I was wandering through the forest, searching for the ruins I was after.
In the game, the journey from town to the ruins had been a simple battle segment, so I had a general idea of the direction. However, moving a character across an overhead map and actually trekking through the woods yourself were two very different things.
In the game, this area was treated as a tutorial. I’d been given clear instructions—do this, do that—and cleared it with ease. Reality, however, was heartless.
I’d been searching for about two hours now, and there was still no sign of the ruins.
Fortunately, my Stealth skill was doing its job. I’d spotted monsters several times, but none had attacked. Most were Horn Rabbits—monsters with single, sharp horns—that an adult could easily handle. For a child like me, however, they were lethal.
I still have that gutter-cleaning job to do. Maybe I should call it a day.
Accepting defeat for the moment, I gave up on the search and returned to town.
And so, I found myself back in the forest once again. This was my fifth day searching for the ruins, but the repetition had its perks; I’d mostly memorized the local geography.
Today, I decided to push a bit further than my previous estimates.
In the game, there was a distinctively shaped tree that marked the bottom-left corner of the map; the ruins were located to the northeast of it. If I could just find that tree, the ruins had to be nearby.
I moved through the woods, keeping myself hidden with Stealth.
After about thirty minutes of searching, I stumbled into a slightly open clearing I didn't recognize. And there it was. The tree I’d been looking for!
It was a pair of tall twin trees, but they were being slowly strangled by another tree coiled around them—a "strangler fig," as they called it. No mistake about it. If I headed northeast from here, I’d hit the ruins.
According to my game knowledge, this forest was home to Horn Rabbits, while the ruins themselves were a habitat for Blue Slimes. Neither were particularly strong, but they were more than capable of killing me if I was spotted.
Relying on my memories, I crept forward, taking care not to snap a single twig.
After ten minutes of cautious walking, I arrived at the entrance. It looked exactly like the background art from the game's dialogue scenes. There was no doubt this was the place.
However, an unexpected obstacle was waiting for me.
Green skin, hideous faces, and bipedal frames just slightly taller than my own. Goblins. They were scurrying in and out of the entrance.
Because I’d walked straight toward the ruins, I had stepped right into their line of sight, but there was no sign they had noticed me yet. If it weren't for Stealth, I would have been a corpse by now.
What now? Should I give up and head back?
No. If the Goblin population increased, they’d become even harder to deal with. Eventually, they’d start attacking people, and the town would send a subjugation party. If that happened, someone else would end up with the Scroll of Appraisal.
Why has the scenario changed?
Actually, it didn't matter. As long as Stealth kept me invisible, I had to try.
It’ll be fine. I have to believe in the power of this cheat skill meant for an otome game heroine.
Steeling my resolve, I snuck into the ruins that had been repurposed into a Goblin nest.
The air inside the ruins was damp. Strangely, the walls and ceiling emitted a faint, ethereal glow.
The game had explained that a minimal level of light was provided by a bioluminescent moss called Akarigoke. Knowing this, I hadn't brought a torch, which turned out to be the right call. No matter how powerful Stealth was, I doubted it could mask the light and smoke of an open flame.
I moved through the corridors with cat-like silence.
The Scroll of Appraisal was located on the first floor—specifically, in a small room at the end of the passage I was currently in, on the left. I passed Goblins with nerve-wracking frequency. Every time one approached, I held my breath and pressed myself against the wall until they passed.
Once the coast was clear, I’d continue deeper, making sure my feet didn't make a sound.
My heart was hammering against my ribs. The rhythmic thumping was so loud in my own ears that I genuinely feared the Goblins would hear it.
Eventually, pushing through the extreme tension, I reached the end of the hall. To my left was the small room; to the right, a passage leading further down. Without hesitation, I slipped into the room on the left.
The Scroll of Appraisal was supposed to be in the back-right corner, buried under a layer of dirt. But as I looked around, I saw that the room was filled with a cluttered mess of junk. Copper and silver coins, rusted daggers, mysterious sacks, and wooden crates were piled everywhere.
I see. So that’s how it is.
This must have been the Goblins' hoard room.
I began frantically checking the sacks and crates, searching for any sign of the scroll. As I worked, I heard the wet, rhythmic sound of footsteps approaching.
Crap! Did someone hear me?
I scrambled toward the wall, crouching low and holding my breath. If I was caught, I was dead.
A Goblin entered the room, emitting a series of disgusting, guttural "gyu-gyu-gyu" sounds. It sniffed the air, its head darting back and forth as if searching for something.
Please, just don't notice me.
Even as I prayed, my heart beat like an alarm bell. I took slow, deep breaths to try and calm myself. The Goblin's rancid, beastly stench hit my nose, and I felt a wave of nausea, but I forced it down.
It’s okay. This is still better than the smell of the sewers.
...
I couldn't say how much time passed. It felt like an eternity, but eventually, the Goblin turned and left the room.
I was safe. I’d managed to survive.
I resumed my search of the hoard. My only goal was that scroll. I moved the stacked boxes aside, checking them one by one.
Nothing. I couldn't find it.
Was this all for nothing?
I’d checked every crate and sack, but none of them held anything resembling a scroll. Had the scenario changed because I’d taken the Scroll of Concealment earlier?
No, it’s too early to give up.
The scroll was supposed to be buried in the dirt. I hadn't finished checking the floor yet. I shoved aside the boxes sitting where the scroll had been in the game and began to dig.
There! A scroll lay there, half-buried and partially unrolled. I brushed off the grime, revealing the kanji for "Appraisal." This was it!
I quickly tucked the scroll into my shirt and made a break for the entrance. I felt the urge to sprint, but I forced myself to remain calm and cautious. Whenever a Goblin approached, I flattened myself against the wall, putting my life in the hands of the Stealth skill.
It’s okay. It’s okay. Stay calm. Just keep moving.
I squeezed every ounce of courage from my heart, suppressing my terror as I aimed for the exit. For some reason, the distance felt ten times longer on the way out than it had on the way in.
Finally, after what felt like a marathon through that long corridor, I successfully escaped the ruins. I scanned the area—no Goblins in sight.
I hurried back toward town, still moving as silently as possible. The relief was overwhelming, but I couldn't let my guard down yet. It wouldn't mean a thing if I got killed by a stray monster on the road.
An adventure isn't over until you're safely home.
Eventually, the treeline broke, and the town of Luluden came into view.
I made it. I actually made it back alive!
Finally able to breathe, I immediately unrolled the Scroll of Appraisal on the ground and placed my right hand upon it. The scroll emitted a blinding flash of light before vanishing. It was exactly like the Scroll of Concealment.
I pulled out my Guild Card to check my status.
Name: Allen
Rank: G
Age: 8
Blessing: None
Skills: 【Stealth】 【Appraisal】
Residence: Luluden
Funds: 3,911
"Perfect!"
I accidentally shouted it aloud. No one was around to hear me, but I still felt a flush of embarrassment.
I was probably safe now, but there was no guarantee a monster wouldn't wander near the path, so I hurried toward the gates. Besides, I still had a day's worth of gutter cleaning waiting for me. I couldn't afford to slack off.
And so, I successfully obtained the Appraisal skill.