Laura's Journey

Chapter 6: Outside world is dangerous

The next day.

I wake up early and headed to the forest to hunt mushrooms and herbs to sell.

I started to notice that mushroom with darker color is used in poison and cursing. Meanwhile, the lighter colored mushrooms are used in Recovery and enhancement.

I used to do this repeatedly and started to notice my competitors.

The Heirbell is a trading town. The mushrooms and herbs are always in demand because adventurers and travelers used to buy tons of them in this town.

But like what I said there are competitors. some of them already got territory, where they hunt every day. As a simple powerless girl like me. There is no way they will help me out.

They once caught me hunting mushrooms in their territory. They got angry and tried to attack me. They are all so heartless.

Good thing that I have a talent for running fast. I’m able to escape and save my life from possible danger.

I started to make savings and enough money to feed myself and have a place to sleep every night.

After two weeks of staying in the Heirbell town.

My competitors wake up earlier than me and harvest everything in the place where the mushroom is abundant. They leave nothing for me.

I was downhearted at that moment. But I can’t just give up. Now that I’m living alone. I need to learn how to survive at all costs.

There is some unexplored area but that area is forbidden because some monsters are still living there.

I'm afraid and have no experience in battle. I don't know if I will survive when I entered that area.

But still, I don't want to put my hands on my savings. This money is money for me to reach the Capital city.

I didn’t saw Mayu got executed. There is still hope in my heart that she is alive. I want to visit Capital city and learn what happened before she left the town.

"I still got some money that can make me stay in this town for two more days."

Maybe I should just wake up earlier than them tomorrow. But first I need to relieve my growling stomach. I go-ahead to the river bank and started fishing.

Mayu teaches me how to fish sometimes when we have free time because she said that learning this will help me in my adventure.

Looks like Mayu is right. Fish is free, all I need to do is get them and cook.

After fishing, I started to make a fire to cook my food.

Then I lay down in thick moss like I used to do in my free time and relax.

Mama Mayu... How are you in heaven? What is heaven like? Is there fried chicken in heaven? I'm a little bit lonely down here but I'm okay, I think I can handle things here. Like what you two teach me. I should never give up. That's why I will keep on fighting and fighting.

The fish that I'm cooking is ready for each. I place the cooked fish on the big leaves and started eating.

Doing this will make my expenses low, maybe I should do this every day.

It's already 3:00 PM and I'm still out in the forest.

I just don't feel like going back to town yet. I want to relax and forget every bitter thing that happened to me.

While looking at the blue sky. I started to feel cozy and slowly close my eyes.

Without noticing I fell asleep out in the forest.

...

"Laura, I'm sorry that I have to leave you early. Like I said the outside world is dangerous you need to be careful and strong. Take care, my beloved daughter."

My mother said and hugs me.

...

I suddenly wake up. I found out that I’m just having a dream earlier. But her words feel so real.

After waking up I found myself not in the place where I fell asleep. My both hands and feet are tied together. My mouth is covered by cloth.

What's going on what happened?

Turning my eye’s on the front of the carriage. I heard people talking to each other.

"That was lucky of us, to stumble upon a big fish."

"I'm pretty sure that we can make a lot of money when we sell her to the slave shop."

I'm going to be sold as a slave?

I started to struggle and tried to untie my rope, but its no use. The rope is tied tightly.

"She's pretty cute, I guess we got a jackpot."

"Yeah."

"Well, you're right. Oh, she woke up... Look at her eyes. She looks very terrified... Woah~!!"

The carriage seemed to hit something below.

"What is that?"

"I don't know, let me check it first. What is this thing doing in this place? This trail is supposed to be safe right? Guahhh-!!"

“A monster appeared!”

A monster that resembles a wolf but this wolf is bigger than the average one. Its eyes are red and had bigger claws.

The wolf attacked the two-man. Eating them alive little by little. The other man look at me with teary eyes and asked for help.

"Miss help us..."

Because I'm terrified. I attempted to save myself by rolling out.

The wolf seemed busy eating the two-man. I think this is my chance.

I desperately roll as fast as I can to escape, but the wolf sensed me and turn its gaze toward me. The wolf started to chase me.

Mama, what should I do? What should I do? Someone help me!

Before the wolf landed its a claw. A sharp blade collides its claws cleanly cutting them.

The gust started to form and with a swing of her sword, the wolf receives a fatal blow. She cut the head of the wolf.

The woman who saved me is dress in a dress that I have never seen before. She has a long sharp sword and has a beautiful face.

She's awesome. I wonder if she's a state knight.

The girl put her glance toward me and untied my hands and legs.

"Don't worry everything is fine now."

She said.

I whip my teary eye's and said:

"Thank you for saving me. May I know your name?"

"My name? I'm Koyuki... It's so dark now, maybe I should let you go home alone."

The girl turns her back and gets a basket full of food.

"Ummm..."

I feel uneasy but I feel like I need to talk to her.

"Hey kid, what are you doing? I said it's too dark to go back. Come here, I will let you sleep in my home for tonight."

I looked down to the ground because I can't speak my words properly and just walked toward her.

She held my hands and make me feel at ease.

This is my first time meeting this person but I feel like I know her for a long time.

I feel that she's a good person.

"You're lucky today little miss, we're having a special dinner for today. I'm going to make fried chicken."

She said.

My expression is cheered up and look forward to it.