บท 5: The Horn Mountain

I finally decided to remain for another month.

I've been making preparations throughout this time of rest, organizing a lot of my thoughts, and focusing on a specific objective: the urge to look for the answers to my questions, keep a promise I'd made to someone, exact retribution, and learn more about myself.

If I don't take action right now, an assassination may take place more than once. I need to depart once I had recovered. I knocked on my master's door since I needed to discuss it with him in depth before I left.

"Enter"

Standing at his side, I spoke "Master, I have to go now. But I want to talk to you first before I go."

"My child, speak what's on your mind."

"My life is being sought after. There are, in my opinion, a few factions; some want me dead, while others want me alive. I've had the feeling that someone has been stalking me in the dark since I turned 18. But lately, my shadows have been moving more."

I informed him of the attempted assassination and my blackout.

He pondered on my words for a while and spoke seriously, "Maybe you're correct. What have you decided?"

"I'll look into my historical past. Possibly begin when I had a blackout. I believe only by diving into my past will I find the answers to my future."

"Okay. But Biva, try to make friends and interact with people more along your journey. It's a little easier to deal with the group. You may have some changes after this incident. I don't know if it's good or bad but be careful... When will you leave?" His sound was a little low.

"Today"

"Child, go along with your heart. Return back here if you ever feel too worn out to deal with those worldly issues. Here, you are always welcome."

"Okay, Master. Take care of yourself."

I left everyone behind and started walking toward my first destination after asking Master Leo for permission to depart, saying thanks to the villagers for their assistance, and saying farewell to the elders.

The Horn Mountain, the location of my blackout, was my first destination. I must seize the opportunity to assess the issue and acquire all the information I can.

Although I am aware that most of my inquiries won't be addressed there, some undoubtedly will. I had to start someplace since I don't remember where I was with that crazy man.

I still have a long way to go, and it won't be easy, but do I have a choice? When using local transit, I occasionally had to switch my mode of transportation. I determined that getting there would need two days.

Thanks to Kai, a lot of food with some daily necessities have been prepared for me. It warms my icy heart and acts as a ray of sunshine in my otherwise dark world. I made a lot of effort to keep my emotions neutral while using the wisdom I learned in the monastery and from my life experiences, but I was unsuccessful.

The following day, I had to walk for the entire day on foot because the terrain of the mountain was rough from where I was.

Because of its horn-like form, the peak was given the name Horn Mountain.

I arrived in the Horn Mountain Valley late at night. Since the mountain is a popular tourist destination, the road opposing it was built from where I arrived.

I need to find shelter right away because it gets chilly and snows here at night.

But the major reason was that if I didn't move soon, I may not be able to obtain a place because it was peak tourist season.

I chose to relax after locating reasonably priced accommodation. It was okay since I could use the day to talk with people in my area who might know anything.

I spent the entire day wandering the mountain in search of the answers and interacting with locals but after dawn, when the crimson sunrise could be seen, towards where I was supposed to go. Within these mountains was a black market.

The transactions were made easier since the mountain's valley was on the boundary between Ashpor, where I was living, and Freuna, a neighboring country to the north and east.

Here, I have to be quite cautious. I cannot just notify everyone.

I have a face-covering scarf and a large coat on. I don't know if anyone recognizes me because I normally wear a mask to hide my true identity and look, but I can't rule out the possibility.

I wandered around the market hoping to spot a familiar face, and suddenly I stumbled upon him.

A man in his late fifties, wearing glasses to cover his one damaged eye. I am familiar with him since he was one of the people who could work for pay while giving accurate information. He had his back on me as I approached.

When I got to him, I whispered to him to come to meet me in the nearby woodland in two hours. I blended in with the neighboring groups of people, and neither he nor anyone else spotted me.

Exploring the underground market was enjoyable. Who knows, I could come upon something significant.

After roaming for an hour, I moved in the direction of the meeting location. I recall traveling to Horn Mountain two weeks prior to my blackout for a variety of personal reasons and in search of a specific remedy.

I acquired the antidote, but as soon as I learned the person I was trying to rescue had passed away, it was no longer useful to me.

The event took place when I was considering going back with my partner. Before I passed out, I noticed a cunning grin on my partner's face and heard a recognizable voice, and the rest is history.

Hearing the rustling sound nearby, I grew cautious.

When I was paying attention to the scene, I promptly saw the one-eyed man.

He arrives on time, doesn't he? I appreciate this man's character, therefore we occasionally collaborated.

He was one of my grandmother's employees who resided in the capital, but I requested him to come to this mountain a year ago. I paid him handsomely, I'm confident. Of the informers I encountered, he was the finest.

"Thank God you are okay, Miss. I was not informed when you disappeared, which has never occurred before. I feared that something negative occurred. I waited here in hopes that you would return, but you didn't for a while, and I started to consider returning to the capital. I'm glad I remained behind."

"Parrot ( as I named him as he won't stop talking as he starts to speak ), I am fine. Sorry for not informing you. I want you to do a mission; Find information about my companion who was with me when I was here and everything regarding the antidote and the one who has had a deal with me."

"Sure miss, I have the information and some documents about the Antidote group but for others, I need a day."

"Take your time, Parrot. Find me after you finish." I walked away leaving him alone as I know he has a way to find me afterward.

I am sure he won't discover anything, and moreover, he didn't notice someone attempting to assassinate me, so I didn't question him about my blackout and the entire incident.

Note: I named the dealer and the antidote manufacturer ( who invented the antidote) group as the Antidote group because both were done by the same group.