Something Crouching in the Dark
Despite my attempts to persuade her otherwise, Lydia was determined to go to the Nahum Mine, with or without me.
Ultimately, I decided it would be safer to accompany her under the guise of training.
We even rented a carriage, claiming it was necessary for the Journey, and arrived near our destination.
According to the map, it should be around here...
Take the right at the fork... and go straight until we see a big tree, then turn...
Ngh...! Ugh...!
The horses pulling the carriage suddenly came to a stop.
Ugh... What was that?
Why did the horses suddenly stop—
...!
Captain, look over there.
Looks like we're in the right place.
A large sign stood by the roadside, with RESTRICTED AREA written in big, bold letters.
Yellow tape stretched across the path, blocking the way.
Hehe. Let's just keep plowing straight ahead...!
Hyah!
Hy... Hyah...?
These horses aren't moving.
As if terrified, they trembled and then slumped to the ground, refusing to budge.
Well... guess there's no choice.
We'll have to walk from here.
But the sign says—
Huh? What sign?
I don't see anything at all!
Come on, Captain! Let's go!
...
The forest path leading to the Nahum Mine was damp and dark.
Outside the forest, it was a bright, sunny day.
But inside, thick fog hung in the air, giving it a gloomy, night-like atmosphere.
Lydia, be carefu—
...Captain. Did you hear that?
I think it's coming from over there...
Lydia pushed through the bushes without hesitation but suddenly stopped.
...Captain. Shh.
That's what was making the noise.
Where Lydia pointed, there was a grotesque-looking deer with horns sprouting from all over its body.
The creature was ramming its head against a small shack.
Slowly, it twisted its neck unnaturally, fixing its bloodshot eyes in our direction.
!!!
Out of nowhere, tendrils shot up from the ground and impaled the creature.
...If that thing had charged at us, it would've been a huge pain. Better to take it down preemptively.
What... is that?
...Beats me.
Maybe it's one of the things created by Void Force?
I've seen similar things in the West, but...
...This one's a bit different.
Lydia looked around with a stern face, then crouched by a tree trunk and scooped up a handful of dirt.
Just as I thought...
Look at this.
What's so special about dirt?
No...! Look at the color.
It's not brown like dirt normally is.
Sure enough, the dirt Lydia held was tinged with a faint purple hue.
There's definitely something happening here.
What do you mean?
...The same things that happened in the West. They're definitely happening here too.
The environment is slowly being consumed by Void Force.
When that happens, the ground turns redder, and plants wither and dry up, losing all life.
Look at this.
Lydia kicked the tree trunk hard, and the part she struck crumbled like rotted wood.
My guess was right.
It's here.
Something similar to the Void Core from the West!
Lydia, unable to contain her excitement, thumped her staff against the ground.
...I have a bad feeling about this.
...Let's call it a day and go back.
What are you talking about, Captain?
We have to get this over with today.
This is a golden opportunity! We might never get another chance like this!
My guess is that the shack was a rest area for the miners.
And over there...!
The hole between those rocks is the mine entrance...!
There, there, Kuku. Just a hold tight a little longer.
We're almost there.
Lydia, watch out...!
The moment I grabbed Lydia by the collar as she was about to rush forward...
...!
Something shot out from the entrance and grazed Lydia's foot, slamming into the shack.
...She would have definitely been injured, or worse, if I'd been too late to catch her.
What was that just now...?
*Huff...* *Huff...* Whew...
Lydia's body was trembling slightly.
*...Sigh*
...Whew.
Lydia, are you okay?
...Tch.
Why did you interfere, Captain?
I missed my chance because of you.
What?
Void Force naturally reacts to other forms of Void Force.
That thing was definitely trying to test Kuku's power.
...If we'd just left it alone, Kuku might have been able to devour—
...Are you sure about that?
Might have? Sounds like you weren't so sure.
Y-yes I was. I had it all planned out. I stepped into its territory on purpose.
...I just didn't expect it to attack so suddenly...
But still... Kuku could have taken it down, I know it...
While saying that, Lydia started to slight tremble again.
That book of yours didn't even twitch.
Maybe it was willing to let you get hurt—
Captain, don't assume you know everything! You don't!
You're worrying over nothing...!
I know more about Void Force than you.
Kuku and I, we could've defeated it by ourselves!
I'm always the one in control. I wouldn't act recklessly if I didn't know—
What if things don't go as you planned?
What's the big deal...? It's not I'm gonna die from a slight graze—
Lydia!
...
That loud noise just now... Is someone here?!
What are you two doing here?! Didn't you see the restricted area sign?
...!
This area is currently off-limits due to a toxic gas leak—
Hngh... I'm sorry... I got lost in the woods...
*Sniffle* I should've listened to the Captain...
But... But I was stubborn and...
I'm sorry... I should've gone the other way... *Sniffle*
Captain, I'll listen to you from now on...!
Please forgive me...!
...
I see what happened here.
I'll take you to somewhere safe.
As usual, Lydia walked up to me casually, as if nothing had happened.
...Um.
Captain?
Are you mad?
*Sigh* You shouldn't be so petty, you know?
Hmm? You're not even gonna talk to me?
I was too lost in thought to respond to her ribbing.
Lydia always seemed so confident, but contrary to her belief, the world wasn't a game.
Unexpected variables can appear at any time result in a permanent game over.
And yet, she seemed to see even herself as just another piece on the game board.
How should I teach this girl a lesson?