Chapter 114

Chapter 114

The Nymph Cultist and Pluto’s Underground Maze

—

After disposing of the monster with the bull’s head, our exploration of the labyrinth proceeded without any major obstacles.

As we moved through a straight corridor, we eventually came to a dead-end chamber. In the center of the room, on a small pedestal, there was nothing.

Not every exploration through Pluto’s labyrinth results in treasure, so I wasn’t particularly surprised. I figured this maze was a bust.

However, the ice mage, who had been quietly hoping for some sort of artifact, clicked his tongue in disappointment upon seeing the empty pedestal.

“Truly disheartening. Still, I can feel the buildup of strange magical energy and karma in my body. So, I suppose there was some gain from this.”

“Then let’s head back.”

And just like that, my first adventure into the dungeon as an adventurer came to an end. All we had to do now was retrace our steps.

“Uh, Lord Pluto, please forgive us for ransacking your maze. Farewell.”

As we were about to leave the labyrinth, the convert Paranoi bowed deeply toward its entrance.

“Forgive me, Lord Pluto… I was wrong to call you a dog… Also, I’ve begun to worship another deity now. Please understand…”

Huh. I’ve never seen someone apologize to a labyrinth before.

“Hey, in that case, your conversion is meaningless, isn’t it?”

“W-Well, maybe… When you put it that way, it does seem that way. But changing faiths—something I’ve grown up with—is difficult to adjust to…”

Hmm… Thinking about it, Paranoi did have a point. To someone without any religious background like me, matters of faith or conversion seem distant.

If you suddenly told a devout Christian to convert to Islam on a certain day, would it even be possible?

Religion and faith remain a deeply significant area, even in this 21st century where superstitions are supposed to have been dispelled. Wars still happen because of it.

“By the way, Hassan, isn’t that ax heavy…?”

While I was lost in thought, Nymph Paranoi trembled nervously and glanced at me. Her crimson eyes were focused on the massive ax slung over my shoulder.

It was the halberd the bull monster had been wielding earlier. None of the others dared to even pick it up, so it fell to me to carry it.

To be honest, it was heavy, but lifting it with both hands wasn’t impossible. My increased strength, having risen to an impressive 9, was clearly paying off.

Still, I highly doubted I could swing it around like a weapon. Even if I managed a few strokes, I’d probably exhaust myself.

I wondered how much this thing could fetch if sold.

Just as I was daydreaming about the potential profits, Dwarf Didier, walking at the front through the reeds, added a few words.

“The party leader has immense strength, truly! Earlier, when you fought the bull beast, I saw you grab its wrist, and the bull fell over in agony! Incredible!”

Did I grab its wrist? I tried to recall the fight earlier, but it didn’t seem like that happened. Maybe Didier hadn’t seen me kick the bull in the groin while it was lying on the ground. From certain angles, it might have looked like I defeated it with sheer strength.

“To overthrow a bull as massive as a house! You truly remind me of a hero!”

Didier looked up to me as if I were some kind of savior, not even knowing what to make of my expressions.

“Hassan, amazing! That monster was really powerful, yet I didn’t think you could handle it so well!”

Luna, wearing a huge bull skull on her head, chimed in from the side.

“Samarians must be born warriors!”

“It wasn’t exactly that impressive… Uh, what do you mean?”

When people are used to receiving compliments, they must have some idea of how to respond or what expression to wear. For me, I’m more accustomed to dealing with criticism or insults.

I had absolutely no idea how to react in front of people who were so eager to flatter me.

“Indeed, I see why you were chosen as party leader over me. Initially, I thought it was just exaggerated talk, but now it’s clear. You really did catch a lion barehanded, didn’t you?”

“There were certain circumstances…”

“Hassan even caught an alligator in the swamp with his bare hands! Hassan’s a monster who killed snakes since birth!”

“Sounds fascinating.”

While all this was happening, I awkwardly watched the reeds turn golden under the setting sun. If my younger sister or mother were here, they’d probably confidently say something about me. But I, being more like my father, lack that kind of confidence.

“Tch, I thought I was a goner. That rock-like punch! I’m pretty sure some of my bones cracked.”

“Honestly, I didn’t expect your fists to break my ice barrier so easily. To think this was classified as an E-Rank dungeon… Pluto’s labyrinth is far more dangerous than I anticipated.”

Back at the shrine of Ceres, we boarded a carriage. As the horses started moving over the bumpy roads, each of us finally began to relax and express our thoughts.

“From what I’ve heard, the party leader has quite a bit of experience when it comes to dungeon raids. How would you rate the difficulty of this one?”

Next to me, Didier asked. I reflected on the events—mimics appeared, and finally, the bull-headed monster showed up.

“Pretty standard…”

Elpride wouldn’t have struggled much against that bull monster. Neither would Hippolyte. Thinking about it made me realize the clear gap between me and them.

Still, this former slave Hassan, who rolled in the dirt to earn 5 copper coins while saving up for 30 silver to buy his freedom, managed to fight and defeat a giant creature.

By God, it felt like nothing short of a miracle! Honestly, I could even brag about this to the whole neighborhood and hand out rice cakes to celebrate!

But for some reason, Didier let out a small sigh, “Ah.”

“I’ve made my decision. I must quit the life of sword and danger.”

“Are you saying you’re giving up being an adventurer?”

“Yes. It’s clear now that there are limits to continuing as an adventurer with only one leg. I’d rather start a stall selling goods than collapse and d*e somewhere.”

Though considered one of the promising talents at the Guild, Didier must have had a pretty unpleasant experience exploring the maze.

Truly, anyone who isn’t overly obsessed with money and fame wouldn’t willingly enter deep ruins, carrying such heavy burdens.

“Ultimately, my real passion isn’t wielding a blade but slicing ingredients with a kitchen kn*fe. This experience has clarified that for me.”

We said nothing as Didie resolved to leave the adventurer’s life. It didn’t seem right to congratulate him, nor were we close enough to try to dissuade him.

However, having just met someone we got along with made it feel somewhat sad to imagine not seeing this bearded dwarf around the Guild anymore.

I realize now, but somehow in that short period, I’d grown attached to him.

But that’s how life works in this world. People meet easily and part easily; there’s no time to form attachments.

The harder part is severing bonds that have already formed.

“The skull, you’ll make a superb display piece.”

My gaze wandered to Luna, who was absentmindedly handling the large skull. Come to think of it, hadn’t someone mentioned this was the offspring of Nox or something?

I’d been trying to ignore it all this time, but now I was curious—just who or what was this pink-haired girl?

—

We arrived in Sodomora the next day.

After being cramped in the carriage all day, we all stretched our stiff bodies the moment we stepped into the city reeking of sewage.

“Huh, no matter how expensive, carriages aren’t meant for long trips. Are we finally here?”

At first, this city seemed unfamiliar, dirty, and despicable. But now, having come and gone a few times, it began to feel a little like home or family.

“I need to visit the infirmary first. I’ll place the spoils and detailed account at the Guild.”

Didier, who had stepped off the carriage, quickly left to get his wounds treated from the skirmish with bandits and the bull monster.

While he muttered in pain inside the carriage, it didn’t seem like there were any severe injuries, but it’s always better to get to a healer sooner rather than later. You never know if neglecting it could lead to something worse.

“Party leader, I’ll also be on my way. I need some time to meditate and handle the newfound karma.”

The ice mage, Belmina, disappeared into the crowd after a brief goodbye, likely having her own reasons.

In the end, only me, Luna, and the Nymph convert Paranoi were left.

“What’s this? It’s just the three of us now? It’s no fun if we don’t have a proper after-party. These days, nobody wants to celebrate with us.”

Luna clicked her tongue, looking disappointed as the others disappeared down alleyways. But the people who’d already left weren’t going to come back.

In the end, we all entered the “Nymph’s Wings Inn” with Luna and Paranoi, who hadn’t been himself since the prophecy, ordering meat and drinks.

“D-Do I owe you for my share too? Thank you so much, Hassan…”

On the carriage ride back, the Nymph Paranoi hadn’t said a word. But after picking up the glass, she finally spoke carefully. For my part, I decided to voice the strange thoughts I’d been silently chewing on.

“Why the heck are you using honorifics? It makes you seem super suspicious all of a sudden.”

“J-J-J-J-J-J-Just honorifics?! But… followers of Vesta…”

“Hotan, it’s normal for Vesta’s followers to speak in honorifics. Saying these respectful words is proof that Paranoi’s conversion is going smoothly.”

“Is that so?”

The religion centered around bonfires and the goddess guarding them felt gentle from the start. Who knew there was still an honest-to-goodness religion left in this twisted world.

Still, it doesn’t look particularly powerful. A goddess who protects bonfires? In this world, gods seem much more impressive when they wield swords and lightning or other such displays of power.

“Here comes the food! Sir, I heard you were selected as the team leader for the dungeon expedition? You returned earlier than expected! And what’s this with the beast skull?”

As usual, the innkeeper placed the plate onto our table, making a few comments about the dungeon exploration. Had the rumors spread already?

“It goes like this…”

Luna proudly began recounting her tales about the bandits and the monster we fought in the dungeon. Listening to her story, the innkeeper gave a hearty laugh.

“Heh, really now? Looking at you, you don’t seem to have a scratch. Day by day, you’re getting better! This must be thanks to eating the inn’s food, no doubt!”

As the innkeeper beamed with satisfaction, his gaze swept over our table, finally fixing on the crimson-haired nymph Paranoi.

“O-O-Oh, thank you, Vesta, for allowing me this meal. And thank you so much, Hassan!”

Paranoi mumbled a strange prayer while looking at the food in front of her. Diligent, yes, but kind of quirky.

“Ho, what a rare sight—such a beautiful nymph in these times! My wife would surely adore meeting her.”

“Does your wife happen to be a nymph?”

Paranoi, who had been about to start eating, widened her already enormous eyes. The innkeeper nodded his head toward a direction.

“Over there.”

“A-Another nymph…?”

When Paranoi’s gaze slowly turned to its destination, her entire expression transformed into one of shock.

“N-N-Nymph…?”

“Dear, Echo! Come here! We have a fellow nymph present!”

“Goodness, there’s another nymph…?”

A mature nymph-wife, Echo, soon joined our table. Her aura of refinement was something I’d never felt from any woman I’d met before—it almost made me lightheaded.

Apparently, the saying about patrons visiting to see the innkeeper’s wife wasn’t exaggerated at all.

“Hehehe, what a cute little nymph!”

She was absolutely captivating. Every time I met her, she seemed even more enchanting than before.

Did Echo’s aura affect even her fellow nymph, Paranoi?

“D-Do you truly belong to the nymphs? How…?”

“Ahh, that’s a secret. But I am Echo, the nymph of deep spring water. May I ask your name?”

“I am… the ditch water nymph Paranoi.”

Swoosh.

Echo suddenly leaned forward and pressed her forehead against Paranoi’s. For a moment, I genuinely thought they were about to kiss.

“Hey, Luna, what’s going on?”

“From what I’ve heard, nymphs exchange magic energy this way as a greeting. It’s quite interesting, even though it’s my first time witnessing it!”

“Even I, married to a nymph, haven’t seen this before. Echo, did you find anything interesting?”

The innkeeper beamed with a fatherly smile as Echo gently lifted her head and smiled faintly at him.

“As expected, a ditch water nymph. You look like a young child. You’ve only been around for twenty years, I’d say. Still, you carry unusual karma, a sign of hardships endured. How pitiful.”

“E-E-E-E-E-Excuse me, but you have been alive for…”

“Quiet. Ho ho ho. We nymphs are eternally youthful spirits. Remember that!”

“Y-Yes…!”

“Still, it’s heartwarming to meet another nymph. It feels like visiting home. Do come often.”

“Y-Yes…”

While agreeing, Paranoi’s eyes were stuck on the mature Echo’s large chest. Given her own modest bust, she must have wondered why her fellow nymph had such an ample figure.

“Anyway, enjoy your meal!”

With that, the innkeeper and Echo left to take orders elsewhere.

But as he did, the innkeeper subtly slipped me a small note right under Luna and Paranoi’s noses. On the paper, there was only one sentence:

“The baron awaits you.”

—

[Author’s Note]

The dungeon portion dragged on for quite some time, but it’s finally over! Tomorrow onward, I’ll resume the stories I’ve been putting off.

Also, some additional details about Luna have been added in the settings, so feel free to take a look if you’re interested.

By the way, there have been a lot of guesses about Hassan’s true identity. Ho ho ho… everything is going exactly as planned!

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