Chapter 35: Inventory and Ambush

Trees wrapped the narrow route like watchful arms; the path ahead was little used.
Cold, fresh air brushed my neck.
Sunlight slipped between scattered clouds and pooled on the trail.

Ahead a tall mountain rose, its slopes threaded with trees and rough gullies—no clear path onward, only choices cut by stone and root.

'It's good that I can control fire. It makes it easier to control temperature around me.' I thought, and took a deep breath as the heat I summoned settled my body into a comfortable temperature.

I felt the tiny warmth at the tip of my left pinky—Liora's hand curled around it.

'We have been walking for long. Liora must be tired now.' I paused and the others stopped too. Liora looked up at me with sleepy eyes.

I crouched, one knee finding a flat patch of earth, and scooped her into my arms. "If you're tired, tell me, alright?" I asked. She nodded.

"Papa, Liora is hungry." she murmured in her soft voice.

'It's time for lunch I guess.' I checked the sun's angle and made a small plan. "Let's take a break and eat something." I smiled and Eva nodded.

"I'll prepare a place to sit. Come closer," I said to Eva.

Eva walked over slowly and stood beside me.

'We didn't talk for a while after we found out she can't touch me.' The wind began to stir at my command, light at first, then lifting dust in slow spirals as it wrapped around us in a gentle circle.

'I'm really bad at talking. Should I try to make mood better?' I thought, willing the wind to ease the awkwardness. The breeze picked up, mixing soil and leaf into a soft haze.

The wind answered for me. A soft breeze at first, then a hardening current that picked up dust and dry leaves, circling around us. It rose faster, coiling like a living thing, and in a few heartbeats a tornado wrapped around us—a spinning wall of wind and dust that enclosed us like a sealed chamber. Beyond that roiling curtain nothing was visible: light smeared into gray, shapes flattened into shadows, and the world outside seemed to vanish.

"What is this?" Eva asked, tense and guarded.

"I'm clearing the area so we can camp for a bit." I replied calmly.

Liora watched, fascinated rather than frightened, her fingers still linked to mine. The dust settled and the hollow stood clean and flat beneath our boots.

[ Master, analysis complete: your localized wind field prevented Liora from experiencing any repulsive force from your techinques. ]

'If she can't feel anything from the tornado, to her it might be not real. Like a tornado in real life vs in tv. Until you feel it's force and what it can do. You won't be scared. I'm happy it worked and she doesn't look scared now.' I thought, relief threading through me.

The wind eased, carrying the dust away as the air stilled. When it finally settled, a clear stretch of flat soil spread around us—ten meters in every direction, stripped bare of trees and brush.

A simple wooden table and two chairs formed at my touch—plain, serviceable, the grain still smelling faintly of fresh-cut wood. I ran my palm across the tabletop.

"There's something called an inventory. I think almost every hero has one." I said as I placed my hand on the table.

'Clean and smooth. Nice work Sebas.' I thought.

[ It was my pleasure to assist. ]

"Inventory is a rare skill." Eva said, still absorbing what she'd seen. "Merchants with that can make, and have made, a fortune."

"But what about storage size as big as a box? A chest? A room?" I asked, curious

"A room? That's too big." she replied.

"A hero's inventory has unlimited space. If they wish, they could carry enough weapons and armor to equip an entire army." I continued.

A wooden platter materialized—assorted fruits sliced and drizzled with warm honey until they glistened like small suns. I sat down on the chair with Liora nestled in my lap. She reached for a piece of fruit glazed in warm honey, and as she took a bite, her cheeks lifted into a bright smile, sticky sweetness glimmering at the corner of her mouth.

Eva was still in shock from hearing it."Don't worry. They don't actually do that. Most of them want to play the part of a hero, and the kingdom would rather throw them into danger than risk their own army," I said.

Eva blinked, regaining her composure, and slowly lowered herself into the chair.

Eva blinked, picked a slice, and bit in. Her eyes widened; color rose to her cheeks like dawn.

"It's so tasty." she breathed, covering her mouth with careful elegance.

I watched her, observing whether she'd let anything slip—some hint that she might turn on us, or betray what she knew. I kept the rest of my abilities tucked away.

'I want to see if she'll leak this. I can't trust her. So I'll hide about my control over other elements.' I thought, then another thought followed. 'But thinking about the changes that'll happen if everyone will know about the heroes broken perks. The Magicians will definitely try to find a way to stop it. …aaaahhh. Just thinking about it makes my heart throb' A small, crooked smile found my face despite the pressure of the idea.

A piece of fruit hovered in front of me, as if floating in midair. I looked down and saw Liora, her tiny hand stretched out, offering it to me with a bright smile. "Papa, aahhhh." she chirped. The wild excitement in my chest softened into warmth. My heartbeat slowed, the smirk on my lips easing into a gentle smile of joy as I leaned forward and took a bite of the fruit she held. Liora giggled and my chest loosened—this was what mattered now.

'I guess there's no need to play around. I can just kill her if she tries to stab me in the back.' I thought, the cold certainty bringing an unexpected sense of calm.

After a restful lunch we packed up. Liora settled in my arms as we resumed our climb—dust in the air, sun warming the exposed stones, sap-sweet smell of crushed needles underfoot. The mountain pressed on us with quiet, patient stone, and we moved higher, each step a small, steady promise toward whatever waited at the summit.

As we walked, the mountain top rose in the distance—close in feel, still stubbornly far.

'She doesn't look like the type who would betray others though.' I thought as we kept moving.

While glancing toward the summit, a thought crossed my mind: 'I could just jump there but I don't think I'm ready to carry a women with me.' I tucked the impulse away and stepped over a rock.

After a few hours we reached the top. Trees ringed the ridge; green life clung to ledges and hollows. I knelt among the brush and gathered a few high-quality herbs—firm-leaved plants that would make excellent healing potions. The mountain thrummed with mana; the air tasted metallic and alive. The place felt crowded with unseen energy—no wonder beasts favored this range.

'The mountain seems abundant with mana. Maybe that's why there were so many beasts around us. Good thing I told Sebas to keep them away.' I watched the sun slide low and bleed red along the far ridgelines.

I walked a little farther and saw the chain of mountains we had to cross. Eva came up and stood beside me, scanning the route.

"This is the path you chose. We'll cross several ranges from here." Eva said, pointing out the line of passes and valleys. "We were lucky with no attacks so far, but from now on we enter true monster territory."

She pointed down. "We must cross the swamp forest below—that's Lizardmen ground. They're nimble warriors with coordinated attack patterns and high intelligence. Expect traps. They keep swamp beasts as mounts and ambushers; if they find us, they'll surround and overwhelm quickly. That place is their home—they know every secret path."

"After that comes a wooded stretch around a great lake. The lake is said to hide a sleeping serpent," she continued. "Beyond it is an part of Elven forest—no elves often, but Light Guardians stand there. Dryad-made tree golems. That area is a safeish rest point. Then we go through a griffin nesting ground; avoid making noise or they'll see us as invaders. After passing a rock valley beyond that, then we reach the Border."

'I want to surf through that lake.' I thought, eyes on the mirror of water far below.
'I can subdue the Lizardmen. Surf through the water. I can erase our presence in griffin nest and Rock valley shouldn't be a problem.' The plan sketched itself quickly—audacious, but plausible.

'I'll think about it at night. Let's enjoy this sunset first.' The sky burned crimson, then faded to black as moonlight pricked the first stars awake. Liora's face was open with wonder at the panorama—her small hand in mine felt steady and certain.

"Let's camp here." I said, backing toward a sheltered tree well away from the ridge's edge.

"I'll collect wood." Eva offered.

"Why?" I asked.

"To make a campfire." she replied.

'I didn't make one yet. I forgot we're supposed to make a campfire at night. I just kept the hot-wind field around us while night fell.' I realized.

"You don't need to. I have wood in my inventory." I set down a neat stack of cut logs and kindling; Eva breathed a small, surprised laugh as she coaxed flame from her palm.

We sat with legs crossed around the small fire—Liora curled in my lap, Eva close beside us. The flame sent up a scent of dry resin that mingled with the mineral tang of the ridge and the distant, sweet decay of mountain flowers. The circle of warmth kept the night's edge at bay.

Dinner was simple and honest. My mind wandered.

'I could fly through a lot of this. But… wait a minute.' I had meant to ask: "Can vampires fly?" The question slipped out.

"Yes, they can." Eva answered after a pause.

"Then—" I began.

"I need blood for that." she cut in. "I'm lacking blood to use my blood magic, that includes wings." Her voice was quiet; the ease drained from me.

The excitement I'd felt dimmed. We finished eating and Liora's breathing slowed as she drifted to sleep in my arms. Eva stayed awake.

"You can sleep." I offered.

"I'll rest after I deal with them." she said.

"They've been stalking us since we left the Adventurer Guild. They're patient." I said, watching the tree line for movement.

Night pressed close. For a moment there was only the crackle of the fire and the small, regular sound of Liora's breaths. Then silhouettes blurred between trunks—shadows that resolved into people stepping from the trees. Quiet, efficient, with the practiced stillness of hunters.

"I hope this much is enough to restore your full power." I asked

"This is more than enough." Eva replied, voice low and certain. The dark around us seemed to lean in, waiting.

to be continued…

Author's Note:

I’m sorry this chapter felt boring — I totally get it. I wasn’t feeling it when I wrote this one, so it came out quieter than I wanted. I promise the next chapter will be better; I’m already working on making it something you’ll enjoy.

Thank you so much for sticking with me and for your patience — your comments and support really keep me going. If there’s anything you’d love to see next, let me know.