194. Rest and Work Repeat

After clearing the Snake Nest, the party gathered to chat for a while.

Ulysses, who had taken over the body of an Alraune, spoke up first.

“This… I really can’t get used to it.”

“Why? It looks good on you.”

“Ugh.”

Maximus grinned and teased him, making Ulysses frown.

Even for an Alraune, the body he had taken was quite beautiful, so his frown still carried an elegant charm. Maximus kept poking fun at him.

“You’re not exactly in a normal state yourself, you know?!”

“Haha! At least I’ve still got everything where it should be!”

“Damn it… You bastard.”

Maximus flexed his newfound strength, now inhabiting the body of an immortal Imp.

Well, he did gain an undying body-he had every right to show off.

“It feels like we’re losing more and more humans in the group.”

“Right? There’s hardly anyone left.”

Ulysses had become an Alraune, Maximus an immortal Imp, and Joshua had declared he would remain in his golem body. The only one left was Chloé.

The problem was that even she would likely be replaced with a new Demon Lord’s body soon.

“Do you plan to keep working with them in the future?”

“I think I’ll have to.”

I had a feeling I’d be sticking with these four until the end.

My trust in them had wavered once, but they were still the easiest Platinum Badges to handle, and seeing them fight properly this time restored my confidence.

“Next is the 6th floor.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“Won’t it be dangerous?”

“I’m going anyway.”

Logie looked at me with unwavering determination.

Her expression made it clear she would follow me no matter what.

“If Logie goes, Yuria and Leah will probably insist on coming too.”

“Are you worried?”

“Of course. I’m worried about Yuria, Lady Leah, and even you, Logie. I’m worried about all of you.”

“I’m happy you care, but please don’t forget that we’re strong too. Especially Yuria and Leah-they’ve grown a lot recently.”

“Really?”

“Yes. The two of them have reached the point where they can take on the local guardian of the 5th floor together. They shouldn’t have much trouble even if we descend to the 6th floor.”

Yuria could handle mid-range physical attacks. She could fill the gap left by Kairan.

Lady Leah had her unique silver thread technique, making her useful as both a guide and a Seeker.

Both had grown strong enough to be real assets. They were more than capable of replacing Kairan.

“I’ll have to think about it, then.”

Suddenly, I remembered the thoughts I had before meeting Lady Leah.

I had sworn I would never date a woman who wasn’t a slave. I even promised myself I’d never get involved with an adventurer.

I was afraid that if they died in the labyrinth, my mental state would collapse.

But now, so much had changed. I had grown stronger and amassed enough wealth to cover resurrection costs.

After conquering the 5th floor, money practically made itself. Honestly, if not for the labyrinth’s rampage, I could have just stopped here and lived a comfortable life.

“Sorry for dragging you all down such a difficult path.”

“Why would you say that? I fell for you precisely because of how you push forward despite the hardships.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I don’t like lazy people. You’re always diligent, considerate, and meticulously prepared. That’s what I admire about you.”

“Thanks for seeing me in such a good light…”

“Wow, ever since you spent time in a woman’s body, you’ve gotten quite emotional, haven’t you?”

“Huh? No way! Medusa’s body didn’t affect me at all!”

“You’re especially cute today. Come here.”

“W-Wait! Logie-!”

Before I knew it, I was pulled into her embrace.

I didn’t realize it then, but I really had been acting more feminine.

It was a side effect of wearing Medusa’s skin.

******

Back at the mansion, as I vented about the hardships of the journey to my family, Logie spilled all the behind-the-scenes stories from the labyrinth.

Including how, for a brief moment, I had become more feminine due to the effects of wearing Medusa’s skin.

“Seriously? You acted like a girl?”

“Yes. Like a complete maiden.”

“What?! You showed her that side of you but not me?!”

“What do you even want me to show you?! It was nothing, so stop making a big deal out of it!”

Yuria pointed her fork at me across the table and yelled, demanding I show her the same side I had shown Logie.

Of course, I had no intention of doing so. Why would I willingly display such an embarrassing side of myself? No way.

“That’s so fucking unfair, you bitch.”

“Hey! Calling our master a ‘bitch’ is going too far!”

“Whatever! You’ve been too busy to even visit lately…”

“No, Yuria, it’s not like that.”

Yuria had entered full pout mode.

This drunkard always got sulky if she didn’t get regular attention.

‘I have been a bit neglectful lately.’

After securing the 5th floor, I had been swamped.

I was so busy I could barely breathe.

From procuring materials and supplies to refurbish the 5th floor to negotiating with the labyrinth city’s leadership-even coordinating with the Evil Women to adjust the 5th floor’s layout.

I could’ve used ten bodies and still been overwhelmed. And that’s not even counting nearly dying in the Snake Nest. I never wanted to be this busy.

“Sorry. But I’ll be resting at home for the next two days, so we’ll have plenty of time together. Okay?”

“Hmph. Really? Last time you said you’d rest, you disappeared in less than an hour. Remember?”

“That time… Uh. There was an emergency.”

“An emergency? You just went to the Martial Hall to train. Did you think I wouldn’t find out? If you were going, you should’ve taken me with you.”

“Sorry…”

“You’re so selfish. Right? Leah, don’t you think so too?”

“Unlike this woman, I always respect your decisions, Sion.”

“Hey! What the hell? Weren’t you the one complaining to me yesterday about how depressed you were? I don’t even care, but since you kept dumping your frustrations on me, I took the lead and confronted Sion-and now you’re betraying me like this? Wanna die?”

“Since when did I say that? You’re ridiculous, seriously.”

“You’re dead!”

“Ugh…”

And so, the two of them started fighting again. Yuria and Leah were always at each other’s throats.

Yuria was like a puppy, while Leah was more like a cat.

Leah would subtly provoke Yuria, and Yuria would snap back without hesitation.

‘At least they’re both smiling. That’s not so bad.’

They had trained together in the underground city while I was away. Despite their bickering, they didn’t seem to dislike each other. This was better than when they genuinely couldn’t stand one another.

“By the way, where’s Olivia?”

I asked as dinner was winding down, and Marin, who had been serving us, answered.

“Ever since her sight returned, she’s been spending a lot of time studying sheet music. She’s probably holed up in her room.”

“Studying sheet music?”

“Yes. I called for her earlier, but she didn’t respond.”

Come to think of it, she had greeted me and then disappeared.

What was she doing locked in her room? She used to cling to me all day, but now that her vision was back, she barely approached me.

Unable to contain my curiosity, I headed to Olivia’s room.

“Olivia, what are you doing?”

“Ah! S-Sorry. I need to transcribe this quickly.”

“Transcribe what?”

“Music from Earth. Now that I can see, I can write sheet music. I have to jot down the melodies and accompaniments while I still remember them. Memories fade, you know.”

“Ah.”

Dozens of sheet music papers were scattered across Olivia’s room.

Of course, I had no idea what the scribbled notes on the staves meant.

“Hey, since you’re here, want to listen to a song?”

“Really? You’re finally playing for me?!”

“Mhm… Hehe. I haven’t mastered it completely yet, but I’ve practiced this one a lot. You might not know it, but it’s pretty famous, so I think you’ll recognize it.”

Olivia was from Latin America, while I was Korean-we came from completely different cultural backgrounds. There was no guarantee I’d know the songs she did.

So I didn’t have high expectations, but… surprisingly, the melody was familiar.

“This song…!”

An unmistakable rhythm. A lively tune that made me sway instinctively.

I had heard this before.

“What was it called again? Ah, don’t tell me. I’ll guess.”

“Hehe. Okay, go ahead.”

“This is… Ah.”

I realized what it was.

“Despacito. Ah, I know this.”

It had been hugely popular at one point. I remembered listening to it often back then.

“It sounds completely different on a lute. It was such an upbeat song, but the lute gives it a much calmer feel.”

“Right? The vibe changes entirely. That’s what’s fun about it. Playing Earth’s music in a completely different world, with completely different instruments.”

Olivia beamed.

Compared to when I first bought her, the change was staggering.

The Olivia I first met had been utterly broken-always tense, trembling with anxiety.

Her blindness had made her even more pessimistic about her situation.

I understood. Being suddenly dragged into this world and forced to live a life of misfortune-if not for my Dimensional Pouch, I might’ve ended up just like her.

“That was a great performance. But make sure you eat while you work, okay?”

“Yes!”

I patted Olivia’s head and stepped out.

The moon was rising. Night was deepening.

Everything was progressing smoothly.

Now, it was time to interrogate the captured Demon Lords’ souls.

I intended to find out everything-why they had come up, what they knew, and who had sent them.