Hell's Doorkeeper
Kinogine Arachne, the hell gatekeeper, spat out a thread. The silk shot forward and coiled around the snake-shaped door handle.
[Father. Should I open it right now?]
I nodded silently. Arachne glanced at my reaction briefly before yanking the thread with all her might.
Rumble—
The massive door scraped along the ground as it swung open effortlessly. The scene beyond filled our vision completely—an endless barren wasteland, a red sky stained like blood, and gray mist swirling with ominous energy in the air. Though I'd never seen hell firsthand, this sinister landscape felt exactly like what hell would look like if it existed.
"Talk about a brutal view."
I pondered what to call this place—abyss, hell, demon realm—before settling on hell.
We advanced, taking in the hellish scenery. The voice guidance kept pointing straight ahead. After about five minutes...
A massive shadow suddenly loomed, blocking our path.
[Halt!]
A stern voice boomed. I looked up. A hulking monster in silver armor, white cape billowing, stared down at us with a massive greatsword plunged into the ground. Its build was remarkably human-like.
I'd thought it was a minotaur at first glance too. But the face was completely different—not a cow, but a dog. A new monster unknown to my info.
[My name is Infernos. I guard the gates of hell.]
Infernos. It named itself. And the locals called this place hell too. My provisional name had hit the mark.
Oh, and its nerfed danger level was B-grade. Actual danger: S-grade.
"A gatekeeper, huh?"
[That's right.]
"Didn't expect a gatekeeper out here... But shouldn't gatekeepers stick near the gate? Why pop up way over here?"
[Went to take a shit.]
I'd wondered why the gatekeeper showed up now. Guess it was off taking a dump away from the gate and was heading back when it bumped into us.
[Anyway, you've illegally invaded this world. That's no light crime, and I can't forgive it.]
Infernos lowered his voice, trying to sound grave. It wasn't threatening at all. No hostility either, for some reason.
Infernos scanned us over before continuing.
[Hmm. But it's not that heavy a sin. Pay a toll, and I might forgive you.]
Infernos demanded a toll. No big deal—we could pay to avoid trouble. Even if it was S-grade, pointless fights were best skipped. As long as the demand wasn't outrageous, I was fine paying.
"So, pay the toll, and you won't make a fuss about us crossing over?"
[Correct.]
What would it want? No currency here, and coins were unlikely. I'd just ask.
"What's the toll?"
[No preferences. Anything works, but I prefer food.]
"Non-food's okay too?"
[...No. Must be food. Nothing else.]
I stared at Infernos in disbelief, then turned slightly to my monsters.
"Kids. Got anything edible for it?"
[Pii!]
Medical Mushroom-004 spat out pink jelly and handed it over. Infernos sniffed it, then popped it in his mouth without suspicion.
[Mm.]
"How's it taste? Good?"
[Tasteless. Give something else.]
"......"
My face soured a bit. Then Niara Nephensis stepped forward.
[Mom packed snacks for our son at Merino's request...]
Niara tore open space and pulled out a handful of stone snacks from beyond.
[Hate to waste 'em, but guess it'll do.]
Niara scattered the stones on the ground.
[Here, doggo. Try some.]
No pride before food? Infernos flattened himself to the dirt, sniffed a stone, picked one up, and crunched it.
His expression changed instantly.
[Ooooh! Delicious, so delicious!!!]
[That's right, doggo. Eat up.]
Infernos buried his face in the dirt, scooping up and devouring the rest. Seizing the moment, I slapped a spare severed arm onto his back. No mind control today, but the food and lack of hostility sped up the discoloration.
Meanwhile, Art Pega Unicorn had sketched Infernos and finished the codex entry.
[Explorer. Codex complete.]
■ Infernos
Actual Danger Level:S-grade
Current (Nerfed) Danger Level:B-grade
It took to me from the start and tamed quickly. Infernos naturally joined our group.
Following the guidance voice, I glanced at Infernos.
"You sure it's okay tagging along?"
[Can't I?]
"No, it's not that... You're hell's gatekeeper, right? Shouldn't you guard the gate?"
[What're you talking about? I'm no gatekeeper.]
"Huh?"
[Must've heard weird rumors. No gatekeepers in hell.]
"......"
[Why the stare?]
Guess it wasn't a real gatekeeper. Just lied for food. No more chit-chat—that'd dumb me down too.
Ignoring Infernos, I focused on walking when—
"Gaaahhh!!!"
"S-save me! No, kill me...!"
"Please, stop......"
Agonized screams pierced my ears. Heading toward the noise, I spotted massive iron pillars. Countless creatures hung chained to them, their skin sizzling against the hot chains, flesh regenerating and burning endlessly. Among diverse races, some looked eerily human.
"...Infernos. What's that?"
[Punished prisoners.]
"Prisoners?"
[Yeah. Heinous sinners kidnapped from other worlds.]
This seemed truthful. Their danger levels were all F-grade—no Ancient Labyrinth natives. Not drifters either—no labels. Invaders would trigger alerts like last time.
[No pity needed. Reapers' soul abduction criteria are subjective, but they don't snatch middling sinners.]
"Abduct? You mean souls before reincarnation?"
[Exactly. Reapers kidnap sinful souls pre-reincarnation and bring 'em here.]
Shocking. Thought it was just "hell" in name, but an actual judgment and punishment realm.
The torturing and guarding monsters ignored us—probably thanks to local Infernos. I strolled slowly past the prisoners.
Just as I wondered what crimes got them abducted—
I scanned the prisoners quickly and spotted the human Ellis described.
"Uwaaaaaahhh!!!"
[Hehe. Cute scream? You love my whip's impact?]
"I-I'll kill you! Once I regain my power, you're first!!"
[Harder? Sure, if you want!]
"G-gaaahhh!!!"
[Ahh! Sweet!]
F-grade human danger level.
"That bastard's definitely..."
A familiar face. The man called Hero of Mercy in Elemen西亚. The one who'd accepted weak me as a comrade... or pretended to. Next day, he mocked me with his party for actually believing him.