Johann's Irresistible Invitation
With the mage heading off for dungeon scouting, only Johann and the Priest remained. It was a golden opportunity for Johann. The defenseless Priest was ripe for the taking.
"Priest, how about we step out for a bit?"
He asked in a casual, offhand tone that didn't feel pushy.
"Step out? Do you have some errand to run?"
"Nothing like that, but the weather's nice. I thought we could get some fresh air together."
A man with Johann's looks could say something like that, and few women would turn him down. Even the Priest, raised in a convent with a life of asceticism and piety, couldn't easily refuse. She didn't particularly want to, either. A faint smile tugged at her lips.
"I'd like that, but... this outfit."
She glanced down at the lewd costume she still hadn't changed out of. The black, form-fitting garment clung to her body in a way that was nothing like her usual robes. Walking around in something like this would definitely draw eyes. The Priest wasn't thick-skinned enough to shrug off the stares from other travelers.
"It suits you perfectly."
"But it's embarrassing. Even on the way to the church earlier, the other adventurers were staring so openly. I get that a woman in clothes like this stands out, but still..."
"Wouldn't staying cooped up in the inn get boring? Besides, to lift the curse on those clothes, we have to head to that Wanderer's Village anyway. Might as well get used to people's stares now, right?"
Johann's logic made sense. After a moment's thought, the Priest slowly nodded.
"You're right. Shall we go for a little walk, then?"
The idea of going out with Johann made her earlier naive worries feel trivial.
So what if people stare?
I get to stroll the streets with a guy this handsome.
The weather was as fine as Johann had said. If the hero or mage had been around, they might've gone for a mood-boosting picnic.
The mage surprisingly loved outdoor activities—her hobby was unpacking homemade bentos on a small hill where birds chirped. The hero enjoyed napping in the gentle breeze too, so picnics had been a party staple.
"What do you do on your days off, Priest?"
"Hmm... I don't really have hobbies. I study scripture or volunteer at the church."
Hobbies led to unnecessary spending, so she'd never picked any up in the convent. Volunteering didn't count as a hobby.
"That's a lifestyle that really suits a priest."
"Is that... a compliment?"
"It could be. Or not."
Johann replied in an ambiguous tone, laced with a teasing lilt.
"Hobbies enrich life. I've got a bunch of them myself."
"Like what?"
"Papercra—er, origami, cooking, arts and crafts, travel, music appreciation. Anything that looks fun, I dive into."
"Cooking? You'd get along with the mage, then. She loves cooking from scratch. Keeps our party's food budget low. She whips up delicious meals with the ingredients I get from church volunteering~."
"Huh, didn't expect that. We shouldn't judge by appearances, but the mage didn't strike me as the domestic type."
"I know, right? Hehe~!"
The Priest skipped a few steps ahead, clasped her hands behind her back, and turned to Johann with a beaming smile utterly free of worry. She looked like a painting, perfectly matching the fairy-tale scenery of Start Village. A warm spring breeze gently brushed her hair.
"Smells delicious. Street food?"
The sweet, savory scent of sauce wafted over, and Johann spoke up. Lunchtime was approaching, and hunger was setting in. An empty stomach was the best bait for reeling in a woman. No beauty could resist good food.
"It's lunchtime already. I know a great chicken skewer spot. Wanna go there?"
"Sounds good, but what about that place?"
Johann pointed to a fancy restaurant with an elegant facade. Its sign featured plates, knives, and forks, and a cluster of adventurers had gathered outside. They wore clean outfits and high-end gear—clearly a skilled group.
"That's expensive. It's the priciest spot in the village. I've only ever window-shopped the menu. A single glass of water there costs enough for ten chicken skewers! Can you believe it!?"
The Priest raised her voice cutely in protest. Johann inwardly cheered.
A high-end restaurant was prime bait for landing a woman. Good ambiance, tasty food, a bit of wine—most fell for it. Add luxury gifts, and it was over.
"We made a killing scouting the Worm of Delusion ruins, so why not splurge a little?"
"But we should always save money. The mage drills that into us. You never know when adventurers might need a big payout."
Even without the mage's nagging, the convent-raised Priest had no taste for extravagance. Fine dining wasn't on her radar unless it was a special occasion.
"My treat. Today feels extra special to me."
"Really? Your birthday?"
"Nah. It's the first day I've gotten to enjoy such a lovely date with you. Way better than a birthday."
Johann dropped the line smooth as a million tons of butter. The words didn't matter—his face did the work.
"In that case... mind if I shamelessly let you?"
"Of course. Let's head in."
The two entered the restaurant together.
"Hey! Watch out!"
He kicked off the ground and leaped aside, dodging falling plant vines from above. At the same moment, icicle spears launched from behind. He ducked low to avoid friendly fire.
The icicle spears slammed into the massive man-eating plant. On impact, they shattered with a crackling burst, flash-freezing the contact point.
It wasn't just physical damage—it slowed the monster's movements brilliantly. Seizing the opening, the hero and thief struck in tandem.
The hero swung his massive greatsword down from overhead, while the thief hurled a small dagger at the plant's flower bud.
The stem writhed in a final spasm of defiance but collapsed before it could counterattack.
As the giant man-eater thudded to the ground, the party finally wiped sweat from their brows and relaxed. That had been a close one.
"Great support, mage. Your rep's well-earned."
The hero grinned and handed her a potion. The mage took it wordlessly and downed it. The taste was bitterly awful, like it might sprout tongue blisters.
But whining about potion flavor in a dungeon was rookie behavior. She swallowed the foul liquid without complaint.
"Ever thought of switching to our party? We'd pay top coin. Word is, your old hero's already kicked the bucket..."
Before he could finish, the mage shot him a feral glare. The hero scratched his head awkwardly and backpedaled.
"J-just kidding. But if you're ever looking to jump ship, say the word."
The mage stayed silent, pointedly turning away as if he wasn't worth her time.
"Hey, hero. Looks like you've really gotten under her skin."
The battle priest chuckled. Unlike the mage's party's priest, this one was a burly, muscled fighter.
"Don't rush it. She'll join us eventually anyway."
The hero nodded at the priest's words.
"Yeah. That Flame Stigma hero's gotta be dead. Charging into a dungeon solo and vanishing for two days? That's game over."
A party's lifeblood was its hero. Everything revolved around them. Without one, parties crumbled fast.
"Such a shame. Another talented guy bites the dust. That hero had solid reviews."
The priest's comment made the hero scowl like he'd been stabbed.
"Hmph! Solid reviews my ass."
"What? Jealous?"
"Me? Jealous of some dungeon-choking loser whose corpse we can't even find?"
"Kek! Your face is too easy to read. Go hole up in the mountains for some training."
"I'm better than that punk to begin with."
"Oh boy, denial stage. The guild guide said he's top among peer heroes skill-wise. That guide's got a sharp eye."
"Must be senile. Calling that scrub the best over me? Proof he's lost it."
The hero dismissed it curtly.
"Whatever. Don't wanna waste time on this crap. Be right back—gotta hit the john."
"Careful. Dying to a monster mid-shit would be the ultimate L."
"Shut up."
The hero split from the party briefly. Most nearby monsters were cleared, so no real threats. He couldn't drop a deuce in front of the mage anyway, so he put distance between them.
"Heh. The mage acts all high and mighty now, but she'll change once she's in our party. How're we reeling her in?"
The hero was already fantasizing about shacking up with the mage. From the moment he first spotted her at the guild, she'd hooked him.
Learning she'd joined another party had felt like the sky falling. But now, opportunity knocked.
Heaven really is on my side.
His rival hero had croaked in the dungeon, and the mage he'd been eyeing had landed in his lap. What could be better?
Whistling cheerfully, the hero remained oblivious to the figure approaching him from behind.