people. Leaves, branches, and such, can be seen being swept away in the clear surface.

The water in the stream was blue, yet clear enough to see inside. The river was exuding a fluctuating aura. If the wave was strong, the aura could reach as high as level 3, but it was constantly exuding a level 1 aura.

A variety of level 1 colored fishes can be occasionally seen swimming with the flow, be it in singles or schools. They were happily eating algae, plankton, or innocently being eaten by other larger predators.

Amphibians like colorful frogs can be seen if you focus enough, and you'll see them devouring poisonous and non-poisonous insects joyfully.

Colorful flowers and plants crowded the riverside, taking in the right amount of water while absorbing the light of the sun. Aquatic plants can be seen thriving in the waters too, while the insects use them as footholds when getting near the river to lay their eggs.

Gray pebbles permeated the nearby river and green algae were filling the cracks in between them that were caused by the constant flow of water.

Insig finds himself taking in the beauty of nature. It was lively, thriving, colorful, refreshing, pure, bright, and wonderful...

After a minute of adoring the view, Insig came back to his senses and looked around warily. He was really traumatized from last night, so he can't help but be so freaking antsy.

"It's a water source! Guster! Hurry up!"

Korban, who was a middle aged man, seemed like a kid at this moment. His eyes were slanted and his mouth was curved upwards. His cheerful voice broke the silence while he patted Guster to make him advance to the waters.

*Howl!*

"Awooo!"

Guster was also excited. He was really thirsty, so he rushed to the waters.

"Wait!"

Insig, seeing this, panicked and tried to stop them, but Guster was too fast.

Janine at this time still looked nonchalant, but her eyes were already rolling in helplessness in Korban's carelessness.

*Thud*⁴ *Rustle*

The hurried footsteps of Guster resounded in the riverbed, breaking the peace and scaring all the nearby fishes and insects. The grass rustled with every step as Guster made his way to the waters eagerly.

Insig hurried too, but he was still looking around warily. His heart was racing nervously as he anticipated the enemy's sudden approach.

'This two idiots! Haven't they learned already?'

*Splash*

Guster dived right into the waters and the 2 people above his backs fell too. A large ripple formed from where they jumped, making the nearby plants sway and disturbing the constant flow of the river.

Janine closed her eyes and floated while absorbing the water energy in the river. A whirlpool of energy is seemingly being formed around her, absorbing the waters nearby.

Meanwhile, Korban and Guster were happily gulping large amounts of water. The cold water entered their mouth, making their taste buds squirm in the slight sweetness and coldness. The coldness of the water traveled down their throat, making them feel revitalized, energized, and hydrated.

Every cell of both of them was cheering in excitement. The silky water passed through their parched throat and flowed down through their chest, making them feel quite comfortable.

The water kept on flowing, until it settled into their empty stomachs, making them, honestly, uncomfortable. It was as if the hot flaming acid in their stomach was suddenly doused in cold water.

*Splash*

The water intensely splashed after Korban stood up. His waist was submerged in the water and his whole body was soaking wet, but his eyes were filled with bright lights.

"Insig! You should hurry up too!"

Insig looked at Korbar speechlessly.

'Is he even a middle aged man? Why is he acting like a kid?'

The thing is, Korban was really pent-up. The restlessness, helplessness, and exhaustion was taking a toll on his mental health, and so the river was like a paradise to him, allowing all the pent-up feelings in his heart to be released and wash away with the flow.

Feeling the chilling coldness enter his skin, Korban can't help but smile. His body relaxed and sleepiness hit him.

"Ahh~~!"

After observing that there were no enemies coming after them, Insig relaxed his guard and made his way to the river.

He looked at the 3 people enjoying the cold water and couldn't help but get envious.

'I hope you get bitten by a fish or something.'

After that, Insig removes his tattered suit and armor. He carefully hid them, along with his important tools so that he wouldn't miss them.

Insig's bruised and burnt skin was fully shown and added with his thin build, he looked quite pitiful. Even though there was a bit of muscle here and there, they were covered by the wounds in his body.

His weirdly clean and unblemished complexion, where there were almost not a single dark spot, added with his harmonious life aura, made him appear quite friendly and... lovely.

After removing these, Insig hurriedly plunged into the river. The cold aura of the water seeped into his pores and skin and the lingering flame aura deep inside his body fiercely retaliated.

*Fizz* *Hiss!*

Like a hot pan doused in water, smoke was quickly released from Insig's body. The flame aura was retaliating too fiercely in his body.

The cold and heat inside his body fought each other, making squirm.

"Grrrrrr!!!"

Insig grinded his teeth and applied healing energy throughout his body. His energy was quite depleted from the fight, but there was still some leftover and he hurriedly used all of it.

*Minutes later*

The flame aura may be highly leveled, but the water aura was too abundant, so the flame was still lost in the end.

After the last flame aura in Insig's body was neutralized, the coldness quickly seeped inside his body and settled in his bones. However, this kind of coldness was not the freezing kind, but the energizing one.

Especially Insig's eyes, which were bloodshot from dehydration and he can't help but open his eyes while submerging them in water.

"Ahh~~!"

The coldness and the revitalizing aura of life made Insig's body relax and he felt orgasmic. His tensed muscle and his mental exhaustion was gone like a bubble. He felt like eyes were rolling to the back of his mind from too much pleasure.

After chilling in the river for a while, everyone finally settled down their excited hearts, but the smile was still embedded in their faces.

Especially Korban. Right now, Janine's curves were more obvious because of the wetness. As the water droplets trickle down her skin, Korban can't help but look. Janine's sexiness was infinitely enhanced when she was soaking wet.

*Growl*

The sound of empty stomach once again resounded and everyone couldn't help but laugh.

"Hahaha, we should hurry up finding what we should eat for dinner."

Korban said cheerfully. His heart was brimming with too much ecstasy and he wanted to share it.

"Actually, it's lunch now, but you're right."

Insig said while looking at the Sun directly above them. The harsh brightness of the sun was blinding their eyes, but it didn't hinder them from enjoying the cold river.

Meanwhile, Janine was a bit distracted. She was looking in a certain direction.

'The aura is near approaching... and the speed is quite fast too.... as if it was running away from something...'

"Well anyway, I will look for edible plants, Janine will catch fishes, and Insig should look for dry branches."

Korban gave everyone a task, including himself.

Insig looks at him weirdly and worriedly.

"How are you going to work without legs?"

Hearing this, Korban wasn't the slightest bit discouraged.

"Hahaha! It's okay! I have my magic with me!"

With that, Korban closed his eyes and green light radiated from his body. An aura of a level 5's was released and the surrounding insects near him scurried away.

The green light was the same green as the life magic's but the aura was not the same.

If life was indiscriminately healing everyone, then this green light was more focused on plants.

After the light touched the surrounding plants, specific plants quickly bloomed or grew, as if they met the Sun. These plants, in particular, were the edible ones.

"Woah!"

Insig can't help but exclaim while seeing the wonders of magic. His eyes were shining brightly and his jaw was wide-open.

Seeing this, Korban chuckled at his cuteness.

"Hahaha! You look like a child who hasn't seen magic in your whole life."

"Hahaha, sorry."

After this episode, everyone went and carried out their assigned tasks. With the help of Guster, catching fish was easy as pie.

Insig and Guster were devouring all the fishes while Korban, in particular, was devouring all the edible plants, unlike Janine who was eating elegantly.

Insig can't help but notice that Korban was always looking at Janine.

'Don't tell me...'

Insig found out that Korban took a liking to Janine, even though he has a wife already.

Insig can't help but be dazed as he thought in his mind.

'A village in this world can disappear overnight, making the human population quite low. Because of this, sex issues was actually quite open, allowing someone to have a fling with many womens or men...'

Insig can't help but notice once again that this world was vastly different from his past one.

*Sigh*

He sighed once again and continued eating.

After having their fill, Insig's mana heart was recharged and it was enough to heal Korban's amputated legs.

"Are you ready?"

Insig asked Korban while grasping a scalpel in his hands. Seeing the sharp and clean scalpel, Korban can't help but get nervous.

"Y—Yes!"

Meanwhile Janine was scrutinizing the scalpel.

'Clean and well made, almost without the slightest scratch and undulation.... Is this made by the famous mineral magic?'

Janine thought in her mind. Mineral magic was rather rare as it was so diverse, encompassing all diamonds, salt, ore, quartz, and others, as if the whole world was in their hands. So, naturally, mineral users were well sought out and their products were expensive.

So, she was shocked that Insig can actually afford one.

Insig didn't mind it and focused all his concentration. He listened carefully to his heartbeat, pulse, reactions, and movements.

Feeling his aura change, Korban flinched in surprise.

'He actually has this kind of side!'

Korban, at this time, looked shocked, but he quickly hid it because he was embarrassed that Janine would think of him as an idiot. He quickly looked serious and he showed a mature aura, as if he was desperately hiding something.

'Is he.... scared of me?.... Why? Would he be? It's not like I'm scary or something… Unless... Don't tell me...!'

Insig, seeing this, had his concentration broken. His heart raced in nervousness as a memory involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

Last night, he felt a particular movement when he used death magic on his shoulders, as if someone was looking at him.

'Don't tell me… He knows that I possess death magic!?