SideQuest!

Act 6 - Cursed Paths and Unyielding Bonds: Through the Forest of the Wandering Child

"As you may know, the threat from the capital city has now grown exponentially since the emperor deployed his so-called 'Hunters' - warriors that are as powerful as the shrine guardians themselves. Lady Yui suggested that we need to unite with other shrine guardians in order to organize an offensive that can counter the Interior Ministry." announced Shinjiro as he sat parallel to a huge map strewn across the floor, with his subordinate Magyu swordsmen sitting across him. "The path ahead would be bloody and treacherous, and thus we have to tread carefully as we move forward."

"So, what do we know so far?" Sev asked as he slowly picked up a flat, pentagonal tile with inscriptions written in what I can only suppose is an amalgamation of hanzi and kanji.

"Of the seven towns of Tosen-Kyushu, only six remain. Junjo, Yeosan, Tanjo, Mekong, Cheonqua and Shikoto - the capital city." answered Lady Yui, pacing gracefully as she gazed down and pointed on parts of a map laid on the ground of what I can only suppose is the entirety of Tosen-Kyushu. "The shrine guardians of Shikoto, Mekong and Cheonqua recognize the current emperor as the legitimate government of this land. Thankfully, Yeosan and Tanjo still remain neutral...for now. This is a golden opportunity. The emperor is itching to destroy us - especially that we have the legitimate heir to the throne in our custody. It would be prudent for Junjo to unite these towns to even out the odds."

"I agree. Shinjiro, do you know of any safe routes towards those towns?" Sev asked, turning to his companion who was seated beside him.

"I do, but the Interior Ministry knows them as well and it's most likely that they'll expect us to use them so I do not recommend using them." Shinjiro answered with a firm tone.

"Do we have alternatives?" Sev inquired anew.

Shinjiro paused for a moment before placing his index finger on a particular point on the map that has drawings of bamboos northwest of a town on top of a plateau.

"...the Forest of the Wandering Child." Shinjiro answered as he looked intently in the eyes of everyone around him.

"What?! Are you insane?!" Dr. Fuhan protested. "There's a reason even the Interior Ministry dare not go through that place. That forest is cursed! People who go in there disappear!"

"Then do you have a better suggestion, Dr. Fuhan?" retorted Shinjiro, looking at Dr. Fuhan with sharp eyes.

Having received nothing but silence as a reply, Shinjiro scoffed. "I don't think so." he said as he picked up a saucer-like cup that holds his wine. "The imperials think that no sane person would ever dare cross the forest, and that is exactly why we're taking that path. Comrades, the path may be dangerous, but we have Lady Yui on our side! We have nothing to fear!"

The soldiers cheered, emboldened by Lady Yui's presence.

"...Uhhh...pardon me butting in, but where exactly is this Forest of the Wandering Child?" I asked.

"Do you remember the bamboo forest we came out from days back? That's the place." Sev answered as he placed the tile on the mountainous part of the map.

"Ohh. I see. So that's why you were trying to get out as quickly as possible." I replied. "Another question! Why exactly is it called the Forest of the Wandering Child?"

"There is this story in the Shikoto military records during the last civil war that spoke of a young boy of noble blood from Yeosan who was pursued by the soldiers from Shikoto after they sacked the town." narrated Shinjiro. "According to that report, that boy was the last of his royal house and ending him would've meant that Yeosan's throne would be open for Shikoto to install its own puppet lord. At this point in the war, Prince Josen's grandfather was still the head of their royal house."

"Did the child get away?" I asked.

"No." Shinjiro replied coldly. "The log said that the soldiers beheaded the child and stuck his head on a pike, planting it near the entrance of the forest on the Yeosan side. This was probably done as a warning for the would-be dissidents of the newly-captured town."

"That's so barbaric..." I commented in disgust.

"War brings out the animal in all of us." Shinjiro answered.

"So what does the child from Yeosan have to do with the curse of the forest?" I inquired.

"The next journal logs after that event were...intriguing, to say the least." Shinjiro answered. "It was a typical practice for the Shikoto military back in those days to designate shifts to the army battalions stationed at occupied towns. This was meant to keep the occupying forces fresh for combat."

Shinjiro then placed his finger on the illustration of the foggy bamboo forest on the map.

"The relief forces that are sent in intervals by the capital usually took the route here because it's the quickest path to Yeosan. Now, what was interesting to note when I was looking through these logs was that...only the pack horses and their handlers were the only ones to get out of the forest...every single time. Two entire cohorts were lost according to the log, and nobody knew why. The soldiers at Yeosan who had to extend their stay for a whole year noted that there were mist clouds forming in the forest whenever a new cohort passes through that forest. They believed that the child haunted the forest. How he picks his victims...well, that's up for debate."

"If that's the case..." I commented. "...then those handlers would have had something on them that protected them that the soldiers don't have. What sort of equipment were the handlers issued with, anyway?"

"To be honest, during those days, they were given the same kind of equipment just like any other soldier. However, since they also tend to the wounded after skirmishes, the only difference between them and the regular soldier is that they don't-"

Shinjiro paused, frozen for a moment as if a realization had suddenly dawned upon him.

"They don't what?" I interjected.

"...they don't have weapons." Shinjiro finished. "The old military doctrine required them to be ready with an abundance of medical supplies on the moment's notice, and so naturally they were equipped lightly so they can run across the battlefield with ease. They were only issued a light scale armor and a shield as their only protective equipment so they can focus on their jobs and leave the fighting to the grunts. I finally understand. What saved them was not a question of what they had...

...it was a question of what they didn't have."

"Weapons..." I continued.

"Not to ruin the mood or anything, but let us say that one can indeed pass through the cursed forest unharmed if one does not bring weapons, but how are you supposed to protect yourselves once OUTSIDE the forest, hmm?" Dr. Fuhan asked with a skeptical tone.

"Then we travel light." Sev answered confidently. "Let us minimize this expedition to me, Shinjiro, the Outsider and Lady Yui, that way, we'll attract less attention."

"Going to Yeosan without weapons is dangerous, your Majesty." Dr. Fuhan countered. How are you going to defend yourselves?"

"Shinjiro and I are both Magyu swordsmen. We have other means of defending ourselves beside our weapons. Besides, Lady Yui would accompany us on this trip."

"And what of the outsider? You think she can fight at this state?" Dr. Fuhan asked, looking at my general direction and giving me a sharp stare, like a parent who is suspicious that their child is up to something bad.

"She can create and throw daggers out of thin air. I think she'll do fine." Sev answered with a smile on his face.

"She's injured, your Majesty. With due respect my lord, I think we should let her rest first." Dr. Fuhan appealed.

"I'll be fine. Don't worry about-!"

"Don't be foolish, girl! You are in no condition to fight and you'll just be a burden to the prince at this state. Take a rest!" he protested.

"No. I'll go. I can handle myself." I retorted.

"How can you? You can barely even move." he argued.

For a moment, I had nothing to respond to Dr. Fuhan, for he made a valid point. However, something in my gut tells me that I'm supposed to come with them on this journey - as if accompanying them was a prerequisite for this quest to move forward.

Then it occurred to me...

Immediately, I took the glowing key from the inside of my kimono and held it up for everyone to see.

"Take me to the box. I reckon that this key is supposed to open it. There must be a very good reason why Lady Nima died trying to protect it for me." I announced.

Hearing this, the people in the room began murmuring to themselves, with some people seemingly nodding in approval to my proposal. I lost my entire inventory as soon as I dived in to this quest, so I reckon this is what Mr. Rubio was talking about when he said that "You don't need to worry about your items. They're stashed somewhere within the towns." on his last email. I usually store a ton of healing potions. I can only hope they are as potent in this new game version.

Come to think of it, I wonder how potions would feel and taste like in here...

"Very well. The Outsider does have a point." Lady Yui affirmed. "Bring the box to her."

At this command, a number of those seated at the room quickly rose and bowed to Lady Yui to excuse themselves as they exited the room. After a few minutes, the men returned, and with them, the loot box with the cyan glow.

As they carried the box inside, the rest of the men immediately cleared the way to make space in the middle of the room. As the men slowly laid the box on the ground, the faint cyan light began pulsating from the box, startling everyone in the room.

"What in the world is happening?" asked Shinjiro in his calm, but rather concerned tone.

"It's all right." I told them.

Slowly, I walked towards it, key in hand emitting the same light - as if they were two hearts beating as one. Loot boxes don't behave like this in the original game. It feels...strange.

I inserted the key into the hole and slowly twisted it to the right. A soft metallic click sounded, and with it, the chest stopped emitting pulses of light. I then opened the box, and unsurprisingly, all that's inside it are my gold pieces, potions, repair runes and all other trinkets from my inventory - neatly stacked and arranged.

Of course.

"What are those, Outsider?" asked Lady Yui, who's giving rather curious looks at my potions just like those who are around her.

"These are...gifts from Lady Nima, my lady." I lied.

And without saying another word, I immediately picked up one of the vials filled with a blood-red liquid and drank it straight - to the utter shock of everyone in the room.

"Wait, Julia!" Sev protested as he attempted to snatch the vial away from my hand.

It did not take long before I felt a warm, tingly sensation on my abdomen as the sharp pain lingering in my stab wound gradually disappeared. I never thought that health regeneration in this iteration of the game can be quite a...euphoric experience - comparable to the sensation that you get whenever you're scratching a persisting itch.

I've never felt so rejuvenated in my life.

As soon as I felt my wound fully close, I started doing some jumping jacks to test my body - to the utter disbelief and disappointment of Dr. Fuhan.

"What in the world are you doing, girl?! Refrain from doing that! You'll open your wound!" he warned sternly.

"Not to worry! I'm perfectly fine." I replied as I undressed the upper part of my kimono to show my stab wound.

Understandably, the people inside the room were quite shocked at what I did, as you won't normally do that in the real world. It was quite amusing, to be honest. It was as if I'm living as a princess during the Joseon era in Korea, with the men trying hard to avert their gaze as if their very lives depended on it.

This is, after all, just a game. So what the hell? Let's test how far I can take things.

"By the Spirits, woman! Cover yourself." protested Dr. Fuhan

"Make me!" I taunted.

Dr. Fuhan's face turned red with a mixture of embarrassment and anger. Lady Yui, however, seemed amused by my boldness, letting out a soft chuckle.

"Outsider, while your healing elixir might have mended your wound, it doesn't mean you can completely disregard propriety," Lady Yui remarked, her lips curving into a playful smile.

I laughed and adjusted my kimono, feigning modesty. "My apologies, Lady Yui. It's just that after being injured, I couldn't resist testing my newfound health."

"Understandable, but let's focus on the task at hand," Sev interjected, his voice a mix of amusement and exasperation.

I nodded and turned my attention back to the map. "Right, Forest of the Wandering Child. We should proceed as soon as possible, even though I'm back to full strength."

Shinjiro leaned over the map, tracing the path through the forest with his finger. "We'll need to be cautious. If the legends are true, and the forest's curse is tied to weapons, then going unarmed might be our only chance of getting through."

"But like Dr. Fuhan pointed out, how do we defend ourselves outside the forest?" Sev mused.

"We can acquire weapons on the other side," I suggested. "And for now, we can rely on the abilities of the Magyu swordsmen and Lady Yui's powers."

"Weapons can be procured," Shinjiro affirmed. "There's a small trading outpost not far from the forest exit. We can gather some there. But let's not rely solely on the curses and legends. We should be prepared for any eventuality."

Sev nodded in agreement. "Agreed. We'll be cautious, but we won't let superstition cripple us. We move at dawn. We'll minimize our group to just you, me, Shinjiro, and Lady Yui. Dr. Fuhan, I'd like you to stay here and oversee the defense and preparations in case anything goes wrong."

Dr. Fuhan nodded, looking relieved. "Very well, your Majesty. I'll make sure everything is in order."

The rest of the day was spent in careful preparation. We gathered essential supplies, food, water, and a few tools that might prove useful in the forest. Lady Yui also used her powers to create a protective barrier around us, augmenting our defenses further. As evening fell, we gathered around a campfire to rest and discuss the plan one final time.

"Remember, we'll stay vigilant. No matter what legends say, the forest is still a natural environment. Animals and dangers will be present. We need to be alert," Sev reminded everyone.

Lady Yui's serene voice added, "And if we encounter any signs of the child's curse, do not engage. Retreat immediately."

We all nodded in understanding. The night was calm, but a sense of anticipation lingered in the air. The next morning, we set off toward the Forest of the Wandering Child. The entrance was enveloped in an eerie fog, but we walked forward undeterred. As we stepped into the mist, it was as if the world around us changed. The air was dense, the sounds muffled, and the visibility reduced to a few meters.

We navigated carefully, following Shinjiro's lead as he remembered the path. The forest was unlike anything I had ever seen—twisted trees, tangled vines, and an aura of ancient mystery that hung thick in the air. We moved forward in silence, the only sounds being the soft rustling of leaves underfoot.

Hours passed, and the forest seemed to stretch on endlessly. Suddenly, we heard a faint whispering, like the wind carrying distant voices. Lady Yui's expression tensed, and she gestured for us to halt. "Listen," she whispered.

The whispering grew louder, an indistinct murmuring that seemed to come from all directions. Shinjiro's hand tightened on his sword hilt, and Sev raised an eyebrow in concern.

"It's just the forest playing tricks on our minds," Shinjiro said, but his words lacked conviction.

The whispers turned into giggles, high-pitched and childlike. Shadows danced at the corner of our vision, and a cold shiver ran down my spine. Lady Yui's protective barrier hummed as if struggling against an unseen force.

"Stay close and keep moving," Sev ordered, his voice tense.

We pressed forward, the giggles growing louder and more unsettling. Shapes darted in and out of the mist, flickers of movement that defied explanation. Then, from the shadows, a figure emerged—a small, ethereal child with luminous eyes and a mischievous smile.

"It's him," Shinjiro hissed.

The child skipped forward, the giggles intensifying. Lady Yui's brow furrowed, her concentration evident as she reinforced the barrier.

"Stay back!" she commanded.

The child's voice echoed in our minds, a chorus of whispers that spoke of loneliness, pain, and a thirst for vengeance. The forest seemed to respond to his words, the mist thickening and swirling around us.

"Fight it! Focus on reality!" Sev shouted, his voice cutting through the eerie haze.

With Sev's commanding voice cutting through the ethereal whispers, our group mustered the strength to shake off the unsettling effects of the child's presence. Lady Yui's barrier glowed brighter, pushing back against the encroaching mist. We locked eyes with each other, a silent reminder of our determination to overcome whatever malevolent force was trying to manipulate us.

Shinjiro stepped forward, his voice strong and unwavering. "We won't be swayed by illusions. We've faced dangers and challenges before, and this won't be any different."

As if in response to his words, the child's form wavered, its luminous eyes narrowing in frustration. The giggles turned into frustrated whispers, the child's voice growing more distant as if it were being pushed back by our collective will.

With Lady Yui's barrier holding steady and our resolve unbroken, the mist began to thin, revealing the forest once again. The child's presence faded, and the giggles dissipated into the air. We stood in a small clearing, surrounded by ancient trees and the feeling that we had just passed a significant test.

Sev's expression softened as he looked at each of us. "Well done. We pushed through."

The tension that had gripped us moments ago began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of accomplishment. Lady Yui's barrier slowly faded, and she let out a calming breath.

"We can't let fear dictate our actions," she said, her voice carrying a mixture of wisdom and determination. "The forest may have its tricks, but we have our own strengths."

As we caught our breath and regained our composure, Shinjiro looked around, his gaze thoughtful. "Let's continue. We've come this far, and we can't afford to delay."

With a renewed sense of purpose, we moved forward, the forest gradually returning to its eerie calm. Hours passed, and the landscape shifted around us as we followed the path guided by Shinjiro's memory. The trees seemed to close in on us at times, the vines tangling like grasping fingers, but we pressed on.

As the sun began its descent toward the horizon, we reached the outskirts of the Forest of the Wandering Child. The mist began to thin, revealing the first signs of open space beyond the trees. A sense of relief washed over us as we stepped out of the forest and into the fading light.

The land beyond was different from the forest's oppressive gloom. Rolling hills stretched before us, and in the distance, we could see the roofs of buildings—a town or settlement, perhaps. We took a moment to catch our breath and appreciate the newfound openness around us.

Sev turned to Shinjiro, a grateful smile on his face. "Your guidance has led us safely through. Thank you."

Shinjiro inclined his head, his expression modest. "It was teamwork that saw us through. We all played our part."

Lady Yui's gaze was fixed on the distant town. "We've overcome one challenge, but our journey is far from over. There are towns to unite, allies to find, and a greater battle ahead."

With a mixture of determination and anticipation, we set off toward the town, the path ahead unknown but filled with the promise of adventure and purpose. The Forest of the Wandering Child had tested our mettle, but we emerged stronger and more united than before. As we walked forward, the sun sinking below the horizon, I couldn't help but feel that this was just the beginning of a grander saga—one where heroes would rise, bonds would deepen, and the fate of Tosen-Kyushu would be decided.

Little did we know that the challenges awaiting us in the town would be both unexpected and pivotal, setting the stage for a series of events that would reshape the course of our journey. As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, we walked forward, ready to face whatever destiny had in store for us.