Ep01: Goddess's Blessing
『Fisherman's Moon - Day 13 (Morning)』
"Hey, Alex? Are we really okay wearing this gear?"
"I told you it's fine. It's women's equipment anyway—I couldn't equip it even if I wanted to. Hurry up and pick something, Mel."
"Come on, Clarice, you're so suspicious. If Alex says it's okay, then let's just choose what to take~"
In the dim cave, lit only by their lanterns, the three novice adventurers stood before a treasure chest brimming with enticing gear. Clarice, the white-haired apprentice nun with a worried expression; Alex, the brown-haired warrior striking a confident pose with arms crossed; and Mel, the elf mage teasing Clarice with a sly grin as she bent down to inspect the contents. These three were childhood friends from the village, now a rookie adventurer party barely a year old. Bound by their early bonds, they adventured together, dreaming passionately of one day slaying the demon king threatening the world.
They'd just completed a guild quest to clear out cave wolves and, while exploring, stumbled upon this chest—now debating what to do with it.
"But this gear radiates the Goddess's Blessing so strongly... We can't just monopolize it..."
"Oh, Clarice~ If Alex were secretly a woman, maybe, but this is clearly women's gear~"
"Mel's right. I can't equip it anyway, so if you two gear up and boost the party's strength, that's good enough for me."
Inside the large wooden chest lay a ring, an earring, and a black cube. But when Alex reached for them, a jolt of electricity zapped his hand, preventing him from equipping any. Clarice and Mel, however, touched them without issue. Judging them women's only, Alex yielded them to his companions. Besides, the overwhelming Goddess's Blessing was potent enough that even these novice adventurers could sense it—leaving it behind would be a waste, Alex figured.
"If Alex insists... I'll take the ring, then. The earring kinda scares me."
"Guess that leaves the earring for me~ It's got this ominous purple vibe, though~"
"Mel, really. It's the Goddess's gear—how can you call it ominous? That's disrespectful... So, that leaves the black cube?"
"Wish we had appraisal magic. Mel, can you do it?"
"If I lived another hundred years, I could cast high-level spells like that without lifting a finger~ Sadly, I'm not that long-lived."
Clarice and Mel slipped on their gleaming purple ring and earring, respectively, while Alex and Mel bantered lightly...
"What is this thing?"
The moment Clarice lifted the black cube—radiating the Goddess's mana more intensely than any other treasure—a brilliant light poured from it.
"Wha—...?"
The light, bright enough to illuminate the pitch-black cave, enveloped Clarice and the cube, vanishing them completely.
"Wha...!? Cl- Clarice, where'd she go?!"
"Something's wrong! Mel, take off that earring right—"
In a panic, the two remaining adventurers frantically searched for Clarice, who had disappeared without warning. But the commotion didn't last.
The light flashed once more...
"Hoo..."
Clarice reappeared unscathed, unchanged, exactly as before. Alex rushed over, grabbing her shoulders to check on her.
"Clarice, you okay!? I knew that thing was cursed..."
"Clarice, step away from it. Whatever it is, I'll smash it to bits right now."
Mel's staff aimed at the black cube in Clarice's hand, flames gathering at its tip. The tension hung thick, a spell moments from firing.
"No, it's fine. Alex, Mel—this is undoubtedly gear blessed by the Goddess. A holy relic, I think."
It was Clarice herself—the one who'd vanished—who defused the crisis, her young voice brimming with awe.
"Please, both of you, calm down. When I disappeared... or rather, teleported, it was definitely this thing's power. Nothing happened to me there. I'll explain everything right now."
Clarice touched the cube again, and an even blinding light engulfed all three.
"Cl- Clarice, wait—"
"What is this light? I can't see—"
The intense glare made them squint, blinding them to even each other. It pulsed for a few seconds before fading.
As their vision cleared, Alex and Mel blinked their eyes open.
"Everyone okay...!? Wh- What is this place...?"
"Wh-where are we? It's all black..."
Where they now stood was no longer the cave. All four walls, floor, and ceiling were solid black—indistinguishable, like spilled ink.
"This is the power of this cube—no, the Cube!"
"Clarice, explain quick? I have no idea what's going on."
"Ahem... Got it, Mel. Right after I picked up this hexahedron—presumed holy relic of the Goddess, or Cube—its usage instructions flooded my mind!"
"Cu... Cube? So this place is inside that black box?"
"Exactly, Alex! Whoever owns it—a true believer—can teleport objects within range into this space. I came here first, and now I've invited you both!"
Mel and Alex weren't fully convinced by the mysterious artifact's free teleportation. But Clarice was an apprentice nun of the Goddess, and this was a relic verified by her faith. Excited by their holy relic windfall, the other two began practical deliberations, setting aside their doubts.
"But Clarice... I get you're thrilled about the relic. Calm down first. So, anyone else who believes could freely move stuff here too?"
"Exactly, Mel!"
"That's great news for us. Last time we took down that orc pack, we had to leave loot behind 'cause it was too heavy. With this, we could store it all and carry it easy."
"Right! The Goddess must have blessed our journey! Ah, let's head back first."
Clarice praised the Goddess, then touched the Cube again. It emitted its familiar light, returning them to the cave.
Even back, Clarice buzzed with relic excitement. But priorities first—they cut off cave wolf tails as quest proof and headed to the Guild.
"Alex, should we leave so many cave wolves behind? I mean... Normally we'd have to anyway, but with the Cube now..."
"I agree we could transport them safely and surely. But eyes are everywhere, and people are suspicious. Rivals watch our every move. If year-one rookies like us get caught using a holy relic for hauling, we'll face unwanted scrutiny."
"Meaning no poking the hornet's nest, right, Leader Alex~ But the Goddess is kinda stingy. She gifts gear to non-believers like me, but not you? Isn't she all about equality and brotherhood~?"
"Th-that's true... Even as a believer, it feels like She's discriminating against you alone..."
"Don't worry. Might just be this once. And... even without Her gear, I can handle any hardship!"
"Ooh, our strongest leader~ Showing off after so long~"
Alex thrust his sword skyward triumphantly, wolf tails bundled in his other hand—unwavering, the picture of manly adventure.
"Oh, right. Clarice—one more thing."
"Y- yes...!? Wh- what is it, Alex?"
"You said the Cube's instructions flowed into your mind. Does the ring you're wearing feel like it has any effects?"
"No... Strangely, nothing. But it's from the Goddess, so even if it's not flashy, maybe it boosts stats, improves weapon handling... or lets me use magic..."
"Hope so~ I don't believe in Her, but if wearing gear grants blessings like that, maybe I'll convert? Ahahahaha!"
Alex, Clarice, Mel—their rookie party's inexperience fostered a warm, lively vibe. With the Goddess watching, blessing, and gifting them, any who blocked their path would crumble before Her wrath.
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