latelenovela Book 6: Chapter 41
Book 6: Chapter 41
Book 6: Chapter 41
Jeffery exhaled and steadied himself. The buzz he had been feeling earlier at the bar had long since faded. In fact, it probably faded around the time he thought he had died by looking into his clients eyes. Speaking of his client, Jeffery took in a deep breath and turned around, facing the group he was tasked with guiding this time around. In the twenty-three years he had spent as a wilderness guide for the first-floor advancement exam, he had seen all kinds of couples, groups, teams, and raids. He had a good feel for a persons capabilities based on the way they presented themselves.
Jeffery glanced at the beautiful woman who had hired him. Since he had agreed to her request, his suffering wouldnt benefit her in any way, so the odds of her fake-killing him again werent that high. With the tiny portion of strength she had shown him, Jeffery had been a bit surprised she was standing near the back of the group, but considering what she had said about her companions being impatient and their youthful appearances, Jeffery assumed she was an elder figure watching over two promising individuals, perhaps from a guild since the individuals belonged to different races. Then again, what kind of guild would pay an outsider with a portion of a Fruit of Knowledge?
As for the flaming man and woman, Jeffery recognized them at a glance thanks to his favorite set of gambling tools: Geimeo Cards. Any self-respecting gambler would recognize Deowi, the top explorer of the fire spirit race. The fire spirit race woman mustve been Deowis sister, Gaegukja Yeol. Practically living in the local watering hole had its perks, alcohol didnt just flow down his throat, all kinds of rumors flowed through his ears as well. Rumor had it the Extreme Heat Clan was under a lot of pressure, and they were doing their best to recruit new blood.
Jefferys gaze landed on someone he wasnt quite sure about. Is the person back there a part of your group? he asked in a whisper. Hes been following us for a long time now.
Oh, yeah, the purple-eyed woman with horns on her head said. Thats Kax. Hes with us.
This is the guide you got us?
Jeffery turned his head towards the feminine voice. It had come from the shirtless mans direction, but there was no way it belonged to him. A small woman, most likely a fairy, another creature not normally seen on the first floor, was hanging out of the tattoo on the mans chest. Honestly, it was a bit disturbing; the fairy reminded him of a maggot crawling out of a wound.
Jeffery grimaced upon seeing or, in this case, not seeing the environment. His vision was obscured by massive flurries of snow, and the ground was blanketed by a sea of white. The sky was white, the air was white, and the ground was white. The first time he had prayed to the gnarled tablet for luck, it threw him into the most hostile environment it could think of. Jeffery turned around to examine his clients; if the weather happened to put them into a bad mood, then his chances of surviving would plummet. They didnt seem fazed by the weather, so Jeffery didnt have any qualms about giving them orders. Lets take out our tarps and hunker down. We wont be getting anywhere in this weather; itll be best to wait out the storm.
What do you guys think? the purple-eyed demon asked.
I think we hired him for a reason, Lindyss said. Lets follow the advice he gives unless it sounds like itll get us killed. She patted Vurs shoulder. How about you make a shelter for us?
Vur glanced down and patted the brown runes on his forearm.
Not me, Diamant said. This is all snow and ice. Its up to Mistle if you want to manipulate the surroundings.
Im on it, Mistle said before she could be goaded into action by Vur. Blocks of snow and ice rose around the group, and within seconds, an igloo had been formed around them.
Jeffery swallowed upon seeing the scene, and when a fire appeared in the space arranged for one, the wilderness guide didnt say a word while the group settled down and got warm.