54 – The Unexpected Variable (12)
Forest not far from the summit.
I stopped for a while in the cave where the monster lived.
The owner of the cave was nowhere to be seen, probably because he had already killed many monsters at the top.
Just before sunset, we hurriedly prepared for camp.
“Everyone did a great job.”
“No. Seohyun suffered the most.”
My colleagues moved busily on behalf of me who was injured.
After taking a break, my body recovered enough to stand up alone.
But when I tried to get up, they stopped me.
He insisted on resting, saying that he hadn’t healed yet.
In order to find the last goal, cooling, I had to continue hiking tomorrow.
As they said, I decided to take a break for today.
After that, I sat quietly in the corner and waited for the preparations to finish.
The wind was still as much as tonight.
Only the sound of the wood burning in the campfire echoed around.
It was clear weather without a single cloud. The stars also shone beautifully.
Even the scenery of the snowy mountain, which had been so rough, had changed to beautify.
However, it did not create a relaxed atmosphere.
In particular, Erina was always wary of her surroundings with a dark expression.
Her gaze stopped as the branch swayed.
Realizing that it was no big deal, I looked around again.
“Erina.”
“Oh yes!”
At my voice, she turned around and looked at me.
My body was still stiff with tension.
The soup was taken out of a pot hanging over the campfire.
I took a plate from her and gave it to her.
“You haven’t eaten anything since this morning. I’ll lookout, so take a break.”
Despite my suggestion, Erina shook her head excitedly.
The plate was given, but her soup was not to her mouth.
“There may be monsters.”
“That’s why I’m on the lookout.”
“I’m fine. So Seohyun-nim, get some rest.”
Erina’s smile was like a weakly withered flower.
The fresh and lively appearance like before has disappeared.
Instead, she was in a state of heightened sensitivity and her nerves were on edge.
Even now, she was constantly vigilant about her surroundings.
“Don’t do that. Come and eat.”
No matter how much she starved herself, she couldn’t use her strength properly.
Seeing that she didn’t budge at my words, I had no choice but to approach Erina.
“Come on. Open your mouth.”
He lifted a spoon, scooped out the soup, and fed it.
Erina was taken aback for a moment, then quietly opened her mouth.
After slowly chewing the food and savoring the taste, I passed the mokuldae.
As she swallowed her food, the color returned to Erina’s face.
“How is it? Is it delicious?”
“Yes, yes! It’s delicious!”
She gently stroked her hair and returned her spoon.
Fortunately, Erina let her guard down and started her meal.
In the meantime, Kayla has been busy moving.
“Please wait a moment. I will prepare the bed for you.”
She had already finished her meal and was tidying up her surroundings.
She was making a bed for me at the same time.
After consuming the cold fire, she seemed to feel no cold at all, and unlike before, her movements were light.
The busiest person during my break was Kayla.
Nevertheless, I was grateful to her for moving without saying anything.
“I will help you. Please wait for a moment.”
When the bed was complete, Kayla picked me up and carefully laid me on the bed.
She also carefully scanned my body to see if there were any scars.
While doing so, she would pick up my clothes or touch my body with her hands.
“What are you doing?”
Before I knew it, Erina came over and removed Kayla’s hand.
Her words caused Kayla to blush.
“Oh, nothing. Just in case you were hurt…”
“Don’t touch it carelessly.”
“Erina. Isn’t that what you’re talking about?”
“I can’t help it. I have to protect you.”
Before that, Erina was often obsessed with me or clinging to me.
Still, at that time, if I showed a sign of discomfort or pushed him away, he would quietly pretend to distance himself.
But it felt different now.
It was not a joke, but a genuine tone of voice to justify his actions.
It has completely changed from when I first met Erina.
However, his affection and obsession with me have not changed at all.
I didn’t know whether to rejoice or be wary.
While lost in thought for a long time, Erina went back to warn her.
It looks like he ate all the soup I gave him before he knew it.
There was only an empty bowl left where she was.
While Kayla was cleaning her dishes, she looked at me.
Her lips parted as if hesitating about something.
I’ve felt it before, but Kayla is not good at telling her lies.
Her expression used to show what she was thinking.
“Do you have anything to say?”
My words startled Kayla, and her body trembled.
She hesitated for a while, but finally opened her mouth.
“There’s something I’d like to ask you.”
“Huh…? What is it?”
“…I wonder if Seohyun-nim has ever doubted or distrusted me.”
This is a question I’ve never thought of before.
It was also a very dark question.
As if she knew that too, she hastily added her explanation.
“Ho, I’m asking this question in case I did something wrong. Never resenting Seohyun-nim…”
“I never doubted you.”
Until now, she had never lied to me.
I didn’t even hide anything.
There was no reason why I wouldn’t trust Kayla.
She was worrying for nothing.
“That’s right. I’m glad…”
However, contrary to her words, Kayla’s expression was not very bright.
He was forced to smile as if he was okay.
Is there still a corner of anxiety?
But I thought it would disappear naturally over time.
After that, Kayla continued her tidying up, lost in her thoughts.
After the meal was over and the tables were tidied up, all that was left was to take a break.
It was unfortunate that I fell asleep right away, so I got up.
Worried eyes followed, but he smiled casually.
Still, Erina did not move, her eyes fixed on the outside of the cave.
She sat next to her and took her shoulder to shoulder.
She flinched as if she was a little startled, and agitated gestures appeared.
“Seohyun-nim… “
“Erina. Why are you so anxious?”
“It’s okay if you don’t mind. Rest in peace.”
“I can’t rest comfortably because of you.”
I had a hunch that if I didn’t say anything, I’d stay up all night.
I could roughly understand why the grass was dying.
She said that what happened today was traumatic enough for her.
She
She said she would always watch over me.
However, while we were separated for a while, I was put in a situation where I was facing Snow Woman alone.
It’s a shame because I was safe. I couldn’t imagine what would have happened if I had been seriously injured or even killed.
“I’m sorry. I’m a little… angry. I feel so sorry for not being able to protect you.”
She didn’t seem to be comforted by anything she said to her now.
Even if you tell a good story, you won’t be able to convince yourself.
“Don’t beat yourself up too much.”
Aside from light encouragement, nothing else came to mind.
I decided to give myself time to organize my mind.
Meanwhile, Kayla patted her blanket to make sure she was ready for bed.
Before I knew it, she was lying on the bed.
Her I also followed her and put her body on her bed.
“It would be nice if the camping ended tomorrow.”
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A week has passed since I left town.
I was sick of the weather I was not used to.
“Don’t worry. I will find the cooling system.”
“Me too. I will definitely find it by tomorrow.”
The request has been completed and the snow woman has been defeated.
As long as I could find the cold air, I could achieve all my goals.
Then, the relationship with the disgusting snow mountain was over.
“Yes. Let’s work a little longer.”
There are not many days left to stay here.
***
Fortunately, no more variables appeared.
I searched all over the perimeter of the summit.
As a result of Kayla’s search around the pond where she was looking for the ice flowers, she was able to find two clusters of the ice flowers.
“Be careful. You will be in great pain.”
Kayla has already had experience with freezing.
After she heard her words, she was alarmed.
‘I didn’t really express myself in the game.’
I closed my eyes and slowly chewed on the cold boots. At the same time, the expected pain came.
While my whole body was frozen, the flower passed through my mouth and into my throat.
“Keugh…”
“Are you okay…?!”
Erina stayed by my side restlessly.
I could see what Kayla was worried about.
I felt my body change in an instant.
The heat rose from her head to her toes.
I barely endured my stomach turning.
About five minutes passed. I felt a gradual decrease in temperature.
I forced myself to cough and regained my breath.
After that, I noticed changes in my body.
“It’s cool.”
My body, which had been shivering from the cold just a moment ago, became comfortable.
As if you were in a warm greenhouse, a warm feeling settled inside your body.
I checked my physical condition. The strangely dulled sensation was unfamiliar.
Fortunately, there was nothing wrong with his body.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. Rather very good.”
She put down her armor for a moment and put down the leather suit she was wearing.
I still didn’t feel the cold.
Even the strong wind in the snowy mountains felt like a warm whirlwind.
This is a truly ridiculous effect.
It was rewarding to have suffered and wandered in the snowy mountains until now.
Likewise, Erina swallowed the cold flame.
However, there was no reaction.
“Okay. I have no feelings.”
Since she had already eaten cold air, there was no change.
With a sad expression, he threw away the stem of the flower.
“It’s finally over.”
I finally achieved all my goals in the snowy mountains.
“Okay. Then,”
She is finally able to say what she has always wanted to say.
“Now let’s descend.”
At my words, the two people’s faces turned bright.
Not only me, but also Erina and Kayla suffered quite a bit.
She must have been quite tired after spending more than a week camping in the snowy mountains.
Everyone’s faces brightened at the thought of going back to the village and enjoying the soft beds and warm hot springs.
‘It’s finally over.’
I was able to conquer Nostel Snow Mountain and obtain considerable experience and money.
The snow woman was in danger after waking up, but as a result, she succeeded in gaining her powers.
The request was a great success. Everyone was able to get everything they wanted without any harm.
I was finally able to relax.
While going back to the village, she returned with a comfortable mind.
However, unexpected variables always appear when we are not careful.
“…What is this?”
What awaited us after coming down from the snowy mountain was the devastated village of Norton.