828 Past Chapter Lydia's Point of View - Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

My sister has fallen ill. Red spots have appeared all over her body, and she’s running a fever. The apothecary said that in order to cure her, we need an herb called Beltura grass. However, acquiring Beltura grass is difficult; it’s not readily available for sale, and when it is, it’s very expensive. Also, she needs to take the medicine for an extended period to recover, they said. Our family couldn't afford to continuously buy such costly medicine. Our father was an adventurer, but he passed away a few years ago. Although my brother and I have started working as adventurers, our income is not sufficient yet. The apothecary offered to strike a deal with us. If we go to the forest and collect the herbs ourselves, they would prepare the medicine at a reduced price. Additionally, they suggested we collect other herbs they could buy from us too. We had no choice but to accept this deal. Our sister pleaded with us not to take on this dangerous task for her sake. But neither my brother nor I wavered in our resolve. Just as she worries about us, we care deeply about her. We persuaded our mother and left our sister in her care. My brother had learned swordsmanship from our father and possessed a fair degree of skill. I had some magical power and could use a little magic. However, in actual battles against beasts, my magic failed me. As a result, I ended up being a burden to my brother multiple times. We asked around at the adventurer’s guild, and they suggested it could be due to nerves. When I felt down, my brother offered gentle support. "Lydia, you have hearing that no one else possesses." It seems I had an exceptional ability to hear, distinguishing the footsteps of monsters or animals stepping on branches, or the sound of rustling grass from afar. "Thanks to that, I can move with confidence." This heightened sense of hearing allowed us to become aware of monsters before they detected us, enabling us to either gain an advantage in battles or retreat if we knew they were too many in number. To hone this skill, I sought guidance from various adventurers on things like identifying tracks left by monsters and what to look out for. Simultaneously, I searched for a weapon that suited me, discovering that I was better with a bow than a sword. I took up learning the bow and became a competent adventurer. With the skills my brother and I had cultivated in the nearby woods, we set out for the forest where Beltura grass was rumored to be found. We received a ride on a horse-drawn carriage headed towards the royal capital and disembarked partway to head into the forest. It was a deep forest, far removed from town, rarely visited even by adventurers. But within that forest lay the herb needed to cure our sister. "Don't worry. I’ll protect you from the monsters. Lydia, I’m counting on you to monitor the surroundings as always." Despite being scared himself, my brother spoke reassuringly, almost as if to calm me as I glanced nervously at the forest. With anxiety tightening my chest, I stepped into the woods. "This ribbon, it must be the one." A red, ribbon-like strip is tied around a tree. It marked the path of pioneering adventurers. This was my first time seeing such a marker. Following these ribbons, we could advance deep into the forest without losing our way. A path previously tread by others meant we could minimize danger. We owed a debt of gratitude to these forerunners. Of course, that didn’t guarantee absolute safety, but it was still a route that reduced risk for us. Following the ribbons, we ventured deeper into the forest. We progressed slowly. Father often said as if it were a mantra that haste leads to an early grave. After marrying our mother, he had worked solo, taking on only jobs he could handle independently, avoiding dangerous assignments. Still, he too eventually fell victim to a monster’s attack. A fellow adventurer stumbled upon his body by chance. They recovered his guild card and belongings, and informed us they had buried his body. Mother cried, and so did my brother and I. Our little sister cried because she saw us crying and joined in. Father’s words stayed with us. "Brother, how about this leaf?" I found a leaf that looked familiar. "Hold on a moment." My brother took out a piece of paper. The apothecary had taught us which valuable herbs could fetch a good price. It was a sheet with drawings of those herbs. "It's a bit different, actually." He compared it to the illustration. I peered over his shoulder. "The leaf shape is different." Unfortunately, it wasn’t the one. We pressed onward. Our fortune improved somewhat as we managed to find several herbs. However, the elusive Beltura grass remained out of sight. The types of plants that grow here change with the seasons. If we missed this opportunity, it would be another year until the next chance. "Brother, wait." I called softly to my brother and motioned to convey silence. I had heard a branch snap. I listened closely. There it was again. Using hand signs, I indicated the direction of the sound. It seemed to be a single creature. Judging by experience, it was likely a wolf. Arming myself with my bow, I nocked an arrow and drew the string slowly. I tuned into my acute sense of hearing. ...Rustle. I released the arrow. The arrow propelled by the bow flew toward the sound’s origin. Then came the thud of it finding its mark and the sound of something collapsing. "Phew." I exhaled deeply. "It’s all right now." "Seems like you’re making me superfluous." "Only when it’s far away." Close combat wasn’t something I was cut out for, but long distances were where I excelled. "There’s nothing I can do when they get close." There were instances when I missed, and the monsters charged. In those situations, my brother was my reliable backup. Lately, my accuracy had improved, but in the beginning, I frequently missed. Heading towards where the wolf had fallen, we discovered it with an arrow embedded in its head. I retrieved the arrow while my brother started the field dressing. We wished to gather as many materials as possible, but the town was too far to lug everything back. We acquired only the mana stone, fangs, claws, and some meat that would serve as food. Usually, we'd have to bury or burn the rest to avoid attracting other monsters. However, since neither my brother nor I could use magic to dig or set fire, and since no other adventurers were likely to come by here, we moved on, leaving the remnants behind. We drew up a map, marking out both the predecessors’ ribbons and the spots where different herbs were located. The collection of herbs we acquired grew steadily. Yet still, the Beltura grass evaded us. Several days into the forest, we stumbled upon a large cave. A ribbon left by earlier adventurers was nearby, indicating someone had passed through. However, it might also be a deception. “... Brother.” “We’ll go in. If it feels too dangerous, we’ll turn back.” Inside the cave, it was dark. We lit our lantern. The sounds of bats taking flight echoed from the ceiling, and the slithering of something crawled along the ground reached our ears. “Brother, watch behind me.” “Got it.” I positioned myself with my bow ready. Listening intently, I heard the distinct sound of slithering. I drew my arrow and released it. The arrow whistled, cutting through the dimness of the cave. Eventually, a thud of impact followed. I repeated the process three times. The slithering sounds ceased. “I think that did it.” We pressed forward. A little way in, a snake had fallen dead, skewered by arrows. “Your accuracy has been improving.” “It's because I trust you'll protect me if I miss, Brother.” Thanks to my brother's presence, I can confidently release my arrows. If I were alone, the fear of missing my mark would paralyze me. As we continue, taking down a few snakes along the way, a light appears in the distance. It's the exit. We safely make it out of the cave and proceed deeper into the forest. "Hold up." My brother reaches out, halting me by the shoulder. "That flower looks familiar…" He muses over it. I’m pretty sure the apothecary’s sketches didn’t include it. "Ah, it’s an Explosive Flower." "Explosive Flower?" I’ve never heard of it. "An Explosive Flower detonates when approached, scattering its seeds." "Just scattering seeds doesn’t sound too bad." "Those seeds can pierce right through a body." "…" Is it really that powerful? "How do you know about this, brother?" "One of the adventurers I spoke to about this forest drew a picture and warned me." To reduce the risks, my brother and I gathered as much intel as possible before entering the forest. Few adventurers dared this place; fewer still were willing to share information, some demanded money, but some did warn us. "That adventurer told me never to go near them. If you accidentally get hit in the leg, you won’t be able to walk and will become monster fodder.” "So beautiful, yet so deadly." Despite still being mere buds, their vibrant colors promise beautiful blooms. I was admiring them when I heard approaching footsteps. We were so caught up in conversation that we noticed too late. "Brother, something's coming." At my words, my brother fell silent. When it appeared, it was just a deer. We both sighed in relief. But our relief was short-lived. The moment the deer wandered into the cluster of Explosive Flowers, it collapsed. "..." "..." The deer never rose again. "We owe a debt of gratitude to that adventurer." "Yes, we do." Had we ventured forward unknowingly, we might have met the same fate as the deer. "Let's head back." "Alright." We decided to retrace our route back. "Brother, wait a moment." "Is it another deer?" But the footsteps sound different. It's a sound I’ve heard numerous times. There's a heavy rustling among the grass and bushes. "Probably wolves. Quite a few of them." Ahead lies the Explosive Flowers, and behind us, a pack of wolves. "Brother." Silently, I glance left and right. Which way should we go? "We’ll head right and maneuver to the far side of the Explosive Flowers." "Does that mean—" "We’ll lure the wolves into the Explosive Flowers. If they get too close, the wolves might just avoid the flowers and keep chasing us. We need to move quickly." I nod. There’s no time to debate. My brother and I dart around the Explosive Flowers. Only the sound of our breathing fills the air. Just in time, we reach the other side before the wolves can catch us. Looking towards the Explosive Flowers, I see the wolves divided around them. "Will they blow up? Can it take them down?" "I don’t know." The deer fell, but who knows if the wolves will too? And there are so many of them. The flowers will explode just once. They might push through. "If it comes to it, I’ll stay behind. Lydia, you run." "Brother!?" "I can’t lose both my sisters." If he says that, I would lose both my brother and sister. "It’s a brother’s duty to protect his sisters." If that’s the case, it's a sister’s duty to protect her brother. I ready my bow. "…Lydia." "Wouldn't it be better to take down as many as we can? If I fire the arrow, they'll charge this way. If any wolves get through, I'll need you to handle them." "…Understood." My brother begins shouting toward the wolves. "Over here! You followed us, didn’t you?" I see his hands trembling. If the Explosive Flowers fail to detonate, or if they don’t hit hard enough, those wolves will swarm us. "Come quickly!" As my brother pretends to flee, the wolves start advancing, running through the Explosive Flowers. The flowers erupt, and the wolves begin falling. But more wolves tread over the fallen ones, ignoring the flowers’ effects. I launch my arrows. Even if they dodge, the explosion will catch them at the next step. Thanks to the chain reaction, wolves continue to fall, and my arrows also find their mark, reducing their numbers. In the end, not a single wolf reached us. The Explosive Flowers had caused several wolves to lay dead within them. "Is it really over?" My brother lowers the sword he’d been holding ready. "Yes." While some wolves still cling to life, they pose no threat to us now—it’s only a matter of time before they succumb. Exhausted, my legs give way, and I sit on the ground. "Are you okay?" "Yes." "Then we need to move quickly. The scent of blood might draw other monsters." The Explosive Flowers have done their fair share of blasting; we can’t rely on this strategy again if more monsters show up. I muster the strength in my legs and stand. "Are there any monsters nearby?" I listen intently. From beyond the Explosive Flowers, the rustling of what might be monsters can be heard. "Perhaps we should pull back." Deciding to bypass the Explosive Flowers and retreat turned out to be fortuitous, as it led us to find the elusive Beltura grass we were seeking.