Disconnected

Chapter 3: Untold Beginning (pt.3)

The Adelweirn Flower, a precious and elusive bloom, held the key to Serein's mission. In this particular time frame, she was aware that there would be someone else vying for the same prize. Determined to outpace this mysterious character, she hastened her steps, determined to reach the flower before it could be taken to the Amaranth Kingdom.

Once all the necessary ingredients were gathered, the cure for Stiriacrus could be successfully created. It was a mythical illness that plagued the land, and finding the cure was of utmost importance. However, fate had a cruel twist in store. Even after consuming the precious cure and experiencing the miraculous healing, the Queen Regnant of the Amaranth Kingdom was destined to meet her demise through another cause.

—Obviously, This fact, the twisted outcome orchestrated by Min Suhyun's writing, was known only to her. 

"I feel bad for the Queen, but surviving two months wouldn't bring such drastic change to the kingdom or anyone else."

Either way, if that plan were to fail and she had to wait for another four years for the flower to grow, there was still a glimmer of hope. A hidden item awaited her, concealed within the depths of Ervenyl Mountain. It held the potential to alter Serein's fate and spare her from the impending doom that awaited her. With that goal sets in stone, she knew she had to find it. The quest for survival had only just begun, and Min Suhyun was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. 

"This is weird," Serein muttered to herself.

After walking for a while, she noticed something out of the ordinary.

"My... how fascinating."

She stared up at the cloudy sky, feeling the droplets fall onto her face. It was a sensation that felt all too real, unlike her other dreams. She quickly put on her hoodie and began to dash, seeking shelter from the rain. The wetness against her skin felt strangely lifelike. However, she dismissed the thoughts and pulled her raincoat closer, determined to continue her journey.

Making her way into the woods, Serein attempted to recollect as many details as possible about this world and the storyline.

"It seems like I'm not even at the beginning of the story yet."

In essence, she had arrived at a timeline that was never mentioned in the draft. She was currently living within the backdrop of a background story.

"There isn't much happening at this time."

Furthermore, Serein wasn't even supposed to be here. According to the intended plot, she should have been back at the inn, engaged in a scuffle with some drunken individuals who desired her body, only to effortlessly defeat them. It was not a fair fight but rather a one-sided beatdown that resulted in the drunkards being thrown into jail. Despite acting in self-defense, people seemed to fear her due to her cold demeanor, causing them to avoid her at all costs after the bar fight.

"Nevertheless..."

Those were not the crucial details she needed to remember.

Humming softly, Serein's mental gears whirred as she delved into her recollections of what had been written about her destination. Almost as if reacting on cue, the half-transparent screen appeared once more, opening the draft and conveniently highlighting the section that supported her memory. It read:

[To reach the Ervenyl Mountain, one must go through Blasphemos Woodland, a rainforest that is forever raining,] the draft stated.

Although it was renowned as one of the infamous treacherous regions, Serein didn't hesitate to enter the dark and gloomy land. She knew the safe path through.

[There are two paths that can be seen from the main entrance of Blasphemos Woodland. There's a wide red path, spacious enough for two horses side by side, and a rocky path that can accommodate a carriage.]

Min Suhyun vividly recalled these particular lines, reflecting the immense effort she had put into creating this specific place.

[Two paths branched into four. Four branched again into eight. Those who don't know the way would surely get lost and become the next prey for the vicious land and its inhabitants.]

By inhabitants, it means mutants of monsters that have been residing there since The Forgotten Era.

Unlike the typical conventions of Fantasy Novels, these mutants are active during daylight, while the forest itself becomes the main problem when night descends.

Venturing deeper into the forest, she chose the third path—the true path, the only safe route to navigate.

[The Moss will lead you the way,] the draft emphasized.

A slender smile adorned Serein's pale face as she climbed upon a peculiar large boulder covered in slippery moss.

"This shall be the starting point," she murmured, marking the beginning of her journey.

From that moment onward, she would no longer traverse on the ground. Instead, she had to navigate by leaping from tree branches, following the growth of the moss in specific locations that would guide her to the checkpoint—a cave situated in the heart of this rainforest.

It was at that very moment...

A strong gust of wind swept past her, intensifying the freezing sensation she had been struggling to suppress.

"...So cold..."

Serein gritted her teeth, in an attempt to stop them from chattering. Three hours in the rain had only exacerbated the chilling coldness that enveloped her entire body. She could practically see her fingers turning pale and lifeless.

"Ideally, I'll reach the oasis before sunset. Then, I can continue..."

Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a series of screams emanating from the south.

"AAAAARGH!!!"

Those were not the screeches of monsters she had grown accustomed to hearing as the day waned. 

No.

Those were the screams of humans.

Pausing in her journey, Serein turned her head towards the source of the commotion, muttering in disbelief, "They're already here?"

She knew exactly who these people were.

The group that also sought the Adelweirn Flower, just like her. She recalled that only one person had survived facing that fate. And even then, a mark would be left behind as if the forest itself had branded its targets.

As the sun began to set, Serein knew she had to head west as quickly as possible if she wanted to survive the first night. However, her conscience wouldn't allow her to press on after what she had just heard.

Serein let out a sigh.

‘I guess this was bound to happen one way or another…’ 

Grumbling quietly to herself, the adventurer veered off her path and leaped from branch to branch, making her way towards the source of the agonizing screams.