CH 31

[The Orb of Protection has been activated.]

[You have reduced 50% of the impact.]

[The Orb of Protection has been activated.]

[You have reduced 70% of the impact.]

[The Orb of Protection has been activated.]

[You have reduced 30% of the impact.]

“Ugh!” I groaned as I rolled over and landed on my buttocks on the floor.

What the hell just happened? 

I searched through my shakey memory. 

The floor of the cabin rattled and a large rock broke through. Maya had grabbed me and tried to escape outside, but the sudden impact knocked her away from my body, and I began to roll down the slope.

I think the last thing I heard was people screaming.

“…….”

Now I was sitting dazedly in grass as tall as I was.

Suddenly, the word ‘landslide’ came to mind.

Wow. I’m so unlucky.

Fortunately, thanks to the Protection Orb, I only suffered minor scratches compared to the distance I rolled.

[The Protection Orb dissipates.]

I dusted off my knees and stood up, looking around. There was no sign of Maya or the others. Only the sound of water flowing down the slender ravine.

Hmm…… What am I going to do?

It’s better to see insects and nature from a distance. I took a deep breath as I heard the sound of an approaching snake.

And I opened my inventory, the only cheat key I had.

* * *

In the dense forest, a white deer was struck down by an arrow from Jin.

Permetis clapped her hands excitedly.

“That’s great, brother.”

Both Othello and Jin were in full swing.

“I learnt a lot from my brothers today.”

Permetis caught a small rabbit. Considering she was only seven years old, it was an accomplishment, but not even close to her cousins.

The soldiers behind them cleaned up the carcass.

~ Translations by Lurelia | Editing by Valpal | Read only at moonlightnovels.com ~

“This place has changed a lot,” Jin commented as he readjusted his arrows. 

“My mother took great care of it,” Permetis smiled.

“I see. How is she doing these days?”

It seemed like a meaningless question, but Permetis was startled for a moment. She remembered what Zestia had said.

‘Guide Othello and Jin deeper into the hunting grounds, so they don’t get caught in the crossfire. They need to stay uninvolved.’

For some time now, a healer had been staying at her grandfather Bashiron’s home.

He spoke with Zestia whenever he had time, sharing his wisdom.

After her humiliation and warning letter following the Dark Feast, Zestia’s animosity towards Recardo had been fueled by her conversations with the healer.

Not long ago, she had traveled to the summer residence and taken Permetis on a tour of the hunting grounds.

‘You don’t intend to harm them, do you? If they find out, they’ll surely kill my mother and me.’

‘Don’t worry, trust your mom.’

Zestia had spoken with eyes that seemed possessed.

‘Everything is for your own good, so be a good hostess, Permetis.’

She’d be lying if she said she didn’t feel uneasy.

But the reason Zestia had ordered Permetis to escort Othello and Jin was because she intended to leave them untouched, at least.

That’s it. No need to bother with that nasty Sasha. 

“She’s the same as always. She left after asking me to treat my brothers well. Look forward to this evening.”

A moment later, Othello pulled out his bow and drew the string.

A white deer appeared in the distance.

As the bowstring was pulled tight, his eyebrows twitched.

“…….”

A moment later, he pulled the drawstring back and returned the bow to its resting position.

When he gave up after almost catching it, Permetis looked at him questioningly.

“What’s wrong, brother?”

Othello pursed his lips.

“The sound, don’t you hear it?”

Permetis just shrugged her shoulders, as if she didn’t know.

After a moment, Jin looked at him sharply.

“Beep, beep,” Othello spoke up. “The baby is calling.” A moment later, his eyes narrowed, and he broke into a run.

Permetis panicked and shrieked, “Brother!”

Zestia told her to keep them in the hunting grounds.

‘Whatever’s going on over there can’t be heard from here,’ Permetis thought, turning to Jin.

“It’s not safe to run like that, especially since it has only just rained. You should stop your brother Othello…….”

But Jin, too, looked cold and took out his whip.

“You don’t hear that?”

The previously gentlemanly expression on his face had turned chillingly cold. The distance between them seemed enormous at that moment.

“The sound calling to us is so clear.”

It was as if an invisible, solid wall had risen between them.

Permetis felt her heart racing.

With a flash of his black hair, Jin broke into a fast trot.

“Brother! Let’s go together!” Permetis called out in vain.

* * *

Now that I’m wearing these Bubble Shoes, anyone thinking of me will come to my rescue.

I tried to relax. I was in distress, and there’s no point in hanging around.

There’s no way I could climb that high cliff.

If it weren’t for the Protection Orb, I’d probably be dead.

Items are powerful, and I officially believe wholeheartedly in them.

“First, let’s try to get water.”

I know it’s better to stay put, but in this weather, I’m going to get dehydrated. I’m only three years old, and I need to drink water often.

I listened for a moment and heard the sound of running water. The tall grass was scary, but I moved forward.

I hadn’t taken more than a few steps when I encountered a creature I despised.

Shhhh- shhhh.

With its triangular head and colorful patterning, it looked like it was certainly a venomous snake. 

The problem was that the snake was longer than I was tall. And it was looking at me like it had spotted a good meal.

‘Ugh. What a surprise.’

Its triangular eyes were fixed on me, and a cold sweat began to run down my spine.

If it opened its mouth, it would swallow me whole.

Awoo-woo-woo–

As I fell to the ground, I could hear wolves howling in the distance. I felt like I’d fallen into a cage of hungry predators.

A cold sweat broke out on my back, but I had no intention of giving up.

[Use the skill “Black Domination (SS/LV.1)”.]

I glared at the snake and used a skill I’d acquired some time ago, hoping it would work on it like it had on the man under Kaisa’s curse.

But the snake didn’t care, it just hissed.

‘This isn’t how it should end.’

I focused my mind.

And then I slapped myself hard on the forehead.

If this one didn’t work, I prayed that another would.

But nothing happened. The snake was still looking at me.

“Now…… wait a minute. Where’s the Grim Reaper? If you send me here, you’ll be held responsible…… evil!”

I squeezed my eyes shut as the snake finally moved closer.

Was it going to eat me whole? Would it hurt?

I flinched, thinking the worst, but I didn’t feel any pain.

Instead, I felt the sharp sensation of a lick on my nose.

I opened my eyes, startled.

~ Translations by Lurelia | Editing by Valpal | Read only at moonlightnovels.com ~

The adult snake had raised its head and was looking at me. It stuck its tongue out and flicked the tip of my nose.

“Wh-what?”

The snake, ready to eat me at any moment, was looking at me docilely. Like a puppy.

I cautiously reached out to the snake and stroked its angular head.

Shhhh–

The snake was so gentle, as if it had no intention of attacking in the first place. I wondered if the skill had worked…… but the snake seemed to move freely.

Maybe the skill is only triggered by those who want to harm or bully me. This snake had no intention of eating me in the first place.

“Do you know where the water is?” I asked, but the snake just gave me a dumbfounded look and flicked its tongue.

I let out a small sigh.

I stroked the snake’s head again.

“I will look for it. Sorry for the misunderstanding.”

The snake flicked its tongue again and went on its way.

I walked toward the sound of the water, braver than before. I guess it’s not right to judge people or animals by their appearance.

* * *

When the sun began to set, I sat up, wondering if someone had finally come to find me.

In front of me was a cup of water made of leaves, and I gathered up the fallen leaves and made myself a fairly comfortable place to rest.

I was scared when I was first stranded, but I sighed with relief when I thought I would soon be safe.

A figure slowly emerged from the bushes.