245 – Day 15 of Disappearance
Effort does not guarantee growth.
This is such a simple truth, I have felt it painfully even before I was possessed.
No matter how hard you try, there are countless things that you can’t get your hands on.
If I think about it, that might be why I fell in love with the game called Panta
But games reward you if you put in some effort.
‘At least it’s like a daily quest.’
Maybe that’s what got me used to trying again.
At least while I was working on Panta
Work hard and get rewarded as a result.
Of course, I needed to be wise sometimes, but the process itself was a series of joy for me.
That’s how I learned.
‘Now I just enjoy the effort itself.’
A state of making efforts. That in itself can be enjoyable.
That was the reason why I trained constantly after being possessed.
Even if growth is not guaranteed, the effort itself is enjoyable.
… But.
— Dungdung
My magic power is shaped into the shape of a snowflake flowing outward through the current.
I can’t help but admit it when I see it.
“This guy’s body is definitely not normal.”
The fact that the body and talent of Pongpong that I possessed are not ordinary.
No.
It doesn’t stop at ‘not normal’.
No matter how compared to any other person, he does not bow down.
Even the heroines are overwhelming.
Sharon was evaluated as having the most overwhelming ability and talent.
Even the growth of that child when he was at his best far surpasses me now.
In the end, it was Pong Pong who had the highest potential in this game.
‘He just didn’t try hard.’
Effort is about direction.
No matter how well the ball rolls, it cannot move forward if you do not push it forward at first.
I just pushed the potential of this body through training.
That’s just it…
“Ability grows like a snowball.”
Overwhelming talent.
Realizing that that was me, I picked up the cane.
And I took a look at the magic path left on the secret book and the wall.
Closed tube training.
I don’t know how much time I have left to train.
The final ending of this game is known as ‘Demon God’s Advent’.
And I feel that it is not far away.
Three books given to me.
Experience buff situation called closed pipe training.
And [Enlightenment] Is the expectation that it will come at an unexpected time.
“We do it.”
Overwhelming growth.
That is the only path I can walk.
◆
It’s been 15 days since Ian went missing.
The dessert research group that was chasing Ian entered a long-term battle.
It was because Ian’s traces had stopped.
The pursuit was temporarily halted, and instead a temporary search camp was set up there.
Communication room located on one side of the camp.
In front of a crystal ball worth billions of kroner each, Lina was talking on the phone with someone.
“Thank you, Sylvia. All the items arrived safely.”
— Yes. If you need anything, please let me know right away. Because I can send it right away.
“Of course. Is the Empire being persuaded well?”
— Well… It’s not easy. Still, I plan to move in with Princess Asteria soon. I was also invited to the imperial dinner today. I need to convince a few more people.
“I’m glad to have you, Sylvia.”
— Lina is having a hard time too.
“……”
Lina sobbed for a moment and swallowed her breath.
Rina was the mental support for the other children, whether they knew it or not.
She somehow managed to create an atmosphere that was not hopeless even in the bleak situation of Ian’s disappearance thanks to her unique friendliness and bravery.
But she also had a hard time.
To Lina, her Ian was nothing less than her savior.
The world where the savior disappeared was not as bright as her actions.
Silvia’s caring words heard in such a situation.
Even though it was a meaningless sound, it was the reason why Rina cried.
But it’s still too early to cry.
Lina was determined to laugh and cry as much as she wanted after finding her Ian.
“… No. I have to take care of things like this.”
— Please try a little harder. You’ll find it soon.
“You too, Sylvia. Let’s do our best a little longer.”
— Yes.
Click.
Broken communication.
Lina stood still in front of her communication port.
She must have stood like that for about 3 minutes.
“Hmm.”
Lina lifted her nose and took a long sip.
She didn’t even shed tears.
She didn’t think she deserved it.
Her guilt for abandoning Ian once was still deeply rooted in a corner of Lina’s heart.
Holding on without showing signs of hardship.
That is one of the few atonements Lina can make.
“Yes. This is my atonement.”
Nodding her head once, Lina pulled back the fabric of her communication tent.
Then several tents caught her eye.
Although it was a temporary search base, it was difficult to say that the scale and facilities were small.
No.
It was rather excessive to say that she was just trying to find a missing cadet.
From various communication equipment, horse engineering search devices, search dogs, search experts…
After Danya’s search using her senses was blocked, Sylvia quickly dispatched personnel and equipment.
— You’ve been searching non-stop for two weeks. Everyone needs to rest for at least a day. It’s a long game from now on.
She was always at odds with Sylvia, but even she agreed without saying anything.
In fact, all members of the Dessert Research Club were very tired.
Lina raised her head and looked at the sky.
A sunset sky with a mixture of red and purple colors.
It is a sunset of unusual colors recently.
“I need to recover quickly and start the search again.”
She clenched her fists and made a promise.
Lina took her steps towards the tent in her center.
When she pulled back the cloth, the images of Danya sitting blankly on her bed and Elena sleeping lying down came in.
At a glance, the atmosphere is calm.
It’s always been like this lately whenever Rina isn’t around. Lina smiled as always and entered the tent.
“It’s time for dinner, everyone! Let’s wake up!”
Lina opened her mouth energetically.
I heard a rustling sound from the bed next to the door.
“…Bob!”
Elena suddenly wakes up.
A wide forehead with a red pillow mark engraved on it when sleeping face down.
Shrug.
Elena wiped away the drool that flowed from the corner of her mouth.
And then.
Blink, blink.
I blinked my big eyes a few times and stretched.
“… It’s time to eat.”
For some reason, the voice is sullen.
Lina said with her smile towards her.
“Today, Elena, it’s your favorite tomato salad.”
“Tomato!”
The color comes out instantly and then fades slightly again.
Probably because it reminded me of Ian.
When training Elena, Ian always used tomatoes as bait.
“… I can eat it deliciously…”
She muttered softly.
She seemed to be trying not to give any indication that she was thinking about Ian.
“Yes.”
Lina stroked her Elena’s head.
Elena hugs her tightly.
She patted her back a few times and stood up.
Next, it was time to help Danya stand up.
“Danya.”
Danya’s ears perk up slightly.
But Lina knows very well that it is just a reflex reaction when a sound is heard.
Danya’s eyes, staring blankly at the wall, did not even flinch.
It was so heartbreaking to see that.
Lina was fully aware of what Danya was thinking.
Lina played with her black handkerchief around her neck.
She couldn’t even smell Ian’s body anymore, but it still calmed her down. Because it’s the only thing she got from Ian.
‘… Yes.’
Nodding her head once, Lina approached Danya.
She then clasped her hands together.
Although she was still unresponsive, Lina knew how to wake Danya out of her thoughts.
“I’m sure we can save Ian.”
Ian.
At those words, Danya’s eyes blink.
Then he looks at Lina, finding her focus.
“… Lina?”
“Yes. I’ve been waiting for you. Let’s eat. It’s dinner time.”
“… Ah.”
Danya’s eyes slowly turned towards the entrance.
The floor became dark.
“Thank you. I’ll eat and cheer up.”
Danya nods her head steadfastly.
But when Lina saw the small teardrops under her eyes, she bit her lower lip slightly.
Everyone is sad, but they don’t show it.
It was an implicit rule that came into being at some point.
“Let’s go out and eat. I prepared it outside.”
Lina led the two and opened the tent door.
Getting some fresh air outside and a campfire can help calm your mind a little.
It’s good to rest, but if you keep lying down, you’ll get depressed.
The two were seated side by side in front of the bonfire that had been carefully lit.
“Okay, take one at a time.”
Fresh tomato and vegetable salad with fine cheese powder and balsamic sauce.
A moderately grilled lamb steak of a size that is not burdensome.
Crack, crack.
A dinner suitable for eating with a bonfire in the background.
Elena muttered after putting a tomato in her mouth.
“These days, the sky is particularly purple.”
“That’s right. It’s been like this for the past few days. Is this a characteristic of this area?”
“Ah, I’ve heard that! If you go to an area full of snow, the lights will flutter like curtains every night!”
“Ah. Aurora? It feels a little different, but it’s pretty.”
“Have you ever seen Sister Lina?”
While Lina and Elena are having a conversation.
Danya, who was chewing on her salad, looked up blankly at the sky.
“I’ve heard… About the purple sky”
From Noble mtl dot com
Dania cautiously opened her mouth.
Everyone’s eyes were focused on her.
“It’s a fairytale story passed down from our clan.”
“What is it?”
“There is a being called a demon god sleeping in our world. He will one day lead the world to destruction. I heard that the sky is purple like that for a month before such a demon god comes down…”
Gulp.
Lina and Elena swallowed.
“Of course it’s a fairy tale, but…”
Dania muttered with eyes full of determination.
“Let’s all do our best.”