Chapter 194: A Cycle of Rest and Work
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 194: A Cycle of Rest and Work
After finishing the raid on the Snake Nest, the party gathered to talk for a while.
Ulysses, who had ended up in the body of an Alraune, was the first to speak.
"This... I just can't get used to it."
"Why? You look good."
"Ugh."
Maximus grinned and cracked a joke, making Ulysses grimace.
Perhaps because he had taken over the body of a creature that was exceptionally beautiful even by Alraune standards, Ulysses looked stunning even while scowling. Maximus took full advantage of this, teasing him relentlessly.
"You're one to talk! You aren't exactly in a normal state either!"
"Haha! At least I've still got everything where it should be!"
"You... damn it."
Maximus flaunted his newfound strength, thrusting his Undead Imp body forward. Having obtained a body that couldn't die, he certainly had something to brag about.
"I feel like the number of humans among us is steadily dwindling."
"I know, right? There’s hardly anyone left."
Ulysses had become an Alraune, and Maximus was now an Undead Imp. Furthermore, Joshua had declared he would remain in his Golem body. Effectively, Chloe was the only human left.
The problem was that even Chloe would likely be replaced by a new Fiend body soon.
"Do you intend to keep going with them?"
"I think I'll have to."
I planned to keep those four with me until the very end.
Though my trust in them had wavered once, they were still the easiest Platinum Badges to manage. Seeing them fight so well this time had restored my confidence in them.
"The 6th floor is next, then."
"I'm going with you."
"It'll be dangerous."
"I'm going anyway."
Rosier looked at me with an unwavering gaze. It was a clear declaration that she would follow me to the end, no matter what.
"If Rosier goes, Yuria and Leah will probably follow suit."
"Are you worried?"
"Of course. I'm not just worried about Yuria and Lady Leah; I'm worried about you too, Rosier. I'm worried about everyone."
"It makes me happy that you care, but please don't forget that we are strong too. Especially Yuria and Leah—they've really come into their own lately."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. The two of them have grown enough to handle the bosses of the 5th floor together. Even if we go down to the 6th floor, there shouldn't be any major issues."
Yuria was capable of mid-range physical attacks. She could fill Kairan's spot.
Lady Leah possessed the unique skill of Silver Thread, so she could serve as both a guide and a seeker.
Both had grown enough to be helpful. They had become strong enough to more than compensate for Kairan's absence.
"I'll have to give it some thought."
Suddenly, the thoughts I’d had before meeting Lady Leah crossed my mind.
I had once vowed never to get involved with a woman who wasn't a slave. I had even promised myself never to date an adventurer.
I had feared that if they died in the Labyrinth, my mental state would crumble.
However, much has changed since then. I have grown stronger, and I’ve accumulated enough wealth to afford the cost of resurrection.
Having conquered the 5th floor, money was essentially flowing in on its own. Honestly, if it weren't for the Labyrinth Eruption, I could have stopped exploring the Labyrinth altogether and lived a life of comfort.
"I'm sorry for making you follow me down such a difficult path."
"What are you talking about? I fell for you because you look so cool walking that difficult path."
"Really?"
"Yes. I don't like lazy people. Sion, you are always diligent, considerate, and thorough in your preparations. That's what I like about you."
"Thanks for seeing me that way..."
"My, my. You seem to have become quite sentimental after spending time in a woman's body."
"What? No, I haven't! Medusa's body didn't affect me at all!"
"You're even cuter than usual today. Come here."
"W-Wait! Rosier!"
Before I knew it, I was pulled into Rosier's embrace.
At the time, I didn't realize it. I really was in a more feminine state.
It was a side effect of having worn the Medusa's skin.
*
After returning to the mansion and venting about the hardships of the journey to my family, Rosier ended up spilling all the behind-the-scenes stories from the Labyrinth.
Specifically, the part about how I had briefly become feminine as an aftereffect of wearing the Medusa's skin.
"Really? He acted like a girl?"
"Yes. He was just like a little maiden."
"No way! You only showed that side to Rosier? What about me?!"
"What do you want me to show you?! Forget it! Argh, it was no big deal, so stop making such a fuss."
Yuria shouted at me, pointing her fork rudely across the dinner table, demanding that I show her the same side Rosier had seen.
Of course, I had no intention of doing so. Why on earth would I show off such an embarrassing side of myself? Not a chance.
"You're being so damn petty, you bitch."
"Hey, brat! Calling your lord a 'bitch' is going a bit too far, don't you think?"
"Whatever! You've been so busy lately you don't even come to see me..."
"No, Yuria, it's not like that."
Yuria had officially entered sulk mode.
This drunkard always made it very obvious when she was upset if she didn't get regular attention.
I suppose I have been a bit neglectful lately.
Did she have any idea how busy I’d been after conquering the 5th floor?
I was busy enough to vomit. From procuring materials and supplies to stabilize the 5th floor to meeting with the leaders of the Labyrinth City—I even had to contact the Villainesses several times to have them adjust the 5th floor.
Ten of me wouldn't have been enough. On top of that, I almost died while raiding the Snake Nest. I didn't want to be this busy either.
"I'm sorry. But I'll be resting at home for the next two days. Let's spend a lot of time together, okay?"
"Hmph. You mean it? Last time you said you'd rest, you disappeared in less than an hour. Remember?"
"That was... well, something urgent came up."
"Urgent? You went to the Martial Arts Hall to exercise. You think I didn't know? If you're going to go, at least ask me to come along."
"Sorry..."
"You really are selfish. Right? Leah, you think so too, don't you?"
"Unlike this woman, I always respect you, Sion."
"Hey! You! This girl is stabbing me in the back? You're the one who was moping yesterday, saying you felt the same way! Honestly, I didn't even care that much, but since you kept dumping your worries on me, I stepped up to give Sion a piece of my mind—and now you betray me? You want to die?"
"When did I ever do that? What a ridiculous woman."
"You're dead!"
"Good grief..."
They were at it again. Yuria and Leah fought every single day.
If I had to describe them, Yuria was like a dog and Leah was like a cat. Whenever Leah subtly poked at Yuria's nerves, Yuria wouldn't hesitate to bark back.
Still, they're both smiling, so it's not all bad.
They said they had been training together in the Underground City while I was away. They bickered constantly, but they didn't seem to actually be on bad terms. This was much better than when they truly hated each other.
"By the way, where's Olivia?"
As the meal was ending, I asked the question, and Marin, who was serving us, answered.
"Ever since she regained her sight, she's been spending more and more time staring at sheet music. She's probably holed up in her room."
"Staring at sheet music?"
"Yes. I called her earlier, but she didn't answer."
Come to think of it, she had only greeted me briefly before disappearing.
What was she doing shut away in her room? Usually, she was the type to come running to me and stick by my side all day. Ever since her vision returned, she hadn't been approaching me as much.
Unable to contain my curiosity, I headed to Olivia's room.
"Olivia, what are you doing?"
"Ah, ahh! I'm sorry. I had to get this down on paper quickly."
"Get what down?"
"The music from Earth. Now that I can see, I can finally write sheet music. I have to transcribe the melodies and accompaniments while I still remember them. Memories fade, after all."
"Aha."
Dozens of music sheets were scattered all over Olivia's room.
Naturally, even looking at the notes filling the staves, I had no idea what songs they were.
"Um, since you're here, would you like to hear a song?"
"Really? You're finally going to let me hear one!"
"Yes... hehe. I haven't mastered it perfectly yet, but I've practiced this one quite a bit. I'm not sure if you'll know it, but it's a very famous song, so I think you might."
Olivia was Latin American and I was Korean; we grew up in completely different countries. There was no guarantee that I would know the songs she knew.
So, I didn't have high expectations... but to my surprise, the melody was familiar.
"This song is...!"
An incredibly familiar melody. A fun rhythm that naturally made your body sway. I had definitely heard this before.
"What was the title again? Ah, don't tell me. I'm going to guess."
"Hehe. Okay, okay. Try to guess."
"This is... ah."
I knew what it was.
"Despacito. Ah, I know this one."
It was a song that had been incredibly famous at one point. I remembered it. There was a time when I listened to it constantly.
"Playing it on a lute gives it a completely different feel. It used to be such a upbeat song, but it feels much more mellow on the lute."
"Right? The vibe changed completely. I think that's what's so fun about it. Being able to play Earth's music in a completely different world on a completely different instrument."
Olivia smiled brightly.
Compared to when I first bought her, the change was truly staggering. When I first met her, she was completely broken. She was always tense, trembling with anxiety.
Because she couldn't see, she had viewed her situation even more pessimistically.
I understood. An Earthling suddenly summoned to a world like this, forced to live a life full of misfortune... If it hadn't been for my Subspace Pocket, I might have ended up in a miserable state just like Olivia.
"That was a great performance. But make sure you eat while you work, okay?"
"Yes!"
I patted Olivia on the head and stepped outside.
The moon had risen. The night was deepening.
Everything was progressing smoothly.
Now, it was time to interrogate the souls of the captured Fiends.
Why did they come up to the surface? What do they know? Who sent them? I intended to find out everything.