Parting Ways

In the morning, Glin woke up on his hanging bed. The others also noticed him rising up. At this time, the sun was already high. However, when he looked at these people, they didn't seem to be rushing to continue the journey. All of them were just sitting on their hanging beds comfortably, as if they didn't plan to leave at all.

"Is there something amiss?" Glin asked curiously.

"Not too loud." Gayne put his index finger in his lips before he pointed it down to the base of the tree.

There were still fogs below them but the moving black figures could be noticed from the height they are in. The night wolves, it seemed that a large number of them is passing by and going the northern direction. Fortunately, the hanging beds were at 20 meters above the ground and the team has sprayed fragrance liquids that hides their human smells beforehand, so the wolves failed to find them.

It was lucky that they were very careful when they reached this area of Kisan. They have chosen to stay on heights. Otherwise, they would've certainly been fresh breakfast for these wolves.

'Seems like there's no choice but to wait…'

Having nothing else to bother himself with, Glin took the harvest from last night. 'How am I supposed to eat these?'

Then an idea suddenly came into his mind.

He unhurriedly took out a mortar and pestle from his traveler bag. If it can't be eaten raw, there are ways certainly. He had acquired knowledge in potion brewing and making medicines from his step-father, so it wasn't too much of a problem to turn rocks into food or potions. Anyway, if it wouldn't be possible, he knew that some people in the past tried to eat soil for survival.

He powdered the demon beast crystals with the mortar and pestle, careful enough not to make loud sounds. The others just watched and talked to him a little, barely having an idea about what he planned.

"Ugh… The taste is awful," he spat out the dissolved powder from his tongue. It indeed tasted bad like dirt and sand.

After several minutes, all of the Beast Crystals were powdered and contained in the small jars. He placed them in his bag but he left out three little bottles of it for the experiments.

'I should get rid of its awful taste.'

He tried mixing the demon beast crystal powder with some other raw ingredients he had which have pleasing smells and taste. These ingredients were originally for some potion formula he knew but he was not worried as he knows how to find them. In end, he made a light-gray-colored mundane potion with the Beast Crystal powder, basically having no completely instantaneous and extreme effects unlike other potions. It has simply hidden most of the unlikable tastes of the powder and added a fruit-like sweetness taste and sweet mint aroma, so it wasn't actually a 'real' potion.

So far, Glin has achieved a good outcome. But in the process, he wasted a considerable amount of ingredients. He sighed as he placed the potion in his leather bag.

...

The eighth day since the departure from Stonewill…

"Seems like this is where we part ways, Glin."

Everyone smiled at Glin but there were traces of sadness in their eyes. It was really good to have him travel with them. However, they can't be selfish. The boy had a dream to pursue.

"Seems like it," nodded Glin and smiled back.

At this time, they were standing near a height of a hill covered in tall grasses and a few small trees, the other end of Kisan mountains. The ruins of an ancient city were on their sight. It was the lost city of Hansber.

"You take care on your journey, Black Mist Basin is a very dangerous place," said Ron.

"I still have long way to go after Black Mist Basin. I'll die if it's destiny. Nonetheless, it is too early to let myself die in there so don't worry about me," laughed Glin, casually.

"This kid, how can you be so careless with your words?!"

When Ron heard Glin's remarks, he couldn't help but scold the latter. However, he quickly calmed himself. Glin is just the way he is, he understood and sighed.

"It was fun traveling with you all," smiled Glin.

"Same here, young brother," replied Gayne and smiled. Everyone else felt the same and nodded.

It was just a few words but it gave warmth in Glin heart. They referred to him as their younger brother even though they were only together for a few days. There was the feeling he always longed to feel. He was pleased.

'Thank you,' he secretly thought and said, "farewell, until we met again!"

Glin smiled brightly to the group before he turned his back and started walking down the slope.

"Don't worry about me and take care of yourselves, old people!"

When Gayne's team heard the shout, they couldn't help but laugh.

"He called us 'old people,'" laughed Ron.

"I'm only five years older than you, y-you blinking idiot!!!" Timothy yelled at Glin who was already far away.

"Hahaha…"

"Unbelievable, you actually dared to call him a blinking idiot when you sucks on anything," Ron mocked Timothy, "I feel ashamed as your cousin."

"What?!"

"Indeed," Larvel inserted.

"I agree," said Xanus, as disinterested as Larvel.

"Hm," nodded Gayne and glanced towards the northeast direction.

"You bunch of traitors! A traitor cousin is enough, why all of you?!" cried Timothy. But it was time to continue the journey.

Meanwhile, Xanus glanced to the southeast directions where Glin has disappeared. 'A talented non-mage set his goals to the Great Woods. This kid might change the long rotten mindset of mages. Huhu…'

'Hm, by the way, it seems like the north is very busy today…'