Chapter 98

“Wow, a rock that will grant wish!”

“There are rumors that it is not a stone but a person, but I have never seen it myself, so I cannot believe it.”

Nanabi shrugged her shoulders, saying it was a legend passed down from generation to generation in the village. It was an absurd story that even Nanabi, who brought it up, did not believe, but it strangely aroused my interest.

*  *  *

Isn’t there a day like that in all our life; a day when everything seems to go well.

It felt like today was such a day.

After taking a proper rest for the first time in a long time, my body felt lighter than ever. There was Sihael, beside me, wagging his tail in a sound sleep and looking all cute, and the meal was also incredibly delicious.

So, of course, I thought that the day would end well. I thought I would spend the day safely and return home with Sihael, who would revert back to his human self.

‘…But how did this happen?’

Crunch~

The branches trampled under my feet broke in two and made a loud noise. I looked up at the sky as I kept walking ahead.

The pleasant scenery of July filled my eyes. If it weren’t for our current situation, I would have been able to enjoy the stroll through the woods with a comfortable mind.

“Where in the world are we?”

I’m lost, where should I go?*

[T/N: Reference to IU’s song – The Red Shoes]

As I was humming along to the song, I recalled our hopeless reality and my face hardened again. It had already been an hour since I was stuck in the mountain. I scratched trees on every road I passed and made a mark, and I also tried to walk aimlessly along an artificially created path, but all of them failed.

The more I moved, the deeper I went into the mountain, and now I really didn’t know where I am.

I’m sure I was going down, but why am I still walking around in the same place?

“Why is the compass like this again?”

Maybe it was broken, so I nervously stuffed the spinning compass into the bag. Tired of walking for a long time, I sat on a large rock nearby and looked at the sky. It wasn’t even three o’clock, but it was already dark.

Where did the bright sunlight in the morning go? It seemed like the sky was going to rain a lot.

“I’m in big trouble.”

I buried my face in my hands and murmured gloomily.

“Damn me, why did I come up here?”

What legend? What wish? Screw it all!

When I heard about the legend from Nanabi, I quickly took my bag. Taking only the most basic things, such as a compass, a water bottle, bandages, matches, and knives, I climbed the mountain curiously. I didn’t believe in legends, but I was curious, thinking would my wish really come true?

“I’m going to ask for just one handsome guy.”’

I obviously started out light-heartedly.  But who would have known that I would end up lost within an hour of starting.

“Does anyone know I’m here….”

I thought it over, but there really wasn’t anyone. Absolutely no one!

Since Sihael was busy taking a nap, and Nanabi and Leonard seemed busy, I sneaked out quietly.

‘And Lumiyan… Well, even if he knew he won’t be of any help.’

After all, no one knew that I was lost in the mountains. I tousled my hair roughly.  If I didn’t show up by evening, someone would come looking for me, but the problem was the weather.

Dark clouds began to swallow the sky. The mountain, which was full of freshness, had long since lost its light and turned gray.

‘Can I hold out here until someone comes?’

No, I won’t last. It looked like it would rain within an hour at the latest. At least I had to find a shelter from the rain. I got up off the rock and looked around.

“I wish there was a cave or a big tree…”

As I pushed through the branches, I heard a voice in the distance.

“…Woof!”

“Huh?”

“Awoo!”

Sihael?

“Aawoooo!”

“Your Highness! I’m here!”

I screamed my lungs out, afraid that Sihael would leave me behind.

“Sihael! I’m here!”

Sihael finally found me and ran towards me at full speed. I opened my arms and hugged him. It was not a family reunion, but a tearful welcome.

“Your Highness!”

“Woof! Woof! Wooof!”

I didn’t know what exactly he was saying, but I knew that he was scolding me. But it was okay. I really thought I was going to be lost.

“I thought I was going to die alone.”

I cried and buried my face in his neck. Sihael pressed my cheek with his paw as if telling me not to say such a ridiculous thing.

“Let’s go down now.”

“Woof!”

“Come on, let’s go.”

But for some reason, Sihael didn’t move.

“Come on, let’s go.”

I pushed him hard on the back, while he stood just blankly staring at me, but he didn’t move.

No way! It isn’t what I am thinking, right?

“…Do you not know the way back?”

I bent my knees urgently and grabbed Sihael’s face. His eyes were trembling slightly.

“Really?”

He quietly averted his gaze and replied back in a mousy voice.

“Awoo.”

“Your Highness, we are doomed…….”

Crack! Boom!

The sound of thunder was heard in the distance.

A thunder struck in my heart, too.

* * *