Chapter 445 Erupting Soon (Bonus)
"Yes. We have been experiencing this 'anger' for a year already. In the beginning, the shake is not too much, so we're not bothered by it.
"However, in the last several months, it has intensified a lot. The interval is shrinking as well," the village chief explained.
"A year, huh? This is the same information as what I've got from the Blacksmith Guild's headquarters." Nathan crossed his arms. "What's the current interval?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn
"It has been irregular in the past month actually. We just experienced a small one together earlier, right? The previous one was two hours before that.
"Before that was 4 days ago, but there was a big one 5 days ago. Then, there were three small ones on the same day."
Nathan closed his eyes for a moment. "This is concerning. If I'm not mistaken, this must be the earthquake. A type of natural disaster that is caused by the movement of the ground. And I'm not talking about the soil. It's much bigger than that.
"Just think of two mountains grinding each other, but imagine it a million times bigger underneath us, something like that.
"That's why I don't think I can stop it.
"However, the fact that the interval has become much shorter and irregular makes me think it's going to end soon.
"After all, the cause of the movement is a volcanic eruption that is bound to happen soon.
"If I recall correctly, you mentioned that similar things happened a few hundred years ago."
"Yes!" The village chief nodded. "It has been passed down as a story by mouth to mouth. My father used to tell me that if I didn't behave, the Mountain God would be angry.
"But I heard that the Mountain God ceased his anger after releasing all that molten rock."
"Yes. That's the volcanic eruption I'm talking about. It can be said that this volcano is about to erupt, so all we need to do is to wait for that volcano to erupt.
"I don't know the exact time, but I believe it's going to be soon," explained Nathan.
"This…" The village chief scratched the back of his head.
"If the eruption happens within two weeks, then we'll just help out and return after that.
"If it doesn't erupt within two weeks, we'll head back after New Year. And you don't have to pay us." Nathan shook his head, assuring him.
"No. It's only right if I pay you. Even if you can't stop this 'earthquake' or something, you still help the village. No, you have saved the village.
"I don't know how many people would have lost their lives if not for you. Without them, the village will be destroyed. It might even be considered a haunted village. That's why please accept the reward.
"I will consider it a success. On behalf of the village, I would like to thank you."
Nathan smiled. "You can thank me once the mission is over."
The village chief was grateful that not only he got a capable summoner, but also a kind one.
"That's right. Once we return to the village, please recommend to me someone who is good with the mountain."
"Ah. Yes. Now that I think about it, some strange people have come to the village to inspect the mountain. They also asked for a guide, then returned. They mentioned 'It's not this,' or something."
"That must be the representative from the Blacksmith Guild." Nathan nodded. "If that's the case, the cause is not this mountain, so you don't have to worry about it spewing out molten rocks."
"I see…"
Even though the village chief looked relieved, Nathan's expression actually turned grim. He thought, 'This is bad. If it's not this mountain, then which mountain can cause such a massive earthquake?
'Is it an underground volcano? Or maybe it's an underwater volcano? I'm not sure, but it must be big. If they don't know which volcano it is, it's going to be a disaster no one can imagine. This sucks. My knowledge about volcanoes is too shallow.'
Little did they know, they were actually being monitored by the three hands from a distance.
"He is really coming here." A seductive woman, who was wearing rather thin clothes despite the weather, crossed her arms. "Should I approach him first? I can hide my presence and ena. Since she is weak against women, I might be able to lure him out."
"Wait, Kana. We have to be careful. At this point in time, we should be paranoid instead of acting recklessly." A man who covered his entire body with a black suit shook his head.
"I know what you're concerned about, Jisawn, but isn't this too much?"
"It's better to stick to the original plan. We will wait for another five days to make sure there is no one secretly protecting him. Besides, those beasts are extremely weird.
"Even though they are weak, their senses and instincts are too sharp, especially that wolf. He almost discovered me earlier."
"Even you?" Kana raised her eyebrows.
"Yes. If you're not careful, that wolf might recognize your hidden ena. If we make him too wary of us, it'll be bad. On the other hand, by waiting for a while, we will make whoever protects him think they're safe."
Kana squinted her eyes. "I don't really care about that, but it's such a shame. He looks like a good man. Maybe I should play a couple of rounds with him first before we kidnap him?"
"Do you think he will even be seduced by you when he has all those women next to him?"
"Are you saying I'm not seductive enough? Or do you think my beauty is inferior to them?"
"Both." Jisawn shrugged.
"Should I kill you first?" Kana's eyebrows twitched.
"If you want to fail, then go ahead." Jisawn snorted.
"Tsk." Kana clicked her tongue. "We're going to kidnap him anyway, so just bring him to a quiet place for me to play with him a bit, will you? You can do whatever you want with those girls as well."
"Not interested. All I care about is we finish the mission."
"Hmph. Boring guy." Kana looked around. "Where is Daniel anyway?"
"He is bored, so he is still at the foot of the mountain. He will climb up after five days. As long as he doesn't do anything, I don't care."
"Fine. I will wait as well." Kana snorted.