A Warrior Exiled by the Hero and His Lover - CH 187

Chapter 187 – The warrior finds an oasis

And just like the big river that had formed in front of us, it had completely vanished. So it was safe enough to get out of the cave and resume our journey.

There were still some clouds in the sky, but the sun was shining brightly, letting us know that everything was back to normal.

With every step I took, my feet sank slightly to the surface. The ground was still wet, so mud was rather plentiful.

«How good it feels to walk once in a while ~»

«Kyui.»

«What do you mean by that? Are you trying to say Frau doesn’t care about her fitness? I’m not fat, you eyeball!»

Frau had shifted into her human size, so she was keeping up with us on foot. And now that I look at her closely, she certainly seems to have gained a little weight.

But to be honest, I hadn’t noticed it until Panda mentioned it, so I don’t think it’s anything to worry about.

«Is it just me, or are more and more creatures showing up around here after the heavy deluge?»

«Yes, you’re right. Some of them are beautiful.»

Many plants began to grow in the middle of the desert, and numerous insects were crawling on the ground. Even monsters were beginning to come out of their hiding places.

All of this was happening a couple of hours after it had stopped raining. Nature never ceases to amaze me.

«What is that?»

Some sort of dome appeared in the distance. The shape itself was distorted due to the long distance we were at.

The closer we got, however, the more we could see that it was a huge skull.

We also found what appeared to be an original golem, with a huge sword and axe stuck in the ground.

I wonder if this has something to do with the ancient race.

I’ve heard that giants existed many years ago, but many people, including myself, think it’s a fairy tale. Maybe they really did exist, and if any survived, I’d like to see them.

«There’s some fruit over here.»

«Kyui.»

Hearing Frau’s words, I turned my attention towards her. What I saw in front of her was a small tree with red fruits like tomatoes growing from it.

«According to my appraisal, they are edible.»

«That ability of yours never ceases to amaze me.»

I plucked one of the fruits from the tree and took a bite.

A slightly sweet, citrusy, refreshing aroma invades my mouth and nose. The texture is softer and slimier than a tomato’s.

«I remembered seeing this fruit at the city market. If I had known it would be this good, I would have bought some.»

«Do you think they sell them in the city we’re heading to?»

«Kyui kyui kyu.»

«Wait, let me wipe your mouth.»

«Kyu?»

Frau wipes Panda’s mouth with a cloth as he gobbles the fruit.

«Master, you’ve got some on the side of your mouth.»

«I do?»

Kaede takes out a handkerchief and wipes my mouth.

This is quite an embarrassing situation. I couldn’t help but look at Kaede with different eyes because of this.

She was very happy to be able to do this, the smile on her face gave it away.

«Kya.»

«What ‘s wrong?»

«I felt a sudden shock.»

«….?»

A shock?

Well, I guess it could have been static electricity.

The humidity is still present, even though it should be a dry area and it’s stopped raining.

Weird…

I washed my face in the crystal clear water, then took the towel Kaede was holding next to me to wipe my face.

«I didn’t know there was a spring in the middle of nowhere.»

«We were very lucky. Now we won’t have to worry about drinking water for a while.»

We were at a spring that was surrounded by some rocky hills.

If it weren’t for the flock of birds coming out of this spot, we would have completely missed it.

It was certainly a stroke of luck.

«You have a strange look on your face.»

«Paku paku.»

«Kyu! Kyukyu!»

«Paku ~?»

Frau was playing with Sharkboy in the water. And Panda, as usual, was trying to act like a Senpai, though Sharkboy doesn’t seem to understand and keeps on going about his business.

The relationship between the two has always been like this. Panda always tries to be regarded with respect because he is older. And yet, Sharkboy doesn’t seem to be interested in such things at all.

Maybe Panda will get that recognition someday if he keeps trying hard. But since they’re technically animals, who knows what they are thinking. Their relationship might not change for another 50 or even 100 years.

I proceeded to pull one of the enhancement eggs out of magic storage.

«Sharkboy, it’s time to upgrade your stats.»

«Paku!»

I grabbed him with both hands, and placed it on top of the egg. Immediately, the top opened into six sections, and I placed Sharkboy inside.

The lid closed and the pulsations began.

…….

…………..

……………….

An hour has passed since Sharkboy entered.

Loud heartbeats could be heard from inside.

*Buuuuuuuuuuush*

The lid opened with a pop and steam erupted from the egg.

«Sharkboy?»

«Paku!»

An adult shark emerges from the egg.

Using its front fins deftly, it crawls out of the egg and jumps into the water.

The color of Sharkboy’s upgraded body has changed from pink to a bright red and his front fins are now shaped like large hands.

However, his face remains the same.

When he reached the water’s edge, he waved his front fin at me.

«Paku～»

I held his fin, which seemed to make him happy. I wondered if he had some kind of function besides swimming now.

«Kyui! Kyu, Kyu!»

«Paku～?»

Panda, who immediately became jealous, was crying as if he was telling Sharkboy not to get carried away.

Yet Sharkboy still didn’t seem to understand what Panda was trying to say.

«It’s not right for you to express yourself that way Panda, you must show respect. I’m sure the lord will soon find a strengthening egg for you.»

«Kyu… Kyu…»

«Good. Now apologize to Sharkboy. I know where you’re coming from, Panda. Frau knows you’re someone very powerful, and you’re going to prove it somehow.»

«Kyu!!! Kyui!!!»

Panda quickly regains his energy, and flies around me with a glint in his eye. It’s as if he’s trying to tell me, «Hurry up and find an egg for me.»

Usually, Panda isn’t too close to me. But this time, the excitement is obvious, and his desires even more evident.

I proceed to stroke his head.

It was night, and we had decided to stay in the oasis.

The only source of light was the fire we made.

Kaede, Frau and Panda were fast asleep. The only ones awake were me, Rosuke and Sharkboy, who was swimming in the water.

I started to hear the sound of something crawling on the ground.

As soon as I turned my gaze to the source of the sound, I saw that there was a small scorpion near Kaede.

I quickly pulled out my knife, and stabbed it, killing it on the spot.

Rosuke’s vigilance is not perfect. So these small, deadly animals can go unnoticed by even him.

Paki.

Paki paki.

A familiar sound rang in my head.

Not again… Did I really level up from killing that little scorpion?

《Notice: Since the Lvl of experience value saving has reached the upper limit, it will be paid 100 times more 》

《Notice: The payout has increased 200 times due to the effect of skill effect UP》

《Notice: You have reached level 30,000》

This…

This can’t be possible.

I couldn’t help but check that number over and over again. It wasn’t an illusion. It was definitely 30,000.

Awawawawawa…

My body trembles with fear.

No, I don’t want to break this kind of boundary. I also don’t want to be called a monster.

If people find out about this, I’m going to be banished from everywhere. I don’t need to be so strong. I’m already strong enough.

I’d much rather be weaker.

«Weak… Yes! That chain!»

This is a relic I got when I fought one of Rudra’s men… I actually picked it up because I thought it might be useful for something.

I took the energy-reducing chain from the magic storage and wrapped it around my upper right arm.

Okay. I’m losing power.

Honestly, I feel calmer now with this on.

It feels like I’m back to level 3000. It seems that even the relic couldn’t completely suppress such overwhelming power.

Still, it works pretty well.

But I can’t relax completely. Now I have to make sure no one knows my true level.

Fortunately, I have my camouflage ring for that. Especially since it can now disguise my level.

I put it on, and now I’m officially 3,000. NOT 30,000.