Morning came, and with it, another day of walking.

Why are we walking when Serena has a perfectly functional wagon?

Because, apparently, it's full.

Not just "a few supplies and essentials" full—oh no. It's "I'm-a-hoarder-in-disguise" full. Ores, sacks of herbs, spices, and things I couldn't even identify if my life depended on it were crammed into every corner.

"Serena," I began as I eyed a particularly suspicious jar filled with glittering purple powder. "Where did you even get this stuff? You've been stuck in the village as long as I have!"

She gave me one of her infuriatingly calm smiles, the kind that screamed, I know something you don't know. "A merchant never reveals her secrets."

I squinted at her. "You bribed the villagers, didn't you?"

Her smile didn't falter. "As I said—secrets."

Yeah right.

Speaking of secrets, Titan managed to drag in another boar this morning.

"Where does he find these things?" I muttered as I stared at the massive beast. Its tusks glinted in the early sunlight, and it was so big I was half-convinced it had been working out.

Leah crouched beside the boar, examining it with a frown. "This forest is supposed to be monster-infested. Regular animals like this shouldn't be roaming around freely."

"Maybe the monsters are scared of Titan, the animals like this boar probably got closer to our group because of that." Mika suggested from her perch on Titan's shoulders.

I blinked, considering the idea. "...That actually makes sense."

Titan, standing stoically as ever, didn't acknowledge the compliment, though I swore there was a faint air of pride around him.

"Well, whatever the case, breakfast is served!" Serena announced, already unpacking cooking supplies.

After a hearty meal of boar stew (Serena's spices were, annoyingly, very effective), we packed up and resumed our journey.

Walking through the forest was... an experience. The trees were massive, their roots snaking across the ground like veins.

Birds that somehow had feathers that shined like rainbows were flying between the branches, and every now and then, we'd even spot a glowing mushroom or a strange, glowing-eyed critter watching us from the shadows.

That one was creepy!

"It's beautiful," Quatro said, her voice filled with awe.

"It's creepy," Mika countered, clinging to Titan's helmet.

"It's both," I said, swatting away a buzzing insect that had been making a beeline for my face.

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Dos, my clone, for some reason decided to climb a nearby tree to scout ahead.

"Don't fall!" I called up after her.

"I won't!" she yelled back confidently—just before a branch snapped under her weight. She tumbled down, landing in a heap of leaves and indignity.

"I'm fine," she groaned, holding up a thumbs-up as she lay sprawled on the ground.

The others laughed as she stood up, I could hear her whisper about her waist hurting.

I couldn't help but cover my face as I wondered.

'Am I really this careless?'

---

That, of course was just one part of the journey.

You see, while we're walking in this forest we also decided to look for clues that may lead to the duke's daughter. So some detours happened, like the one with Dos from before.

Right now is the same, we're off the main track but it still leads towards the kingdom, and with the system continously scanning the sorrounding for any hostile enemies, we're fine for now.

I'm not giving up on that lead. Atleast not yet, with the benefits it could give it was hard to say no. But if I really can't find them on this adventure towards the kingdom and back to the village, then I'll give up. No use looking for something we can't find, y'know ╮(─▽─)╭

Anyway, we pressed on─ the day stretching longer as the sun climbed higher. Just as I was starting to think we'd never find any leads, Leah suddenly stopped, her nose twitching.

"What is it?" I asked, instantly on alert.

"There's something up ahead," she said, sniffing the air. "Smoke. A campfire, maybe?"

I perked up. "Finally, some progress!"

We followed Leah's lead, moving cautiously but quickly. Sure enough, when we got closer, we spotted a thin column of smoke rising from a clearing below.

The source of the smoke was a small campsite, complete with a single, somewhat shabby-looking tent and a campfire that had nearly burned out. Sitting by the fire was a man dressed in tattered clothes, his face partially hidden by a wide-brimmed hat.

He looked up as we approached, his eyes narrowing. "Travelers, eh? You don't look like the usual sort that pass through these parts."

Uh...Why is there a human, what's more he looks like a beggar, here? In this forest?

"Probably because we're not," I replied, stepping forward but eyeing him suspiciously. "We're looking for someone. A young woman, about this tall, with brown hair and—"

"—a bad temper?" the man finished for me, raising an eyebrow.

I blinked, not knowing if to say yes or not since I technically don't know but from how she acted when I last saw her then. "Um, Yes. How did you—?"

"She passed through here a few days ago," he said, leaning back against a tree trunk. "Didn't stop to chat much, but she was headed east, toward the old ruins."

"Ruins?" Leah asked, frowning.

Why would she be going to a ruin? Doesn't she know she's missing? And that her father has been looking for her?

"Dangerous place," the man said with a shrug. "Full of traps, monsters, and worse. If that's where she's gone, you'll have your work cut out for you."

After thanking the man (and giving him some of Serena's boar stew as payment for the information), we regrouped to discuss our next move.

I summoned up Seis to watch our back in case that guy starts thinking of robbing us, just in case. If not then it would still be greater if someone were to look out.

"So, the ruins," I said, looking at the map. "What do we know about them?"

"From what I heard from other adventurers before, it was built centuries ago by an ancient kingdom," Rea said, her brow furrowed in thought. "Most of it's collapsed, but some say the lower levels are still intact. And the residents... well, let's just say they're not the friendly kind."

"Sounds like fun," Mika said sarcastically.

Where did she learn to do that?

I sighed. "Well, at least we have a direction now. Let's make camp here for the night and head out at first light."

Everyone nodded, and we began setting up. Despite the day's challenges, there was a renewed sense of purpose among us.

As I lay in my sleeping bag that night, staring up at the stars, I couldn't help but feel slight unease and excitement at the same time.

Maybe the duke's daughter knows something about the mist or maybe the ducal house has books about it?

We really got to find her!

Little Theater:

Me: "Where does Titan even find these boars?"

Mika: "Maybe they're just running toward him."

Titan: *silently radiates smugness*