Chapter 412 Final Stops, the world beyond End
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/JUMP!/
/Shua!!/
Suddenly, a small being jumped from the bushes, trying to latch onto Dale!
/... Step aside.../
Keeping his calm, Dale sidestepped, evading the pounce as he crossed his arms to face the mischievous newcomer.
/Thud!/
The creature fell on the ground, patting its arms and hair as it dusted off the dirt.
"Hey! I was sure this would be enough this time!" The creature, a young girl, protested as she looked up at Dale from the ground.
The girl wasn't very tall, and her figure was hidden underneath a few layers of leather armor, but it was evident she was no child.
The combination of her figure, golden hair, and youthful expression reminiscent of her Asian bloodline made her look like a princess who should've been in a castle and not in a dark forest.
For Dale, it was just another pretty girl he had to look after...
"You won't get me with such a sloppy ambush." He replied with a chuckle as he rested his back against a tree
"Humph, I'll make you eat your words!" She exclaimed, her voice filled with determination, as she sprang up from the ground, standing before him with a radiant smile
"..."
Dale merely smiled, however, he sighed internally, knowing full well what she was about to ask.
As unpredictable as she was, her desires were as long as a single line of text on a small note, it wasn't hard to read into her intentions.
Dale almost felt like he could see an exclamation mark above her head.
'She has a bit too much energy for me...' Dale thought, his internal sigh reflecting his mild exasperation
Out of everyone he knew, there was only one girl... Person who would try to pull such a stunt in the middle of a dangerous field full of monsters.
The girl he was tasked with protecting and helping, Roger's granddaughter, his little sun...
"Humm..."
The girl's eyes darted around while Dale remained focused on his Quests.
"Who are you waiting for here in the middle of nowhere?" She asked after she looked around
She saw how Dale had his sword and spear around.
With his clothes and the backpack on the ground, he was evidently planning to go somewhere...Follow the latest novels at novelhall.com
"... A Guide."
"Ohhh!"
"... No."
"What?! I didn't even say anything!"
"I know what you'll say. Sorry, but I can't bring you to where I'm going, not this time."
Dale shook his head, his tone firm.
"Ahhh... Pretty please?" She asked as she clasped her hands together, her eyes blinking cutely as she tried to sway him
"Your Level is too low, and even though you're a Standard Mode Player, I can't let you lose levels for nothing."
"But then it wouldn't be an adventure! How can one explore the unknown without the dangers of it?" She retorted, showing her displeasure
"... You're persistent."
"My grandfather says the same! My father too, but he gave up trying to resist a few years ago." She shared with a chuckle, her persistence shining through
"Then... Am I going?" She asked, insisting on her goals
Her voice was full of expectation, and her body language was evident.
After ten days, whatever Dale had prepared for her had already turned stale.
No matter how many Quests he sent her to do, how many Dungeons he gave her, and how many rewards awaited her, she quickly grew bored as she dreamt of a challenge.
The sound of a single footstep echoed in their ears, thiswas the sign Dale had been waiting for.
Standing behind the girl was a four-meter-tall monster in the woods with a giant cane in his hand, wide and thick enough to be used as a club. However, to the creature, it was nothing but a walking stick.
The muscular entity wore fur around it, covering much of its greenish skin.
A wooden mask hid its face; it could only be one thing...
A Karkavan.
/Turn.../
At that time, the girl turned around, and her stomach went cold as she saw the cold, glittering eyes watching her from amidst the treetops.
"...KYAAAA!"
She exclaimed, jumping to the side where Dale was.
She stood behind him as she watched the creature from afar.
"... Apologies... Bolbom thought not... Tofearlittle one." The Karkavan said as he took a step into the light
"We know Bolbom. Welcome to Resko. I am the one you shall guide, Dale." He said with a nod as he raised his fist to the Karkavan
A handshake was a bit too much given their difference in size, but a fist bump was enough of a gesture for the gentle giant.
"Bolbom... Glad... Met Great Warrior... Da-re!"
"..."
'Dare?... Is it because of the pronunciation?'
"Shall we?"
The Karkavan gestured towards the forest, but before they could move, something needed to be resolved first...
"Wh... What's going on here?"
"Oh... This is your first time seeing one, isn't it?" Dale asked as he turned around
"This is a Karkavan, a tribesman of the Horizon Woods forest. They can be seen as the original inhabitants of this land, the indigenous species of this land."
"They're a tall race of rather short-lived Humanoids; they're as intelligent as us but due to isolation, haven't learned our language."
"They used to trade with the inhabitants of this city in the past, but only recently did we build a connection again. I've also been trying to learn their language to facilitate this process, but it's complicated."
"This gentleman before us introduced himself as Bolbom. His wording may be a little rough, but do cut him some slack."
"Bolbom... Greets." The Karkavan said as he made a strange gesture, it wasn't anything explicit, merely a movement with his fingers and head as if he was about to do some magic trick but stopped midway through it
"Woah... Wait, I thought there were no other species in this game aside from Humans?"
"Well... That was only an assumption from the players, wasn't it?" Dale said with a smile as he held her by her shoulders
"Now, enoughhidding, introduce yourself. The Karkavan value manners and honor."
"Ehhhhhh..."
'Hm... He's intimidating but... This is quite cool...'
""...""
They stood there, watching each other awkwardly...
A small girl around 1.60 M and a green Orc around 4 M tall... It was a little overwhelming for the lady.
Like a chihuahua staring at its owner...
"Erm... I'm... H-Hina!"
"Hum..."
Bolbom exhaled loudly, causing the leaves around them to shake...
"Bolbom... Greets." He said amicably as he gestured to Hina
"Ah? Ah!"
Hina gestured back, and Bolbom hummed happily; it seemed everything went well...
It was time to start another adventure!
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Notes