Another World Reincarnation Chronicle

---

Could it be because the core of the dungeon has vanished? The traps inside the dungeon no longer activated, and the undead wandering the corridors had also disappeared.

After wandering the complicated corridors for a long time, Isoline and I finally managed to escape outside.

“Ah…”

It’s been a while since I’ve breathed in the outside air.

It was hot and humid, but far better than the musty, dusty air of the dungeon.

Leaning against a large rock, I took slow breaths.

“Wow… it’s night…”

Isoline, who emerged late, looked up at the sky and said.

Just as she mentioned, the forest was shrouded in darkness.

The flight of insects filling the sky was impressive.

Those that emitted their own light sparkled like starlight in the night sky.

Just like fireflies.

An impressive sight indeed.

I slumped down onto the ground and used the bag on my back as a pillow, feeling the tension leave my body.

“Should we prepare to camp?”

“Please do.”

Isoline began to set up camp in my stead, as I couldn’t move.

She magically cut a long piece of wood, fixing it to the ground, and draped a cloth over it to create a makeshift tent.

The foundation was large leaves that could be easily found in the area.

Before falling asleep, I used the mana stone I found inside the dungeon to absorb Kalbain’s Mana again.

*

The next morning.

I hadn’t slept well through the night, so my eyes felt gritty.

Isoline took the watch for me, but the odd cries of monsters occasionally interrupted my sleep.

As I organized my belongings, I gazed at the dungeon entrance.

Although the internal functions of the dungeon had ceased and the undead must have disappeared, Luna’s party still hadn’t returned.

“What are you staring at?”

“Nothing. Let’s head out soon.”

It was heart-wrenching not to receive our payment for the quest, but what could we do?

The requestor had gone missing inside the dungeon, so it wasn’t anyone’s fault.

With a forced glance elsewhere, I stood up.

The forest path in the early morning was shrouded in thick fog.

Waving a hand toward the mist resulted in droplets forming on my skin from the dampness.

Naturally, my clothes began to get soaked.

The fog grew denser as it approached the forest’s edge.

Eventually, it thickened to the point where I couldn’t see a single step ahead before Isoline began to use magic.

The mana gathered at her fingertips conjured a mild wind that began pushing away the surrounding mist.

As the thick fog receded, the forest path became visible, startling the small monsters hiding on it to flee.

“Is Seris heading straight back to the Mage Tower?”

“No.”

“Hmm… the mission isn’t over yet, huh?”

“Something like that.”

As we walked towards the edge of the forest, I chatted with Isoline.

Misunderstanding my identity as a mage belonging to the Mage Tower, Isoline treated me more warmly.

The distance between us had shrunk significantly compared to before.

Finding our way was quite easy.

The cold winter mana flowing in from outside the forest guided our path.

Once I emerged from the forest, I took a deep breath of the fresh air.

The chilly breeze dried the damp clothes caused by the fog.

Before our group entered the forest, there was one swordsman left outside to tend to the carriage and horses.

He had been waiting for us and stood up as we approached.

“Did you finish your business? But what about the rest of the party…”

Isoline and I briefly recounted the events that had transpired inside the dungeon.

Of course, we omitted the details about gathering special items within the dungeon.

He let out a small sigh and nodded.

“Then what about the payment…?”

“Probably not going to get it.”

“What?!”

The man slumped down, disappointment etched on his face at Isoline’s words.

With a big sigh, he said,

“Well, let’s wait another day. Until we confirm they’re dead, they might still come back, right?”

In the end, Isoline and I had no choice but to spend one more day on the outskirts of the forest.

Even after another day passed, Luna’s party did not return.

“What a waste of time…”

The man glared resentfully into the forest before starting to pack his things.

The fact that we couldn’t collect our payment seemed to anger him deeply.

I climbed onto the carriage and said,

“Then isn’t it okay to take this carriage?”

“The carriage…?”

“The requestor’s gone missing. We’re taking it as compensation. And those horses as well.”

I looked at the carriage and horses.

I might not know the exact price, but if we sold this carriage and horses and divided the proceeds among the three of us, we could probably get more gold than the original payment.

“Sounds like a good idea… Actually…”

The man began chuckling at my suggestion.

At that moment, Isoline shook her head and replied.

“I’m fine with that; you two can share it.”

“Are you serious?”

In the end, the money from selling the carriage and horses was divided between the two of them.

Thanks to the man’s good care of the horses, the carriage began moving swiftly.

I watched the forest recede in the distance while soothing my heart.

The heat of the forest was still palpable deep within me.

Even if the cold winds blow, the flames inside my heart wouldn’t extinguish.

I smiled faintly and turned around.

*

It took two weeks to reach the Forest of Karbain’s Slumber, and returning to the Karma Empire took another two weeks.

After a month-long journey back and forth, we returned to the Karma Empire.

We headed straight to the Adventurer’s Guild to report what had transpired during that time.

If the requestor went missing or had perished, it would be treated as a serious incident and require extensive investigation.

Depending on circumstances, it could range from a week to up to a month. During that time, the adventurer’s qualifications would be suspended, which was quite serious.

However, our investigation ended in less than an hour, thanks to mage Isoline.

Having been released from the Adventurer’s Guild without further procedures, the three of us exited the building together.

“Thanks to the mage, we got out easily. Thank you!”

The man bowed his head in gratitude towards Isoline.

In that short time, Isoline had handled many things, and her involvement made the sale of the horses and carriage effortless.

Having a hefty wallet feels great.

The man walked away with a joyful smile.

I looked at the departing man and turned to Isoline.

“I didn’t mention my true identity, right?”

“You’re on a secret mission, right? As a fellow mage from the Mage Tower, it’s only natural to help.”

“Um…”

The cold winter wind blew and rustled Isoline’s large witch hat.

It was time to say goodbye.

I cleared my throat and said,

“Ahem… well, see you later.”

“Yeah. Don’t forget to visit me when you return to the Mage Tower, okay?”

“Got it.”

“Remember!”

Isoline left those words behind as she walked away quickly.

Finally, I was left alone.

I sighed and made my way to the inn.

Having been away for a month, I longed for a comfy bed.

I rented a suitable room and immediately collapsed onto the bed, falling fast asleep.

*

The next morning, early in the morning.

Returning from my journey without even washing up, I was in terrible condition.

I immediately summoned someone to prepare a bath and started washing up.

The hot bathwater quickly turned into murky, reddish mud.

“Ugh…”

After my bath, I headed to a large mirror to check my appearance.

The dark brown hair that had been dyed was now back to its original color.

That brilliant, shining blonde.

As I ran my fingers through my hair, it fell like honey off my fingers.

After all, I had just arrived from overseas. There was no need for dye anymore.

I lightly smiled at the girl in the mirror.

A bright smile spread across her face.

Dressed in casual attire, I stuffed my tattered ogre leather gear into my bag, which had been tossed into a corner.

The worn gear needed mending.

I exited the inn and headed back to the leather workshop I had visited before.

It was my first visit in about a month.

The leather workshop was still filled with the strong smell of leather.

That might be tolerable if you get used to it, but first-time visitors would naturally wrinkle their noses.

I approached the employee I had met previously.

“Hello?”

“Hello…?”

The employee tilted his head at my greeting.

He stared at my face for a long time and suddenly seemed to remember something, opening his mouth wide.

“Ah! Mage!”

So just a little change in hair color made it take this long to recognize me.

I nodded as I tidied my hair.

“You remember me, right?”

“Of course! How could I forget!”

“I’m here to get the equipment you made for me repaired.”

“Repairs? Let me see.”

Following the employee’s request, I opened my bag to reveal the condition of the gear.

The top and bottom pieces were tattered due to cuts, and the cloak was torn.

Even the bandage had burst because of a shock from the Arcane Wall.

The employee examined the poor state of my belongings and let out a soft groan.

“This is…”

“Can it be repaired?”

“If stitched, it can still be used, but… don’t expect the same level of defense. Torn areas tend to tear again easily. For a cloak with a large area, recycling it to make a new bandage is a better method.”

“Hmm… Well then, it might be best to make everything new except for the bandage, right?”

“Exactly.”

“Then let’s go with that.”

I nodded in agreement.

I still had plenty of ogre leather left. If I used that, I could probably make two or three sets of usable leather armor.

I disposed of the tattered leather gear right there and made my way to the Swordsmanship Guild to retrieve the ogre leather.

After I handed over the leather, the employee asked,

“Should we make it in the same size as before?”

I glanced down at my arms and legs.

Children grow fast. It had only been a month, but I had likely grown taller.

I shook my head.

“Please measure me again.”

The employee fetched a measuring tape and began re-measuring my arms and legs, as well as my chest circumference.

After about three minutes, the employee said,

“It’s the same size as before. I’ll proceed with making it the same way.”

I frowned at the employee’s words.