Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Adventure Club #8
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Rustle.
Something parted the bushes and appeared.
At first glance, as it crawled on all fours, it almost seemed like a sleek, elongated feline beast.
But then it stood up straight on two legs—a bizarre human figure wrapped head to toe in black bandages, with a cloak draped over them.
Whoooosh—.
The blowing wind sent the torn bandages and long black hair fluttering in all directions, like a ghost from a child's nightmare.
The body visible through gaps in the bandages was rippling with taut muscles, limbs elongated in a way that sent chills down the spine—less human, more like a witch's broomstick stretched to extremes through relentless training.
Its height was nearly two meters, enough to exude an overwhelming presence.
When those pitch-black eyes between the bandages turned toward me—
“Theo, please step behind me.”
Lady Kallira gripped her whip tighter and positioned herself in front of me. But I knew better than anyone that we couldn't afford to fight them.
“…Don't attack them under any circumstances, Lady Kallira. Not unless they strike first. We absolutely cannot engage.”
“Them…?”
As Lady Kallira echoed in confusion, more rustling came from behind, and several figures emerged from the bushes.
Clank, clank—.
The first to appear was ash-gray full plate armor emblazoned with a massive red cross on the chest.
The heavy, dull armor was caked in blood and dirt, as if it had long forgotten its days of gleaming silver—utterly ferocious.
But even more horrifying was the hammer clutched in the massive gauntlet.
The enormous hammer, half the size of a person's torso, was a raw lump of iron, its weight optimized purely for destruction.
Anything hit by that—be it a gate, a wall, or a boulder—would shatter like an egg.
“Hunter, I told you not to run off ahead like that.”
Yet the voice drifting from beneath that steel armor was soft and feminine, brimming with warmth and kindness.
At least toward her own.
“Huh? People?”
Clank. Shrrk.
The woman lifted the faceguard of her helmet with a gauntlet. Her blue eyes fixed on Lady Kallira.
“Wow, what a stunning beauty.”
Perhaps irked by that languid laugh, Lady Kallira gripped the whip handle even tighter.
“…A holy knight? Why is a knight of the Barrier here?”
“You know of the Barrier Knights? Such a refined lady. But I'm no holy knight—I'm a healing priestess. Just a bit stronger than most, that's all.”
Those cat-like blue eyes were locked solely on Lady Kallira. Was the setting of a priestess who fancied women still unchanged?
In fact, this very priestess had once nearly fallen to Assassin Kallira's seduction, teetering on death's edge—at least in my memory.
“Your ruby-red eyes are lovely. What's your name, miss?”
“…….”
But perhaps because the storyline had diverged, Kallira showed no sign of lowering her guard, eyeing the flirtatious priestess with deep suspicion.
Probably because the blood still dripped from their armor and weapons. Then, a heavy presence stirred from the rear.
“What, the fight's already over?”
Rumble, rrrumble—like a plow tilling a field. And then she fully revealed herself.
She was a savage barbarian warrior woman in scant leather garb.
Aside from greaves and gauntlets reinforced with iron and leather, her upper and lower body were barely covered, clinging to vital areas.
Her naturally exposed physique was sun-bronzed and taut like sturdy timber, etched with scars and swirling blue tattoos.
Shing, crunch.
The warriorwoman slammed her iron-plate greatsword—nearly as large as her body—into the ground.
Then she irritably raked through her disheveled brown hair.
“Damn, too late.”
Her blood-smeared face twisted into a goblin-like scowl.
“I was hoping to loosen up a bit.”
But those emerald eyes sparkled with mystical clarity. I knew better than anyone that, properly groomed, she'd be a great beauty.
The black-bandaged hunter.
The ashen priestess.
And the barbarian with the massive greatsword.
Anyone who'd read the original novel *Villain Hunter* could never forget that lineup.
Seeing them in the flesh even filled me with a sense of awe.
The problem was that I was awfully close to the 'villain' they hunted.
“…….”
The party's sole male gazed down at me silently. Being stared down by that nearly two-meter lanky figure was chilling enough.
In fact, the villains who'd faced him spoke of that eerie aura and overwhelming build intimidating them.
It had been so satisfying when immersed in his perspective, but experiencing it firsthand was tense.
Was this really human?
“…….”
The silent man's eyes scanned me up and down.
Judging me, no doubt.
In his black eyes, the world divided into two: things that could be killed, and things that couldn't.
He was deciding which I was.
“You….”
A horrific voice, like nails scraping glass, rasped from between the cracked bandages.
I fought the urge to cover my ears, lest those talon-like hands seize my throat—just then.
Rustle.
Something parted the bushes again.
“Hunter! Where are you rushing off to all of a sudden? I told you, follow my guidance properly or you'll get lost in this fairy forest.”
Compared to the hulking figures who'd just arrived, this newcomer was small.
About my size.
Clad in a black robe with the hood up, their exact attire and identity were unclear, but the bright, chirpy voice suggested someone young.
Who was this?
As far as I knew, no such character was in the protagonist's party.
“Huff, huff huff—.”
The unexpected boy panted, hands on knees, exhausted from sprinting after them.
The warriorwoman slapped his back with a smack.
“For a guide, you're so frail you'll end up beast food.”
Ah, so that's the guide.
At that moment, the black-bandaged hunter who'd been in front of me spun around.
“…Pathetic small fry. Not even worth the XP. We're leaving.”
He retraced his steps into the bushes, and his companions, who'd been scanning the area, turned to follow one by one.
“See you next time, ruby-eyes.”
“How about dinner together sometime? I hear the student cafeteria here's amazing?”
The priestess and warriorwoman tossed their parting words and left, leaving the still-panting boy behind. He nodded under his robe, then addressed me.
“Were you frightened? Allow me to apologize on behalf of my companions. We just arrived in Ark, and everyone's a bit out of it.”
“I see. Glad nothing serious happened.”
I replied casually. Truth be told, I was feigning nonchalance while dying of curiosity.
Who the hell was this guy tagging along with the protagonist's party?
I remembered nearly everything about *Villain Hunter*.
That's why I was confident in avoiding them and bad ends.
By not accumulating evil deeds.
That was the surest way to dodge them.
Pile up evil, become a bigger villain, and attract hunters chasing big XP.
I'd just evaded a purge because I wasn't villain enough yet.
But this guide was a massive wildcard.
What was his deal? The storyline had twisted, so maybe the party had changed too…
I was dying to know.
So I approached first.
“They seemed like a peculiar and formidable bunch. Who knows if our paths might cross again? Shall we introduce ourselves? I'm Theo Gospel. And you…?”
“Theo Gospel…”
“Yes. That's my name.”
“Pff呵呵呵呵—.”
The man chuckled under his robe. As I racked my brain to figure out why, he waved his hands side to side in apology.
“Oh, sorry. Your image is just so different from the rumors. Theo Gospel, the lewd monk of Angmar—two meters tall, eight arms, eight legs, a monster, they said.”
“Everyone says that.”
“You're nothing like the stories. Are you really *that* Theo Gospel? The queen's consort, Angmar's gardener, liberator of slaves—Theo Gospel.”
I nodded at his question.
“Yes. Though the rumors might differ in parts. So, your name?”
“I'm just the guide. Nameless, really. Gotta catch up to my companions anyway. See ya—.”
He turned on his heel after hearing only my name. Wasn't it manners to reciprocate? Nameless body—what?
Fine, time to activate *Clairvoyance*.
As I narrowed my eyes to focus—
He halted abruptly and turned back to me. My concentration shattered instantly.
“Ah, Sir Gospel. Some things in this world are best ignored even if seen.”
“……?”
“I meant keep our meeting secret. We can't be here yet.”
Rustle.
With that, he vanished completely.
* * *
I drew the dagger from my waist.
The one gifted by Aira. Pointing it at the cocoon, I saw Marmar inside, pale as a ghost.
“Ughhh, thought I was dead.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah—. Seems fine now. Who was that? Where's the spider?”
“Dangerous folks. Anyway, let's get out of here quick. Sun might set soon.”
We decided to escape the fairy forest before dusk.
As we trekked through the woods for a while, Lady Kallira, who'd been silent, spoke up.
“Who the heck were they? Theo, you seemed to know them already.”
Explaining would take forever.
But a sudden curiosity struck me.
“How did they seem to you, Lady Kallira? Tell me your impressions.”
“My impressions…”
After a brief pause, trembling slightly, she spoke slowly.
“Not people I'd want as enemies. Honestly, relieved we didn't have to fight. Especially that lanky guy… like.”
“Like…?”
“Hard to explain. But dangerous. First time I've felt that aura from anyone but you, Theo.”
“I see.”
Lady Kallira's instincts were sharp.
Did I seem that dangerous too?
Well, my danger and the hunter's were different beasts.
“Can't win head-on. If fighting, it'd have to be one by one—assassination or schemes.”
Her assessment was spot-on. To villains, no one was more threatening.
They embodied the retribution in 'evil deeds bring heavenly punishment.'
Whew—.
Surviving the hunters brought a tingling relief. Yet unease lingered.
“Lady Kallira, one favor?”
“A favor?”
“The guide who talked to me earlier. Could you investigate him discreetly? Any info, no matter how small.”
“Sure, not a problem.”
“And…”
I hesitated, then steeled myself.
“Investigate Theo Gospel too.”
“You, Theo?”
“Someone active in Ark about twenty years ago, apparently. Can't be me. Probably a namesake…”
As I trailed off vaguely, Marmar piped up.
“I'll help too! I can do it better!”
“Got it. Thanks.”
Having reliable allies settled my chaotic mind a bit.
Just having someone to rely on brings such peace.
“Bet on who finds more info first, red-eyes!”
Marmar yammered on, so I nodded and patted his back.
“Yeah, once back, we'll get you a room first, Marmar. Tomorrow's the weekend.”
“Really?”
Tears welled in Marmar's big eyes.