Ch.44Upper Level (1)

Slash-

Another monster centipede was split in half and rolled on the ground. This was already the eighth one.

Considering it had only been about an hour since entering the upper level, I could tell how many had appeared.

“There certainly are monsters crawling everywhere.”

“That’s why I bought the bug repellent spray. Aren’t you going to use it?”

Lilly pulled out a spray from inside her robe. It was one of the sprays we had purchased before entering this place.

It was an item that left the scent of a top predator on your body when sprayed, preventing attacks for about six hours per can.

“I need to adapt to the environment. I’ll use it when I get a bit tired.”

The easiest and fastest path wasn’t always the right answer. Especially now, when I needed to adapt to and prepare for the next floor, it was definitely not the way to go.

‘I have other reasons too.’

I continued forward, cutting down centipedes as I went. It wasn’t bad that this was centipede territory, as I only had to watch out for one type of monster.

Though it wasn’t easy to catch each one as they appeared through hidden holes in the walls or ceiling.

After another hour passed, I had killed ten more centipedes.

That was roughly one centipede every six minutes. Considering the time it took to deal with them, I had been fighting non-stop since entering the upper level.

“I’m getting a bit tired from not taking any breaks. The increased gravity isn’t helping either.”

I moved to a corner of the mine. It was too small to call a cave, but it was slightly recessed, making it a good place to hide.

“Let’s rest here for a moment before continuing.”

“Sounds good.”

After hiding in the cave, I sprayed some bug repellent. Since I didn’t plan to stay long, I only used a portion of it rather than the entire can.

With this, I wouldn’t have to worry about centipede attacks for a while. So I leaned my sword against a nearby rock and relaxed.

“Even a little movement quickly drains my stamina. I’m not used to managing my energy yet. I’m completely exhausted.”

“Your acting skills are top-notch.”

I patted my own shoulders, showing off how tired I was. In response, Lilly patted my other shoulder.

Her hands were small and her strength was weak, so I didn’t feel much, but we successfully conveyed that we were defenseless.

And that display caught the attention of someone who had been following us.

“I see an opening, Apostle! How dare you impersonate our Apos Hunt! Pay for your crime!”

I wondered what was the point of shouting while attempting a surprise attack, but I didn’t question it and quickly responded.

Flutter- Flutter-

Small paper cutouts shaped like humans flew toward me. Perhaps due to gravity, they weren’t very fast, but there were so many that they seemed difficult to avoid.

‘Shikigami.’

If translated into English, spirit servants. One of the signature skills of an onmyoji.

Depending on how one built their skill tree, the specific abilities varied, but typically they applied binding or debuff effects to those they touched.

‘The way to counter is simply not to let them touch me.’

I spread my hand and surrounded it with sword energy. Since they were fluttering pieces of paper, punching wasn’t appropriate.

So I imbued my hand with sword energy and cut down all the shikigami approaching me.

“All those shikigami at once…!”

The attacker was startled and tried to create distance, but their movements were sluggish, perhaps not yet adapted to the gravity.

I didn’t miss the opportunity and closed in. Seeing my movement, the attacker seemed flustered before revealing what seemed like a prepared move.

‘Was I lured?’

The first thing activated was a barrier. Though small in scale, it reduced my physical abilities as I entered without permission.

Next came the shikigami. They jumped out from the attacker’s chest as if they had been waiting and pounced on me.

Finally, a familiar appeared. Unlike the paper scraps, this was a proper contracted servant.

A nekomata with two tails and a large body appeared surrounded by fire, thrusting its fangs toward my neck.

“Subdue the Apostle, Kirara!”

“That was quite a thorough preparation.”

It was a remarkably well-executed trap, especially considering they were in the position of following me, which made preparation difficult. Their ability to guide me to their desired location was also impressive.

But the matchup was extremely unfavorable for them.

“Huu… Kneel.”

Though not a loud voice, it echoed throughout the mine. With that single word, the attacker’s plan crumbled to dust.

The barrier lost its power and collapsed, and the shikigami flying toward me crashed to the floor.

The nekomata seemed to resist somewhat but lay flat on the ground, unable to rise. Raising its head to growl at me was the only defiance it could manage.

“Wh-what is this…”

“I understand why you’re hostile toward me, but I can explain. Let’s talk first.”

I put my arm around the attacker who had frozen at the surreal scene before them, speaking in a reassuring tone.

Of course, my action only seemed to frighten the attacker more.

‘Did I come across too much like a villain…?’

* * *

The attacker and I sat facing each other, both having removed our robes. Revealing ourselves was the first step to building trust.

Of course, since trust wouldn’t be built immediately just by showing our faces, I proposed a simple question-and-answer session.

I suggested we use a spell to ensure we only spoke the truth, and the other party accepted the proposal.

“Before we start the Q&A, let’s introduce ourselves. I’m Frey.”

“Mochizuki Kitsune.”

We started with simple introductions. But even that simple exchange dropped a bombshell.

I looked at Kitsune. Blonde hair, golden eyes, and one fluffy golden tail. My suspicion was turning into certainty.

“Mochizuki… isn’t that the family name of the fox clan leader?”

“That’s right, the current fox clan leader is my mother. Now it’s my turn to ask a question.”

After briefly revealing her family background, Kitsune immediately asked about my purpose. More precisely, she seemed to be probing the goals of the Apostles.

“What is your purpose?”

“To kill the Evil God, of course. And incidentally, to save the world too.”

“…???”

My answer, which proved I wasn’t an Apostle, clearly bewildered Kitsune.

Despite the spell confirming I was telling the truth, she checked multiple times to make sure the spell was working properly.

Regardless of her reaction, I continued with my question.

“Now it’s my turn to ask. Where is your fairy partner? I thought they usually traveled together.”

“She went with other Hunt members to check on a strange human. Apparently, there was something unusual about their soul.”

It seemed that I, half-confirmed as an Apostle, was left to Kitsune while two fairies and another Hunt member went to check on the Hero.

Since fairies can distinguish truth from lies, if the conversation went well, it might be possible to join forces.

‘I thought one Hero would be insufficient to interfere with the Apostles, but this is fortunate.’

While I was organizing my thoughts, Kitsune asked her next question.

“Then, what is that fairy?”

“Hmm… a friend? She’s helping me save the world. Or did you need the answer that she’s the princess of the fairies?”

It seemed she was concerned about Lilly, who was watching from above my head.

Or perhaps she had noticed the vast magical power Lilly possessed.

“I… see…”

As my turn came again, I fell into thought. The reason I started this Q&A was to gain trust.

So I didn’t really have much I wanted to ask. After thinking about what to ask, something caught my eye and I spoke.

“Can I touch your tail?”

“No!”

I didn’t expect an affirmative answer, but the cold rejection still hurt my feelings.

The refusal was so firm that I momentarily considered using charm, but that could truly damage our relationship, so I restrained myself with superhuman patience.

“What kind of question is that at such an important moment…”

In fact, tails hold significant meaning for fox people. Unlike other beast-folk, fox tails can function as additional magical organs.

So allowing someone to touch their tail means they trust and are close to that person.

‘Though honestly, no beast-folk would easily let someone touch their tail.’

Perhaps because I had recently touched Canon’s fluffy fur, I was feeling a bit of desire in that direction.

While I was licking my lips and recalling the sensation, Kitsune asked me her final question.

“Finally… what are you trying to do in this mine?”

“I’m going to get nectar. I plan to make a sword to kill the Evil God. And now I’m thinking of taking you with me.

I happened to need support, and your skills seem pretty good.”

“What?”