The Weight of Bonds
I had thought their expressions looked serious from a distance, so I hurried over to the table. Up close, though, it wasn’t so much serious as completely drained. The atmosphere felt oddly deflated.
Knock knock.
“Come on, why’s the mood so gloomy? What were you two talking about?”
Yeriel fidgeted with her lips for a moment before speaking.
“Aren, you’re back? We were just… talking with Lumia about the future and stuff.”
Lumia picked up where Yeriel’s listless voice left off, adding carefully, “We were wondering if we might actually be holding you back, Aren… That’s what we were discussing.”
What? Just a few hours ago they’d been jumping for joy after getting their traits. And the moment I went upstairs, they started talking about this?
Yeriel began in a completely wilted tone.
“I want to only think positive thoughts, but… Aren, you managed to get a private audience with the Guild Master on your very first return—the same Guild Master that even mid-tier adventurers can barely meet. Meanwhile…”
She continued, “I’m basically just a buff totem that doubles as a healing potion substitute, and Lumia’s a pseudo-scout who can use a bit of dark magic.”
“…”
“Especially me. The only thing I’ve really done is help Lumia take down those three pathetic human hunters we met in the labyrinth. Other than that, I haven’t contributed much at all.”
She let out a long sigh.
“At first, after we safely returned from the labyrinth and got our traits, I felt great. But the more I thought about it, the gap between us is already this big. I started worrying about how far apart we’ll become as time passes…”
Why bring up something like that all of a sudden?
“I don’t have any particularly outstanding abilities. I’m just a common priestess who happens to have a talented older sister. That realization made me feel depressed…”
Even just looking at her traits, it was obvious she had plenty of potential as a priestess. And having a capable family member was part of her own strength too, wasn’t it?
“I started wondering if finding a priestess better than me would be better for your future, Aren. Maybe I’m just forcing you to keep me around out of some short-lived connection. Ugh, sorry for complaining like this…”
What is all this nonsense? Was she still bothered about having to wait outside the barrier during the subjugation? Or was it the visible difference in unique items and stats?
Considering the presence of the Floor Boss and the fact that I’d been summoned for a private meeting with the Guild Master, it must have hit her late. The timid, fragile side she’d shown when we first met hadn’t completely disappeared after all. It had simply been hidden behind her bright and determined attitude.
Well, a person’s nature doesn’t change that easily.
Should I try to boost her self-esteem here? No. Better to be direct.
“We’ve only just finished our first labyrinth run together as a party. Why are you having such a serious conversation over something like that?”
I dropped heavily into a chair. I knew that brushing off an issue like this would only make it come back worse later.
Now that it’s come up, I need to settle it properly.
After all, I was currently loaded with excellent traits and equipped with unique gear. It made sense that they might feel that way after watching me fly through the lower layers in ways that set me apart from others.
“If it weren’t for you two, we never would’ve made it through Isaac, the human hunters, or the Floor Boss. What could I have done alone? We only made it back alive because the three of us worked so well together, didn’t we?”
Chaos clicks his tongue, muttering that the girls lack backbone.
“Listen, both of you. It’s impossible to survive the labyrinth alone. I’m not reluctantly keeping you in the party just because of your abilities.”
Of course, I couldn’t deny that I needed both of them in many ways, including human relationships. It was the truth. But—
“Setting all that aside, I simply like being in a party with you two. Want me to tell you why?”
I began recalling each reason one by one. There were countless things to praise if I thought about it even a little.
“Yeriel, your cute smile, the warm words that ease everyone’s fatigue, the way you always show consideration, and even those sudden emotional outbursts that happen whenever you grab my hand.”
The girl who had risked her life and sworn an oath for me on the third floor, who had stayed by my side and given me strength ever since.
“And Lumia, the way you grit your teeth and endure even when faced with unfair situations, how you always move first because you want to be useful to the party more than anyone, and even those times you cling to me a little too much—I like all of it.”
She had been hated by nearly everyone she met. People told her to leave the city, to go back to that village where only cursed women gathered. Watching her tremble and take those harsh words had been heartbreaking. But when I felt how much she needed me, it made me realize something.
After struggling through a difficult life back on Earth, I had been transmigrated and received these overpowered traits. I wasn’t just some orphan flailing around trying to live well in this new world… I could actually become someone this important to another person. That thought, along with a slight boost to my own self-esteem, would sometimes rise up inside me.
Even if someone called me selfish and insidious, I’d have nothing to say. It’s the truth, so what can I do?
“So what if there’s a bit of a gap in our specs? So what if our equipment is a little lacking? We just need to train hard in the city and gradually make up for what we’re missing inside the labyrinth. That’s all there is to it.”
No one could predict what would happen on future labyrinth runs. Sometimes we might finish safely without any incidents. Other times, we might get caught up in something even worse than this and once again stand at the crossroads of life and death.
Still, no matter what the future held, right now… I wanted to enter the labyrinth with them, not alone.
Thump!
I struck my chest once and looked at them both in turn.
“I just really like the people named Yeriel and Lumia. What about you two?”
Staring into their sparkling eyes, I put strength into my voice.
“Don’t you both want to stay in a party with me, to laugh and cry together through all the countless events that will happen in the labyrinth and the city from now on?”
My emotions got ahead of me as I spoke. I recalled Yeriel’s earlier slip of the tongue.
“Finding a priestess better than you would help my future?”
Could anyone really accept hearing something like that?
“No one else can replace you. After everything we went through from the third floor to now, you still don’t get it? It’s not even about the person. I can’t even imagine having any priestess other than you by my side.”
Why would she put herself down by bringing up my future like that?
Time to calm down. I cleared my throat with a small cough and finished.
“If you two are willing, I want to walk that path side by side with you—from becoming high-ranking adventurers in Labyrinth City all the way to the end. Together, for a long time. How about it?”
Only after saying it all did I realize… I had gotten quite carried away.
The anger toward the concept of abandonment that had followed me from Earth, and my obsession with connections. I was aware of it, but since it was a mental issue, it wasn’t easy to fix.
…A brief silence fell.
From the surrounding tables came the faint sound of whistling and chatter.
“Wow, they completely forgot they’re inside the guild building. It’s like a romance drama in here!”
“That guy’s face really delivers, huh? He’s going all out.”
“Ugh, my hands and feet are curling up.”
Damn it. The situation had been so sudden that I must have raised my voice without realizing while pouring my heart out. Even though our table was in the corner, it had drawn attention.
Hearing the voices around us, embarrassment flooded in late. While I stood there not knowing what to do, the two of them simply stared at me in a daze.
“S-say something—”
Clatter!
Whoosh!
They kicked their chairs back and rushed toward me.
“M-me! I’ll work even harder from now on to become someone worthy of standing beside you, Aren! I’m sorry for saying weird things! Hic, huuueeeeng.”
“I was honestly moved too. I thought about it last time, but… I’ll stay by your side from now on. Always.”
I hadn’t expected this from Yeriel, who had been bright and cheerful ever since returning from the third floor, or from Lumia, who had to stay close because of her curse anyway. It left me a little flustered.
“Haha, okay, okay. I get it, so can you both let go now? I can’t breathe.”
Thank goodness. Never mind my face burning with embarrassment, the mental care seemed to have been a huge success.
“Let’s finish the settlement quickly and head back to the inn. How about we throw a small welcome-back party together? Since we survived safely, we can even have our first celebratory drink.”
“Hic, s-sounds good.”
“I agree too. I want to hurry back and tell Grandpa Rotten we’re back.”
Yeriel was still sniffling with tears in her eyes, while Lumia’s ears perked up cutely, clearly in a good mood. They both seemed to have regained their confidence, so I told them I’d be right back and headed for the settlement counters.
Among the many dedicated settlement desks, I returned to the same line as before so I could greet the receptionist. The line was short, and my turn came quickly.
The receptionist with the bouncy voice greeted me warmly.
“Welcome ba— Oh! You’re back again! Did everything go well upstairs?”
“Of course. I was a bit dazed at first, but thanks to you it wrapped up quickly.”
“Ahaha, if it was urgent enough to be relayed all the way down to us first-floor receptionists, it must have been something serious. I’m glad it was resolved well!”
I smiled back and began taking the byproducts out of my bag.
“Let’s see. Goblin ears, kobold noses, ratman tails, and a woodman core. All confirmed.”
The receptionist wiped her hands with a handkerchief as she spoke.
“Hmm, the total comes to 24 silver coins and 30 copper coins. Do you have any other business?”
Is there some cleaning magic on that handkerchief? It looks spotless. More importantly, twenty-four silver coins.
Divided three ways, that was eight silver coins and some copper each? If we hadn’t had any remaining funds, we would’ve had to find work or check the job and request boards next to the matching bulletin until the next labyrinth opened.
The first floor really doesn’t pay much. Since I needed to keep staying in the 4th District with Lumia, we’d have to climb much higher on the next labyrinth run.
Even though Rotten was charging us less than half the rate of our previous inn, eight silver coins per person was still quite a lot. It left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Even after wasting several days with Derick’s party on this and that, the four of us had received twenty-five silver each. Clearing at least the third floor or higher would give us some breathing room.
Oh right. I almost forgot the most important thing.
I asked the receptionist, who was waiting for me to speak.
“We were attacked by human hunters in the labyrinth. After the battle, I secured what appears to be the leader’s head. Would it be alright to take it out here?”
“Yes! You can take it out and place it here. Please keep in mind that it must be recognizable enough for basic facial identification.”
I nodded. Before leaving after capturing Gaspel, I had cut off his head. Lumia had then used dark magic to slow the decay. That was how I had stored his slightly blackened head in my spatial bag.
Thud.
Ugh. Even when I put it in the bag, it had made my stomach churn a little. Seeing it now still didn’t feel great.
I placed Gaspel’s severed head on the counter.
“Hmm. It looks like your companion can use decay prevention or delay magic. Since the condition is good, if you come back in a few days you’ll be able to receive the reward according to the verification.”
The receptionist proceeded with the procedures calmly, as if seeing corpses was nothing unusual.
“Thank you. Then I’ll be going.”
“Safe travels!”
I left the counter and returned to the girls.
“Here, the settlement money for now. Eight silver coins and ten copper each should be the split.”
They both accepted their shares without much comment.
“I left the head from the bag at the counter, so we can stop by the guild in a few days. Shall we head to the carriage now?”
“Yeah! Let’s go quickly.”
“I don’t think we forgot anything.”
Good. Time to head back to the inn.
We all walked together toward the carriage platform.
Creak!
“Hmm?”
Rotten must have been near the door, because his eyes widened when he saw us. More precisely, when he saw Lumia.
“Hehehe, Lumia, my girl. Looks like you returned safely this time! Well done, well done. You worked hard.”
“Mhm. It’s all thanks to those two. Anyway… we’re back.”
“That’s right, that’s right. Go upstairs, unpack, wash up, and come back down. This old man will show off his skills a bit.”
Lumia nodded. Rotten looked at her with pride, then turned to me and Yeriel.
“You two worked hard too! Finish whatever you need to do and come down. I won’t be charging you for tonight’s dinner.”
“Thank you. We’ll head up then. See you later.”
We opened the door to the second-floor room we had stayed in before entering the labyrinth.
Shaaaa—
“Haa, that feels good.”
Chaos compliments your body, saying it looks good as always.
Chaos really is consistent. It’s all thanks to the traits, isn’t it?
After tidying up, I went down to the first floor and waited for the two of them. They soon came down, took their seats, and we began chatting warmly.
“Alright, it’s been a while since I showed off my skills. There’s plenty of food, so eat as much as you want! Since we made it back alive, let’s each have a drink too.”
We all raised our glasses.
“Even though it was only the first floor, so many things happened that it’s hard to believe. But we overcame it all and returned here, to our little nest.”
I looked at Yeriel and Lumia as I continued.
“The things that couldn’t kill us will eventually become even more valuable experiences. They’ll turn into blood and flesh, becoming the foundation that helps us grow even further.”
“So instead of blaming yourselves and feeling depressed like earlier, let’s just enjoy this moment for now.”
To celebrate our safe return, and for the journey ahead.
Clink!
As we ate and drank, Lumia suddenly began to cry.
On her usually expressionless face, only her eyes shimmered with moisture. Then the tears poured down like a waterfall.
I was startled for a moment, but soon wiped her eyes and gently pulled her into a hug.
“Hic. Hng. Kk… Huuu.”
Yeriel came over and stroked the sobbing Lumia’s hair.
Pat pat.
“Hup. Hic.”
“Are you okay? You suddenly started crying and scared me. You alright?”
Lumia nodded. Yeriel comforted her, asking if she was alright, and soon Lumia pulled away from my embrace, rubbing her swollen eyes.
“Memories from the first floor kept coming back… times when everyone died and I was the only one who survived and escaped. I felt guilty, but at the same time I realized so many things have really changed. That I can do it too. I got so happy that I started crying without meaning to. I’m okay now.”
I could understand. It must have been heartbreaking for Lumia, who had suffered every day under her curse, and for those who had been dragged in and died.
Since she cried today, she might be able to let go of some of that past pain. Starting tomorrow, she could live with a new heart.
Thinking that, I comforted her once more. We clinked our glasses again and kept eating diligently. By the time everyone was pleasantly tipsy, we each returned to our rooms and closed our eyes.
Chaos whispers good night.
Just before falling into the embrace of sleep, I thought—
Tomorrow… I have to go back to the Silver Cross Knights. I need to tell Ivelin properly.
That I am the former Lee Ja.