CHAPTER NINE: The Journey

DAKU

Last night was the longest night yet — not because it was physiologically long but because of the thought that I would be starting my first quest as an official adventurer and Healer today. Whenever I thought about it, I felt this mixture of excitement and fear. It was undoubtedly true that venturing into the world sparked an interest within me but for some reason, I hint of anxiety was evident as well. This was because it would be my first time to go out of the city.

As far as I could remember, the last time I went out of the walls of the kingdom was two weeks before — during our training. It was Grosi who took care of the transactions outside the city since negotiations required his presence just to have a secure and safe agreement, while I was left here in the shop to cater to the customers.

I wandered my gaze throughout the entirety of my room, appreciating its structure and design. For the first time in the history of living here, this was the second time that I did this. The first one was when Grosi took me in and showed me this room for the first time. I can still clearly remember the feeling of euphoria back then. However, the feeling I was sensing at the moment was the total opposite of before because of utmost happiness, I felt melancholic.

The thought of leaving this room sort of stirred an unpleasant feeling inside me. Probably due to the sense of longing once I was out there, in the outside world, with no walls to make me feel secure and bed to make me feel comfortable. The feeling of convenience would escape me in the meantime and would be replaced by an ordeal.

"You packed a lot for a 5-day trip," Grosi commented catching me off guard, jumping me out of surprise. The reaction gained a scowl from him. "You look like you just saw a ghost. That's rude. That's how you leave an impression before going out?"

"Sorry, Grosi, something is just bothering me," I confessed.

"Scared of what is about to happen?" Grosi guessed and I didn't have to nod just to confirm since my face had already said it. "I felt the same thing on my first quest. The outside world is cruel and it will show no mercy. But you know what's beautiful about going out there? The discovery. The element of surprise that you will feel to see new things is the best part. And you're not alone. At least that would make you feel at ease."

"I don't know, Grosi. I mean, I know Kenshi is a skilled adventurer but the thought of life being full of uncertainties haunts me. What if we encounter a corrupted being along the way? Or someone or something might kill us while we are asleep? There's a lot of possibilities," I pointed out, earning a defeated heave of breath from Grosi.

"You're overthinking, Daku, and you should stop that. That mind of yours will put your life on the line in no time. You have to be optimistic every time and motivate yourself not to give up. I'm telling you, you will find these words useful in the future."

"I'll take note of that, Grosi. Thank you, anyway."

"You should get going now. They must've been waiting for you," Grosi reminded me, prompting me to grab the backpack. I knew for myself that I packed quite a lot but I never expected it to be this heavy. If I were to estimate it, it would be like carrying three Shiros on my back. But I didn't have much time left to sort things out. This would be fine.

Grosi went downstairs first and I trailed behind him. Upon reaching the shop's very floor, Shiro was already holding the front door open as if he wanted me out of this place so he could take all of this to himself. But that was just my stupid mind thinking. I knew Shiro would miss me.

I approached the kid and knelt before him. A smile curved my lips as I stared at those innocent eyes of him. And just as I thought, he was sad to see me leave. His eyes never lied.

"Are you sure you can do all the work all by yourself? I can ditch this quest and help you instead—"

"No, Brother Daku!" Shiro immediately disagreed while vigorously shaking his head. He fixed his head and showed me his most determined face — brows furrowing and creasing forehead. "I can do this!"

My smile widened and messed with Shiro's head. "I know you can."

Unexpectedly and for the first time, Shiro hugged me. Not only this was the first time Shiro hugged me but also this was the first time I received such a gesture from someone. The last memory I had of me getting an embrace was of my late parents. Even though I was still an infant at that time, the warmth and the feeling still lingered.

Emotional by Shiro's action, I returned the hug. I ceased myself from crying because I didn't want Grosi to see me weeping again. And above all, I didn't want to make this hard for myself and Shiro.

I bid my final goodbye to both of them as I departed the shop. Shiro and Grosi watched me leave by the doorstep with Shiro raising his hand as high as he could while waving them, a signal for me to have a safe travel. I responded to the wave and waved back while flashing my most reassuring and widest smile yet.

I finally turned my back against them and gazed ahead of me — where a journey awaited for me to take on. Being scared was not an unusual thing. We were humans after all. We just had to persist and be brave throughout the venture, and maybe enjoy the travel at the same time.

***

"You're all set! You're good to go!" Yukio announced as he finished checking our permits. "I give you my good luck!"

"Thanks, Yukio! See you again soon!" I responded and waved at him.

"See you!"

"Are you sure with that bag?" Kenshi inquired as he inspected my backpack.

"Yeah, Daku. That feels heavy!" Miss Hanaka seconded, wearing a worried look.

I gave both of them a reassuring smile, "This is fine, don't worry. I'm sure everything in here will be useful somehow." It was kinda embarrassing to carry such a ginormous bag along with these people who only had smaller bags and satchels.

The weather was perfect. The sun shone brightly from the east while a soft breeze of cold wind caressed our skin, nullifying the burning rays of the sun. The air here smelt fresher than in the city. The pollution of noise was replaced by soothing nature musicals. Looked like Grosi was right. It was the discovery of new things that made this journey exciting and beautiful.

It had been three hours since we left the city. We decided to stop for a break when Kana requested a leak. I also grabbed this opportunity to relieve my shoulder of my gigantic backpack. They were screaming of soreness for carrying the baggage for three straight hours. The first hour was fine — I didn't break a sweat. The pain started in the second hour but it was still bearable — still no sweat. But on the third hour, each step was torture to my lower back — with huge beads of sweat.

"Would you like me to carry that for you in the meantime?" Kenshi suddenly offered. He must've noticed my struggle earlier. But I chose this. This was my stupid decision and not him.

So, I shook my head. "No, thank you. I will manage. Thanks for the offer, by the way." Kenshi glared at me with suspicion as if trying to catch any hint of deception. "Uhh... how about snacks? I bet Kana is hungry. I brought some sandwiches with me." I hoped that was a good excuse.

I rummaged through my bag to get the sandwiches to share with everyone. When I pulled it out of the bag, Miss Hanaka ang Kana arrived and surprisingly they were now carrying fruits with them. When they reached us, I realized that several medicinal herbs and roots were in there as well.

"Where did you get this?" I asked as I feast my eyes on the vibrant fruits.

"We kind of knew a place of fruit trees around this area so, my daughter and I decided to pick some to snack on. And along the way back here, we found these herbs just like what you sell back in the shop. It was Kana's idea to bring some. She thought you might need it," Miss Hanaka narrated.

I looked at Kana who was bashful of her mother's revelation and smiled at her.

"Thank you, Kana! Here have some sandwiches. Shiro made that for us," I said to her while handing her out a piece of sandwich. Kana shyly received the sandwich and sat beside her mother. I gave one to Kenshi and Miss Hanaka as well and what was left was for me to consume.

"Anyway, I forgot to tell you about this," Miss Hanaka prompted. "There's a shortcut that my father and I used to take before. It's a much faster route than the main one."

"How fast?" Kenshi interrogated.

"We can reach the village in just three days," Miss Hanaka revealed and amazed me. That fast? That was too good to be true.

"But is it safe?" I asked.

"So far, we never encountered monsters or bandits back then."

"How long was then?"

"10 years ago," Miss Hanaka stated and her mood suddenly changed. Her eyes expressed sorrow and mourning. "I stopped taking the path when my father died."

"Ten years..." Kenshi contemplated. "We are not sure if that path is still safe like how it was ten years ago but it is indeed the fastest."

"It was just a suggestion, Kenshi. Don't need to bother yourself deciding on it."

"It's fine, Miss Hanaka. I was actually thinking of how we can hasten the trip."

For some unknown reason, I said, "Then how about we take the shortcut? We won't know if won't try it!"

"Kenshi is right, Daku," Miss Hanaka disagreed. "Ten years is already a long time. I'm sure there are already changes in that path."

"But Daku was also right, Miss Hanaka. We won't know its situation if we don't go there. Besides, if we find this path safe, we can introduce it to the Merchants Guild so that they can access your village efficiently," Kenshi explained and it was the most beautiful statement I had heard today. Kenshi's proposal was genius! Through this, their village would have better access to goods and trading.

***

Finally, we reached the entrance of the said path Miss Hanaka and her father used to take. We could tell that this had been unused for a decade because there were no evident trailpaths. The forest ahead was thick and gloomy as well, screaming intimidation to me. So, we devised a formation fitted to this journey.

I would be in front not as a leader but as a lookout. Behind me were Miss Hanaka and Kana, followed by Kenshi. If I was not mistaken, the reason why Kenshi was at the rear was because it was the most vulnerable spot in the formation. Surprise attacks usually came from behind and among us four, Kenshi had the most abilities to protect himself if ever.

It didn't take long to enter the forest and to my surprise, the atmosphere was different from how I described it. It was magical. My intuition remained calm and that meant there were no threats for us here. The air here was twice as fresh and the breeze was twice as cold. I couldn't help but indulge myself in the nurturing atmosphere of this forest.

"Just as I remembered it, Papa," Miss Hanaka uttered.

I looked at the Kenshi only to find the opposite reaction. Instead of bliss and serenity, it was alertness and discomfort. And at that moment, my intuition shouted for danger. Kenshi's eyes and mine met and his serious look made me grip my bag tighter. But we didn't have any other choice but to continue. We already had strayed so far from the main route. We just had to be careful and alert.