After telling Lydia to wait at a distance, I faced her one-on-one.
"You said you had something to tell me?"
"To be honest, I was dragged into this game just like you were."
"Huh!?"
She gasped, her face twisted in shock. She was so flustered she even started stammering as she questioned me.
"R-Really?"
"Yeah. I'm Korean too."
"Then why are you only telling me now? You should have said something sooner!"
A sense of betrayal flared in her eyes as she snapped at me.
"At first, I didn't know what kind of person you were, and the timing was just... awkward."
"Actually, being dragged to a strange place like this was so lonely and difficult... hearing there's someone else like me gives me so much strength!"
"I bet..."
We talked a lot after that. Useful game information, the story that was about to unfold—I figured it would be best to let her know in advance so she could prepare.
"So, you're saying that to go home, I have to fight Vampire Lords and even Legendary Dragons?"
"That's right."
"Haa... will I ever be able to go back?"
She let out a heavy sigh.
Unlike me, who actually likes Skyrim, she was just pulled into a foreign wasteland against her will, so it was only natural she felt miserable.
We also talked about how we lived back in our original world.
"So, what's your real name, Mister?"
"My name is Ryu Yong. And I'm not a 'Mister,' okay? I'm only twenty-seven."
Admittedly, my name was a bit unusual.
"Hehe—sorry. But you kind of look like a 'Mister' right now."
Why did I have to transmigrate into the body of an old-looking man? I definitely need to pay for a face-sculpting session once I get to Riften.
**
The companion we desperately need right now is a healer.
With that in mind, I visited the Temple of Kynareth in Whiterun and asked several priests if they could accompany us, but I was rejected by everyone.
The reasons varied—some were reluctant to head out on a dangerous adventure, but most said they had to stay at the temple to pray and study theology.
'Nothing to be done about it. Helping people only goes as far as their faith allows.'
"Then how do we find a healer?" Choi Ha-neul asked.
In my estimation, the result would likely be the same even if we visited temples in other cities.
"Hmm—there is one other place."
A place packed with mages.
"Are you talking about the College of Winterhold?" Lydia chimed in.
"Yes. There are plenty of eccentrics there, but there's no better place to find talent properly trained in magic."
"Winterhold?"
As expected, Choi Ha-neul, lacking any game knowledge, looked confused.
"Yeah. It's a college that professionally trains mages."
"Come to think of it, My Thane, you seem to know very little about Skyrim. You must have come from somewhere very far away," Lydia observed.
"Huh? Oh, right! And I'm just... not very well-versed in the ways of the world! Haha!"
'She's going to get caught at this rate.'
It was painfully awkward acting, but Lydia didn't seem to pay much mind. For the record, Lydia had requested that she speak comfortably, so Ha-neul had started speaking informally to her.
I clapped my hands to gather their attention.
"Anyway, our priority is recruiting a healer. So let's head to Winterhold. While we're there, it would be good to try and learn some magic ourselves."
Since it's a magic college, it stands to reason that we could learn a spell or two.
Truth be told, back when I was just a regular courier, I spent a large sum of gold to buy and read a destruction magic tome, but for some reason, I couldn't use the spell.
I found out later that everyone has different magical aptitudes, and just because you read a spellbook doesn't mean you can automatically use it.
I hadn't tried learning any other magic since then, so I planned to give it another shot during our visit to the College. I had plenty of funds, after all.
"I apologize, but I have no talent for magic whatsoever," Lydia said.
There are cases like Lydia where one simply can't use magic at all. In fact, that's true for about eighty percent of the population.
'Please, let me be able to use any magic, doesn't matter what it is...'
It felt like a total waste to have 100 Magicka points in my base stats and not be able to use them. That's enough to at least fire off a novice spell before a battle starts.
"It's fine. Having talent for magic is quite rare anyway. Regardless, any objections to heading out for Winterhold?"
"I'm in," Ha-neul said.
"I have no concerns," Lydia added.
With our destination decided, we headed to the Whiterun stables.
"Isn't this a bit too high?" Ha-neul asked as she mounted a horse. I remembered having quite a hard time adjusting the first time I got on a horse too.
"You'll have to get used to it. Riding is much faster than walking."
Since she couldn't ride alone yet, she hopped on behind Lydia. Lydia's horse, by the way, was one I had managed to borrow by asking Jarl Balgruuf.
"Alright, let's head out!"
Neigh—!
Being proficient in riding, I snapped the reins and took the lead. Lydia seemed to know her way around a saddle reasonably well, too.
Choi Ha-neul clung tightly to Lydia's waist, terrified of falling off.
We traveled along the northeast road leading out of Whiterun. Because it was a paved path, the horses didn't stumble and were able to move quickly.
We passed Whitewatch Tower and kept moving forward—
Passing a farm with an attached field, I encountered someone I hadn't expected to see just yet.
As we traveled the road beside the farm, a wagon with a broken wheel was stopped right in the middle of our path.
"Looks like there's been an accident," Lydia said, bringing her horse to a halt.
"Why? What is it?"
Choi Ha-neul peeked out from behind Lydia. Her gaze didn't land on the damaged wagon, but on the owner of that wagon.
Understandable, given that the owner was wearing a bizarre outfit. Flamboyant clothes in a mixture of red and black, and a two-pointed hat reminiscent of a jester.
Most would have guessed it by now. Yes, it was Cicero.
As soon as Cicero saw us stop in front of the wagon, he waved his hands over his head and ran toward us.
"You there! Travelers! Help me, please!!"
"Stop right there and speak from a distance. What kind of help do you need?"
Lydia spoke, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword—a clear warning for him not to come any closer.
'Hey, that's a bit harsh. The guy actually needs help.'
For those who don't know, if you pass by Loreius Farm before joining the Dark Brotherhood, you can encounter him here.
He's in a predicament because his wagon wheel broke while he was transporting the Night Mother to a sanctuary.
Sure, he looks like a lunatic, but he's surprisingly a 'good' person in need of genuine help.
Then again, Lydia's reaction made sense. Skyrim is currently embroiled in a chaotic war.
Naturally, the number of criminals using the chaos as a cover for robbery and other trashy deeds has skyrocketed. Combine that with that outfit and that way of speaking...
It would be stranger NOT to be on guard.
"He looks like a crazy person. Let's just pass him!" Ha-neul whispered so only we could hear.
We had a long way to go, so I was half-tempted to just move on, but—
[Quest: Delayed Burial Started!]
└ Help Cicero: Cicero's affinity increases, +10 to a stat of your choice.
└ Help Loreius: Additional 500 gold reward, +10 to a stat of your choice.
A quest popped up. Well, since it's come to this, I'll gladly help out.
"I'll handle this. You two wait here for a moment."
"What!? You're actually going to help him?"
Choi Ha-neul asked in surprise. She must have expected me to say we should abandon him.
Does she not see the quest window? I'll have to ask her later.
"I also believe it would be best to simply move on," Lydia added.
"Don't worry, it's nothing major."
I waved off their concern; I wasn't about to miss an opportunity to get stronger.
"Uugh—be careful."
"Please watch yourself."
Ignoring the unnecessary worry of the two, I approached Cicero.
"I'll give you a hand."
"Oh! Wanderer! Thank you, thank you!!"
"What seems to be the problem?"
Even though I knew the quest details by heart, I asked as a matter of formality. Cicero replied with a theatrical whimper.
"Poor, poor Cicero! I was transporting my mother's remains when the blasted wagon wheel gave out! I've visited Loreius time and time again to borrow repair tools, but he's refused every time! Cold-hearted Loreius!!"
"That does seem a bit harsh."
I offered him some hollow sympathy.
"So, kind sir, could you perhaps talk to Loreius over there and borrow the tools for poor Cicero?"
"I'll go see what I can do."
"Hohoho! Thank you!! In return, Cicero shall reward you with shiny, shiny gold coins!"
Cicero beamed, absolutely delighted by the fact that I was helping him.
Really, I should be the one thanking you.
I walked over to Loreius, who was tilling the field. Noticing a stranger approaching, he stood his hoe upright and spoke bluntly.
"Let me guess, that jester fellow asked you for something. Sorry, but I don't want any part in his suspicious business."
"Come on now, the man clearly needs help. Why not lend him a hand?"
"Look, with this war going on and criminals running wild, I barely get any sleep as it is. Why should I help that crazy nutcase?"
He added another reason.
"He says his mother's remains are in that coffin, but how can we be sure? It's probably full of skooma, smuggled goods, or weapons!"
It was a reasonable suspicion. However, helping Cicero was also for Loreius's own good.
If I were to betray Cicero and report him to a guard, the spiteful jester would later return and assassinate Loreius and his wife for revenge.
"You should just do as I say. Unless you want to get hurt."
Realizing persuasion wouldn't work easily, I used a slightly threatening tone. Startled by the sudden change in atmosphere, Loreius finally threw up his hands in surrender.
"A-Alright! I'll help, okay? Fine!"
"Think of this as doing yourself a favor."
"I don't understand you... whatever. I'll lend you my repair tools."
Having received the tools, I returned to Cicero.
"Oh! You persuaded that stubborn Loreius! You are a wonderful stranger, indeed!!"
I handed over the tools and asked, "Can you fix it yourself?"
"Of course! And here, the reward I promised! Mother will be so pleased!! Ohoho!"
Cicero let out a bizarre laugh as he handed me a sack containing 500 gold.
[Success! Reward: +10 Stat Points]
That's what I'm talking about. I quickly took the bag, invested the points into Stamina, and returned to Lydia and Ha-neul.
"Everything okay?" Ha-neul asked worriedly.
"Of course. He's a nice guy. He even gave me money."
"Ugh... I still don't like him."
"He makes me uneasy as well," Lydia added.
Poor Cicero. I really don't know why everyone gives him such a hard time.
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