The Mad Hero's Trap and the Assassin's Blade

The atmosphere in the cafe felt less like a dessert shop and more like the frozen plains of Siberia.

Clink.

The delicate sound of a teacup settling onto its saucer rang out like thunder.

"So... exactly where are you planning to take our junior, hmm?♡"

Saintess Yuriel, sitting directly across from me, rested her chin on her hand and smiled sweetly as she asked the question. Beside her, the elf princess Iris had her arms crossed, glaring at me with a crooked expression.

"Don't tell me you ditched us to go on a date alone? Hey, human. There's a limit to how disloyal you can be. Who do you think kept you alive?"

"......"

I broke out in a cold sweat and glanced to the side. Adelia was practically glued to my arm, growling at the two women across from us. She looked exactly like a lioness whose territory had been invaded.

"What's it to you if I want to go on a date with my extra?"

"Oh my, what do you mean 'what's it to us'? Who was it that saved our junior again? You shouldn't repay kindness with enmity, you know."

"That's right! If it weren't for me, you'd be lying in a coffin by now!"

Adelia, at a loss for words, bit her lip. As the mood grew increasingly hostile, the other customers began stealing glances our way. I let out a deep sigh. There was no point trying to fool these sharp-eyed women.

"Fine, fine. I'll tell you the truth."

I set down my teacup and began to speak.

"It's not a date. I have business ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠at an 'antique shop.' There's a hidden entrance to an ancient dungeon in its basement."

"Antique shop? Dungeon?"

All three women's gazes locked onto me at once.

"There's an artifact there that's absolutely essential for my survival."

Yuriel's blue eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"A dungeon, you say... That sounds interesting. I'd like to come along. I must protect our junior, after all♡"

"Me too! I was getting bored anyway. Perfect timing—I wanted to stretch my legs a bit."

"No! It's dangerous. My extra is only going with me..."

Adelia vehemently opposed the idea, but Yuriel and Iris were already on their feet. In the end, the most glamorous, powerful, and incredibly uncomfortable four-person party in the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠world was formed.

Inside the antique shop's warehouse, we opened the secret door in the floor and descended. A damp, ominous air greeted us.

Drip... drip...

The only sound breaking the silence was water droplets falling from the moss-covered walls. The rotten, fishy stench made Adelia wrinkle her nose as she stepped in front of me.

"Extra, stick right behind me."

"Junior, please come into my sanctuary. We wouldn't want anything filthy touching you."

"Hey, human. Want me to call a sylph and put up a barrier? To keep the smell away."

I smiled bitterly and kept walking. An E-class like me being escorted by an SS-class hero, saintess, and spirit mage— even the emperor of the empire couldn't enjoy such luxury.

That was when it happened. A rustling sound came from the darkness.

Squeak! Squeeeak! Scratch.

Rats the size of watermelons poured out from every direction.

"Kyaaaak!"

The one who screamed first was surprisingly Yuriel.

"Mice...! Mice...!"

With a face twisted in utter terror, she threw herself at me. The soft, ample sensation and faint scent of a saintess washed over me. She buried her face in my chest and clutched my clothes tightly.

"J-Junior! Please save me!"

My heart pounded wildly. Wait, the Saintess is afraid of mice?

"Yuriel!!!"

Adelia exploded.

"Let go of my extra right now! Get off him this instant!"

But Yuriel ignored her completely, burrowing deeper into my embrace. A vein bulged on Adelia's forehead.

"This woman...!"

Slash!

Adelia swung her sword in irritation. A single slash of sword energy cut half the rat swarm in two. Not to be outdone, Iris launched a wind cutter from her sylph.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

The battle lasted exactly five seconds. The rats vanished without a trace. Only then did Yuriel slowly peel herself away from my chest.

"Mmm... slurp..."

She licked her lips with clear regret and looked up at me.

"Hehe... Junior, your chest is so warm♡"

"Hey! You did that on purpose, didn't you?! There's no way you'd actually be scared of something like mice!"

Adelia was practically foaming at the mouth, but Yuriel just blinked innocently.

"I was really scared, though? I'm a delicate saintess, after all."

I took a cautious step back. This place is more dangerous than the dungeon itself.

In that awkward atmosphere, we reached the middle of the dungeon—a vast cavern with a high ceiling. I glanced up at the ceiling and swallowed dryly.

If this follows the original story... this is exactly that spot.

I knew about this trap. But I deliberately kept my mouth shut. It wasn't a lethal trap anyway, and as a man, I didn't want to miss the chance to enjoy this 'event' in real time.

At that moment, Adelia, who had been walking ahead, stopped. She was looking up at the ceiling with a sly smile. Of course she knew about this trap too.

The moment Adelia confidently placed her hand on her sword hilt—

Rumble—

The entire ceiling began to move.

Adelia's expression froze.

"Huh...? Why is the sound so loud?"

In her memory, the trap only dropped about five or six slimes. But now there were four party members. The dungeon system had automatically adjusted the difficulty based on the number of intruders.

Splat. Whoosh—!

"Dodge! Get out of the way!"

Adelia shouted urgently, but it was too late. It wasn't a drizzle—it was practically a waterfall of slimes pouring down.

Splat! Smack! Squelch...

"Kyaaaak!"

I clenched my fists as I watched her get hit despite knowing it was coming.

"Ugh... what is this?! Get it off! M-My clothes are melting!"

Iris screamed first. The slimes clung to her thighs and rear, dissolving her clothes and revealing her smooth leg lines and pale skin. Every time she struggled, her wet clothes clung even more obscenely to her slender elven figure.

"Extra! Close your eyes! Turn your head!"

Adelia stepped in front of me, swinging her aura-infused sword. But even she couldn't handle the sheer volume. The splashing liquid tore open the back of her shirt, exposing her white back and the black strap of her bra right before my eyes.

"Ahem, I'm not looking! I'm definitely not looking!"

I hurriedly covered my eyes with both hands. But instinctively, my fingers parted into a V shape. My gaze landed on Yuriel.

Hiss—

"Oh my...!"

The outer layer of her saintess robes melted away, making her thin undergarments and ample chest line faintly visible. Yuriel covered her chest in apparent panic. But in that moment, her eyes met mine as I peeked at her through my fingers.

The corner of her mouth curved up seductively.

......!

Her pale cleavage glistened with slime fluid.

"This is... so sticky... and sinful..."

Her voice sounded flustered, but her eyes stared straight at me.

"But since Junior is watching..."

She pretended to be embarrassed, then slowly lowered the hand covering her chest.

She smiled faintly and winked.

"It's okay♡"

Eureka!

I could practically hear the blood rushing to my head.

Drip.

A hot liquid flowed from my nose. I instinctively bowed my head.

"Th-Thank you!"

A ninety-degree bow.

"Thank you!!!"

Another one.

"Sunbae! Please use purification... slowly!"

I said while pinching my nose. Adelia shouted with a desperate expression.

"Saintess! Purify them already! What are you doing?!"

Flash—!

After Yuriel's holy explosion cleared away the slimes, a heavy silence fell between the three beauties—who had changed into spare clothes provided by Iris from her subspace pouch—and me, who was busy wiping the blood from my nose.

Adelia shot me a freezing glare.

"That's hilarious. 'Slowly'? Hey, extra. What's with the nosebleed?"

"Huh? Ah, this is... it's too hot... my blood pressure..."

"Hot? In this cold underground?"

Her eyes gleamed sharply.

"And you saw it in your dreams... you're quick on the uptake, aren't you? You're saying you didn't know that was going to pour down?"

"W-Well... it was so sudden..."

"You did it on purpose, didn't you? You wanted to see our clothes melt off!"

"No! It's a misunderstanding!"

"You perverted bastard! Die!"

"Ow! That hurts! I swear I didn't see it properly!"

It was unfair. Well, okay, I did enjoy it. But thanks to my little dark desire, the party's atmosphere had become even more sticky and awkward.

In that awkward atmosphere, we headed deeper into the dungeon. At a dead end, three massive knight statues blocked the path in front of a giant stone door.

"Move!"

Clang!

Adelia struck down with her sword as if venting her frustration, but the statue didn't even get a scratch and bounced the blade back.

"Damn... it won't break."

Huh...?

I studied Adelia's expression. She didn't look like someone who was truly stuck. If anything, she seemed relaxed.

Is she doing this on purpose...?

She had regressed 999 times. There was no way she didn't know the answer to this puzzle.

"Should I try with holy power?"

"I can use spirits..."

When Yuriel and Iris stepped forward, Adelia firmly stopped them.

"No! It won't work!"

Then she glanced at me.

Is this a test?

To see if I could solve this puzzle. To see if I was truly a 'special' existence.

"Wait, let me try."

I stepped forward while wiping my nose. Adelia's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"......Really?"

My eyes glowed golden. I could see where the statues' gazes intersected and the hidden magic circuit on the floor.

"This isn't something you open with force. You have to align their gazes. Turn the first statue to face north, the second south, and the third east."

At my words, Adelia smiled brightly and pushed the statues.

Creak... thud.

Once the three statues were properly aligned, the tightly sealed stone door opened with a majestic rumble.

Rumble!

Beyond the door, an altar glowing with purple light came into view.

"Oh..."

Iris widened her eyes and looked at me.

"Not bad. I thought you were just dead weight, but you've got a decent head on your shoulders."

"Junior, you're amazing! As expected of the person I chose♡"

The corners of Adelia's mouth rose high. It was a proud expression that seemed to say, 'As expected of my man.'

"Hmph, my eye for people is never wrong."

She puffed out her chest arrogantly and linked her arm with mine.

...It really was on purpose.

She had been testing me. Still, I felt relieved that I'd managed to redeem myself from the pervert label and prove my worth.

Beyond the opened stone door was a small circular room. On the central altar lay a pair of worn but elegant leather boots.

Illusionary Dance.

In the original story, these were the ill-fated shoes that Adelia had tried to wear but discarded because she thought they were ugly.

With trembling hands, I picked up the boots.

"A-class... but it's a growth type? Jackpot."

I put on the boots. The snug fit felt excellent.

"Hey, human. You really like those shabby shoes?"

Iris asked with her arms crossed.

"With these... I can avoid getting swept up when you ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠guys fight with full power."

"Huh? Really? You can even dodge my attacks?"

Iris flashed a mischievous smile and suddenly extended her leg.

"Let's see!"

Whoosh—!

It wasn't magic. It was a low kick infused with an elf's agile physical ability, aimed straight at my shin.

"Iris! What are you doing!"

Adelia cried out in shock. Even I couldn't react to that speed. The moment I thought, I'm hit!—

Shimmer.

My body blurred for an instant. Iris's foot should have definitely struck my shin. But—

Whoosh!

Her kick sliced through empty air as if passing through my leg. Losing her balance from the lack of impact, Iris staggered.

"Huh...?"

I was already half a step back.

"What? I definitely kicked you?"

Iris stared wide-eyed at her own foot.

"Heh, it looked like it hit, but it actually makes the attack miss."

Yuriel nodded with interest.

"Oho... it doesn't just alter visual information but distance perception as well? Your survival rate will definitely increase."

"Hey! Elf! What if you hurt the extra!"

Adelia huffed as she scolded Iris.

"N-No... I didn't even hit that hard, just a light tap... and he dodged it?"

"Anyway... this is pretty good."

I let out a sigh of relief. It wasn't invincible, but it was an excellent evasion skill. The downside was immediately apparent.

"Huff... huff..."

Just dodging one kick left my thighs aching and my breath ragged. The mana consumption was no joke.

That was when it happened.

Vrrr—

Along with the red system window, cracks spread across the altar.

Rumble! Boom!

"The dungeon is collapsing! Run!"

At Adelia's shout, we began sprinting with everything we had. The collapse was rapid. Falling rocks and rushing water.

"Wind Walk."

"Sanctuary Deployment."

While running with the heroines' help—

Crash!

The narrow passage entrance began to collapse. I gritted my teeth and poured mana into the boots.

"Hiiik, Shadow Leap!"

Pop—!

I leaped across space and escaped the passage, but before I could catch my breath, a massive falling rock blocked my path.

"Damn it...!"

No place to dodge. Once more.

"Mirage."

Shimmer—!

I left an afterimage and sidestepped. Falling ceilings, trap spears, closing walls. I frantically spammed the skill to survive. Each use drained my mana like a pump sucking blood from my veins.

"Cough...!"

My legs trembled and my vision flickered. It wasn't simple fatigue. It was the agony of mana depletion that felt like it was scraping the very bottom of my soul.

"Just... a little... more...!"

We threw ourselves into the antique shop warehouse with all our might.

Crash!

The secret passage closed, and a dull explosion echoed from deep underground.

"Haa... haa... I thought I was going to die..."

Everyone sprawled out on the floor. I couldn't even move a finger. I could feel the boots had gone completely dead.

At that moment, Adelia staggered and clutched her chest.

"Ugh... haa!"

"Adelia?!"

I struggled to my feet and supported her. Her face was deathly pale, and cold sweat poured down like rain.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

"No... I'm fine. Ugh... Actually, this is a good thing."

Even as she writhed in pain, a strange smile played on her lips.

"The oath... the 'restriction' bound to the Holy Grail has loosened."

"Restriction?"

"When I was fifteen... in exchange for gaining power... a curse was placed on me. I... have to follow a predetermined path. Get engaged to Helios, become the empire's sword..."

Her eyes trembled. She seemed about to say something even more important, her lips moving.

"Actually, I... I've done this many times..."

Crack.

"Guh...!"

She suddenly screamed and clutched at her heart as if trying to tear it out. It looked like invisible chains were tightening around her heart.

"I... can't say it... if I speak it out loud... my heart..."

A system window only visible to me. She was a regressor, but due to the restriction, she shed tears in agony as she tried to speak.

"I'm sorry... I want to tell you... but my voice won't come out..."

I pulled her into a tight embrace.

"You don't have to say it."

"......!"

"Like I said last time, I saw it in my dreams. So... don't say anything."

"Hic... Extra..."

"I know how hard it was for you, how many years you endured alone... I know everything. I know you want to break that fate. I'll help you. Until you break free."

She buried her face in my chest and sobbed for a long time. It was a moment of comfort for pain she had never been able to tell anyone about in countless eons.

Yuriel quietly watched the scene.

Junior must know something... How harsh must those years have been for that eccentric hero to crumble like this?

Her chest ached. But at the same time, she felt relieved.

Still... at least she's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠not alone anymore.

Iris also bit her lip in thought.

The hero human... she's carrying something incredibly heavy.

She felt a little envious. Of that deep bond where they understood each other down to their very cores.

Someday... I too...

Iris turned her head, pretending to look elsewhere.

A short while later, we left the antique shop.

"Alright, let's change the mood and go eat! My treat!"

When I spoke with a deliberately bright smile, Iris and Yuriel took the cue and cheered along. The streets of Royal Street were peaceful. I walked along, filled with a sense of relief.

I gained so much today. The boots, and a deeper bond with Adelia.

But I had overlooked something. The words [Status Abnormality: Mana Exhaustion] floating in my status window.

In the middle of the crowd, a woman wearing a black hood brushed past me.

......Huh?

Slice—

A spine-chilling sound. A cold sensation sliced across my side and through my stomach.

"......?"

I stopped in a daze and looked down at my abdomen.

My clothes had been torn horizontally in a long gash. And through that gap...

Splat.

Something hot and heavy poured onto the tops of my feet.

"Huh...?"

It was what should have been inside my stomach. Blood. And...

"Glurk..."

Strength left my legs. My knees buckled.

"Extra...? What's wrong?"

Adelia, who had been walking ahead, turned around. Her expression instantly filled with horror.

"R-Roy! N-No!!!"

Her scream rang out. My vision shook. The woman who had brushed past me slowly turned around. Beneath her hood, grotesquely torn lips were visible.

She licked the blood off her dagger and whispered seductively.

"Shh~!"

Then she winked. It was the assassin I had missed last time.

Thud.

As I collapsed to the ground, the world before my eyes turned red. The screams grew distant. Everything was swallowed by darkness.