The Sudden Disappearance

Heli was surprised after hearing that, and then replied softly, ''Do you remember anything regarding your death?''

''l....l., don't have any clue about that'', Stefan replied, stammering.

''lt's okay host. You will naturally remember it after your consciousness becomes strong enough to withstand those memories''.

Sure enough, Stefan felt better after hearing that. 'l still have time..., but l should start cultivating both magic and chaotic power, to catch up with everyone', he thought.

''By the way, host. Do you have ice cream with you?'', Heli looked towards Stefan, expectation evident in his voice.

''Yeah, maybe, l still have some boxes left. Let me go quickly and bring it''.

The sudden mention of ice cream caught Li's attention. ''Brother, is that something to eat?''.

Before Stefan could reply to him, Heli cut him off into it, ''Yes, and l also heard it is very tasty. It also comes in different flavors. My mouth waters at the thought of it''.

Just hearing about the description, Li~ got greedy. It just so happens that Stefan came back from the kitchen, with three bowls and three spoons. Each bowl contained the same three different flavors that included vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.

Stefan put the tray on the table and gave one bowl to both of them, saying, ''Try it''.

''Hm~~~ it really is as delicious as told in the modern world'', Heli exclaimed in extreme delight. After taking three bites in succession, he asked Stefan if there were more flavors of ice cream.

Stefan replied positively and introduced various other flavors that included mocha, butterscotch, pista, choco chips, matcha, and tea berry.

''WOW!!! Brother, can Aouli also eat them?'', Li~ interjected in their conversation.

''Of course, Li~ can eat it!''.

Before Heli could continue to ask for more ice cream, his time was up, and he disappeared in front of them.

Aouli got scared by his sudden disappearance and tightly held Stefan's sleeve nervously while looking here and there.

Stefan told him not to be scared and that it was Heli's magic power. Aouli admired Heli's power to disappear anytime or anywhere and started rubbing his eyes.

''ls Li~ feeling sleepy?'', Stefan asked gently.

Aouli nodded his head and before long his eyelids started sticking together. Stefan carried Li in his arms and walked to his bedroom. After entering the bedroom, Stefan put Li gently on the bed and patted his back. Gradually, Li fell into a deep sleep.

Stefan got up and started sorting out all the materials and arranging them. Only after the space bracelet was empty did he remember that he forgot to purchase soup and shampoo. He firmly believed that there would be no showering gel in this era.

''Forget it..., l may still have some stock left. It should be possible to use it for some time'', he thought and said.

''Heli are you there?'', Stefan asked, finding Heli's silence a little odd.

There was no reply. Stefan was worried about Heli's disappearance.

He tried calling Heli for another ten minutes and decided to leave it. Maybe Heli also needs to sleep, just like a human being.

Stefan switched off the lights in every room and switched on the lamp present on the bedside table. He was worried that Li will get scared when he opens his eyes and sees total darkness.

After doing all this, he hugged Li and dozed off.

....

''My supplies are almost going to run out'', said a girlish voice in a cave, where a fire was being burned, in a frustrated manner.

She was counting all the materials left with her. She found some bandages from the pile and started bandaging herself with some difficulty.

After some time, she started thinking about the abnormal behavior of the monsters. 'Why did it seem that the deeper l go inside the forest, the denser the monsters?, is there something with me that is attracting those monsters to me?'

No matter what, l still have to continue my journey. Grandpa Eisten is injured and he needs that herb. That herb can help Grandpa heal from those inner injuries. Although we all have basic talent in healing power, it still won't work if our mana gets exhausted.

It's all because of that C- level. If it hadn't appeared suddenly at an unexpected place and time, Grandpa wouldn't have gotten injured to protect everyone.

The rims of her eyes got red, whenever she thought of her grandpa who always smiled warmly, suffering painfully.

She has to get that herb, even at the cost of her life. 'I am only a Level-2 mage and can't help him at all', she thought bitterly.

'I have enjoyed countless privileges since I was young, and it's my turn to pay for them now. Although everyone loves me, I still have to be responsible for the tribe. Today somehow I was able to escape from those monsters, but I don't think, l will be this lucky every time. I need to get stronger and quickly find the rare herb.

I was lucky that I got to know about that rare herb while I was out purchasing herbs in the mortal world. The herb is called 'Gringera'. I heard it has the ability to rejuvenate a dying person. If l can get that herb, l can help Grandpa become a few years younger, too.', she giggled at that thought. It would be great to see her grandpa becoming young and handsome again.

.....

Meanwhile, Ethan couldn't stop thinking about why William said that Stefan was both strong and weak. He couldn't understand how can someone be weak and still be strong. He was staring at the ceiling and suddenly remembered a very important question that was ignored by him unknowingly.

...

William was taking deep breaths in his room. There was cold sweat present on his forehead and his hair was scattered, while his gray eyes were confused, indicating that he had just woken up from a bad dream and was still not completely sober. His hands were clenched and he tightly held his aching chest.