Chapter 73: Twist of Fate

Words : 1110 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 73: Twist of FateHal couldn’t believe his eyes. Out of all places... "L-Liora?! What the hell are you doing here?!" he couldn’t help but exclaim in utter shock and disbelief. However, he soon realized his mistake, this time taking the initiative to grab both Loki and Liora’s wrists, exiting the Blue Zone with them. Once they’ve settled in a rather safe place, the two spoke once more: "H-Hal, I didn’t expect to run into you here." the maiden began. "Well, who would expect to run into each other in such a dangerous place?" Hal replied with a shrug. "Wait, do you know how dangerous the area you’re going into is?" Liora fell silent for a moment, pondering everything she had just researched before answering in detail: "Yes, I did some research and am fully aware that I’m in one of the four great forests, the Ancient Great Forest of Eordyrr. The blue area where we met is called a Luminous Runeforest, where there’s a chance of encountering A- and B-ranked monsters and beasts. According to an article I read on the network, the entrance to the Ancient Forest Leviathan Deora’s domain is also hidden somewhere within." This time, it was Hal who fell silent. ’Well... damn... she’s not a five-star student for nothing...’ He didn’t even know what the dangerous area was called. He’d just been calling it the Blue Zone. ’Luminous Runeforest, huh?’ "Well... did you know you can get lost inside? The entire runeforest messes with your sense of direction. If not for my wits and the fact that I was less than an hour from the exit, I wouldn’t be here today," Hal warned, snapping out of his musings. Liora clenched her fists. She had only known that she might encounter dangerous creatures inside. If what Hal said was true, then her chances of making it out alive were even lower. Far lower. It could even be said that she was walking straight into her own death. For a few moments, silence hung between them. Liora stared at the ground, and Hal watched her, trying to gauge her reactions. In the end, Hal could only sigh as the young woman’s gaze sharpened. "You’re still going, aren’t you?" he asked. "Yes..." Hal sighed again, scratching his head. "Well, at least go tomorrow, or the day after. Let’s prepare first. Do you know any nearby towns, or better yet, cities where we can restock rations and water?" he said. "Trust me, the more food and water we bring, the higher our chances of survival." Liora blinked at Hal’s words, her spirits lifting with a spark of hope. "W-We? You’re coming?" she clarified. "Of course I am. What, should I just let you die, then? At least your chances of succeeding with whatever you intend to do would increase with reliable old me around, no?" The white-haired maiden didn’t say anything, but she nodded sincerely, slightly uneasy about the faint, ticklish feeling in her heart. Liora would indeed prefer it if Hal went with her. They had already completed a mission together once, and it was hard to deny that he was a reliable person. Hal inwardly chuckled in satisfaction, pleased that the young maiden hadn’t rejected his claims. He knew he was a reliable guy! His ego trip didn’t last long, though, as he soon noticed that night was fast approaching. They needed to reach the outskirts of the forest before darkness fell, at the very least, since monsters and beasts were more active at night. Hal was stronger now than he had been before, but he still preferred the safety of human settlements and avoiding unnecessary combat when possible. The day didn’t treat Hal any harsher than it already had, allowing him and Liora to exit the forest without much trouble. If there was anything the latter could claim, it was that she was diligent in studying everything related to being a combat wizard, including the cities and towns near any mission location she would be heading to. The nearest city was four hours away by foot. However, since Hal insisted they go there instead, the young maiden didn’t argue much and chose to trust his judgment. They arrived later that night, a little past the twenty-third hour of the day. But the trip was well worth it, as they were able to sleep soundly in a cozy room with a Manatech air conditioner and a soft, comfortable bed, which was a far cry from what Liora had expected. Her resolve to sleep in a runeforest teeming with monsters and beasts that could kill her with a single, casual attack would have to wait for another night or two. Come morning, the two met in the hotel lobby and enjoyed a nice breakfast together at the buffet, discussing why Liora was so determined to enter a death zone and what their preparations and plans would be. The young maiden also made sure to complain to Hal about losing four silver coins for just one night’s stay and breakfast. According to Liora, the reason she was so desperate to enter a Luminous Runeforest was because she needed to learn to cast a specific healing rune imbued with both nature and light elements—no matter what. She didn’t explain why she needed to learn it, but Hal could only conclude that someone dear to her must be sick, and that this rune was the only way to help them. To learn how to cast it, she had to enter one of the four Luminous Runeforests located within the Great Forests scattered across the territory of the Arcanum Imperium. Searᴄh the ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She then needed to find a certain natural rune carved into the trunks of a specific species of tree found only in runeforests. After locating one, she had to harvest that rune, bring it back to the academy, and study it to comprehend how to cast the healing rune she needed. As it turned out, this was also the request she had intended to ask of Hal once he returned from whatever it was he had been doing. However, once she realized just how dangerous her mission was, she decided against involving him. Her conscience wouldn’t allow her to bring someone along when the chances of dying were so high. But in the end, through some twist of fate, they somehow met on the outskirts of the runeforest. It seemed the heavens hadn’t abandoned her after all. "Well then, shall we get ready to live like jungle folks for a while?"

Chapter 73: Twist of Fate

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