NOTICE: Many of the novels have been removed because they might cause violations, which we were not aware of earlier.
Episode 47
“fu*k.”
F-class porter Cha Ara couldn’t stop swearing for even a moment.
“How can life be like this? It really sucks… In my next life, I should be born as the youngest child in a harmonious, wealthy family…”
In a vast and complex anthill-shaped dungeon, Chaara was left alone and groaning.
“You little sh*ts, you left me behind. I’ll fu*king curse you.”
The place where she was abandoned was a dark cave filled with luminous gems.
You might wonder how it could be dark when it’s filled with luminous gems, but it was home to light-eating, dust-like creatures.
There was a faint background visible right next to the brightly shining jewel, but other than that, nothing else was visible.
“… … .”
Chaara was abandoned in such a dark dungeon.
“fu*k.”
As expected, it was like a dog.
“… If you stumble on the threshold and tear your fingernail, it will bleed. If you stumble on the street and fall, you’ll get beaten up because the street is crowded. If you get drunk on your emotions at dawn and write stuff on the internet, wake up the next day and reflect on yourself…”
The reason it was abandoned was obvious.
It was good that I entered the dungeon with courage the size of an ant’s tears, but I couldn’t find a way out, food ran out without any results, the mood fell into the abyss, and I ended up using a return stone to escape the dungeon.
I understood up to that point.
‘It’s frustrating to waste money and time, but it’s better to get out alive than to die.’
They say that even rolling in shit is better than this world. Even if it’s a C-class dungeon, it’s still a dungeon. You never know when someone might die, and especially in a dark dungeon like this, your mental power becomes noticeably weaker.
Since the blood had already been shed, it would have been wise to leave if there was a way out.
“… … .”
But one return stone was missing.
“fu*k…!!”
The return stone itself was an expensive item, so even if there were enough, it might have been given to Cha Ara, who was an F-class porter. Maybe the fact that there was no return stone itself was a lie.
“Ah, you really are a bitch!! You got dumped on the day before your wedding and cried so much that you’ll live the rest of your life as a bastard, you fu*king bastards!!”
Cha Ara sniffled as she sat next to a jewel as big as her body.
This kind of thing wasn’t common. No matter how cold-hearted the world is these days, it’s not like they would abandon their porters so openly. Still, they’re colleagues in a way.
“… … .”
However, it was an event that was secretly happening, but it was not widely known because the hunters kept it quiet.
‘… It’s more of a problem because it’s not something that never happened.’
This wasn’t the first time Cha Ara had been subjected to something like this.
‘The biggest problem is that there are very few visitors to this dungeon.’
Even if you were left alone during that time, you could escape together with the hunters who came after you by bowing to them.
‘Hunters have always had to pay attention to their image management.’
Since Hunters are a type of celebrity, they pay a lot of attention to controversies about their character, so unless they are a particularly ill-tempered Hunter, they would take in at least one poor porter who was left alone.
but.
“Oh really, no, this time, really, what should I do…?”
This is the ‘vein of jewels’.
It was a C-class dungeon with unusually few monsters and poor rewards, so it was not visited often by hunters.
“They say that if one team comes in a week, that’s a lot.”
The paths are intricately tangled, and because of the tiny creatures that absorb all light, whether it be lanterns or anything else, you could easily get trapped in this dark maze and die. Finding the exit is no easy task.
The reason why hunters occasionally visit this place is because of a monster that inhabits this dungeon.
“… … .”
A small monster with a jewel body that glows softly like a mood light.
Also known as ‘anti-cat’.
“… You idiots, ever since you said you were after that guy, I thought I was strong… ”
Anticat was a cat-shaped monster the size of an adult male’s palm or slightly larger.
Despite its cute appearance, it hates humans approaching and runs away. It also absorbs light like cave creatures, darkening its surroundings. This adds to its rarity.
‘Even if you catch it like that, you shouldn’t raise anti-cats.’
Raising monsters is not only subject to severe crackdowns on the country, but Anticat is a terrifying monster that, when angry, burns everything in its path with a blue light.
‘Well, since it’s such a monster, there are a lot of kids who are secretly crazy and want to buy more.’
Anyway, I shouldn’t have joined this team. I should have jumped out from the moment I said I was going to ‘Jewel’s Vein’.
If only money weren’t tight.
“… Really, what should I do… .”
It had been less than 24 hours since I had been locked in the dungeon alone, but perhaps because of the darkness and the silence that made even sound inaudible, I felt like my mind was being shaken. Although I was clearly in a large cave, it felt like I was trapped in a place where all sides were blocked.
I heard that in prisons, they sometimes lock in small, dark rooms on purpose to torment the prisoners, and it felt just like that. It wasn’t as physically uncomfortable as being in a small prison, but it was mentally exhausting.
“eww….”
I was starting to get hungry.
‘But it’s not like I’m strong enough to clear this dungeon alone. I heard that the exit here appears under certain circumstances. It seems like it would require several people… .’
If we just wait for rescue, that is a situation with no answer.
“… … .”
Cha Ara, who had her eyes tightly shut, quickly got up from her seat.
“… Let’s see if anything moves.”
It’s easier said than done, but it was a long time when I was sober.
I was tired of just sitting still to extend my lifeline. If I continued like this, I would go crazy before rescue came, so I thought it would be better to move my body to avoid going crazy.
“Still, the vein of the jewel has fewer monsters. I can’t even dream of conquering it alone since I don’t have enough food, stamina, or skills, but if I just watch out for the ghost-like monsters that suddenly appear… I’ll be fine.”
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The vein of the jewel is not mainly about fighting monsters.
The strategy is all about ‘finding an escape route’, but this place is as complex and dark as an ant hole. It’s a dungeon that relies more on mental power than attack power, so even if you’re a little bit sane, you can still get out without dying if you just keep your wits about you.
“… … .”
But after about 3 hours, I felt like I was going crazy.
“Oh my gosh, this is driving me crazy.”
I was hungry, thirsty, sleepy, and my arms and legs were aching. The leg I had injured in the last raid had not yet recovered and I was limping.
If things continued like this, it was clear that I wouldn’t be able to escape when a dangerous situation arose.
‘But it’s stupid to sleep peacefully in a place full of monsters that suck your life force away.’
I don’t know much since I only heard about it and saw it myself without learning it separately, but I do know that all the monsters that live in the ‘Jewel Vein’ have a ghost-like appearance.
In the same vein, the monsters here attack by sucking the life out of the hunters. Although their physical attack power is not high, if you are not careful, your lifespan can be reduced by half.
‘Only when you’re awake can you come to your senses and kick them out… .’
It was when I was walking like that.
“… … .”
In the distance, I saw something faintly glowing. It was a very faint light.
“… the jewel pillar… .”
I don’t think so.
Cha Ara squinted her eyes. Her eyesight wasn’t bad, but she couldn’t see very well how small the other person was.
‘what?’
I could tell as soon as I saw it. It wasn’t a glowing gem lying in a cave.
It is much smaller than that, has a round shape that catches the eye at first glance, and above all, it has four legs that move quickly and smoothly like a young lady from a wealthy family.
“uh.”
Pointed ears and a bushy tail.
“Uh uh… .”
Anti-Cat was a cute, jewel-like cat that fit in one hand, with a body as small as a kitten but with fur that rivaled that of any other long-haired cat.
“…Crazy, I get to see this.”
If the hunters who went out first find out, they will hit the ground and regret it.
‘Just thinking about it makes my tired body and mind feel full. Everyone, eat well together.’
Chaara gained some energy and looked at Anticat.
‘… There’s no way I can catch an anti-cat, and I don’t even want to.’
Even though they say it’s a world where you can just hush it up, it was illegal to begin with. If you didn’t get caught, it would be fine, but if you did get caught, there was a high possibility that you would receive a severe punishment like a F-class porter with no one to look after you.
So what Cha Ara wanted wasn’t the capture of Anti-Cat.
‘There was talk that those guys were moving in the direction of the exit. It’s not confirmed information, but still… .’
Anticat also noticed Chaara’s presence and turned around.
“oh.”
“… … .”
“… … .”
It is said that when an Anti-Cat detects a presence, it turns off its body’s fire and absorbs all surrounding light before leisurely running away, but fortunately, the one in front of me did not do that.
Cha Ara inwardly sighed in relief.
‘… I, I lived.’
It was the first time I saw an anti-cat emitting such a soft light. No, it was the first time I heard of it. I learned that anti-cats usually hide in the darkness and avoid humans by consuming all the light around them.
The anti-cat, whose tail had been wagging, soon began to move its body in a brisk pace. It was a light and elegant gesture, like a soft balloon popping up or flower petals fluttering.
“… … .”
I wonder if I can follow you.
‘… As a monster, it probably doesn’t have any intention of helping humans by turning on the light, but it doesn’t seem to have any intention of attacking me. It’s said that the monster’s habits are quite similar to those of a cat, so if I just keep a reasonable distance, I won’t be suddenly attacked… .’
Cha Ara, who was following Anticat so carefully, noticed something strange.
“… … .”
“… … .”
“… … ?”
Anti-Cat seemed to be checking to see if I was following him.
‘…what.’
It could be said that it was a miracle of favor from the monster, but no matter how low the rank, she was a hunter named Cha-A. She knew very well that monsters would not like humans and would not show proper favor.
In particular, Anticat was a monster rumored to hate humans.
‘But that appearance definitely seems to be luring me… .’
wait for a sec.
“… … .”
invitation?
It was when Cha Ara hesitated and tried to run away.
“hello.”
“Ugh, huh …
Crash!
Cha Ara’s legs gave out and she collapsed.
“What, what what what, what what what… .”
“… … .”
“…Who, who are you…?”
It took me a while to figure out what was going on.
Cha Ara, panting and catching her breath, realized that there was someone else in the darkness besides her.
It was a dungeon where nothing could be seen unless you were right next to the glowing jewel, so I never thought there would be anyone beyond where Anticat was heading.
‘It’s not a monster… right?’
Where in the world would you find a monster that speaks?
“Who, who are you…?”
Even though she was hesitating to ask, Cha-Ara mustered up her courage and got up from her seat.
In the case of porters, even if the opponent is human, there are times when they get killed for fun in the dungeon. It is better to be careful about anything.
‘Please calm down, kid.’
In the meantime, Anticat approached ‘someone’. It was shining a little brighter than before, and the affection that Anticat held could be seen in the blue yet gentle light and the much softer gestures.
As the small body approached, all that was visible were pitch-black suit trousers and pale bare feet, and Anti-Cat was rubbing her body against those ankles and acting cute.
“… … .”
It was a ridiculous scene.
“… Anti-cat… .”
Aren’t you an anti-cat who’s famous for hating people?
“Oh, by the way, are you… a, a trainer? Uh…”
“… … .”
“Which guild are you a hunter from…?”
I asked him, certain that someone at the level of a trainer would not work as a freelancer, but he still didn’t answer.
An eerie silence followed.
‘…Why are you so silent?’
No, from the beginning.
Why didn’t I feel any presence?
‘Even if I’m an incompetent hunter, I can tell if there’s a person at this distance…’
Cold sweat ran down Cha Ara’s cheeks.
I instinctively sensed that something was wrong. By now, the pitch-black suit trousers and the pale bare feet beneath them were starting to feel eerie.
Yeah, that’s right.
“… … .”
There’s no way a crazy kid would come into a rough cave like this barefoot.
“… … .”
…let’s think about it.
Anti-cats hate people.
‘He said that even the trainer was no different.’
If this was a problem that could be solved by the trainer stepping in, anti-cat sentiment would have been more openly sold.
However, Anticats extremely abhor contact with humans, and the same goes for trainers who can make contracts with monsters. It’s not for nothing that they have ‘anti’ in their name.
‘That anti-cat is acting so cute… .’
At that moment, the stranger bent down and hugged Anticat.
Even Chaara could see Anticat’s small body fitting into a large hand. It gave itself over completely without any resistance.
“… … .”
“hello.”
“…yes yes.”
Oh, really?
I was so out of it that I just let it go, but then Cha Ara remembered that she hadn’t responded to the other person’s greeting.
‘Did you just scream?’
Chara nodded awkwardly, feeling strange.
“Hey, ah, hello… .”
In this situation, he suddenly repeated the same thing. Maybe he was asking me again because I didn’t respond to his previous greeting.
It was by no means an ordinary reaction.
‘Are you a person obsessed with manners?’
Even as she thought that, Cha Ara hesitated and took a step back.
Her careful movements, hoping not to provoke the other person, showed that she had already determined that the man in front of her was a dangerous being.
‘… Something feels strange.’
The anti-cat, who hated people, was rubbing her cheek while being held in the man’s pale hand.
Even if it was the result of a man’s training, it was strange. Just because a monster made a contract with its master, it doesn’t mean that it naturally has affection for its master. Most of their relationships were very dry, or even connected by hatred.
‘Besides, I’ve never heard of an Anticat emitting a soft light like that in a person’s arms. It’s such a rare sight that it’s never even been photographed.’
The light was like a lantern luring prey in the deep sea.
“… … .”
Although Anti-Cats do not like humans, it has often happened that monsters offer tribute to monsters stronger than them.
“…uh….”
Now that I think about it, there are talking monsters in the world. They are so rare and uncommon that I never dared think of them, but they definitely exist.
Humanoid monster.
“My name is Sergio.”
“… … .”
“What is your name?”
A face locked in darkness, with nothing visible.
The hand holding the anti-cat and its chest were faintly visible.
A pitch-black shirt, a pitch-black suit, and an even blacker cloak. Big, thick fingers that were as pale as a corpse… .
“… … .”
Cha Ara quietly took it in with her eyes.
Even though it was just hidden in the darkness and invisible, it felt like a human being without a face.
“… … .”
And of course,
There is no human being without a face in the world.
“… I, I…”
“You seem nervous.”
“… … .”
“Are you scared of me?”
“… … .”
“I promise I won’t cause any harm.”
The voice was overly polite.
‘…what’s this.’
It was a creepy good voice.
It was neat and clear, like an announcer reporting the weather, and soft and firm, like a teacher teaching a student. Cha Ara suddenly felt that the voice was so perfect that it seemed strange.
It must have been quite a while since it had cleared up the confusion, but ‘it’ spoke to me again, as if it was not satisfied with the flowing silence.
“Don’t be afraid.”
Cha Ara realized.
“… … .”
ah.
That’s it.
“I wonder what your name is.”
You’re not human.
“… … .”
“… … .”
“Tea, tea… It’s tea.”
“Nice to meet you, Cha Ara.”
In the dark.
I saw darker eyes than that.
“Would you like to talk to me?”