Chapter 144: Foraging (1).

A pink blush appeared on Aisha’s face,

“Y-you need me?”

Nero nodded seriously.

He did in fact need her quite a lot.

He had realized earlier that his Ein Sof reserves were running quite low. He needed a meal.

However, going into Malady’s Garden once again with a large group of people meant he wouldn’t be getting a lot of freedom to go out on his own. If he did that, he would earn unwanted suspicions.

As such, he could only go for an alternative.

Aisha.

He remembered that fateful night. Back when they had kissed, a rush of energy had flown into his body. It was Ein Sof. Specifically the kind he needed to keep the monster asleep.

Seeing the strangely eager look on the face of the girl, Nero could only apologize silently as he wore a smile on his face.

***

The winds were cold and hollow.

The forest of Malady’s Garden was filled with darkness.

But it was also filled with sounds and movement.

At the moment, a decently sized procession of humans— twenty men and women strong, cut through the thicket with their machetes and hatchets.

Most of them were regular people wielding weapons of iron and wood as they embarked in a journey to find sustenance.

In the depths of the darkness, a pair of hungry, yellow eyes stalked the ground.

From another part of the forest depths, a terrifying growl came…

The beings that dwelled in this forest were far greater than what mere iron’s edge could overcome.

The humans seemed to recognize this too.

Nero’s darker eyes scanned through the crowd of those that accompanied them.

He could see it on their faces, wrinkled into their brows.

These people were shaking with terror and fear.

Anything and everything within the forest had the capacity to slaughter them all.

Even Obed and Lucy who were meant to be experienced Hunters didn’t seem very calm.

Nero huffed as he tried to calm his frazzled nerves as well.

From what he knew, the Southern Bogs were located in the southern quadrant of Malady’s Garden.

To put it into perspective, the part of the Garden he had encountered Garrick’s party at the time was the Northern Quadrant. He had been in the Northern Quadrant up until their eventually departure from the forest and into the empty fields that surrounded Liedenstorm.

Further down the Northern Quadrant was the Purple Evergrowth forest with both Nlightwyrm and Gor being the two most distant towns from the capital.

The trees within this part of the forest were much different from those in the Northern Quadrant.

They consistent mostly of large mangrove trees with thick, bundled roots and shorter stems but stockier stems. Overarching larger crowns with incredibly lush canopies of colorful leaves. A rather rare sight in a world believed by some to be devoid of colors.

But in the pervese, twisted nature, things that were bright and colorful, often times than not, signified immense danger and death.

’Still, it doesn’t seem too bad yet.’

Nero felt a presence approaching him from the side.

Struggling with the urge to keep himself from rolling his eyes, Nero kept his gaze forward.

He, alongside Obed and Lucy were at the forefront of the procession while the rest of the refugees that accompanied them were at the center and rear with Geor and Aisha behind as well.

“We should reach the southern bogs in about an hour. At least, that’s what that old man says.”

Nero frowned and turned to his side. Standing beside him now, was Emif. The kid with the white hair and grey eyes.

Nero raised a brow, ’This guy has nothing better to do?’

Seeing the rather hostile inquisition on Nero’s stare, Emif raised his arms defensively,

“Relax. I’m not trying to be weird or anything. I just—”

Nero smiled, although the curves of it didn’t quite reach his ears,

“You don’t have to play those games with me. I thought you didn’t like to play games?”

Emif’s expression changed slightly, but he quickly hid his displeasure. Instead, he now wore a slightly cold gaze,

“I can be of help to you.”

Nero huffed in disdain then turned his gaze forward.

The young man beside him, Nero felt he knew too his kind too well.

An opportunist. The kid who would steal the bread once the shopkeeper turned around.

He absolutely didn’t want to associate himself with such a person.

However, Emif was a rather persistent opportunist,

He glanced around and spoke under his breath,

“I can help you more than you know. I have a wide range of skills that are necessary for surviving in this world?”

Nero chuckled sarcastically,

“Oh, really? And what could those skills perhaps be?”

Emif huffed. He hesitated for a moment, then spoke,

“The ability only works when I’m put in a spot. It was only through it I was able to survive for so long out here. However, it is a secret.”

Nero sighed and shook his head,

“Yeah, sure. I’m not interested.”

He paused for a moment then sighed,

“Even if you do have such incredible, wonderful abilities, I have no need for them, neither do I have the capacity you believe I have.”

He turned to face Emif, this time, staring into the depths of his eyes,

“You and I are in the same shoes.”

Emif didn’t turn his gaze away,

“Which is why I believe we can help each other. Let me join your party.”

Nero frowned, ’Is that what he was getting at?’

Nero paused for a moment to think. An addition to the party was not necessarily a bad thing. But to join a party of Hunters, one must first know how to hunt.

Even he wasn’t an official member of the Hunter party. He was with them due to rather terrible circumstances. He was simply filling a gap that needed occupying after the death of a certain someone at his hands.

Nero sighed.

Just when he was about to say something, he felt movement up ahead.

He froze on the spot.

“Looks like your chance to prove yourself has come.”

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