Then let us set out!

Not far from the border city of Baibian, in the depths of the forest, Mo Mo and Liang Yin were staring dazedly at their luggage on the ground.

One should always plan goals and purposes before setting out, shouldn’t one? Mo Mo was completely unfamiliar with this world. Since arriving here, the thing she had done most was swindle a little pocket money on the streets. Apart from the Grant family’s public recruitment, there was barely a single shop willing to employ a girl like her—without identification, without special talents, and without any notable strength. As for Liang Yin, there was even less to say: ever since she’d taken on the role of the “Second Miss,” she had almost never set foot outside, wholly devoted to her performance at the Grant residence, living the life of a true shut-in.

“So, where should we go?” Mo Mo flopped onto the grass, idly tracing her finger over the map of the Starlit Continent that Jun Yan had sponsored.

“If you don’t have any ideas, I’d like to go here.” Liang Yin pointed to a spot on the map, her eyes wide as she looked at Mo Mo.

Mo Mo followed Liang Yin’s finger. “Isn’t this the border fortress of Ekaesia, in the country of the White Tower? What would we do there?”

The nation of the White Tower was famed for its warrior strength, and Ekaesia was the border between the White Tower and the Monster Beast Forest, facing Baibian City across a vast expanse of woodland.

“There’s nothing special there—no local products, no scenery, no handsome men, no cute girls,” Mo Mo said, thoroughly baffled. “Why would we go there? Even if it’s the nearest city that isn’t likely to have us on a wanted list, I have zero interest.”

“A few years ago, traces of the Eternal Heart were found there,” Liang Yin said seriously.

“Eternal Heart… That sounds familiar.” Mo Mo racked her memory.

“It’s the gem that fell from the Staff of Eternity—the Eternal Heart. Only when the Heart is restored to the Staff can the staff’s full power be unleashed!” Liang Yin gazed dreamily into the distance.

“By the way, I’ve never asked what level of mage you are. Why are you so obsessed with this wooden staff?” Mo Mo went on.

“I’ve been a mid-level mage for a long time now, with no luck advancing to high-level. As for the Staff of Eternity… I’m not sure why, but I just really want it. It feels as though it was meant to be mine, as though it belongs in my hands,” Liang Yin admitted, looking puzzled herself.

Mo Mo nodded in understanding, patting Liang Yin on the shoulder. “Say no more. I get it. I often feel that all the handsome men and money in the world should be mine, too. Birds of a feather flock together, after all.”

“Is that the same thing?” Liang Yin, not knowing what “money” meant, decided to ignore Mo Mo’s nonsense and not argue. “So, how do we get there?”

Mo Mo smiled. “We’ll walk there, of course!” She traced a straight line from Baibian City to Ekaesia on the map for demonstration.

“…,” Liang Yin was speechless. “Walk? Do you even know what kind of monsters live in the Monster Beast Forest? We’re only at the outer edge now, where there’s nothing. Once you get into the deep forest and meet some powerful beasts, don’t blame me for not warning you, fragile low-level mage!”

“Fine, then you tell me how. I’m all ears.” Mo Mo earnestly produced pen and paper, ready to take notes.

“Listen up!” Liang Yin declared with great seriousness. “There are lurking dangers everywhere in this forest. To protect ourselves, we must always remember one thing—adapt to circumstances!”

“…And then?”

“That’s all. I only heard that the monsters inside are fierce. Who would wander around in the forest for fun? That’s just asking for trouble.”

“…”

Leaving their fate to the heavens, the two girls shouldered their luggage and slowly stood up. In any case, they’d better set out and see what lay ahead.

“The food and water Jun Yan provided should last us for now. The warm blankets are for nights. As for money, we’ll only know how much we have if we make it alive to Ekaesia.” Mo Mo spoke as they walked.

Liang Yin nodded. “That’s true~” Unlike Mo Mo’s meager savings of thirty gold coins, Jun Yan had generously given them a gold card to use as they pleased. Only, no one knew how much was on it—or if the two of them would live to find out.

“Well, let’s go.”

“Mm-hmm~”

The girls walked shoulder to shoulder, heading deeper into the forest.

When you find yourself in a vast forest or desert, watching the same scenery and similar paths flashing by, what do you think of? Being lost in a supernatural maze? My friend, you’ve clearly read too many ghost stories. In fact, it only means one thing—you’re lost.

Mo Mo snatched the map from Liang Yin’s hands. “You’re such a great guide. Tell me, where are we now? I’ve seen this rock ahead of us for the third time already. Can we please find a way out?”

“How should I know? I’m just walking forward! This is a map of the entire Starlit Continent, you know. This whole area is just marked as forest. How would I know where we are?” Whether from fatigue or confusion, Liang Yin had reverted to her “Second Miss” persona.

“At this rate, it’ll be dark soon. No choice!” Mo Mo carved a mark on the rock she’d seen for the third time, then used a sturdy branch to draw a long line in the dirt. “This method may be silly and way too obvious, but at least we won’t go in circles anymore!”

Liang Yin pouted. “Fine~ But it really is dumb!”

“Says the one who can’t even read a map!” Mo Mo pointed an accusing finger at her. “Henceforth, your right to lead the way is revoked. No protests, no backtalk, or you’ll lose your lunch privileges!”

“…Fine.” Liang Yin knew she was at fault.

As they walked, the sun climbed to its zenith, reminding the girls it was lunchtime.

But the girls clearly had no time to eat. “I told you, we’re back here again!” Liang Yin complained, prodding the stone with her toe. “Can’t you just stop showing up in front of us?”

The stone, of course, could not respond, though it might have wept in grievance: Young lady, you could always close your eyes!

But no one heard the stone’s silent protest. The two girls were both lost in their own thoughts.

The stone longed to leap up and assert its presence, but gravity kept it rooted, and it could only weep in silence.

“Fine! If you won’t let me out, I’ll carve my own path!” Liang Yin, at the end of her patience, drew out the Staff of Eternity and quickly gathered water element. “Rushing Waters!”

Perhaps it was Mo Mo’s imagination, but she thought she saw the air around them tremble, like a startled animal.

Whoosh! With the staff’s boost, Liang Yin’s power was just a step below that of a high-level mage. The torrent she summoned roared forward like a furious beast, clearing a path straight ahead.

“Impressive!” Mo Mo applauded. “As they say, a good path is made by force!”

Suddenly, the atmosphere seemed to shudder. The scenery around them began to shake violently, then crack and splinter. Mo Mo tried to steady herself, only to realize she didn’t need to—the world itself was trembling, not her. Only certain parts of the surroundings were affected.

The quaking, cracking scenery shrank and shrank, finally vanishing before their eyes. Mo Mo stared in shock at the now-familiar yet strange scene before her. No wonder they couldn’t find their way out—it had all been the work of some mischief.

Liang Yin, from somewhere, had fished out a sneaky, shifty-eyed little creature. “So you’re the one who trapped us here, making us walk in circles, little rascal~”

“Eek eek! (Put me down!)” The creature protested, struggling as it hung upside down by its tail.

“Still complaining? Do you want me to smash you into the sky with one swing?” Liang Yin threatened, furious.

“Wait!” Mo Mo stopped Liang Yin, gently taking the little creature into her own hands. “Don’t be afraid. How about this—we strike a deal. If you guide us to the Ekaesia border, we’ll let you go safe and sound, without harming you. How about it?”

“Eek eek! (I’m not guiding you anywhere!)” the shifty creature protested.

“Come on, help us out. It’s a win-win,” Mo Mo coaxed.

“Eek eek! (No way!)” the creature persisted.

“You still dare refuse? Believe me, I’ll slit your throat, pluck your fur, skin you, and roast you over a fire for lunch!” Mo Mo snapped, losing her patience.

“Eek… (Fine, T-T)” The creature caved under her threat.

“So that’s what you call gentle?” Liang Yin blinked, letting go of the creature’s tail.

The little creature immediately scampered off, but after a few steps, Mo Mo stepped on its tail. “Where do you think you’re going, my dear?”

Resigned, the creature began to lead the way.

As they walked, Mo Mo and Liang Yin shared their rations from their backpacks, and the little creature won itself a free meal with a few cute blinks. “Mo Mo, don’t you think this forest is way too quiet?” Liang Yin suddenly said.

“I’ve been thinking that too,” Mo Mo replied, glancing around. The forest was thick with a variety of trees—so dense that they almost blocked out the sun. With such a lush canopy, there should be plenty of birds and magical beasts, yet after walking for so long, the cacophony of birdsong had gradually faded, until now, when there was nothing at all. “For such a big forest, the silence is just unnatural.”

The little creature nodded in agreement, eyes wary as it scanned their surroundings.

Liang Yin drew out the Staff of Eternity, clutching it to her chest, ready for battle. The little creature crouched low, baring its teeth in a warning snarl. Mo Mo brandished her own cheap, practically useless magic staff—at the very least, it might intimidate an enemy.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—! Not one, but many threatening black shadows darted among the trees, quickly forming a circle around them. These figures moved with astonishing speed, massive bodies radiating aggression and the skills of seasoned hunters.

The circle tightened, and everyone seemed to hold their breath.

Whoosh—! With a rush of wind, one shadow lunged straight for Mo Mo.

Stardust Chronicles 017_017: Well then, let’s set off! End of update!