NPC Code: Red Riding Hood

Chapter 105 - Raised Difficulty

The scorching heat wave coming from the sunburned our skin. It was as if our feet walked in magma, crisping our epidermis with the blazing temperature racing over through the roofs. All of us craved for a litre of water.

However, the three of us already squeezed the last ounce of water from our bottle. It was a matter of time before we would collapse on the ground.

"How far does this curve go?!" Ryoshi asked, while fanning his hands. "And is there any lake nearby?"

"We don't have a mage that could create water and purify for us. And besides-." Before I could continue my sentence, Snow White butted in and stole my explanation.

"The dwarven kingdom has fewer resources than you expect. Although we have a forest here, these trees have toxins inside their bark. It would not surprise me if the ground has mixed noxious materials that hinder the growth of these plants," Snow White explained, and crossed her hands.

"Then how are the dwarves surviving until now? If I have to guess your situation, you engaged yourselves by trading with others?" Ryoshi gave out his hunched, while waiting for Snow White's counterfeit.

"I'm surprised that Fenrir called you dumb… Maybe you're quick-witted after all. I must re-evaluate my sightings for you," Snow White exclaimed, while nodding to herself. "You are correct about that. We struck a deal with the Mainland. But to think they were up to no good, that relationship ended up with us involved in a war."

"Save me from your compliments… after hearing the insults you've said earlier, I think I hate you right now, Snow White," Ryoshi retorted, while showing a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"You're all missing the point!" I finally snapped after hearing such trivial matters from these two.

It was as if Ryoshi had met his match. During this trip, all I heard was nonsense topics from Ryoshi. Now that we had another member of our team, that annoyance also doubled.

"I know a lagoon. It's the only body of water that I know with 80% purified components," I announced, and soon took the lead.

Throughout the journey, Snow White was the one leading us to the rabbit hole. However, as the journey continued, the heat coming from the unused minerals made it difficult for us to proceed. Since the number of dwarves decreased, nobody mined the entire place, leaving it to rot.

And that led to this problem. It would be a matter of time before this entire place would become an unlivable and hazardous landscape.

If I had to guess it right, we had around a week before we could escape this place. Knowing Snow White, she would want to move all of her people away from this environment.

That event would become a perfect opportunity for me to invite them over to the dark elves' side. Since Kouran told me we needed more labour force, having the dwarves on our side might change the tides.

Well, if that happened. But if it doesn't, we just might have to exert force!

"And besides, the lagoon is close by to the bunny hole. That information could motivate you, right?" I continued, with a smirk carved on my face.

After our exchange, we traversed the road one step at a time. All three of us were gasping for air and water while squeezing the remaining contents of our bottle.

Ryoshi would even trip over to a plain surface. After getting back up, he would become suddenly cranky and blame his injuries over Snow White or me.

The warrior elf did not let that slide as she slammed her palm at Ryoshi's face. Snow White had a victorious look in her eyes as she witnessed Ryoshi stuck against the wall. That guy needed more time before he could pull himself out of the crack.

It was a hilarious scene. And that event continued for around seven hours of walking time.

We witnessed nothing but countless trees with their leaves rustling with the wind. Our team was fortunate enough to avoid any sightings of monsters around this area. Thanks to Ryoshi and my instincts, we escaped our enemies and went on a safer path.

Our actions made Snow White impressed. She also told us that the dwarves would never have thought of something like a search scan in a weapon.

"It would be a significant innovation for my people," Snow White added, as she grabbed her notes and wrote all the features we suggested.

During that conversation, I brought up a topic. "We also need to create guns of our own."

Upon hearing my suggestion, Snow White's eyes peeled her eyes in surprise. She never expected to hear about the weapon from me. As soon as she gathered her composure, Snow White brought her notes again. She then asked for the details of these guns.

"Here," I said, and presented the gun to Snow White.

I also gave her additional blueprints on how to create a gun. Since I also had access to do smithy work, I learned a thing or two about manufacturing weapons. Because of my inaccessibility with the mortars and hammers, I did not level up that class and remained at level 1.

Although my main account, Fenrir, had higher stats for a smithy, I had no means to access that account anymore.

"You stole a gun from them? You have some guts, Fenrir. I salute you for doing so," Snow White expressed, while taking the gun and the blueprint away from my hands.

"I could help the dwarves if they find any problems analysing the gun. Although I'm not an expert, I could give you some insights from what I know," Ryoshi suggested, while looking at the other side.

Despite his arrogant expressions, Ryoshi still did not want us to see his bashful side. Snow White and I burst into laughter as we witnessed his sudden emotions. Ryoshi's cheeks turned bright, beating red, as he walked away in a different direction.

"The road's this way, Ryoshi! Where do you think you're going, back to the soldiers?" I shouted.

"I know, I know. I was just picking some herbs!" Ryoshi retorted.

But the herbs clipped in his hands were nothing from the plants he used earlier. With a grumble coming from his lips, Ryoshi went back, stomping in our way.

The three of us had a fun time during these past seven hours. We did not even need to battle soldiers or monsters! All we had to do was follow the trail.

But all good things must come to an end as the three of us stopped in our tracks. Ryoshi pulled our bodies backwards and told us to shush our mouths.

"Tell me, Fenrir, if you want me to kill your friend for you," Snow White growled at Ryoshi.

I had to calm her down before anything else. As soon as Snow White held back her arms, Ryoshi explained.

"My map caught something from that side. I believe it's the soldier's campsite," Ryoshi claimed, while showing the targets on the map.

Since the lagoon was a place that could mend ailments and wounds, the soldiers fortified that area and made it their own. It was an intelligent move from the soldiers, and an annoying one for us.

"What are we going to do now?" Ryoshi croaked, as he transferred the map to my system.

Within a few seconds, my map blared a chime, telling me it had received the information. As I opened the map to my view, the targets and the terrain became clearer. Considering my status and veteran titles, I had more features compared to my friend.

"Hey, no fair! That's cheating!" Ryoshi exclaimed, but I paid it no mind.

"We need to bust ourselves through using force. We don't have any means of surviving around the mountain drinking nothing but our saliva," I announced, and prepared my dagger.

"Do we need to… kill them?" Ryoshi asked.

"Yes… We need to before those soldiers could kill us."

I never knew that the time would come where I needed to kill these soldiers. Although I already slew a few of them before when they ambushed me, I could still feel the shivers down my spine.

There was no merit for us to kill the soldiers. But if they wanted to take us out, it would be a different story. Since talking to them was out of the question, exchanging blows might do the trick.

"I will gladly obey you, Fenrir!" Snow White replied, as she tried leaping towards the site.

It was a good thing that my hands were ready for anything. I, somehow, expected this to happen.

"What are you doing? Are you crazy? Do you think waltzing in their place without a plan would do the trick?" I scolded Snow White.

That poor girl huddled herself in the corner after hearing my statements. But despite my tough act, I did not know how to breach the lagoon without getting us all killed...