Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Village of Fear (1)

#17

“······Eh?”

The dumbfounded Kale tilted his head.

Save the world?

“At first I thought of a plausible excuse but it really didn’t come to mind. Since we both have nothing to lose I thought it would be okay to tell you the truth. A potato-peeling slave becoming a hero, it’s an exciting story just imagining it, right?”

“W-wait. Wait a minute. What are you saying right now? Saving the world?”

“Literally.”

Kale urgently raised his upper body.

Bran was facing him while lying on his side.

Not a shred of playfulness was contained in the deep dark green eyes.

“This world will soon be destroyed. Terrible events happen like dominoes, and if someone doesn’t stop them it will escalate to a point where nothing can be done. I guarantee the things experienced in Blackstone Fortress will feel like nothing.”

“H-how does Bran know all that?”

“Just, I know.”

Somehow it was a familiar conversation.

Truly a shameless answer, but if he went on about it being a game world or something it would only increase confusion.

Bran continued.

“Don’t think too hard just because the feeling of saving the world is grandiose. If you take care of the problems faced one by one you’ll have become a hero.”

“If Bran says so then it must be so but···.”

“And you have nothing to do anyway. Do you have family, relatives? You still haven’t decided what to do after going out here right? I told you to think about it that much, and you’re doing well.”

“That’s because the escape was too fast than expected···!”

“It doesn’t matter. Anyway I was going to do this.”

Raising his body, Bran sat facing Kale.

“Kale. I need you.”

“······!”

“Let’s go together.”

At the greatly narrowed distance Kale flinched.

He who had only been gaping lowered his gaze deeply.

“U-uung··· okay.”

The ear revealed through the hair gaps was dyed red.

Scratching his cheek, Kale muttered softly.

“I’ll do that. If Bran needs me··· ehehe, nothing can be done.”

“Oh. Refreshing.”

“And since Bran is my life’s benefactor··· I said I’ll help with anything I can help with.”

Kale smiled with his eyes.

A strange laughter was also tinged in the voice.

He wondered what was so good, but anyway a positive reaction returned so he was glad.

‘Fortunately. Honestly I even thought of knocking him out.’

Bran sighed in relief.

He was a more admirable guy than expected.

To remember a promise made in passing in the fortress.

Of course even if he refused or disliked it he would have forcibly dragged him.

‘Now we’ve stood at the starting point.’

Bran’s top priority goal was to survive.

The method to return to reality is a problem after survival.

Honestly even now he had enough confidence not to die an unnatural death.

Having obtained funds too, he could settle in a suitable city and live on odd jobs.

Buy a house, marry a pretty fantasy lady··· ah, it would be good to raise a dog too.

The problem was that Return Road was not a game gentle enough to let one enjoy such a happy life.

‘Damn. Why wouldn’t I want to play too?’

This game is basically designed so that if the player slacks off the world is destroyed.

The narratives of playable characters are ultimately sub stories.

The main story that runs through the game was thoroughly a story of preventing the destruction of the world.

Of course Bran as a player had not saved the world every time.

There were plenty of times he enjoyed everything and started again when the world was destroyed.

Because at that time he was in the position of an observer beyond the monitor.

But the place Bran is now is reality, not a game.

‘If I see the ending can I go home?’

He had to step forward actively.

If he smashes the triggers of destruction one by one he will reach the ending, and everything will be revealed after that.

It was a worry that had tormented Bran from the moment he opened his eyes in this world, but in the end the conclusion narrowed to one.

“Focus on the present.”

Tomorrow is given only to those who live today.

Brushing off the seat and standing up, Bran stretched.

“Good. Then shall we depart right away?”

“Yes. But where are you thinking of going?”

“Valkeros.”

“Eh? I’ve heard of there too.”

Kale raised an eyebrow.

The city of steel and fire located next to the Red Mountains.

If even this guy knows it it seemed to have definite fame.

“It’s the place with the Steel Tower. I heard it’s quite far···.”

“Right. With our steps it would take over two months. Still what can we do.”

It was a destination decided after deep consideration.

There was much to gain in the city, but he could also take gains occasionally on the way.

Ending the words, Bran threw off his top with a flip.

“Good. Then before departing let’s change clothes first.”

“B-Bran?!”

A sturdy upper body was revealed.

The startled Kale covered his mouth.

“······!”

“The inside is all refreshing. Never wear it again.”

He seemed to know the refreshment of a snake that shed its skin.

He had been planning to change since before escaping.

His slave clothes had turned into rags that even a stray dog from the slums would refuse to bite.

‘Anyway the body has really improved. Quite a bit.’

Seeing his own body after a long time, Bran whistled.

Muscles developed nimbly like a leopard were standing out all over the body.

If he grows like this he might have a body superior to his original world’s self.

Bran bent his arm and showed Kale.

“How is it Kale. Is this much usable?”

“U-uung. Yeah··· ahaha···.”

“Hey. You have to talk while looking at me.”

Kale was desperately avoiding his eyes.

The gaze rolling left and right was quickly passing over Bran’s body.

He’s embarrassed about all sorts of things.

Taking out new clothes from the sack, Bran urged Kale.

“You change quickly too. We can’t go around wearing this smelly thing.”

“Huh? U-uung! I should··· I-I’ll change over there and come.”

“Why? We’re the same man so what.”

“B-because I’m embarrassed. I’ll come quickly!”

Hurriedly! Kale who collected his own clothes ran behind a tree.

The more he looks the more delicate a guy.

If the build was a bit bigger he would have made him a real man through physical therapy.

Too small like a rat bean so there was no place to hit.

“Now goodbye here too.”

Bran slightly turned his head.

Blackstone Fortress was not visible blocked by trees.

Only the smoke slowly rising and the outline of the airship staying in the sky were faintly visible.

Uncle Bardo must be doing the aftermath for a long time.

The memories of the past few months were flitting through his mind like a panorama.

“Ugh!”

It was then.

Suddenly a headache as if the brain was tearing assaulted.

A pain that gives a sense of déjà vu. Along with dizziness the world Bran was seeing twisted.

When the blacked-out vision returned, he was trapped in someone else’s body.

[You vermin! Walk quickly!]

A familiar angry shout rang out.

It was the voice of the bald Overseer who had been trampled to death by the slaves.

The moment he heard that nervous mid-low tone, Bran realized what he was seeing.

‘The Nameless Hero’s memory.’

He lowered his gaze.

On the hand he saw after a long time thick shackles were filled.

Slaves like him were crossing the forest in a line.

No hope could be found on the hollow faces.

The bandits of Blackstone Fortress were whipping and urging the slaves in between.

[Abandon hope! The new master will be even harsher!]

[Kekeke··· too bad. I heard the rumor they’re being sold to the western front.]

The circumstances could be guessed from the bandits’ conversation.

The part from the Nameless Hero’s self-introduction where he was dragged as an arrow-catcher.

The Nameless Hero who ultimately failed to escape could only leave the fortress after being sold to another master.

Naturally there is no freedom there either.

Only a battlefield where murder, rape, and bloodshed await.

The Nameless Hero’s emotions were being transmitted.

Emptiness. Helplessness. Anger. Sadness.

The sky he looked up at was covered with gloomy clouds.

Paaat!

Suddenly, at the same time the headache disappeared Bran’s vision returned.

“Huff.”

Bran gasped.

The sky had become clear again.

Hurriedly looking down at the wrist there were no shackles filled.

No bandits whipping, no slaves being forcibly dragged.

Only the sound of birds chirping was faintly heard.

“······Ha.”

Bran let out a hollow laugh.

The place was the same but the result was completely different.

A future changed because of me.

He seemed to know why this memory appeared now.

Clenching his fist, Bran looked up at the sky and muttered.

“How is it. Did I fasten the first button okay?”

If not then there’s no conscience.

I’ll fasten the second button well too so don’t worry.

****

The journey to Valkeros began.

Life on the road was poor but thinking of the slave days it was no different from heaven.

Because the weather was warm no sleeping bag was needed and it was easy to obtain food.

But the best point was still that he could freely use the time of the day.

Clang!

Bran who deflected Kale’s dagger nodded his head.

“Again. Pick up the dagger.”

“Uuu··· can’t we rest a bit and do it? My arms won’t move anymore···.”

“No. You have to learn hard now to use it in real combat. The current you is a weakling who can’t even catch one or two goblins. Do you know what this means?”

“Wh-what?”

“It means if a goblin appears while I’m not there you’ll be dragged without resistance and suffer a harsh fate. Those guys don’t discriminate holes when thrusting. I know some cases of adventurers dragged by goblins···”

“I-I don’t want it!”

Kale urgently picked up the dagger.

Bran continued the harsh one-on-one lecture.

Even if an auxiliary position he had to be able to protect his own body at least.

It was fortunate Spera had embedded five daggers in Bran’s body.

Because there was no need to make an effort to obtain a decent weapon.

The story of Zhuge Liang who borrowed a hundred thousand arrows from Cao Cao comes to mind. Although I was in the scarecrow position.

A week passed from then.

“Did the other slaves escape safely too?”

“They should be fine. No screams were heard. Mog must have led them well somehow.”

“A name I hear after a long time··· Mog should be safe too.”

“You don’t have to worry about that guy. Just using what I taught he’ll sweep money.”

Bran shook his head.

Under the assumption both are barehanded modern martial arts is a god and invincible.

They were avoiding the rain in the gap of interlocked rocks.

Beside the wavering campfire, seasoned fish skewers were browning.

Crunch. Biting the grilled fish, Bran raised an eyebrow.

“What the fuck. Why is this so delicious.”

“Ehehe, eat a lot. I learned it when I was in the dining hall.”

Kale laughed while hugging his knees.

Perhaps because there was no mental hardship the face had become much better than before.

Flesh had filled the skinny arms and legs, and the shadow under the eyes had disappeared.

At the spotless clear smile Bran also ended up bursting into a hollow laugh.

‘As expected kids should smile.’

Another week passed.

Perhaps because the latitude had risen the heat was gradually subsiding.

Still it was the same that it was the south.

“Uu··· it’s hot today toooo···.”

“Endure a bit. Around next week it will become cool.”

Bran said.

His skin was now completely tanning to a copper color.

No matter how much he was exposed to sunlight it was a cruel difference from Kale who maintained skin like white jade.

Anyway too quiet. It should be about time a path where people pass appears.

Just as he was harboring suspicion that he might have taken the wrong path.

“Heukkyaaaap-!!!”

A thunderous scream rang out from beyond the jungle.

It was a sound a prisoner receiving torture of tearing the organs would make.

Flap!

A flock of birds flew up into the noon sky.

Kale’s eyes widened round.

“Bran···!”

“Yes. It’s a person.”

Bran’s eyes narrowed.

The place the sound came from was not that far.

Lowering his posture he placed a hand on the sword hilt.

“Follow quietly. Prepare to fight.”

Kale nodded soundlessly.

The scream was still periodically ringing out in the meantime.

After walking about five minutes a swamp area appeared.

Some wagon was parked, but the one tilted crookedly looked strange to the eyes.

The protagonists of the bizarre voice were pacing in front of it.

“Damn wagon! Kiss Delpa’s toes or something!”

“Heek··· old man··· hek, let’s just give up and go···.”

“What nonsense! My entire fortune is inside there!”

One old man and two adult men.

All three were exhausted like cows that had come from working in the fields.

Two mules presumed to have been pulling the wagon were grazing in place.

Now looking the half of the wagon was sinking while submerged in the swamp.

“Shall I lose my future here! Heukkyyaaaap!!”

“Haaaaa··· with the stubbornness.”

The old man who grabbed the wagon let out a scream again.

Veins were bulging on the face that looked like it would burst.

It seemed he was trying to pull it out of the swamp, but of course the wagon did not budge.

“It’s too much anymore. Let’s just carry the cargo we pulled out in advance.”

“Right. We should be thankful we at least saved our lives. If we take the mountain path the distance is close so we can go quickly.”

“Puhing.”

The men stopped the old man.

The mules also neighed as if agreeing.

Judging by the attire the old man was a merchant, and the two were mercenaries in charge of escort.

While hiding behind a tree and examining the scene, something caught Bran’s gaze.

“That is···.”

They were the boxes put down in advance from the wagon.

On the surface of the wooden boxes a picture of the sun and anvil was engraved.

It was the emblem of Valkeros City that they had set as the destination.

Aha.

Grasping the situation, Bran walked out in front of the tree.

“Elder there. It seems you desperately need my help.”

“Hiiik···! Bran?!”

Kale screamed a soundless scream.

He had not expected him to jump out without discussion.

The escorts who discovered Bran urgently drew their swords.

“This fuck, where did you suddenly pop out from?!”

“There! Stop!”

“I’m just a passerby. I have no weapon so don’t act scary.”

Bran spread both palms to prove his harmlessness.

Of course a dagger was hidden in his pants, but on the surface it was a perfect unarmed state.

“If it’s okay may I help that person?”

“Help? How are you going to help? Surely you’re not trying to pull that wagon out?”

“Yes.”

“My, try on your own. Instead the moment you pull any tricks I’ll fly your neck.”

The escorts let out a hollow laugh as if dumbfounded.

Well, even he would have shown that kind of reaction.

Bran spoke to the old man struggling with the wagon.

“Elder. Are you on the way to Valkeros?”

“Kkiyaaa···! Damn, who are you?!”

“I asked if you’re on the way to Valkeros. It looks quite difficult, if I pull this wagon out will you give us a ride to Valkeros?”

“Cut the nonsense and get lost! How can a snot-nosed kid like you pull the wagon···”

『Activated the skill “Power of the Giant Tree”. Strength value doubles!』

Even before the old man could end the words.

Bran who activated Power of the Giant Tree gripped the wagon with both hands.

“Hup.”

Then he forcefully pulled the wagon.

Creak-!

The wagon that had not budged even when three grown men used strength came out of the swamp with a whoosh.

“Huuuuk!”

The old man fell while sitting on his butt.

The escorts’ eyes widened as if they would pop out.

Sticky mud was dripping from the part that had been stuck in the swamp.

“I used Power of the Giant Tree for nothing.”

Bran smacked his lips.

It seemed he could have somehow pulled it even if he just pulled.

The part that had been stuck in the swamp was covered in mud but the contents seemed to have no abnormality.

Gripping the tilting wagon, Bran asked the old man again.

“So will you give us a ride? If not I’ll put it back in the swamp.”