(Author’s note: With this chapter, half of the story is finished. I will finish the story around chapter 300-350.)
Rickard walked ahead, followed by Boris, Jeanne, and Joi. After nearly two years of joint training and companionship, they had ford a friendship that could be considered genuine. Jeanne was still in shock due to recent events, Joi looked curious, and Boris had a bored expression.
Unlike the clothes they had worn on their first day in this world, they were now dressed in high-quality and powerful armor. Rick wore a silver light armor, crafted from elven fabric to allow easy movent.
Boris, on the other hand, wore a comfortable black coat, a thick full-body armor made from orc leather, and carried a spear covered in runes.
Jeanne had also acquired new clothes. The primary colors were black and white. She wore light armor that only covered her chest and knees, leaving the rest of her body free for agility and speed. Two small swords, covered in runes, were attached to her belt.
Joi’s outfit was much simpler but functional. He wore a plain red t-shirt, blue pants, sneakers, and a hoodie over his t-shirt.
This style was new to this world, but it was custom-made for Joi. When he transford, his space-rune-infused clothes would be transported to a small dinsional pocket, and when he returned to his human form, the clothes would reappear on him.
Apart from this, the group had grown closer during training and had developed a shared sense of trust. They had also undergone a significant power boost.
Rick’s strength was already exceptional as the heir of King Arthur. Now, he could wield Excalibur more effectively. Even Solomon had to be wary when facing him in battle.
Aside from Rick, the others in the group excelled in different aspects. Boris was the strongest in terms of raw power and destruction, but his tactical intelligence was lacking, and he wasn’t fast. Jeanne, on the other hand, had developed more efficiently than Boris.
She was balanced and fast, with the Holy Fla granting her great power. Among them, Joi was one of the strongest. He could transform into any animal or creature he desired.
Yes, that included a dragon. However, his dragon form was sowhat deford and smaller in size. Besides that, Joi’s favorite transformations were a giant snake and a massive bull.
While he didn’t have the flashiest abilities in the team, Joi had the highest potential aside from Rick. Surprisingly, he also had a good tactical mind. However, he had one major flaw—he was emotionally weak.
Killing people made him uncomfortable, and he panicked at the sight of blood. He was a good person, but in this world, being good was an invitation to death. Though he had improved since the beginning, he was still emotionally fragile.
Apart from that, the group had been sent to eliminate a high-ranking Wargan Shaman. The Wargan Shaman, Björn, was powerful enough to cause massive destruction on the battlefield.
If this shaman managed to reach the frontlines, the chances of breaking through the enemy lines and securing victory for the Church would drop significantly. The shaman was preparing a sacrificial spell that could wipe out a large portion of the opposing army.
If this ritual was completed, the Wargans would advance without resistance. No matter what, the heroes’ mission was to eliminate the shaman.
Night had already fallen, so the group decided to make camp. Using fire magic, they lted the snow and quickly set up a place to sleep and rest.
Finally, everyone sat around the warm fire, resting. They had been walking for two days straight. After marching day and night, they were ntally exhausted.
"There should have been so vodka... I can’t relax," Boris groaned and lay down on the ground. Joi smirked. "You tried to fill the entire dinsional storage with vodka instead of food. Sorry, but there’s no vodka today."
Boris just frowned and took the cold rice box Joi handed him. Joi also passed one to Rick and Jeanne.
"Hmm, as terrible as always, Joi," Rick sighed as he reluctantly ate the rice. Joi scratched his head in embarrassnt. "I’m not a chef, guys. Rice just lasts longer in the dinsional storage."
"Well, at least we’re not starving," Rickard said before turning to Boris. "I’ve always wondered—doesn’t that armor bother you?"
Joi, also curious, looked at Boris. Boris grinned. "It’s not that uncomfortable. Besides, it looks great on ."
Proudly, Boris raised his armored arm before giving Rick a mocking glance. "But what about you? How do you wear that so-called armor? I doubt that stupid thing can protect you."
"I don’t know, but Solomon said this armor is good," Rick replied.
"I don’t like that bastard. He looks like a two-faced snake," Boris muttered, scowling at the ntion of Solomon. Joi chuckled. "Is that because he beat you up?"
Boris narrowed his eyes but didn’t deny it. "That’s part of it. But more than that, I’ve never seen that guy genuinely smile, not even once."
"Solomon is a kind person," Joi argued. "He helps whenever I ask."
Boris smirked. "Really? I bet whenever he smiles at you, it’s fake. I’d even put money on it."
Rick remained silent for a while. Then, his eyes shifted from Boris and Joi, who were still talking, to Jeanne, who was sitting in a corner, eating thoughtfully.
After her fight with a succubus, Jeanne had beco unusually quiet and broken. Even her usual sarcasm had faded, leaving behind only silence.
Rick had been bothered by this for a long ti, but it was clear that talking to Jeanne wouldn’t help. The best dicine was ti.
At least, she had recovered enough to speak occasionally. Rick had noticed these small improvents in her. Still, he felt that asking a few questions might be good, so he approached Jeanne.
"Hey, are you okay?"
"I’m fine, Rick. No problem," Jeanne said with a small smile.
Rick paused for a mont before asking, "You seem a little lost in thought. If you want, you can talk to ."
Jeanne lowered her gaze, and for a second, Rick thought she didn’t want to say anything. But then, she replied, "I just... I just feel bad. Psychologically."
"If it would help, you can tell about it."
"That succubus tortured , Rick. It forced to kill my family a thousand tis. I murdered them in different ways, over and over again. How do you expect to smile after that?"
Your adventure continues at .Côm
Rick was slightly shocked. He knew she had been tortured, but he hadn’t realized just how bad it was. Feeling sorry for Jeanne, he gave her a gentle smile, trying to comfort her.
"If it will make you feel better, let’s talk. Like friends," Rick said, taking a spoonful of his rice. "Whenever I had problems, Jack would talk to and cheer up. It helped get through things more easily."
"Is he a friend from your old world?" Jeanne asked, her curiosity piqued.
Rick looked down with a nostalgic smile. "Yeah, Jack and I are best friends. We always look out for each other."
"You’re like family."
"You could say that," Rick chuckled. "Still, if Jack were here, I’d want you to et him. He can be a bit stingy sotis, but he’s usually a good friend. Though, he can be a little annoying too."
Jeanne let out a small laugh and smiled.
Rick then turned his gaze to the moon, feeling a little sad. No matter how much he adapted to this world, he still missed his old life.
He even missed the company he used to work for. Then, he started wondering how Jack was doing. Was he sad? Or just shocked?
Knowing Jack’s personality, Rick was sure he would get over it quickly.
Not wanting to dwell on it anymore, Rick decided to focus on Jeanne. Seeing that she had finished her al, he smiled.
With an amused grin, he turned to Jeanne, who looked a little better. "Do you want so more food?"
Jeanne nodded slightly and handed him her empty plate. A short while later, Rick returned with more rice and served her.
"No matter what happens, Jeanne, we’re your friends. In good tis and bad, we’ll always support you. So, stop isolating yourself."
Jeanne looked down with hesitation and sadness. Rick continued, "It might be hard for you, but we’re stronger together. You’re not alone. What that succubus did to you was just an illusion. I promise you—we’ll get revenge next ti."
Rick looked at Jeanne seriously. Her eyes welled up with tears, but before they could fall, Rick gently wiped them away and smiled.
"Crying doesn’t suit you."
Feeling a little better, Jeanne stopped herself from crying. She realized Rick was right. She wanted to forget the succubus’s torture and focus on the present.
After wiping away her tears, Jeanne smiled. Rick pulled his hand back and said, "You look better like this. Stay like this, please."
Jeanne stared at Rick for a second, and when she felt her cheeks heat up from his words, she shyly averted her gaze.
She glanced at Rick again and noticed he seed lost in thought.
Rick, on the other hand, was rembering when Syvelia had kissed his cheek. He smiled to himself, feeling slightly embarrassed.
He knew thinking about another woman like this was wrong, but he couldn’t help it.
Deciding not to dwell on it, Rick continued eating his rice while occasionally chatting with Jeanne.
Before long, midnight arrived, and it was ti to sleep.
They had to rest well tonight. After all, tomorrow, an important battle awaited them.
And so, the heroes collapsed onto their beds, ready to sleep, as ti swiftly passed...
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