After the horrific ride that almost killed Keith a second time, he somehow managed to make it to the nearby town. 

Even if his mind was a mess, he did remember that Keith needed to change his disguise before he could meet Shimi. His current get-up would get him found out by the half-elf in an instant.

So, Keith quickly found a hotel for himself and checked in for a night. He did not intend to stay the whole night, but no hotel would be willing to lean him a room for a few hours.

The innkeeper looked startled when Keith told him that he would be gone in a matter of hours. But ultimately, the innkeeper decided not to question Keith's decision. Money was money, no matter where it came from.

Keith quickly risen the dye out of his hair and changed his clothes. Once he was done, it was time to head out and meet Shimi.

According to her message, the half-elf was already in front of the Elf Forest and waiting for Keith to show up. So, the grandmaster could not disappoint her in this regard.

"Grandmaster, you are finally here."

Shimi sounded happy to see him. But there was an underlining tension in her expression. Shimi looked quite nervous to be standing in front of Keith like this.

"I am thankful that you took the time to come and meet me. I hope the journey was not troublesome?"

Keith's question drew a flush out of Shimi. She looked startled and she even diverted her face away as that the grandmaster would not be able to notice her expression.

"I-It was no trouble. I had an easy time finding this place."

Shimi stuttered in the grandmaster's presence. Her mind refused to focus on anything. 

Keith looked at the red-faced girl in pity but he knew he could not offer her any comfort. He was the grandmaster and his role was to remain cold and stoic.

"Hmm, if you are prepared, then let us not delay. The elf forest is just a means to our destination."

Keith reminded himself more than he reminded Shimi. He was the one who needed to focus on his objective.

Shimi flinched at Keith's words, but ultimately, she did have to pull herself together. She needed to show the grandmaster that she was a useful guide. This way, the grandmaster would count on her more in the future.

"Hmm, let us go. Grandmaster, please be careful once you enter the forest. The Elf Forest is known as an impossible place to navigate because of its special influence."

Shimi reminded Keith of this with a strict voice.

This was something Keith had read about the Elf Forest. The last live stream of the game had mentions of this place. But it was not to be fully revealed until two months later.

By that time, Keith had quit the game and he was living a happy life struggling to stay alive.

So, while he had some knowledge of what he was going to face, he was mostly going in blind. And that was why he needed a guide who could show him the way.

"I have heard things about this place. But we have spent enough time loitering around. Let us head out."

Keith swallowed his saliva and marched forward. He needed to face the music now.

"Grandmaster, please be careful. This place messes with your mind and memories. Even the most experienced people can get lost on the way out. And remember, whatever happens, do not stop off the main path. Otherwise, you will not be able to come back."

Shimi warned Keith one last time before she took the lead. Keith quickly followed her, not wanting to lose sight of her for even a bit.

The forest was foggy which made it impossible to tell where one was walking. The only assurance Keith had of himself being on the right path was the road beneath his foot.

"Look at all this fog. It reminds me of why I did not like coming here. But I think we are deep enough for me to use my skill now."

Shimi sounded annoyed by all the fog around her. She snapped her fingers and then opened her fist. There was a small ball of light in her hand.

It caused the fog to recede and the path to show up a little more clearly. The ball of light was a great tool to ensure that they did not lose their way.

But despite having a clear source of light, Shimi looked tense as she walked. Her attention was also split toward the fog.

Keith could neither hear nor see anything in the fog. But Shimi's occasional flinch told him that it was not the case for her.

"Shimi, focus on the path."

Keith suddenly yelled as he watched Shimi almost step off the path and walk into the fog. 

His sharp tone caused Shimi to snap out of her daze and start looking forward. Shimi also looked paler than before and her eyes were filled with gratitude when she looked at Keith.

"G-Grandmaster, I am sorry. I momentarily lost myself there. But are you alright? Is the forest fog too much of a temptation?"

Shimi asked with a shaking voice. Keith felt sorry for the female and he even felt bad for having asked Shimi to accompany him into the forest.

For some reason, the fog was not able to enchant Keith. It ignored him and focused on Shimi for the time being.

"Hump. As if this fog has any effect on me. I did not even notice it is presence."

Which was true for the most part. Keith could not feel the presence of the fog but he did feel comfortable in this setting.

It almost felt like he was taking a walk back into his original world where there had been no danger and Keith had all kinds of comforts for different occasions.

Shimi's eyes shot an envious look at Keith before she caught herself. She had not meant to ever feel negative about the Grandmaster, but her current situation had forced envy out of her.

"I-I am alright as well. This fog will not win over me. B-But can I ask the grandmaster for a favor?"

Shimi sounded nervous. Her favor must be something big and Keith had a feeling he should refuse her. But he decided to throw her a bone and accept.

"What favor do you need from me?"

Keith asked but his voice sounded cautious to his ears. He was not willing to indulge in sexual acts in the open, no matter how much Shimi pleaded with him.

But instead of asking him for something indecent, Shimi held her hand out toward him with expecting eyes.

"G-Grandmaster, can you hold my hand? I know I am asking too much out of you, but it is something that will make me feel better about myself. So please, hold my hand."

Shimi was nervous about her request. She was not sure if the grandmaster would be willing to grant it or not.

She waited and waited but nothing happened. In the end, she was about to take her hand back when the grandmaster raised his and took Shimi's hand into his own.

"Just for this time, I shall indulge you. But next time, do not expect me to give in to your childish demands."

Keith wanted Shimi but she was already happy with the outcome. She had gotten what she had wanted from him after all.

"T-Thank you, grandmaster, for your kind consideration. I shall never forget your goodwill toward me."

Shimi bowed a little before her grip tightened on the grandmaster's hand. With his support, Shimi was sure she would be able to do anything. She would even be able to fight against her past and her unpleasant memories.

Keith felt the squeeze and he decided to pretend like he did not notice. The fog surrounding him and Shimi seemed to be getting thicker and more effective.

Now it was impossible to see more than 2 meters in front of him, even with Shimi's magic light helping them out. The only way to advance would be to walk carefully.

Keith felt Shimi tug at their connected hands. She awkwardly took a step toward the right and Keith noticed that she was going off track once again.

So, he tightened his grip on Shimi's hand and pulled her back. His arms closed around Shimi's waist but the female did not even seem to notice.

"Shimi, what are you doing?"

Keith asked this while somehow keeping a calm head. He looked at Shimi's eyes but they were blank. The lack of consciousness pinned a horrible feeling inside Keith's mind.

Suddenly, he was sure that Shimi was under a spell and would not be able to wake up on her own. But Keith also did not know how to help her out. She would have to fight her demon on her own this time.

Keith could only squeeze her hand to provide her comfort.