The next day, the journey in search of Fort Post continued. After a quick breakfast, Lin and Yulan left the cave and continued on their way.
The bright sun was shining in the sky, and two figures were moving along the mountain path. Yulan stopped for a moment and looked at the endless views of the snowy ridges, which she had never seen before.
"How beautiful..." she muttered.
Lin also stopped and looked at the beautiful scenery. Seeing its beauty, he sighed and shook his head:
"It's a pity that this beauty is infested with countless Distorted creatures. If they weren't here, how much would those ski companies pay to build a branch here?"
"Something like that has already been done," replied Yulan, observing the scenery.
"Hm? Really? I haven't heard of it, even though I actively follow the news in the Magic World."
Yulan smiled slightly:
"It seems you only follow the important news that affects the world's history. But you don't know about the ordinary ones, like how a ski resort was built on Three Peaks," she said with a smile, looking at Lin.
In response, he just snorted and continued on his way. He wasn't interested in ski resorts or anything like that. He had started this conversation with Yulan to improve their relationship. But unfortunately, he miscalculated.
Yulan giggled a little and continued walking with him.
Along the way, they encountered various animals. They were so weak that they weren't even considered Distorted creatures, but that didn't save them from Lin's blade. He killed everyone in his path until he saw a large green forest on the horizon, which was at the foot of the mountain they were on.
Yulan smiled brightly and said:
"In just a few days, we managed to cross these mountain ridges and reach the dense forest!"
Lin showed no emotion and said:
"If I remember correctly, there's a forest in the south of the Snow Lands. And as I understand — this is it. That makes finding Fort Post easier, since now we know where the south is, and Fort Post — Hope is located on the western side of the southern part."
Lin looked up and glanced right and left.
"Fort Post is on one of these sides. We need to choose where to go."
Yulan looked around and pointed to the right:
"I feel that Fort Post is there..."
"Then, we'll go there," he said and slowly began to descend the mountain toward the forest.
Yulan was surprised and said:
"You agreed so easily..."
"Without trust — there's no proper work. Without proper work — there's no result. I decided to trust you because I feel that you're being truthful," he said without turning to her.
The girl first frowned, then smiled and followed Lin — down.
...
In the evening of the same day, Lin was sitting by the campfire with Yulan, eating freshly cooked rabbit meat. The taste spread through his mouth, refreshing every corner that had been in terrible condition these past days.
Yulan attacked the meat like a long-awaited game she had waited for all these years. She even quickly forgot that this meat belonged to the cute little rabbit she had pitied after Lin killed it.
Lin even thought that sitting next to him was not the beautiful girl who had conquered half the class, but a bear that comes and eats whatever it wants.
"Though, it's understandable. Eating grass for three days straight — on the eve of her birthday. Not everyone can endure that."
"Are you done? We still have training planned," Lin asked, looking at the girl.
"Yes. Give me a second," she quickly put the meat into her mouth and started chewing actively until she swallowed.
"Phew. That was good, I haven't eaten like this in a long time," she patted her stomach a few times.
"Alright, now get up." Lin stood up and walked to a makeshift bag made of hides, where they stored all the feathers they had obtained from the eagle, as well as those he got from the chest.
"I don't even want to remember it," recalling the feathers that dropped from the Beast Chest, Lin sighed and once again cursed his luck.
Lin took a few feathers and handed them to Yulan.
"Here. Right now, your body is in a kind of overloaded state because of the food, so let's first practice with the feathers, and then with your body."
Yulan nodded, took a few feathers, and assumed a throwing stance.
"On my command, you will throw the feathers at that tree. I will tell you how good the throw is and correct you where necessary."
Yulan nodded, slightly extended her right hand with the feather, moved it back a little, then accelerated sharply and threw the feather!
The feather flew successfully and stuck into the tree!
"Good!"
...
In the evening of the same day, Lin was sitting by the campfire with Yulan, eating freshly cooked rabbit meat. The taste spread through his mouth, refreshing every corner that had been in terrible condition these past days.
Yulan attacked the meat like a long-awaited game she had waited for all these years. She even quickly forgot that this meat belonged to the cute little rabbit she had pitied after Lin killed it.
Lin even thought that sitting next to him was not the beautiful girl who had conquered half the class, but a bear that comes and eats whatever it wants.
"Though, it's understandable. Eating grass for three days straight — on the eve of her birthday. Not everyone can endure that."
"Are you done? We still have training planned," Lin asked, looking at the girl.
"Yes. Give me a second," she quickly put the meat into her mouth and started chewing actively until she swallowed.
"Phew. That was good, I haven't eaten like this in a long time," she patted her stomach a few times.
"Alright, now get up." Lin stood up and walked to a makeshift bag made of hides, where they stored all the feathers they had obtained from the eagle, as well as those he got from the chest.
"I don't even want to remember it," recalling the feathers that dropped from the Beast Chest, Lin sighed and once again cursed his luck.
Lin took a few feathers and handed them to Yulan.
"Here. Right now, your body is in a kind of overloaded state because of the food, so let's first practice with the feathers, and then with your body."
Yulan nodded, took a few feathers, and assumed a throwing stance.
"On my command, you will throw the feathers at that tree. I will tell you how good the throw is and correct you where necessary."
Yulan nodded, slightly extended her right hand with the feather, moved it back a little, then accelerated sharply and threw the feather!
The feather flew successfully and stuck into the tree!
"Good!"
...
The next day, the group continued forward.
Today was an important day: Yulan's birthday. She was turning sixteen, which meant she had a chance to receive a Title. If she got it, it would drastically change her life — the usual peaceful life in the modern city might be gone, replaced by an adventure in the Dead Marches!
Lin and Yulan moved through the forest.
"What time were you born?" Lin asked.
"Around one o'clock," Yulan answered flatly.
Noticing the change in the girl's mood, Lin decided to be more active today than usual and asked:
"If you received a Title, which one would it be?"
"U-uh… I think either Abstract or Elemental. I don't fit the Physical one, and those two seem promising to me."
Lin nodded, expecting that answer. Beyond that, his communication skills with girls were over, and he didn't know what to ask next.
How's your morning? That's silly. How do you like my combat skills? Am I bragging? My muscles? Maybe... What do you think of me as a person? Seriously? Lin quickly pushed those thoughts aside and put on his usual cold expression, continuing silently.
Quiet Yulan, as if having decided on something, opened her mouth and asked in a quiet voice:
"Lin... Are we really going to make it home?.."
Lin nodded and said:
"Of course. Get rid of any drops of doubt from your head, we've already come a long way and there's no point in stopping."
The girl smiled and barely held back the tears she had been collecting since last night.
Lin noticed this but took no action. First: he didn't know what to do. Do you seriously think an ordinary orphan knows how to comfort a girl? Second: he knew that time heals best. She just needed some time, and her condition would fully pass.
And indeed, after a few hours Yulan looked like new. She returned to her previous pace and started actively asking questions, observing the surroundings, and asking Lin questions.
"I'm glad you're okay," he forced out these words and said to Yulan.
Surprised by his words, she smiled, showing her white teeth, and replied:
"Thank you, Lin."
Lin stared at her teeth for a moment, which made Yulan laugh.
"I've already Awakened."
"..."
"When? And who did you become?" Lin was surprised and immediately asked several questions.
"I'm an Elemental Awakened. My Title: "The Maiden Who Loves Lightning." I think you can guess my ability from the title."
Lin nodded.
"Then, congratulations," he said a few words and continued walking.
Expecting something different, Yulan sighed and followed him.
Soon, after walking who knows how many kilometers, they saw the silhouette of a wooden house.
"Is that a house?" asked Yulan.
"Yes. Looks like some kind of village," replied Lin.