I Just Traded in the Forest of Monsters, but the World Changed - Chapter 22

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 22
‘That’s the place.’
It was the Greenhal Forest where Se-hee was.
Cassian stared at the forest’s distant silhouette for a long moment, then pressed his palm against the windowpane.
He stood there briefly, then moved away as if nothing had happened.
After washing, Cassian made his way directly to his office.
His advisor was waiting inside.
“Well, Cassian. I was about to send the knights looking for you—you took so long.”
……
Sem was Cassian’s friend of fifteen years, having been together since their academy days.
It was Sem who had approached Cassian first, befriending someone who was always taciturn and had little interest in socializing.
After graduating from the academy, Cassian recruited Sem as his advisor without hesitation.
“Besides, reports keep coming in that something’s off about Greenhal.”
……
“So, did you find anything?”
It was Cassian who had gone to investigate the Greenhal Forest.
“There’s no need for concern there anymore.”
“What?”
Sem frowned slightly and pressed for clarification.
“There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Hmm, really?”
Sem, as a friend of fifteen years, sensed that something about Cassian was off.
“Well, if that’s what you say, then that’s how it is.”
But he didn’t press for the reason behind Cassian’s silence.
Whether as a friend or as his superior, he knew well that once Cassian shut his mouth like this, no further words would come.
Sem nodded and returned to his seat.
Cassian glanced at him, then let his gaze drift to the desk.
‘Sigh……’
By rights, he should have filed a formal report about Se-hee.
But for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
‘There’s no need to disturb a powerful one living in peace.’
Cassian justified his hesitation to himself that way.
‘But is she actually powerful?’
Cassian’s expression hardened in an instant.
He had only assumed her to be strong; he’d never actually seen her fight.
He shook his head and sat down at the desk.
‘Well, she’s a saint, after all……’
He turned over a page of the documents stacked on the desktop.
His eyes moved across the letters, but nothing registered.
‘Why am I like this?’
The pen tip remained pressed against the paper.
A droplet of ink spread across the surface.
Tap—
Cassian finally set the pen down.
Tap— tap—
He picked it up again, then set it down once more.
To any observer, he was clearly preoccupied with something.
“Is something wrong?”
In the end, Sem asked Cassian directly.
“……No.”
He said it, but his face told a different story.
“Tell me. I’ll listen without requiring an official report.”
At Sem’s words, Cassian hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.
“I met an intriguing person in the Greenhal Forest.”
“Intriguing?”
Sem’s eyebrows rose.
It was rare for Cassian to describe anyone as intriguing.
“Who?”
Cassian paused for a moment.
Se-hee’s face came to mind.
The way she casually prepared the wraps and handed them over, the way she treated the monsters as though they were nothing—
“What kind of person is she?”
“……It’s difficult to put into words.”
Cassian shook his head.
Se-hee watched Cassian’s expression for a long moment, then smiled faintly.
“That’s interesting. You want to see her again?”
Se-hee crossed his arms and continued.
“Fine, if you don’t want to talk about it, let’s drop it. But I’ll ask you one thing.”
“What?”
“Is it because of her that you can’t focus on your work right now?”
In that instant, Cassian’s hand stilled.
“……No.”
“You’re lying.”
Se-hee cut him off flatly.
“I’ve known you for fifteen years—I can tell. Right now your head isn’t full of documents; it’s full of her. That’s all.”
Cassian had no answer.
He wanted to deny it, but he had no words.
“Well, I won’t press you. Tell me when you’re ready.”
Se-hee rose from his seat and added,
“But let me give you one piece of advice: don’t think about it too long. Knowing you, you’ll miss your chance if you do.”
* * *
A few days passed.
The stack of documents on his office desk remained unchanged; only two ink bottles had run dry.
Cassian sat in his office, yet his pen still wouldn’t move properly.
His eyes drifted to the window more often, and he found himself stopping mid-page with increasing frequency.
‘This is strange.’
Cassian thought.
‘Why do I keep thinking about that place?’
Se-hee’s voice echoed in his mind.
—Next time, you really must come with the members of the Knight Order.
It had been a light remark, not quite a promise, yet it weighed heavily on him.
‘I made a promise.’
Cassian convinced himself this way.
Merely fulfilling an obligation, nothing more.
But deep in his heart, he already knew the truth.
That it was more than that.
Cassian opened his desk drawer and took out a small piece of paper.
It was the Map of Greenhal Forest.
He didn’t need it—he’d already memorized the way—but it seemed right to have it marked precisely.
Cassian studied the map for a moment, then folded it into his pocket.
“I should go.”
Cassian said quietly.
It wasn’t that he’d found a reason to return; it was that he couldn’t find a reason to stay.
He rose and opened the office door.
In the hallway, he met Se-hee.
“Oh? Where are you headed?”
“……Greenhal Forest.”
“Already? You were just there a few days ago.”
Cassian adjusted the gloves in his hands once more and moved forward without answering.
Se-hee watched his retreating figure and let out a quiet laugh.
He was crossing the hallway without hesitation.
“Says it’s nothing he’s concerned about.”
And he added quietly to himself,
‘This is completely hopeless, isn’t it?’
He wanted to stop him, but he knew well enough that when Cassian wore that expression, no one could hold him back.
Se-hee shook his head and headed for the office.
‘What can I do.’
* * *
Cassian no longer hesitated.
He went straight to his quarters and gathered his sword and a light cloak.
Passing by the mirror, he paused mid-step.
‘Why does it bother me?’
Why was it?
That his step had grown lighter at the mere thought of meeting someone.
Dismissing the idle notion with a shake of his head, Cassian left his chamber.
As he crossed the corridor and stepped outside, the butler hurried toward him.
“Your Grace, where are you headed?”
“Greenhal Forest.”
“Shall I prepare—”
“Not necessary.”
With that curt reply, Cassian made for the training grounds.
Upon his arrival, the knights wielding swords halted their movements in unison.
“Your Grace!”
Rowen, commander of the Duke’s Knight Order, rushed forward.
Cassian called out to him.
“Rowen.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“I intend to take some of the knights with me.”
Rowen’s eyes widened.
“The knights? But where are you going—”
“Greenhal Forest.”
“Pardon?”
Rowen found himself momentarily at a loss for words.
A place he’d visited alone mere days ago, now to be revisited with the entire order?
“A dozen or so should suffice. Not for combat purposes.”
Cassian paused briefly.
“A courtesy visit.”
“A courtesy… visit?”
“That’s right.”
Cassian’s expression remained grave.
Rowen asked nothing further.
“Understood. I’ll have them ready at once.”
Cassian nodded and made his way toward the stables.
As he mounted and took hold of the reins, the familiar weight settled into his hands.
‘I’m simply keeping my word.’
That’s what he told himself.
But somewhere deep in his chest, he already knew the truth.
That it wasn’t about the promise at all.
That he simply wanted to see Se-hee again.
A truth Cassian was not yet ready to admit.
* * *
Se-hee held a pile of herbs in her hand, surveying the monsters before her.
‘Now, who should I sell to?’
Despite Wyvern’s presence, the monsters lined up.
Though their numbers were few.
‘This feels like finding some secret hidden gem of a place.’
From behind the brush, three or four Kobolds poked their heads out.
Beside them, several nameless monsters sat quietly in wait.
Se-hee recalled the accumulated trade count she’d built thus far.
In that instant, a familiar window appeared at the edge of her vision.
[Survival Quest Updated!]
Cumulative Trade (8 / 10)
‘Wow, just two more to go.’
It had been wise to check the reward first before proceeding.
‘I’ll take just two customers, then wait for the quest to settle before serving the rest.’
Se-hee made her decision.
It wouldn’t do to rush through everything at once only to have more demanding conditions attached as a result.
‘First, let me confirm the reward, then decide.’
Just then, she heard a sound nearby.
“Are you certain this is the right place?”
Her voice carried a note of uncertainty.
Se-hee withdrew her hand from the burner and turned to look in that direction.
She was gripping her chopsticks unconsciously tight.
‘What is it? Another visitor?’
Wyvern and Erasmus’s gazes snapped toward the same point.
‘Guests just keep arriving.’
At that moment, the monsters all ceased their movements at once.
The cobolds standing in line turned around in unison.
Of course, the other monsters hiding in the brush pricked up their ears as well.

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