Chapter 267

The inside of the Chaos Forest is a place where magic power is so abundant that the space feels a bit twisted.

Think of it as a naturally occurring barrier. But unlike other barriers, it can’t be unraveled.

Due to the rich magic, places where barriers occur aren’t limited to just the inside of the Chaos Forest.

Areas with high energy, like volcanic zones or the Bermuda Triangle at sea, also qualify.

The Triangle Zone is essentially the Bermuda Triangle of Earth. Such places are mostly closer to otherworldly realms.

“Here’s the compass. I could only manage to get one myself.”

“Why?”

“When I asked for two, they gave me a suspicious look. I have to be careful too.”

To freely go back and forth in such places, you need a special compass. Luna received the compass from Rod.

According to Rod, he could only get one to avoid suspicion. Just to sidestep unnecessary doubts.

Either way, since the compass will be in her hands, it’s not a huge issue. She could end up giving it to Sivar and cause an accident.

“If anything happens, get out immediately. Don’t wander around for no reason.”

“Got it.”

“And try not to leave Sivar alone if you can.”

It’s not like she’s leaving a kid in someone’s care. Luna received all kinds of advice from Rod.

Sivar is rarely overpowered, so the main point is to avoid causing any trouble.

The Chaos Forest is a place you will never escape from once you lose your path. Luna nodded.

“Anyway, I’ll be back after a day, so whatever.”

There’s a simple reason for going in. It’s for practical experience and improvement.

The inside of the Chaos Forest is filled with very strong monsters. It should be enough to really sharpen her skills.

However, it’s dangerous to go alone, so she’s going with Sivar as insurance. Though initially, it was Sivar who suggested going first.

“Sivar, don’t eat anything weird while we’re there, okay?”

“Sure.”

“Don’t go eating bugs just because you’re hungry. And…”

While Luna was listening to Rod’s explanation, Sivar was getting advice from Rize.

Although he might be capable in combat, there was concern that Sivar could end up eating something strange.

Sivar seemed indifferent but nodded nonetheless.

“Everything’s ready, so let’s head out. Did you check your weapon?”

“Yes.”

“I did.”

All preparations were complete. They had to sort out meals in the forest, so they hadn’t forgotten to bring food.

Thanks to that, the load has become quite hefty, but it didn’t matter much. Luna looked at the backpack strapped to Sivar’s back.

Most of what’s in there is food. Sivar eats so much there’s bound to be a lot.

He only carried one weapon—his trusty Ragnarok—whereas Luna made do with just a single sword.

“Let’s go.”

“Right.”

Soon, Luna entered the Chaos Forest with Sivar.

Thanks to Rod’s advance notice, the guards at the entrance let them through without a word.

The inside of the Chaos Forest requires walking a bit past the outskirts to access it. Luna took out the compass.

‘The compass is still spinning.’

The special compass was made exclusively for navigating the inside of the Chaos Forest. So right now, it’s useless.

Seeing the needle not fixating and spinning every time it shakes tells her that.

Once they push further in, the needle will likely settle at some point. As she was about to take a step, she glanced sideways.

“Uh…”

“…”

Sivar was quietly walking, keeping his gaze fixed ahead.

With no one around, she could bring up sensitive topics, but she wondered what to talk about.

The forest feels like Sivar’s true home. Not to mention, the inside of the Chaos Forest is where Sivar grew up.

‘Was he even born here?’

She suddenly became curious. When did Sivar first start to ‘think’?

Luna was struggling with how to open the conversation and finally managed to speak up.

“Sivar.”

“?”

Sivar turned his head at Luna’s call. He wore a puzzled expression.

Now that they were looking at each other, she suddenly thought how handsome he was. Up till now, she’d been viewing him like a stone, and it felt kind of strange.

But that wasn’t the point. She asked the question she wanted to know.

“What’s it feel like to be back home?”

“…?”

Sivar tilted his head at Luna’s question. It seemed he couldn’t grasp the essence of it.

In fact, this was also a kind of introductory question. Luna continued with the inquiry she really wanted to make.

“You don’t know if you were born here… but this is where it all started, right?”

“Yeah. When I opened my eyes, I was here.”

“When you opened your eyes? That sounds like you must have closed them before or something?”

She said it playfully, trying to break the quiet atmosphere.

However, Sivar couldn’t help but flinch a little. Especially since memories of the past were vivid in his mind.

Those were the times spent in ordinary and mundane Earth. A life filled with normality and a loving family.

That memory remained clear and unmoved. Though the faces gradually faded, the memories didn’t disappear.

“…Is that so?”

“Yeah. I’m sometimes curious. Who are Sivar’s parents, I wonder?”

“They’re probably ordinary.”

“Ordinary, from a demon lineage? I kind of doubt that.”

Luna chuckled softly. Sivar is special even by existence alone.

Though she wasn’t really sure if Sivar’s parents were demons, they must be exceptional individuals, without a doubt.

“I’d like to meet them, Sivar’s parents.”

“What would you do once you met them?”

“Just to say hi? Thank them for raising Sivar well and all that.”

Half-joking, half-serious. Even though Sivar grew up in the wilderness, he had a good sense of morality.

Even if he did cause a fair share of trouble, it wasn’t really him acting on his own. He resorted to violence when a friend or acquaintance was insulted.

He may be violent, but he’s also altruistic. It’s a contradicted phrase, but Sivar isn’t someone who would hurt others without reason.

‘Though it’s a bit concerning that he’s willing to lend a hand for others…’

That’s why she felt uneasy. In her dreams, Sivar was nothing short of a murderer.

“What made him so disappointed that he turned into the altruist he is now?”

Of course, it was also uncertain whether that scenario truly represented the ‘future’. Nothing was assured just yet.

‘Speaking of which…’

The cave where Sivar had been staying. There were murals in that cave depicting countless futures.

But what Luna knew was vastly different from that. Other things aside, she remembered that vividly.

So did Sivar know what he looked like in the future he envisioned? Luna chewed her lip.

“…”

“…”

“Do you have something to say?”

“Uh…”

Was it okay to talk about this? Luna hesitated.

Since it was quite a sensitive subject, she figured Sivar might stay silent about it too.

But if not now, she might not get another chance later. Taking a deep breath, Luna decided to speak.

“Do you remember the mural you drew?”

“Yeah. I remember.”

“Were you in it?”

“…”

Sivar blinked slowly at her direct question. Then, he scratched his head.

That was a completely unexpected reaction. After a moment of thought, Sivar finally answered.

“No? I wasn’t there.”

“Really? Then how different is your current life from the future you know?”

“Originally, grandfather was very sick. The prisoner—no, Ratatosk—didn’t even come out. A lot has changed.”

“Um…”

The future has shifted. That alone caused Luna deep concern.

Sivar knew of a future where he wasn’t present. Honestly, that doesn’t quite add up.

It’s not that he isn’t there; it’s more like he’s just been removed from it. It feels more like observing the future from a third-person perspective.

‘Nothing is certain, after all.’

The only way to learn is through questions, starting from connecting the midway bridge.

What Sivar knows about the future, and the timeline Luna has seen. Which one of them is the truth?

‘Asking demons directly would be… a suicide mission, right?’

Even if she did ask, the demons who would know are exceedingly few—basically just Rize.

It was just as Luna let out a frustrated sigh when…

Keeeeeeeeeeee!!!

A bizarre roar echoed through the entire forest. At that sound, Luna and Sivar immediately halted.

It was a sound they couldn’t hear at the outskirts of the forest. Luna instantly pulled out her compass.

The needle of the compass was fixed in one direction. It meant they had entered the depths of the forest.

“Sivar.”

“Yeah. Let’s go catch it.”

“No, that’s not…”

She was merely intending to inform him that they had stepped inside, but Sivar interpreted it differently.

Of course, they would be hunting monsters. Still, she had a few reminders to give.

“Don’t stray away from me. I have the compass, and you have the food. Got it?”

“Yeah.”

“And if possible, I’ll take care of the combat. You just assist from the side.”

“Got it.”

“Okay, then…”

Swoosh—

Luna drew her sword. Thanks to proper maintenance, it gleamed with a silvery hue.

Then, with a slightly nervous expression, she said to Sivar.

“Let’s go.”

*******

It seems like I’ve royally messed up.

That’s the conclusion I came to after much deliberation.

I am in deep trouble. If I had foreseen this, I would’ve stepped in rather than just watching from the sidelines.

Right now, my gaze wasn’t level but tilted slightly upward. Toward the sky, of course.

Flap! Flap!

A flying monster vanished into the distance at a rapid speed.

I never imagined a flying monster would inhabit the depths of the Chaos Forest, yet there it goes, disappearing in the horizon.

The issue, however, lies in the person captured in its claws. The familiar yellow head was firmly grasped in those claws.

It felt like she was being abducted. I foolishly showed off, and now look where it got us.

[Nooooooo!]

Luna’s desperate scream echoed from the skies.

“…That yellow head…”

I let out a groan.

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