Arifureta: Chaos Bringer & Divine Messenger

Sea of Trees

Once getting out from the Great Orcus Labyrinth, Ren, Otoya and Krul are happy that they finally get out from the place and returned back to the surface. They reach the Reisen Gorge, the known place where magic is nearly useless unless increase the density of their mana. And then they stumble on another trouble: Haulie Tribe. A cat girl named Kirara Haulia asked them for help, which they ended up agreeing due to her stubbornness in exchange of getting the tribe to safety and guide them through the Sea of Trees.

(Reisen Gorge)

After done with the imperial soldiers, they take the horses and carriage for their own use and head toward the forest.

Ren: This isn't like what I really thought of.

He lie down on the carriage roof, having a grass at his mouth. Otoya and Krul sitting at the front, taking the control on the horses.

Ren: Say, Otoya, we don't feel a thing about killing other human.

Otoya: Guess that just how we felt the moment we discard our humanity.

Ren: Discard our humanity for power, huh?

Krul: You two have not much choice. You had to do what need to survive.

Ren: Nee-chan, you're being so nice to us.

Krul: *chuckles* Someone need to look after you two.

Kirara: Umm...

She peak out from the carriage, looking at the couple at the front.

Kirara: I'm sorry for asking, but you three seems close. May I ask what is your relationship?

Otoya/Krul: We're couple.

Kirara: So fast!

Ren: I'm Otoya's friend, and kinda like Krul's little brother in this position.

Kirara: Oh... So you're single. *grin* It must have been hard since your friend already got a woman.

Ren: Urk!

He felt like his heart just get stabbed with a spear, making Otoya and Krul look away while trying to make themselves not to laugh.

Ren: What was that, you stray cat?!

Kirara: Wha--?! Hey, watch your words! I didn't even insult you!

Ren: That part was an insult to me, you stray cat! Come here!

He grab Kirara, dragging her out from the carriage and start spinning his knuckles at her head.

Kirara: Aaaahh! Ow, ow, ow, ow!! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!!

After done punishing her, Kirara hold the part where her head get hit.

Kirara: So where are you going after this?

Ren: Well, just take us to the forest and guide us to the largest tree at the deepest part of the forest. The entrance to the labyrinth is over there, right?

Kirara: Yes.

Otoya: But the forest itself isn't a labyrinth?

Kirara: Yes. But there are labyrinth like monsters inside the forest. Demi-human can't live in a place like that... I've heard this from the chieftain, in the part of the forest lies a huge tree named "Great Tree Ua Alt." Because it's a holy ground, it's rare for anybody to go near it. So I believe there could be a labyrinth there?

Ren: Hmmm...

Kirara: No, wait. I really forget to tell you this! The mists in the forest not just messes with human's senses, but also demi-human's!