chapter 58

Three hours passed as Nathaniel, Harik, Masaw, and Aibara sat atop the carriage, keeping watch. Their eyes scanned the forest, alert for any sign of the monsters lurking within.

"There are so many monsters out there," Nathaniel remarked. "Is this normal?"

Harik explained that while the forest teemed with creatures, it was rare for them to gather as they were now, seemingly waiting. The crystal of protection embedded in roadside posts kept them at bay, ensuring the main road's safety for travelers.

"You sure you're not going inside?" Aibara snapped. "If something happens, don't expect us to save you."

"Don't worry," Nathaniel replied with a grin. "I may not look it, but I can handle myself."

"Huh? You, a human?" Aibara scoffed, her tone dripping with skepticism.

Harik intervened, his voice calm. "Sorry about Aibara. She's just worried you'll get hurt."

"Worried?" Aibara retorted, glaring. "I just don't want a liability dragging us down."

Nathaniel chuckled, unfazed. "I won't be a burden. If I get into trouble, just leave me."

His words only irritated Aibara further, her pride bristling at his apparent bravado. "You're cocky for a human. I wouldn't help you even if you begged."

Curious, Nathaniel asked if they were part of Galica's kingdom. Harik clarified, "No, we're from Payto, a territory under Columbus, ruled by Gerobi. It's close to Sei's territory, so crossing borders is easy."

He added that unlike other kingdoms, Sei's borders lacked guards, allowing bandits and criminals to slip through. Patrols were rare, and Sei seemed indifferent to his people's safety. "Before we got here, we passed small towns under attack by bandits," Harik said.

"Attacked?" Nathaniel asked, shocked. "What did you do?"

Aibara cut in sharply. "We ran. We're adventurers, not heroes. It's Galica's job to protect its people."

Nathaniel's heart sank, but he understood their choice to prioritize survival. Still, he wondered why Sei neglected his towns. "We wanted to help," Harik added, "but there were thousands of monsters. We had to retreat."

Masaw nodded. "Those bandits were Black Scorpions—feared even by the Eskapa."

Nathaniel froze, recalling his visions where the Black Scorpions pursued Suwi. In his foreseen story, Suwi would destroy them after claiming the Aegis of Immortality. If they were in Galica, it meant they'd soon ravage Sei's towns unchecked. 

His stomach growled, interrupting his thoughts. "Melon, can you get some food?" he whispered. Melon emerged from his hood, spitting out a picnic basket filled with Earth delicacies—pudding, cake, and soft drinks.

"Wow!" Masaw exclaimed. "Is your pet mythical? How does it store things in its body?"

Nathaniel introduced Melon as his partner, explaining its ability to store inanimate objects. He opened the basket, revealing the treats. "Help yourselves," he offered.

"You're giving us your food?" Masaw asked, surprised.

"No problem," Nathaniel said. "Melon's got plenty, and it's rare to meet kind folks like you. Consider it a thank-you."

He proudly handed out Earth snacks, boasting their unique flavors. Masaw marveled, "I've never seen food like this. It looks expensive."

"Not really," Nathaniel said, "but you won't find it here in Endoryo."

Aibara eyed the food hungrily but resisted, her pride holding her back. Nathaniel urged her to take some, but she snapped, "Why would I? I don't trust strangers, especially a human with shady clothes."

"This is just how people dress where I'm from," Nathaniel countered. "Why would I poison you? You got riches or something worth killing for?"

Masaw, ignoring her warnings, tasted the pudding and gasped. "This is incredible! So sweet!" Harik tried the bread, equally impressed. "Nothing like this in any market."

Nathaniel smiled, grateful for his coffee shop days on Earth, where he'd handled similar treats. Melon could recreate them using its powers and his memories. He passed around soft drinks, hyping their unforgettable taste. Masaw gulped a cola, shouting, "This is amazing! What's it called?"

Nathaniel explained that Endoryo hadn't invented such drinks yet, making them the first to try them. Aibara, still stubborn, refused to eat, muttering about poison and her distrust of humans. "You don't owe me anything," she said. "I won't be indebted to you."

"It's just food," Nathaniel insisted.

Harik chimed in, "As adventurers, we often lack food funds. Supplies are scarce and pricey here, so your offer means a lot."

Nathaniel nodded, realizing high prices burdened common folk. Living with Ataparag, he'd eaten freely and had shelter, but now saw Nyabu's frustration at his freeloading. He appreciated Ataparag's kindness even more. "I need to repay her," he thought.

To ease Aibara's pride, he offered to sell the food for one silver coin, including what her companions ate. "One silver?" she hesitated, clearly tempted.

"Fine, one copper for everything," he said.

Aibara paid reluctantly, then grabbed a cake, devouring it. Her sour demeanor melted into delight. "This is… amazing," she admitted, sampling everything. Masaw scolded her for hogging the food. "I paid for it!" she shot back. "You're just mooching!"

They bickered, racing to eat more, while Nathaniel watched, amused. Aibara caught him staring. "Stop gawking, creep!"

"I'm not!" he protested, laughing as she chugged a cola, exclaiming its refreshing taste. "This would cost a fortune! Can you make it?"

"Sure," Nathaniel teased. "Boil frog urine, mix in crushed roach guts, ferment for three days, and voilà!"

Aibara spat out the cola, horrified, and tossed the bottle. "You threw it away?" Nathaniel laughed. "I was joking!"

Furious, she aimed her bow at him. "Don't mess with me, human!" Nathaniel apologized, panicking, as Harik and Masaw stifled laughter. Aibara, insulted, flared her energy, charging an arrow. "Calm down!" Nathaniel pleaded, having Melon produce another basket to appease her.

She lowered her bow, snatching the basket without hesitation. "I'll let it slide because of this," she muttered, eating alone, her mood softening with each bite.

"Women are unpredictable," Nathaniel mumbled, imagining Ataparag's joy tasting these treats. He longed to see her smile, repaying her kindness.

Melon spoke telepathically, sensing natural abilities in the group that Nathaniel could absorb. "You could benefit from their powers," it said. Nathaniel hesitated, recalling how draining energy weakened others, as it had with his last target. "Isn't that dangerous?"

"It's normal," Melon replied. "Not every creature has abilities like theirs. It could help you."

"I'm not power-hungry," Nathaniel said. "They seem like good people."

Melon apologized, explaining it was only suggesting ways to strengthen him. "You're still weak, Nathaniel. You can't save anyone against unknown enemies without knowing their weaknesses."

"I know I'm lacking," he admitted, "but don't drag them into this. They're not bad."

Melon pressed, asking if he'd take abilities from criminals or monsters instead. "No way," Nathaniel said. "You know my immortality's limits here. Just ask me to do what I can handle."

Frustrated, Melon retreated into his hood. "If you keep picking safe options, you'll stay weak. You're wasting time making friends when fate's clock is ticking. Be aggressive and smart, or you'll fail."

"I'm trying," Nathaniel protested, "but don't rush me."

"Do as you wish," Melon said, disappointed.

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