The Author's Viewpoint-Chapter 96 - Even the Weakest Carry Fire

The highland area where Tave and the others had landed stood at a considerable elevation, stretching out into thick forests and mountain ridges that sloped steeply downward. Though the peak was mostly covered in rocky formations with only sparse tree growth, it was a small relief that not many monsters roamed the upper levels. For now, it could serve as a provisional refuge.

Still, Tave needed to chart every potential threat lurking throughout the mountainous region and the lowlands beyond. He had to estimate how vast a territory they needed to explore and ultimately conquer, all in search of the ultimate monster. The one they had to defeat to finally seal this Rift.

And this was a Tier 4 Emergency Rift. That meant the presence of a Mini Boss was inevitable. Possibly more than one. The difficulty and danger they brought varied wildly and could never be fully anticipated.

Just remembering how a Mini Boss from a Tier 3 Rift had already taken the life of one of their expedition members was enough to make him wary. Now they were in even more treacherous territory.

The day had begun shifting toward evening, but with Panpan now accompanying him on this scouting run, Tave was able to push further and stay out longer.

This was only possible thanks to a special connection maintained by Elowen, one of the forest elves, with her kin. A mental link that allowed them to send and receive messages across long distances. As long as Panpan and Elowen were positioned apart, communication remained intact and reliable.

Truly convenient. If only this world had a more proper communication device.

They moved steadily downhill, leaping between boulders and weaving through trees that were growing denser and rising high above them. The towering surroundings gave them a real sense of the scale of this place, and the sheer size of the enemies they might face.

Tave reached into his storage ring and pulled out a small tin, popping the lid to reveal strips of dried meat. He began to chew, slowly regaining his appetite now that he had some space away from the group.

Perhaps it was just how an introvert’s mind worked. He functioned best when fewer people were around. Still, he wasn’t entirely alone. Panpan was with him.

"Want some?" he asked, holding the tin out toward the elf girl walking beside him.

"Are you sure?" she said, giving him a sidelong glance.

He offered a soft smile, aware that forest elves didn’t typically eat meat. "Yeah... it’s good, I promise."

Panpan casually took a strip. "Thanks, Tave," she said, munching quietly as they kept descending the mountain path, careful not to slip or misstep on the rough terrain.

"Good food can cure stress, Pan," Tave said, glancing over at the elf girl beside him.

Panpan gave a soft laugh in response. "That’s your kind of stress relief, huh?"

Tave chuckled too. "I’m seriously under pressure right now. If only there were someone among us who could soothe the soul... I’d really need them."

Panpan smiled gently, her expression calm. "My father once said that it’s exactly these kinds of challenges that make a person stronger," she said. "What do you think, Tave?"

Tave let out a slow breath at her words. "Yeah, that’s how the world works. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger."

Panpan turned to him with a curious look. "That saying... is it a human proverb?"

"Yes..."

He gave a simple answer, even though it was really a saying from his own world.

"This kind of emergency Rift isn’t the kind of challenge that teaches you something, Pan. It’s the kind that kills," he added.

As the sun began to slowly sink toward the horizon, they eased their pace, realizing they needed to start looking for a place to rest for the night.

"Tell me more about this kind of Rift, Tave," she said softly.

At the same time, Tave spotted a large boulder and moved over to sit on it, leaning back with a tired sigh. The elf girl followed him, jumping up gracefully to sit on his left side. They sat there in silence, each of them holding their own water bottle, the quiet stretching between them as twilight settled across the mountain.

"Where did you get the idea that I know anything about this Rift, Pan?"

He said it with a sigh, his gaze slightly unfocused, worn down by the descent through the hills and the endless thoughts racing through his head. His mind just wouldn’t stop, no matter how much he wished it would.

"You know a lot. That’s the impression I got the moment I met you. Even when you managed to win the challenge from Lady Elincia... and even now. It feels like... we know nothing compared to your calm in every situation we’ve faced. Even though you keep insisting you’re the weakest among us."

"I am seriously the weakest, Pan," he replied quietly.

And yet, Tave felt something unfamiliar stir in his chest. Something warm, almost soothing. It wasn’t the kind of wound that could be healed by Gaia’s healing magic.

Was this what soul healing felt like? Was this the unexpected comfort he had hoped for?

But... Calm?

Maybe that’s what people saw from the outside. But maybe it wasn’t calm at all, just a lack of expression. He had spent so much time in front of screens, interacting only through digital interfaces, that he’d forgotten how to express himself. He had learned to replace anger, sadness, even laughter with emojis. His facial muscles had seemingly forgotten how to reflect emotion properly.

And somehow, it felt like this personality matched the original owner of this body quite well. The original Tave... likely just as solitary, just as pathetically introverted.

"Thanks, Pan... for trying to cheer me up," he said softly.

Panpan nudged his shoulder gently. He turned to look at her, catching the light of the setting sun reflected on her pale, flawless face. Softened by the glow filtering through the trees and forest canopy above them.

"You’re stubborn," she said.

Tave allowed a small smile to appear on his face. "Thanks, I’ll take that compliment gladly," he said, and then let out a soft laugh.

Panpan turned her head toward him, and for a brief moment their eyes met. And once again, the serene calm of her expression stopped Tave in his tracks. It never failed to leave him a little awestruck.

There was just something so genuinely soothing about this forest elf.

"Now... that smile looks much better on you," she said.

What?

Tave blinked, pausing for a moment as if his mind had stalled. Was that... a compliment?

"You say that like I never smile," he replied, his voice quiet.

She chuckled softly. "You don’t seem to notice it, apparently."

"...But thanks," he added.

"Now, tell me everything you know about this kind of Rift. I love stories. And I want to see just how good you are at telling them." She said it with a soft giggle.

Tave gave a small nod. His mind no longer felt as cluttered and chaotic as before. And though his senses remained alert, he could finally feel himself starting to relax.

"Alright, Miss Panpan, prepare yourself. Mister Tave is about to show you just how great he is at storytelling," he said in a proud, slightly theatrical tone.