Chapter 18：Kaina

In the eighteenth year, your strength has slightly improved.

During this period, the girl occasionally comes to the plain for adventure, and every time she comes, you will go see her.

You learned that her name is Kaina, and with your help, the girl's strength has grown rapidly.

In the nineteenth year, the girl comes to see you more and more frequently, which makes you exceptionally happy.

You think that the girl might be developing feelings for you.

Seeing this, Goburo takes a deep breath.

Wow, he's easily confused. He shouldn't be that weak-willed.

How beautiful must the girl be to captivate him like this?

Taking a moment to calm himself, he continues reading the simulated story.

In the twentieth year, the girl reaches the elite level and her level surpasses the rest.

Due to her beauty, she attracts more and more suitors, including handsome humans.

As you observe these suitors, you gradually realize that stories like Beauty and the Beast only exist in fairy tales.

If you were to confess your feelings to the girl, you would probably face a very undignified outcome.

Summoning courage, you go to the river and look at your reflection.

Surprisingly, your appearance is not ugly, but your red skin and terrifying fangs still make you feel uneasy.

However, hope stirs within you.

Judging from how you currently look, you only need to evolve once more, and your appearance should be able to match those handsome humans.

You decide to strive harder.

The girl is unaware of what you're thinking. It seems she sees you as a fatherly figure.

In the twenty-first year, you learn that the name of this plain is called Kona Plain.

Humans told you this, as there are legends of red goblins that do not harm humans on Kona Plain.

Most adventurers who frequent this place already know you, and sometimes they even greet you.

This year, although you have worked very hard, your progress is slow.

You know it's because your current strength is too powerful, and it's not as easy as before to improve your strength.

In the same year, you encounter Kaina again. Perhaps because of past experiences, Kaina has not found any new teammates until now.

She finds it difficult to trust other adventurers, believing that they will abandon her at critical moments.

The only person she trusts is you.

After seeing her, you solemnly say, "Kaina, I am going to leave this place."

Hearing your words, Kaina is startled for a moment, then her expression visibly becomes flustered.

Your words seem to have scared her, and she anxiously asks, "Goburo, where are you going?"

Looking at the girl's panicked reaction, you reassure her, "Kaina, my strength has reached a bottleneck.

I want to go to the Monster Forest to challenge stronger enemies and improve my strength.

As long as I advance to the next stage, I will come back."

After hearing that you will come back, Kaina hesitates for a moment and then says, "Will you come back? How long will it take?"

"I'm not sure, it could be five years, maybe ten years. My current strength is quite strong, so it's difficult to make significant progress in a short time."

"Five or even ten years..." Kaina's voice becomes melancholic.

Then, she thinks of something and looks at you with shining eyes, asking, "Can I go with you?"

After hearing Kaina's words, you briefly question your ears.

According to what you know, Kaina is one that many people in the town dream of, and countless handsome men are pursuing her.

However, she has never agreed to anyone's advances.

Thinking of this, a fantasy arises in your mind.

Could it be that Kaina fell in love with you because of the experiences you had together?

However, while you are lost in your thoughts, Kaina continues speaking, "I can't bear to be separated from Goburo. Goburo has always taken care of me, just like my deceased father. I don't want to leave Goburo!"

Hearing Kaina's words, you look at the girl by your waist and laugh without saying a word.

So she sees you as a fatherly figure. You feel a bit disappointed but also relieved. You like Kaina, and as long as you can be together, any kind of relationship between you two is acceptable.

"You can go with me, but the danger level in the Monster Forest is far beyond what Kona Plain can compare to.

Even protecting you might be difficult. In three days, I will wait for you here.

If you come, I will take you to the Monster Forest.

If you don't come to find me before the sunset, I will go to the Monster Forest alone."

After hearing your words, Kaina nods resolutely and promises to organize everything within these three days. She will come to find you as agreed.

Three days pass in a flash.

Early in the morning, you stand at the entrance of your cave, looking into the distance, waiting for Kaina's arrival.

Your mood is extremely uneasy, and deep inside, you long for the other person's presence.

Before long, you see a familiar figure approaching step by step, carrying a big package on her back.

Seeing the familiar figure, you quickly run over to help her carry the package. You ask, "Have you decided to go with me?"

Kaina looks at her package and says, "Of course, without Goburo, I would have died three years ago. I will still live in the nearby town when we reach the Monster Forest. I will come to see you from time to time."

"Good, I will strive to advance to the level of a leader as soon as possible, and then we can leave the Monster Forest together."

Unexpectedly, Kaina accompanies you to the Monster Forest.

In these three years on Kona Plain, you've obtained many human items, including a map that marks the locations of Kona Plain and the Monster Forest.

You discover that the distance between Kona Plain and the Monster Forest is not too far.

Even with Kaina, it will take at most half a month to reach the Monster Forest.

Half a month later, you arrive at the outskirts of the Monster Forest with Kaina through a small path.

Then, you take out a flute from your waist and say to Kaina, "You should settle down in the town outside the Monster Forest first.

After three days, come find me inside the Monster Forest.

I will wait for you in a relatively outer area. Blow this flute, and I will come out to find you."