CHAPTER 146: THE BEGINNING OF A PAINFUL CLIMB (1)

We finally started the climb, it is as definitely not going to be an easy time for us by any means. The tree felt like it was made of some of the harshest materials, even though it looked like any normal tree.

Well... If you don’t count the extreme height it has, then it would be a pretty normal looking tree.

Personally I didn’t mind the climb since I’m sure I’d have to climb in other places at some point or another. I don’t actively think about that but I know it would happen.

The spirit at the top of this tree is also going to make for an interesting story to tell people about one day. If the spirit doesn’t end up killing us the moment we get up there.

I don’t really know what to expect at the top just yet.

The spirit could be friendly or it could be the worst possible enemy that we face before ever facing the monarchs. Since it guards such a tremendous source of power, there’s no way that it won’t be a bit hostile.

Especially since the monarch brought it into the tower in the first place.

I’d say to be ready for a fight at the very least, if anything. We don’t really want to chance anything if we can avoid it.

Fighting against a spirit will probably be a lot stronger than we expect.

I appreciate all your input Rika, we definitely need to play it smart. It won’t matter until the climb is done though.

"Just want to say that I hate this already." Akina speaks up.

"If we just focus on getting through it, it won’t be so bad." I respond while continuing to climb.

I’ve never really done that much climbing in my life so I am probably going to be pretty shitty at maintaining a good pace. There was just never a reason for us to climb anything when we were little.

Minami and I... Those memories really can be something. I haven’t really thought about them too much lately.

I don’t really know if it is a good thing that I haven’t thought about my memories in awhile. Its not like I’ll ever forget about her, at least not until the day I die.

That would be the only logical way for me to forget about her.

You probably won’t ever forget about her. Minami is your family and probably one of the main ones that sticks around in this head of yours.

It’s definitely hard not see her.

I forget that you are speaking to me within my head most of the time so it makes sense that you would see memories of mine. It just slips past me sometimes.

But this is also a good way to ignore how painful this climb really is. Just talking with you while ignoring the shitty feeling on my hands.

Just make sure you are staying focused on the physical part of the climb still.

I took a second to peak down, noticing that we were already quite high up on this damn tree. The ground wasn’t really out of my vision yet but it was a bit hard to see.

Climbing without stopping is basically impossible though so we’ll need to find a spot to rest at some point or another. The top was still way beyond our reach for the time being.

I could also see Akina was doing pretty well with the climb while Velia and Ghost didn’t seem to be struggling either.

Ghost makes sense since she isn’t a human but I don’t know much about Akina or Velia. Them being able to climb without looking tired is something else entirely.

Or maybe they are just really good at hiding it.

Not everyone likes to show how tired they are or they like to show off, not that either of them seem to be like that. Velia doesn’t really have much for me to read since her expressions and emotions are like non-existent.

I’ve seen them briefly in the first tower climb we made together but since then I haven’t seen a single thing. It was almost like the idea of emotions disappeared entirely.

I don’t think she’s always been that way, at least I want to believe that she hasn’t always been like that.

"We should focus on finding a spot to rest!" Akina shouts.

"I agree!" Ghost chimes in, loud enough for me to hear.

"Let’s find a spot then!" I shout back to them.

We weren’t that close to each other but we weren’t that far either. Everyone needed enough space to climb without any issues.

I think it has been a good so far but I don’t want to think about the long fall if any of us make a mistake. Falling to my death would be the last way I want to die.

You probably wouldn’t be able to fall to your death since you have the ability to use wings.

Then why the hell have I been climbing this whole time?!?!

Probably because you can’t just leave your companions behind and you don’t know the strength your potential enemy has. You might need everyone’s help to fight against the spirit up there.

Also, you don’t know how to fully use the wings yet since I was the one who helped with them last time.

Ughhh. It would’ve been so much easier instead of all this damn climbing. The downside of having a group, but I wouldn’t ever dream of getting rid of them.

Having a group like this is always going to be nice if things go wrong.

All the girls have made it impossible for me not to take them with me when I decide to go out on a journey. At least that’s the easiest way to refer to it.

A journey. We really do go on a lot of those since I’ve awakened in that dungeon.

"There might be a spot up ahead!" Akina shouts while looking up.

Up ahead of us I could just barely see a spot that might be possible for us to take a stop at. It looks like a decent size branch for us to rest on but I won’t know till we reach the top.

I could feel my hands starting to hate this more and more with each second.

How long have we even been climbing?

I’d say about an hour so far. That’s honestly not that bad for how far you’ve climbed already.

An hour of climbing and the bottom is still just barely visible. At least going back down will be a lot faster than this whole climb up.

I really wouldn’t want to deal with another long climb right after we finish a fight against someone powerful. It would be really nice if this spirit was friendly instead of hostile.

Avoiding a fight at this rate would be easier.

We’ll just have to see once we reach the top of the tree. For now, just focus on reaching the potential resting spot ahead.

I was already doing that before you told me to focus on it. Climbing this big ass tree is a real pain in the ass and it is something I’d like to never do again.

Remember that for the future.

Climbing giant trees will be out of my plans until further notice after this is all over.

Maybe not trees. I’d say there is plenty of other potential climbs but maybe it’ll be a mountain next time instead. A nice mountain climb wouldn’t be that bad, at least that’s my personal opinion.

Then again, that could be my dragon blood telling me that it isn’t so bad.

Don’t dragons typically live within the mountains? It would make sense why you don’t think a mountain climb is so bad if that’s the case.

I have never really been to any mountains before since we live in a very strange area. There really isn’t a lot to begin with when it comes to nice nature like scenes.

The woods outside that manor was the closest thing I’ve gotten to experience when it comes to nature.

That honestly sounds like a sad experience, nature has a lot to offer. That goes for any beings, not just dragons.

Humans, elves, goblins, dwarfs, and so many more races enjoy the nature. Dwarfs are a bit more into mountains and caves but elves definitely prefer it.

Goblins aren’t really friendly so I don’t think I’ll consider them part of those options there. They also reside in caves typically too, according to most fantasy stories that exist.

I guess it depends on who is telling the story since some can exist within forests as well. Like as their main base or whatever.

Goblins are 50/50, they can make their homes in any place they desire. Caves, dungeons, forests, old fortresses, anything really.

I don’t think goblins exist in your world though so you don’t have to worry about it. They probably couldn’t do anything to you anyway.