Chapter 4: If only you’d behave, it wouldn’t be… entirely out of the question～
In the open vista stood the unique white cloth walls of a tent, and beside them sat a dignified blue-haired goddess.
At this moment, Izay’s memories before he blacked out began to resurface in his mind, especially that final flash of brilliant blue merging with the image of the goddess before him.
Suddenly, Izay had an epiphany, piecing together what had happened.
Back then… was he saved by the goddess Artemis? And now brought back to her place?
While describing it as being “brought back” might not be entirely appropriate, but hey… it wasn’t too far off either?
Izay recognized the goddess before him, even knew her quite well, despite never having met her before.
During a meteor shower over a decade ago, in some remote village on the continent, Izay was reincarnated into this world as a newborn baby, growing up while retaining memories from his previous life.
Before his reincarnation, Izay didn’t have much standing other than sharing a name with a popular character from a well-known game. His main hobby was watching anime and light novels to pass the time.
Thanks to this, when Izay heard tales of the underground maze, deities, and adventurers from a wandering bard during his childhood, he quickly realized where he had been reincarnated.
A world with the Labyrinth City Orario, gods who descended from heaven, and adventurers—what else could it be but Dungeon Travelers?
From that moment on, Izay hoped to become an adventurer, eager to explore this vibrant world.
Now, sixteen years later, after persuading his parents, the ever-enthusiastic Izay finally set off for Orario.
After all, at sixteen, one is considered an adult in this world, capable of supporting oneself.
Moreover, Izay had never caused his parents any worry throughout his life, so they were relatively at ease about his journey, confident he could take care of himself.
Then events fast-forwarded to Izay exchanging pleasantries with gray wolves, being chased by a pack, and now being alone with the goddess who picked him up?
To be honest, the current situation wasn’t due to Izay daydreaming.
He really was alone with Artemis.
Though the goddess seemed lost in thought…
But it didn’t last long. As Izay cautiously rose, Artemis snapped out of her reverie and noticed he was awake.
“Hmm? You’re awake. How do you feel? Any discomfort?”
Her beautiful voice lightly carried through the air, the customary inquiry towards an injured person bringing a slight smile to her lips, which quickly faded as she realized the situation.
“Thank you, but I don’t feel any discomfort. Thank you for saving me.”
Aside from the lingering pain in his forehead…
Izay understood his injury; the most painful part always hurt the most.
He just hoped there wouldn’t be a scar afterward—he was rather fond of his handsome face.
“You don’t need to thank me. Next time, be more careful. Don’t wander deep into the forest. It’s dangerous for ordinary people to go alone. Where’s your home? If it’s on the way, maybe I can send you back.”
Unaware of Izay’s inner monologue, Artemis seriously warned him and made a suggestion.
“Uh…”
Hearing this, Izay was speechless.
He had traveled for nearly three to four months from home specifically to reach Orario and find a deity to sign a contract to become an adventurer—not a monkey burning alcohol, or whatever.
And now she wanted to send him back? (Automatically filtering out the premise of it being on the way)
For a moment, Izay didn’t know what to say.
“What’s wrong? Did I say something incorrect?”
Noticing Izay’s reaction, Artemis asked curiously.
“No, it’s not you, it’s me… I left home because I want to become an adventurer. My destination now is…”
“The Labyrinth City Orario?”
Before Izay could finish speaking, the goddess had already guessed his destination.
“At the far end of the western edge of the continent, there lies the center of the world, blessed by the gods…”
This line was practically cliché in adventure story biographies.
Though true, reality often proved harsher than stories.
Many newcomers without divine blessings usually got stuck on their very first step toward their dreams.
Still, it made sense… Artemis carefully observed Izay, nodding slightly in approval within her heart.
Teenagers of this age were indeed still captivated by the beautiful stories in books?
Probably…
“That… Goddess, I feel like you might have misunderstood something?”
Noticing Artemis’ gaze earlier, Izay tentatively spoke up to correct her.
“Hmm? Did I?”
“Seems so. Your gaze just now was quite peculiar.”
“Cough cough, it must have been your imagination.”
“…”
Although Izay was confident he hadn’t misinterpreted, if the goddess said so, what could he do?
“You’re heading to Orario…” Ignoring Izay momentarily, Artemis absentmindedly placed her delicate finger under her chin, lost in thought.
After a while, the goddess redirected her gaze to Izay, her eyes seeming somewhat strange.
“Should I say it’s a stroke of luck or simply good fortune? My Familial Group has just completed a dragon hunting quest and is currently on our way back to Orario for rest and recuperation…”
Blinking, Izay couldn’t help but pause, guessing what would come next.
Sure enough, just as Izay expected, the goddess softly said, “If you follow instructions, it wouldn’t be entirely impossible to bring you along.”
“R-really? Thank you so much, Great Goddess!”
Instantly, Izay excitedly propped himself up, his face lighting up with joy.
Firstly, traveling with a powerful group would significantly reduce the many dangers along the way.
Most importantly, Izay didn’t even know the way!
Honestly speaking, according to his father’s description, Izay’s small village, though remote, wasn’t as far from Orario as he imagined.
Many traveling bards who had visited Orario and stayed in the village confirmed that following merchant caravans, it usually took only two months to travel from the village to Orario.
However, those two months had almost doubled for Izay!
Initially, he had joined a caravan, paying Valis to travel safely, but after half a month, a sudden monster attack separated him from the caravan.
Since then, he wandered alone for three months.
Perhaps he had a grudge with forest monsters, as every time he entered or passed near a forest, Izay inevitably encountered monsters—goblins, earth spirits, stone men, etc.
Even before reaching the dungeon, Izay had already encountered all these monsters.
Adhering to the principle of running when unable to fight, he often ended up lost after fleeing.
Sigh… tears of frustration streamed down his cheeks!
(ps1: Initially, Izay held onto a侥幸 mentality, thinking he could follow the merchants without needing a map, hence his lack of direction.)
(ps2: Giving the protagonist a bit of hardship at this stage is to make him more cautious and adaptable in the future, after all, people grow.)
