Chapter 7
(Sheryl's POV)
"mhmm"
"mhhhm~"
It was morning when the sun's ray brushes its light at me. After we went inside the forest, we then headed straight back to our Inn to sleep
"Ugh"
I retorted. As I saw the sleeping cow beside me, showing-off its disgusting tits that I wish were mine, as she faces me
"Hmm?"
As I realize darling was now gone, as I brush the bed's mattress where his once chest laid. I then tried looking around to see where he is
"Darling?"
I muttered, as I saw him, deep in thought, as he sat down the desk chair. The desk that the inn has is much bigger than the desk we had back at the ship, coated in pale white, with a lamp at its right. I then tried slowly getting up, and get near him.
As he was lost in thought, he wasn't able to notice me getting close to him, so I used that opportunity, and gently brush my hands to his chest, and leaned my face close to his. I didn't wore any clothes nor garment as we sleep, so I'm basically naked in the sunlight
"What's the matter?"
I asked, sweetly
(Creeper's POV)
I was quite taken aback for the sudden touch. As I was lost in my thought, I didn't realize Sheryl was already at my side
"...just thinking..."
I muttered
"[Mist] is quite different than a normal mist, so for it to be placed in that place, quite dense and wide also, indicates"
"That we are fighting either a human, or has an intelligent like one"
As she continued my word
"Possibly, but we need to be cautious and prepared. A rank like platinum and emerald isn't rare here...so we should expect our enemy to be at that level"
I said. That is by no means just me overthinking. If something like a new {Bulan} came from inside a small village forest, so then what are the chances of one appearing from this kingdom? And especially that there are more and more new monsters just sprouted out of nowhere, [Named] and unknown. But even though so, this time is different, we are at a place we don't know off
"I'll try to see if I could atleast get us a peak in that fog. Take Natsumi out, and see if you could get any information. Rumors or gossip will even do. We will take anything, may it just a crap talk or playful play"
"....you are not going in...alone, aren't you?"
She asked, I then patted her head, and touch her slender arm
"I won't. I'm not that stupid to go there alone. I will use any trick I could think of to give us, I a vision, even a bit, so don't worry"
As I spoke, Sheryl then kissed me at my cheeks, with a slight worry. I by no means a fool, so I won't just barge in like a clown in an unknown territory, without any preparation
Knock Knock
"Dear guest"
We then got interrupted by a sudden knock, as the inn's worker came and called us
"Your breakfast"
'Oh, that time already?'
Sheryl then hurriedly went back to the bed, and covered herself, as the man then came in and brought us our breakfast
"[Grilled Sausage] and [Reisling Wine]"
Reisling wine is a natural femerted sweet extract from a {Albino Fionchaora} (note: grapes in Irish, no explanation yet)
"Are you our private attendant?"
Natsumi asked, as she covered herself with a blanket and placed her right hand on her head
"Why do you think so ma'am?"
"Hmm.....from the time we are here till now, you are the only one who is attending us. I was just curious of course, please don't mind my question. You can just ignore it if you don't want to answer"
"No worries. Well....the authority of a King is something we non-noble folks, simple individual if you like, can't even dare to hold"
He said. The man spoke as he faces away from Natsumi, which gives me a deep respect of him
"After one of the King's attendants booked the whole 5th floor of our inn, which is after they have chosen our humble building, we were all both aggregated and.... burdened"
As he continued, the room went in silence. Getting a King's approval is both joy and fear for folks like them. He then added
"So our owner asked us who will take care of the guest, none volunteered exept for me, in fear if they make a blunder, it will not only cost our inn's reputation, but also their life. I can't blame them, so I took the task….well, in a sense, but if you do find me-"
"You are not a bother"
This time, Natsumi intervene
"I was just curious, that's all. Forgive me if I did ask something I shouldn't have"
"Oh, it wasn't. I do apologize for my response"
"Don't be"
For quite some time, it became quite awkward. After the man bowed and leave, Natsumi was still staring at the close door
"Darling"
She then looked at me after she called me
".....just don't be reckless, okay"
She said, in a worried tone. She was listening. I then stood up and walk towards her
"Don't worry"
And gave her a deep morning kiss, as I bended over
"We will try the central market of the kingdom, we might get something there"
Sheryl spoke, as she interrupted us
"Jealous?"
Sheryl frowned, as Natsumi wrapped her arms to my neck and smirked. After they made their usual cat-fight, and took our breakfast meal, I then went ahead towards the forest
....
"..."
I was astounded, as the fog that was supposedly covering the forest, was now gone, showcasing what it was hiding. I then walked and scan the vicinity, always on guard and vigilant. But as I roam around the forest
"It's too quiet"
No birds, no insect, neither breeze, it's totally, completely quiet
"I should have brought Natsumi with me"
I stated. I then tried surveying the ground and tree trunks, even some of the caves in the area
"....."
But there's none. It left me puzzled and bewildered
(Sheryl's POV)
The [Kingdom's Central Market] is deluge by stall after stall, store after store, with people who sell, and people who brought. Customers and sellers surrounded the whole market. Some sells jewels, carved stones, amulets, beautified ornaments, and stunning accessories. Some sells some freshly picked vegetables, pounded meat, ripe fruits, and good railed fish. Some even displayed foods and sweets, from honey and bread, to skewered and grilled. Folks who took a liking, brought, those who need something, asked, and those who wanted better, roamed
"What a lively market"
I said. After our usual cat-fight with that cow-tit, we then went to the market stationed in the east of the kingdom. I told her to split up, and meet each other later in the park. I took the left side, while she took the right path. The guards at the 1st floor wasn't there for some reason, so we asked the Inn receptionist for direction
"....it's much..... peaceful, than what I anticipated"
I mutter, as the market was quite, well, organized. People were silently strolling around to find what they need, the stall and store owner were patiently waiting for their customers to surround their shop, the Knights roams around the surrounding area. It was a well quite diverse place
"So now then….who should I ask first?"
As I roamed around the market, I then stumble down on a tavern, a wide 2-storey medium, greenish-gray tavern. A place where people could merry and drunk. From merchants to adventurers, even farmers and Knights, all gathered here. Also, It's a better place for rumors and gossip to swing by.
2 rows with 10 tables each - with 4 chairs placed - all coated in dark brown. It was divided in 2 sections, one in a horizontal manner, while the other is line up vertically, and a stair at the left. The barkeep was stationed at the center, with bottle of ales, beer, and wine at its back, with 9 rounded chairs - 5 at front and 4 at its side. I then entered, trying to procure any information I could take. I then sat down next to the barkeep. He then stared at me for a bit before going back to his usual duty
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"....a [Honey Ale], [Grand Berry Cocktail], and a [Sweet Honey-Berry Wine]"
".....?"
"For newcomers, I suggest a sweet, mild drink...especially for a beauty like you"
The barkeep then looked at the people behind me. I then took a peek behind, and saw those people gazing at me with their sharp looks, and disgusting stares
"Most people tend to take a jewel than an ore" (note: means to go for a shortcut than to hard work)
He then stared back to his wine glass
"So I suggest to take a simple leisure, if you aren't ready for a party or two, young lady"
The barkeep spoke, while cleaning the wine bottle at his hand with a cloth. He was maybe at 30s or mid, a bulky tanned man. I just smiled on his remarks
"I then shall take your best, sweet-mild drink, barkeep"
I smiled. After drinking 3 cocktails, I then asked about the reason I came here, about the forest and the missing people
"...."
The barkeep only stared at me a bit, then turned around as he placed a long beer mug in the shelve
"....excluding the knights, there were already 50 missing people, 10 were merchants"
He then turn towards me, as he took another glass
"30 were adventurers, mid rank I heard"
"Mid, what?"
"...platinum, party of 6….each"
"..."
I could only stare at him as I was shocked, flabbergasted, as the barkeep shove a boulder size information at me. 6 members party, and there are 30 that was missing. And all of them were mid platinum rank, just means
"An emerald rank"
I blunder, as I made a puzzled gaze. A rank that even Isabelle, wouldn't dare to face daringly, even with a cohort
"I've heard they even sent a peak platinum rank during that raid"
"!?"
I was perflex for the sudden comment. As I look at my side, I was suprise, awed, and realize how totally small I was. I was almost at chest high of darling, but this person, to this man
"Huge"
I thought, as a dark brown man camed out of nowhere, as he seated next to me. He wore a grayish-white clothe and gray pants, with its rolled-egg like hairstyle, as he ordered a beer
"I hope I didn't intervene something, important"
He said, as he stared at me. I might be at waist tall to him, or even lower
"....you didn't"
I answered. He then placed a drink in front of me
"....."
Baffled to his impulsive action, I then look at him, finding out his intention. But he didn't look, neither tried to as he drunk the beer in his hand. I then look at the bar keep, who was wiping another empty bottle, standing in front of me. He then took a peak and made a sharp gaze, before he turn around and placed the bottle inside the shelve
"..."
I was in dismay, as the drink this guy ordered, is something I, myself, can't even afford. A [Deep-Blue Champange], for 15 gold coins, or 375 big silver coins. I might not know what's are the ins-drink today, but I do know what drink were basically quite heavy for me to take. I then circled my index finger to the bottle's tip side, before muttering
"Thanks for the offer"
He then smiled to my remark. But before he could speak, I then shoved the drink towards him, back to him
"But I don't drink more than I could handle"
I then added. He was shocked as he didn't expect my response, as he looked in front of me, questioning
"...I see"
He replied. Right now I don't know who is he, nor his intention, so why would I accept a drink from a complete stranger? After I have said that, I then stood up and paid the barkeep for the drinks before walking out. I already have the info I need, so there's no need to keep tabs for a guy I don't know, and wouldn't wanted to
"It would be a lie if I said I wasn't surprise"
He spoke, as I walked towards the tavern's door, I didn't look back. As I was about to leave
"[Royal Garden Inn]"
He then out of nowhere spoke an inn's name
"If you need more than a cup of wine, I'm free"
He then drunk the last chug of alcohol, as I then took my leave
(??? POV)
"..."
The barkeep was wiping another empty bottle in hand
"Still pursuing? I suggest to give it up. That young lady quite...doesn't fancy you"
The barkeep spoke
"....well, its much better to tame a beast than a rabbit"
I said. I wasn't lying when I was surprised to that woman's action. It was totally unexpected, but not shocking
"....is that so…. but I do suggest not to hover too much"
"Why?"
"Because not all fish can be fish, Mister {Deep-Blue Champange}"
He spoke, jokingly, in a tone that it's hard to believe he was making a joke. I just smiled to his comment
"I see, but surprisingly... I like pets, especially ferocious kitten"
I then gaze at the barkeep, as he cleaned another bottle
"Isn't that right, Master Edwin?"
The barkeep paused as he holds the bottle in his hand. He then turn around and placed it on the top shelve, bulls-eye. I then grin as he could only frown to my word. I then placed my left arm at my mouth, and look at the tavern's door, deep in thought
"How many rounds could that ass handle?"
I murmured as I touch my harden crotch
(Sheryl's POV)
After I have left the tavern, I was lost in thought
"An emerald rank"
A rank that is 5 times higher than ours. Last time we encountered such entity, was during our voyage, the [Wisp Ship], an early emerald rank monster. And that time, we are hopeless, as we could only watch how that monster killed every passenger, one by one. We just quite lucky that uncle boarded that ship, or else we are dead
"...."
I was in daze, puzzled. I then bit my lips, and made up my thought
(Creeper's POV)
Half an hour passed after I went inside the forest to investigate, I still got none. No tracks neither hint nor clue, nothing, which is very peculiar
"A dense [Mist] covered the deep forest, folks who went missing....and there was nothing even a bird chirping inside it"
Right now, I'm in the edge of the cliff, no bridges nor ropes, just a hundreth feet deep and sure kill cliff
".....lets expect something unexpected"
I said, as I turn my back and give up. Right now, I'll just be wasting my time, circling and roaming the forest with no head start, neither finishing line, so it's much better to go back, and discuss this with those two
"Those 2 might have gain something"
Grrooowwwlll~
"And I'm hungry"
(Natsumi's POV)
"P-p-ple-please..... I-I'm begging you. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry"
As the guy in front of me, kneeled and begged, repetitively, as I point my bow at him. We are bit of distance away from each other, a distance enough for my arrow to make him look like a hammered tomato
"Combine them, [Meld]"
"[Tempest Storm]+[Gales Embrace]+[Tempest Storm]"
People were clamoring, murmuring, and chattering. From simple folks to armed adventurers. They were gathering, anticipating. Some tried to call a knight, and some tried to just wait until the storm pass, but I don't give a damn, I just want this person dead, cold and splattered
"PIERCE IT!"
Swisssh
As I released the arrow from my bow
"....."
I then frowned
"....quite a strong blow, isn't it?"
".....who are you?"
I pissingly asked, as a man out of a sudden, stop my arrow just before it could pierce that bastards head - just an inch away - as he hold the arrow's middle. He wore a pure white clothe - both top and bottom - no design neither additional accessories, just a plain white clothe, stood after he bended down, after he catched the arrow I shot
"Quite a venomous snake, aren't you?"
He spoke as he stood up, in a tone suited for a man with a high status, which makes me more irritated.
After we decided to split up, I took the right side of the market, while that flat-loli took the left
"It's quiet a peaceful market"
I said, as the market I saw was well organized than the usual market I know, truly befitting market for a kingdom. I then walked and stroll around, finding anything that might interest me. From shining and sophistacated jewels, to alluring and sweet food that are displayed, were quite in number and served
"...."
"Oh~ you have quite the eye young miss. This necklace was obtained from the deep ruin in the west. Carved from a stone only found in the forest deep"
As the man spoke his fairy tale lore. His quite skinny, curly hair, and just a bit taller than me. As I was strolling around the market, I halted to a certain stall, an accessory stall or something, as I was vexed to a certain jewel, a deep green with yellowish-blue jewel. It was a necklace. Attached to a grayish-light string, with a vermillion coat that circles it. I was mesmerized
"For that beautiful eyes, I'll sell it to you for 3 big silver coins, and 10 silver coins"
'.....so pricey'
I thought. Darling gave us 2 some pocket money, but it isn't something I could leisurely waste. As I was lost in thought to how to get the necklace, I then grin
.....
"Okay! 1 big silver coin, and 25 silver coins, and that's it! No more young lady! No more!"
He complained, I then smiled and blow a kiss to him
Muah~
"Thank you handsome"
And walk out as I brought the necklace, as low as 1 big silver coin, and 25 silver coins only, means I save up 55 silver coins, or 1 big silver coin, and 20 silver coins, sweet. The man only frowned as he looked at me
"Fuck those tits! Those damn big fluffy pancakes, fuck!"
I still could hear his word of regret. When it was only me and that flat-loli during our adventurer day, I was able to learn a thing or two about vexing a bargain
"That life lesson wasn't in vain, I say"
I murmured, as I lowered the price fourth-fold. Well I don't want anyone other than darling to see my bare skin, so I let the guy just take simple peck on my cleavage. I then placed the necklace that was wrap with a paper bag inside my clothe. As I walked down the market to continue my search
Smack!
"!!"
A sudden slap then came out of nowhere. Surprised to the sudden touch, I then gaze at the person who did that
"Quite a nice ass and jag you got there miss hic"
A man spoke, as he gaze his eyes to my breast and leaned towards me. He even wrapped his right arm to my neck
"Want some fun today miss? I have mu-Buahhh!!"
He screamed, as I suddenly kick his abdomen - as I spin to my right. Like a raging wave of flame, anger took over me. I was pissed, annoyed, disgusted
"Gahh!!"
He exclaimed again, as I kick his face after I kick his abdomen with my knee, and spin myself to the left. He rolled a couple distance. Like an irritated boar, I was only pointing my gaze at him. I then took an arrow from my quiver and aimed at him
"DISGUSTING SCAM!"
I exclaimed, which then bring us to this situation, where that disgusting drunkard bowing with his knee, and that mysterious man standing between us
"..."
I stared at him, irritatingly, then lowered my bow and turn my back. I didn't spoke any word, nor any parting remark
'.....his strong'
I murmur. There are a lot of adventurers that watched us that are much stronger than me. Some could easily parry it, some could easily dodge it, but catching it in inch away
Grrr
As I grit my teeth in irritation, and griply hold the bow in my left
"His insulting me"
I muttered, but I could only curse him, as that man is someone I can't fight all of sudden just because I'm pissed
'Fuck this!'
(???? POV)
I stood in front of the crowd, as I watch that maiden walk out. I then grin in awed
"I thought I could only find fox deep in the woods"
I murmured as I look in my left arm
"Quite a vexing fox too"
I then smiled and clech my fist
"Thank you so much, thank you, thank you"
I then gaze at the man who was at my side, to the drunkard old man. I took a long pause as I watch him before speaking
"What that woman did is resonable to the crime you committed"
The man then lowered his gaze as I didn't sugar-coated my word, and I will not
"You are just quite lucky I was there, if not..."
I then gaze at him as he shaken in horror, imagining his own death if that arrow did really pierce his head. I then turn my back away from him, and gaze to where that woman went
Sigh
As I took a deep sigh, and regreted
"I should ask my brother for some advices, next time"
(Sheryl' POV)
After I have obtain some valuable information from that tavern, I was now sitting in the park, south of the market, just a few distance away. As I sat down, I was in thought
"This quest is out of our league"
I muttered. As we were only at early gold rank, and mid silver rank in paper, so if what that barkeep told me is true, then we are facing something more than we could. As I was lost in thought, I then saw that cow-tit walking towards at me
"...."
She's pissed, and quite in distress. She then sat down next to me
"....."
Both of us were in an awkward situation
"He-"
"Let's leave this place"
"?!"
As I was about to break the silence, Natsumi then spoke
"....why?"
I asked
"This is something we can't handle"
She then spoke in serious tone, as she looked at me
(Natsumi's POV)
"As I was about to head here, I heard people gossiping"
I then gaze in front, and muttered
"Another disappearance occured"
"..."
As I spoke, Sheryl was quietly listening, so I then continued
"A minute ago, another adventurer went missing. After that, a 2nd came, just a couple of seconds after the disappearance with the 1st"
"....rank"
"Mid platinum I heard. The 2nd one was about to be promoted to peak platinum rank..... this is outside of our scope"
Gazing at the crowd
"We can't handle this on our own"
I spoke
(Sheryl's POV)
"..."
I was shocked to the statement Natsumi stated. I then took a deep breathe and spoke
"As I was in the market, I stumble down to a tavern. There, I was able to procure a thing or two about this quest"
I took a deep pause before I continued
"30 adventurers went missing. Most of them were mid platinum rank, party of 6"
I stated
"The barkeep told me that it wasn't just adventurers. 10 merchants also vanished, 20 people were also went missing, never heard after the incident"
"Traces?"
She asked, I then shook my head
"Not even a hint nor tracks, they just simply vanished. Couple Knights already went and tried searching the kingdom outskirt, even some of the places where this people vanished...but they didn't found any"
"....."
I then look at Natsumi, and continued
"We should expect...an early, or mid emerald rank, even a peak one"
Silence then deluge our surrounding