Chapter 119 - I Leaked My Big Secret

"Are you sure the place you're looking for is in this area?" Teria asked me as she looked at the distance using binoculars.

"I'm sure," I replied.

In my hand was a map recording the entire territory of the Yo Tee mountains beneath us. 

I'm trying to find a cave that was an Earth Crystal mine. I remember, in Ark Fantasy Online, the mine became one of Monroe Familia's sources of income. A Familia that became rival of our Familia.

Now, since I heard Teria say there was no mine in Yo Tee, I decided to look for it. If I succeed, I'll get the Earth Crystal faster than I should have.

So, go back to this search. I looked at the map and made a guess based on my memory of the important spots within Monroe Familia's territory.

"Can we stop at this place?"

Hearing my question, Teria put down her binoculars. She approached me and then looked at the part of the map I pointed at with my index finger. A moment later, the woman looked south.

"We can, there's an open space we can use," she said. A moment later, she took out and grasped her necklace, embellished with an orange-colored gem. "Ruka, take Zet to the south, right in the open lot not far from a pair of Brume trees, we'll drop anchor there."

There are only the two of us here. Ruka? The helmsman was in the control room. Yes, Teria spoke to Ruka using an intermediate in the form of a Telepathy Necklace. That Magic Item let them speak even when they were separated by a long distance.

So, with that order, Zet moved to where Teria was directing. The anchor was dropped and we docked.

Setting foot on the grass I looked around. 

The cave was under a hill of rocks. That's the thing I remember. But here, in this world, the cave might be in a different place.

So... 

"Let's split up," I told them, people, who were willing to explore this forest. "Whoever finds the cave, give your signals."

They give me confirmation in different ways. Then, we work on this mission, entering the forest.

I choose to form a party with the kids and Ronove. I had the opportunity to raise the level of the kids and well... I'm not going to miss it.

"[Heavy Cut]" Alan shouted. He managed to kill a wolf whose leg I injured.

On the other hand, "[Double Slash]" Kimi also killed another wolf that I had also injured. 

Afterward, Chloe picked up her Staff and said, "[Mana Thorn]"

The little girl, with its blue thorny roots, managed to kill two wolves.

Then, together, they defeated three other injured wolves and a Greyback Boar whose two tusks I had cut.

The way the kids' fight is improving. They also became faster and stronger than before. Their level must have increased before we made this trip.

They were strong and I'm sure, they'll become stronger after this hunt. Their levels will increase and the way they fight will become sharper.

"What your purpose by doing all of these for them, young lady?" Ronove finally asked after she observed me and the kids for some time.

"Help them to raise their level."

"By injuring the monsters and letting those children kill them?"

"Yes, that way, they will obtain a large amount of Exp."

"What is Exp? And didn't you know, the fastest way for someone to level up is to practice and master the skills they have." Ronove explained.

"If the people you're referring to are a Blacksmith, Chef, or Potion Maker, that was a right way. They could raise their level by continuing to use their skills. However, hunting monsters gives faster results for combatants like us."

"How can you be sure about that?"

That... Is a good question. The people of this world seems didn't know what Exp was and its distribution. It makes it complicated for me to explain.

But I didn't give up on making an explanation that Ronove can understand. So, I paused for a moment to think of an explanation.

"Big sis, we're done taking their Magic Stones." Kimi's words got my mind sidetracked.

I smiled as my fox's ears twitched. "Good! Now, we will go to the northwest, to that big rock. And remember, always be aware of the situations around you."

"Okay, this time, we'll find monsters faster than big sis!" After saying her part, Kimi along with Alan and Chloe led our little exploration.

Then, about the explanation for Ronove.

I form one!

"Have you ever heard of a situation where someone in a Party raised his level faster than the other members because he killed more monsters than the other?"

"Never," she replied briefly.

It made me drop my shoulders along with my fox's ears and tail. "In that case, summon three low-leveled Skeleton Soldiers. Order one of them to continue killing monsters while the other two only help in the fight without killing. That way, you'll understand what I mean."

Ronove looked at me sharply. "You know I'm a fortune-teller, right?"

"I know you as a Necromancer and the strongest at it."

As soon as I finished speaking, my body stopped. I can't control it to my wish. I just stood there without being able to do anything.

"What happened?" I wondered.

Then, by itself, my body moved to stand in front of Ronove who made a terrifying expression.

"From whom did you know I was a Necromancer? I suggest that you answer honestly if you want to stay alive."

Ronove's soft voice that was so cold made the fur in my tails stand up. It also scares me so much!

I realized I was in big trouble.

I gulped and then said, "Are you controlling my body with a spell, Corpse Marionette?"

"..." Ronove didn't say anything. At the same time, I felt my heart squeezed by something.

I felt tremendous pain for a while. Moving my eyes, I saw the old woman staring at me emotionlessly.

"Answer me, young lady!" she asked and I knew, she was serious.

Should I lie and say I know her secret from the jerk?

Not... That was the wrong choice.

Ronove, take control of my body. If she could do it, she would find out if I was lying or not, easily.

"...You probably won't believe it- ARGH!"

An unbearable pain interrupts my words. I felt like my whole body was being brutally torn apart.

"I hope the next thing you say is the answer I ask for. There's no second chance," she told me.

"I know it from the memory of my past life!" I answered and closed my eyes. I was too scared to see what would happen next.

"Open your eyes and look me in the eye! Repeat your words without closing your eyes!" Ronove shouted.

Her voice shook my bones and mind. I was so scared. Because of that, I do what the old woman asked as soon as I can.

"I know it from the memory of my past life," I said when I looked into her scary, red eyes.

Then, the silence grew between us for some time.

"Looks like you're not lying," she began. "If your answer just now was a joke, I would tear your hands and feet and hang you in one of the trees."

No please don't. I don't want to die in a horrible way like that. 

A moment later, I fell to the ground.

"Ugh..." I groaned.

My body was limp and it felt so heavy. Worse, I feel pain every time I make a small movement. So, in the end, I decided to take a rest.

I'm relying on Nature Vitality to repair my body.

"... In your past life, how did we meet?"

Hmm... that was an easy question but I didn't know how to answer it.

We met in the game, she was an NPC, and our relationships, contacts, interactions, or whatever it was were just to the extent that I was using a function of a program. 

There's nothing special or profound about that.

I thought for a moment to find the right answer. Then, I said, "I did the Quests you gave me. Like searching for the recipe of Soul Condense Potion, The Despair Tears Of The Deaths, and so on."

Ronove crouched down and asked. "You take jobs from me?"

"Yes."

"That could explain why you know so much about me," said Ronove, who was examining my body.

Then, the time passed.

"... Do you know the end of my journey?"

My eyes opened wide after hearing that question.

"You seem to know that. And don't tell me the answer, I changed my mind. [Recovery]"

A purple light came out of Ronove's hand to envelop my body. I feel better.

"Take a rest," she told me.

Seconds later, my little sister showed herself. "What are you doing, Big Sis? We came across two wolves- Big sis! What happened!?"

"She touched a poisonous mushroom," Ronove explained before I could say anything. "She'll be fine after resting for a while."

So we rested.

Our search and hunt continued after I got better. We managed to kill a dozen monsters but we haven't found the cave yet.

< Level up! 10 to 11 >

< Level up! 11 to 12 >

Phsuu! Duar!

A strange sound followed by the sound of an explosion was created. Moving my head towards the source of the sound, I saw red fireworks.

"Someone found the cave. And it looks like, we're unlucky," I said, feeling a little disappointed.. "Let's go back."