Inario Dungeon (3)
Sunlight didn't reach here, so there was no telling if it was night or day. But Hodo had a precise grasp of time even deep inside this dungeon.
It must be that instinct honed in the mines.
To explain using Hodo's sense of time: after the fight with those monster dogs, we'd pressed on for another five hours or so.
Then the rough, unpaved cave tunnel gave way to a corridor paved with stone slabs, wide enough for two people to walk abreast comfortably.
What we'd traversed so far wasn't exactly a "first floor"—better to call it Zone 1.
Curiously, between Zone 1 and Zone 2 lay a pond of crystal-clear water. If this were a game, it'd be a save point for sure.
Everyone else seemed to think the same.
"Since there's water here, let's not push ourselves—camp for the night. And this water's pure enough to drink straight from the source."
Inadia must have known about this pond in advance, given it was a dungeon named after his father. No wonder he'd been so suspiciously relaxed from the start.
With his precious kids coming along, they'd have scouted thoroughly beforehand, of course.
Maybe he even knew about those monster dogs. He should've shared intel like this before we set out...
Nah, a guy like him wouldn't.
Holding onto information let him stay unshaken as the group's leader. It kept him strutting around like a big shot inside the dungeon.
Guys like this are the real ones to watch out for.
People think villains are the types who hurl insults and humiliate the hero or his friends outright. But real villains quietly line their own pockets and screw others over without anyone noticing.
The blatant, in-your-face mockery you see in comics or novels? That's just the extreme cases.
"We'll face scraps like that more often ahead. So for tonight's watch, could Hairil and Kirgil take the first shift?"
So we're straight-up non-combatants now, huh.
I accepted without protest—it was a subtle warning to play nice. At least there were two of us this time; we could rotate and rest. Ashu didn't have an excuse to intervene either. Fair enough—not blocking her too much might keep the captain from getting pissier. One night watch wouldn't kill us.
Hodo said it was about sunset now, but what should we use to time the shift change?
"Moonlight conceals Katarilan and illuminates the prey."
⟨ Light of the Hunt ⟩
While I mulled it over, Hairil conjured a soft magical glow. The light shone toward the tunnel we'd come from.
"Kirgil sir, we'll switch when this light fades."
Should hold for about four or five hours. Hairil took first watch.
Being in the same boat meant we spent more time together prepping—drawing water, eating dinner, getting ready for tomorrow.
"Hairil, is the nation of Kataril named after that Katarilan from your spell earlier?"
"Yup, that's right, sir. The hero with flowing silver mane like a lion's, called the Silver Wolf—Katarilan sir. They say he melted into the moonlight, hunting and slaying thousands of foes alone like sheep in a pasture. I'm a mage, sir, but I admire great hunters like him. All us Kataril folk do."
Hairil went on about legendary hunters I hadn't asked for. Big fan of hero tales, apparently.
Kataril must be full of fairy tales and plays. Hairil said they watched that stuff a lot as a kid.
Suddenly, it hit me: visit Kataril, spark a subculture boom. Plenty of great character material there. Make some hero stories like back home...
"Pardon the intrusion. I noticed you two haven't gotten healing from me, so I came to check. Are you both truly unharmed?"
Ashu slipped between me and Hairil to ask after us.
She knew I was fine—and if not, the Connection Ring would've handled it... Ah!
She just wanted in on our chat.
Glancing around: Panash sat in meditation pose, deep in trance. Hodo was lost carving a wooden scrap with his knife and tools.
Neither was up for talking.
Inadia was around, but Ashu had just peeled away from him to come here. She hid it well, but she couldn't stand the guy.
I liked having her close too. So.
"No wounds, so healing's fine. But Hairil and I are on edge in this strange place, doing unfamiliar work. Since you're here, could you bless us with some peace of mind?"
Ashu flashed a knowing smile. Message received.
"For that, empathy beats prayers or blessings. Don't think confession—just talk to me like a friend. Won't you share what's weighing on you?"
With that, Ashu settled between us.
Hairil hesitated. No wonder—it was awkward with me there, and her jumping in suddenly.
An uneasy silence stretched.
Ashu broke it first.
"Hairil sir, you're on your journey to decide your fate, right?"
"Y-yes? Ah, yup, that's right, ma'am."
"Then you'll need lots of experiences and encounters."
Off they went, chatting Kataril culture I didn't know.
Roughly: Hairil had to pick a fate before adulthood. Needed some trigger for it.
'Tuck the tail,' 'Spread the lineage,' 'Embrace strength'... cryptic stuff kept coming.
I'll ask Ashu later about other nations' customs.
Worldbuilding exploding like this is overwhelming!
They kept at the heavy talk for a while.
"...Yup. Heroes fight for others—that makes 'em heroes. Our Katarilan sir did too. Had a cool crew around him.
Now I get it. Like you said, Saintess ma'am—no need to get strong alone."
Hairil seemed to find some confidence somehow.
Priests' main gig included counseling like that. Ashu was high up in it.
But Ashu, why act weird around me all this time?
Yawn~ Getting sleepy. They're bonding fine; maybe I should crash.
As I started to rise, Ashu secretly tugged my collar, pulling me back down without drawing eyes.
There was a reason.
"Lady Ashushikara's mercy draws me in unwittingly."
Inadia had swooped in to join.
"Overheard a bit and wanted to unburden myself to the saintess too. If it's alright, could you hear my troubles? It's not for others—something for just us two..."
Ashu'd said it before: guy's a walking hormone.
That soulful gaze, the honeyed whisper... knowing it's lust made it repulsive.
Worried he'd try something shady with her out of sight.
"I apologize for not prioritizing your concerns, Inadia sir.
You shine as another light in this sunless dark. The brighter you glow, the deeper the shadows—and guiding those trembling in shadow to light is my sacred duty. Like the miracle in Prosek recently."
Ashu worded it carefully not to piss him off.
TL;DR: I'm consoling the outcasts you sidelined with your iron commands.
"I haven't heard Kirgil's troubles yet. You've always supported me by my side, yet I failed to reciprocate— I feel a duty beyond my calling."
"...Hmph, I see."
Inadia got it but looked dissatisfied. Especially at me and Hairil.
Couldn't ignore a esteemed priest's sacred duty, though.
"I respect Lady Ashushikara's mission. Princess, thinking of you warms the light in my heart—yet strengthens the darkness too. I can't tame this heat and shadow alone. I eagerly await your mercy next time."
Inadia bowed politely and retreated. Ashu saw him off with a blooming smile, no words needed.
Polished words, but chew on 'em—he's subtly unhinged.
Ashu'd spent tons of time with me, dragged me into this group, stuck by my side now.
Normally, dropping hints like that—or giving the cold shoulder—you'd sniff out our connection, right?
Yet Inadia kept pawing at her. Not clueless—had to be deliberate.
Figured even if she had a goalkeeper, he'd score anyway. Total playboy, golden-boy mindset.
Ashu kept smiling post-Inadia, but her face had hardened.
Boiling inside, dying to curse him out.
So I swapped watch shifts with Hairil. At least tonight, no sending Ashu near that creep.
At that moment, I...
...failed to notice the ominous eyes watching me.