Curse the Mainframe! 264 Out of the Fores

The forest was a lot more extensive than any of the three of them imagined it to be.

Even when they were actively looking for a proper path, they hadn't even been able to find the barest traces of humans that had intruded into the sanctuary called the forest.

The three Main Characters had already been wandering around for a week, and it was only with Alec and Elysia's experience in navigating around a forest that they weren't hopelessly lost.

Sekai, on the other hand, was of practically no help at all.

By the time they managed to find their way out from the maze of a forest, the three had grown rather familiar with each other, even if they couldn't be called the best of friends.

Elysia seemed to have a magnetic charm that drew others to her, and Sekai and Alec were no exception.

She was truly a bright personality that made friends easily, and even the rough Sekai felt strangely soothed by her despite his urge for battle.

Sekai and Alec kept a tentative truce that would continue until they managed to deal with the brand stuck on the Sin.

Still, the forest was full of monsters and creatures that Alec had not seen before, and it made his eyes widen with abject curiosity.

They were on a different continent, which meant that even the weather and temperature was different, but it wasn't a drastic difference that left them feeling out of place.

Alec itched to document everything down but had to make do with Ye Sha recording it for him.

At a glance, the forest didn't seem that different from the ones back on the Kaoriht continent, other than the monsters here seemingly stronger than the usual back in their own continent, but it was still manageable for the time being.

By the time they managed to find their way to a town, Sekai looked more than ready to drop right then and there.

Yet, instead of looking relieved, the Sin just looked cranky – even more so than usual.

In comparison, Alec and Elysia appeared as if they were perfectly at home with what happened.

Sekai felt shitty when he thought about how he was the only one being worn out. Just what in the world were these two doing in their daily lives that he couldn't compare to them?

Sekai's eyes burned with determination when he thought about how to win the next time.

Elysia laughed when she saw the look in Sekai's eyes.

The man was very competitive, but it was all in good fun.

He always reacted in the funniest ways, and he was so easy to rile up that whenever Alec prodded him the slightest bit, he flared up instantly.

It was quite nice to watch, and it reminded Elysia of the time she'd spent with her fellow Spectres.

She'd been utterly shocked when Alec had inducted her into the folds – in a different continent, no less.

No one had told her that Alec – seemingly gentle Alec – was the boss of the Spectres.

It made her unbearably curious, and Elysia felt as if she was unwrapping a present. The more she learnt about Alec, the more there was to learn.

While Elysia and Sekai were reflecting about themselves, Alec was looking objectively at the town they found themselves in.

The town appeared rather lively, and there were various people rushing about the place.

There were streamers and lights hanging above them that made Alec feel as if they were preparing for festival.

Judging by the delighted looks on many of the people working on putting up decorations, Alec didn't think that he was wrong.

With a smile on Alec's face, he dragged both of them to a nearby street store before either of them could wander off.

Honestly, it felt like he was herding cats.

Alec paused.

Then again, most of the Main Characters under Alec's rule felt like a bunch of cats to him.

Why had he not realized this before?

Making sure to keep his eye on the two cats that were drifting from him a little, Alec looked around to see what kind of currency the people were using.

He spotted a store that seemed to be selling hairpins and the like by the side of the street.

The store was just as popular as the rest, and the turnover rate of the customers was quite quick.

Business seemed to be booming, and it was an easy way for Alec to obtain information.

Alec sidled closer with a natural expression on his face, glancing at the hairpins and other bits and bobs.

He had no idea whether or not if was anything good, but the customers seemed to be happy with what they bought.

Contrary to expectations, he didn't see any exchange of loose currency at all.

Instead, the people here used a card, not unlike back on the Kaoriht continent, where they used a crystal.

The two items seemed to work in a similar manner, and it was nothing unusual.

When the man was done with the transaction with a customer, Alec picked out a random hairpin and passed over a small but clear gem to the storeowner.

The storeowner's eyes opened wide, and he hurriedly covered the gem from view. He pulled Alec closer and talked to him in a low voice.

"Dear customer, this is too much! This little owner doesn't have change for this. This one doesn't have that many credits," he said with a regretful look on his face.

Alec nodded in understanding. "I understand. Can you point me to where I can get some money by exchanging monster corpses?"

The storeowner beamed. "Ah, you are from a distant place, yes? Well, I'll gladly let you know. This continent uses credits as a form of exchange. If you go down that street and turn left, you'll find a trader's association that you can do business at."

Alec thanked the storeowner before leaving.

The storeowner hurriedly shouted at him that he could pick a few more, but Alec was already out of sight.

The storeowner scratched his head. "Well… it's fine, right?"

Sekai was drooling at the stand with barbecued sticks, feeling his stomach grumble. The Main Character swallowed, feeling as if he hadn't eaten properly in a long time.

The smell that wafted to him was tantalizing, and Sekai reflexively swallowed.

Alec grabbed Sekai by the scruff of his neck, ignoring his indignant shout.

Sekai thrashed a little, so Alec shook him a little. Sekai very reluctantly went limp in his grasp, a scowling expression on his face.

Alec walked up to Elysia, who was also staring wide eyed at various things.

She was chatting and getting friendly with the storeowner, already making fast friends.

Just as she was about to dart off to the next store, Alec also grabbed her by the scruff of her neck.

Elysia squeaked, her eyes wide. Her eyes met Sekai's, who had his arms crossed with a scowl.

She let out a laugh.

She hadn't felt Alec approach at all, and she briefly admired his skill.

Sure enough, he was the Spectres' boss, alright!

The three of them turned right and reached a less crowded area before Alec deposited them on the ground.

Sekai glowered at Alec, but graciously let it go. Elysia was already bouncing in place.

"Where are we going next?!" Elysia said with excitement. She couldn't keep still when she was in a new place.

"We have no money," Alec said seriously, causing Elysia to droop. "So, we have to go and exchange some of the corpses for money."

Elysia brightened up. "Right! Hmm. Maybe we shouldn't bring Sekai."

"Haah?" Sekai growled, offended.

It wasn't like he was planning on going in the first place, but when she said it like that, it made him want to go instead.

Elysia tilted her head. "You look like you scare all the traders."

Sekai felt like he'd taken an unintentional blow to his heart. He sank down to the floor comically.

He dramatically rose up again. "I'm going, dammit! I'll show them!"

Chapter end

Report