’Tears of Spring...’
That was the name of the instance.
Ash didn’t have much knowledge about RPGs, having mainly played FPSs and MOBAs, but he did know dungeons — assuming this was one or something similar — typically related to their surrounding areas in some capacity.
Meaning, there was a high chance this snowy place had something to do with the forest he was in.
While he might otherwise have ignored the possibility of a connection, seeing as the forest was tepid and this place was snowed over, he couldn’t overlook the title of the ’goddess’ he had met.
’I met the Goddess of Spring, then entered an instance called "Tears of Spring".’
There was simply no coincidence to be had there. Only an idiot would ignore such a fact.
’Finding more connecting clues will help immensely.’
The mountains far away looked faintly similar to the volcano slope he’d been summoned on, but not similar enough to draw any conclusions.
Besides, the layout of the terrain wasn’t anything like the hilly area of the crystal forest or the mountainside into which the water from the basin dipped.
’Maybe this is in the distant past or future...’
Before something cataclysmic came and terraformed the area.
After all, Earth had gone through several such periods during which its geography had changed wildly on a global scale.
’Or this place is separated from Arcadia entirely.’
A separated reality crafted by the system solely to serve as an ’instance.’
’For now, all I can do is think about it...’
***
Several hours passed, and Ash’s wounds began to close.
The minor cuts had healed, and the holes had filled in, becoming divots of skin that slowly layered over themselves and returned toward normality.
’While I’d love to wait here longer and heal more...’
The sun was setting, and night would soon come. Not to mention the possibility of a snowstorm.
While his constitution would allow him to survive such an ordeal with ease, a storm would cover the tracks, which were his only clue about where to go.
So, he set off, beginning an odd shuffle over the snow. His sandals only leaving behind faint imprints. The first few minutes of the journey were painful and gruelling, but moving became more manageable as Ash adjusted to the pain of stepping on a ruined ankle.
Before long, he was maintaining a steady pace while following the footprints. As he trudged along, he began to study them.
’They’re somewhat small... and they look like they were made by someone wearing dress shoes.’
Dress shoes with soles similar to the sabatons worn by medieval knights.
That was one possibility, at least.
The only thing Ash could infer with relative certainty was that the traveler was on their own. There weren’t even any sled tracks, so they might not have had tools or provisions.
’Or they have something like a subspace.’
And speaking of provisions...
’I’m finally starting to grow a little hungry and thirsty.’
Sadly, he hadn’t picked up his spoils from the fight, but he did have one slab of Marauder meat. On the bright side, being a Dragonkin and all, he could probably eat it raw without worry.
The bigger problem was water.
Back on Earth, snow and ice notoriously contained tons of bacteria and microorganisms. And in tundras, like Antarctica, those bacteria could be ancient and include things human bodies hadn’t evolved to come into contact with. Meaning, the only safe way to consume water from ice or snow was to boil it.
’Something I have no clue how to do...’
Maybe the mystery traveler could help him. If not, he’d have to risk it.
That was also assuming the owner of the footprints was friendly.
’Huh...?’
As Ash mulled everything over, he finally spotted an oddity.
’Blood?’
Along the trail of footprints were droplets of blood.
A little further along was a massive pool of it. Beside that pool were a helmet and armored gauntlets covered in fur.
Beyond them, the blood formed a steady dripping pattern.
’Shit...’
Gritting his teeth and bearing the pain, Ash kicked and kicked, trudging after the blood trail as fast as he could.
Until finally, with the sun setting on the horizon, he saw a lone person in furred armor staggering through the thick snow. A large white wolf walked beside them, but it seemed to hover just above the snow. Or, more accurately, it placed no pressure on it.
Ash’s gaze shifted back to the armored person, who had flowing silver hair, some strands stained red. In her wake, drops of blood fell into the snow.
’I knew it...’
The knight before him was Demitra.
’Tears of Spring...’
After a few more steps, his presence was finally noticed.
The wolf tilted its head up and sniffed the air before spinning around and locking its glowing blue eyes on Ash.
Demitra slowly turned as well, revealing a disheveled and haggard appearance as she swayed slightly before steadying her blade.
When they were finally within comfortable earshot of one another, she declared:
"Monster, you will not have the satisfaction of killing me."
’What an odd greeting...’
A little annoyed, Ash tilted his head and clicked his tongue.
"Monster...?"
Then, he remembered that he was not only a Dragonkin... but currently had dried blood all over his body, mainly around his chin from when he’d bitten the hunter’s neck.
"I don’t have a desire to fight you, Demitra."
The wolf growled as the woman attempted to raise her weapon, barely managing to do so.
"How do you... know that name? How do you know that name?!"
"Ah... Another version of you told me."
Exasperated, Demitra stared at Ash with her mouth parted before muttering:
"...what?"
"It’s beside the point... You don’t seem to be in any condition to fight, so why be an idiot and pick one? I’m here to help, so I suggest you accept it."
"Enough of the games. Your presence here is proof you are an enemy. Besides, would one who desires to help truly be so arrogant and rude... especially knowing who I am?"
"Goddess or not means little to me. I only want to know how to complete the instance."
"Goddess...? Instance...?"
’So, she doesn’t know we’re in an instance.’
And it also seemed this was a time before Demitra became a goddess — or at least before she began calling herself one.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter