Chapter 8
Chapter 8
The Adventurer Almost Died
“Hm… they’re taking quite a while.”
Light slowly faded through the tent’s makeshift window.
The sun, which had been high in the sky, was already sinking.
How much time had passed? It felt like well over half a day.
Kaoli took out a pocket watch from inside his coat and checked the time.
“Hey, the adventurers who went in. Have they all come out?”
“I’ll check right away, senior.”
“You didn’t even bother checking that beforehand?”
“I-I’m sorry.”
The blame landed on the junior without hesitation.
Normally, Kaoli didn’t care what happened inside the dungeon and told others not to bother him with unnecessary reports.
The junior muttered under his breath while flipping through documents, but his hands moved quickly.
“Senior, here’s the list.”
“Hmm…”
Still not out.
Kaoli had hoped maybe they cleared it while he was away, but Siu’s name was still listed as being inside the dungeon.
“How tough is that thing, Grok?”
“Grok? Well…”
The junior bit his lip slightly before answering.
“It’s pretty troublesome. Bigger than goblins, at least two tiers higher in rank. Its skin is tough too, so normal adventurers here can barely scratch it.”
“I see…”
“The main issue is magic attacks. But there’s no way proper mages go to a low-tier place like Green Ear.”
“That’s true.”
Kaoli sighed and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it.
A sharp sensation filled his lungs.
“Uh, senior… didn’t you say you quit smoking?”
“Shut it. I’m going down for a bit. If that guy Siu comes out, contact me with the crystal.”
“You mean the limping one? The one you personally gave your card to?”
“Yeah, that one.”
The junior nodded but still looked skeptical.
“He didn’t seem like much. You must really like him.”
Kaoli exhaled smoke slowly.
Is that so?
Did he really seem like nothing special?
“Yeah, that’s why you’re stuck here cleaning up after idiots like me.”
“….”
The junior clicked his tongue and turned away.
Kaoli clicked his tongue too.
‘I guess I’ll have to bring a priest.’
He finished his cigarette and headed toward the city.
I can’t move.
I can’t breathe. It’s too cold.
My legs hurt.
I feel like I’m going to die.
I’m going to die…
“You can’t close your eyes, Commander!”
“….”
“Commander, look at me!”
“Ugh…”
Something soft and warm kept tapping my cheek.
It didn’t hurt, but it was annoying enough.
My sinking consciousness was pulled upward by it like a lifeline.
Faint light returned.
“Ah, thank goodness. You’re awake, Commander.”
“...Elain.”
“Yes, it’s me, Commander.”
A woman filled my vision.
Red-gold hair, slightly messy, and striking red eyes.
Her figure was hard to ignore, and her presence filled the space.
“…Are we in heaven?”
“Haha… Commander, that’s not funny…”
“Then it must be hell.”
“Hey, no!”
Pinch—
“Ah—!”
She pinched my side hard.
Pain shot through me and tears nearly came out.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to pinch so hard.”
“…It’s fine. That actually confirms I’m alive.”
Right. I’m alive.
I took a deep breath without thinking.
Pain immediately stabbed through my chest.
“Don’t breathe too deeply. A goblin’s dagger cut your chest.”
“I see…”
My vision was still blurry. I must’ve lost a lot of blood.
“Elain… help me sit up.”
“You should just lie still.”
“I’d rather not. It’s more suffocating.”
“Fine. Hold my arm.”
She helped me sit up with effort.
As I rose, the surroundings came into focus.
A safe zone.
So Elain must’ve dragged me here.
She wasn’t good with maps, but she somehow remembered the way.
Impressive.
“You’re starting to look like a real adventurer. Making it back to a safe zone like thi—”
“Hehe, do I look like an adventurer now?”
I had been trying to lighten the mood.
But I froze mid-sentence.
“Elain… why are you acting like that? Are you still hurt?”
“What is it, Commander?”
“Your body.”
“Ah…”
Only now did I notice.
Not from her face. Not from her voice.
The smell of blood had been too strong to notice clearly at first.
Her abdomen was torn open. Her insides were spilling out.
Elain smiled brightly.
“I got a little hurt.”
That wasn’t “a little.”
“Where are the potions?! Didn’t you use them?!”
I panicked and searched my pouch.
Empty.
Hers was empty too.
She sat down weakly.
“We used them all. We only had one each, remember? You were too badly hurt…”
“You used ALL of them on me?!”
“Yes, hehe.”
“What the hell are you smiling for?!”
I couldn’t believe it.
You’re dying. Your body is falling apart.
And you’re smiling?
“I’m an adventurer. You need to be alive to pay my wages, Commander.”
“….”
“Is that how I’m supposed to say it?”
I had no words.
Not even ten mouths would be enough.
I had led her to this.
That stupid “human decency” I clung to.
Why did I make that choice?
Those bastards had already run away.
And we were the ones dying here.
Elain suddenly hugged me.
“You were so cool, Commander. Like a prince in a romance story. Brave and amazing… If I weren’t an adventurer, I would’ve fallen for you.”
Her hand gently stroked my cheek.
She didn’t even know why I recruited her.
And she smiled at me like that.
“…Why didn’t you use the return stone?”
“How could I leave you behind?”
Idiot.
I forced myself up, limping.
“Fine. I know the way out. Let’s go.”
“Okay… but, Commander.”
I tried to help her up, but she didn’t move.
Like a broken doll.
“Elain, get up. We need to leave.”
“My legs… won’t move.”
“You carried me earlier…”
“I don’t know. They were working before…”
“It’s fine. I’ll carry you.”
I tried to reassure her even though nothing was fine.
I hoisted her onto my shoulder.
One of my legs gave out immediately.
We both almost collapsed.
“Commander… leave me. The smell of blood will attract goblins.”
“No. We’re leaving.”
“You said adventurers aren’t saints. Leave me behind.”
“Shut up. Just shut up and hold on to me.”
“…Okay… prince…”
Step.
Step.
Step.
The sun finally disappeared.
The camp was swallowed by darkness.
Adventurers didn’t enter dungeons at night.
Moonlight made monsters more violent, and darkness bred fear.
There was no reason to invite death.
“Still no sign?”
“Senior, you’re back. The priests?”
“They’re from the monastery.”
Kaoli had returned, no longer alone.
Two priests, a man and a woman, stood with him.
“You even managed to bring priests here.”
“They’re acquaintances. Where is Siu?”
“No news. But there is something else.”
“What?”
The junior nodded toward a group.
Three injured adventurers.
Two women and one man.
One man looked near death.
“Carrying members of the Camomile party. They escaped using a return stone after being captured by Grok.”
“Grok?”
“Yes. One died already. The man is barely alive. The women are mostly fine. They were likely kept for reproduction.”
Kaoli narrowed his eyes.
“One died, yet they escaped? Goblins don’t let prey go.”
“They said someone saved them.”
“Saved them?”
“Apparently… Siu’s party.”
Siu saved them?
Then where the hell is Siu?
“He might still be fighting Grok.”
“Damn it.”
At that moment, two women approached.
One archer, one swordswoman.
The swordswoman bowed.
“I am Gye Rinshua of the Camomile party. May I go inside to find our benefactor?”
“Who are you?”
“I am Gye Rinshua. He saved us and gave us a strange stone.”
A return stone.
He gave it away?
What are you thinking, Siu?
The archer spoke loudly.
“Hey! Those priests! Let us use them. Someone is dying!”
The swordswoman tried to stop her.
“No, we must go help our benefactor—”
“Wake up. He’s dead.”
Kaoli’s fist trembled.
“…Prepare a report. One female casualty.”
Just then—
The tent burst open.
Something collapsed inside.
A foul smell filled the air.
A man crawled in.
“Please… call the priests…”
“S-Siu?!”
“Kaoli…”
Kaoli rushed forward.
Siu was covered in blood. One leg was destroyed. A trail of blood followed him.
But worse—
A woman with her organs spilling out.
Elain.
“Priests! Over here!”
The priests immediately began chanting.
A warm light descended.
Divine healing.
Siu held Elain tightly.
“Treat her first…”
“She’s fine. Focus on your injuries.”
“I said… her first.”
Kaoli sighed and poured three potions onto Siu’s leg.
“You’re insane. Risking your life to save others.”
“Are they okay?”
“They are.”
Siu looked over.
The swordswoman and the archer were there.
“…I guess I regret it.”
“You don’t look like you regret anything.”
“No… I don’t.”
Kaoli shook his head.
“Rest. I’ll arrange a carriage.”
Siu held out something.
“Take this.”
“Payment?”
“Extra.”
“And what do you want?”
“Free treatment for them.”
“…Fine. If you agree to cooperate with Carlos.”
“…I will.”
The girl could not take her eyes off him.
Covered in blood.
Reeking worse than filth.
Yet shining brighter than anything she had ever seen.
“Be righteous. Strive forward. Uphold justice.”
The teachings flowed into her mind.
“I think… I’ve finally found someone worth serving.”
The Adventurer Almost Died
“Hm… they’re taking quite a while.”
Light slowly faded through the tent’s makeshift window.
The sun, which had been high in the sky, was already sinking.
How much time had passed? It felt like well over half a day.
Kaoli took out a pocket watch from inside his coat and checked the time.
“Hey, the adventurers who went in. Have they all come out?”
“I’ll check right away, senior.”
“You didn’t even bother checking that beforehand?”
“I-I’m sorry.”
The blame landed on the junior without hesitation.
Normally, Kaoli didn’t care what happened inside the dungeon and told others not to bother him with unnecessary reports.
The junior muttered under his breath while flipping through documents, but his hands moved quickly.
“Senior, here’s the list.”
“Hmm…”
Still not out.
Kaoli had hoped maybe they cleared it while he was away, but Siu’s name was still listed as being inside the dungeon.
“How tough is that thing, Grok?”
“Grok? Well…”
The junior bit his lip slightly before answering.
“It’s pretty troublesome. Bigger than goblins, at least two tiers higher in rank. Its skin is tough too, so normal adventurers here can barely scratch it.”
“I see…”
“The main issue is magic attacks. But there’s no way proper mages go to a low-tier place like Green Ear.”
“That’s true.”
Kaoli sighed and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it.
A sharp sensation filled his lungs.
“Uh, senior… didn’t you say you quit smoking?”
“Shut it. I’m going down for a bit. If that guy Siu comes out, contact me with the crystal.”
“You mean the limping one? The one you personally gave your card to?”
“Yeah, that one.”
The junior nodded but still looked skeptical.
“He didn’t seem like much. You must really like him.”
Kaoli exhaled smoke slowly.
Is that so?
Did he really seem like nothing special?
“Yeah, that’s why you’re stuck here cleaning up after idiots like me.”
“….”
The junior clicked his tongue and turned away.
Kaoli clicked his tongue too.
‘I guess I’ll have to bring a priest.’
He finished his cigarette and headed toward the city.
I can’t move.
I can’t breathe. It’s too cold.
My legs hurt.
I feel like I’m going to die.
I’m going to die…
“You can’t close your eyes, Commander!”
“….”
“Commander, look at me!”
“Ugh…”
Something soft and warm kept tapping my cheek.
It didn’t hurt, but it was annoying enough.
My sinking consciousness was pulled upward by it like a lifeline.
Faint light returned.
“Ah, thank goodness. You’re awake, Commander.”
“...Elain.”
“Yes, it’s me, Commander.”
A woman filled my vision.
Red-gold hair, slightly messy, and striking red eyes.
Her figure was hard to ignore, and her presence filled the space.
“…Are we in heaven?”
“Haha… Commander, that’s not funny…”
“Then it must be hell.”
“Hey, no!”
Pinch—
“Ah—!”
She pinched my side hard.
Pain shot through me and tears nearly came out.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to pinch so hard.”
“…It’s fine. That actually confirms I’m alive.”
Right. I’m alive.
I took a deep breath without thinking.
Pain immediately stabbed through my chest.
“Don’t breathe too deeply. A goblin’s dagger cut your chest.”
“I see…”
My vision was still blurry. I must’ve lost a lot of blood.
“Elain… help me sit up.”
“You should just lie still.”
“I’d rather not. It’s more suffocating.”
“Fine. Hold my arm.”
She helped me sit up with effort.
As I rose, the surroundings came into focus.
A safe zone.
So Elain must’ve dragged me here.
She wasn’t good with maps, but she somehow remembered the way.
Impressive.
“You’re starting to look like a real adventurer. Making it back to a safe zone like thi—”
“Hehe, do I look like an adventurer now?”
I had been trying to lighten the mood.
But I froze mid-sentence.
“Elain… why are you acting like that? Are you still hurt?”
“What is it, Commander?”
“Your body.”
“Ah…”
Only now did I notice.
Not from her face. Not from her voice.
The smell of blood had been too strong to notice clearly at first.
Her abdomen was torn open. Her insides were spilling out.
Elain smiled brightly.
“I got a little hurt.”
That wasn’t “a little.”
“Where are the potions?! Didn’t you use them?!”
I panicked and searched my pouch.
Empty.
Hers was empty too.
She sat down weakly.
“We used them all. We only had one each, remember? You were too badly hurt…”
“You used ALL of them on me?!”
“Yes, hehe.”
“What the hell are you smiling for?!”
I couldn’t believe it.
You’re dying. Your body is falling apart.
And you’re smiling?
“I’m an adventurer. You need to be alive to pay my wages, Commander.”
“….”
“Is that how I’m supposed to say it?”
I had no words.
Not even ten mouths would be enough.
I had led her to this.
That stupid “human decency” I clung to.
Why did I make that choice?
Those bastards had already run away.
And we were the ones dying here.
Elain suddenly hugged me.
“You were so cool, Commander. Like a prince in a romance story. Brave and amazing… If I weren’t an adventurer, I would’ve fallen for you.”
Her hand gently stroked my cheek.
She didn’t even know why I recruited her.
And she smiled at me like that.
“…Why didn’t you use the return stone?”
“How could I leave you behind?”
Idiot.
I forced myself up, limping.
“Fine. I know the way out. Let’s go.”
“Okay… but, Commander.”
I tried to help her up, but she didn’t move.
Like a broken doll.
“Elain, get up. We need to leave.”
“My legs… won’t move.”
“You carried me earlier…”
“I don’t know. They were working before…”
“It’s fine. I’ll carry you.”
I tried to reassure her even though nothing was fine.
I hoisted her onto my shoulder.
One of my legs gave out immediately.
We both almost collapsed.
“Commander… leave me. The smell of blood will attract goblins.”
“No. We’re leaving.”
“You said adventurers aren’t saints. Leave me behind.”
“Shut up. Just shut up and hold on to me.”
“…Okay… prince…”
Step.
Step.
Step.
The sun finally disappeared.
The camp was swallowed by darkness.
Adventurers didn’t enter dungeons at night.
Moonlight made monsters more violent, and darkness bred fear.
There was no reason to invite death.
“Still no sign?”
“Senior, you’re back. The priests?”
“They’re from the monastery.”
Kaoli had returned, no longer alone.
Two priests, a man and a woman, stood with him.
“You even managed to bring priests here.”
“They’re acquaintances. Where is Siu?”
“No news. But there is something else.”
“What?”
The junior nodded toward a group.
Three injured adventurers.
Two women and one man.
One man looked near death.
“Carrying members of the Camomile party. They escaped using a return stone after being captured by Grok.”
“Grok?”
“Yes. One died already. The man is barely alive. The women are mostly fine. They were likely kept for reproduction.”
Kaoli narrowed his eyes.
“One died, yet they escaped? Goblins don’t let prey go.”
“They said someone saved them.”
“Saved them?”
“Apparently… Siu’s party.”
Siu saved them?
Then where the hell is Siu?
“He might still be fighting Grok.”
“Damn it.”
At that moment, two women approached.
One archer, one swordswoman.
The swordswoman bowed.
“I am Gye Rinshua of the Camomile party. May I go inside to find our benefactor?”
“Who are you?”
“I am Gye Rinshua. He saved us and gave us a strange stone.”
A return stone.
He gave it away?
What are you thinking, Siu?
The archer spoke loudly.
“Hey! Those priests! Let us use them. Someone is dying!”
The swordswoman tried to stop her.
“No, we must go help our benefactor—”
“Wake up. He’s dead.”
Kaoli’s fist trembled.
“…Prepare a report. One female casualty.”
Just then—
The tent burst open.
Something collapsed inside.
A foul smell filled the air.
A man crawled in.
“Please… call the priests…”
“S-Siu?!”
“Kaoli…”
Kaoli rushed forward.
Siu was covered in blood. One leg was destroyed. A trail of blood followed him.
But worse—
A woman with her organs spilling out.
Elain.
“Priests! Over here!”
The priests immediately began chanting.
A warm light descended.
Divine healing.
Siu held Elain tightly.
“Treat her first…”
“She’s fine. Focus on your injuries.”
“I said… her first.”
Kaoli sighed and poured three potions onto Siu’s leg.
“You’re insane. Risking your life to save others.”
“Are they okay?”
“They are.”
Siu looked over.
The swordswoman and the archer were there.
“…I guess I regret it.”
“You don’t look like you regret anything.”
“No… I don’t.”
Kaoli shook his head.
“Rest. I’ll arrange a carriage.”
Siu held out something.
“Take this.”
“Payment?”
“Extra.”
“And what do you want?”
“Free treatment for them.”
“…Fine. If you agree to cooperate with Carlos.”
“…I will.”
The girl could not take her eyes off him.
Covered in blood.
Reeking worse than filth.
Yet shining brighter than anything she had ever seen.
“Be righteous. Strive forward. Uphold justice.”
The teachings flowed into her mind.
“I think… I’ve finally found someone worth serving.”