Wow.

Just wow.

You know when you just have that feeling of awe. Like that childlike wonder of something you can’t understand yet seems so interesting, you can’t pull your eyes away?

That’s what I’m feeling right now.

Wiksor forest is awesome!

This place is exactly what id want in a fantasy world!

The trees are as huge as redwoods the size of skyscrapers, with several branches extending nearly everywhere just above the ground level we can easily travel through.

Because all the trees are so tall and the branches are so densely packed it’s like as soon as we entered it became night. But it’s not pitch black due to these strange fruits that grow off the trees that give off a soft blue glow lighting the forest around us like a swarm of nightlights.

Honestly, it’s so ethereally beautiful I can’t look away.

Regardless of this beauty though, I need a plan of action. Sure I’m on the expedition to find this sword of Abaddon, but there are still side quests I want to work on.

Sidequest one is just getting better at fighting and increasing my strength because I gotta face the truth. Sitting on your ass for several years in your room isn’t good for your fighting strength. And training with Otto is helpful and all but I want real experience with someone who can give me pointers and is actually a good teacher. All Sacha does is call us bad or says to train harder. Not exactly the best pointers. So that’s something I desperately need help with.

Sidequest two, however...

Hehehe

Ever since I reached this new world, I haven’t gotten the chance to learn too much about it. And that deeply offends me! I mean who would get taken to a literal fantasy world filled with magic and gods and just have no interest in it? Only a bore that’s who. But my favorite part of what I learned so far is

CATGIRLS EXIST!

A degenerate like me’s dream!

I plan to get close to her.

Nono not like that! I just want to become her friend.

How could I not be happy to know that those cute and sexy cat people of all those anime, figures, manga, games are actually real! How could I not be excited! I can only hope she fits the cat part of the inside as she does the outside. I’ve seen her as she entered the separate VIP carriage and caught a glimpse of a small cattail!

Or maybe it was that map she carries with her?

Anyway.

She also didn’t say a word since we began the expedition! A silent cat type too!

Eeeee!

So cute!

It’s upsetting Ari went up ahead of us on the VIP carriage though, apparently being the chef makes her vital enough to be allowed to ride with them. Though I personally think it’s just an excuse for Sizeof and Nigel to leer at Ari on the very bumpy ride.

Disgusting!

If you’re that desperate to see some boobs why don’t you just search online there’s tons of the stuff for you perverts!

Huh? What do you mean there’s no connection here in the forest? What do you mean that the closest internet connection is who knows how many light-years away? Man, being in a pretechnological world sure has its downsides.

Speaking of bumpy rides...

“Wahhhhhh! My butt hurts! Isn’t there any way to smoothen this out more?”

This guy has been whining the entire time. I can’t say I blame him though, it’s no first-class plane seat. But did this guy really walk everywhere or something? He shouldn’t be used to any modern convinces like cushioned seating to be like this right?

“Come on Dustin it’s not that bad! You only got about let’s say ….a week of this left.”

“Ugghhhhhhhh! I’ll never make it. I’m going to dieeeeeee.”

This woman whos passing the time teasing Dustin is Nora. Her voice gives me a nice warm vibe. Very upbeat. Like the type, who’d be popular in high school. Not even in a queen bee type way but like for being the most perfect friendliest person to exist.

“Hey, you. I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before. What’s your name?”

Oh, great she’s talking to me now.

“Bell.”

That should satisfy her. Now back to cat gi-

“What a cool name Bell! Say, what are you doing here being so new? An expedition isn’t exactly something an adventurer stopping by would take.”

“Uh, I’m actually living here… I took this as a chance to get stronger.”

As much as I hate social interaction, I’m not going to get strong at this rate. Nor am I going to be able to talk to the Neko girl if I can’t get over my anxiety over it.

No matter how much my brain tries to get me to change my mind, I gotta push forward. No regrets!

“Haha, you know what? I’ll help you with that! I’ve never mentored anyone before but I can try.”

“Really?”

“Yeah! I’ll have nothing better to do anyway.”

Well, that’s nice.

Huh?

Otto wants to whisper something to me.

“Yo. Bell. I can’t believe you’re getting personally mentored by Nora! Like THE Nora.”

“Is she a big deal around here?”

“What? Of course, you’ve never heard of her? She’s a silver rank but in my opinion, she should be at least Titan. During the disaster on Vishap Village, she personally went from house to house to save as many families as she could. She is practically seen as the cities hero.”

Yep, she’s definitely the perfect popular kid type.

“Honestly Bell I’m jealous.”

“You can join us if you want haha!”

“Wait are you serious!”

“Yeah, I don’t see why not.”

“Haha! Yes, Bell you're my hero! A lifesaver! I’ll finally become a good fighter thanks to you!”

Everything is looking up to ole Bell right now!

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Huh?

What’s that noise?

It’s like a buzzing sound.

Like really annoying.

Like a drill is driving right into my ear.

Holy shit!

What is that!

“A MoqMoq duck!”

Wow, I’m so fast when panicked.

Looking at it, it looks like a giant mosquito.

And you know how in pictures most bugs look terrifying up close?

This was no exception.

Its huge red eyes were analyzing our carriage.

Watching for the perfect target.

Not even mentioning that horrific spiked thing it calls a needle.

Ah! It found its target!

“Dustin run!”

He’s not budging.

Ah, fuck he’s literally too scared to move.

“Watch out!”

This time it wasn’t Nora who gave out the warning but this guy I think his name was Ben.

Ben is rushed to protect Dustin but before I knew it. He was stabbed through the back by the MoqMoq. You can hear the life being literally sucked out of him as he desperately tries to fight back against the MoqMoqs puncture while it sucks his blood. It all happens so fast no one has any time to react.

These things are horrifically fast and efficient.

fwump

Not even five seconds later he’s on the ground lifeless.

His skin is so pale.

“BEN!”

Nora keep quiet!

You'll attract its attention to you!

Woah

Is she actually going to fight it?

She’s taking out her sword.

“For you Ben!”

She’s running towards it with a determined look on her face. Yelling triumphantly! Yeah, that’s my hero! You go kill that MoqMoq whatever!

The MoqMoq itself is doing nothing, silently buzzing to itself as it targets its next victims.

Wait where is the VIP carriage?

Looking ahead of us.

Nothing but blue forest ahead.

Oh.

They're gone.

They've completely abandoned us to the giant mosquito.

How cruel.

Turning back, I get to see the moment of Nora jumping into the air to deliver a blow directly to the monster's head.

The moment comes and right as she’s about to hit between the eyes the monster flies back and rushes back forward in an attempt to jab Nora right in her chest. This is bad really bad! She’s the only one capable of fighting something like this! Dustin’s frozen in fear, Pike is protecting Medici, Kaia is watching Konni, Otto while looking excited knows he and I can’t hope to fight it. I think Evalin is the only one actually able to fight the thing. Her swords unsheathed ready to fight once if Nora goes down. How unlucky is this group! This expedition guard is useless!

Nora barely rotates herself just in time and swings again at the beast in a full-powered strike this time making a direct hit at its neck.

Its head flies off landing in a mud spot a few feet away from the cart.

Nora is left there panting and sweating. Her armor and clothes are now covered in blood.

It all happened so fast.

What can I do?

Before I stand up to see if Nora’s ok, Konni and Evalin immediately rush towards the MoqMoq carcass. Konni as Id suspect pulls out her notebook to prepare to examine it. While Evalin is holding a bag for some reason.

“Back off Konni! I need this!”

“This is for research! This is way more important than anything you can imagine doing!”

“I need to collect as much as I can! Shut up and let me have this nerd!”

“Never!”

Evalin then brings out her sword ready to fight.

Woah.

What’s happening?

Are they fighting over who keeps the body?

Is she really that serious enough to need to use a weapon?

This apparently triggers Kaia who at lighting speed rushes between the two, knocking the carcass away a few yards.

“Do not ever threaten Konni like that.”

Her gruff voice makes it clear she is serious and willing to hurt Evalin. Evalin biting her lip backs off.

“Konni, when your done hand it to me.”

This isn't good, is it?

Were not even a full day into this and we’re already at each other's necks.

Anyway, wheres Nora?

Oh, she’s standing over Bens’ body. Doing some kind of prayer.

Medici is with her, checking the body.

“Are you ok?”

“Don’t worry about me, I'm fine. This is what's expected of an adventurer. Ben knew the risks this expedition took.”

Medici looks at Nora and shakes his head. I guess as a sign there's no saving him.

“I see.”

Her eyes are welling up with tears. But only a single tear falls.

I don't know what to say to her. How can I cheer her up? She doesn't deserve this at all.

What can I do?

“Bell”

“Huh, Nora? Do you need anything?”

“If you're worried about me, make sure to train hard tomorrow so something like this doesn't happen to anyone you care about.”