Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Emotional Reunion
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‘This should be safe enough.’
I lifted the shell of a wasp to peer outside.
We’d been walking for quite a while since escaping the tunnel, but I stayed extra cautious just in case.
We’d left the ebon wasps’ territory, but that didn’t change the fact that we were still in a labyrinth.
Monsters could attack at any moment, so we had to move carefully.
“Sis, thank goodness.”
Leon tightly hugged the collapsed Elia.
Her arms squeezed as if she’d never let go again.
‘She must’ve been really worried.’
It was only natural for sisters who’d been through thick and thin together their whole lives.
Leon had known it was a suicide mission, yet she’d risked her life to save Elia.
To her, Elia was irreplaceable—someone she could never give up on.
In a situation where saving even one would’ve been a miracle, I’d rescued both without a scratch.
It was nothing short of a true miracle.
And as the one who’d made it happen, I watched their emotional reunion with satisfaction.
‘Good thing I came down to the upper levels early.’
Even in my repeated regressions, I’d always tried to save them and bring them back alive. Their survival held great significance for conquering the labyrinth ahead.
Especially since I was the one who’d saved them this time—it meant even more.
I’d planned to build up my explorer credentials to meet them and join the Black Claw Guild, but that wasn’t necessary anymore.
‘If I can build affinity with the heroines, pushing back the labyrinth conquest is fine.’
Artifacts and skills would have to wait for the next expedition.
“How’s your sister doing?”
“She’s stable for now. Her pulse is faint, but it’s still there... but...”
Leon trailed off.
She knew Elia’s condition wasn’t good.
We’d escaped the wasps’ nest, but she was still comatose, covered in those flowers—clear signs the infection had progressed deeply.
“We need to get to the city fast. The church can cure her.”
Leon hoisted Elia onto her back.
Business here was done; she wanted to head back immediately.
“Wait.”
“Hm?”
“Thank you. Truly.”
Suddenly, she bowed her head.
I’d expected some gratitude, but not right now.
“Thanks to you, I saved my sister. I’ll never forget this debt.”
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You have rescued the crisis-stricken Elia sisters and earned their trust. Affinity has increased by 20. ‘My hunch was right after all.’
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ -Come on, repeat after me. Thank you.- -Thanks my ass, shove it up your own.- “Heh.”
“Why’re you laughing all of a sudden?!”
“It’s nothing. Just lost in thought for a moment—don’t misunderstand.”
I couldn’t help chuckling at this new side of Leon I’d never seen in past loops.
She’d curse or belittle me at every chance, baring her fangs like a sworn enemy whenever we met.
Yet here she was, thanking me.
Bowing her head deeply, no less.
‘The world’s full of wonders worth sticking around for.’
When Elia first introduced us, I’d thought, What kind of psycho chick is this? But now, she was the picture of meekness.
She still snapped at me in her blunt half-informal speech like when we first met, but nothing grating.
Come to think of it, even on the way to save her sister, she’d followed my instructions obediently—which was odd.
Our exchanges were minimal, just the essentials.
It felt like I’d glimpsed a hidden side of her.
“Helping someone in trouble is just the right thing to do. I only did my best within my abilities.”
I spoke as politely and humbly as possible, careful not to overdo it.
The benevolent savior who’d rescued them from the start—that image was one I intended to maintain.
“No business left here, right? Want to head out of the labyrinth together? I’ll reward you properly once we’re back in the city.”
“About that—could you hear me out?”
“Something you want? Money? An artifact?”
Leon listened intently, ready to grant anything.
I pointed at Elia on her back.
“Y-You don’t mean...!”
“Don’t misunderstand—I’m not after your sister. I’m saying we should remove the flowers covering her first.”
“Ah.”
She clapped her fist into her palm in realization, then tilted her head curiously.
“Can you really remove these flowers? You know they...”
“Yes, I know—forcing them off won’t work.”
Platerria flowers were special.
Normally, they rooted in labyrinth soil, blooming and wilting swiftly as plants.
But if their seeds sprouted on a person, monster, or any living thing, they became parasitic, voraciously draining mana.
Trying to rip them out—roots burrowed into nerves and bones—left permanent damage.
Priests wielded divine mana for miracles, but it only accelerated the flowers’ growth.
“I’ll demonstrate, so please lay your sister down.”
Leon carefully set Elia on the ground without hurting her.
I placed mana-infused fingers near her neck.
They glowed like starlight, illuminating her skin like moonlight in the dark.
I held the pose, waiting for a reaction.
Squelch!
The plant’s roots piercing her body burst through her skin.
Like reaching hands, they flailed toward my mana-charged fingers.
I withdrew the mana and yanked them out.
Too late, they tried retreating, but I’d already ripped them free.
Crackle!
With the roots gone, the surrounding flowers withered like aged relics, crumbling to dust.
“That’s how it’s done.”
I dangled the extracted roots in front of Leon.
“Remove them one by one like this. Like baiting a fish with a hook.”
“...”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just... show me once more. I missed it earlier.”
“Of course.”
Like a tutor correcting mistakes, I explained in detail.
It wasn’t hard, so she picked it up quickly, pulling roots out steadily.
The flowers on Elia’s body vanished one by one.
“Don’t look ahead.”
“Got it—that’s why I taught you this.”
When removing inner-clothing flowers, Leon’s icy glare hit me, but I’d already turned away.
Mm, I get it.
Sis had more to see than little sis, in sociability and looks.
Despite similar skills, their guild status was worlds apart.
Leon knew it well, always chasing off bugs around Elia in past loops.
But those efforts went to waste when I started dating Elia, sparking fierce clashes with Leon every meeting.
‘Miss those days.’
“Done. You can look now.”
“All clear. She’ll wake soon.”
“This’ll really be enough?”
“See for yourself.”
As I spoke, Elia’s closed eyelids slowly fluttered open.
“Nng... where...?”
Elia murmured, eyes barely open.
Her consciousness wasn’t fully back, but speaking proved the treatment worked.
“Sis!”
Leon cried out in a trembling voice.
Like a dam bursting, emotions overflowed; she sobbed uncontrollably.
“Sis! Sis!”
Elia looked puzzled at her shaking sister but soon hugged her tightly, silently patting her back as always.
To not ruin this precious moment, I stepped back and watched the sisters reunite.
‘Now, all that’s left is escaping this labyrinth city.’
Rumble!
I heightened my senses.
Alert for faint vibrations underfoot.
Then the echoing cry.
Hooo...
Platerria—the monster’s death throes.
Frail, as if life was ebbing away... but I knew better.
This final scream heralded disaster.
‘We need to hurry.’
Before the flowers fully bloom here—get them out of the labyrinth.
That was my resolve.