NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 20: The Sinister Miasma Cloud
"This is the place…!"
After turning countless corners and even getting lost halfway, I finally spotted Savorn and Avic at the far end of a street corner.
Although I was still later than planned—something I hate to admit—I couldn't help feeling a bit anxious.
These two were my first and second companions since arriving in this world, and I sincerely didn't want anything bad to happen to them.
But their current state only deepened my concern.
Savorn was sitting on the ground with her arms wrapped around her legs, while Avic looked utterly drained, leaning against a wall with one hand to barely support his weakened body.
Scattered around them were the corpses of numerous enemy soldiers—clearly, a fierce battle had taken place.
Taking in the scene, I hurried toward them, all the while trying to catch a glimpse of their expressions. Avic seemed worried, while Savorn kept her head low, her face obscured from view.
The closer I got, the more apparent their dire condition became.
"It's you…"
Noticing someone approaching, Avic looked up at me and spoke in a weary voice.
"For some reason, ever since that murky miasma cloud appeared in the sky, I've felt completely drained of energy… I'm even starting to feel scared of everything around me… including you."
That miasma cloud was definitely the problem.
The rain of urine had stopped completely after Tadokoro Kozo's death, but the cloud's murkiness only continued to intensify.
I remembered Tadokoro Kozo mentioning something about rendezvousing with *Horror*. That *Horror* might be the one responsible for creating the miasma cloud.
Before I could hunt down Horror, I had to deal with that cloud. Otherwise, Savorn and Avic would remain in danger.
"What are you planning to do…?"
Avic's voice was even weaker than before. His condition was rapidly worsening.
"Isn't it obvious?"
I raised my right hand, pointing directly at the miasma cloud in the sky.
"I'm going to nullify its effects."