Since this was a hell-difficulty scenario, although Ryuji was tempted, he didn't plan to tackle it just yet.
He might as well use this time to train his body and get more familiar with the effects of the potions. By the time he returned to Hendon Myre, Chobung should be done with her business.
Then, he could swiftly gain energy points through her and go back to the 7 Days to Die world to help Lux return home.
As for Rias... that would depend on her own decision.
He had no objection if something were to happen between them, but whether she was willing—that was her choice.
Either way, once Lux was sent back, he had no intention of staying in the 7 Days to Die world any longer.
That damned, cursed world—whoever wanted to stay could go right ahead.
If not for Chobung being such a nice girl and the chance to become stronger in Arad, he wouldn't have wanted to return to Arad either.
Even if it meant jumping off a cliff and dying outside, Ryuji swore he would never have anything to do with that 7 Days to Die world again!
As these thoughts ran through his mind, he and the others slowly made their way out of Hendon Myre.
The bustling main street gradually faded behind them, replaced by a crumbling stone-paved road.
Fortunately, the hardened yellow dirt road ahead had few obstacles. Though some patches of stone still remained, it was clear this stretch now bore the main burden of merchant traffic.
Lush green trees lined both sides of the path. From their neatly trimmed appearance, he could faintly sense how prosperous this trade route must have been in its prime.
Now, only scattered fragments of stone offered any clue to the long history this road had witnessed.
"This road used to be a thriving trade route," Sizki explained, as if sensing his curiosity. "But after the Great Fire of Grand Flores and the Empire's invasion, most of the locals left. Add in frequent raids by Dark Elf bandits, and residents gradually dwindled away. With fewer people, fewer merchants passed through. Fewer merchants meant even fewer residents—so it turned into a vicious cycle. Now, only this one merchant caravan still uses the route."
Walking alongside the carriage and scanning the surroundings with Rosh, Ryuji nodded in understanding.
"So... this road might eventually disappear?"
Sizki simply shook her head. She didn't know the answer. As a person from West coast, she wasn't that familiar with this area.
Besides, this wasn't her country—even if she knew more, she had no authority to interfere.
"No idea. Who really knows about such things?"
She gestured to the landscape around them.
"There aren't many monsters here—mostly just goblins. What we do need to watch out for are cat demons and stray bandits. If Dark Elf raiders show up, though..."
She paused briefly, then added calmly:
"Stick with me."
So, basically—run?
Ryuji glanced at her neutral expression, surprised at just how practical she was. You wouldn't expect someone with such a "reliable" persona to even consider fleeing. But thinking it through—if you knew you'd die in a fight, what would a normal person do?
Still... Dark Elves going out and raiding caravans? That wasn't something he remembered seeing in the game.
The revelation surprised him.
"But no need to worry too much. After their empire fell to the human Empire, the Dark Elves lost their strength to conduct raids. Our real enemies now are mostly starving minotaurs and goblins. There are also a few random bandits, but that kind of thing's rare this close to Hendon Myre."
Sizki flexed her wrists as she spoke. The reason she'd taken on this escort mission was simple.
Good money—and plenty of monsters to fight. A perfect combination.
"Got it. Thanks."
"No need. Chobung paid me."
"…Right."
Another half-day passed. Ryuji, who had initially enjoyed the scenery, now felt boredom creeping in. Just walking was incredibly dull.
Sizki, on the other hand, still looked calm and focused on their surroundings.
Rosh, meanwhile, was playing with her magic—forming tiny sparks and bits of flame, clearly testing something.
Watching her made him suddenly remember his own unfinished magic training.
"Hey, Rosh, what was that magic you said you were going to teach me?"
"Oh, that? Super simple. You just convert your mana into a basic element and fire it off. Great for beginners. It goes something like this—"
She raised her hand, and a colorless mana symbol formed in the air. In the next moment, it transformed into a fiery red hue, which she casually tossed forward like a spark.
"It's nothing special, but it helps beginners get used to converting and controlling elemental mana."
Ryuji's eyes lit up. This was exactly the kind of supernatural power he'd hoped to learn from Sharan.
"How do I do that?"
Rosh tilted her head, then raised her hand again to form a rune.
"Just shape a portion of your mana into this 'fire' rune, imagine it turning into flame, and visualize the way it flows. Easy stuff."
"…"
He followed her steps and raised his hand. While he wasn't as skilled as Rosh, he still managed to form the fire rune.
But the moment he imagined the transformation and flow, everything went wrong.
The rune instantly turned into a flame—then disappeared like a soap bubble.
Not only could he not toss it like Rosh, he barely had time to see the flame before it vanished. If not for the residual afterimage on his retina, he wouldn't even be sure it had worked.
He turned to Rosh, who offered him an awkward yet polite smile.
"Yeah… just like that. Keep practicing."
She didn't offer any judgment, but Ryuji understood where he stood in terms of ability.
Staring at the mana slowly gathering in his palm again, he let out a helpless sigh.
If only there were stat points to assign… or a skill book I could just read.
~~~~~~~
Bonus chapter every 200 PS.