CHAPTER 281: A LITTLE GIRL’S WISH ( 281 )

After breakfast.

Hazuki stretched his arms and glanced at the folded map again, coffee finally finished, belly satisfied, and a pocket full of donated snacks he didn’t even ask for.

"Ridan."

"Hmm?" the spirit replied, lazily spinning in midair above the table.

"This poison swamp... is it far?"

Ridan tilted his head thoughtfully.

"You can say that."

Hazuki sighed. "Maybe we should take a carriage then? No point walking across half the country if we’re gonna die when we get there."

"Don’t know, man. Depends if there’s even a route that goes close. Most carriages avoid cursed zones like that."

"...Fair. Still, let’s ask around. Gotta find out if any carriage at least heads in that direction."

Ridan floated beside him, arms folded smugly.

"Go ahead. You’re the one who decided to pick up this death flower quest. I’m just your adorable floating sidekick."

"Says the guy who possessed me into taking the monster one."

"Don’t change the topic."

Hazuki walked through the stone-paved street, scanning the carriage area near the edge of the dwarven town. Several wooden wagons, some with beast-like camols and others with steam-puffed wheels, were being prepped by their handlers.

He approached the first driver.

"Hey. You heading anywhere near the poison swamp?"

The dwarf, a heavyset man with soot-streaked arms and a pipe between his lips, turned slowly—then nearly choked.

"Wha—?! Lad, I ain’t got a death wish! You mad?"

"I’ll pay. Twenty silver coins." Hazuki said firmly, lifting his pouch slightly.

The dwarf spat to the side.

"Not worth a hundred. Go find a coffin builder instead."

Hazuki tried two more. Same result.

"No chance in hell!"

"Even the road near that cursed place’s bad luck!"

With a heavy sigh, Hazuki rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I said not the swamp itself. Just close enough. I’ll walk the rest."

Another dwarf, older with a mossy beard and a cane made from reinforced steel, grunted nearby.

"Ugh... If ye that desperate, try ol’ man Girem."

He jerked his thumb toward a quieter part of the stables.

"That nut’s the only one who ever rides near the blight lands anymore."

Hazuki turned. "Girem? What’s his deal?"

"Used to be an escort driver for military recon units.Might take you... if he likes your face."

"Well... guess we’re meeting a lunatic."

Hazuki gave a small nod and headed in the direction the dwarf pointed.

"Hello?"

The old dwarf turned, squinting one eye beneath his thick, iron-gray brows. His beard was braided in two rough ropes, with rusted rings hanging loosely near the tips.

"What do ye want, black-haired human?" he grunted.

"You standin’ there for conversation or coin?"

Hazuki got straight to the point.

"Poison swamp. I need to get near it."

Girem paused mid-chew on a root stick, his teeth grinding slowly.

"Poison swamp, ye say?"

He spat the root to the side.

"Why in the blasted name of stone would ye want to go there?"

"Adventurer guild quest. Chusi flower."

The dwarf scratched his beard, eyeing Hazuki with a mix of curiosity and disbelief.

"Hmm. Don’t know, lad. Depends on the payment."

"Twenty silver coin."

Girem stared at him for three seconds.

Then barked a harsh laugh.

"You’re dumb."

Hazuki rolled his eyes.

"I didn’t say I want you to drive me into the place. Just the nearest road. I’ll walk the rest."

The dwarf’s laughter faded to a grunt.

"Still no. That’s not just a dangerous road, that’s a cursed track."

He leaned forward on his cane.

"One gold. Minimum."

Hazuki winced.

"That’s like cutting my own dick into two parts."

He sighed. "Look—this is an official adventurer guild quest. I’m not sightseeing."

Girem squinted at him.

"Adventurer, huh? Rank?"

Hazuki held up his plate.

"B+."

The dwarf nodded slowly.

"Still... no. Twenty silver’s not enough."

Hazuki thought for a moment. Then leaned in slightly.

"Fine. You can ask me to pick up something valuable near the swamp. If I make it out, I’ll bring it."

Girem paused. His eyes narrowed.

Then he burst into laughter again.

"You idiot human. There’s no way you’re surviving that place!"

Ridan floated up behind Hazuki, arms crossed.

"Guess we’re doing this the hard way."

But Girem suddenly stopped laughing. He stared at Hazuki with a slightly more serious expression.

"...But if you do survive. And you bring me what I want..."

He tapped his cane once on the stone floor.

"I’ll take you back for free."

Hazuki tilted his head.

"What do you want?"

Girem grinned, showing one chipped tooth.

"A mushroom. Rare kind. Purple stalk. Smells like sulfur piss. Called Nardok. Grows on rotting tree stumps. If you find one, you’ll know."

"Deal." Hazuki said without hesitation.

Girem nodded once, then extended his hand, palm open.

Hazuki blinked.

"Hmm?"

"Payment." the old dwarf said, voice flat.

"You said it was free."

Girem smirked with a grunt.

"I said if you survive and bring me what I asked, the return trip is free. I didn’t say we’re goin’ there for free, lad."

Hazuki groaned and dug into his pouch.

"Ugh... fine."

He dropped twenty silver coins into Girem’s hand.

The dwarf’s grin widened.

"Now that’s more like it!"

He pocketed the coins with a practiced flick of the wrist.

Then slapped Hazuki on the shoulder.

"Now go buy somethin’ for the road. Rum! Liquor! Dried meat! I’m not rollin’ a wagon on an empty stomach!"

"Eh!? Why me?!" Hazuki protested.

Girem was already turning toward the stables, waving one arm as he walked.

"Go now! One hour! Be here or I leave your bony arse behind!"

"Fine, fine!" Hazuki grumbled as he turned away, slipping his pouch back into his belt.

He moved through the market briskly, stopping by the liquor vendor first.

"One bottle of your strongest."

"That’ll be two silver, lad."

Hazuki grunted and paid without arguing. Next stop, the roast meat stall—he picked up two bundles of skewered smoked beast meat, followed by thick bread from a nearby baker’s stand. The bag on his shoulder was starting to get heavy.

"Damn it... I better charge the Adventurer Guild for this." he muttered.

Floating beside him, Ridan smirked.

"Hey, it’s better than walking all the way there."

"You’re not wrong... but still." Hazuki adjusted the bag with a sigh.

"No complainin’, Dumbzuki." Ridan said, lazily spinning in the air.

"You’re the one who took this death-flag quest. And don’t forget... you promised that little girl you’d bring her that flower."

Hazuki suddenly stopped.

His eyes lowered slightly, remembering the girl’s hopeful face... and the copper coin she tried to give him.

"...Yeah. That one counts too."

He tightened the strap on his bag.

"Alright. Let’s get this done. Time to prepare for the journey."

( End Of Chapter )