by Fujino Omori
What the hell is something like this doing underneath the slum? Its bright eyes flash, blood pumping through its veins and itching for a fight—it charges, the howl’s echoes still shaking the chamber behind it.
I thrust my right arm out in front of the oncoming creature.
“Firebolt!!”
Flaming scarlet bolts blast their way out of my hand and connect with the creature’s torso.
It howls in pain, completely blindsided by my Swift-Strike Magic. It staggers backward amid the scarlet flames. Now! I draw the Divine Knife and go on the offensive.
I drop the magic-stone lamp at the entrance and use the window created by my magic to get close to the monster, which is burning like a torch in the middle of the chamber.
“OHU, WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
“!”
Its pupil-less eyes flash with murderous intent as it swings a mighty fist directly into my path. Surprised by its quick reflexes and incredible strength, I duck out of the way and bring my knife to bear. A dark-purple arc carves through the air.
But it pulls back just in time, my knife cutting through empty air by the slimmest of margins. I see a look of shock on its face—shock that I somehow managed to dodge its attack. But that disbelief quickly turns to anger, and it throws another punch. I move once again to engage.
This monster—it’s a barbarian! These things belong in the Deep Zone!
Thanks to the flames of Firebolt, I can finally see its whole body. What I do see delivers yet another shock to my system.
Standing over two meders tall, it’s a large-category monster—a barbarian.
First spotted on the thirty-seventh floor, the Guild classifies them as Level 3—or even 4!
So what’s it doing here?
Don’t tell me—it’s a leftover from Monsterphilia!
As much as I don’t want to remember, flashes of the time when a Silverback chased me around this labyrinth fill my mind.
This beast that has managed to elude both adventurers and Guild extermination teams, this unidentified monster has been lurking underground all this time?
It continues to unleash powerful punches even as my brain endures more surprise and anguish.
Every time one of those massive limbs comes careening toward my head, I dive out of the way and slice with my jet-black knife. However, its unpredictable movements, coupled with the strength of a second-tier adventurer—possibly stronger than that—prevent me from getting into point-blank range. What’s worse, my counterattacks aren’t hitting.
This monster is really, really strong. Every time I think I’ve got a window to strike, the creature either knocks my knife out of the way or steps out of its path before coming back for more.
It’s like trying to fight a storm. But wait a minute, what’s all that?
It’s covered in blood?
I certainly didn’t inflict those wounds.
The light of its still-burning skin reveals several closed gashes surrounded by streaks of dried blood. Why would that be?
The barbarian’s glowing yellow eyes become bloodshot. It’s looking at me like I pose the biggest threat that it’s ever seen. It’s terrified—and it’s trying to kill me with everything it’s got.
It recognizes me as an enemy and continues to dodge my attacks while setting up its own counters. It knows how to fight using strategy and techniques!
I know this feeling—
I feel like I’m fighting another adventurer—no, not quite.
It’s more like…that one-horned Minotaur.
Rather than relying on instinct and brute strength in battle, this beast is fighting with a sense of self—
My eyes tremble as I see flashes of that phantom of my past. I shake the images out of my mind, plant my foot, and charge straight in.
One of its massive fists swings right at me, but I jump over it just in time. With its arm out of the way, I’ve got an open shot at its lower back! I swing my knife as hard as I can.
“!”
A stream of blood flies as the barbarian’s howl echoes.
“Nice one!”
The effects of the howl must’ve worn off because Lai and the others are poking their heads into the chamber.
“”
Their excited voices in the background, I stand tall in front of the wounded monster as it clutches its latest injury.
My ears are still ringing from that last roar.
Most of it was just like a regular beast’s howl, but there was also anger, pain, and a hint of sadness to it.
I’ve never heard a beast’s lamentation before. Words have left me.
What is this monster…?
Anguish in a monster’s howl? And I’m feeling sorry for it?
While I stand there contemplating these strange new emotions, the injured barbarian’s eyes flash yet again. Its long jaws open as its tongue lashes out.
“Gah!”
It catches me flat-footed, its tongue nailing me right in the chest.
I tried to jump out of the way, but there wasn’t enough time. Since I don’t have any armor, the blow knocks me off my feet, and I tumble across the cold stone floor.
A long slash of burning pain sears its way across my chest. Focus! I scream at myself for having left myself that wide open to attack. I finally come to a stop at the opposite end of the chamber, away from the stairwell entrance. Ignoring the pain all over my body, I climb to my feet.
“Don’t hurt my friend!”
Then I see him.
Lai, inside the chamber, throws a rock at the monster to draw his attention away from me.
“UHOO.”
The rock hits its target, and the barbarian turns around to face him.
The child freezes in the face of the ferocious monsterIt sees Lai as another enemy and charges him.
“NO!”
“OHWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”
I launch my body at the monster, putting everything I have into stopping the beast, but I won’t make it in time.
Syr rushes into the chamber and embraces the terrified boy, using her body as a shield.
I thrust my right arm forward, willing the instinct to run away out of my mind, and take a deep breath to scream at the top of my lungs.
“UGAA!”
But my flaming lightning never thunders.
Instead, a single silver javelin tears through the air like a comet and punctures a hole straight through the barbarian’s chest.
“Ah.”
It doesn’t even have time to let out a dying breath. The monster’s magic stone, along with most of its rib cage, is gone, leaving a gaping hole. It falls and dissolves into ash.
Whoosh…Thick stillness descends on the chamber that makes everything before feel like an illusion. The only proof that our battle ever took place is the fact that the drop item Barbarian Skin in the middle of the pile of ash is charred. Smoke wafts into the air.
Syr and Lai, still planted on the chamber floor, slowly, cautiously, look over their shoulders toward the entrance. But I can see directly behind them. The figure standing there is clear as day to me in the dim light. His presence is overwhelming.
Black and gray fur. A short, lithe body line.
He’s the catman I saw earlier this evening.
“…Uh…umm!”
He jumps over Syr and Lai with nary a sound, landing softly in front of the pile of ash, and retrieves his javelin. I try to say something as I run up to him.
I have to thank him for saving us—all of us.
“Can’t even protect women and children, worthless rodent.”
The pressure coming from his glaring eyes silences me on the spot.
“I…I’m sorry.”
“…”
He’s right. There’s nothing I can say, only apologize as I look at my feet.
If he hadn’t been here, something horrible might’ve happened to Syr and these children that I’d never have been able to undo. An adventurer has f
ailed the moment he allows average citizens to be exposed to danger.
The catman ignores me, turning his back as I fall into a vicious spiral of powerlessness and piercing shame.
He doesn’t say anything as he walks back to the chamber entrance.
“Vana Freya…A top-tier adventurer?!”
Lai silently watches the man walking past and suddenly yells with the most excitement I’ve heard in his voice all day.
Vana Freya—as in the guy from Freya Familia?
Ishtar Familia collapsed not all that long ago. I was right in the thick of things when it happened, and this man was one of the adventurers who wiped out that once-powerful familia. He’s awe-inspiring and intimidating at the same time.
But wait, that reminds me.
His voice…That night after training with Loki Familia’s captain, Aiz Wallenstein, on the city wall, a cat person attacked her in the middle of the street. The attacker had the same voice.
“…”
He comes to a stop in front of Syr as I gawk at him from behind.
He says nothing, only slightly bows his head before exiting the chamber for good.
Syr stays put but watches him go as a small smile appears on her face.
“S-Syr, are you okay?”
“Bell.”
I still haven’t recovered from the shock, but I rush over to her side to make sure that she and the children are all in one piece.
I apologize over and over for putting them in this life-threatening situation, even though she smiles and waves me off, saying it’s fine.
“What’s this, Little Rookie? You need Vana Freya to save you!” Lai doesn’t seem the least bit sorry for his actions. Those words strike me like a bolt of lightning, send me deeper into that vicious spiral. That is, until Syr unleashes a tirade of a lecture, her words turning into whips that leave even Fina and Ruu in tears. I break out in a cold sweat almost immediately.
“Um, Vana Freya…Do you know him?”
“Yes. He’s an adventurer who drops by the bar from time to time.”
We stare at the pile of ash for a few moments before I break the silence. She happily tells me about one of The Benevolent Mistress’s regular customers. It sounds like they’ve become acquaintances.
“Isn’t he…a little scary…? It was hard to be so close to him. Syr, you’re amazing…”
“Oh, I don’t think so. Actually, he has a really sensitive tongue. Whenever there’s a hot drink in front of him, he curls up with the mug in his hands and blows on it until the steam goes away. It’s really cute when he does that.”
The words flow from her mouth easily; she giggles to herself as if she’s remembering that image.
She just used the word cute to describe a top-tier adventurer…Is Syr secretly a powerhouse or just plain naive?
I force a smile.
“Does this mean the quest is over…?”
“Ah, yeah, I think so. Nothing else seems out of place…”
“I’ve never been so scared.”
Ruu tugs at my arm. The two of us take a quick look around the chamber, checking every dark corner.
Fina lets her shoulders relax, a deep breath slowly flowing out of her lungs.
Just to be sure, I grab the magic-stone lamp and do a lap around the chamber, thoroughly checking every nook and cranny. I discover a connecting tunnel at the other end, but it’s caved in. The only other exit to the chamber is the stairwell that we uncovered, so probably the monster didn’t have anywhere else to go. So the cries we heard were because it was trapped, or maybe…
It might be a good idea not to get carried away. I’ll let the Guild know the next time I’m there and let them worry about it.
After making sure the children promise never to come back this way—Syr’s silent smile is scaring Lai and the other two half to death, so I’m sure they won’t—we go back up the stairs, place the stone slab back over the entrance, and stamp it down tight.
It’s already nighttime, the starry night here to greet us now that we’re all back on the surface.
I’m sure that Maria is worried about us by now…
Wait, isn’t…?
The children run circles around us, recounting their first adventure as we walk back to the orphanage. Syr’s at my side as something important comes into my head.
Vana Freya…Isn’t Freya Familia fighting outside the city walls right now?
I take a look at the moon overhead, wondering if something has happened.
“How fares the battle?”
A silver-haired goddess asked as she walked around inside a tent illuminated by magic-stone lamps.
Thirty kirlos due east from Orario, a beautiful starry night spread out over Freya Familia’s forward base.
The few followers accompanying her huddled around a boiling pot, ladling soup into their bowls. Meanwhile, Freya removed her robe and gave it to a human girl inside the largest tent in the facility. “Thank you, Helen,” said the goddess as her follower gave a deep bow before leaving the tent.
The goddess took a seat upon her throne and looked up at an exceptionally large boaz, Ottar. He opened his mouth to speak.
“Enemy formations are in pieces. Hedin, Grale, and our most powerful fighters are pursuing their broken ranks individually. Signal flares have been spotted, so one can only assume they have captured their targets.”
“We should have done this from the start.”
Driving Rakia’s forces away from the city had been only a waste of time. Freya said she regretted not rounding them up all at once as she leaned back into the ornate chair.
Having a tremendous penalty levied against her by the Guild, she couldn’t ignore their orders to remain on the battlefield at all times during the invasion. To the Goddess of Beauty, it was one big hassle.
“This might be one minor detail, but the enemy soldiers seem to be shaken, restless. Perhaps something has happened?”
“It’s the work of Loki Familia, after they left us to do the dirty work. They must’ve succeeded.”
The goddess wasted no time in responding to Ottar’s observation.
Freya picked up a glass of wine from the round table next to her chair and brought it to her lips. At that moment, a catman appeared at the entrance of the large tent.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
“Welcome back, Allen. I do hope your time away from the battlefield has been restful.”
Allen Fromel—whose gods-assigned title was Vana Freya—made a polite bow as Freya showed her appreciation for his return.
He came to a stop next to Ottar directly in front of his goddess, answering politely yet retaining a sharp tone to his voice.
“That it was. However, that girl of yours left the bar…and I lost the better part of two days keeping an eye on her.”
Allen’s voice was laced with agitation as he continued speaking to Freya.
“If your Ladyship would issue a direct order, one telling her not to wander off on her own…it would be greatly appreciated.”
Freya set her wine back on the table, a grin on her lips.
“Hee-hee, surely Syr is grateful for your actions?”
“…”
“Didn’t she smile at you?”
Allen closed his mouth and fell silent. There was nothing he could say to that.
However, his usual cold, emotionless expression was lined with a very faint shade of pink. The long tail emerging from his waist twitched side to side.
In very much the same way a teenager would deny interest in the opposite gender, the young man endured the embarrassment.
The boaz said nothing as he watched his ally put up with the light teasing.
“Got a staring problem, Ottar?”
“…”
“I’m nobody’s clown! Scram, would you?”
Allen’s face flushed red as he told off the giant man. Ottar, however, didn’t even flinch.
Standing over two meders tall, Freya Familia’s commander listened to his subordin
ate’s wishes and stepped outside the tent.
The catman gritted his teeth as he watched Ottar’s boulder-like shoulders slip through the cloth door.
“Hee-hee-hee…” Freya covered her mouth with her fingertips, enjoying the spectacle of her two followers’ one-sided argument. Allen blushed even darker as he hunched over and turned to face his goddess once again.
Once her laughter had dissipated, Freya picked up her wineglass and took another sip.
“I’d love to return to Orario as soon as possible. On the other hand, I rarely leave the city anymore. This might be a great chance to just go and see what there is to see.”
“…For you, My Lady, I would gladly become your chariot. Tell me where you would like to go and I shall take you there.”
“My my, so dependable.”
Freya made an offhanded remark about traveling, since they were already outside the city, but Allen took it as more than the musings of a goddess and swore to become her legs if need be.
The unquestioning loyalty of her follower brought a smile to Freya’s lips.
“Allen. Have you seen Ahnya?”
“I’ve already severed all ties with that simpleton.”
“No, we can’t have that. She’s the only sibling, the only family you’ve got, yes? I didn’t separate you from her just to be cruel.”
“……Fine, then.”
The catman let a few moments pass before responding, and even then, he didn’t appear enthusiastic about the idea as he nodded to her.
“Such a problem child,” said Freya with a grin before drinking the last of her wine.
Her eyes shone like the moon in the night sky far overhead.
“Ah! She’s back, meow!”
The first thing she heard through the door was Ahnya’s excited voice.
The sunlight was just beginning to warm the streets of the city. Syr, in her waitress uniform, watched as all the other staff members came to greet her with smiles on their faces.
“I’m back, everyone.”
“Meow, there’s so much work to do because you’ve been gone so long, meow! We’re going to work your fingers to the bone to teach you a lesson, meow!”
“Chloe, the work yet to be completed only remains because you missed your shift. That punishment should be yours.”