Chapter 9

3. A Lofty Flower Amidst Mediocre Penmanship

Indeed, when I wrote it, it was a flat and suffocating character, but now, facing it in reality, it seems vivid and alive.

It really is alive.

"Let me see it just once, okay?"

"You'll think I'm a pervert."

"Is it because of the foot odor? It's fine, I have rhinitis."

"Y-You!"

Seeing her face turn red as if it might burst at any moment, I waved my hands frantically.

Her reactions, which were not visible in the novel, were somewhat new, but I feared that if this continued, we might end up as enemies rather than colleagues.

"Fine, fine. I get it. Then just stretch out your foot. I'll take a look while you're wearing it. That should be fine, right?"

"You really are... "

Etrange looked at my sparkling eyes for a few seconds before letting out a low sigh. Then, as if conceding, she nodded.

I immediately bent down in front of the boot.

Somehow, I ended up looking like a knight kneeling before a lady, but I didn't really mind.

'So this is what it looks like.'

After thoroughly examining the boot from all angles to satisfy my curiosity, I wiped my knees and stood up.

"...Now keep your promise."

"Of course. Actually, General Biltred seems to be quite interested in your achievements at the academy."

"What did you say?"

"It's nothing. You mentioned you were the second in the 20th class, right? That's what the general said."

It's a lie.

In fact, I saw it with the [Piercing Eye] skill, but I had no intention of revealing my ability.

"And...?"

"Is that it?"

"......?"

Etrange glared at me with a look of betrayal, as if she had been cheated.

Her gaze was fierce.

"What does it have to do with the fact that I was the second in the academy and that the general is interested in me? It's already a well-known, old piece of news. Could you be deceiving me?"

"Why wouldn't it be related? Just the fact that you boasted about your senior's achievements to someone you just met today shows that you have a fondness and interest, doesn't it?"

"......"

"You seem to have an overly inflated sense of self. Surely you don't think everyone in the capital knows about your senior's achievements and cares about them?"

"W-Well, that's..."

Etrange's face, which had been deep in thought for a moment, quickly turned red.

It seemed she couldn't find a way to counter my argument.

Then, she bowed her head and muttered something, a sight that was quite amusing.

She even slapped her cheeks to regain her composure.

'She's really trying hard...'

There are only three people she wants to be recognized by.

Her adoptive father, General Aslan.

General Biltred.

And the protagonist she will be involved with later.

Considering that all her efforts stem from a desire for recognition, she must be feeling an overwhelming sense of joy.

I smiled at her.

Seeing her so happy made me feel good too.

"What are you staring at so intently? It's rude."

"But are you really not going to take off the boot and show it to me?"

"If you have the ability, try to take it off."

The way she shifted her feet suggested that she was ready to kick me if necessary.

Given my current stats, it would probably end with a broken nose.

I immediately backed off.

"You have a habit of causing misunderstandings with your words."

"Go to sleep quickly. We'll set off before dawn tomorrow."

Her tone was sharp, but her voice seemed excited.

* * *

The early stars faintly illuminated the mountains.

Sitting at the entrance of the cave, I glanced inside where the soft breathing sounds could be heard.

It had been about two hours since we switched guard duty, so she should be deeply asleep by now.

I slowly got up, careful not to make even the slightest noise.

The sound of my footsteps mixed with the rustling of the grass and the chirping of insects.

'Sleep well.'

If she were a fully matured hero, it might be different, but to be honest, she's still a fresh recruit, a novice. This level of noise wouldn't wake her up.

I slowly increased my pace as I moved away from the campsite.

I couldn't leave the protagonist, who was sleeping defenselessly in the middle of the Forest of Beasts, so I had to finish my business as quickly as possible and return.

What I was about to do was one of the most typical and cliché things.

Stealing a hidden encounter first.

Like most fantasy stories, this one was filled with hidden Easter eggs and encounters scattered throughout the world.

Beginner writers often can't develop the plot without coincidences and hidden encounters.

Between the capital and Grimore, the Forest of Beasts hides one such encounter.

It's the encounter that 'Pah,' one of the main characters, obtains in the fifth episode.

Since it happens after a considerable amount of time has passed and without any special trials, it would be delicious to get it early.

'Well, he couldn't use this power properly anyway.'

I lightly apologized to the original owner of the encounter as I ran toward my destination.

Reaching the destination was not difficult.

This was partly due to the geographical knowledge stored in Russell's body, but also because the location itself was simple.

'The highest peak in the Forest of Beasts.'

A straightforward and clear location setting, indeed.

Well done, past me.

I had even pushed to camp as close to this point as possible to speed up the process.

Huff.

After reaching the peak, I caught my breath and saw a giant ancient tree standing before me. Below it was a small stone tomb with writing carved on it.

The script used by the Shadow Elves.

This was the tomb of Pah's ancestor.

A hero who died in the War of the Gods, unknown to many.

His body had returned to nature, and his power had transformed into an item and rested in the tomb.

Pah obtained this encounter thanks to the script.

He found the tomb by chance, recognized the script of the grassland clan, and returned his ancestor's relic to his homeland. The power left by his ancestor was then absorbed by Pah.

Thinking about it, is this... an episode I can steal? It seems to go against human ethics... like a knight's great crime of destroying human nature.

I couldn't tell Pah in the future, 'Your ancestor was awesome.'

I paused in the middle of dismantling the stone tomb, feeling a twinge of guilt.

It's a bit uncomfortable, but what can I do? The dead have no voice. Let future me deal with the ethical issues.

I decided to trade my humanity for the encounter.

This power shouldn't have gone to Pah in the first place. It's a power suitable for scouting and solo play, and he was a severe direction-challenged person.

The effect itself doesn't suit him. So, I can use this power more effectively.

Using a sharp rock fragment, I dug into the tomb and felt something solid.

I carefully lifted the object I found.

Two gem-like stones, shaped like small icebergs.

This is the 'Breath of Orbis,' an item that is a fragment of the god who created this land. In short, it's a one-time use item that can contain or learn a power.

I confirmed the two powers inscribed on the Breath of Orbis and put the [Guide of Justice] back into the tomb.

It's a rare A-grade power, but it can only be learned by the Shadow Elves.

'Pretending it was always one shouldn't be a big problem.'

I shook off the dirt from the Breath of Orbis and lifted it. Then, I clenched my hand.

With a rustling sound, like sand breaking, a blue light emitted.

I felt the power being inscribed into my body.

I held up a hand mirror to check the new power.

In the shadows, your movements become stealthy and agile. At 4-star evolution, you can move between shadows.

'I've gained a survival skill.'

I started descending the mountain at a faster pace than when I came up.

* * *

The next morning.

We arrived at the coastal city, the pride of Ritania and the largest city on the continent, before the sky was fully light.

It was an impressive city.

The vast Sirenia Sea shimmered, bringing in a cool sea breeze, and military training facilities were scattered throughout. There were also numerous shops catering to trainees and cadets.

And monuments to heroes were erected everywhere.

This city truly commemorates, honors, and prepares for war.

The military training city, Grimore.

Looking at the city I had created and described with my own hands, I felt a renewed sense of appreciation.

It's cliché, but there's no better way to express it.

I now understood why web novel writers repeatedly use the phrase 'a renewed sense of appreciation' when they see their works recreated as comics.

"Staring around so much is a bit embarrassing for a travel companion."

Etrange commented on my head turning from side to side.

I can't help it; I'm a country bumpkin from Seoul.

"Thanks to you, we arrived quickly and safely. Thanks, senior."

"I've already said this, but you can treat me as a senior after you're admitted to the academy."

"Don't worry. I'll get you in as the top student."

She chuckled at my confident words.

"If that really happens, I'll treat you properly as a junior. After all, you'll have done the general a favor."

"I don't know what proper treatment means, but I'll take it."

"Good. By the way, have breakfast before we go in."

"Huh? We're not going in right away?"

Etrange opened the door of a nearby restaurant and went in without answering.

I was also craving a proper meal and curious about the food in this world, so I followed her without a word.

She ordered a light meal and a drink as if it were routine and wiped her hands neatly.

"Once you enter the training camp, you probably won't have a chance to eat comfortably."

"Why not?"

"Basic military training is also a competition for admission to the academy. The trainees won't look kindly on someone who joins halfway with a general's recommendation. The current commandant is also a strict and inflexible person."

Thinking about it, she had a point.

The commandant of the combat training camp, General Conrad, was a strict rule-follower.

To put it nicely, he was principled, but to be honest, he was a serious old-school conservative.

He had been a former comrade but had lost out to Biltred in their competition and was relegated to the position of commandant. He probably didn't have a good opinion of me.

"...I won't be turned away, will I?"