Chapter 80: The End of the World and the Departure

Selion and the team members welcomed me back with overwhelming relief.

They all admitted that they had assumed I was dead after being struck by the breath attack of that massive bird.

“Where have you been all this time? Are you alright?”

Instead of answering Selion’s question, I gazed up at the night sky.

The clouds above were swiftly drifting away.

But I knew—they weren’t just clouds. It was Raven, the whale that swam through the sky.

“I wonder…”

As my words trailed off, the sky began to brighten.

The sun was rising beyond the towering snow-covered mountains, its golden rays swiftly spreading across the world, painting everything with color.

I smiled wordlessly.

Even if I tried to explain everything I had seen and experienced in the past few hours, who would believe me?

The only proof I had was the small shortbow strapped to my back.

“I went on an adventure.”

“An adventure…? Well, are you hurt anywhere?”

“Not at all.”

“Hmm… Still, it’d be best to check you over once we get back.”

Leading the way, Selion guided the team as we began our return to the base camp.

The crunch of snow beneath our feet filled the air, a sound oddly pleasant in the stillness.

Upon arrival, I came face to face with the very bird that had unleashed an ice breath upon me.

Though now, it lay lifeless—fully dismantled, its body broken down into feathers, meat, bones, and talons, all carefully stored away.

A glance at the remains told me that the severed wing I had cut off was nowhere to be found.

It must have been lost somewhere in the blizzard.

Without hesitation, Selion began examining me, checking for unseen wounds or any signs of illness.

“Hmm… How are you completely unscathed?”

“Didn’t that horse protect her? It’s a flying horse, after all.”

Selion tilted her head in confusion as she studied me.

It wasn’t just her—everyone around us wore the same puzzled expression.

Each of them took turns speculating how I had survived unscathed.

It must have been frustrating for them, given that I wasn’t providing a clear answer.

“Yes, Nightmare protected me.”

“See? I told you so!”

“The more I see that horse, the more I want one…”

At last, my explanation seemed to satisfy their curiosity, and they nodded in understanding.

They were about to bombard me with more questions, but right now, I just wanted to rest.

Forcing an awkward smile, I turned to Selion.

“Selion.”

“Hm?”

“I’m a little tired…”

“Oh, sorry. Do you want to sleep?”

Selion personally prepared a place for me to rest.

It was nothing more than a makeshift bed—a thick pile of furs and blankets stacked on the cold cave floor—but given the circumstances, it was the most comfortable resting place I could ask for.

“If you feel anything strange, let me know immediately, alright?”

“Got it.”

By the time I woke up from the resting spot Selion had prepared, the sun was already high in the sky.

The base camp was quiet, with only a few team members present, suggesting that Selion had taken the rest out on an expedition.

“Where’s Selion?”

“She went out to scout the area.”

I had expected that answer, but I still asked just in case.

Stretching, I grabbed the bow lying nearby and borrowed someone else’s quiver before heading outside.

I had no experience with archery, but I couldn’t let this gifted weapon go to waste.

Stepping out in front of the base camp, I set up a target and picked up the bow.

It was lightweight yet sturdy, and the bowstring felt both firm and elastic.

Though I lacked technical knowledge, I could tell this bow had been crafted specifically for me.

The crisp wind swept across the snow, sending flurries into the air like white waves.

I brushed my hair back, drew an arrow, and nocked it onto the string.

A seasoned archer would probably laugh at my stance.

My posture was sloppy, and I gripped the bowstring however I pleased.

But for now, this was the best I could do.

I pulled back the bowstring with all the strength of my enhanced body.

The bow held firm, showing no signs of strain.

Curious, I focused my mana, reinforcing my body further.

The moment mana surged through me, the crest of the Great Warrior burned vividly on my skin.

As my mana condensed, red scales briefly flickered across the back of my hand.

I aimed at a distant tree and released the string.

Swoosh!

The taut bowstring snapped forward, propelling the arrow through the air with a forceful gust of wind.

It was the shot of someone who had never fired a bow before.

Naturally, the arrow veered off course, missing the tree entirely.

However—

Just as it was about to fly off in the wrong direction, its trajectory suddenly curved in a bizarre arc and struck the tree dead center.

“…Ha.”

A breath of white mist escaped my parted lips as I stared in disbelief.

Lowering my gaze, I examined the bow in my hands.

I knew skilled archers could intentionally curve their shots, but there was no way I had such an ability.

Just in case, I shot another arrow.

Since I hadn’t used mana, relying solely on my physical abilities, the arrow was slower than before.

Yet, the same result repeated.

Normally, there was no way it should have hit. The arrow had flown diagonally.

However, just as before, the arrow suddenly changed direction, as if caught by a strong wind…

Wind?

I decided to test it further. Placing three arrows on the bowstring at once, I pulled it back.

It was a bit large for my small hands to grip, but with enough force, I managed to shoot all three arrows simultaneously.

Fwip!

The three arrows shot out rapidly in different directions.

One flew upward, another veered right, and the last one, after flying straight for a moment, started to drop.

Yet, the outcome was always the same.

The arrows abruptly altered their trajectories, curving midair before embedding themselves into the designated tree.

I gripped my bow tightly.

This wasn’t an ordinary gift, was it?

It seemed I had received quite the treasure.

Life in the frozen expanse continued for about a month.

We encountered numerous monsters and documented the remains of creatures that had perished within massive ice formations.

Time passed quickly.

We endured sudden bursts of mana storms and braved the relentless snowstorms.

And finally, we arrived at a place that could truly be called the end of the world.

“We’ve reached the world’s end…”

Selion and the other team members spoke in hushed voices, their words scattering in the wind.

The biting gusts swirled the surrounding snow, carrying it toward the horizon.

Just like in the untamed lands of Greenfall, here, too, an endless sky stretched before us.

It was as if someone had declared this place to be the world’s boundary.

The snow-covered cliff ended in a sheer cut, meeting the bright white clouds, creating the illusion of a path leading forward.

Of course, there was no path. If one were to step forward on a whim, they would plunge into the endless sky below.

I was deeply curious about what lay beneath, but at the moment, there was no way to find out.

—T-!

At that moment, a familiar cry echoed from beyond the clouds.

The deafening sound signaled the arrival of a colossal creature.

As Selion and the team tensed, a massive tail emerged from the distant clouds.

It was enormous—akin to a towering mountain.

As it sliced through the air, it sent a powerful gust rolling forward, dispersing the surrounding clouds.

Whooosh—!

From the world’s end, the wind howled.

The colossal whale, Raben, had stirred the air, creating a white tidal wave of clouds.

The cloud wave surged forward, sweeping over everyone who stood at the world’s edge.

“This is…”

“Incredible…”

Several team members reached out toward the incoming cloud, uttering words of awe.

Despite its soft appearance, it slipped through their fingers like mist.

Watching them, I pulled out my small notebook and recorded a brief note.

It was time to return to the continent.

Not all regions of this land had been explored, but if I missed this departure, I would have to wait another six months for the next opportunity.

Adventurers’ meetings were spontaneous, and their farewells were lighthearted.

Though Selion and many others expressed their regret at my decision, none tried to stop me.

Instead, they loaded me with parting gifts, urging me to take them along.

“Selion, are you staying behind?”

“I plan to stay for another two years or so.”

“I hope we meet again safely.”

I boarded the ship with Nightmare.

Just as I was leaving, new arrivals were setting foot in this land.

I turned to look at the pioneers’ base.

The newcomers moved in perfect coordination under the leadership of their respective captains, unloading sturdy wooden crates onto the ship.

Many of them gawked at Nightmare in amazement.

With his massive build, far larger than an ordinary horse, and his gleaming crystal armor, some even asked if he was a monster.

I could have explained the details, but I chose not to.

They wouldn’t believe me anyway.

Instead, I simply told them that I had crafted the horse’s armor using the crystals I had obtained in this land.

The ship was loaded with countless minerals and monster materials from this region, along with scholars and adventurers returning to the mainland.

Once everything was ready, the sails unfurled, and the ship set off.

Cutting through the blue sea, the vessel moved swiftly.

As time passed, the sight of Monster Island gradually faded, shrinking into a distant speck before vanishing entirely.

Even after the island had completely disappeared from view, I continued to gaze in its direction for a long time.