Chapter 19 (1)
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Its only been one day since we entered the mountain
Oh my goodness, Damn! What was that just now?!
Before Miguels scream even ended, Ian slammed the ground.
In an instant, his figure rushing towards the carnivorous tree disappeared through the dense foliage, and the branches rustled as they fell.
Pazasasa Quack! Card-thud!
The entire tree shook as if in a convulsion, and an eerie sound followed.
A moment later, something large fell to the ground beneath the tree.
Following that, Ian, who had gently landed amidst the leaves, approached while holding something in his hand.
Soon, Ian tossed the object he held in front of the group.
Lou Sola, good heavens
Philip, who had been watching in a trance, finally sighed.
It was the lower jaw of a horse. The partially crushed head was intact, and a dark red liquid dripped thickly from the severed section.
A tree with a jaw attached. Can you believe the damn demons have such things?
Ian just shrugged his shoulders.
The demons that had mutated due to the madness of the original black wall were often of an unusual kind.
Miguel, who was squatting on the ground, staring at the jaw, turned his gaze back to Ian.
You said its okay as long as we dont touch it? My jaw almost got blown away.
I thought the same thing.
Ian wiped the blood off his face with the back of his hand and added.
It seems like it reacts even to external stimuli like sounds.
External, what? Anyway, does that mean we cant even make noise from now on?
Its probably better that way. At least I wont have to listen to your chattering.
Ian turned his body casually while retorting. He approached the horses corpse and picked up the saddlebags hanging from the saddle.
He handed one to Maeve.
Now that its come to this, we should transfer.
Fine, got it
She instinctively took the bag with her left hand, quickly switched it to her right hand, and hung it on the saddle.
Watching her twist her left wrist, Ian smirked at her.
Is there something wrong?
Nothing. Dont mind it.
Well, then. Ian added with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulder.
We should also change the big ones. Since it seems these damn things will keep appearing.
Good idea. Lets do that.
Sir, you take the rear guard. Miguel, go ahead.
Philip, who had the horses, stood behind Ian, while Miguel, who was unarmed, stood in front of Maeve.
They were the rear guards to protect the two.
Miguel muttered hesitantly.
I-I dont have to take the lead, right? I mean, Im fine with it, but I am supposed to be the guide after all
If I go the wrong way, just let me know in time.
Ian added, looking back at the detour.
Well move all night and pass through as quickly as possible. Even if we dont, its going to be difficult to sleep tonight anyway.
In truth, he wanted to go find the source of contamination.
But for now, he had to prioritize the contract.
Well probably be back within ten days at most. The situation wont change dramatically during that time.
Dealing with this detour later would be a separate issue.
Dont worry about that. I will take responsibility.
In response to the returning answer, Ian turned his head with a renewed gaze.
Miguel smiled, his facial scars contorting.
If you cant even find your way in the forest, you cant say youre a hunter. No big deal.
Hes such a kid
With a faint smile, Ian spat out his words and gradually moved his steps.
He headed into the forest, where ominous shadows loomed.
The groups pace could only slow down.
There was no defined path, and as the trees, grass, and vines grew denser, progress became more challenging.
Moreover, as if to prove that Ians guidance was accurate, carnivorous trees blocked their way.
However, these beings didnt pose a significant threat. Ian dashed into the attack range of the trees himself.
Although the carnivorous trees aimed their jaws accurately at Ians head each time, they were easily repelled. Knowing they only targeted the head, Ian could simply raise his sword at the right moment to fend them off.
Had they been mature creatures, the situation might have been different. Still in the midst of transformation, their response was enough to break the jaws.
Yet, even within Ians impressive actions, the tension among the group didnt wane.
It was because the sun had set. The darkness within the forest had a different density.
While Phillip and Miguel held torches, they barely managed to push back the encroaching darkness.
Ian could flip the darkness aside with ease, but the others were not the same.
To think theres not even the sound of insects
Miguel mumbled, shining the torch around.
Ian retorted, his tone gruff.
Youll soon miss this silence.
Miguel retorted, his face turning sour.
Please be careful with your words. Dont you know that speaking ill omens can bring about such events?
Thats what I said.
Huh?
Since were going to encounter them anyway.
What do you mean? Of course, we should delay confronting them as long as
Fwoosh-!
The sound of the wind swallowed Miguels words as it swept by. But Miguel and even Phillip froze. The sound was all they heard; the wind didnt actually blow.
Thats why these superstitious beliefs make people so foolish.
Ian slowed his pace and drew his sword.
Swish-!
Once again, the wind sounded. This time, it wasnt just the sound; the grass and trees illuminated by the torches began to rustle.
Squelch, hiss, squelch-!
From beneath the ground and among the trees, various creatures emerged.
Thoseare Ghoul? Phillip mumbled in dismay.
Ian let out a scoff.
In the end, theyre just dead creatures. They might be a bit mutated, though.
Mutatedwhat?
Follow slowly. Dont stop.
With that, Ian leaped forward.
Translator; ippo
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