Chapter 129

Click (1)

After perfectly installing the signpost, I returned to the shelter.

It felt a little strange to say this when I was the one who had made it, but I had designed it so that anyone could easily tell people lived nearby.

Moreover, I had already advertised(?) it on the Gallery, so everyone should recognize it.

’Not that I expect to meet them anytime soon.’

I had taken every measure available to me, but I did not get my hopes up.

The Forest of Four Seasons covered an area comparable to a small country.

Above all, it was a place where space constantly shifted, so no one knew how we might encounter each other.

If we were lucky, we could meet soon. If we were unlucky, we might never meet for the rest of our lives.

’Or they might settle somewhere else...’

In the worst-case scenario, they might already be dead.

That was what worried me most.

Would the investigation team really be able to reach this place safely?

I had no way of knowing.

At least the admin’s location-tracking ability could give me some idea of their chances of survival.

’I just need to keep a close eye on Ludwig’s location.’

He was the registered user who had announced that he would enter the Forest of Four Seasons.

I planned to keep track of his movements.

The admin seemed worried about him as well, so I could simply ask for updates frequently.

If even the admin could no longer locate him, it would be genuinely heartbreaking.

’It’s not as if I’m safe either, though.’

I had plenty of problems of my own, but at least I had dependable allies.

There was Namu-Ppareumbo, who I suspected had fought the leader gorilla.

Then there was Wonmo, the owlbear cub whose presence was remarkably effective at soothing the mind.

The investigation team had nothing.

The presence or absence of a companion with overwhelming combat power like Namu-Ppareumbo would make an enormous difference.

’I really did well to survive back when I was so weak.’

I now had enough strength to endure even if a crisis arose, but that had not been true on my first day.

When the Mad Dog bit me, I thought I was screwed, and I had nearly died for real when I encountered the saber-toothed tiger.

Feeling grateful that I had survived until now, I arrived at the shelter.

’Still, I have work to do.’

I had given Ludwig my sword, so I no longer had a spare.

I needed to make a new one.

Fortunately, I had just produced a large amount of charcoal, so forging one would not be difficult.

I also had spare materials, allowing me to use them without hesitation.

’I should keep collecting mithril and orichalcum.’

I never knew when, where, or to whom I might end up giving another sword.

I should make two in total, including one I could give to someone else.

However, I intended to discuss it with the dwarf first.

Sending one off without consulting him would be rude.

[Wild Grylls: Hey. I’m going to send you another sword in a little while. Can you sharpen it for me?]

[Passing Dwarf: I don’t mind, but did you seriously give him that sword?]

[Wild Grylls: Yeah. He was entering the Forest of Four Seasons, so I figured I should give him something. It benefits me if they manage to survive somehow.]

[Passing Dwarf: You naïve fool. What are you going to do if that registered user killed everyone else and ran off? That sword is already terrifying enough.]

I understood what the dwarf was worried about.

He was concerned that Ludwig might take the sword and run.

It was a sword whose performance was so exceptional that even the Heavenly Demon had called it a bad thing.

The dwarf was suggesting that Ludwig might have become greedy and deserted the investigation team.

[Passing Dwarf: What is?]

[Wild Grylls: Honestly, it doesn’t really matter to me lol]

[Passing Dwarf: You bastard lololol You’re enjoying all the pleasure with none of the responsibility lololol]

[Wild Grylls: Everyone said he was a good person, though. The admin said he knew him too.]

[Passing Dwarf: Good grief. You did that just because you trusted what other people said? Hah... The milk’s already spilled, so you can’t take it back now.]

[Wild Grylls: But you know what?]

That was what I said, but the admin’s request had actually played a large part in my decision.

I would have hesitated if he had not asked me.

I had already learned through the Gallery that someone named Ludwig was part of the investigation team.

However, after seeing verification like the old man’s and receiving the admin’s request, I somehow felt that it would be fine to give him the sword.

’This should increase their chances of escaping, even if only slightly.’

The more attention the outside world paid to the Forest of Four Seasons, the higher my own chances of survival would become.

I also intended to try(?) my hardest to attract people’s attention.

The easiest way to do that was to spread mithrilcon.

However, if I mishandled it, a war could break out just as the dwarf had warned.

It was a metal everyone desperately wanted but could not obtain.

People were already frantic to get their hands on it.

If too much of it circulated, tragedy would inevitably follow.

Fortunately, it could not even be processed without a specialized furnace.

I intended to exploit the fact that I was the only person capable of making things from it.

Strange people might begin clinging to me, but I planned to ignore them whenever possible and create a deterrent.

[Wild Grylls: I finished making it. Sharpen it for me.]

[Passing Dwarf: The more I think about it, the more ridiculous it gets. Some people might never touch that metal once in their entire lives, while someone else has it spread all over his house and front yard lolol]

[Wild Grylls: You know what they say if you’re jealous, right? Hehe.]

[Passing Dwarf: Piss off lol]

From the dwarf’s perspective, I supposed it really was as easy as a single click.

In reality, it practically was.

The tremendous heat made it difficult, but the process itself was not particularly complicated.

Even if I failed, I had unlimited opportunities to try again, so I could work without feeling pressured.

I examined the newly returned sword from various angles before leaning it against the cave wall.

[Wild Grylls: I made another one. Sharpen this too.]

[Passing Dwarf: How long has it even been since you made the last one?]

[Wild Grylls: You just put them in together, melt them, and pour the metal into the mold. That’s it.]

[Passing Dwarf: Hahahaha, this is seriously ridiculous. Hey, do you even realize that’s also an insanely difficult process?]

[Wild Grylls: Not really? It worked because I did exactly what you told me. Hammering is the hardest part, isn’t it?]

[Passing Dwarf: That’s true, but... Haah. I don’t even know anymore. I’ll take the sword for now.]

Then I made one more sword.

It was a spare for my spare.

I would have liked to make yet another one, but it was already getting late, and I was running low on materials.

Besides, I now wanted to make something other than a sword.

A pickaxe, for example.

I already had the pickaxe the dwarf had given me, but I wanted to mine mithril more easily.

Since I had gone to the trouble of creating a new metal, I also wanted a new tool made from it.

’I should forge the pickaxe myself instead of casting it.’

This was how I would gradually improve my skills.

At the same time, I could give the dwarf something useful and receive his advice in return.

Without a proper master, it would be impossible for my skills to improve by leaps and bounds. However, as I had mentioned earlier, I had plenty of opportunities to practice.

’It’s already evening.’

While I was busy working, the sun had gradually descended, and the sky had begun to darken.

It was about time to prepare dinner and browse the Gallery while I was at it.

The more important of the two was browsing the Gallery.

An important post might have been buried while I was working.

’I wonder if Ludwig still hasn’t entered yet.’

I also considered the possibility that he had taken the sword and run, just as the dwarf feared.

This world was not as kind as I wanted to believe.

There were plenty of good people, but there were also plenty with rotten personalities.

[Apparently, the investigation team has scattered?]

I was browsing the Gallery after dinner and my cultivation session when I noticed that title.

So many new posts had appeared that I was checking mainly the popular ones, and one title immediately caught my attention.

It claimed that the investigation team dispatched by Eldorado had scattered in every direction.

There was no way I could simply pass over a title like that, so I immediately opened it.

Title: Apparently, the investigation team has scattered?

My clergyman friend just got back and told me. Apparently, the investigation team scattered at the entrance to the Forest of Four Seasons.

According to my friend, the leader of the investigation team started a rebellion and escaped, but I don’t know the details. Anyway, it’s true that the investigation team fled.

It’ll be in the newspapers soon enough, but I’m spoiling it early so the Gallery users won’t be too shocked.

└ Hey, you just spoiled some huge news, you bastard.

└ Become a clergyman too if you’re jealous.

I immediately sent the admin a message.

He must have seen the post as well.

Just as I expected, he had already read it and replied immediately.

└ I’d rather be a wealthy unemployed man than a clergyman lol

└ Honestly, I want to be a wealthy unemployed man too. It’s terrifying here T_T

└ Wait, doesn’t that mean all of Grylls’s friends are gone?

└ Oh lololol, you’re right lol

└ What will Grylls do now that he’s all alone...? He even made a signpost.

└ Starting a rebellion is still better than dying.

└ They were practically forced into the forest. I would’ve fought back too lololol

└ Didn’t they also have the sword Grylls gave them?

└ Yeah. I heard it looked like it contained a green galaxy. That description made me wonder if the bastard was lying lol

└ What kind of sword glows green? Lololol

[Don’t Abandon the Hero: Just so you know, Mr. Ludwig isn’t the kind of person who would accept someone’s goodwill and run away! He always prays to the Goddess and performs good deeds!]

[Wild Grylls: Forget that. Do you know where he is right now?]

I wanted his location, not a defense of his character.

After seeing that post, his current location was the only thing that mattered.

The contents were deeply unsettling.

The investigation team had scattered in every direction.

My heart sank as I wondered whether the dwarf’s concerns had become reality.

Most users remained skeptical, but I had no choice but to believe the post.

The sword’s description perfectly matched the one I had given Ludwig.

’Th-Then where is Ludwig right now?’

[Don’t Abandon the Hero: Well... I’m sorry, but I can’t determine his current location...!]

[Wild Grylls: What is that supposed to mean?;;]

[Don’t Abandon the Hero: It’s true! I’m receiving a message saying that he’s somewhere his location cannot be determined!]

[Wild Grylls: Then what about me? That doesn’t make any sense.]

Was the admin lying to me?

The suspicion briefly crossed my mind.

He had been able to determine my location without any trouble before.

He had told me I was at the exact center of the Forest of Four Seasons.

Yet now he claimed he could not locate Ludwig.

It was a complete contradiction.

[Don’t Abandon the Hero: I swear to the Goddess! I can’t determine his location, but I can still send him messages!]

[Wild Grylls: What does that have to do with anything?]

[Don’t Abandon the Hero: If a registered user dies, I receive a message saying the user no longer exists! Therefore, there’s a high possibility that he entered the Forest of Four Seasons!]

[Wild Grylls: Even so, it’s a little strange that you can’t determine his location.;;]

[Don’t Abandon the Hero: You were able to use the Gallery from the very beginning! It’s much more likely that you’re the exceptional case!]

[Wild Grylls: That’s extremely convincing.]

I was not being sarcastic.

It really was.

It was better to treat me as an exception.

How many times had everyone been astonished by the things I had done until now?

It would also be strange to judge my experiences solely by this world’s standards.

’Anyway, there’s a high probability that he entered the Forest of Four Seasons...’

In that case, there was nothing I could do right now.

Since even his location could not be tracked in real time, I had no choice but to wait patiently.

[Wild Grylls: I suppose we have no choice but to wait.]

[Don’t Abandon the Hero: Um...! I know this is a difficult situation, but could you please find Mr. Ludwig?!]

[Wild Grylls: I might be able to guide him toward my location, but I don’t think I can search for him.]

[Don’t Abandon the Hero: That alone would be enough! I’ll help you as much as I can!]

[Wild Grylls: How?]

[Don’t Abandon the Hero: Hmm...!]

The admin contemplated the matter for a while before cautiously replying.

[Don’t Abandon the Hero: Whenever I pray to the Goddess, I could ask her to help you find Mr. Ludwig?]

[Wild Grylls: Does she grant your requests just because you pray?]

[Don’t Abandon the Hero: Yes!]

His confident answer left me speechless.

Did the Goddess really answer his prayers?

If so, that was what you could truly call doing something with a single click.

’I’d be willing to close my eyes and pray if it really worked.’

Of course I would.

Pooooour!

"Ah, seriously. Again?"

I just wished she would make this damn rain stop first.

Rain fell frequently in the forest, as one might expect from such a region.

That rain restricted Grylls’s activities.

However, the grasslands were divided into wet and dry seasons, making their climate different from the forest’s.

During the dry season, there were no restrictions on movement, and animals could roam freely.

It was currently the dry season.

The same applied to Ludwig, who had newly entered the Forest of Four Seasons.

He stood motionless, staring at a cave.

Under normal circumstances, he would have entered and explored it. However, his current situation made him hesitate.

The powerful ambient mana had rendered him almost completely incapable of using his own.

Fortunately, given his level of skill, he could still wield a minuscule amount.

Shimmer—

Even that tiny amount was enough to make the sword radiate green light.

Ludwig alternated his gaze between the sword and the cave entrance before nodding.

’It would be best to investigate.’

If he was lucky, the cave might be empty.

With that hope in mind, he entered.

A short while later—

"Raaaaaargh!"

Ludwig began fleeing from a three-headed lion.