Chapter 110 Hmm . . . That Far?!

[BONUS]

Going forward, we finally reached a settlement, and Yuko rose from her slumber when she sniffed the scent of other creatures.

It was a small village, but it seemed to have a lot of people living there. There were several houses made from wood and straw huts around the area. A few people were busy working in their fields while others were preparing for dinner.

They were quests available here, but I wasn't going to do them since the rewards weren't worth it. I was hurrying to find Blue River Town and Honoka Village before my other self took over tomorrow.

"Welcome!" one of the villagers called out to me as soon as they saw me, but then his face crumpled into a frown. "Are you lost?"

"No, not really," I replied. "Just passing by."

"Oh! Are you a player? The one who was brought into our world just now?"

I think they knew about those stuff since they were used to it happening. What's more, every Apocalyptic Event happened once players were brought into this world.

"Yeah, that's right."

They seemed friendly enough, and they didn't seem to be affected by my Evil's Halo.

The old man looked me in the eye and took a step back. "Wait . . . did you come from Roselake Town just now?"

"No," I denied. "I took the longer route. I heard what happened there, so I avoided passing there at all costs."

I didn't know if there was another route, but the old man seemed to release a sigh of relief.

"Oh, thank goodness! Avoid that town at all costs. It's rumored that it's cursed, and ghosts roamed that place every night."

"That poor Saint," another old woman commented. "She's going to Roselake to investigate. I hope nothing happens to her."

Saint? Were they talking about that High Septon?

If so, she was really going to investigate what happened in there.

<You worried, Host?>

Not really. I had Yuko with me, and Little Piggy was at the base. Even though that God is lazy and a pain in the ass, I was sure that Athena and Daedalus would know how to deal with it.

Back in this small village, I noticed that most who resided here were humans. That must be the reason why they're friendly toward me.

Come to think of it. I think the majority of Rustin's population were humans, and they were at constant war with other kingdoms and races if I wasn't mistaken.

<That's right>

"By the way. Do you know where is this Blue River Town and Honoka Village?" I asked them.

The old man and woman stopped chatting and stared at me with wide eyes.

"You want to go there?" the old woman asked.

"I thought that you were going to the player's Academy. That's what the other players ask us most of the time," the old man added.

The player's Academy. . . I was curious about it, but my rice addiction couldn't be hindered for long.

"I will go there too. But I need to reach Blue River and Honoka first," I told them.

The old folks looked at each other before the woman replied.

"Is that so? But those two towns are far apart from each other. Blue River Town is located on the west side while Honoka is located east from here."

And the old man added, "The Player's Academy is located in Castle Rock. It's just a few villages from here, and Blue River Town is a little farther north of Castle Rock."

"Honoka is farther east, though. Past the mountains," said the old lady.

"How far exactly?" I asked.

"By the fastest horse, you'll reach Castle Rock from here around two days and a week to Blue River Town."

"You need at least a week to reach Honoka Village, too. That is considering you don't stop and take a rest."

That far?!

Great.

I was sure that I was running like the fastest horse, so even then, I wouldn't be able to reach those two places.

I gave my thanks to the two old folks and resumed running.

"Hey," Yuko called me in the middle of my marathon.

"The name's Cross, but you can call me my Lord."

Yuko flew and blocked my path, prompting me to stop.

"What is it?" I asked impatiently in my voice.

"How about I check this Honoka Village while you go to this other town?"

"Huh? You would do that?"

Yuko nodded, and when she was sure that no one was watching, she reverted to her Yokai form.

The only thing I enjoyed about her changing into her Yokai form was the jiggling of her breasts.

"I just realized that it would be more fun if I explored on my own with no restrictions. Being with you has a lot of 'cants.'"

I looked at her suspiciously, but I had to agree with what she said about splitting up. "Are you sure you're not just going to cause trouble?"

"How rude." Yuko flipped her hair. "I'm just going to enjoy myself after years of being cooped inside my territory."

"It's fine if you just want to enjoy," I told her. "But don't bring trouble to me or to my territory."

"Yes. Yes," she said, canines on display as her grin widened. "Can I go and destroy this village now?"

". . ." I still have my reservations, but . . . "Fine. Don't go overboard."

<That's a good one coming from someone who curses

I then gave her the pouch gil. "You'll need this. You do know how to use it, right?"

Yuko inspected the round gold coins and nodded. "Yes. Yes. I know."

She then turned into a small fox and flew in the air.

"Be inconspicuous!" I yelled at her.

"You're annoying!" she yelled back.

Looking at her until she disappeared, I wasn't worried since she couldn't be killed.

I was more worried at the fact that she might do something, and it would return to me.

I gave Yuko's direction one last look before sprinting to my destination.

The sun was already setting when I reached the next village. The sky had turned red and orange.

When I got out of the forest, there were many people around. They looked at me as I walked through the street. Some of them stared at me with wide eyes, while others averted their gaze.

I wonder if there was something on my face.

<They are surprised by your appearance>

I guess it was because of my mask. I always forget that I have it on.

Or maybe my Evil's Halo increased?

This village was also like the previous one. Nothing to do here but move on and quickly head to my destination.

Without taking sleep or rest, I ran as if my life depended on it until I reached the first-ever town again after Roselake at the first rise of the sun.

This town, however, was bigger compared to Roselake, and its walls were made of stones and bricks. From a distance, I saw its houses in stones and tiles. The structures also reach at least two to four stories high.

It was like a fortress from the towers lining its study walls, and there was even a moat around it with only one entrance and exit.

There was also a castle on top of the hill surrounded by other structures. The flags on its walls told me that it must be the Player's Academy.

If so, this must be Castle Rock.

[CONGRATULATION!

CASTLE ROCK has been added to your Teleportation Gate!]

Finally.

There were a bunch of creatures already passing me by and making their way to the town. Some were in wagons carrying their daily produce for the town's consumption.

There was a long line at the gate at the earliest of hour, and I could already feel the buzzing activities inside.

I estimated that my other self would show itself around noon, so best if I checked the place fast. I gave up on reaching Blue River Town, so I might as well check this place out.

I also left a message to tell Yuko not to return, no matter what I told her. She only replied that I was being funny and that she would really not return until she got her fun.

That at least put me to rest.

Lining in the gate, I inspected the others. There were halflings, elves, gnomes, dwarves, and even some beastmen. I wonder if Rustin was more open to other races.

<Nope. Look at their skin, Host. There are marks on their skin>

( . . . continuation on NOTES)

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A/N

Sorry for posting only one chapter. I'm sick at the moment. ????