Craving for some rice and meats, the group of children said their temporary goodbye before impatiently running back to their respective homes.
After playing around all day, their stomach already growls and protest for special attention.
Once Myah said bye-bye to Pickle and Lena, he patted Bumpkin's head, telling it to bring him back.
"Let's go, Bumpkin. We shouldn't be late. Otherwise, grandma will be worried and will punish you to run extra laps tomorrow. I won't plead for you." Saying so, the little guy takes a nip out of a large and perfectly ripened fig.
'Wahhhh, so jammy and delicious!'
Although Myah has lost his sight, he has somehow learned the better use of his other senses in this half a year. Especially his hearing, smell, and taste, have all significantly enhanced.
While feeling the change in the surroundings, the temperatures, and the shift of spiritual energy in the air, Myah knew that it's almost nightfall.
He was a little bit impatient to show his grandma today's plentiful harvest.
With the help of the others, he was able to pick up a lot of delicious fruit and mushrooms.
According to Pickle's words of expertises, the mushroom they picked were special Fragrant Mushrooms that only grew in spring as it was the rainiest season. When they are left dried and added into soup, it will magnify the flavors and taste very delicious.
After listening to Pickle's words of advertisement a while back, Myah couldn't wait to try it himself.
He was slowly converting into a gluttonous foodie!
As if reacting to Myah's words, Bumpkin neighing out proudly before slowly trotting on the familiar muddy path inside the village.
The golden ray of the setting sun highlighted Myah's silhouette. And while mounted on Bumpkin's horseback, he looks like a valiant little knight.
It was already late.
In the distance, exhausted villagers and their War Souls were on their way back from a day of plowing the field. All of them were sweating heavily while also emanating a muddy and sour odor.
And since beast storage devices were costly and are not something they can afford. The villagers let their War Souls roam about the place, making the mood very lively for the small settlement as they grouped.
Without even trying, Myah spotted them in an instant.
The sounds of mooing cows and monkeys' shoutings reached his ears. Not to mention, as the wind passed through Myah's nose while carrying that sweaty odor, the little guy almost spat out the half-eaten fig in his mouth.
Since his nose was quite sensitive, it was rather a bad experience.
Once the villagers spotted Myah, they said hello with smiles and heartfelt laughter when he offered them some of the fruits from his basket.
"These fruits are fresh and sweet, little Myah. Did you have fun today?" A tall uncle asked. Although his tone was rough, the smile on his face said otherwise.
"Un, today was very fun." Giggling, Myah responded while covering his nose. "My friends helped me pick a lot of delicious things."
The village was small, and after half a year, Myah was already familiar with everyone.
"I saw you kids leaving so early in the morning. The sun is gone now. You must be tired; go back." Putting the hoe down from his shoulder, Cal patted Myah on the head and continued. "Your grandma come to the field looking for you this afternoon."
As Cal mention about Myah's grandmother, all the men shuddered. Although she looked beautiful, they didn't know why, but something about her made them feel afraid.
The pressure Mu Suyin gave off was even fiercer than the tigress waiting back at their home!
Oh, the irony, it was simply inconceivable!
"Ah!" Feeling shocked, Myah smacked Bumpkin's butt before they start running back hastily.
"I have to go now, bye-bye!" Turning back, Myah shouted as he waved his hand.
Only now did the little guy remember that he forgot to let his grandma know about the trip. It couldn't be helped. Pickle just suddenly showed up in the morning and dragged him away in a rush. There wasn't any time for Myah to inform her.
Feeling guilty, the child and the horse hurried home.
...
The sun died down.
A black shadow flashed quickly at the entrance to a mountain range situated in the outer part of the Eflo Woodland. It traversed from one tree to another, and in no time, it appeared next to a glowing campfire.
The firewood crackled, sending sparkles and light which illuminate the newly arrived figure.
"Where have you been, Ira?" Hendrik asked with his natural deep and rough voice. "You have been gone for almost half a day. Spending the night here is especially dangerous. Consequently, our trip will be delayed till tomorrow."
Not shifting his serious gaze from the burning flame, Hendrik carefully continued with the daily maintenance of his sword and shield.
While still wearing his full-bodied iron armor, the short cut grey hair that comes with ages, a sharply trimmed beard together with the deep scar that ran down his blind left eye.
Mutually, these characteristics gave Hendrik the vibe of a strong and brave knight.
The most attention-grabbing feature was the thing that hangs on his shoulder guard.
It was the badge representing a Third-tier adventurer! The symbol of status and strength. Indeed, Hendrik wasn't just anybody.
"Nothing particular, just watching some kids playing around the wood." Ira adjusted his black cloak with his usual spirited smile and removed the short bow on his back to the side. "It's not like we have anything better to do to rush the job. It's been months already."
Grumble~!
"Man, I'm hungry!" Then, Ira took a stick of grilled meat from the fire and started eating. "Thank you for the food!"
"Oh? Children? Are they from that village?" While observing the reflection of his scarred eyes from the sword's glistening facade, Hendrik raised another question out of interest.
"Yeah, it was...hmmm, whatever, I don't remember the name, but it's the one that posted the job to investigate a potentially Rank-3 Demon Beast a few months back," Ira replied, then he took a sip of some fruit wine.
"Here, you should try this wine. I got it from some stupid monkeys a while ago." With a smirk, he tossed the flask of wine over to Hendrik and remark.
"It tastes great with the meat."