104: When you're in trouble, that's when your comrades come to help.

I bolt away from the campsite with everything I've got.

But as soon as I start running, I realize the whole area's swallowed by fog.

Nothing like the weather from just a moment ago.

Still, no time to hesitate.

I plunge straight into the fog without a second thought.

But... it’s like a prison made of mist.

So thick, I swear I’ve been drenched in milk.

Still holding Maina close, I’m lost in the fog before I can even blink.

I’m no amateur. I know enough to read the sun and stars for direction.

But this thick, heavy fog just blurs everything out.

The fog seems to scatter sunlight—inside it, every direction glows the same pale white, like the world’s turned into a single, dim, featureless light.

Just a second—remember this.

Wetlands break down into three main types.

First, the wide outer edges—shallow waters and grassy patches.

Then, the middle zone, where mangroves and gajumaru trees poke up here and there amid shallow streams and rivers.

Finally, the central zone—where the vegetation grows so thick it feels like a submerged forest, dangerous and dense.

We set up camp near the border between that middle zone and the central one, with Kyle at the center.

It’s not a sharp line.

We picked a relatively open spot, but the eight-headed hydra scattered everyone.

And just as the hydra arrived, thick fog rolled in.

The whole world turned white.

I ran like a fool through the wetlands, dodging everything, until I finally reached a place where I couldn’t hear any fighting.

“Huff… huff…”

I kept pushing past my limits, sipping stamina potions every now and then, but fatigue was creeping in.

The good thing was that Maina in my arms was light as a feather.

I scanned my surroundings.

I’d meant to run straight out of the marshlands, but judging by the plants around me, I’d slipped a little too deep into the center.

The trees were bigger than before, denser, like a proper forest.

I didn’t think my sense of direction would go this bad…

The stamina potion kept the exhaustion at bay, but I still felt like I’d wandered into a maze—mind fraying from the disorientation.

I glanced over my shoulder. No sign of the eight-headed hydra behind us.

I’m fine, but Maina’s probably ready to drop.

“Maina, just hold on a bit longer. I’ll find a place to rest.”

“…n.”

Maina grips my sleeve tight.

I pull strength from that touch, scan the area—find a massive banyan with roots wide enough for a few people to squeeze through.

"Maina, let’s rest here."

"...huh?"

It’s a swamp, so naturally, most of the roots are underwater.

Maina makes a weird face. Not surprising.

But don’t worry!

I yank out a sack of dirt from my spatial storage and toss it hard against the base.

Boom—quick shelter’s made.

First, I tuck Maina inside, then zap her clothes with magic to dry them. She’s been carrying that pack the whole time, and we’ve been running through a swamp. So soaked.

I dry my own clothes while stepping onto the dry sacks. A sudden wave of exhaustion hits me—mental, maybe.

The shelter made of banyan roots and dirt sacks isn’t bad at all.

"Maina. You okay?"

"... "

Maina’s expression was dark.

Just stopping the crying? That’s pretty good, isn’t it?

I’m a former adventurer, and even I felt terror staring down that monster. The fear was nothing ordinary.

...It's cold...

Maina’s voice faded to nothing.

Good, wait there.

I pulled a bundle of firewood from my spatial storage and set it alight with a fire spell.

A large fire rose quickly, lighting up the roots within.

Popping sounds, tiny bursts of flame—warmth seeping into my skin. Tension melting away.

Smoke’s held back by wind magic—won’t escape outside.

The smoke’s controlled—mixed into the nearby water. No smoke escapes. No risk of suffocation.

I was worried about Maina, but I’m glad she managed to speak for herself and get her thoughts across.

Maybe Maina’s stronger than I thought.

Maina, I’m gonna contact Raidock now, so eat this.

Handing her water and preserved food, I activate the communication device.

Raidock. In the middle of a fight? If you’re okay, send me a mental link.

The reason I didn’t reach out to Kyle was simple. If he was running, I figured he’d panic.

Raidock’ll handle it, though.

Besides, he’s probably already joined up with us.

‘Craft! I’ve been worried! You’re okay, right!?’

Hearing his voice, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. If Raidock’s safe, we’re fine.

‘Can’t say for sure. I’m separated from Kyle… no, from the main force. That bastard Eight-Headed Hydral stormed right into the middle of our camp. Split us clean in two.’

‘Injuries!? And is Maina okay!?’

‘Yeah. Maina’s fine. She’s even got an appetite.’

‘Ah.’

Relief washed over me.

"So, Jitarou and the three Cassper sisters played decoy, got me and Maina out....They’re okay, right?"

『Don’t worry. They’re with us now.』

"Damn, Raidock. You’re good. Did you meet up with Kyle too?"

『No. Me and a few adventurers barely managed to draw the hydra’s attention. But while we did, Kyle-sama withdrew.』

Good. Kyle wouldn’t have ditched Raidock’s group. He didn’t make a reckless call.

That guy’s still something.

『...By the way, Zaid-sama’s been rescued too. He’s safe for now.』

Raidock’s eyes flicked over—just a quick glance—toward Zaid.

There he was, sitting like a noble, calmly eating.

...Well, Kyle’d be heartbroken if he died, so that’s something.

But Zaid? Doesn’t matter. The real issue’s Kyle.

So I’m wondering if Kyle and the others are safe…

‘I checked. Got a message through a magic communication device from your master, Jabir.’

What?

Didn’t get anything from me!?

Why only Raidock?

‘Apparently it’s a pain to send to multiple people at once. Said if I just leave you alone, you’ll reach out on your own.’

My thoughts read? Raidock gives me a half-smile.

Right. Makes sense.

No need for a capable alchemist with Kyle to waste magic on pointless calls.

‘Yeah. If you get word before me, tell Craft, “If you’re communicating, don’t go to Kyle—go to me.”’

Got it. Kyle’s probably busy.

Classic teacher move.

‘How’s Kyle doing?’

I say that, and Maina, who’s been quietly chewing on dried rations, looks up.

Everyone’s safe. Some injuries, but they’re regrouping at a distance now.

“Good.”

I smile at Maina.

“Everyone’s safe. Zaid’s okay too, at least.”

“…Hmm.”

Finally, Maina manages a small smile.

Still tough, that girl.

“But there’s a problem.”

“What?”

“Kyle’s squad. The fog’s completely thrown them off course.”

Same here.

“We thought we were heading outward, but ended up right in the center.”

“What? That’s bad…”

“What’s bad about it?”

“The central Hydra’s a whole different level in strength and numbers. You and Maina are just two people. In this terrain and this fog, even moving’s dangerous.”

We’d run into Hydras sporadically while dodging around, and sure enough, most of them had way too many heads. Lucky we hadn’t run into a full swarm.

“Raidock—got a fix on your position?”

‘Yeah. Barely keeping an eye on an eight-headed Hydra, that’s all.’

“Still impressive. How’s the Hydra doing?”

Damn right, Raidock.

‘I’m heading out with Solal to scout. Connect again in thirty. You should see it for yourself.’

“Got it. Don’t push yourself.”

‘Leave it to me.’

So the Hydras were moving in silence, keeping watch from about thirty minutes away—where a joint party of adventurers and Lizardmen were waiting in ambush.

I cut the mental link with Raidock and sent a signal to Professor Javir.

Comikaze Volume 1 drops in just one week!

Released on the 12th!

Gotta sprint to the bookstore today, no question!