A little while after tending to everyone’s injuries, we decided to camp out for the night.

Traveling right now would be risky, even a good night’s rest would be beneficial, albeit, a little.

Not everyone suffered any major injuries, only Taft and Enrica were worn out.

Enrica was kicked in the gut then plunged to a tree… if it were the past me, I think I’d pass out but my new constitution is really convenient.

I became sturdier and heal faster than usual… somehow, I feel less human…

Stonoir was the look out, Shen tended to Enrica, Ruin Tended to Taft and of course, I went searching for food.

I finished earlier than expected since the vegetation around this area is rather booming, that’s probably the reason why the Succubus Orchids grew that much.

As it turns out, the fruits here can be cooked!

The dwarves also had rations that they were more than happy to share with me.

…

“E-e-e-e-eh?! Lan? Why are you crying? Is my food that bad?” [Shen]

“N-no, it’s not like that… this is the first cooked meal I’ve had since I came here… It’s delicious” [Lan]

“…really? Y-you’re welcome…” [Shen]

Shen was the best cook among them, so they say.

I couldn’t help my tears from falling.

I never thought I’d get to eat an actual meal again, moreover, I’m not alone right now.

“Lan, thank you” [Ruin]

“You don’t have to thank me. All I did was repay my debt” [Lan]

“That doesn’t matter, you saved us and we are thankful” [Ruin]

“A-actually, this was more on me. Sorry Lan, you had to step in for us” [Taft]

“Don’t say that Taft. If anyone was at fault, it was me, I underestimated that monster which could have resulted in our demise” [Ruin]

“Ruin… Okay! It’s your fault then” [Taft]

“Why you…” [Ruin]

I could only let out a relieved smile to their exchange.

It’s all good since they’re fine.

It would truly be sad to have missed meeting such nice people.

“Let’s get some sleep, me and Stonoir will change shifts as the look out so sleep to your hearts content” [Ruin]

“Ruin, let me be a look out as well” [Lan]

“Eh? Are you sure? You already saved our lives this is the least we-“ [Ruin]

“Ruin” [Lan]

“… Fine, don’t go sleeping on the job, okay?” [Ruin]

“It’ll be alright. All of you should get some rest” [Lan]

.

.

.

Morning came, nothing unusual happened last night.

We had a light breakfast then set out for their village.

Their village chief was said to be in a dire condition which is why they were sent here to get the miracle fruit.

Their village was about half a day’s travel from where we were.

After half a day of travelling, the dwarves suddenly stopped somewhere deep in the mountains.

Ruin suddenly did something that looked like a dance then after that, a pathway appeared.

“Woah…” [Lan]

“Cool, isn’t it?” [Ruin]

“My grandma could do that better than you!” [Shen]

“Pft” [Lan]

“””Puhahahaha”””

After that, we went through the passage

“Don’t stray from us Lan or the earth will collapse on you” [Enrica]

“Eh?” [Lan]

“This place was made for dwarves only, since only dwarves could control this much earth. You’d die by the second so stay alert” [Stonoir]

W-Wha?!

Isn’t this pretty dangerous?!

…Is what I’d like to say but we got out just fine.

The underground village didn’t have any sunlight but was so bright… light ores were found on every corner of the village, illuminating everything.

This is also probably the reason why the dwarves have such nice skin, well, my skin is comparable to theirs’ now, unlike before.

As we were walking, they were all serious so I didn’t speak a word ever since we entered the village…

“We’re here” [Ruin]

When we arrived at the village chief’s quarters, the chief’s attendant came to greet us

“Ruin! Did you get the- a h-h-human?!” [Stephan]

“Yo, Stephan. Don’t worry, he’s alright. How’s the chief?” [Ruin]

“A-alright you s-say… it’s better if you see him for yourself” [Stephan]

We were taken to where the chief was laying, his body was worn out, on the brink of collapse much like from malnutrition. He looked… dead?

“Wha… Chief? He’s dead… ch-chief!” [Taft]

“Nooooo!” [Ruin]

Then suddenly-

“I’m alive you loud maggots” [Chief]

“”“CHIEF!”””

“No one said he was dead…” [Stephan]

“Sorry chief, you looked like it hehe” [Taft]

“Why you… oh, who do we have… hmmm? A human?” [Chief]

“A-ah hello, my name’s Lantern Venick” [Lan]

“Hmm?! L…Lantern Venick, you say? HAHAHAHAHA!” [Chief]

“Is there something wrong…?” [Lan]

Everyone around was smirking for some reason… this is unsettling.

“HAHAHAHA! It’s been that long already, huh? Nice to make you acquaintance, Lantern Venick. I am the village chief, John Cramuel”

John Cramuel? Where have I heard that name before…