Chapter 47

### Spatial Leap (4)

The head mage of the Saintea Royal Family.

One of the grand mages affiliated with Saintea, and a formidable warrior on par with a five-star mage.

I couldn't understand how they ended up clashing with such a powerful opponent.

However, a hypothesis soon flashed through my mind.

'...Hunting of other races?'

The Saintea Royal Family secretly hunts non-human races. Just like how the White Moon Clan of Ashel was wiped out.

This was a twisted belief of the emperor and a significant part of the main storyline in Rasa.

'And if it's the Hae-rin Clan, then it must be... '

I recalled the setting of the Hae-rin Clan.

They are a special race not only because they are rarely seen but also for another reason.

'Magic crystals.'

They would likely be called that.

It is said that when a Hae-rin nears the end of their predetermined lifespan, they generate something called a 'magic crystal' just before dying.

It's similar to the inner core of a mystical creature in a typical martial arts novel.

Compared to ordinary magic stones, it is extremely pure, making it a treasure of immeasurable value to mages.

'So, that makes sense.'

I wanted to ask more, but I decided not to bring up the topic of magic crystals.

It would be a very sensitive issue for them, and it wouldn't be wise for an outsider like me to mention it.

"How did you end up encountering such a person?"

In response to my question, the chief took a sip of tea and answered.

"While heading back to the sea, our homeland, we happened to run into him."

"Did he attack your clan without any reason?"

"No, it wasn't that... it was the result of greed, hehe. There were various circumstances."

He laughed weakly, but it seemed he had no intention of elaborating further.

The result of greed.

I was certain it was related to the magic crystals.

"Hey, stop prying so much."

The woman, who had been listening to the conversation with a displeased look, interjected.

"Why are you telling him all this? What if he goes around spreading it?"

"Tsk, tsk, if you're so worried, why did you show yourself to a human and bring him here?"

"......No, when did I bring him here! He just followed me on his own!"

I wanted to tease her by saying she hadn't considered the possibility of being tracked, but I held back.

It would be counterproductive to upset her since I was the one who needed something.

The chief stroked his beard and continued.

"Anyway, that's how we ended up with these injuries. Everyone in the clan managed to escape into the water and barely survived."

I could picture the situation.

The chief must have stayed behind to buy time for the other clan members to escape, only to be attacked in the end.

Given that he was facing a grand mage of the Saintea Royal Family, only someone of his level could have barely held their own.

"Well, I don't have much time left anyway, so I'm just glad everyone in the clan survived..."

"Chief!"

The woman suddenly shouted, glaring at the chief.

"......I told you not to say things like that. What do you mean you don't have much time left?"

"Child, stop shouting and hurting my ears."

The chief clicked his tongue and calmly sipped his tea.

An awkward silence fell.

I fiddled with my teacup, feeling the warmth in my hands, and then spoke again.

"The injuries seem quite severe."

"Frankly, they are. No matter how old my body is, there's no sign of improvement."

"I have a healing potion. I'm not sure how much it will help, but I can give it to you."

The woman was startled and looked at me.

"A, a healing potion?"

The chief also widened his eyes and asked me.

"If you mean a healing potion... are you talking about a healing potion?"

"Yes."

You know about it?

I thought they, living in the wild, wouldn't know about potions, but I was surprised.

I immediately took out Scarlet, which I always carry with me.

There was less than half left, but it was still a substantial amount.

The woman's gaze was fixed on the potion.

"This is one of the best potions available, with the most effective results."

"......"

"If you tell me where the place I'm looking for is, I'll give it to you."

I need to find a mysterious place, and the chief needs to heal.

It's a win-win situation.

"How can we trust a human to give us something...?"

She muttered, then closed her mouth and glanced at the chief before quickly changing her tone.

"No, no. I trust you, so give it to me."

"Will you tell me where the place is?"

"Yes! I'll tell you, so give it to me quickly!"

Her plea was desperate.

Her reaction was more intense than I expected, and I was a bit taken aback, but I continued.

"Then, promise me first."

"Promise what?!"

"I can't guarantee how effective this potion will be on the chief. If it has little or no effect, you still need to guide me to the place."

Scarlet is definitely a great potion.

But I wasn't entirely sure if it could heal the chief's injuries.

After all, the Hae-rin are not an ordinary race, and injuries from a grand mage could be different.

Honestly, I didn't like setting conditions for healing someone, but I had no choice.

The woman glared at me silently, then answered.

"......Fine, give it to me. I'll guide you to that place a hundred times if I have to."

I originally planned to receive the guidance first before giving her the potion, but the atmosphere didn't allow for that.

The order didn't matter, but I was concerned she might not keep her promise.

'Well, I doubt she would do that.'

I handed the potion to her without hesitation.

She stood there for a moment, then turned to the chief.

He gestured to her.

"Give it to me."

The chief opened the potion bottle and examined its contents.

He looked surprised and nodded.

"The scent of magic is so strong. This is definitely not an ordinary item. Are you sure it's okay to accept this?"

"I have something to gain, so I'm not just giving it away."

"Hmm, the place you're looking for must be very important to you. In any case, I'll use it well."

The woman snatched the potion back from him.

"Show me your back, Chief. I'll treat you now."

"Do you know how to use it?"

"......W, well, you just apply it to the wound, right?"

She looked at me for confirmation.

"I'll do it, so give it to me."

I've used it a few times, so I know how to apply it better.

I laid the chief down and examined the wound on his back.

A long, diagonal gash, with a deep blue bruise around it. The color was similar to a bruise, but the severity was incomparable.

I poured the potion slowly from top to bottom along the wound.

To my relief, the effect was visible after a short while.

The wound began to heal and new skin started to grow, albeit slowly.

"......Ah!"

The woman, who had been watching anxiously, gasped.

The wound disappeared completely, and the chief sat up, looking at me in disbelief.

"How are you feeling?"

"......There's still some internal damage, but the external injuries are completely healed. This is really an amazing item."

I nodded and gave him the remaining potion.

"Drink the rest. It will help with the internal damage."

The chief drank the remaining potion in one go and set the empty bottle aside.

He looked more lively and smiled, then turned to the woman.

"Child, why are you sniffling?"

As he said, her eyes were red, on the verge of tears.

"......Are you all better, Chief?"

"Yes. Now we can finally return to the sea. All of us, without a single one missing."

"Sniff, snif...!"

She ran into the chief's arms and burst into tears like a child.

The chief patted her head gently.

Not knowing the full story, I could only sit there awkwardly, watching the scene.

***

After leaving the cave, we returned to the carriage.

I headed to the predetermined location alone after receiving the breathless magic enchantment.

Sitting against a tree, I waited for a while, and soon the woman appeared from the forest.

"......What are you looking at?"

Her eyes were still red, and she responded irritably to my gaze.

I shook my head and stood up.

"We're leaving now."

"Of course, I was going to anyway."

She threw off her clothes and walked towards the lake. I followed her.

It was time to find the mystery of spatial leap.

She looked at me and asked, "But you're human. Can't you stay underwater for long?"

"I have a spell on me, so it's fine."

"Oh, right... "

She seemed to have something else to say but hesitated, then whispered, "Thank you."

"......?"

"Thank you for healing our Chief. I really appreciate it."

"Sure."

I replied briefly.

I had my own reasons for healing him, so there was no need for gratitude.

She wiped her face, embarrassed, and stammered, "......That's it, right? I've thanked you. I'm not as shameless as you!"

Was she trying to start a fight or express gratitude?

I sighed and said, "Before we go in, explain the place I'm looking for. Where in the lake is it?"

She looked around the lake and pointed in a direction.

"See that? We need to move over there and go down to where the bottom is almost visible. It's quite deep."

I nodded, not really able to see much from above.

"Well, the only thing I'm a bit worried about is that we might encounter those damn thorn fish at that depth... "

"Thorn fish?"

"Yeah, they have really long, sharp snouts and are about twice your size."

A fish monster with a long, sharp snout...

'You mean Charging Fish.'

They're not particularly high-level, around level 30, but they travel in groups of hundreds and hunt in packs.

Covered in tough scales, they use the sharp, lance-like protrusion on their front as a weapon, making them extremely dangerous in large numbers.

I distinctly remembered encountering them as a beginner and getting a harsh lesson.

"Well, it's fine. I can handle a few easily. Just follow me."

She grumbled.

Level 39 isn't that confident, but as long as she guides me well, it should be fine.

She then asked curiously, "Why are you looking for that place? Is there some treasure hidden there?"

Treasure.

There's a treasure far more valuable than that hidden there.

"None of your business."

"Ah, I see. You're looking for a treasure ship? I've seen many humans like that when I lived by the sea... Wait, but this is a lake. You're not trying to find a treasure ship in a lake, are you?"

"Stop talking and guide me now."

She snorted and jumped into the water. I followed.

Splash!

Underwater, her appearance had changed to be covered in scales.

I noticed she had gills on her sides. It was quite fascinating.

She motioned for me to follow and swam ahead.

'You're too fast.'

I tried my best to keep up, but I inevitably fell behind.

How could I catch up to a water-dwelling race?

She shouted, her voice clear even underwater.

- Why are you so slow! Hurry up! I'll leave you behind!

......Can the Hae-rin speak underwater?

Regardless, she adjusted her speed to match mine and started moving slowly.

After a while,

As we went deeper, large fish began to swim past us.

- Don't worry, these won't attack first...

Her relaxed expression suddenly turned rigid.

A massive creature was approaching from below.

A fish with armor-like black scales and a sharp, lance-like protrusion on its front.

'Damn.'

I frowned at the sight.

It was the Charging Fish she mentioned before. We really did encounter them.

- Be careful!

Boom!

She flew at the charging fish and punched it with a speed that seemed as fast as running on land.

The Charging Fish, hit squarely, spewed blood and sank to the bottom.

While she was relieved, I looked around.

These creatures usually travel in groups rather than alone.

Soon, I felt a massive presence approaching from all sides.

- Huh, huh?

She also looked around, bewildered.

The Charging Fish quickly surrounded us and swirled around like a black wave.

Their numbers grew, easily surpassing a hundred. It was like a black tide.

'Oh... '

I watched the scene, feeling exasperated.

This was their hunting method.

They surround their prey, preventing escape, and then attack from all sides.

Since they don't hurt each other due to their tough scales, this is a viable hunting strategy.

- Stay alert.

Her trembling voice reached me.

She was in a state of panic.

Who was telling whom to stay alert?

- Hold onto me tightly. I'll try to break through to the surface...

I felt playful and said,

- I think I'm wrong. You should escape.

- What nonsense! Stop talking and hurry...!

She wasn't going to leave me behind.

I chuckled, ignored her, and raised my hand.

Blood formed a sphere in my palm.

'Let's see... '

I decided to test the Blood Magic's full potential.

As the Charging Fish swarmed towards us, the blood sphere exploded.

Boom!

The blood droplets shot out in all directions, piercing the fish.

And that was it.

The black tide that had been overwhelming us lost its momentum and sank to the bottom. They were all dead.