Disconnected

Chapter 12: Mainstream Trip (pt.2)

— Kruyuuuuuuk Kruyuuk…

The pink-haired lady's cheeks turned rosy red when her stomach rumbled loudly.

‘How embarrassing!!!’

Granted, she hadn’t eaten properly for the last 2 days, since they had been trying to survive in this rainforest a day before Serein even started her journey. And considering that she had been overusing her mana yesterday—the day when things went extremely wrong, worse than the first day of their arrival—it was an understatement to say that she was famished.

Thankfully, she wasn't as dehydrated, thanks to Sam, who allowed her to have some sips from their water supply.

But anyway…

Gil was about to open his mouth to speak when someone else was faster than him.

"Here."

A nutrient bar appeared in front of both of them. Neatly wrapped in plastic, it wasn't soaked from when they jumped into the lake yesterday.

The giver was none other than Serein herself, who had just finished eating her own portion for breakfast.

"It doesn't taste anywhere close to a decent gourmet, but it is edible."

Just as the two were about to accept the snacks, two chirps could be heard from next to Gil.

“Food?”

“Weird food.”

“I want it.”

“Human! Hand over that food!”

The two Wyrms, Sam and Pam, who had been silently slithering closer, demanded while showing off their fangs as if trying to threaten them if they didn’t comply.

‘Cute.’

Honestly, how many times had Serein thought of them as adorable in the past few hours?

Serein found the younger and more talkative bluish-green Wyrm, Pam, to be extremely cute and friendlier than his brother Sam, the greenish-blue Wyrm who was more stern.

The young hatchling, Pam, was the one who let slip to Gil the fact that their caretaker, referred to as Ceva-chi, is the offspring of an archmage and a dragon. Pam bragged about how awesome and simply the best his big brother was, his eyes rounding adorably.

He was bragging that his big brother is awesome and simply the bestest out of anyone he ever met in his whole one-year experience as his eyes rounded adorably.

Upon his brother’s recklessness, Sam, the other wyrm sounded perplexed and panicked as he told the young knight Gil not to tell anyone else. Little did he know, Cherry was hardly asleep at that moment. She tried not to let the corner of her lips twist up, while Serein herself was awakened from the loud chatter. She listened to that part of the conversation before succumbing once more to her lovely slumber. Sam arrived at the scene and ended up scolding his brother for outing their caretaker to strangers like that.

Ahem.

Well, either way, Serein ended up even opening the plastic before crouching down to let the two of them eat from her hands.

“It’s not tasty. But please do enjoy.”

Serein didn't hesitate to share her food with them, even though she was left with only one nutrition bar that should last for two, possibly three people for two days.

Which should be concerning, considering that in this Woodland they couldn't hunt nor could they look for mushrooms or any other edible plants.

Food and the never-ending rain were certainly some of the biggest struggles in this place. Knowing this, Serein had come prepared for three days' worth of food while planning to gather water from the rain to drink.

Then again, she wouldn’t mind being a bit hungry. She was used to rationing her resources and surviving with the bare minimum. 

Also, it’s not like she couldn’t eat as much as she wished after getting her 20 gold coins.

It was then…

‘How curious.’ Serein found it amusing to see the two hatchlings actually enjoying the nutrient bars.

“Is it tasty?”

She couldn’t help but ask. In all honesty, she did not expect any sort of reply, but to her surprise, two pairs of sparkling orbs stared back at her excitedly.

“It is!”

“Give us more!”

Sam and Pam chirped as they wagged their tails like dogs.

Now, Serein would love to do as they asked if only she had some more. But she’s out of stock, so…

“I’m sorry, but that was the last one.”

Serein smiled apologetically while holding back the urge to pet their heads. She wanted to do that so badly, but she knew that she shouldn’t.

Therefore, she just watched them pout as they mumbled to themselves.

“Why didn’t you say so? Ceva-chi didn’t get a taste then…”

“Bad. So bad. Brother Cevahir couldn’t have that goodness…” They sounded disappointed, which tugged at the corner of her heart.

But, as she had said earlier, Serein had nothing else. The ones that they ate were basically her last meals for the next few days as well if she didn’t get paid properly for this escorting mission.

‘So, his name is Cevahir.’

Serein kept the name in mind while her mouth opened to say something else.

“Sorry.”

That’s all she could say to the two hatchlings who stared at her lastly before leaving the three humans again. Probably to return to their caretaker’s side.

Which is good, since they needed to get going anyway.

‘If we can move fast, then we’ll return before sunset.’

That’s the ideal situation, though.

The initial plan was for her to stop here for one night, and have a back-and-forth trip to the Ervenyl Mountain, before then returning back to this cave and leaving Blasphemos Woodland on the third day.

Such a packed schedule. However, she was planning to go alone, so that shouldn't have been too difficult to do.

In the original story, Cherry had a hard time because she did not know about the cave, but she ended up finishing the task in three days as well. Which is why Serein was confident.

But now, they have a deadweight on their side.

Hazel pair’s gaze landed at the cut-off limb of Gil's.

'Okay, calling him a deadweight is rude.'

Even so, carrying him around would be troublesome indeed.

She's not up to wasting her energy on carrying this knight when she could very well die from the forest mutants that are obviously going to be lurking around, waiting for the walking tasty meat which they are to them.

‘To sacrifice or to possibly die along?’ The answer is quite obvious.

But would she be able to choose? Or, rather, would she even be allowed to?