Chapter 266

Time was running short, so I made a suggestion to Luna.

Let’s hit up the Inside the Chaos Forest and get some serious training in.

It’s not just me who needs it; Luna needs real-world experience too. She ought to get the hang of monster hunting, right?

“No way,” came the immediate rejection from Rod.

“Ugh.”

Rod shot me down instantly. To enter the Inside the Chaos Forest, we need the Special Compass.

To get that compass, we’d have to contact the administration office, but right now, the Chaos Forest is totally off-limits.

So, it’s just a matter of getting Rod’s permission to receive the compass, but he flat-out refused like a pro.

“Why not? We’re just training, and Luna’s going too.”

“Not happening. If we’re going there, it’s better to train here.”

“But this is training! We need some real experience.”

I tried to lay out my logic. No matter how great the training, it can’t compare to reality.

We might be consistently hunting, but that’s more like a turkey shoot, and to use our bodies correctly, we need to go inside.

More than anything, Luna’s growth is essential. She’s destined to undergo some serious hardships in the future, so she needs to gather experience now.

While she might not be facing humans yet, she should definitely be able to take down monsters. I worked hard to convince them.

‘Once we’re deeper into the forest, hunters won’t even be able to come in.’

Inside the Chaos Forest is super rich in magic power as well as completely twisted.

It’s so rich that you lose your sense of spatial awareness and direction. Once you go in, you can’t come out.

Even a regular compass is useless because it just spins around in circles when you’re inside.

“I feel like this is the first time Sivar has come out like this,” said someone.

“Until now, he hasn’t really tried to convince anyone, right?”

“Guess that shows how badly he wants to go.”

It seemed surprising to others that I was trying to persuade Rod, and a few of them jumped in to defend me.

We’re only planning to go on weekends, and if it feels too dangerous, we’ll leave right away.

“But why me…?”

Of course, Luna still had that blank look on her face. It was as if she was wondering why I was dragging her along like a drowning person.

Well, it’s because you’re the Protagonist and need to grow! I wanted to say that but bit my tongue.

Looking at Luna, who seemed a bit pitiful, I spoke frankly.

“Luna is weak. So, you need to get stronger.”

“That’s true.”

“…”

Luna’s expression was quite the sight. She looked like she was about to cry but couldn’t even muster a response.

Grace, noticing Luna’s heartbreaking reaction, patted her shoulder to comfort her.

“You should be working on your physical strength too, Grace. Don’t pretend you didn’t hear that.”

“…”

“Well said, right?”

Now it was Grace’s turn to be quiet. Kara giggled beside her, giving Grace’s shoulder a light tap.

Aside from Rod and Rize, Kara was the most skilled person here. I didn’t have much to say to Kara.

In the wilderness, maybe, but in civilization, Kara would definitely outlast me. Her experience in dealing with people is on another level.

‘Still, I don’t want to kill people.’

I may have taken countless lives up till now, but I’ve never ended a human’s life.

Hector and Erica were just victims of circumstance when they tried to stop it, and I wasn’t in my right mind back then.

But eventually, I’ll have to face humans. The chances of being dragged into world conflicts have increased significantly since the Academy crumbled.

I’ll try to keep things under control, but I really don’t know if that’ll work. When I’m angry, I lose my grip on things.

“Seems like a decent plan. If anything goes wrong, I can come by.”

Rize supported my opinion. Even if problems arose, she assured me she would personally come.

If Rod came looking for me, it would undoubtedly raise eyebrows elsewhere, and word about my presence there would likely get out.

If that happened, people would realize I’ve been getting all sorts of favoritism. Honestly, that part doesn’t concern me much.

However, I cannot exploit the kindness Rod has shown me up to now. If Rod says no, then it’s a no-go.

“Hmm… If you feel that way, then… But won’t the outside world get chaotic again if we’re not careful?”

Thankfully, Rod seemed to come to terms with Rize’s words. However, something still nagged at him.

The issue with the food chain thanks to the monsters being dealt with inside, a predicament I’ve experienced before.

When Porori and I disappeared at the same time, the Chaos Forest literally spiraled into chaos.

Even monsters from distant ecosystems were drawn in, and I had quite the hassle dealing with them.

“It’s fine. The forest’s exterior is all under my and Porori’s… I mean, Ratatosk’s control.”

What differed this time was that the predators outside and inside had swapped places. The outside is nothing to worry about.

Most monsters coming from the outside head inside, and if they lose in competition, they get pushed to the outskirts.

And since I’ve been handling the monsters pushed out to the periphery, things are pretty stable now.

“Good. If that’s the case, it should be alright. When do you plan to start?”

“Next week.”

“Next week… then I’ll get ready. But if something goes wrong, get out immediately. Understood?”

“Thank you.”

I bowed in gratitude. Truth be told, Rod was making a significant concession here.

Rod smiled approvingly when I thanked him. He looked proud of me.

“By the way, would it be better for the Saint to go along as well?”

During the conversation, Luna suggested to Rize that instead of playing a rescue role, maybe she could join us instead.

That was quite an astute question for Luna. Rize shook her head.

“No. I have my own duties, and I think playing a rescue role is best. After all, I’m someone who draws a lot of attention.”

“Oh, so if you’re seen going together, it could create issues, right?”

“Yes.”

No matter how admirable Rize may be, the stares of the people can’t be so easily overlooked.

Moreover, lately, hasn’t the Gaia cult been keeping an eye on them? Rize is ignoring it all, though.

‘Speaking of which, the Gaia cult is oddly quiet, isn’t it?’

Ever since Father Alxender was dispatched, have they really done nothing? That’s a bit suspicious.

Last time someone was tailing me, but I still can’t tell if that person was from the Gaia cult.

That was a direct abduction by a Hunter. The info about the demons in the forest must not have reached them.

‘At least they should send a few people around the New Year.’

There will likely be many sent from the Gaia cult during the anniversary.

After all, it’s a must with a festival happening at the Academy.

Even if demons invade, they should provide considerable manpower. In a way, this might work to our advantage by diverting attention.

“Alright. Then let’s wrap it up for today. Anyone want to train more?”

“I’ll keep going for a bit. How about you guys?”

“I want to rest.”

Kara decided to stay back with Rod to finish the training. I opted to just go home.

It’s also awkward to send Grace home alone, and there’s not much for me to do in training right now.

“Then take care. See you tomorrow.”

“Yep. See you tomorrow, Kara.”

After that, we dismissed and headed back to the dormitory.

******

Kara, who remained behind for continued training with Rod, felt something during their session.

Rod was outrageously strong. While her father, Hector, was quite powerful, Rod was on another level entirely.

Every attack he dodged and counter-attacked flowed so smoothly, it felt almost effortless. You could call it the pinnacle of finesse.

But he wasn’t perfect; if a gap appeared occasionally, she just needed to strike there.

Smack!

“Ouch!”

“One hit.”

But even that was a bust. It felt more like he deliberately left openings.

Luckily, she landed a few hits here and there, but still, it was a long way off. For about 30 minutes, she was toying with him.

“Phew…”

“Here, have some water.”

“Huh? Th-Thank you.”

As she lay on the ground, Rize approached with a cup of water. Kara jumped up, startled.

After gulping down some water, she felt a bit better, though she continued to breathe heavily.

“…”

“…”

“Why are you staring at me like that?” Kara asked, her voice a bit awkward.

Rize smiled broadly and shook her head, as if to say it was nothing.

“Oh, I just thought you looked a lot like Hector.”

“…My father?”

Kara frowned a bit at that. It wasn’t that she disliked Hector, but it didn’t quite register.

The red hair and green eyes were definitely inherited from Hector. But her face? No way.

Even though she’s now passed, Kara could clearly remember her mother’s face. It was strikingly similar.

“Yeah. Your physique is very much like Hector’s. With that compact muscle and a height that’s quite tall for a woman, it’s a remarkable body.”

“Uh… Thanks?”

It was a compliment from someone not just anyone, but the Saint and Gwonseong Rize. That made her feel somewhat embarrassed.

“Kara.”

“Yes. What is it?”

“How much do you like Sivar?”

“Wh-What?!”

The sudden question threw Kara completely off balance.

It was so out of the blue, she didn’t even know how to respond.

Rize, regardless, held a bright smile and let her feelings pour out.

“I just found it a bit curious. That you like Sivar.”

“What do you mean? Which part?”

“Just everything? There were a lot of surprises compared to what I knew.”

“Did you think I was some brute?”

Kara’s voice dropped a bit. She figured she’d never be seen that way, but her trauma from the Academy was still there.

She had lived with discrimination as a ‘barbarian’ and was showered with all kinds of contempt. So she spent plenty of time doing community service.

Though she briefly left for Tartar matters, the gazes she received remained the same upon returning. All because of her bronzed skin.

“No, not really. I didn’t mind much since we’re alike. I found you quite human, actually.”

“That’s the first time I’m hearing that.”

“So, why did you ask about liking Sivar?”

“Yeah.”

“Honestly, I’m not sure. I just… ended up liking him?”

“Is that so? Hmm…”

Rize pondered for a moment, her gaze lowered as if she were thinking.

After that, she shrugged her shoulders as if indifferent, saying, “I guess it’s not a big deal. Knowing that there’s a good person in Sivar is enough for me. I’ll leave Sivar in your hands from here on out.”

“Okay. But…”

Kara looked at Rize with a puzzled expression. Something about her tone seemed off.

Being the keen observer she is, Kara sensed some suspicious nuance in Rize’s words. It felt like she’d be watching from a distance.

Kara cautiously spoke up, “Saint, what kind of relationship do you have with Sivar? Did you know anything before?”

“No?”

But perhaps it was a misconception, as Rize quickly denied it. In that case, there was really nothing more to say.

Kara nodded. Being that perceptive, it might be best to let this issue slide.

“But Kara, I didn’t expect this from you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I thought you’d pounce on Sivar right away.”

“Wh-what are you talking about?!”

Kara exclaimed, horrified, her golden skin visibly reddening.

Regardless, Rize presented something she knew.

“I have some knowledge of Tartar culture… I take it you haven’t gone that far yet?”

“…”

Kara’s face turned beet red. It was a clear sign she didn’t want to discuss it.

Rize’s eyes widened in surprise at her reaction. She must have hit the nail on the head.

“Am I right? About the physical interactions?”

“…If you know Tartar culture… yes.”

“Sivar doesn’t know that, does he? Tartar men and women are warriors, which means muscle relaxation is a must. And that’s something between a married couple.”

“…Yes.”

Kara hung her head in agreement, clarifying that she meant something else and not just the relations.

With a somewhat surprised expression, Rize looked at Kara before breaking into a mischievous smile.

“Kara, you’re becoming quite the civilized person. Clearly hiding your true thoughts well.”

Kara couldn’t refute that statement. However, she could try to explain herself.

“…Still, I haven’t done it.”

“So, does that mean you plan to now?”

“…”

Now she really had nothing to say.

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