Chapter 11
"Grandpa! Where are the ruins of the red hat witch?"
"What?"
"The ruins of the red hat witch. Where is it?"
"The red hat witch? I just learned that name."
"Really? But are there any buildings or ruins in this forest?"
"Let me think. Hmmm... there might be something like that but it's located in the middle of the forest and I think it's just a small empty stone house"
"Hey! Why don't you speak up from now on?!"
"Why not? It's just a small empty building and there's nothing, not even any writing"
"Take me there!"
"Now? I will do it tomorrow. It's almost evening ma’am"
"Do you think I want to go now?"
"Hump!"
"Is the place dangerous?"
"No, it's not. I used to go there a lot out of curiosity but there's nothing but monsters and those rarely appear either. I think that place is the most peaceful in this forest after this place"
"Mamma... Mamma!"
"Alright Jimmy your food is coming"
"What about the book. It's hard isn't it? Let's practice spearmanship, I'll teach you martial arts too"
"Is there an easier magic?"
"Easier? You're really funny ma'am. Those are all kid's lessons and you're asking for something easier than that?"
"Don't make fun of me!"
"Okay ma'am, but magic requires memorization and understanding. Not like a fighter who needs physical training and effort, but magic talent is real. You must understand your limits"
"Sigh, you really don't give me hope"
"So don't hope"
"Buehhee... Mamma"
"Are you teasing your mom too? Please sleep with grandpa instead"
"Uh-huaaa! Huaaa!"
I'm not gifted in magic. After spending more time understanding the book, it makes me more dizzy. I guess I wasn't in the mood to learn myself.
Ding!
[New Quest!]
[Red Hat Witch Ruins]
[Objective: Find ruins in Erdinnger forest]
[Limit: 1 Week]
[Penalty: None]
[Reward: Spell Fire (Lv1)]
Well let's try to find the ruins. The quest I received from the system rewards one magic skill. I had lost interest in learning again and the quest instantly made me even lazier to learn.
The skill system is indeed very useful. No need to bother learning or practicing. Just plug and play. If something is instant, why bother.
The mindset of my brain is that as long as I can get it quickly then I will do it. I don't want to think too much while there is an easier way. But sometimes effort doesn't betray results and I don't underestimate that either. It's just that I'm a quitter myself.
Grandpa said that it was just an ordinary ruins but I was still curious. There could be special clues that lead to a place or hidden treasure. However, I also have to be prepared if there are strong monsters there. Hopefully it will be okay.
Luckily all I need to do here is just find it. No need to bother searching for it.
"Mamma Milky"
"Okay little boss!"
**
...
"Are you sure it's safe?"
"Of course it's safe, in all the time I've been here I've never met any beasts other than the ones we usually fight. Of course I'll feel the presence of strong monsters when I get close"
"Okay, please take care of me"
"Of course, ma'am. By the way, how about you, are you feeling better?"
"Don’t worry, it's just my menstrual period. I'm fine, but is it still far away?"
"I thought we'd be arriving soon"
"Alright, we're going on a picnic too"
"Mamma Babbuu"
...
Cirp-Cirp...
Twiit-Twiit...
Cwiet... Cwieet... Cwoot...
The sounds of forest birds and insects echoed through the forest. The atmosphere seemed very peaceful. Leaving aside the monsters, I hardly found any beasts in this forest.
Grandpa said this forest is a magical forest with unique fauna and flora in it. As long as he lived here he could always easily find food sources.
Normal people will refuse to spend the night here. But for adventurers, it might be a quiet vacation spot. That is if you can handle the monsters.
I wonder about this grandpa. He likes living here so much and doesn't look like an insane person at all. He's very simple in appearance and his life. It's just that he seems to be running away from something.
I didn't want to ask about it because grandpa probably didn't want others to know either. Just knowing that he's kind and friendly now is enough for me. I can't even repay him yet.
This old man was very thin. I knew that when I caught a glimpse of his body from under his clothes. His body was small, old and fragile. His mustache and beard were unkempt and his hair was thin and gray. His skin was wrinkled but there was still a hint of his youthful looks. Especially his sapphire blue eyes, I thought they were very beautiful.
Despite that, he is very strong. This grandpa can carry very heavy loads and also swing a sword through trees like a toy. I know stats are more important than physical appearance alone.
I was curious about this old man's status. But my Appraisal skill is useless. As if it was blocked by something. It also happened when I first met the orcs but I could see their status after gaining a few levels. I suspect this grandpa has a high level.
"Madam! We've arrived."
"Isn't that..."
"Of course it's the building I'm talking about"
"Like an ancient... toilet made of stone?"
"I don't know what you mean but this is the only strange one in the forest."
We approached the building. Grandpa opened the door and inside it was as he said, empty.
"Look ma'am. There's nothing here right? I've looked for everything but I didn't find anything"
Ding!
[Congratulations on completing the quest!]
[Congratulations! You got the skill!]
"Yes!"
"Madam, is this right?"
"Yes, this is exactly the place I was looking for grandpa"
"But this doesn't show the characteristics of a great witch"
"What does that mean?"
"What I know is that the buildings of famous witch have priceless relics and the buildings are very grand, even if it's just a hiding place. They have great prestige and pride"
"Really? I only know the name in the book-"
"Which book? Did you open my chest again?!"
"No, I didn't. It's only in the book you gave me. Didn't you ever read it, grandpa?"
"Thank goodness I thought you opened it"
"Oh! I want to open it now"
"Don't!"
"Relax, I'm just joking"
"But wait... what do you mean this red witch is the immortal witch?"
"I don't know. The book only mentions that name and there are no other notes. I'm just curious about the location, which the book says is here"
"Really? I think you're very lucky to be born at this time, ma'am. The immortal witch lived hundreds of years ago and she was very cruel. The witch loved to kill women to be sacrificed as a cure for eternal youth. But she was defeated by a royal knight and burned in the middle of the city"
"That's the story? I guess the red witch isn't the one I'm looking for"
"I don't know for sure. You can look up the information in the witch tower or the library"
"Well I won't go into that anymore since I've already finished my business. Now let's go for a picnic!"
"Okay!"
We were going to find a suitable place to eat the lunch we had made. But there was still something I was curious about. My instincts told me that there was still something hidden behind this building.
My hand grabbed the doorknob of the stone toilet and tried to open it again.
Instantly I felt my mana slightly flow into the doorknob and something appeared when the door opened.
Ding!
[Quest Update!]
[Red Hat Witch Ruins]
[Objective: Search the ruins and help the red hat witch!]
[Limit: 1 week]
[Penalty: None]
[Reward: 2000 G, 1000 Exp, Dimension Ring (grade B) and Intermediate Spell]
'Bingo!'
"Grandpa!"
"Madam! Get out of there!"
Suddenly the dimensional portal opened when I opened this stone door. The vigilant grandpa immediately readied his sword. My gaze was also fixed on the portal.
Ding!
[Gate of Red-Hat Witch Ruins]
[Portal to the red-hat witch's hidden room]
[Warning! Only women are allowed to enter]
...
'Oh!'
"This... this is the portal to the red-hat witch ruins"
"How did you know that... wait!"
Grandpa immediately approached the portal and tried to touch it with his hand.
The portal didn't respond to his touch but his hand couldn't enter it either. Grandpa also tried hitting it and attacking it with his sword but the portal did not budge.
Grandpa also tried to flow mana in his palm and still couldn't.
"Wait!"
"This is dangerous!"
"I know."
As I touched it, a soft sensation enveloped me and then my hand slowly entered. Then I tried it with Jimmy too but couldn't.
"I think it only allows women to enter"
"How did you know?
"Uh, I just understand. It's true-this is just intuition. A woman's intuition..."
"Still, it's dangerous. Let's just go home now"
"Well... Since it's like this we'll just go home"
Wait!
'What? Who?'
Help me...
'Who are you? And why are you talking in my head?'
"What's wrong ma'am?"
"One moment”
Help me...
'Her voice is like a broken robot'
Please set me free...
'Damn this is scary'
Please...
'Stop!'
***