They finished the remaining food in silence.
The feeling of fullness made their eyelids heavy. They decided to sleep for three hours. Recovering their energy was the main priority before continuing this aimless journey.
Zaefal took a position in front of the root alcove.
He stood straight, his back facing his friends who were starting to drift off. His eyes swept the blue-glowing mushroom forest, ensuring there was no suspicious movement among the giant stalks.
Three hours passed.
Fyar opened his eyes.
He stretched his stiff muscles. Beside him, Illya was fast asleep with regular breathing. Rasie snored softly in a tilted sitting position. Cyhas slept while hugging her knees.
Fyar looked ahead.
Zaefal was still standing there. His shoulders were slightly slumped, his gaze blankly staring at the glowing moss.
Fyar got up and approached him.
"Did you get a chance to rest?" Fyar asked.
He sat on a protruding root next to Zaefal.
Zaefal laughed lightly without turning his head.
"Who would guard you guys if I slept."
Fyar was silent.
He joined in staring at the view in front of them. The forest was quiet, there was only the sound of dripping water and the soft hum of falling spores. Blue and purple light created long, calm shadows.
"Are you scared, Zaefal?" Fyar asked in a low tone.
Zaefal didn’t answer immediately. He zoned out for quite a while.
After a moment of silence, Zaefal finally answered with a faint smile on his face.
"That’s not important."
Fyar flinched slightly at that answer.
He chuckled and touched Zaefal’s shoulder.
"Thirty minutes. Use it to sleep," Fyar said.
"I’ll keep watch here."
Zaefal turned his head.
He saw the seriousness in Fyar’s eyes.
Zaefal nodded, still maintaining his smile.
"Alright."
He stepped into the alcove, finding an empty spot near the mushroom wall, lay down, and immediately closed his eyes.
Fyar took his place, watching the darkness of the forest.
So far, we haven’t encountered any monsters or troublesome enemies.
But I can’t let my guard down.
Fyar looked around again.
Dungeons in this world are truly very different. Literally, this isn’t an underground place, but another dimension or maybe another planet?
If this is a dungeon, then there must be an exit, referring to the dungeons I’ve entered before.
He glanced back at his comrades, who were still fast asleep, before looking back at the forest.
I hope that small talk earlier helped their mental state recover a little.
Fyar sighed deeply.
Cold vapor came out of his mouth.
Whatever happened... has happened.
And whatever will happen is destined to happen.
Fyar then kept watch for twenty-five minutes, his gaze scanning the surrounding area, ensuring there were no monsters.
After twenty-five minutes.
"Fyar..."
A soft murmuring voice was heard from behind.
Fyar turned his head.
Illya had just woken up. She rubbed her eyes. Her green hair was a bit messy, sticking out in a few directions.
Illya walked closer to Fyar.
She sat next to him, pressing her body close to seek warmth.
"How long have you been awake?" Illya asked with a hoarse voice typical of just waking up.
She slowly rested her head on Fyar’s shoulder, looking towards the glowing mushroom forest.
"About twenty-five minutes," Fyar answered.
Silence enveloped them for a few seconds.
Only the sound of their breathing could be heard.
"Are you scared, Illya?" Fyar asked, breaking the silence.
Illya bit her lip.
Slowly, she nodded.
"Yes."
"I am scared."
Her voice grew small.
"I’m scared... my family is in danger."
She squeezed the hem of her dress.
"I’m scared we can’t return to Elfier."
Illya’s lips began to tremble.
"I’m scared... we will die here."
Fyar listened.
"I see."
He slowly stretched out his arm and embraced Illya’s shoulder. He rubbed the girl’s arm gently.
"We will get out of here, Illya," Fyar said firmly.
"We will definitely get out of here."
Illya slowly buried her face in Fyar’s chest.
"At least we saved many people’s lives in the city..." Illya murmured.
"You’re right."
"You’re right."
Fyar sighed deeply, trying to lighten the mood.
"And at least we know Zaefal isn’t a robot."
Illya’s shoulders shook slightly.
She laughed lightly in Fyar’s chest.
"Well..."
"You’re right."
Illya lifted her face, staring at Fyar.
"And at least we know Rasie shouldn’t become a noble."
"And I know your strange hobby now," Fyar said with a faint smile.
Illya immediately pinched Fyar’s cheek.
"Ouch, ouch," Fyar complained, although he was smiling.
Illya released her pinch, her lips pouting slightly.
"By the way, you haven’t told me what you do in your free time."
"Oh, believe me, darling. You don’t want to hear it because it will be boring," Fyar replied.
Illya stared into Fyar’s eyes, her expression serious.
"Your life is a book I want to read. Even if the arc is boring."
"Tell me."
Fyar leaned his head against the root wall.
"Alright."
"When I’m... free... usually I... well, drink coffee in my inn and daydream. Walk around the city, look at people, and observe them. And study or... practice martial arts. Train my body."
Illya laughed lightly.
"That’s quite... unique."
Fyar raised an eyebrow.
"Are you mocking? Hmm?"
"No, no. I’m amazed. Yes, amazed."
Fyar chuckled.
"I hope that’s really the case."
Illya was silent for a moment.
She played with the button of Fyar’s shirt with her finger.
"A-am I your first love?" Illya asked softly.
She didn’t dare look into Fyar’s eyes.
What kind of question is this?
Somehow, I feel my answer will determine my life and death, Fyar muttered inwardly.
He stared at the top of Illya’s head.
"Yes," he answered without hesitation.
"You are my first love."
Illya bowed her head deeper.
She tried to suppress a smile, but failed. Her cheeks flushed red.
"I-I see..." Illya said.
"Indeed," Fyar emphasized.
"What about you?"
"Y-you are also the first for me..." Illya said a little shyly.
Fyar chuckled. "Glad to hear it."
"You guys are so lovey-dovey. Sheesh."
Rasie’s voice was heard from behind.
Fyar and Illya turned their heads.
Rasie was sitting while stretching her body.
"Oh, you’re awake," Fyar said flatly.
"Good... night or afternoon, Rasie," Illya said awkwardly.
Rasie put on a fake disgusted expression.
"I heard your conversation, you know. It was a bit weird."
"Just say you’re jealous," Fyar said mockingly.
"Heh, impossible," Rasie answered while flipping her red hair.
"Alright. We’ll see what your personality is like later when you have a boyfriend. I will be looking forward to it very much," Fyar said.
"Hoh, go ahead! I won’t change and be lovey-dovey like you guys!" Rasie answered confidently.
In another corner, Cyhas slowly woke up.
She yawned softly and rubbed her eyes.
"SERA?!"
A loud shout was heard from the end of the alcove.
Everyone flinched.
Zaefal woke up with ragged breathing.
His face was deathly pale, and cold sweat was soaking his forehead. His eyes looked wildly around the mushroom alcove.
He realized where he was.
His shoulders dropped. He let out a long, trembling sigh.
"What’s wrong with you, oi?" Rasie asked, her tone worried.
"Are you alright, Mister Zaefal?" Cyhas asked, a little worried.
Zaefal looked down for a moment, then lifted his face.
He smiled faintly, very fragile.
"I had a beautiful dream."
He wiped the remaining tears from the corner of his eyes quickly.
Zaefal stood up, picking up his broken sword.
His face returned to being stern as usual.
"Alright," Zaefal said while looking at the mushroom forest.
"Our rest is enough. We will go exploring again."
Rasie raised her hand.
"Let’s find water to clean ourselves and drink," she suggested.
Fyar was silent for a moment. He stared at Rasie’s hand, which was full of dust and dried blood.
Finding water... makes sense. We do need to drink and clean ourselves now. But is it safe to drink water in a place like this? Fyar muttered inwardly.
He then stared at Zaefal, waiting for his answer.
Zaefal stared at his party members in turn. Their clothes looked shabby and dirty, full of blood stains, explosion dust, and mud. Their faces were sticky.
After thinking for a moment, Zaefal nodded.
"Alright. That’s a good idea."
Fyar and his comrades continued their journey. They left the dense mushroom forest area. After nearly three hours of walking through alien vegetation, they finally heard the sound of trickling water in the distance.
Slowly, with each step, the sound of water became clearer and crisper.
"Water?!" Rasie exclaimed. She quickened her pace, leading the way. "Finally... finally..."
They pushed through the glowing bushes blocking the path, until they reached the last plant.
The view opened up before them.
In front of them stretched a wide channel like a river cutting through the forest. Inside, it was full of round gemstones. There were rubies, blue sapphires, and green emeralds shining brightly at the bottom. The light inside the river twinkled like decorative lights underground.
However, inside the river, it looked like there was no water. Only a dry path of gemstones was visible.