A Proper Ambush
Ever since meeting Neb properly, Eden's medieval life had settled into a thoroughly satisfying rhythm. No more corpses appeared in his dreams to choke him, and the foods from his memories no longer stirred his homesickness. It was all thanks to Neb reshaping his dreams into the likeness of his old bachelor pad. Eden was steeped in a peace more profound than ever before. Unimaginably so.
And so, even when midnight assailants—thieves—came calling, he could afford them a modicum of courtesy.
"Just here to steal, huh."
He'd only slapped them around a bit. As gently as possible. No killing, no broken bones.
Of course, the recipients of his "gentleness" didn't see it that way. They spewed curses inwardly.
Swallowing dizziness, the thief mumbled in a slurred voice. His face was so swollen he could barely speak.
"Y-yes... s-suh..."
Drops of blood fell like pointillist paint, staining the floor. The inn room's wooden boards were already soaked from the blood pouring from his nose and mouth.
Eden crossed his arms at the response.
'...Something's off.'
In his mind, the only ones who'd burst into his inn room right after arriving in the city, dagger in hand, were the 'church' or the 'demon.' Or both.
He'd racked up plenty of grudges surviving medieval life, but most didn't even know his name, so that probably wasn't it.
Staring silently down at the thief, Eden raised his hand again. Seeing the shadow, the man curled up with a shriek.
"...Eek!!"
Eden assessed him. Heartbeat, blood flow, breathing rate.
'Not lying, at least.'
But something smelled fishy. Suspiciously so.
Eden hauled the crouching man to his feet. The thief recoiled in terror, but Eden's attention had already shifted.
"Get out."
"...Y-yes, f-for real..."
Eden's scowl deepened, and the thief bowed deeply before fleeing at top speed.
The reason Eden spared him was simple. He was already max level. Cleaning up a corpse was a hassle. Calling the guards was annoying. That was it.
Having chased off the thief, Eden headed to bed. Glancing at Neb en route, he saw she was still lost in dreams, oblivious to the midnight commotion. Her serene face drew a smirk from him.
Guess I should crash too.
Recalling the kimchi jjigae he'd planned to eat in his dream, Eden lay down. White rice and red stew—that was happiness, intimacy to him.
One problem he hadn't considered, though.
That night.
"......"
The thief attacks continued four more times.
Eden's forehead bulged with thick veins. He looked like a wrathful demon.
He was furious. Every time he lifted his spoon to savor that kimchi jjigae, he'd woken up.
This fucking...
After splashing water on his face to shake off sleep, Eden patted Neb's drool-slick shoulder.
"Gonna step out for a bit."
"...?"
Already sensing something odd from his constant awakenings, Neb tilted her head crookedly on the bed.
"What happened in the middle of the night—or rather, what's all this blood on the floor?"
Whether her night ears were clogged or Eden's cleanup was swift, she'd missed all five assaults. Spotting the remnants, she looked shocked.
Eden grabbed his axe from the floor. Unless the city's thieves' guild had united to rob his inn, he might need it.
"No big deal. Go to the room next door."
"...Not the words of someone grabbing a weapon."
Neb slipped on her shoes, prepping to head out. Anyone could see she wasn't listening.
Eden narrowed his eyes, pressuring her, but it couldn't bend a goddess's stubbornness.
"Said it's no big deal, so a goddess tagging along should be fine."
Eden briefly pondered the unfriendly church and demon. Might be better to bring her.
Nodding, he moved to the next room. Light sleeper as always, Fran opened the door at the faint knock.
"...Hm, what is it."
Her calm eyes met his. No helmet in the inn, apparently.
"Gotta head out briefly. Back soon."
"......At this hour?"
Fran glanced at the night sky through the wooden shutters. Not prime time for a stroll. Especially in torchless medieval nights.
"Where to..."
Mid-sentence, she spotted the two axes at his waist. 'Ramen' and 'Kimbap'—the barbarian weapons now infused with magic.
"Not for a good reason, I take it."
"Nope."
His voice, robbed of restful sleep, brimmed with anger. Sensing it, Fran nodded calmly.
"Wait a moment."
Soon after, she emerged with her dented visor on, two-handed hammer in hand. Battle-ready as usual.
Eden murmured low.
"You don't have to come."
"No, I figure there's reason enough."
Eden sighed. Guess he'd have to hunt the demon lurking in the city after all.
As the group stepped out, the dim streetscape unfolded. Torches at intervals, but not enough to banish the night.
Neb yawned, nudging Eden's side with her head.
"So, where to?"
"Hm."
Eden grabbed her head with one hand, pushing her away firmly.
"Wait for the one who sent the invitations."
That was the only reason for five thieves to his lodging. If they didn't show, he'd hunt them down.
And his hunch was right—a presence waited in the distance.
Eden eyed the lead man. The guy from the church. The one who'd chased them out.
The man grinned brazenly at Eden.
"Oh, fate smiles. Meeting so late—perfect, the priest's at the church. Why loiter? Come along."
Eden was dumbfounded. Not from the church, my ass. More like, why block them daytime if this was the plan?
Fran, thinking similarly, questioned him curiously.
"What's your game."
"Game? Just came to apologize for my rudeness earlier."
Slick as oil. No straight answers coming.
Eden stepped forward.
"To the church?"
"Yes."
Intent clear: lure the group—Eden specifically—to the church.
"Fine. Then quit yapping."
"...?"
"Guide quietly like a proper errand boy. Unless you want a slap."
"......Follow me."
Hiding displeasure poorly, the man led them to the church. Deep night made it starkly different from daytime—no sun-worship vibe.
That they'd followed without protest puzzled him.
"No questions?"
"......"
"About the priest, or the midnight visitors..."
Eden ignored him. Whatever waited in that church, the man's fate—getting slapped—was set. Just timing.
But he saw it as bravado, smirking as he led them inside.
Eden scanned around. Nothing special. Small for a city church.
"This way. Priest's waiting."
He guided them underground. Roughly hewn walls—like freshly dug.
"...Basement."
Already ominous. Why's this damn world love basements so much.
Deep down, a thick metal door awaited, scarred like forced open.
The guide stopped beside it.
"In you go."
"Yeah, wait here."
Three slaps minimum when done, Eden vowed inwardly, passing him.
No mechanism, yet the iron door creaked open as they approached. Chill poured out—like entering another realm.
"...Smells foul."
Neb pinched her nose, scowling—sharing Eden's vibe.
Then Eden spotted the floating orb.
Situation graver than thought.
"Didn't expect it so blatant."
"That’s..."
Clearer than before. Eden answered Fran's mutter.
"A demon."
"...!!"
Red eyes floated on the black-sphere body. They curved into crescents.
[Awaited barbarian and holy knight. New intellect. Unexpected gathering. Full of anticipation.]
The demon chattered in an androgynous voice.
[Didn't think you'd really come.]
Small despite infamous rep, but presence was real. It bounced excitedly.
"Physiologically repulsive."
[Complaint on looks. Not for a barbarian to say. Laughter. Laughter. Mockery.]
Eden gritted his teeth. This punk? Not words from a black tennis ball.
Beside it stood a plainly dressed middle-aged man—the church priest.
Fran raised her voice at him.
"A sun-worshipping priest daring to bring a demon to the church basement...!"
No expression from him. No anger, shame, joy.
"Wrong order."
Emotionless reply.
"Didn't bring demon to church basement. Church built atop where demon already was."
"...What."
He turned to the group.
"How long you think this church has stood? Decades? Centuries? Doesn't matter. Abandoned either way."
Not expecting answer, he rambled on blankly.
"God abandoned us. Faith, prayers, wails—never a response. So we chose. Better pray to one that answers."
Fran leveled her hammer.
"So you pray to a demon?"
"Demon's just a name. Our god's different. Not filthy sun—embraces all, the night god."
Priest spread arms, shouting. Expression unnaturally blank.
"Ignoramuses slander our god as evil. But truth changes that. Yes... it will."
Eden sensed wrongness.
"What's the night god's name?"
"Ho, worthy question from a barbarian."
Eden grimaced at casual racism, then froze at the answer.
"Holds the honorable name 'Neb'."
"......"
Eden glanced at the goddess beside him.
"?"
Neb shook her head vigorously, huge question mark overhead. Strong denial.
"As the saying goes, strong denial..."
"Wh-what nonsense! You don't believe that drivel? This goddess has no memory of such a follower!"
Just a joke. The Neb he knew didn't fit 'evil god' at all.
Eden drew his axes. Questions lingered, but not for now.
"Not too late. Repent and be saved—"
Priest cut off. Had to.
Eden's thrown axe embedded in the demon's orb body.
[...?]
Demon flustered by the shock. Eden said coolly,
"Come at me already. Short on sleep."
As before, he wanted one thing from demons: their life.
And.
[...Pffft.]
Darkness engulfed the space, pouring toward the group.