Chapter 36 - A Wound Given By Illusion

Today's sky is sunny.

Today was the first day of the Foltian Great Dungeon's expedition.

Today is also the day of departure for the group of explorers.

What is a group of explorers?

A group of explorers was a collection of the adventuring party from various Familias. Usually, Each Familia could only send - maximum - two adventuring party to join the group of explorers. And the maximum limit of the number of the adventuring party in a group of explorers was ten.

In Ark Fantasy Online, groups of explorers are usually called Raid Party. This raid party always had the ultimate goal of conquering the Dungeons they were exploring. Of course, what they're going to do isn't an easy job. And it's not uncommon for them to fail.

And... I don't think this group of explorers will fail!

I can say that with confidence because they have a goal to open the gate to the eighth floor of the Foltian Great Dungeon instead of conquering the Dungeon itself.

Vier – a young man similar to my Avatar in Ark Fantasy Online – took part in this expedition.

For the first time I met Vier, I assumed he had my personality, I thought he was me.

Truly, my assumption was a big mistake. I learned of it after having a chat with Vier. That young man didn't know Ark Fantasy Online and my old world. He is a native of this world. He's not me or a copy of my personality.

That assumption was pretty stupid and quite funny because I thought he knew about my old world, about Ark Fantasy Online, and so on.

Vier is someone else. He's a stranger who happens to be similar to my Avatar.

Friend.

That word can describe the relationship between us. We getting closer and finally became friends after the two of us train together for a week.

"Hey, big sis! Let's find a higher place. I can't see the main road from here."

The little girl who had just voiced her wish was Kimi. She's my half-sister. And she is a Fox Beastkin or commonly called Fox-kin. Therefore, she had fox ears and tails.

Both of her beast parts were covered by black fur. Kimi's hair has the same color. But, the hair is a little unique because it's red at the end of her hair. Red is also the color of Kimi's eyes. And I can say, her eyes just like a ruby. Lastly, my little sister is so adorable.

"How about this?" I picked up Kimi.

"Kya~" the little girl made a cute cry as I placed her on my shoulder. Her tiny legs hung on both sides of my neck. "Big Sis! I'm not a kid!"

"I never said you were a child."

"... Whatever."

Seeing my sister who was annoyed and no longer putting up a fight, I made a small giggle.

"The plaza is so crowded," Kimi said as she looked around.

And I say, she was right. The eastern plaza of the Dungeon Entrance Building or commonly called "Denbu" was filled with hundreds of people.

Looking right and left, I could see people, people, and people. This crowd consisted of Adventurers, Merchants, Knights, and residents of Rishtonbell City. They gathered at this plaza to send off all adventurers who took part in the expedition.

People were cheering, singing, and laughing. Not only were their emotions were festive, but their actions also the same. Some people wave flags of various sizes, others form a group to play music, and there are many other things they do.

To me, all of this looks like a festival or maybe, it's a festival!?

I don't know.

I just know it's so lively here. At the same time, I felt excited that it made my tail swing quite quickly. One thing that I don't like about this crowd is the loud noise it creates. The sound made my fox's ears ringing. I had to fold them up to make the noise stay outside.

And... I also have to be careful when walking because this place is so crowded. I didn't want to do a reckless thing by bumping into people.

Dhuk!

"Kya!"

"Hey!" I cried out when someone bumps me from the side. because of that person, I almost dropped Kimi!

Male or maybe female? I don't know her/his gender because that person was wearing a black robe that covered her/his entire body. The person's face was hard to recognize as it was covered by the shadow of the hood she/he was wearing.

Okay! What I wanted to say was that person look at me. She/He bowed her/his head slightly before saying, "Sorry, I'm in a hurry."

Then, she/he left us immediately. And yes, I still can't tell that person's gender by her/his voice.

"Rude person!" said Kimi and I agree with her.

Leaving that problem behind, we continued our journey in search of a high place! Minutes passed and...

Tug! Tug!

I felt a small tug at the tip of my ear. Therefore, I look up slightly. "What's wrong?"

"There's big sis! Please go there. I want to meet my friends," Kimi explained. The little girl pointed at someplace.

I turned in the direction Kimi pointed at. There, on a place slightly higher than the plaza's floor and under a shady tree, was a group of children dressed as adventurers.

"They're your friends?"

"That's right, we met at Adventurer's School," Kimi said.

"Okay, we're going there."

"Quickly! Quickly!"

"You need more patience, my little sister."

I move my leg. My destination is the place where Kimi's friends gather. And when we got close enough, one of them, a girl same age as Kimi waved to us or… more precisely to Kimi.

"Kimi! Kimi! Come here!" called the little girl with a cheerful shout.

"I'm coming Chloe!" replied my sister with a no less cheerful shout.

Chloe huh? I think that was a cute name.

As soon as we got to that place, Kimi exclaimed. "Put me down! Put me down!"

Yup! My little sister has short of patience.

Fulfill her request, I put Kimi off. And the moment she stepped on the ground, she ran towards Chloe.

"Chloe!"

"Kimi!"

Two little girls put their two hands together and jumped up and down. They make little giggles. Needless to say, they were so happy.

"How are you, Sis Eclaite?"

I looked at the source of the sound. There, I saw a teenage boy. He smiled at me. And he was someone who helped me not long after I moved into this world.

"I'm good, nice to see you again Alan."

The teenager put on a surprised expression before saying, "No. You are isn't okay. Why is your right arm bleeding?"

"Huh?"

As Alan said, my right upper arm was bleeding. There is a three-centimeter-long wound in there. Blood flowed and the pain began to assault my arm.

Quickly, I search for a place to sit. After I take a sit, I took a piece of cloth and potions from inside my small Leather Bag.

"Are you okay Big Sis?"

"Once I smear this wound with potions, everything will be fine," I told Kimi. I smiled at the little girl to get rid of her worries. Then, I started treating my wounds.

"You don't have to wait for me, Kimi. Go out with your friends, have fun."

"But-"

"I'm fine, really," I said to cut Kimi's remarks. If I hadn't insisted, this little girl wouldn't have left me.

Kimi finally nodded even though she looked so reluctant. "Alright, I'll be back soon."

"You don't have to rush."

"I can't promise."

Finally, the little girl went to join her friends.

For some time, I sit in here dealing with my wounds.

Then, my ears twitched. Suddenly, I felt uncomfortable. I felt like someone was watching me with bad intentions!

I moved my head to observe the surroundings. A moment later, my attention was drawn by someone in black robes facing me.

I immediately recognized that person. She/he was the one who bumps into me earlier!

What does that person want? Did she/he hurt me? Could it be that that person is after me because she/he has a grudge against the jerk?

CHEERS!

The loud cheers that the people in this plaza made me surprised. My body jolted because of it and I became dazed for a moment.

When I regained my senses, I turned my head back towards the person in black robes.

But...

"Where's that person?"

No one answered my question.

And the black-robed person was like an illusion.