Chapter 13: The Rotted-Face Village (3)

Time flew by.

The ten days were up.

Tomorrow was the day we’d strike.

Everyone was making their final preparations. As for me, I was in the chieftain’s room.

A faint, very faint glow of dark gold shimmered over my left hand. I placed it over the scraped skin on my right hand, and under the dim light, a gentle warmth spread through the wound. The healing was slow—agonizingly slow. The torn skin was barely beginning to regenerate. The only noticeable effect, visible to the naked eye, was that the bleeding had at least stopped.

“This is the technique you taught me. Spirit Mend, right?”

The chieftain’s eyes widened slightly, then he nodded slowly.

“Correct. Though still unrefined, I must say, I’m rather surprised, Mr. Zhou Yuhong. You’ve already managed to grasp its basics.”

“This might sound arrogant, but could it be that I have a natural talent for this?”

“I’m afraid not. While your aptitude is slightly above the others’, there’s no qualitative difference. In fact, Miss Rena and Miss Felice possess greater potential than you.”

“Then why?”

“…”

The chieftain gazed at me deeply for a moment, then turned to look at the sky beyond the gray mist and began speaking slowly.

“Miracles are rooted in spirit. Mysteries in knowledge. Arcana in will.”

“Meaning?”

“Your natural aptitude may not be dazzling, but your spirit—your mental fortitude—far surpasses the others.”

“I don’t feel any different from them.”

“Most people would say that. And most people would truly be no different. But Mr. Zhou Yuhong, I’ve met many people in my life. Believe me when I say this, born warriors do exist.”

“…”

“…”

I said nothing. The chieftain, too, fell silent.

After a moment, he spoke again.

“How are your bodies feeling now?”

“Honestly? Not great. At least I’ve started to feel some of it creeping in.”

“I see.”

Once more, he fell silent. Then he slowly lowered his head.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. This isn’t your fault.”

“Even so, I must apologize, whether out of guilt or pity.”

“If anyone should be grateful, it’s me. If you hadn’t arrived when you did, I’d already be dead.”

Fear still gripped my heart, but I had no right to shamelessly blame those who’d saved me.

The six of us were the lucky ones.

At least nine people had been transported here. Three had died almost immediately: the nameless man poisoned by the riverside, the unknown man who’d accompanied Jelena at the start, and Vaclav Zeman, whose skull had been crushed before my very eyes.

Just remembering those scenes sent a chill down my spine.

***

“Ahaaa~~ This stuff that cleans your mouth is a freaking life-saver! Great! I couldn’t take it anymore!”

Booker shoved a huge handful of clean-leaf into his mouth and chewed with wild abandon, his face practically radiant with relief.

“Hey, hey, hey! That’s supposed to be enough for all of us, don’t hog it!”

“Yeah! This is when you’re supposed to be a gentleman and let the girls go first! Uncle Booker, you jerk!”

Jelena and Rena glared at him, faces stormy. They hadn’t bathed in ten days now—probably the longest either of them had ever gone without one. Their hair clumped into oily strands, and their clothes were filthy.

“Tch, tch, tch, I can’t hear you~ Mizan, bro, come on, try some! You can smear it on your face like a facial cleanser too.”

“Thanks.”

Mizan accepted a bundle of leaves and rubbed the juice over his face. The girls’ glares sharpened immediately, but he just stuck out his tongue at them, copying Booker’s antics.

“Hey! Damn it, you spinach-headed bastard! You’re corrupting the nice guy now!”

“Tch! Not my fault! If you want some, come take it, you shut-in gamer girl!”

Jelena and Booker launched into a full-blown shouting match, with Mizan and Rena surprisingly joining in the ruckus. The usually cramped little room felt a lot livelier than usual.

Yes—much livelier.

Even though we had fellow Earthlings by our side, anxiety and fear still clung to us like shadows.

We buried ourselves in weapons training, in daily sparring, in studying barely-working miracle spells. Everyone gave it their all—because that was the only way to forget, even for a moment, the unease gnawing at our hearts.

But every night, once the day ended—once we ate those disgusting rations, curled up in bed still sticky with sweat—terror returned like a tide, keeping us tossing and turning until morning.

And today was our final day.

We couldn’t stall any longer. Tomorrow, we’d depart.

As if trying to block out that looming reality, everyone grew noisier than ever.

And just then—

“Haven’t gone to sleep yet, huh?”

The young man who’d quietly become the group’s anchor stepped into the room and looked around at everyone.

“Yeah. We should.”

“Big trip tomorrow, after all.”

His appearance was like a bucket of cold water thrown over everyone’s heads, dragging them back to reality.

***

Their reactions were exactly as I’d predicted.

Making noise to distract themselves. It really was an effective way to relieve pressure. But it couldn’t last forever.

Even now, I was hesitating.

Should I tell them about the danger… the one only I had noticed?

But if I kept it to myself, wasn’t I just being selfish?

And yet… wouldn’t telling them just add to their burden?

I just hope everything goes smoothly.

With that thought, I blew out the candle, letting darkness fill the room.

And it was only then that I realized—

Maybe I was the most afraid of all.

“Hey, buddy.”

Booker’s voice came from the darkness.

“What is it?”

“Are you scared?”

“…”

The moment those words left his mouth, I could feel everyone else hold their breath.

They were all scared.

Even Booker, usually so carefree, was scared.

Sometimes, affirming others’ fears is a way to soothe your own.

I knew what they wanted to hear.

So I said it.

“Not scared. As long as we don’t rush things, stay calm, and stick to ganging up on them and avoid carelessness, the danger will drop significantly. At the very least, trust me.”

“Hmm… yeah. Hah, hearing you say it like that, it really doesn’t seem so scary.”

Booker’s tone returned to its usual breezy self. The others exhaled softly in relief.

And me—I forced a dry laugh.

They couldn’t see it in the dark anyway.

***

Of course, I was lying when I said I wasn’t afraid.

What would happen tomorrow?

Would our first foray go smoothly?

Would we run into something worse?

What happens to the people who die?

Are they just gone forever?

Or once they dissolve into mist, do they return home to Earth?

How’s Little Jing doing now?

Ever since our parents died in that accident, we’ve relied on each other. She must be worried sick.

How long until we can return to Earth?

And if what Chieftain Lund said is true, then to clear the mist from any given region, we have to defeat the one who rules it.

The so-called Mist King.

To borrow Jelena’s words, it’s like the boss of a dungeon in a game.

But how strong is a Mist King, really?

Ugh…

The moment I closed my eyes, that grotesque, skeletal figure with spring-loaded limbs and blade-like appendages flashed in my mind again. His burning gaze locked onto mine, sending a chill down my spine.

Yeah, sure, we can probably handle your average lizardman.

But what if that spring-legged freak shows up again?

That thing’s on a whole different level.

And the rotted-face people don’t seem to know much about it either.

Could it be the Mist King?

No idea. I honestly don’t know.

With thoughts in chaos, sleep was impossible.

Speaking of which… where is Felice?

After chewing some clean leaf and wiping off sweat, I’d returned early. Felice said she’d come back later, but she still wasn’t back. Might as well go check on her.

***

The rotted-face people tire far more easily than us, so they usually go to bed earlier. When I stepped outside, there was no one else around. The entire settlement was cloaked in murk. Overhead, countless trees and a veil of gray mist blocked out the moonlight. The only illumination came from a few scattered torches, casting crooked shadows across the warped houses, blending with the trees into the shapes of writhing monsters.

Not exactly the best place for a midnight stroll.

Sigh…

I exhaled softly and proceeded with caution. After ten days, my eyes had mostly adapted to the dimness. Night travel wasn’t too bad anymore. Following the torches along a winding path, I passed twisted shacks and trees, spotting only the occasional rotted-face night guard.

“Lady Felice? … I think I saw her… heading that way.”

“Thanks.”

One guard pointed the way. I thanked him and kept going.

Before I knew it, I’d reached a secluded part of the settlement—the edge where it met the forest. Only a lone torch lit this area. No guards.

And there I saw a figure.

By the torchlight.

A young woman’s silhouette.

I was about to call out, but the words caught in my throat.

At the same time, an overwhelming sense of “Why do these things always happen to me?” flooded my mind.

It was Felice, no doubt.

She hadn’t noticed me yet.

And she wasn’t wearing a single stitch of clothing.

Not even underwear—though I guess she never wore any here in the first place. Her bare skin glowed under the faint torchlight, pale and delicate, made even more alluring by the cool air and the flicker of flame. Her pale hair fluttered slightly in the breeze, like cherry blossoms at night—ethereal and dazzling. Her expression, as usual, was calm and distant, with that languid detachment I could never quite read—but I had a good idea of what she was about to do.

Her body was slick with a transparent, gel-like substance—closer to a cheap body wash than oil—and speckled with green flecks of clean-leaf.

She was holding out both arms, carrying a wooden basin full of water that looked heavy.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

“Hey!”

I called out to her.

“!?”

She flinched, turned her head, and saw me directly.

“…”

“…”

In the thick darkness, we locked eyes across the torchlight—me, clearly annoyed; her, completely naked.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“Should I be covering myself and screaming ‘pervert’ or something right now?” she asked first, deadpan.

“I don’t have the time or libido to go lusting after a naked girl in a danger zone. But shouldn’t you be offering me an explanation?” I frowned.

“…”

She crouched down and set the basin on the ground with a swift motion, then just as swiftly stood up again—like none of it had happened—and averted her gaze.

“Good evening, Yuhong.”

“So, what exactly are you doing?”

“Nothing.”

“The basin of water?”

“Empty.”

“You’re coated in clean-leaf gel?”

“Got it on me by accident.”

“And the whole no clothes thing?”

“Wanted to feel the breeze, so I took them off.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“Tell me honestly, do I look like an idiot to you?”

“Quite the opposite. You seem very intelligent, Yuhong.”

“Then you must know I can tell you’re trying to take a bath.”

“Uh…”

“I mean…”

I sighed and scratched my scalp, itchy from ten days of grime.

“You know how scarce clean water is for the rotted-face people. Most water sources are poisoned. Just getting enough drinking water every day is a small miracle. If someone uses that water just to wash, we might not have enough to drink the next few days.”

“Mm…”

“No wonder Jols mentioned the drinking water’s been mysteriously running short lately. Don’t tell me you’ve been sneaking out here every night to draw water while everyone’s asleep?”

“…Yes.”

Her gaze finally dropped, drifting down like a child caught doing something wrong—and really, that’s exactly what she was. Seeing her like that, I suddenly felt an unexpected pang of guilt.

“I know it’s wrong but… I’m sorry. I just… really hate feeling dirty.”

“Hate it?”

Some kind of mild OCD?

“Yes. I’m not sure if it’s OCD or something else. I’ve never figured it out, but I just can’t stand feeling filth on my skin. It drives me crazy, so…”

So you’d rather bathe with the water meant for drinking, even if it leaves others short?

—I was about to say that. But I stopped myself. Wouldn’t scolding her right now just be cruel? Her mannerisms, her posture—it was clear she came from a life of comfort back on Earth. And now she was thrown into a world where she had nothing, not even dignity. Finding this hard to bear… that’s not unreasonable.

“Ugh. Fine. If you’re that desperate to bathe, I’ll give you some of my share.”

“No, that’s—huh?”

“As privileged ones, we each get two pitchers of drinking water per day. I don’t drink that much anyway—usually don’t even finish mine. I can spare half to a full pitcher. It’s not enough for a full bath, but it should be enough to soak a towel and wipe yourself down.”

It wasn’t a lie. I’ve always had a decent tolerance for thirst.

“…”

Felice stared at me, dumbfounded.

After several seconds, she finally said something that caught me completely off guard.

“Yuhong, do you think that makes you look cool?”

“Huh?”

“Giving your precious water to someone else just to satisfy her selfish desire for hygiene. Does that give you a sense of fulfillment? Self-satisfaction?”

Fulfillment?

Self-satisfaction?

I was just about to refute her, but then I noticed her tone, her expression. There wasn’t a hint of mockery in it. Her voice was calm, her eyes slightly misty but sincere. It was an honest question, not a jab.

It made me pause.

Self-satisfaction, huh?

I hadn’t thought of it that way. I could say with certainty I wasn’t trying to win her over—but could I really say there was no self-satisfaction in it?

But at the very least… if I weighed it rationally—

Felice was the first person from Earth I’d met in Yardelan. A skilled fencer, definitely a reliable fighter. An important comrade.

Given that… if letting her stay clean and keep her mood up only cost me a little water, wasn’t that a decent trade?

Or was it just pointless chivalry?

Or… simply wanting to do something kind?

Suddenly, I couldn’t tell anymore.

Wait.

No, no, no—why am I agonizing over this in the middle of nowhere at this time of night!?

“Felice!”

“Ah—”

She was trying to sneak off with the water basin while I was lost in thought.

“Hey! You almost got away with it!”

“…” Quick walking noises.

“Wait—your foot—!”

Slip!

Splash!

***

“Ughhhhhhhhhh…”

How did it come to this…

Well.

The short version is: I’d gone from righteously stopping her to becoming her accomplice.

“Want some clean-leaf?”

“Thanks.”

Felice’s voice came from behind the tree. A slender, pale hand reached around the trunk and passed me a handful of crushed leaves. I accepted them with a sigh. I mashed them up and spread the juice over the parts of my leg stained by mud. It was sticky and gross, but it worked—wet a cloth and the grime came right off.

I had nothing left to say.

She’d tripped on a tree root while trying to sneak off with the basin, and I’d followed right after, resulting in a spectacular collision. Half the water had splashed out. The soil at the village’s edge was loose and turned to muck the moment it got wet. What had once been clear water was now dirty, and my entire leg was spattered in mud. Even I couldn’t just crawl into bed like that.

So what could I do?

What was there to do?

There was still half a basin of water left. No way we could return it to the well.

Might as well make use of it.

“…”

“…”

Honestly, it felt pretty good.

I’d only washed my legs and feet, but I already felt much cleaner. Guilt tugged at me, sure, but… screw it. We were marching out to kill fog fiends tomorrow. I could allow myself this one night of indulgence.

“Yuhong?”

Her voice came again from behind the tree. She was washing herself using the remaining water, and the tree served as a decent enough divider.

“What is it?”

“Looking closely, you…”

“Huh?”

I turned to find her peeking out from behind the tree, eyeing my rolled-up pants and thin shirt clinging to my upper body.

“What is it?”

“Yuhong, you’ve actually got a pretty good body, don’t you?”

“Is this reverse sexual harassment?”

“Reverse? Hmm…”

She paused for a few seconds, as if trying to figure out what that meant.

“Then would you scream ‘pervert!’ and cover yourself up?”

“I’d prefer if you put your head back behind the tree before I have to.”

“Ah, sorry.”

She finally stopped looking. Tch. For a moment, the look she gave me reminded me of how some girls used to look at me in high school. That strange, unreadable gaze I never knew how to interpret. I’d once asked my sister what it meant, and she replied: It’s just a normal biological response some adolescent females develop when they start becoming aware of relationships. It doesn’t mean you’re special or anything. Don’t take it seriously, okay?

Little Jing was always a smart, dependable little sister. I’d always been proud of her. Surely she wouldn’t lie to me.

…Right?

“I’m done.”

Her voice came from behind the tree.

“Me too.”

I quickly dried off and slipped my shoes back on. A moment later, she stepped out from behind the tree, fully dressed.

Good. One less thing to worry about.

***

We walked back together.

Close enough to brush shoulders, side by side.

But there was nothing remotely romantic about it.

Tonight had been nothing but a farce. Still, I was starting to feel drowsy. Guess that’s what happens when you burn off nervous energy. In the end, I wasn’t much different from those guys who’d started a pillow fight just to blow off steam.

And Felice?

I glanced at her profile. That same quiet, beautiful expression. No trace of anxiety. No hint of fear.

“Felice?”

“Mm?”

“We’re heading out tomorrow.”

“Yeah.”

“Nervous?”

“Hmm…”

She seemed puzzled by the question. After a few moments of thought, she said, “I don’t really know. Maybe it doesn’t matter if I am or not. It just doesn’t feel real.”

“It does feel kind of unreal, yeah.”

Even now, I kept wondering if this was all just some dream. But it wasn’t.

“But,” she said, stopping to look at me, “For some reason I have this feeling like, as long as you’re here, things will be fine.”

She smiled.

Just a faint smile.

But I could feel the warmth in it. Something soft, hazy, and beautiful.

I didn’t know exactly what that sentence meant, or what lay behind it. But I instinctively committed it to memory.

#####

Spirit Mend
 • Type: Miracle · Restoration
 • Spirit Cost: Very Low
 • Effect: Restores a small amount of health
 • Background: A basic miracle that is usually the first one learned by mages who study miracles. Its origins have long been lost. It can heal the user’s wounds and dispel less serious illnesses, with the strength of its healing depending on the caster’s proficiency. However, because it is such a low-level miracle, its effects remain fairly limited even when mastered.
 • Acquisition: Learn it from any miracle mage, or by studying books on miracles