090. Drifters #5: Ignis Ashbringer

I'd ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠turned Ignis Ashbringer, the self-proclaimed Destroyer God and Conductor of Flames, into a puppet.

Before reading the memories of the puppet Ignis, I called out to Iara Un while washing up in the pond nearby.

"Iara."

"...Yes."

"You heard what that guy ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠muttered earlier, right? About bringing his two companions?"

"......Yes, I heard."

There were now four drifters left. Two on our side, two elsewhere. But since Ignis mentioned two companions, it was clear Iara's group had all been killed.

Judging by her expression, she'd realized it too and fully accepted her comrades' deaths.

I shared Rise's view. I just didn't voice it.

"So, wanna head back right away... or if you're not in a rush, should we at least look for your comrades' bodies first?"

"...Would that be okay?"

I nodded. The least I could do.

She'd handed over her heirloom, the hero's symbol—a precious ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠magic sword. One transfer return ticket barely covered its worth.

"Can't tag along myself, but I'll assign a strong monster to you."

"Thank you..."

Probably couldn't retrieve the bodies. Bringing them back was unlikely too. Still, finding them would let her bury them and pay respects.

After finishing with Iara, I called over Ignis, who'd been standing blankly outside the pond, and ordered him to recite any key memories that might help me.

Ignis spilled various intel. How they ended up in the Ancient Labyrinth. Info on his companions, and so on.

His two companions were:

Fallen God, Twilight Tempter. Lilith Morphia.

Creation God, Author of the Abyss. Niara Nephensis.

Lilith was around Ignis's level. Niara far stronger. Lilith about S-grade. Niara beyond that.

The heavenly folk ended up here like this: Lilith was being transported to heavenly prison. Niara and Ignis were her escorts. En route, they stumbled on a dark portal. Lilith fled through it; the escorts chased after.

Soon realized this was the Ancient Labyrinth. Plenty in the heavens knew of it. Niara even knew killing the explorer could let drifters become the next one.

Anyway, the trio rejoiced at the chance to become absolute gods and agreed to cooperate until an explorer appeared. No point infighting when they needed combined strength.

Finally, I asked if he'd seen a group of six humans. Ignis replied:

Looks like Ignis killed Iara's six-man group.

"Why'd you kill them? Guessed they were explorers? Or just killed first, sorted later?"

I cleared my throat and glanced at Iara.

"...Iara. You hear that?"

"Yes..."

"Beat this fucker till you're satisfied. No soul, different being, but still wears your comrades' killer's face."

Ignis agreed. Reborn with perfect personality. No trace of his old arrogance.

Iara stared him down, sighed, and turned away.

"No... it's fine. He's a different being, and I don't see him as an enemy just for that. Revenge isn't my style anyway."

What? A saint? Maybe truer hero than Ellis. Lacked power, but personality unmatched. Not praise—pure pushover vibes.

Anyway, got Iara's group's body locations. Precise spots, so join retrieval tomorrow. Quick job.

Labyrinth Day 48. Heading to retrieve Iara's group bodies.

"Oh? Who's that?"

Ran into more drifters. Pure coincidence. Same spot as Ignis yesterday.

"Wondered why they weren't back, came looking... and they're hanging with weirdos? No way they betrayed us~..."

Just looking at her made my heart oddly race. That stunning.

Danger level: B-grade. Actual: S-grade.

"Ignis. That's Lilith Morphia, right?"

Less god, more demon. Succubus vibe exactly.

"Hmm. Something's off—no souls detected? My power feels weakened too~..."

Suddenly, Lilith's eyes turned pink. Scanned our monsters one by one.

"Huh? What's this? No seduction working~...?"

Her eyes wavered in panic. Then fixed on me.

"Then that man over th─"

Whoosh!

Ignis whipped out a flamethrower, blasting fierce flames at her.

"Oh! Nice warm fire!"

No effect. Ignis might be even more pathetic than thought.

Ignis blocked my front, back exposed.

"Figured. Thanks."

Counter to charm: Avoid eye contact. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠But if eyes meet, even strongest fall instantly.

"Hmm. Not betrayal..."

Lilith eyed Ignis intently, muttering. He avoided her gaze, naturally. Couldn't see from behind.

"You're not Ignis, are you?"

Lilith clocked him instantly.

"Worse, charm failed. Can't handle all these monsters~..."

She sighed deeply. Even that alluring. As our monsters encircled her, she feigned fear, hands up in surrender.

"Ah. Wait, wait! I surrender! Don't attack!"

God knew her gap from us quick.

"Hey! Muscles? You're the explorer, right? Look the part~?"

Sultry voice calling me. Plugged ears slightly—just in case voice charm. Muffled hearing.

"Never cared for explorer hunting! Ignis and some evil bitch forced me~!"

So accept her as ally like Ignis. No hostility. Team up vs evil bitch. Fell for me at first sight. Blah blah.

Desperate lies to survive. Mind read instant.

"Wh-what're you saying~?"

"No... wasn't thinking that~......"

Monsters' faces twisted grim. All furious.

Lilith sensed doom.

"Um, everyone~...?"

Begged pitifully, glancing around.

"Can't you spare me once~? I'll truly repent those thoughts, never show before explorer again~..."

"Ah......"

Hic. Lilith hiccuped.

Monsters' enraged attacks mercilessly poured on her.