NOVEL NEXT Chapter 161
161. Ludmilla The Witch
“The witch of… the ends of the earth!?”
This is the witch I’d heard about in the stories! I wasn’t sure if it was true, but she really exists!
And just as I heard, she looks no older than her late twenties. Is this woman really over 200 years old? Or did they just swap generations along the way?
“Meeting people… it’s been so long I’ve forgotten how it feels. And to think it would happen in such a dangerous situation, it’s all the more amusing.”
“Just to confirm… you’re the one who told us to look up earlier, right?”
“Indeed. Well, I just happened to spot you two and decided to help.”
Ludmilla picked up the dead Mist Bird lying at her feet and held it out toward us.
“The monsters in this forest are cunning. Even if one isn’t very strong on its own, they use clever teamwork to bring down their prey. It’s their way of surviving in the wild. And you two got caught in that. If I hadn’t helped on a whim, you’d be their next meal by now.”
Thanks to Ludmilla, we made it out alive. But the thought of what could’ve happened without her words sends a chill down my spine.
Her use of the word “whim” somehow felt strangely fitting. Stretching her arms wide, Ludmilla—who had just introduced herself—turned her gaze back and forth between us.
“So, what brings you two out here? Doesn’t seem like you’re just lost travelers.”
“We came to this forest to meet you, Ludmilla!”
“Just call me Mila. Long names are such a bother. You two must be quite the odd ones, coming all the way to see me. So, what are your names?”
Despite feeling overwhelmed by Mila’s unhurried demeanor, we introduced ourselves.
After hearing our names, Mila gave a brief nod and continued.
“Got it. So, what’s your business with me?”
“We came to ask if you know anything about this item!”
I pulled out the Zain’s Evil Eye from the storage slime bag. When Mila saw the glass case in my hand, she let out a low hum.
“Ah, I see. I’m starting to get the picture. But… talking while standing like this is tiring.”
With that, Mila turned away from us and swung her hand diagonally, as if slicing through the air.
Her fingertips cut through space like a blade, and a tear appeared—just like when she first arrived.
“Come on in. I’ll take you to my house.”
Mila stepped through the rift and continued walking inside. I see… this explains why no one knows where the witch lives, even though she supposedly resides in this forest.
The space beyond this tear must act like a barrier within the forest, and beyond that lies her home.
After exchanging glances, Raize and I steeled ourselves and stepped into the rift.
“Welcome. This is my house.”
Beyond the tear, a gray world spread out before us. It was unmistakably still part of the forest, but everything beyond the rift looked like it had been painted over in shades of gray.
And right before our eyes—a house stood where none had been just moments earlier. Though it was a single-story building, it was far larger than my family home. Maybe a bit smaller than Raize’s house.
“Come inside. We’ll talk in there.”
Mila opened the door and walked right in, leading the way without hesitation. We followed her inside, feeling a bit uneasy.
“Go ahead and sit wherever.”
After walking down a long hallway with many rooms, Mila ushered us into one. We sat down in the chairs provided, with Mila taking the seat on the other side of the table.
“Now, let’s get to it. First, let me ask: You don’t know how to use that item, do you?”
“We do know some of its effects. If you touch it with your bare hands, the gem will enter your body and cause you to go berserk… right?”
“That’s right. Anything else?”
“The only way to stop the berserk state is for someone close to you to touch you for a certain amount of time. When Arks went berserk, I was the one who stopped him.”
“So, you even know how to stop it. Not bad. But… that’s only worth about 50 points.”
Mila-san’s words left us puzzled. Seeing our confusion, she finally spoke again.
“Listen carefully. I asked if you knew how to use the item. Sure, you know some things about it, which makes you better than most… but knowledge alone isn’t enough to grasp its essence.”
“Sorry, I’m not sure I follow…”
Mila stood up, tore another rift in the air, and plunged her hand into it without hesitation. She rummaged around inside and pulled out an object.
“Th-that’s…!”
“You didn’t understand, so let me teach you. This item isn’t just about ‘going berserk’. It’s more accurate to call it a ‘catalyst for evolution.’ And the key to that isn’t knowing—it’s understanding.”
In her hand gleamed a vivid red gemstone. It was none other than Zain’s Evil Eye.