I Became the Keeper of a Suspicious Forest - Chapter 28

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 28

 

“Hm? Acting?”

 

Chad tilted his head and clapped his hands.

 

“Ah! Have you perhaps seen me in the village? I actually performed in theatrical shows in the village. It’s the village closest to the forest. Which village are you from?”

 

“….”

 

“Now that I think about it, you do look somewhat familiar?”

 

Chad admired Sionel’s face from various angles.

 

“If I had seen such a handsome man, I would have definitely remembered. I’m really envious!”

 

“The bat in the cave. You attacked it, didn’t you.”

 

Sionel’s patience had reached its limit.

 

“Looking at the corpse, it had many wounds all over. The wounds weren’t smooth but jagged and long.”

 

Sionel’s gaze dropped to Chad’s hands.

 

“Just like wounds made by a saw blade.”

 

The saw only had wood shavings on it, with no other traces. However, the image of a saw blade covered in blood naturally formed in his mind.

 

“Besides, you’ve entered the forest at dawn before. Why did you…”

 

Sionel almost reflexively referred to Ponia but hesitated. He remembered Ponia’s request.

 

‘Don’t call me Ponia in front of Chad!’

 

‘Why?’

 

‘Well… debt collectors might be looking for me, and since it’s a nearby village, Chad might know about it.’

 

“Why did you hide it from Nia? There would be no reason to hide it.”

 

“Oh… I lied because I didn’t want to worry Nia. She thinks entering the forest at night is really dangerous.”

 

Chad answered with an expression that showed he couldn’t understand at all.

 

“And I’ve never even seen a bat monster. Maybe other hunters entered the forest?”

 

Sionel listened to Chad’s words and smiled crookedly.

 

“You know that bat was a monster?”

 

“….”

 

“I never said it was a monster.”

 

The tightly maintained battle tilted toward Sionel’s side. Even so, Chad showed no sign of surprise.

 

“That’s right!”

 

Instead, he easily admitted it.

 

His body leaned toward Sionel.

 

“While entering the forest, I discovered wild animals living here. Their appearance was too unique to be just ordinary wild animals, so I thought it was strange. I was also somewhat conflicted about whether I should mention this or not.”

 

As if proving it had been a long deliberation, Chad poured out his thoughts.

 

“When I went to cut trees with Nia, I saw a large snake with three heads and naturally realized it. So it really was a monster.”

 

Then, he gauged Sionel’s reaction.

 

“Has the misunderstanding cleared up a bit now?”

 

However, Sionel’s stern expression showed no signs of softening.

 

“You might have fooled Nia with that kind of act, but I won’t be fooled.”

 

“….”

 

“If you want to play this half-hearted role-playing game, you should hide it more thoroughly.”

 

A cold object touched Chad’s abdomen. Sionel pressed the dagger’s handle firmly, applying pressure to Chad’s abdomen.

 

“If you pull the same stunt as yesterday, I’ll kill you first.”

 

Sionel slowly created distance between them.

 

‘An ordinary repairman, my ass.’

 

Despite hearing the threat, Chad’s face remained calm.

 

“You really cherish your sister.”

 

“….”

 

“Honestly, it didn’t look that way.”

 

Sionel had no intention of responding to Chad’s words. Sionel climbed the stairs. Chad added one more comment.

 

“That’s what makes me even more curious.”

 

* * *

 

At the entrance of the deserted Mirban Forest.

 

“Hey, hold it properly. I can barely see ahead.”

 

“Can’t you switch places with me? I’m scared.”

 

Ignoring the sign that meant civilian entry was prohibited, two men entered the forest.

 

The face of the man leading with a lantern, Billy, was filled with tension.

 

“Don’t tell me you guys are scared? I really can’t stand it.”

 

Ron leisurely followed behind, mocking him.

 

“You said you didn’t want to go, but you’re the one who dragged me here by force.”

 

“You said you were curious about what’s in the forest that prevents people from returning. I came to satisfy your curiosity, didn’t I?”

 

“I, I was just saying that! Who said I wanted to come see?!”

 

“Then, should we go back now?”

 

Billy couldn’t say anything. This forest was scary, but he had never once disobeyed Ron, who was the strong one in their group.

 

Ron was a child who was far stronger than the other kids in the small village. In a group where hierarchy was naturally determined by strength, Ron was the leader.

 

“If I say I’ve been to the famous Mirban Forest, wouldn’t they give me extra points on the knight exam for having good courage? I’ll pass the knight exam, and Billy, you’ll satisfy your curiosity while being my witness.”

 

Ron had already failed the previous knight exam. It was because he had neglected his training due to showing off his strength.

 

Then, he entered the forest after hearing the knights’ joke that anyone who could visit Mirban Forest was qualified to become a knight.

 

If something happened, he planned to use Billy as a shield and run away, but unexpectedly, the forest was peaceful.

 

“Isn’t the story about people going missing a lie?”

 

“No… Ah, but…”

 

“But?”

 

“There was a rumor once… that there’s an incredible treasure in the forest, so everyone takes it and leaves, never returning.”

 

“…”

 

“Without even leaving bodies behind, they all disappeared without a trace…”

 

Ron hit the back of Billy’s head. Billy stopped with a death rattle.

 

“If something like that existed, the owner of this forest would have taken it all. Why would they do good deeds for others?”

 

“…”

 

“Just hurry up and go.”

 

“…”

 

However, Billy didn’t move. Ron irritably pushed him.

 

“What are you doing not going?”

 

“Ah… Ah, in front…”

 

It was a voice filled with terror.

 

“Aaaaaaahhh!”

 

In an instant, Billy shook off even Ron’s hand and began running away backward.

 

“Hey, hey!”

 

Even at Ron’s call, Billy didn’t look back once. Anxiety quickly spread through Ron’s body as he didn’t understand what was happening.

 

From the moment Billy left, he could feel an tremendous chill coming from the forest.

 

Ron slowly looked ahead.

 

And he met countless glowing eyes.

 

* * *

 

Taking a day off from patrol yesterday had washed away her fatigue.

 

Lifting the mental burden of having to hide Sionel from Chad certainly had an effect too.

 

Ponia looked fondly at Sionel, who had come outside comfortably.

 

Since she had explained the situation to Chad, she planned to patrol with Sionel again starting today.

 

“Wow, with three people, doesn’t it feel like a picnic somehow?”

 

Though one more person was added than planned.

 

‘Sio is going on patrol too? Can’t I come along?’

 

Well, that’s how it ended up.

 

She had agreed partly thinking it would be good if the two became closer friends.

 

“I don’t need your help.”

 

“Is that so? But if Sio, who has a weak body, can patrol, couldn’t I help Nia enough too?”

 

“I can protect her well enough without you.”

 

“Sio really treasures his sister.”

 

“Don’t call my name.”

 

“Then, cousin?”

 

That might be difficult.

 

Suddenly, with Ponia in the middle, the two men were exchanging words.

 

Sionel made no attempt to hide his annoyed expression, while Chad smiled and continued talking, not caring at all.

 

Perhaps Sionel’s natural enemy was Chad, who cheerfully pestered him as if he knew nothing.

 

“How old are you? You look like you’re around my age.”

 

Perhaps not feeling any reason to deal with him further, Sionel ignored him.

 

“There’s a kid in my neighborhood who acts exactly like this.”

 

She began to suspect he might be doing this on purpose. Finally, Ponia intervened between the two.

 

“It’s cloudy today.”

 

The sky visible through the trees is covered by clouds.

 

The sun was blazing bright in the morning, but after entering the forest, the weather gradually began to turn overcast.

 

If it rains like this, it’ll drip through the gaps in the cabin roof again…

 

I don’t want to think about it.

 

Just as she was thinking she should finish the patrol quickly and return, Sionel grabbed her hand.

 

“Don’t let go of my hand.”

 

She was puzzled by his cryptic words for only a moment before Sionel pointed beside them. Her eyes naturally followed.

 

“It’s fog.”

 

Dense fog was slowly approaching them, obscuring everything in the forest.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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