Chapter 240

240th Episode: At the Edge of Summer

“Hassan, have you kept the doll I gave you?”

“That thing?”

I recalled the straw doll that Luna had made for me. It looked like one of those so-called voodoo dolls—a cursed tool where if you stabbed it with a needle, it might actually work.

Luna had told me it was a talisman made for my protection, and since I’d given it to her father, Erebore, I presumed it truly served as something that had protected me, as she had said.

However, admitting who I gave it to seemed like something I should avoid, so I decided to say that I lost it in the dark.

“Lost it?”

“Yeah. Sorry, Luna. You worked hard to make it, but I lost it in the dark.”

“Nah, it’s alright! Actually, it’s better that you lost it!”

“What?”

Why would losing it be a good thing? Was there some kind of hidden time bomb inside it or something? As I wondered about this far-fetched idea, Luna continued.

“The Dark God Erebore considers anything that enters his domain his. Normally, you’d have to offer a sacrifice to leave, but where we’re from in Ideope, we substitute a doll instead!”

“Ah, a sacrifice?”

I remembered my conversation with Erebore. He had said that if I wanted to rescue my companions and the Silver Rose group, I would have to offer someone as a sacrifice.

“If you lost it in the dark, then the dark must have claimed it.”

“Hmm, now that you say it, that does sound right. Luna, the things you’ve given me have been very helpful, like the lightning nuts, ropes, and other stuff.”

“Right? I did tell you I knew a lot about the Abyss, didn’t I?”

When I thanked her, Luna became quite flustered.

Of course, what I said wasn’t exaggerated. If Luna hadn’t provided me with so many useful items, I don’t know what might have happened. Even Antiope and Hippolyte, both skilled adventurers, would have faced greater trials without Luna’s help.

Thinking about this made me wonder how everything would have gone if Luna had been with me. Perhaps things would have been easier with her around.

I had separated from Luna because I feared she might be in danger, but now I wondered if I’d been subtly underestimating her.

“Hassan, anyway, I’m really glad we’ve safely reunited.”

“Yeah, me too.”

For me, it was just a day or two, but for Luna, it had been nearly ten days. Apparently, she had worried a lot about my absence.

Of course, I still couldn’t believe that ten days had passed. It felt surreal, almost like Interstellar—perhaps the strange darkness had twisted space and time due to its gravity.

As I thought about this, Luna continued speaking in a soft tone.

“During the time you were gone, I thought a lot about things.”

“Huh? You thought?”

I suddenly felt a sinking sensation in my chest. Friends who had dated before warned me that when a girlfriend says, “I’ve been thinking,” it’s usually followed by something shocking. You have to steel yourself for it.

Had Luna been the kind to emotionally distance herself once physically separated? I had heard of girls who, when left alone, thought things through and eventually cleared their minds—this worried me.

Still, my fears were unfounded as Luna’s next words were different from what I had anticipated.

“I realized I’ve been relying too much on you, Hassan.”

“Have you?”

“If I were stronger, I wouldn’t just be cheering you on as you go into dangerous places. So I’ve decided to train myself!”

“You, Luna, are going to train?”

I thought of Luna learning to use aura. Of course, being the daughter of powerful gods, Luna had immense potential to become stronger than anyone else with proper training.

But I worried that if she grew too strong, she might attract the wrong kind of attention—like some high-ranking demons or something.

“That’s why, as soon as you entered the Abyss, I found a teacher. I’m going to train the same way you do, paying 1 Gold per month and learning all sorts of things!”

“A teacher? Someone capable?”

“Someone you know. Honestly, I wasn’t thrilled, but there’s no one else around as talented.”

I tried to think of who among the people I knew could be Luna’s teacher, but no one came to mind.

“Who?”

“That witch. Nemea.”

“Uh… oh dear…”

“Deer? Hassan, don’t you find it exciting that I want to train? Let’s reach Gold Tier together!”

Nemea.

Hearing that name again made my gut twist. That woman was someone who, with just a word, could turn the situation explosive—literally.

As I thought about this, we reached the cave entrance that led out of the gorge.

When we stepped outside, it was clear that Luna hadn’t exaggerated when she said the city had been thrown into chaos.

As soon as we entered, people swarmed us, clinging to our ankles and firing questions from all sides.

“You disappeared for ten days! What happened on that cliff?”

“There’s talk of a massive creature that the authorities in Sodomora are hiding—is it true?”

“What’s the significance of having a party made up of three women and one man?”

“Alright, everyone, step back. From here on out, this situation is under the purview of me, Valtma, the leader of the Mars Guild.”

Exhausted, our group managed to escape the crowd thanks to the authority of Valtma, a high-ranking member of the Mars Guild.

Valtma took us to what looked like his office.

The Mars Guild Conference Room.

Clunk.

The bald, one-eyed man, Valtma, placed his teacup down on a cold marble table.

“It’s fortunate you’ve returned safely. But, not entirely a good thing. There were things I wanted to ask on my own terms, but now I can’t.”

The amber eye Valtma still had seemed troubled. Apparently, the repercussions of this event had grown significantly.

I knew Valtma was a powerful figure, almost as influential as Venus Shrine’s Holy Maiden. He had the authority to quash or discretely handle the myriad incidents and unsavory events that occurred among adventurers.

For even him to be unable to suppress this situation meant, in my estimation, that someone or some group even more powerful than Valtma had taken an interest in this matter.

As if sensing this, Antiope, who had been lounging in her chair with her foot on the table, asked:

“The Shrine Knights? Was I in trouble for leaving my post? Is that why the Royal Castle is sending a reprimand?”

“Right. They said they’re investigating the matter at the palace. A delegation will arrive soon. For the time being, try not to cause any trouble. Be ready to go when summoned. By the way, something from Albrheim—no, that’s not something you need to know.”

Valtma clicked his tongue and hurriedly wrapped up the conversation.

A delegation from the palace.

The king.

In English, “king.”

A figure with tremendous authority, and his organization was now sending investigators to probe the matter.

Clearly, before such powerful authority, someone like Valtma, with half his scalp bare, was just an ordinary middle-aged man. In fact, his forehead seemed wider than usual, drenched in sweat.

“For the time being, stay as quiet as a mouse. Don’t go outside. Any action you take might be seen politically, and it will just provide fodder for the gossips.”

There was nothing Antiope and I could do but nod in agreement with Valtma’s advice.

Just then, Antiope asked another question.

“What about my sister and the others?”

“They’ve been transported to the infirmary. It seems they suffered quite a shock. I hear your sister, Hippolyte, hasn’t regained consciousness. What exactly happened down in the Abyss?”

At Valtma’s question, I glanced at Antiope. She quickly spoke up, indicating she wanted to explain.

“It’s simple—we hunted a massive monster there. We fought the remnants of some noble lords. My sister was pushed to her mental limit, so she couldn’t bear it.”

“Ah, I see. The remnants of noble lords. Definitely a big problem.”

Of course, Antiope was lying.

Hippolyte had lost consciousness when a bolt of lightning from the mysterious white-robed man struck her directly. However, after discussing it with Antiope, we decided it was best to keep that fact secret. If revealed, it would only lead to unnecessary complications and disbelief from others.

I agreed with this decision. After all, my earlier conversation with the gods was a secret I had kept hidden from everyone.

Anyone trying to figure out who or what I truly was could very well try kidnapping me, or worse, cutting open my head. Given the rudimentary medical knowledge of this world, it was highly unlikely they’d be able to reassemble my head afterward.

“Ah, trying to deceive someone like Uncle Valtma is no easy feat.”

As we exited the conference room, Antiope stretched lazily.

She wore leather clothing that covered her body entirely, and moisture glistened from her neck and forehead, making her appear quite warm.

I asked, “So? Didn’t the conversation just go well?”

“No, I’ve known this guy for a long time; he doesn’t seem to believe a word of our story. It looks like he’s just deciding to let it slide.”

“That’s true.”

This confirmed that people in high positions don’t reach their status purely through formality. Antiope, who had also recognized this, was indeed more capable than I had imagined.

No wonder she had become a high-ranking member of the guild and was entrusted with the important role of Shrine Knight.

“So, what do you plan to do next, Hassan?”

“Do what? We’ve been told to lay low for a while, so we should.”

“Yes, that’s probably best. Still, Hassan, tread carefully when dealing with matters involving the royal palace. The current king… well, he’s not someone you’d much like.”

“Is that so?”

“Do you know why followers of Pluto are treated as cultists?”

“No, not exactly.”

“You’re lying, aren’t you? But obviously, it’s due to the kingdom’s revised laws enacted when the current king ascended the throne. There are several reasons, but that’s the biggest one.”

“Revised laws…”

“I… I thought it was the will of Jupiter. But now, seeing all this… I wonder what I’ve been doing all this time.”

Antiope showed a dispirited expression, much like someone who’d just slapped their child. My comparison wasn’t far off. She seemed to be questioning her profession and experiencing a moment of wisdom.

“I’m still so far from what I should be. Maybe… the voices I heard in the darkness weren’t external. Maybe they were my own inner thoughts. I’m still just a child.”

And then, Antiope clenched her fist tightly towards the sky.

I had seen many people shaken by their past actions. Initially, I thought of offering some words of comfort, but I soon kept my mouth shut because there was really no need.

Antiope was no weak woman who needed my clumsy reassurances. Instead, she had already lifted her head, looking toward the clear blue sky with renewed resolve.

In that sense, I now felt a calling—a destiny of correcting what was wrong. If everyone else lost consciousness during that moment, I stayed awake and witnessed everything. I was chosen, after all. I truly am different from everyone else.

Though, there was the issue of her being slightly unhinged.

When I returned to the cabin, I was greeted by an unexpected sight.

In the yard stood some strange tree, its leaves and vines spreading everywhere, creating a mangrove-like ruin.

“What the heck is this?”

As far as I remembered, the only plant growing in the yard should have been potato sprouts. What had happened in the time I was gone to make it grow like this? A botanical invasion of the earth?

As I pondered this, the door creaked open, and Luna rushed out barefoot.

“Hassan, you’re back! What happened? Did you resolve everything?”

“Yeah, something like that. They advised me to stay quiet for a while. Apparently, some investigators from the palace might come.”

“Palace investigators?”

“Soon, I might have to meet some important people.”

“Wow, Hassan, you’re going to be famous! Getting in touch with the palace means you’re one step closer to Gold Tier!”

Unlike my worries about being reprimanded by high-ranking officials, Luna’s reaction was rather positive. Thinking about it, she was right.

As motivational books from old always said, turning crises into opportunities would lead one to success. Indeed, if I could properly impress the people from the palace, gaining fame would be a piece of cake.

But right now, I felt as though such things weren’t particularly important.

To me, neither being a Gold Tier adventurer nor the palace nor even the vines growing in the yard or Luna’s chatter seemed to hold much significance. They felt like grains of sand slipping through the palm of my hand.

It must have been because of that.

“Hassan, Hassan—where are you going?”

“Just a moment. I’ll be back from the hill over there.”

“Are you not tired?”

“I’ll be right back.”

Leaving the puzzled Luna behind, I started walking again.

My destination was a steep hill within the city, from which you could see the entire panorama of the city.

The Giant’s Knee, as it was called, was usually a popular tourist spot, but now it was empty. Probably because it was close to sunset, and everyone had returned home.

Certainly, the silence and tranquility were perfect for me right now.

I sat on this high hill, which overlooked the distant setting sun, Sodomora, and indeed the entirety of the Gaia Continent.

As I caught my breath, the memory of the white-robed man I had met, maybe just a few days ago, surfaced again.

Zigress, you’re sealed. Your energy core is effectively destroyed. Thus, no matter how hard you try, you cannot use aura.

He had hinted at that while he swirled his fingers around my stomach. At the time, I hadn’t thought much about it, but now that I had some time alone, everything became clear.

Necromancy deals with the power of d*ath. The life force of aura and the infernal power of the underworld cannot coexist—but perhaps you, you alone, might be able to balance them. Therefore, it’s necessary to equalize both powers.

Throb, throb—

Was it because I recalled those events? A searing pain from the scar on my abdomen began to reawaken vividly.

But, the quest to take control of your own fate is ultimately up to you, Zigress—not me. I can merely push you forward.

What exactly happened to me? Who did this?

Of course, it was whoever had handled your body the most. Remember this sensation—the feeling of life pulsating within your belly.

My bl**d began flowing intensely toward my stomach, where the pain originated.

As the bl**d drained from my limbs and head, I could feel them growing cold in real-time.

bl**d is life itself.

Right now, I could feel my bl**d circulating through my body distinctly.

Each nerve and cell that came into contact with bl**d felt awakened, and my physical self became sharp and vivid.

Even the sensations of my clothing against my skin or the cool breeze brushing against me grew magnified.

Finally, when I opened my eyes again,

The setting sun and my childhood—

Summer was coming to an end.

[Author’s Note]

The story will continue into the future.

But indeed, serializing live consumes much energy… It’s exhausting… Even accumulating just two episodes of backup would be so helpful… But hiatuses are not allowed… So I write through the night…!!!

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