From the Depths
This world, built on the foundation of a game, carried all sorts of strange discrepancies from the things in it. A simple example: corn didn't exist in the real Middle Ages. It was a crop produced only in the New World (the Americas). It only crossed into medieval Europe after Columbus discovered the New World. But what about this world? Order a meal at an inn, and a plate of roasted corn comes out as standard fare. Thick ears of corn, like some selectively bred variety at that.
Because of this failure to maintain proper historical accuracy, Eden felt a subtle unease.
"That's a bit off the mark. With different worlds come different climates and terrains, so what's so strange about corn existing here?"
"……."
He ignored the goddess who lived on this continent.
Anyway. That wasn't all. The city itself was full of oddities. Specifically, the underground parts. If monsters like goblins, ratmen, or slimes lived right below the residential areas where citizens dwelled, they should be exterminated immediately. That was basic sanitation. Yet in this world, that fundamental, obvious principle wasn't upheld. There had to be people responsible for cleaning the underground sewers and drains here too.
And not just that. Hidden mage laboratories, hideouts for fleeing criminals, altars built by heretics, sewers left by a fallen ancient empire, nests for demons. Really, the undercity was packed with every imaginable thing.
"Even this goddess agrees with that assessment," Neb muttered. Her gaze was fixed on a goblin in the distance, prying moss off the wall and munching on it.
"This goddess simply cannot comprehend, by her common sense, why a perfectly fine city would have a sewer swarming with monsters right beneath it."
Such impressions were unavoidable. After all, the two of them were currently in the city's underground.
"Kieeeek!!"
"Ki, kiik…."
The goblins, upon spotting the hulking barbarian, fled in a pack. Their shadows flickered like arrows beyond the lantern's light, vanishing in an instant.
This was different from the game. Every monster in the game had charged mindlessly at opponents, whether a massive barbarian, a blue-skinned freak, or a jaw-protruding oddity.
Like cockroaches, Eden thought. Spot one pup, and there were already dozens more. The low threat level matched too. Compared to other dark fantasy worlds—like one where you'd declare "kill all goblins"—it was a huge difference.
Still, that didn't change the fact they were creatures that shouldn't be under a city.
Not my problem to worry about.
The reason the two had descended underground wasn't "monster extermination."
"Hmm, it seems like that way."
Eden stared at her wordlessly in response to Neb's words.
"……."
There was no special reason. He'd just heard similar declarations from her three or four times already. They'd yet to glimpse the relic, only encountering dozens of innocent goblins.
Reading Eden's expression, Neb defended herself.
"What's with that look? Dare you doubt this goddess's intentions?"
"……."
"Th-this goddess doesn't want to stay down here long! So I advise you to drop that scary face right now…."
She wasn't wrong. Who'd want to explore the sewers in freshly bought clothes?
"……."
Right. Fair point. Totally fair….
Deserving a smack….
"…You mad?"
"I haven't said a word yet."
"Your face is saying plenty…!"
Gods really were gods, it seemed. Reading thoughts like that. Eden decided he'd cut his cursing in half from now on.
Of course, it wasn't Neb's fault they were wandering the underground. The place was just that complex. Even the designer would get lost down here.
…Smashing through walls might work, but…
Collapsing the ground would be disastrous. And with a city full of people above, they had no choice but to stick to the paths meekly.
About an hour already?
Eden mentally clocked the time as he trailed behind Neb.
"Kieek!!"
A familiar screech. Another goblin, thrashing its vocal cords like it was performing death metal.
But this time, the goblins were heading in a different direction from before. Not away. Straight toward the two of them.
"Wh-what is that?!"
The startled Neb plastered herself to Eden's side. The narrow passage already made swinging his axes tricky, and now with her clinging, movement was even harder.
He eyed the charging goblins and told her, "Back off a bit. What am I supposed to do like this?"
"My body won't move on its own…!"
He swallowed a curse rising to his throat. Eden seriously pondered if grabbing her by the scruff like a kitten would count as blasphemy.
"…?"
But the collision they expected never came. The goblins barreled past them toward the rear.
"…Kieeeek!!"
One even bowed its head in gratitude as it passed Eden…!
From the land of Eastern etiquette?
Eden never imagined meeting a goblin that said thanks in his lifetime.
The two blankly watched the goblins vanish.
"What the hell is going on?"
"If this goddess doesn't know, how should I?"
Eden mulled it over. Fleeing goblins meant a cause for the flight. Some reason they were running.
Kuung….
His pondering didn't last. An ominous footstep echoed from ahead. Heavy enough to be several times Eden's weight, judging by the sound.
His actions were swift too. He grabbed Neb's mantle—specifically, the hood-connected scruff.
"…?!"
No time for a courteous piggyback or princess carry. Neb glared like she was about to scold the impudent barbarian, but she shut her mouth as the noise grew louder.
Kuung….
Kuuung…!
One thing was clear: not an opponent to fight in such tight quarters.
"What kind of thing lives under a city?"
He dashed across the narrow sewer. Chunks of shattered brick flew whenever his body clipped the walls. Eden shielded Neb's head with his hand to keep the debris off her as he ran.
Getting to the surface would be tough.
They'd walked far enough to lose their bearings, and the surface was a populated city besides. He recalled the guards at the entrance. Useless.
Have to lure it somewhere open, then.
Reaching a wider space, Eden stopped. Arms outstretched wouldn't touch the ceiling. Plenty of room to swing his axes.
……Kuung.
The pursuing steps were distant now. Not particularly fast.
We could just keep running, but…
They still hadn't found the relic. Dragging this monster around would only complicate things.
He set Neb down and gripped the axes at his waist. His heartbeat quickened. His body craved battle. Thick veins bulged like ancient tree roots along his muscles.
"Might be dangerous, so stay put."
"Puha…."
Neb, who'd been carried effortlessly, gasped for air, eyes spinning.
"L-listen to this goddess for once!"
"Running was the right call just now."
Words would have been too slow. Grabbing her scruff had been the correct judgment.
"No, that's not…."
At that moment, a massive shadow emerged from the passage they'd come from.
Kuung…!!
Just taking a step produced a thunderous boom. It was a mass of green muscle. The muscles were bizarrely asymmetrical, with a bloated upper body atop grotesquely stunted legs.
No wonder the footsteps sounded off.
The strangest part was the head. A puny skull wedged between massive traps.
"…A goblin?"
It looked like one, at least. But while Eden's impression was simple, Neb seemed to see something else.
She pointed. A necklace dangled precariously from the goblin(?)'s neck.
"That's this goddess's relic…!"
"?"
Eden tilted his head. Why was a goblin wearing it? He had questions, but no time now.
He advanced naturally toward it. A presence worlds apart from the goblins that had fled him earlier. Its eyes held only hunger and rage.
"Grrr…."
Not in good health, apparently. The lump eyed the barbarian and goddess alternately, foam at its mouth.
Then its gaze locked on Eden. It liked meaty targets, huh.
"…Be careful!"
Neb's voice came from behind. She'd seen his memories, so she knew there was no need to worry. Or maybe not all of them.
Max Level in the game meant the highest achievable level, of course. Like the trait he'd last acquired, he was half-transcendent.
Not quite the world's strongest. There were heroes with transcendent templates, and even fewer demons he couldn't guarantee victory against one-on-one.
But against a big goblin? More than enough. Especially unarmed.
An old adage in the jianghu: one inch long, one inch strong. Longer weapons win—used to predict a staff's victory over a knife.
The goblin's hand shot toward Eden. Impressively fast. But without dwarf-forged magical armor, blocking Eden's axes barehanded was near impossible.
Shaaak!
Blood sprayed the ceiling. The goblin's massive arm hit the floor.
The fearless beast's eyes widened at the sudden change. Eden twisted his wrist, severing the remaining arm. He stepped forward before the off-balance goblin toppled.
It all unfolded in slow motion. Even the head hitting the ground.
The puddle on the floor turned red. The goblin's corpse didn't fall over but slumped straight down.
…Kuung!
Not even a light workout.
Eden reached for the necklace on the severed head.
But grasping just the chain made the head—not on the ground—rise with it.
"Behind you!"
In that instant, his eyes met the goblin's lone head. It gnashed sharp teeth, biting the necklace. Tougher than fish jerky.
Eden kicked out. He'd heard movement from the headless body too.
The body tumbled away, chest caved in. Eden grabbed the head and slammed it down.
Kuduk.
Teeth shattered. As necklace and goblin finally parted, the light of life faded from its eyes.
"Ha."
Eden let out an involuntary chuckle. He turned to Neb.
"…This is the relic?"
A sinister thing that could probably make a necromorph.
* * *
And somewhere with a view of the city, someone murmured softly.
"It's here. The place where the evil god's relic…."