"Damn it...! They're way too fast!"

I've been heading south, chasing after Rio-chan ever since she left the kingdom, but I feel like I'm never going to catch up. A pair of black-haired adventurers—one male, one female—stands out quite a bit. Not to mention, if they're selling high-level monster parts that don't match their adventurer rank at the guild, then it's definitely them.

Tracking them down isn't particularly difficult, but...

"Ah, those two? I saw them about three weeks ago."

"Gaaaaaahhh!! Why?! Every time I reach a new town and ask about them, the gap between us gets wider! When I asked in the town next to the royal capital, they had passed through only ten days prior! Some towns they didn't even stop at, leaving no trace at all—what the hell is this pace?!"

But... think logically. If they're moving this fast, that means Rio-chan is being dragged along at this ridiculous speed, too. Damn that bastard, Mizumoto! He's making my Rio-chan go through hell! I’ll never forgive him!

"Hey, kid, you okay? You've been making all sorts of faces over there. Something wrong?"

"Ah, no, it's nothing."

Even the other passengers in this shared carriage are starting to worry about me.

The only way to move faster would be to use a fast horse, but that's not an option for an ordinary person like me. Maybe if I threw enough money at it, I could make it work, but when I checked with merchants who handle horses, there was no record of a black-haired pair using such a service.

"Looks like I have no choice but to keep chasing them the hard way..."

However, when I entered the commercial nation and reached Fenrir Village, the situation changed slightly. This time, when I asked around about them, the trail hadn’t grown any colder.

"Yeah, I saw them heading toward the Fenrir Woods, but that was the last time anyone saw them."

"Huh?"

No way. That forest is infested with packs of Silver Wolves, right? Sure, you can make a fortune harvesting those mushrooms, but anyone who charges in there is just asking for death.

Then again, Mizumoto was pretty strong... I hate to admit it, but I couldn’t even lay a finger on him.

"Every year, a few adventurers never return from that forest. It's unfortunate, but not unheard of."

"I see..."

After asking around, it was almost certain—that’s where they went.

On the other side of the forest lies a city called Raven, known for its artisans. I had a villager explain the geography, but going around the forest would take far too long. I'm already struggling to keep up with their pace.

If I don’t hurry, Rio-chan will fall into Mizumoto’s clutches... I have to do something, and fast!

"Damn it, I have no choice but to go through!"

And so, I made the decision to cut straight through the Celestial Wolf Forest.

"Gyaaaaaahhh!!!"

I am now running for my life through the forest, screaming in terror.

I want to look back to see what’s happening behind me, but I can’t afford to. More than that—I don’t even want to. It would only make things worse.

I admit it—I completely underestimated the Silver Wolves! I thought just because they were only C-rank individually, they wouldn't be that bad. I was an idiot! I take it all back!

At this rate, I'm seriously going to die. On top of that, mist is starting to roll in, making it harder to see my footing. If I trip now, it's over.

"But... Rio-chan went through this same path, didn't she?!"

Half in desperation, I shout at the top of my lungs and keep forcing my legs forward.

No matter how hard I run, the wolves are closing in. I can hear their breath growing louder behind me.

"Damn it all!!"

Just as I pour every last ounce of strength into running, a building suddenly appears in front of me.

"What?!"

The mist had gotten so thick that I could barely see, but was this... was this luck turning in my favor?

Looking closely, I could see an open entrance. I had no idea if the Silver Wolves would follow me inside, but I had no choice—I dove into the building, praying they wouldn't enter.

"Hahh... hahh... damn it..."

Gasping for breath, I scanned the interior. There was no light, making it dim, but from what I could tell, it was a large circular room. It was about thirty meters in diameter, with no partitions, no additional rooms, and—most troubling of all—no stairs leading up.

A chill ran down my spine as I turned around.

Fortunately, the Silver Wolves had not followed me inside.

"Hah... ha... I guess... I guess I survived...?"

Relieved beyond words, my exhaustion overwhelmed me.

And just like that, I lost consciousness inside that mysterious building.