(EP-294.2) #3

294 – Fall #3

So, I averted my gaze from the gruesome scene and decided to listen closely. This body was a nymph born in the forest. If I tried hard enough, I should be able to find at least a small stream flowing through the forest.

─Gurgle, gurgle─.

Then I heard a small sound in my ear. It was unmistakably the sound of a small stream flowing smoothly.

「You are now a skilled ditch nymph…! Gained job experience for ‘Half-Fairy’. +50」

“I think it’s this way!”

I led Stella and Professor Balan toward the stream I had found. There were monsters on the way, but it wasn’t difficult to break through the encirclement with the two.

Finally, we reached a small valley. The water was so clear, it was hard to believe we were still in this corrupted forest. The stream was cold, and the current flowed swiftly.

How deep was it? Not much from just a glance.

Before I could even say anything, Stella and Professor Balan splashed into the valley, washing themselves like birds cleaning their feathers.

“Ugh, it’s cold.”

“I-I feel alive again. It’s like the stench of those low-level monsters’ blood is finally gone….”

Splash, splash.

They didn’t even bother to take off their clothes before diving in, likely to wash off the blood and bits of flesh that clung to their outfits. No matter, I could easily dry their clothes quickly with my wind magic.

Whoosh.

As they emerged from the water looking like drenched fish, I raised my tail wand and cast the Rank 1 spell, Dry Wind.

I reduced the amount of magic to avoid detection, but drying a person’s clothes was no difficult task.

I reduced the amount of magic to avoid detection, but drying a person’s clothes was no difficult task.

“Ah, I finally feel refreshed.”

Stella said, smiling with satisfaction when…

Swaaaaaa-.

A breeze blew through, rustling the bushes and trees. The sound of leaves and branches gently swaying echoed around us.

This sensation…

It didn’t feel unfamiliar.

Yet, there was something slightly odd about it. As I was mulling over how to describe it, Stella, who was drying her hair, spoke up.

“This valley must’ve been managed by a nymph before. See the drawings on the rocks and stones here?”

At her words, I noticed for the first time that there were indeed drawings on the rocks scattered around the valley. Real drawings.

Swoosh.

As I picked up one of the stones with a drawing, Stella added.

“Nymphs who oversee streams or ditches often draw pictures or write on stones to mark their territory. Of course, it’s rare to see these nowadays since most nymphs have moved to the cities….”

The drawings depicted a variety of things—spinning suns, birds, clouds, flowers, and butterflies. Rather than territory markers, they looked more like doodles a child might sketch in some notebook…

“Wow, Stella-nim, you know a lot. You’re truly a professor.”

I offered her a light compliment.

At that moment, Balan suddenly snapped.

“It seems these drawings were made using dyes from crushed flowers and plants. I-I know that much, so don’t act so superior, Professor Stella!”

“What? When did I ever act superior? I was just sharing what I knew. Though, since Professor Balan’s field is different, it might sound like I’m bragging…”

Stella was about to say something else when she abruptly fell silent.

Rumble…

At the same time, a massive tremor shook the ground, as though something had exploded. Amidst the rattling, I dropped the stone I had been holding.

“Oh.”

Stumbling as I tried to pick it up, I ended up falling to the ground. It was just a light fall, so I wasn’t hurt, and just as I was about to dust myself off and get up…

Whoosh…

The wind stirred the trees again. From where I sat on the ground, plants became taller and more familiar. The bushes, the rocks by the stream—they all appeared larger and more imposing.

━After drawing a flower, you always add a butterfly.

━Butterfly?

━Yes, because flowers have nectar, and butterflies come to drink it.

A child’s perspective.

Yes, the awkwardness I’d been feeling—this was it.

Now that I looked closely, there were marks and drawings on the base of the trees that would only be visible to someone who’d crouched.

“… I think I’ve been here before. Maybe….”

Jingle, jingle.

The fairy tree swayed, producing a tinkling sound. The vibrant colors struck me anew.

Yes, I’d definitely been here before.

Though I couldn’t recall the details, sometimes the body remembered better than the mind.

Like dried mud cracking away, sensations returned to my body one by one.

The sound of flowing water, the scent of flowers blooming somewhere nearby.

The smell of grass.

The scent of damp earth.

The world felt more vivid. My heart pounded as my senses expanded far beyond what my mind could usually process.

Just as I was on the verge of something, I felt someone abruptly grab my shoulder.

“Theo-kun! I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I don’t think this is the time! This monster is on a whole different level!”

Stella Bellhawk.

It was only then that I snapped back to reality. A heavy, thunderous thud pounding the ground rang loudly throughout the entire forest.

Crack, snap.

At the same time, there was the sound of trees breaking. I realized that something big was coming.

“It must be the master of this forest…! That’s no ordinary presence…!”

Edit by: faker