CHAPTER 284: GIFTS OF THE FOREST ( 284 )

"Oi, lad! Wake up! We’ve arrived!" Girem’s gruff voice cut through the haze of sleep.

Hazuki stirred with a yawn, rubbing his eyes.

"Mm... already...?"

"Yeah. Get up. You’ve been snoring like a bear cub."

Still groggy, Hazuki stretched and slowly climbed down from the wagon, boots hitting the dirt road with a soft thud.

Girem pointed down a winding path ahead—dense with twisted trees and faint fog hugging the ground.

"Once you’re off the wagon, just follow that road."

Hazuki blinked, yawning again.

"Mmm... okay. Got it."

He turned to start walking, but Girem called out again.

"Lad."

"Hmm?" Hazuki looked back.

The old dwarf’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Don’t be shocked by what you see when you follow it."

Hazuki tilted his head.

"Huh? Why? What’s there?"

Girem just leaned back on his seat, cracking open the liquor Hazuki had bought him.

"You’ll see soon enough."

Hazuki stood there for a moment, frowning slightly, then turned and began walking toward the shaded path—his sword resting at his side, Ridan floating lazily above his shoulder.

"Yaaawn..." Hazuki stretched and blinked as he walked, the forest greeting him with a cool green light that filtered through the canopy above.

The dirt road beneath his feet felt softer , the air thicker, a little humid.

He glanced around.

"Huh... this forest’s pretty green. Bit different from the usual routes."

He looked up at Ridan, who floated just ahead.

"Hey, Ridan. What did that old man mean by *’don’t be shocked’?"

Ridan didn’t even bother to glance back.

"You’ll see it soon."

Hazuki groaned.

"Ugh. You giving me the same vague answer as that Girem guy."

"Because you will see it. No need to ask a hundred times."

Hazuki exhaled through his nose. "Alright, alright..."

He glanced around again, trying to recall something.

"So... where’s that place? The herb that kid asked for? What was the name again? How does it look?"

Ridan floated down a bit, arms crossed and expression flat.

"Seriously? You already forgot?"

He sighed, exaggerated and heavy.

"Just follow me, dumbzuki. I remember the spot. Let your brain rest. You’re clearly not using it."

Hazuki grunted but walked on, trailing the lazy spirit.

Ridan floated ahead lazily, hands tucked behind his misty head like someone on a casual picnic stroll.

Hazuki walked behind, scanning the forest with half-lidded eyes.

"Ridan." Hazuki called out calmly.

Ridan let out a long, dramatic sigh.

"Man... do you ever let me relax?"

Hazuki rolled his eyes.

"Since when have you ever relaxed? You float around like a hyper mosquito every day. Chatty, smug, and constantly annoying."

"That’s called being lively, dumbzuki. You wouldn’t understand. Now what do you want?"

Hazuki scratched his head.

"The little dwarf girl from the market... what was the herb she asked for again?"

Ridan floated in a slow loop above him, groaning.

"Haaa... you took that request and forgot already? Seriously? It’s Seraphis Flower."

"Oh. Right." Hazuki blinked.

"And what does it look like again?"

"White petals. Soft glow at night. Kinda angelic. Grows in shady forest clearings, usually near patches of mana-rich soil."

"...Sounds rare."

"It is. That’s why her mom probably can’t get it herself."

Hazuki looked ahead, then muttered.

"Guess we’ll keep an eye out then."

Ridan yawned.

"Yeah yeah. Just don’t step on it. You’re the type who finds treasure by accident and ruins it."

Ridan floated lazily above the path, then casually lifted one hand.

A faint blue glow shimmered in the air as he activated his tracking skill.

Hazuki tilted his head.

"Hmm? What’s that?"

"Tracking skill." Ridan replied, still lounging midair like he was reclining on an invisible hammock.

"Oh. For what?"

Ridan gave him a flat look.

"Seriously? Just follow me, Hazuki. We’re not far from where that Seraphis flower grows."

Hazuki blinked.

"Really? That close?"

"Yeah. About time something went smoothly, huh?"

Hazuki adjusted the sword at his waist and started walking behind the spirit.

"Good. Let’s grab the flower and get this over with."

"Don’t get too excited, dumbzuki. Rare herbs like this usually grow in weird places. Stay sharp."

"You’re the one floating like it’s vacation."

"Exactly. You’re the one with legs. Enjoy the hike."

They finally reached a small, tranquil stream—crystal clear water flowing gently over smooth stones, the light dappled through the canopy above.

Hazuki stretched and yawned.

"Man... this place’s not bad."

Ridan froze.

His eyes widened, truly stunned for the first time in a long while.

The banks of the stream shimmered faintly with a soft, white glow.

Clusters of Seraphis flowers bloomed quietly—delicate, beautiful, and unmistakable. Not one. Not two.

Dozens.

"...Seraphis flower..." Ridan muttered, voice low, almost reverent.

Hazuki blinked at the glowing patch.

"Really? Alright, let’s grab one and move on."

He crouched casually, picked a flower, and tucked it gently into his leather side bag.

Ridan didn’t move.

He just hovered in silence, staring.

Inside his mind...

"This... this isn’t normal."

"The Seraphis flower... only known to grow one at a time. In a single spot. Rarity beyond rare."

"And now? Dozens? Just like that?"

He looked at Hazuki, still calmly brushing dirt off his hands.

"This guy... every time. Every quest. Every request. It’s like the world itself moves to help him."

"No wonder those two chose him. Those two mysterious bastards..."

"So this is it... this is the one who’ll stop it."

Ridan’s gaze narrowed slightly.

"The chosen fool."

"Oi, Ridan!!" Hazuki shouted, already a few steps ahead.

"Huh? What!?" Ridan snapped out of his thoughts.

"What are you daydreaming about? Let’s go, GPS."

Ridan grumbled, floating after him.

"Ugh... I hate you."

"Yeah yeah! Save it for later. Show me the way." Hazuki waved casually over his shoulder.

Ridan floated silently for a moment, staring at the man walking ahead.

This dumbass...

He just found a patch of Seraphis flowers—dozens of them.

Easily worth a small fortune. One gold each if you sell to the right buyer. Some nobles would beg for them.

And he only took one.

He sighed.

Different.

So damn different from that "hero" a thousand years ago.

Ridan caught up, still thinking.

That guy would’ve picked them clean, sold them all, and demanded a title in return.

But this guy...

He looked at Hazuki’s relaxed back.

This guy only took what was asked. Not what was offered.

( End Of Chapter )