Chapter 165
I think back on the fun we've had in the snowy mountains these past few days.
Since we went out to play every day, I got to enjoy myself to my heart's content.
I look at the forest... It's about time I faced the problem right in front of me.
The problem is that even now, whenever I look at the forest, a wave of anxiety washes over me.
I don't get swallowed up by it like before, though.
This isn't a problem I can just leave alone.
I need to get started soon, but... looking at the vast forest, I was avoiding reality a little.
I looked around part of the forest, but... in a forest that's transformed this much, my memories of it are completely useless.
I never thought caves would appear and disappear...
That said, I can't solve the problem if I keep looking away forever.
All right, let's do this.
Is there only one thing causing this anxiety?
...Could there be more than one?
If only I could get a quick overview of the vast forest and investigate...
Could I?
Probably not... Sigh.
……
To make sure I didn't miss any problem areas, I decided to search the forest clockwise, starting from home.
It was quite a task, but I felt it was necessary.
It was probably my "intuition."
When I decided to properly investigate the forest, I naturally thought I couldn't afford to overlook anything.
It seemed a little strange, but I didn't feel the same unease as when my mind was being controlled, so this must have been my own idea.
Ever since coming to this world, I think my intuition has gotten better.
I've realized that whenever I set out to do something, I naturally choose the option that will lead to a good outcome.
This idea might be the same, so I decided to trust myself.
When I left the house, Core was waiting for me.
Is it here to guard me as usual?
Huh?
Something feels different.
Chai, who's beside Core, seems confused too.
Looking closely at Core, I saw it repeatedly shaking its head.
"?"
Something's wrong. What's the matter?
...It looks like it's trying to shake something off...
Core looked at me and growled, but the next moment it was shaking its head again.
That startled me. It hasn't growled at me since the first time we met.
But why?
...Core, trying to shake something off.
Seeing it reminded me of how I'd been trying to shake off my own anxiety.
No way!
Looking closely at Core, it really did seem to be trying to shake something off.
Is its mind about to be controlled?
I... stay calm.
That's right. The important thing right now is to stay calm.
Seeing Core like this is making me panic.
I take a long breath out and calm myself.
I have to protect Core!
My companions start gathering around us.
That's right, they might be going through the same thing.
I'll protect my companions!
Core's growling grows louder.
...Honestly, I'm scared.
Calm down!
Let's see... When it happened to me, my thoughts were being guided, and my anxiety was being stirred up.
Core looked at me and growled.
Was it being guided to attack me?
Guiding someone's thoughts... How can I stop that with magic?
Should I strengthen the barrier?
Core growled and took one step toward me, but Chai stepped between us and bared its teeth at Core.
At the same time, Big Boss-san wrapped Core in rope several times, holding it in place.
Unable to move, Core swung its head around wildly.
I take a deep breath and form an image.
I don't know whether this problem is the same as a curse or something different... Damn it!
Don't panic!
A curse is a black shadow.
For this problem, I'll use a white light.
It seeps into the body... No, something more... like water soaking into soil.
That's right. It silently seeps into the body, unnoticed, and takes control.
How do I stop it...? A film of magic... a film of magic with no holes or gaps at all.
I can use my own magic for it, right?
It hits the film of magic... then what?
Could I reflect the spell back, like with "Magan"?
But when I poured magic into the forest to search for whatever was influencing me, I couldn't sense anything strange.
If it's being concealed cleverly, reflecting the spell back might make things worse.
...I'll have my magic absorb it... Can I do that?
Core's growls turned into pained cries, and it thrashed so violently that Big Boss-san's ropes dug into its body.
I'll do it!
I firmly shape the image, extending it over myself and all my companions.
"Barrier!"
As Core's pained cries echoed around us,
a strangely colored light enveloped Core, Big Boss-san and the others, and me.
As a pleasant warmth spread through me, the light seeped into my body and vanished.
I hadn't expected it to disappear inside my body, so I was a little surprised.
Still unsure whether it had worked, I looked at Core, whose expression was hard to read.
When our eyes met, it looked apologetic.
It seemed to have come to its senses. Thank goodness.
But did whatever this was try to control Core because I was going to investigate the forest?
If so, I might need to take some countermeasures.
If the countless monsters in the forest were controlled...