Ominous Knocks
"……."
When I opened the door, Elise thrust a raid experience application form right in my face with a triumphant grin.
"Here, take this. Just apply and you're good."
She's already filled in all my personal info... No option to bail here...
I let out a sigh and said to Elise, "
...Elise, why are you dragging me into another raid? Didn't you say last time was too dangerous, so no more?"
"This one's an experience raid, so the vets will watch over us! No danger at all, so you have to come!! It's a sure-shot hot spring ticket if we win the draw—aren't you interested?"
Coincidentally, I was hitting the hot springs every other day.
Of course, she had no clue.
From her perspective, she'd snagged a golden opportunity and wanted to share it.
"But from what I know, Iron explorers aren't eligible. New raid participants need at least Bronze. I don't have the track record for promotion anyway."
"You're not Iron."
"…?"
I was pure Iron, no matter what anyone said.
Since assignment, my only explorer activity was that one Giant Slime raid.
It counted as a record, sure... but I hadn't applied for promotion, so still Iron.
"I applied for your promotion. First subspecies raid gave massive merit points—no issues approving it. Good job, right? No need to thank me too much. Looking after a hopeless disciple is part of being a master, yeah?"
"Wait, how does the Management Office even allow that? Someone else applying for your promotion without you there?"
"Oh, that? We're registered as a party, so I can update your info."
Right—Raid Management had a party system where the leader could handle applications and rank-ups for everyone.
A convenience patch for explorers, I guess?
Sigh... a raid...
At my lukewarm reaction, Elise deflated, sneaking peeks at my face.
"You don't wanna go...? Did I overstep...?"
She used to throw her weight around as my master, but lately she was hooked on this guilt-trippy vibe.
"Fine... I'll go."
"Heehee, that's more like it!"
Experience applications weren't guaranteed anyway.
This time, with hot spring addicts swarming, competition was brutal—murderous, even.
Viewers from the broadcast were probably clamoring for elixirs late to the party.
Lots of folks wanted to trade elixirs straight for hot spring tickets since cash was no object.
Probably fretting over crashing elixir values... or figuring one elixir for unlimited multi-effect soaks was a steal.
Either way, rare elixirs for sale? Profit for me.
The late-sale ones were top-shelf, hidden away—way better than early buys.
Once enough piled up, time for a second hot spring dungeon.
Lost in thought, Elise had slipped inside.
"Why's Kkomangi...?"
She pointed to the corner where Kkomangi was furiously licking a white pillar.
"Lick lick-."
"Oh, that... new Kkomangi toy..."
"Isn't it kinda huge for a toy...?"
True—Elise was right; it was adult-male sized.
The toy Kkomangi was devouring? A dragon bone swiped from StickyThingLover.
Why can't he gulp it whole? Just licking away...
Originally three times bigger, FYI.
Looks mindless, but definitely absorbing.
"Lick lick-"
"Hmm... well, better than you spinning him by the tail like a maniac. Thought you were abusing him."
"Helicopter's one of his fave games? Slimes love intense stim."
True story—post-spin, he bounces begging for more.
"Yeah yeah, sure. Let's apply already."
"Not first-come... gotta go at dawn?"
"Strike while the iron's hot! Slack off and you're doomed!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
A dark room echoed with mechanical hums.
A hulking man spoke to... something by the bed.
"Lord, this humble enforcer has secured an elixir bath ticket. Preparing now."
The "lord"—a mummy on the bed.
Questionable if alive. Skin and bones, eyes barely cracked. Faint breaths proved it.
Tubes pierced its body, clearly life-support.
"...Father, endure just a bit longer..."
A ghostly woman stroked the mummy's cheek worriedly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Evening hot springs.
The usual crew soaked: dwarf trio, Yeomje, Dragon Mask Padak.
Scattered others with elixir-ticket trades.
About ten in this vast bath.
Yeomje, relaxing, glanced at the entrance.
"Hm? Someone new."
Domain active, easy to sense entrants. Dungeon Master's heads-up on pre-entries prompted it.
"Gonna nag again?"
"Of course—no repeating that fiasco."
Yeomje rose, heading toward the newcomer.
Steam parted, revealing...
"Hm? What's that?"
A giant dude hauling a withered corpse—clothes on!!
Yeomje flushed beet-red, charging over.
"Hey!! Wash first, change to swimsuit... Gah!! You!!!"
"...Long time, Yeomje. Under Dungeon Master now, huh?"
This guy's definitely... Heavenly Demon Church Enforcer Ilcheon!!
Why drag a corpse here?
Yeomje scanned it with his domain.
Flinch-!
The "corpse" lived... and that familiar aura...
"In, insane... no way that's..."
"...Mind if we pass?"
"...Go ahead."
Yeomje stepped aside.
Dragon Mask Padak sidled up, whispering.
"Hey, Yeomje—that him...?"
"Aye, unbelievable... Heavenly Demon, somehow alive. But that state..."
"Even elixir baths can't save that husk..."
They watched the giant recede.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Auntie Rana, great work today."
"You too, Luna~ See ya tomorrow."
Post-close, Luna tidied with Rana and locked up.
Late evening, shelter lights dimming.
Her favorite time—not just quitting, but his escort home.
What to chat about today...
Work daydreams: their walk. Those mundane moments—her peak joy.
Then, the awaited voice.
"Luna, good work today."
"Oppa, you're h—huh?"
Pause-
Another woman beside him. Stunning beauty, obvious.
"Oh, this your shop? Always lines—booming, huh? Name says it all—how'd I miss it?"
"You're the only one in our building who doesn't know... Dennis drops by often."
"Uh, th-that lady with you...?"
Soo-chan eyed Luna cautiously, introducing.
"Uh... remember? My neighbor teaching magic. Ellie... Elise something?"
"Heavens... can't even remember your master's name? You must be Luna. Call me... Elise."
"A-ah, nice to meet you..."
This scent... on oppa lately... She said just neighbor...?
But they seemed way too cozy. No barriers.
Like they'd seen it all...
"Luna? Sorry... Told her not to come, but she insisted. Uncomfy? I can send her back."
"N-no, it's fine. Um, oppa—head home first today?"
"Huh? I'll walk you."
"No really, it's okay!!"
Luna fled.
"Ack, Luna!!"
Soo-chan couldn't catch her.
"Too fast..."
"Um... disciple, my fault...?"
"……."
Beastkin leg power—Luna hit church grounds quick.
...Ran away...
Upset, she skipped her room for the prayer hall.
Late night—empty, perfect for tangled thoughts.
Clank-
One other soul inside. Luna sat elsewhere.
Haa... why'd I bolt like an idiot...
Head in hands, slumped.
"Sister, you seem troubled?"
Sudden voice—Luna jolted, checking if she'd disturbed.
"Ah... did I bother you?"
A red-haired woman loomed kindly, silent approach.
New face, but familiar...
"S-Saintess!?"
Hands clasped, the saintess gazed down.
"I've been looking for you."
Her smile—mask-like, eerie.