Travel to another world and become a monster messenger

When Courtney looked up at Xu Zhen in surprise, he continued, "I don't know why, but I get along really well with animals. Other people's pets will even choose me instead of their real owners. Because of this, I am often blamed. They say that my love for animals is troublesome and that I should give up this useless skill immediately."

"What is this..."

After hearing Xu Zhen's story, Courtney didn't know what to say. Even for adoptive parents, it was too much to deny their children's talents. And Xu Zhenzhen told these things as insignificant memories.

It seemed that in the original world, Xu Zhen's relationship with his parents had completely broken down. Although he tried to think it was just a misunderstanding, he could sense that there was an unusual depth to it.

He even began to seriously think that those adoptive parents might not only not be worried about their son's disappearance, but might be happy about it.

Meanwhile, despite Courtney's sad expression, Xu Zhen had a wry smile on his face. He seemed to be reminiscing about the bad times.

"No one has ever tried to approach me at school. Not to mention having friends, not even once. That's about it." Xu Zhen realized that although he didn't want to recall these unpleasant past events, he was unexpectedly able to tell them frankly.

(This may be the first time I have confided my story to someone without reservation.)

As Xu Zhen thought about these things, he felt refreshed as a long-poured burden was cleared away.

“That… I’ve been through a lot, it’s really not easy.”

At this time, Xu Zhen finally noticed Courtney's subtle expression. Xu Zhen was a little confused. Did he just say something he shouldn't have said?

“…Is this a surprising story?”

"At least, almost no one would be willing to listen to this story happily." Xu Zhen showed a puzzled expression, Courtney smiled bitterly, and the expression on her face was slightly shadowed: "Well, I have never tried to make friends."

Hearing this, a question mark popped up in Xu Zhen's mind.

"No, why is that? It seems that you are just an ordinary magician, nothing special, right?"

"The problem lies in the identity of the mage. Especially for an orc like me."

"…I'm sorry, I don't understand at all. What does this mean?" Xu Zhen pretended to think about it, then gave up immediately. Courtney couldn't help but laugh softly.

Then, Courtney explained the reason to Xu Zhen: "Pure-blooded orcs are rarely born as magicians. Therefore, there are always people around me who say bad things about me."

"I remember you mentioned it. Something like 'the orcs without power are weird', 'are they cursed by demons or something'?"

Courtney showed a surprised expression to Xu Zhen who was calm: "...You can imagine it to this extent. It's almost like that."

“I kind of understand. I’ve had similar experiences myself.”

“While that’s commendable, maybe?”

After saying these words in a slightly naughty way, Courtney made a suggestion to Xu Zhen: "How about Xu Zhen and I become friends from now on?"

There was a hint of nervousness in his voice and a hint of determination in his expression. Although Xu Zhen was a little surprised, he soon smiled and said, "Oh, of course. Please take care of me."

"I'm the one asking for your help."

The two of them were laughing quietly when a rustling sound came from the mat.

"Hurulu~Meow~..."

After hearing Lati's talking in her sleep, Xu Zhen and the others fell asleep happily.

The next morning, after having breakfast and preparing travel supplies, it was finally time to set off.

Xu Zhen, Lati, Slakic, Lopul and Courtney said goodbye to Culler. Their expressions were clear and their smiles were very bright.

“Well, Grandpa. Let’s go.”

“Be careful. Come home once in a while.”

Xu Zhen and his companions waved goodbye in high spirits, and set off on their journey while saying goodbye. Kuler also kept waving until their figures disappeared.

Then, alone again, Kuler felt as if a hole had been dug in his chest, and slowly opened the door and walked into the house. The sound of walking in the corridor was unusually loud. Returning to the dim room, somehow, it felt like the whole house was shaking.

Daylight poured in through the dining room windows, and Culler suddenly murmured to himself: "Is this house... so quiet... so spacious?"

------------------

The road down the mountain was unexpectedly smooth. No ferocious monsters appeared, and no aura approached. This fact made Xu Zhen quite disappointed.

“It’s so quiet. It feels like peace.”

“You can’t take it lightly. Especially at times like this, they can pop up all of a sudden.”

When Courtney said this, Letty's expression became tense.

“Master, here I come!”

Following the shout, a giant monkey monster leaped out of the bushes. Its obvious ferocity, along with its bloodshot eyes and growling, made it clear that it was about to attack.

Xu Zhen, who had relaxed his vigilance in the calm atmosphere, was confused by this sudden situation. However, the monsters on Xu Zhen's side had already started to act.

As the monkey waved its huge arms, Lati cast a spell, and Slakic took advantage of the monkey's slowdown to pounce on it and release fire.

The charred monkey rolled on the ground in agony. When it realized that Lati's magic effect had disappeared, it immediately ran away. Faced with this sudden scene, Xu Zhen was helpless.

Courtney patted Xu Zhen on the shoulder and said with a smile: "How is it? Do you understand now? Don't take it lightly?"

"...I'm very sorry. I will be more careful next time." Xu Zhen admitted his carelessness in shame and lowered his head.

Lopur on his shoulder seemed to be comforting him, saying in a gentle voice, "It's okay."

Although Xu Zhen kept a vigilant expression as he continued to move forward, he was indeed enjoying the quiet mountain road. Nevertheless, he was still aware of the danger of monsters.

That being said, he couldn't sense the movements around him, so he had to rely on Lati and the others in this regard. From the perspective of the monsters, this was undoubtedly gratifying. It proved that their beloved master trusted them.

In this way, they went down the mountain step by step and finally saw the vast river beach.

"That's great. Let's take a break here."

Xu Zhen walked to the riverbank, bathed in the dazzling sunshine, and took a deep breath. When they put down their luggage and were about to take a leisurely rest, they suddenly heard the voice of a young man.

"That's rare. It seems like you get along pretty well with monsters."

Suddenly they heard the voice and turned to look. There was the person. He was wearing a wine-red robe and his face was covered by a hood. Before they could confirm whether he was a human or a monster, they couldn't even tell whether he was a man or a woman.

To Xu Zhen and his friends, this was undoubtedly a mysterious figure, so it was natural for them to remain highly alert.

Lopur held onto Xu Zhen's shoulders tightly, his body trembling slightly. Lati narrowed his eyes, ready to cast a spell. And Slakic jumped in front of Xu Zhen and the others, fiercely threatening them. As if to say, I can attack you at any time.

When Courtney showed a confused expression, Xu Zhen made up his mind and asked, "Who are you?"

“That’s disrespectful. I’m just a passerby.”

“No, even if he was just a passerby, this is too suspicious, isn’t it?” In response to Courtney’s cautious suggestion, the robed figure smiled bitterly and replied, “It seems that you think so too. Those people a few days ago also said so.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“No, this is our business, don’t worry about it.”

Xu Zhen didn't understand the situation and tilted his head. At this time, the figure in the robe began to talk to him. His eyes were directed at Lati and the others, or more precisely, at the emblems on their foreheads.

"That emblem...are you monster users?"

"So what?"

"No, I'm just checking. It seems you are not ordinary people. This is really interesting. He would think so too."

"he?"

“Oops, I talked too much. Sorry. Please forget what I just said.”

"Now that you mention it, we can't forget it."

"Indeed."

In response to Lati's complaint, the robed figure smiled bitterly. Xu Zhen still had a surprised expression and decided to ask him about what he cared about.

"By the way, what do you want from us?"

He must not just look like a passerby. He must have approached them for some purpose. His interested attitude was a good proof, Xu Zhen and Courtney thought so.

Here, however, the robed figure displays an unexpected response: “No, I have no particular purpose. Just a passerby.”

The robed figure smiled calmly and turned away. "I will take my leave now. I sincerely wish you good luck."

Suddenly, a strong wind blew, and when they came to their senses, the robed figure had disappeared.

Looking around, they couldn't find the person. Lati and the others couldn't sense any presence either, and it looked like he was no longer around. If he had used magic to teleport, they would have almost believed it.

"Who is that? The one in the robe just now..."

"Um?"

“He is a mysterious person who is hard to understand.”

The calm atmosphere was restored, and only the sound of the gurgling river and the rustling of leaves could be heard. Xu Zhen and the others just stood there blankly. After that, they did not relax their vigilance, but the figure in the robe never appeared again.