Ep05: The Falling Day (1) <Side: Clarice Siete> 『Fisherman's Moon - Day 14 (Lunch)』
"Haaah...!!"
--Ting...!!
--Boom...!!
Our party was carrying out the mission smoothly. I lit up the dark cave with flashes of light, Alex's enhanced sword sliced through the slimes, and any stragglers were handled by Mel's magic support. Our teamwork was clicking perfectly.
I timed the sword enhancements to refresh periodically before they wore off and dissolved the blade in slime acid. Normally, three uses would leave my head throbbing with fatigue, but now I'd cast it over four times and still felt full of energy! This had to be thanks to the Goddess's Blessing too♡♥
--Kugooooh...!!!!!!!
"Nice~! Direct hit! I've never seen output like this before!"
"This is thanks to the Goddess too, Mel!"
"You think? Yeah, probably! Hehe~ Praise the Goddess♡♥"
Along the way, Mel's flame magic—infused with a heavy dose of the Goddess's Blessing—melted a whole swarm of slimes in an instant. The hordes of slimes in the cave were no longer a threat to us♪
The cave path itself wasn't that long, but thanks to their tendency to spawn in massive numbers, there were plenty of monsters. We cleared each wave that came at us, took short breaks to regroup, and pressed on steadily.
"Whew... I'm getting a bit tired. You two okay?"
"I'm fine. But you must be way more worn out, Alex. Mel and I were supporting from the back, but you were the one taking down all the slimes. It's unavoidable. Oh! You're sweating a lot—here, take my handkerchief."
"Hehe~ You two look so cute together. Anyone would think you're lovers~"
"Y-Yeah...? M-Mel, seriously... that's such a naughty joke."
Me as Alex's lover...? Hehe, Mel always makes cheeky jokes, but this one felt especially fresh♪ Oh, my face is burning—did I get poisoned by slime venom without noticing?
"Clarice. Your face is red. You okay? Do you have a fever or...?"
"N-No! It's definitely not that! A-Anyway... we've rested enough, so let's keep moving! My flash must've been too hot or something! Definitely not what you're thinking!"
"Flashes aren't hot, though?"
"Anyway!!"
I ignored Mel's tactless comment and roused everyone from our break to push forward. The cave was a straight shot with no branches, so if we kept slaying slimes like this, we'd finish the request. But since we couldn't gauge the exact length, we had to proceed cautiously. Resting was a key part of the strategy... or so Alex and Raysi oppa always emphasized.
"Clarice."
"Y-Yes...?! W-What's up, Alex...?"
I flinched. While I was hanging my head and catching my breath, Alex had suddenly called out to me.
"Shh! Quiet. Put out the light."
"O-Okay..."
Alex's expression was grim. Something was off... He pressed a finger to his lips signaling silence, so I quietly extinguished the flash as instructed.
"What's going on, Alex? Something wrong?"
Mel seemed curious too about why Alex was acting like this. Why the sudden...
--Thud...!
Thoom...!
The moment the light vanished and darkness enveloped the cave, heavy footsteps began to echo. The request said "slime infestation extermination," right? Slimes slither—they don't make sounds like this...!
"Th-This is abnormal...!"
"Everyone, stay calm and listen. Looks like the guild gave bad info, or something weird happened... From how far away it's coming, it's at least golem-class, maybe ogre-level at worst."
Alex stood and assumed a battle stance as he spoke. He seemed rattled by the unprecedented situation himself but calmly reassured us.
"Judging by how far we've come, if we sprint at full speed, we can make it out of the cave. So hurry..."
--Thud, thud, thud...!
Thud, thud, thud, thoom...!
"Ngh...! The footsteps are speeding up...!"
Did it hear us planning to flee? The footsteps suddenly accelerated. At this rate, it'd catch our rear while we ran!
Alex bit his lip hard, sensing it was too late.
"Damn, no retreating now! Everyone, battle ready...!!! Clarice, light it up!!"
"Y-Yes!"
The battle crashed upon us without warning. On Alex's signal, I relit the darkness, revealing the monster's true form.
"An o-ogre...!?"
Guild-rated mid-to-high tier monster. Its body was covered in steel-like hide that shrugged off normal weapons without a scratch, plus powerful magic resistance. It closed fast despite its size, smashing with its club or crushing with its bulk... Way beyond what our party could handle. Why was this happening? But it was too late to run... No choice but to fight!
"One ogre. Clarice, enhance my whole body. Mel, aim a flame spell at its eyes!"
"What!? Ogres have magic resistance..."
"Doesn't matter! Just blind it for now...!"
--Crash!!
"Alex, watch out...!!!"
In that split second, the ogre closed in and swung its club down at Alex. Mel screamed...
--Crack...!
"Gaaah...!!!"
He barely blocked a fatal blow with his buckler, but it shattered beyond recognition as payment. Alex flew through the air and slammed into the ground...!
"Q-Quickly... heal him... H-Heal..."
If we didn't hurry, Alex's life was in danger...
Defeat the evil before you and come to me♥ My child♥
"Ah, aaah♡♥ Oh, ohooh♡♥"
Wh-What♡? This vibration through my whole body... It's definitely the Goddess's Blessing♡♥ Why here, right now...? Ah, aaaah... I get it♡♥ The Goddess sensed our peril and whispered to protect us...!
--Spurt♡♥
Hehe, hehet♡ Something's flowing from my pussy. No panties, so it'll soak right through my clothes♡♥ But that's fine♡♥ Proof of the Goddess's Blessing...!!
"Aah♡♡ Goddess... I'll come soon. I'll slay this vile beast before me and head to where You await...!!"
--Crash!!
--Boom...!!!
With single-minded resolve to receive the Goddess's Blessing, I faced the ogre in Alex's place. It roared, swinging its club to shatter my body, but...
"Useless...!"
My meticulously enhanced flesh emerged unscratched. I layered healing to minimize any damage too.
"Mel! Magic at its eyes...! With the Goddess's power, it'll work for sure!"
"O-Okay...!"
--Boom...!
"It hit!"
No matter the magic resistance, it's paper-thin before the Goddess's Blessing♡♥ Mel's prized spell pierced the ogre's eye, blinding it forever♡♥
"Alex! You still okay!? We'll handle this— we've got the Goddess's Blessing♡♥"
"N-Ngh...! Clarice...!"
Alex was coughing up blood clots from his severe wounds, collapsed. Poor thing... I had to finish this monster quick and heal him...! Otherwise, he'd break down... Should evacuating with him be priority...?
"No, can't... I won't skip the Goddess's Blessing for something so trivial...!"
--Boom!!
The ogre thrashed wildly, wrecking the cave in desperation. Mel froze in panic...
"Cla-Clarice...! What are you doing!? No more—run! We have to run! That's not for you to fight!"
Retreat...? No way... The Goddess awaits ahead. I can't turn tail...
"Haa... haha. Hehehe... I can't do that!!!!"
* * *
"Gaaah...!!!"
Sudden anomaly. The ogre's relentless assaults at blinding speed finally brought me to my knees. One club swing felt like it pulverized every bone—maybe it did. I smashed into the cave wall hard enough to crack it, left unable to rise.
Breathing ragged, eyes drooping. Blood clots rose in my throat; every breath reeked of iron. But if I gave up here, the others were in danger...! I had to stand, block that thing... or I'd lose my precious comrades again...! Even if it cost my life, I had to save those two...
"N-Ngh...! Clarice...!"
Then Clarice stood alone against the ogre. Unbelievable skill from our rear support—she held her own, and Mel's flames nailed its eye midway.
Clarice's face blurred in my fading vision, but she seemed frantic, unlike her usual self.
"Cla-Clarice...! What are you doing!? No more—run! We have to run! That's not for you to fight!"
Mel screamed in panic too. Her staff hand trembled; she panted tensely.
"Haa... haha. Hehehe..."
Oddly, Clarice laughed. Losing it in this hopeless spot? Or... why?
"I can't do that!!!!"
Her mace gleamed with enhancement light. Was she really trying to take on the ogre...? No, absolutely not. I couldn't let...
"N-No..."
"Stop it, Clarice!!"
"Goddess, Your faithful servant Clarice... is coming to You soon♡♥"
--Crunch......!!
Boom!!
Screeech!!
A grotesque twisting sound—I squeezed my eyes shut in horror. Couldn't bear seeing Clarice crushed... Mel probably did too. That should've been me, not her sacrificing for my incompetence. I shouldn't look away—I had to do something...! But terror pinned me after facing that thing...
"I'm a coward......"
The crunch was one weapon breaking. Hers, no doubt.
"If only I'd been stronger...!"
Ironically, it spurred me. Lost Clarice, but couldn't lose more... Save Mel at least, get her out... Duty forced my wrecked body up.
"Sorry... Clarice...!"
I pried open my coward's eyes. Had to face this tragedy... to never repeat it...!
"Wha...?"
But the sight defied imagination.
"Haa... haa... haa... Beyond there... to where the Goddess is..."
Standing on two feet: Clarice. Fallen: the ogre. Snapped: its club. I couldn't even trade blows before collapsing... yet she felled it.
The ogre lay with a small chest hole. An impossible miracle.
"Cl-Ngh... Clarice...!"
Drenched in ogre blood, Clarice ignored her kill, giggling toward the cave depths.
"What happened... Clarice."
* * *
I swung my enhanced mace at the ogre. Just once, that's all...
--Crunch......!!
Boom!!
Screeech!!
Its weapon shattered like a reed. Ahh... this is the Goddess's power♡♥ She must be cheering me on♡♥
Blinded but sensing its broken weapon, the ogre hesitated—then locked on, charging palm-open to crush me...
"Playtime's over, beast... Fall now. I can't delay any longer♡♥"
Not a second to waste. I had to meet Her right now♡♥
Pierce the enemy, My child
"Ha, haha♡ Yes~ I understand, Goddess♡"
She's watching over me♡♥ As Her faithful servant, I'll obey.
I lunged one foot forward, pulled the other back, tensed my legs. Aimed the mace at the charging ogre's solar plexus.
No throwing experience, but Her words guided me.
"Take thiiiis♡♥"
I hurled the enhanced mace at its center. It flew fast...
--Rip...!!
Straight through its solar plexus like paper. Silent precision... Gutted, the ogre died instantly; its blood sprayed me.
"Haa... haa... haa... Beyond there... to where the Goddess is..."
Who cares about the ogre dying. More important: Her Blessing ahead. I had to go—
--Tap...!!
Tap...!!
"Clarice!? Wait, Clarice...!"
Ignoring the corpse, I sprinted to the cave's end for Her Blessing. Heard Mel en route, but she'll face Her power too♡♥
Alex bleeding crossed my mind... Sorry, Alex... But Her over your dying a hundred—no, incomparable times♡♥
I'll heal you if you're alive after I meet Her... Just hold on♡♥
"Haa... haa... Ahaha♡ Found it. The Goddess's treasure chest♡"
Dead end. Two chests just like before.
Glancing back, stains from my pussy juices and sweat trailed♡♥
"Aah... Her Blessing overflows♡♥ I can't hold back anymore♡♥"
Heart pounding, I flung both chests open.
"Ahaha♡♥ Thank You, Goddess♡♥"
First chest: potions labeled Blessing (1), Growth (2), Ascension (2). Five total.
Other: slutty outfits too obscene to describe, cross necklace, jewelry, tools. Gifts for our party, surely.
"Aah♡♥ Thank You always, Goddess. I want to savor this ecstasy longer♡♥"
"...Cla-ri... ce. Cla... rice!"
"Shut up..."
Lost in awe at Her holy gear, annoying voices kept calling my name. Crucial gratitude time... I might snap if this continued.
"Haa, haa... Clarice. Why are you like this...? You downed that ogre, but what's got you rushing here?"
"Ngh... haa... Cla, Clarice..."
Turning: bloodied Alex, supported by Mel. Both panting from haste.
Eh...? So they were calling me just now? What blasphemy did I even...
No, no. First, heal Alex...
"Alex, sorry... I'll heal you right now."
Guilt stabbed; couldn't ignore his peril. Used two holy waters plus my recovery magic—good as new. Breathing normalized; no need for Mel's support.
"Really, truly glad..."
"Clarice... explain what happened. I couldn't handle that ogre upfront... How'd you solo it from the back?"
"Thanks to... the Goddess."
Her miracle and words...
"Goddess? That doesn't explain it. Even if by Her grace, your actions were too weird."
No way... Alex doubting Her power? Impossible. A mere beast daring question Her? Unforgivable sin, billions of deaths insufficient.
I wanted to believe otherwise. Right, Alex?
"It's not that! It really was Her power..."
"That doesn't make sense...!!"
Cast aside your doubts, My children
"Ohooooh♡♥ Sh-She's hereee♡♥"
Alex raising his voice—just then, Her voice dominating the space. Command to abandon doubt.
I never doubted♡♥ So it targeted Alex, questioning Her power...
She knows: ignorant Alex needs enlightenment, not punishment♡♥ So merciful♡♥
"Ah, ah... Yeah, thanks to the Goddess... Got it..."
"H-Hey, what's wrong? Alex. You eat something bad too?"
Mel fretted over Alex's dazed eyes and sudden compliance. Oh right! Something to show Mel♡♥
"Mel! Leave Alex there a sec—look at this! The Goddess recognizes you as a follower too. She prepared gear just for you?"
"What're you talking about..."
I pulled out a lewd outfit from the chest for her.
"Ah... ahaha♡♥ Yeah♡♥"
Mel instantly dropped her doubt, drooling blankly at it. Faithful since yesterday—natural reaction♡♥
What I held: shiny black rubber straps. Instinct said it was hers♡♥ Imagining her in it heated my pussy again♡♥
Maybe something for Alex too! She wouldn't overlook his prior envy!
"Here, Alex. Lots of kinds this time. Something for you in here for sure. Touch them, quick!"
"Uh, yeah... okay."
--Zap...!
"Ngh...!"
"Oh... gear rejected you again too, huh..."
Just nearing caused pain. But Her voice reached him, so She hasn't abandoned...
--Zap...!
"Ah...!"
"Aah... potions too... Poor thing..."
Reached for a potion—stung, yanked back.
"Th-This one I can touch..."
Then he grabbed a pink-liquid vial fine.
"Waaah♡♥ Congrats, Alex! Proof She hasn't forsaken you!"
"The Goddess didn't forget Alex either~"
Labeled 'Blessing'. Ah! She personally made it for him!
"Alex, chance! Chug it—good things will happen!"
"Y-Yeah... probably......"
He went to uncork; I cheered fervently—but then.
"Ngh... W-Wait. Hold on! This is, no..."
"Haa...? Why hesitate? It's full of Her Blessing—only good can come!"
Why so doubtful...
"Even if... ugh... we need to regroup..."
"What the fuck, you bastard...! Shut up and drink...!"
Why reject Her nonstop? She pours endless Blessings for us—ignore that, and I might truly despise you, this male...
"Clarice...... haa...! Head's spinning..."
"Pathetic. Useless male...! Fine. To get your weak ass outta my sight, I'll shove that Blessing down your throat myself! Here... now...!!"
"H-Hey, both calm down first...! Clarice, ease your face; Alex ain't right in the head? Priority's getting out!"
"Haa? Shut it, brat! You blocking Her too?"
Why Mel too! Why sabotage Her every time?
"Think! Guild's fuckup nearly wiped our party! Not time for infighting! Gotta grab that quest-giver by the collar first!"
"Ngh...! But thanks to that, we got all these Blessings!"
"That's that! This is this! Calm down, breathe... we're friends!"
Mel's voice cracked with tears. Alex clutched his head, slumped against the wall...
"Sigh... Fine. As fellow followers, I'll let it slide today..."
I pulled out my cube, stashing all Her Blessings. Wanted to change into this holy gear, sip those shimmering potions... but no more blushing faces. Talk later outside.
"Anyway, out first. My clothes are blood-soaked; wanna strip now."
"Yeah... let's go."
Icy mood. But I did nothing wrong. All Alex's fault for denying Her...
Still, he has chances. Drink that 'Blessing'—salvation anytime.
I felt certain.
"May the Goddess's grace reach Alex too..."
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