Karahan (1)

The entrance to the Karahan Mountains was far neater than I had expected.

It almost felt like a walking trail.

On either side of the road that stretched to the entrance, small shops had sprung up. Some sold delicious-smelling food, while others offered equipment and consumables.

It reminded me of the scenes I had seen in games.

Back then, I thought they were designed that way purely for convenience...

But now that I was seeing it in real life, it felt strangely surreal.

As we walked along the path leading to the entrance, we saw numerous adventurers heading toward Karahan.

It seemed like they were taking on various quests. Judging by their conversations, the rewards were quite lucrative.

Their equipment looked pretty good, too.

As for their skills... Hmm, they didn't seem all that impressive.

Have my standards gotten too high?

On the other hand, there were also adventurers heading back to Ursphere, utterly exhausted. Yet, smiles lingered on their faces.

And the most important part—

There were so many adventurers carrying greatswords!

Is it because it's a city?

Back in Roholan, I hadn't seen a single adventurer using a greatsword, but here, they were everywhere.

"Umm... Is this how it usually is?"

"It feels like a tourist spot, doesn't it?"

Hephaestus looked flustered, while Rubia smiled faintly.

"It's really peaceful."

"Well, that's to be expected. About ninety percent of the adventurers in the city head to Karahan. The locals see it as their livelihood. Of course, you won't find this kind of scene once you get halfway up the mountain."

Rubia's gaze wandered around for a moment before settling on me.

"Noah, do you want to grab some snacks?"

"Snacks...?"

"Yeah, something to eat while we pass through the entrance."

She pointed to the right, where vendors were selling sugar-coated fruits and jelly.

Normally, I would have nodded right away.

But—

"Hmm..."

I ran my hand over the shard embedded in my greatsword.

As much as I wanted to test it out right away, I couldn't predict how to maintain it or what side effects it might have.

In the game, it was just treated as a status effect, so I didn't think much of it back then.

But now, this was reality, and I couldn't be sure how things would play out...

Jelly... I wanted some, but...

"I'll pass."

Hephaestus's mouth dropped open in shock.

Meanwhile, Rubia's expression turned unusually serious as she quickly approached me.

"Noah."

"...Y-Yeah?"

Rubia placed her hand on my forehead, and a warm energy flowed through me, sweeping over my body.

"You're not sick... Are you worried about something?"

"Worried...?"

What is she talking about?

"Noah... are you really not feeling well?"

"N-No, I'm fine..."

Hephaestus grabbed both my hands in hers.

"It's okay... We can wait here until you're better."

"Huh...? What are you talking about...?"

Both Rubia and Hephaestus looked at me with deep concerned faces.

"Noah, the Tylant has been sealed away. It's been over 30 years since then. So... don't worry too much."

"I'm not worrying... Really, I'm not..."

But it's impossible not to worry at all. Even if the seal is secure, it doesn't mean that Tylant is dead.

After all, in the game, the seal was broken at one point.

And Rubia... She seemed to be somewhat concerned, judging by her tone.

"Anyway... It's not because of that. I don't need any jelly."

I quickly turned my head away.

"Let's... let's get going. We need to reach the halfway point before sunset."

I grabbed Rubia and Hephaestus by the hands and started pulling them forward.

There was some resistance at first, but when I put in a little more strength, they gave in and followed me.

"Noah...?"

"A-And... I've resolved myself, okay? So... I'm not eating jelly for the time being."

Rubia sighed softly and quietly followed along.

Meanwhile, Hephaestus rummaged through her pocket, muttering to herself.

"I bought some earlier this morning... Guess I'll have to throw it away."

Hmm.

It would be a waste to throw it away if it's already bought.

Well... I guess there's no helping it.

Just one.

I'll eat just one.

Okay, maybe two... No, three.

* * * *

A cooler breeze brushed past us, different from before.

Unlike the bustling atmosphere at the entrance, a more solemn mood hung in the air.

The rowdy adventurers from earlier were long gone, leaving only those silently making their way up.

We blended into the crowd of serious adventurers.

"We're almost at the halfway point," Rubia remarked.

"Phew... Yeah," Hephaestus she seems tired.

"The sun's about to set, so it's best to stick to our plan and camp here"

I nodded.

While I didn't mind moving around at night, Rubia and Hephaestus wouldn't fare as well.

"So, Noah, how was it?" Hephaestus asked, staring at the greatsword.

"Oh... Yeah. It's definitely a lot better than the last one you gave me."

On our way up, I had tested the greatsword by hunting a few stray beasts.

Using it in real combat, I could feel how much better it was.

Sharper, sturdier...

Though honestly, I didn't feel much of the sharpness.

For me, it felt more like I was smashing things with the greatsword rather than cutting them.

So, uh...

"It's sturdy!"

"That's... a compliment, right?"

"O-Of course it is..."

"Then, what else do you think has changed?"

What else...? Uh... Let's see...

"Oh! The coating! It seems like the blood doesn't stick to it as much!"

"Huh? I didn't do anything special for that."

"E-Eh...?"

No way... It feels like way less blood sticks to it compared to before.

"You're just making stuff up because you don't know what to say!"

"N-No! It's really good! Really!"

Hephaestus gave me a strange look.

"I made the blade's surface wider. Watching you fight, I noticed you don't dodge much; you tend to deflect or block attacks instead."

"Oh... Really?"

I examined the greatsword more closely.

"And I reinforced the cross guard. Unless you try to block something absurd like an avalanche, it shouldn't come loose."

Hmm...

Well...

"Got it..."

"...I figured as much, but still... That hurts a little," Hephaestus sighed.

I felt a pang of guilt as I glanced at Hephaestus's hand in her pocket, ready to hand me some leftover jelly.

"Oh, right. Noah, you haven't used the shard yet, have you?" Rubia suddenly asked, as if remembering something.

"Uh, n-no... Unfortunately not..."

There hadn't been a situation where I needed to use the shard.

Of course, I could have used it if I really wanted to, but...

Considering that the beasts we encountered so far were weak enough to take down without it, there was no point in risking the penalties just to finish them off.

"That's not unfortunate. I've told you before, haven't I? There's something... familiar yet unsettling about the energy it emits. Sure, the other shards also give off strange vibes, but Karpengs shard feels fundamentally different," Rubia said with a slightly furrowed brow.

"Hmm..."

I ran my hand over the shard embedded in my greatsword.

Unsettling? I didn't feel anything like that.

Honestly, just touching it made me want to laugh. Heh heh...

"Well, if there's no other choice but to use it, then it's fine. But I'm more worried about the aftereffects."

"It's fine. Rubia... you'll figure it out somehow, won't you?"

I looked up at her and flashed a playful smile.

If the effect I remember is anything to go by, Rubia should be able to handle the penalty.

Even in the worst-case scenario, it wouldn't kill me!

"Ugh... Well, yes, I suppose."

Rubia forced a smile.

"I trust you..."

I grasped Rubia's slightly trembling hand tightly.

"Haah... Fine. I trust you too. But please, don't push yourself too hard."

Rubia's hand closed over mine, sending a warm, comforting energy through my body.

The coldness I hadn't even realized was there receded, replaced by a gentle warmth.

Curious, I tilted my head.

"Your hand felt cold," Her smile teasing as always.

"A-ah... T-thank you..."

Why... why does that smile always make me feel embarrassed?

This is weird...

"Should we set up camp here, or go a bit further up?" Rubia asked, continuing the conversation as naturally as ever, completely unfazed by my flustered state.

"Anywhere's fine with me."

"M-me too..."

"Then let's set up camp nearby. But instead of here..."

Rubia looked around thoughtfully.

"Over there would be better. Do you see that rock?"

"Whoa, it's huge!"

"Wow..."

She pointed at an enormous boulder in the distance.

Judging by its size... hmm...

It looked as big as... maybe thirty of me standing together!

"Thirty Noah centimeters!"

Rubia grabbed my hand and began leading me toward it.

Behind us, Hephaestus followed with an oddly mischievous grin.

What's with her?

Trying to ignore Hephaestus's strange gaze, we finally arrived at the boulder.

But up close—

"It's even bigger than I thought."

"Seriously... Why is it so big?"

Forget thirty Noah centimeters.

This thing was fifty Noah centimeters!

It was ridiculously massive!

"The spot here looks good. Hephaestus, can you handle the tent? Noah, keep an eye out around us. I'll start preparing dinner,"

"Got it!"

"Yes!"

Hephaestus began pulling a tent out of her bag, slowly setting it up, while Rubia used her divine power to create a protective barrier and started building a fire.

As for me—

"Ugh... T-this is high..."

I clambered up the boulder, one slow step at a time.

Sure, I could've just sat at the base and expanded my senses, but...

Where's the fun in that?

Finally, I reached the top and sat down cross-legged, my hands resting on my knees.

I could feel Rubia's barrier emanating nearby.

Hephaestus seemed overjoyed after successfully setting up the tent, her excitement practically radiating from the ground below.

Rubia, as usual, gave her an indulgent smile.

Suddenly, Rubia looked up at me and called out.

"Noah! We're having barbecue for dinner!"

Barbecue?!

"G-great... Uh... Um..."

I wanted to shout back as loud as she did, but my voice just wouldn't reach that volume.

So instead—

I raised my arms above my head, forming a circle, and waved them enthusiastically.

Rubia smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

Meanwhile, Hephaestus was still proudly showing off the tent.

This whole scene... It felt like we were on a peaceful trip, surrounded by an almost ticklish warmth of camaraderie.

Feeling that warmth, I expanded my senses further.

And then—

"Hmm...?"

Not far from us, I sensed something unusual.

A bloodied, staggering woman was heading this way.

Behind her—

Dozens of beasts were chasing after her.