An Adventure Without a Plan

Chapter 18 - An Adventure Without a Plan

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(Town of Genesis - Entrance)

After about an hour of continuous walking, we finally reached our first destination. Besides the pesky slime, we didn't really encounter much trouble getting here. But still, it made me remember once again how far our residence were located from the nearest populace.

"We're finally here, Master." Luna happily pointed out as she looks left and right. "It's been a while since the two of us went here."

She's right. The first time we came here is when we safely escorted Marie-san and Hime whom we helped escape from the wrath of my family. Thinking back into it, I wonder how they're doing right now?

"We never went inside though." I remarked with a strained smile.

"Ah... You're right..." Luna beamed an awkward smile. "S-shall we get in, then?"

The two of us then went inside and began to observe the place. Looking at it, it looks just like your simple rural village. The place was wealthy in terms of living their normal lives as far as I can see.

I assumed it's where the "Protagonist" currently resides because of the town's name. Just a hunch though, as it was never mentioned in the game. The game starts with the 『Player』 standing at the entrance of the Academy.

While pondering such useless information, I just remembered something very important that I abruptly stopped into my tracks. Luna, who was behind me, also stopped and looked at me with a seemingly confused expression.

"Master, what's wrong?" Luna asked.

"Uh..." I scratched my head as I looked to Luna with a strained smile. "...Where exactly is the Imperial Academy?"

""...""

After a brief pause, Luna looked at me in disbelief. Kuh! I know Luna, you don't have to show your face to me like that. I know. We went ahead of our journey without any firm plan on where to go...

"Alright," I calmly pumped my fist into my palm. "If it comes to this, then we'll just need to gather information. The inn it is!"

* * *

Since we came into the Inn, Me and Luna decided to might as well to take our lunch as we haven't eaten since we left the Mansion. While doing so, I've also began to ask the waitress some useful information—especially the geography of this world. I tried my best not to look ignorant as I asked but thankfully, nothing of such thing happened.

Let's firstly talk about the Academy. According to the waitress, we are currently at the southern region of the country, and the Imperial capital is located at the innermost center of this continent.

Ugh... When I heard the term "Continent" I began to have a bit of a crisis as it would probably take us a month until we reached the Capital.

Although we have enough money to ride a carriage, it probably will not be as fast and quick as the transportation in my past life which is not helping much.

"Ah!" I unintentionally shouted when I remembered something. "Luna, we— Luna?!"

Luna who was peacefully eating at the opposite table got startled in my shout and choke herself in the middle of eating her food. I hurriedly gave her the glass of water and apologized afterwards. I really need to remove this habit of mine... I'm sorry, Luna.

Anyways, what I remembered is that a Train Transport exist in this world. If so, we can reach the Capital sooner than expected. But I don't know the nearest train here, so...

* * *

After eating our fill, Me and Luna took our rest at the fountain located at the center of the town. For some reason, this fountain looks so extravagant that it awfully looks out of place. Moreover, it seems like Luna was still sulking from what happened in the Inn earlier.

"Jeez," Luna pouted as she frowned. "I don't want to be disrespectful, but Master should really stop shouting out of nowhere."

"I'm really sorry, Luna. It won't happen again I promise!"

Anyways, just earlier, I bought a Map at the merchant and began to plan our destination. According to the Map, the nearest Train Transportation would take us at least 3 days with a carriage. I'm sure it would take for how long but it's better than nothing.

"Alright! Luna, we'll leave immediately right now." I informed to Luna who was looking at the Map I'm holding. "Let's go find some Carriage to ride into. Let's go!"

Time is of a very important essence, so I quickly rose into my seat and walk towards the opposite gate of the town which Luna meekly followed.

After waiting for quite a while, we successfully manage to ride some Carriage and is currently on the way into our next destination. Luna delightfully and enthusiastically moves into the Carriage as to sightsee those beautiful huge mountains that she seems to forget that I accidentally did to her this earlier noon.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" I commented with a smile.

"Yes!" Luna cheerfully replied with a broad smile. "It was my first-time riding on a Carriage and seeing those beautiful mountains. My heart was beating so fast!"

I can't help but smile at Luna's vigor. Seeing like this makes me so happy that I felt like crying.

After a while and I've started to get bored sitting idly, so I decided to have conversation to Mr. Driver to relieve my boredom while also getting some information in the meantime. He was a regular farmer that's in his 30s who was surprisingly fun to talk into.

According to Mr. Driver, it looks like we would be having a temporary stop at the next town called the "Cavernside Village" that's estimated to be reached tonight. It began to pique my interest when he mentioned a Cavern that's located only half a kilometer near the next town we're stopping at.

"I guess that town was named after "that" huh..." I mused as I pondered.

After a while and our conversation came into a temporary halt. During that time, I used Luna's lap as a pillow and went sightseeing with her until the sun sets across the horizon.

* * *

Just like Mr. Driver said, we arrived at the village at fresh night. I generously paid Mr. Driver and went our way to the Town's Inn. Looking at it, this town was still lively even at nighttime thanks to the open businesses and adventurers that had just back from their adventures.

"How much for a night?" I asked.

I really didn't want to explore much so Luna and I just picked the nearest Town's Inn. The Inn was pretty large with even some decently good eatery where some adventurers were currently eating.

"25 Copper a night and 30 Copper with food service." The female receptionist said.

Oh? I didn't expect the fee to be this cheap. Is it because it's just a regular Inn I wonder?

"Alright, here." I gave the receptionist the exact fee. "1 night with food service please."

After I paid the fee and the two of us went to the rented room the receptionist told us to. The inside was quite spacious with 2 beds lying for us to be rested upon.

"Mhm," I nodded as I mused. "Pretty good for a cheap Inn."

I went and lay down at the bed placed near the edge of the room with a window while Luna did the same on the latter. I took a deep breath as the fatigue on my body started to dissipate. I would like and want to take a rest now but unfortunately; there still something that needs to be done.

"Luna, I plan to do something at tonight. Do you want to come?" I informed Luna who was about to fall asleep. "You can refuse if you don't want to, okay?"

"Mhm," Luna groaned for a bit then begins to spoke. "But Master, aren't there curfews at midnight in this town?"

"I can just come back before Midnight and if I didn't make it, I can just rest there until morning. I won't be caught by the curfew that way, right?"

"That will be dangerous, Master." Luna worriedly said. "If they saw us, I doubt it would be easy to get away with it. Knowing Master, you're probably going to do something like how Master did just like the time when we were still at the Mansion."

"Wow, you really know me, Luna. I'm touched." I jokingly said which Luna mildly blushes. "Actually, we're going to go to a place no one should've known yet."

Possibly, but I doubt they are that many.

"It's just that Master..." Luna who was laying at a side position spoke in a timid voice. "I'm worried..."

I paused for a bit and went into Luna's bed and lay-down beside her. She was surprised and is looking at me in bewilderment. I then suddenly pulled her into me and started to pinch her cheeks.

"Master— Ah?! I-It hurts...!" Luna cried in pain and starts squirming. "Master... what are you doing... S-suddenly...?!"

"Listen here, Luna." I locked her squirming body with my legs as I speak. "You're still a million years too early to be worrying over me on such things like this."

It's a lie and it's just me making a front. I just want to tease Luna in adoration. I don't know what love language it was, but I like to have any physical affection towards the person I love or like. In any case, it's just my way of giving Luna my endearment.

I stopped pinching Luna's cheeks and gently put her face into my chest. Luna instinctively rubs her cheeks that's now painted in red as to lessen the remaining pain. I felt bad on doing it on Luna, so I start to caress her hair as I began talking.

"Jokes aside, even with the 『Mana Essence』 giving us superhuman strength, we are very squishy right now that almost every weapon can instantly kill us if we get hit 2-3 times."

"Uh... Isn't that a given?"

"You're right," I pointed out. "To a "Normal" person that is."

"Eh? What do you mean, Master?" Luna asked in bewilderment.

"What I mean to say is that there is a way to increase our Health and become stronger." I informed, then added. "Luna, try to ⟨⟨Appraise⟩⟩ me."

Luna tilted her head in confusion but meekly listened and used ⟨⟨Appraisal⟩⟩ into me.

『Sai Crimsonheart』

『HP: 100/100』

『MP: 200/200』

『Armor: 0』

『AGI: 275-550』

『DEX: 100』

『ENDURANCE: 250』

Luna's eyes widened when she saw my status.

"You see my HP, right?" I asked which Luna meekly nodded "Just like how Drake can have a total of 300HP, I know a way we can increase ours which can only be found to where I plan to go into."

"I knew it was possible to increase it but, shouldn't that information be only known by the nobles or higher-ups?" Luna asked, then added. "Moreover, just how much we'll get stronger if we increase it more..."

"Curious, aren't you?" I jest, then pointed out. "Don't want to excite you too much but we're only getting started. There are still so much we haven't experience yet so hold your horses, okay?"

"I sure am very excited. But you look like you're more excited than me, Master." Luna protested to which I chuckled in response. "Then? What are we doing next, Master?"

"Ho? So, you're coming then?" I replied and rose into the bed. "Let's get ready. I'll explain to you while we go there."

What we're trying to find this time, is an item called the 『Life Extract』 in which can only be found on the deep underground. Similar to 『Mana Fragments』, we'll need to collect at least 5 of them and turned them into a consumable item called 『Life Essence』 using the [Mana Pool].

Good thing during those time we're farming the 『Mana Essence』, I took a bucket of Man from the pool since I know that we'll be needing it for later.

Compared to the 『Mana Essence』, it is possible to find a full-fledge 『Life Essence』 at the cavern, but it'll probably be hard since people have probably already mined it.

I explained everything in full details to Luna as we walk towards the location—and by the time I finished explaining, we finally reached it.

"So, this is a cavern..." Luna mused as she looks down. "It's deep..."

"That's what she said." I quipped which Luna tilted her head in confusion.

Anyways, the cave's appearance is of a big hole on a hill that extend diagonally deep underground and so dark you're practically staring at the abyss of some sort...or is what supposed to be. Just like I had thought, it has already been fully explored. There are already some torched already placed down the cavern, but let's not lose all hope here.

"Trap cavern, huh..." I mused as I read the sign next to the entrance. "I guess the name pertains that this Cave would be full of traps, huh."

"Are we really going, Master?" Luna timidly follows behind me with a worried expression. "Didn't the sign say that it was dangerous...?"

"Don't worry, I know the possible traps in here." I confidently replied as I enter.

"M-master! please wait!"

Of course, we also prepared for the possible danger. Just before we get here, we bought dozens of [Healing Potions] on the way here in case something happened.

Just as I thought, this cave has been mined completely. There wasn't even a sight of an ore that can be mined here. The two of us kept on going until we reached the dead-end of the cavern.

"Haha, looks like it's a dead end." Luna pointed out as she scratches her hair with a strained smile. "It can't be helped, sometimes life doesn't go the way you want it to. Looks like we won't get anything from here so let's just—gyahh?!?!"

I quickly pulled Luna's back of her breastplate who was squirming aggressively as she was about to go back outside the cavern.

"That's what the others probably think." I remarked as I took the 『Beaver Shark』 from my pouch.

The supposed dead-end in front of us composed of a solid black stone that's very different from a regular one. Haha, they probably can't mine it anymore due to how solid it is. Sadly, a regular pickaxe won't be able to break this one.

But that's why, the 『Beaver Shark』—that's one of the strongest pickaxes can now come into play. Using it, I began to mine forward and made a passageway.

"M-master?! What are you doing?!" Luna anxiously said. "Are you sure about this?!"

"Just trust me, Luna." I remarked as I mine. "I know what I'm doing."

After digging for a while and we finally reached the other side of the cavern—the Cave Chamber. Meanwhile, I took out a [Torch] and started to hold it in front to light our way in.

As we began exploring the place, dozens of red crystals started to glitter from the dim light of my torch—the 『Life Extract』. Sweet! But well, this is a fresh Cave that was never touched by anyone so just in case, I'll have to inform Luna.

"Luna, just to let you know, this Cave—"

While I was explaining the dangers to Luna, something lit up to where I'm stepping to. Ah... I know what this is...

"?!?! Master—!!"

Luna quickly leaped at me but unfortunately, she didn't make it. I was teleported from who knows where—Jaw dropped and is fully dumbfounded of what I had just done. Really, a teleportation trap right at the entrance? Just how unlucky I am to encounter such things...

"Ahh... I failed big time." I mused and breathed out a sigh.

The teleportation trap teleports you to a random place of the cavern. I was teleported on a passageway like place, so I decided to follow it. I have no choice anyways...

Hm, it's quite dark and eerie in here. My [Torch] can't really lighten up the front properly so—

"W-whose there...?"

Suddenly, I head a faint voice of a girl. The faint voice it was located ahead of the passageway. When I heard it, I sprinted ahead of the passageway and what came to me was...

*Clank* Clank*

What came into my vision was a girl with a golden hair with chains on both of her hands and one on her feet. Her body was awfully bruised as her other feet had been cut off. Her face was fully covered with dry blood and is looking at me in terror, trembling like crazy. She's only using her one eyes as the other has been badly damaged.

Her clothes were in complete tattered that she's basically naked. Looking at it, beside her bad state, is her long ears that I noticed—she was an elf.

"P-pleash... don't hurt me..." The elf weeps and she beg. "P-please... don't kill me..."

My brow wrinkled as I gritted my teeth lividly.

"What the hell happened here?"