Vermillion

Along the street, there was a horseback ride running down the meadow.

Sasquatch with Kay on board and Suzuka to follow.

Kay had a sharp gaze around her as she was rocked by Sasquatch's back. The idyllic landscape just spreads, but the vigilance doesn't fail. Because it's not necessarily like when I used to go through here, I'm suddenly not attacked by a group of people in the meadows.

On his left hand, he holds the "dragon scale through" so that he can release an arrow at any time, and with his other hand he pulls the reins of the suzuka. I brought Suzuka in for an easy luggage hold and when Mandel's help was obtained, to get him on board.

Approximately an hour ago I left Satina.

Equipped with leather armor and clasps, I can't check my pocket watch in my chest pocket, but that's about as good as it feels. Along the way, even if we take a break, if we keep walking like this, we'll be in Taaf village in about two hours.

Doddle, doddle, hoof sounds. Mixed with that, also a rough two-headed breath called Ha, Ha.

"……… I think we've come a long way."

When I'm rocked by a horse by myself, I remember the game age.

Thus the days I was running around alone, as I am now.

Kay was basically, playing solo. I have been with a number of mercenary regiments (clans), but they fell out without last. Because of the huge linguistic and cultural differences and the fact that they did not keep up well with the inner circle nori. Sometimes it was depressing to be pryed in the funny half about Kay continuing to log in for almost 24 hours.

I wanted to forget. I can't believe it's real. Forget all about the flesh (from) floating in the life support tank, I wanted to be immersed in the real world of [DEMONDAL] instead.

That's why I chose an easy one.

Only when you feel like it, go hunting with other players or join the fight as a freelance mercenary. "NINJA." Did you know Andrei around this time?

Since [DEMONDAL] 's servers were in Europe and many of the players were European and American, Kay often spent his spare time due to jet lag. In that case, I wandered the world at will aboard Mikazuki.

Like now - endless, seemingly spreading everywhere, running around the virtual earth.

…………

In Kay's ear, a whirlpool of wind swirls.

Impossible in the game, the realistic texture envelops the whole body.

In late autumn, the wind across the meadows is endlessly cold and relentlessly takes away the heat from Kay's flesh (from), which is exposed on horseback. If it weren't for the cloak of windscreen skin, I might have been ill. In the coming winter, the Principality is going to be even cooler. Compared to the northern earth, it is whisper, but it is said that it may also snow.

Now Kay was becoming a resident of this world.

Rooted in this land, we live...

"……… hunting, huh?"

I groaned pompously. I can't help but think when I'm turning my thoughts around, even if the answer is no.

That I am about to go into a dead place if I like.

I remember the days immediately after the metastasis. "Safety first," "Take care of your life" - that's exactly what Kay's course of action was. I lived thinking, 'I don't want to die'. Kay in the real world believed the ideal way to live without wishing - that's what I believed.

But I realized it was boring.

He says it's not "alive," it's just "not dead."

I understand.

I think it's a luxury story. But when I realized it, I couldn't go back.

Kay's life finally started when he came here. Instead of "How to Stay Without Death," I became able to look at "How to Live."

So Kay goes hunting the "Green Salamandel".

To maximize your abilities and help people. To prove that I'm here, alive, alive.

Even if she were to be put in danger of her life, Kay is not going to regret it. Just before he died, he may be unusually grateful. Some splitting is possible.

(... if it's my only life)

However, if you have any feelings, about Eileen.

It's about getting her involved.

"…… I can't tell you anything."

Bitter. This was an ironic story. If Kay was alone, he would have turned down the rescue request. Because it is impossible to hunt the Great Forest Lizard on your own.

But I thought, 'If Eileen were here' -

And perhaps that's Irene with us. If she had been alone, she would have refused the rescue request without warning.

But "If Kay is here" -.

We trusted each other and took risks as a result, but we decided to do good.

It was a really ironic story. Without Eileen, Kay would never have acted like this, just wishing 'I don't want to die' as Kay used to. If I had moved to this world by myself, I might still be alone in the meadow.

"If you have the power to help, you should help."

That's what Eileen said during Lily's kidnapping.

Kay was shocked and hurt by the words, but now he can see clearly.

- Kay admired it. Glowing, to Eileen's humanity. Although I was a little too dazzled for Kay at the time.

Eileen said it was Irene who was at the core of "Who I am now".

Strongly convinced again.

Then I don't want to put her in danger, or get involved, but it's wild that bothers me any more.

Taking all of them into account, doing what you want to do - it would be a true partner.

"It's just, Mandel's nothing."

And, we split it up about Eileen, but now it's another concern.

Kay sighed as he pulled Sasquatch's reins and adjusted the pace of his run as his breath became bitter.

Irene, fine.

Mandel, who is just about to ask for help, is someone else in red.

It would be a good nuisance to get involved. The other guy is the other guy. "Forest Lizard" - A monster that brings together top players in the game and causes accidental death in the hunt. With Kay and Irene doing their best, plus Koo's magic props, the chance of a hunt is 80%.

With Mandel's help, the success rate should be even higher.

Unlike the game, if you die, it's over, so there's no doubt that you'll do your best. But when he dies, it's the end of it. So Mandel's with him...

"Sincerely, let's talk about the situation and give up if they refuse………"

"Buru."

Sasquatch, who snorted at Kai, who was distressed, without my involvement, was making steady strides with Pacca Pacca.

The village of Taaf is almost there.

†††

As we proceeded to pinch the break, around the way through the tree, the scenery inadvertently looked familiar.

Smiling people in charge of fields cut through the woods, bungalow houses lined up with pompous, and sickles for harvest.

Taaf Village.

"Ooh!

The villagers noticed this way, so they approached him as he waved his hand holding the "dragon scale through" to show that there was no hostility.

"Aah............!

"You are sure, the previous............!

I guess I didn't forget about Kay, the villagers lifted their guard.

"It's Kay. Sorry for the surprise visit, I'm here to see Mandel."

To Kay's words as he descends his horse, the men of the village looking at each other.

"To Mandel? … If it's time now, you're already back from the woods."

"Whatever, I'll show you home..."

"Thank you, that's very helpful."

Mandel and I used to go hunting in the meadows during our time in the village, but we never visited his house. I remember being invited to tea once, but Kay wasn't really in the mood to enjoy his stay at the time, and he refused.

Drawing the reins of Sasquatch and Suzuka, he leads the men through the village.

Along the way, even the intriguing women and children followed along. No one calls Kay. I won't refuse, but I'm not close, an exquisite sense of distance. Stay in line and go to Mandel's house.

- I saw a nostalgic face.

"…… Kay. Long time no see."

In front of the house, there is one man whose hunting achievements or the wings of a large bird.

Tobi colored hair with a deep carved face and a dandy beard. A short bow (short bow) is used for the perfect cloth, leather vest, and trademark feather-decorated hat.

As usual, your expression is scarce for change, but you must be surprised at your sudden visit around your eyes.

It's the hunter's mandel. In this way, it has been since the celebration of the militant tournament that we face each other? It was actually my first reunion in four months.

"Hey, it's been a while."

Kay also smiles calmly and answers.

Silently, he washed his hands with the water he had stored in the bucket beside him, and Mandel welcomed Kay with open arms. Keep it up, gently hug it so you can slap it on the back.

"……… Looking good, above all."

"Yeah. And Mandel like that."

"... how did you get to Taaf?

"Actually, I need to talk to Mandel..."

That's it, Kay keeps his mouth shut.

Because I was completely besieged by wild horse villagers and my gaze bothered me.

"…… a small house, would you like some tea?

Knock, show the front door with your jaw, and Mandel laughs.

This time - I decided to interrupt.

As Mandel put it, it was a bit of a cramped house. The size of the house is standard, but there are many scratches. Chests, food storage shelves, and bundles of smoked meat and sausages are also suspended from the ceiling. Villagers, if it's in brackets, they're going to have a pretty spare life. The wall of the living room, a short time after entering through the front door, is decorated with small trophies. It's a souvenir of the winner of the militant shooting division. That's what I miss again, and Kay narrowed her eyes.

And in the house, there were two girls. The two of them peeling beans seemed surprised by a sudden visitor. Both had colored hair, one in his early teens and the other a little young impression.

"…… Speaking of which, was this your first time introducing"

Mandel looked like he'd noticed.

"…… with my daughter Maria, Sophia."

I also remember Kay when he said it. That Mandel had two daughters. My wife must have died ill after my youngest daughter was born.

My two daughters, the older one is Maria and the younger one seems to be Sophia. Maria should be like your sister, or she seems to have a strong temper. On the contrary, her sister, Sophia, looks sweet and a little weak.

"Father, this man..."

"…… Oh, it's Kay."

To Maria's words, Mandel nodded.

Both Kay and probably Maria looked somewhat familiar to each other's faces. I guess there have been several distant distances during my stay in the village before. Kay didn't visit Mandel's house, so I didn't know her.

She introduces herself to each other gently and then Kay follows the table in the living room.

"…… So, what's the story?"

Mandel, sitting in front of Kay, asks again. Behind that, Maria glances at this one with an intrigue as she boils the water in a jar. I try to hide behind my sister's body, and Sophia stares at me.

Mandel had a happy family, and I thought - it felt like my stomach was getting heavy.

"Actually, there's something I'd like to ask Mandel -"

Still, seriously, Kay cuts out the story.

"-" The Great Forest Lizard (Green Salamandel). "I need your help hunting."

To Kay's words, Mandel was to open his eyes again.