episode_0050

After collecting all of Arachne’s rewards, I rummaged through the belongings of the bastards who tried to toss the Arachne onto us—just in case.

“……If they worked hard, they deserve compensation.”

Maybe it was because I found several hefty bags and equipment that looked expensive.

My body felt heavy, but my steps were light. It was like the feeling of leaving school or work.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve felt like this.’

Because before I started this game, I was stuck at my job—eating, sleeping, and showering at the office while obsessively working on projects.

I was so happy the rare times I got to go home.

“…….”

Suddenly, a gloomy mood settled over me.

Would it really be so bad to just stay holed up in this world?

Just as I was lost in thought, Rosenta sidled up to me.

“……You saw, didn’t you?” “Saw what?” “……You definitely saw it. You definitely did.” “I didn’t see anything. And I don’t want to remember anything.” “Ugh……!”

Rosenta’s face turned bright red.

But I wasn’t going to open my mouth no matter what.

The moment I did, suspicion would turn into certainty.

‘It’s not confirmed yet.’

After all, I had pretended to turn my head away at the last second.

‘I don’t want to dig up the embarrassing secrets of someone I like.’

Besides, I already like every single member of this party.

Not that I’d call it the best or greatest of my life, but there’s no one I dislike.

They make quick decisions and trust easily once they’ve decided to.

They’re greedy, but not for money—they’re driven by ambition, the desire to climb higher.

So.

I don’t want to break this party apart.

‘But no matter how I think about it…’

After that intense fight, no matter the circumstances…

‘That kind of self-comfort is a bit……’

I couldn’t help but wonder if she was less of a Saintess and more of a… Sexpot.

‘No, that’s rude of me.’

Even if Rosenta’s opponent was the one who tried to toss her, and even if it happened after the duel ended…

That kind of thought is disrespectful.

Lost in my musings, we soon arrived at the path leading back to the second floor.

“What should we do?” “Either march quickly, rest at the inn for a day, and regroup—or take it slow. Which one…?” “Fast.” “The sticky smell is making it hard to focus.”

Theresa and Rosenta chose the faster option.

Nana and Glasses didn’t seem to care either way.

“……Didn’t we already clean most of it with magic?” “Most isn’t enough. The spiders’ blood is still sticky deep inside.”

Rosenta grumbled. Glasses sighed and agreed, saying there was nothing to be done about it.

I agreed too.

Because right now, it was a little uncomfortable.

“Ah, and about those bastards who tried to toss the Arachne at us…” “Their bags, weapons, and armor are here.” “Does anyone need anything?” “Nothing looks particularly good, though.” “I’ll take the greaves. Mine got wrecked fighting the Arachne.” “Then take the greaves. The rest is a pain to deal with, so just take what you need now.” “That’s why I said I don’t need anything. Handling stolen goods is annoying.” “Hmm…… Then, can I take care of the stolen goods and skim a bit off the top? Say, 30%?”

Erme made a gesture indicating coins as she spoke.

“Go ahead. Sorry to trouble you. You’ll need a cut for the hassle anyway.” “Well, this much is nothing.” “But if you need money, are you planning to make that soon?” “Of course. That’s why I’ve been hustling lately.”

Glasses and Erme grinned sinisterly, chuckling.

What are they up to?

‘I don’t really want to know.’

Well, whatever they’re doing, it probably won’t harm me.

And so, we exited the labyrinth.

“You’ve brought back quite the haul.”

The first thing we saw upon exiting was Vulcan.

True to his words, we were lugging around a mountain of stuff.

The magic stones spat out by the Arachne.

The weapons and magic stones from the Poison Arachne and Poison Arachne Queen.

And on top of that, the belongings of the bastards who tried to toss them onto us.

‘We really scraped everything clean.’

A strange sense of pride welled up inside me.

“So, who’d you rob this time?” “Nothing major. Just some guys who tried to gift our party an Arachne battalion.” “Ah, so that’s why you’re all banged up.” “Well, still usable.” “You guys… No, you really have the worst luck. Every time you enter a labyrinth, you never come out unscathed.” “You remember all that?”

At my words, Vulcan let out a snort and replied.

“Even if you’re not officially my disciple, you’re someone I keep a close eye on.”

That’s… kind of touching.

“But what happened to the iron pellets I gave you? I told you to wear them even in the labyrinth.” “…….”

The touching moment vanished.

“Well, in your case, since things always go wrong in the labyrinth, taking them off was probably the right call.” “I had no choice.” “Then do something about that smirk of yours.”

Was I smirking?

I touched my lips—no, I hadn’t been.

When I looked at Vulcan, he was grinning smugly.

“…….” “See? You fell for my joke.”

What am I supposed to do with this childish old man?

They say people become more childish with age, and looking at Vulcan, that rumor might actually be true.

“Why are you here, by the way?” “Ah, I had something to ask you, but judging by your state, I’m guessing the women in your party complained about wanting to wash and sleep at an inn, so you rushed back in a day.” “……How do you know that so well?” “Hoho, since you seem unaware, let me enlighten you—I am a rather high-level, top-tier adventurer. The Empire even tried to recruit me by offering a ducal title. That’s the kind of man Vulcan is.” “Huh?” “What’s with that disbelieving look?” “If it were the Sword King, I’d believe it.” “You’re so transparent.”

Vulcan laughed, looking exasperated.

“Let’s hurry. I have business with you.”

With that, Vulcan led us away. Normally, it would’ve taken much longer, but we arrived in the blink of an eye.

“Whoa……”

Erme smiled brightly.

“Should we make sure we have business with Vulcan from now on?” “…….” “This usually takes half a day if you’re unlucky.” “……Sorry for always relying on just you until now.” “No, well, if you’re that sorry, how about pledging your lifelong service?” “That’s a bit……”

At my words, Erme looked shocked.

Was it that surprising?

“Enough with the married-couple talk. Hurry up and get this over with.” “M-married?! Isn’t it way too early for that?!”

Erme seemed to short-circuit.

Does she dislike me that much?

It was a little hurtful.

“So, what’s this about?” “Well……”

Just as Vulcan was about to speak—

An unpleasant presence approached. A yellow-haired man exuding hostility glared at us.

“Y-you! What’s with those bags?!” “Bags?” “The bags you just handed to the receptionist!” “What about them?” “That’s the emblem of our Third Light Clan!” “Ah, so this is that emblem?”

I checked the side of the bag.

Sure enough, there was a shimmering emblem of three lights.

“That bag belongs to our clan! What did you do to our members?!”

The blond youth shouted brazenly. The surrounding gazes turned hostile.

If he was asking whether we killed them—

‘Well, technically, yes.’

But saying it outright felt wrong.

A rebellious impulse, maybe.

“If it’s about that clan, we’re the ones who want an apology.” “What?” “They tried to toss monsters onto us. An act worthy of condemnation, something you should never do in a labyrinth. They did it shamelessly, so you should know even without seeing it.” “D-don’t lie! There’s no way they’d do that!” “Ah, don’t worry about that.” “Huh?”

Amid the sudden argument, Vulcan stepped between us.

Then, he looked at me and asked:

“Did you kill them on purpose?” “They tried to toss monsters onto us.” “They’d never do that!” “Oh? Then it’s settled. Let’s all do better from now on.” “……Huh? Y-yes, understood.”

I scratched my head as I spoke.

What the hell was that?

Who would believe he just took my word for it and called it a day?

“V-Vulcan! What kind of answer is that?!” “He said they tried to toss them, didn’t he?” “That’s a lie…!” “Oh? Are you calling me and the Guild Master liars?” “There was one. The blond man standing right in front of you.”

The guild hall fell silent. A woman appeared.

Golden eyes that looked down arrogantly upon all things, long crimson hair cascading down.

Similar to Lucia, yet different. If Lucia radiated a dangerous aura, this woman—

‘A being that looks down on all life.’

That was the only way to describe her presence.

“Phew.”

The Guild Master exhaled a long stream of smoke from her pipe.

Vulcan, standing beside her, muttered:

“Hey, no smoking inside the guild.” “……Ah, right. My bad.”

She rubbed the tip of her pipe with her fingers, extinguishing it.

“…….”

That exchange felt oddly dumb.

“Anyway, arrest that guy. He’s lying. Tear the others apart too.” “……As expected of the legendary eyes that discern truth from lies.”

Erme smiled sweetly. Vulcan and the Guild Master chuckled.

“Is that so?” “That thing’s not that accurate. It’s made mistakes before. This only worked because those idiots were too stupid to hide it.”

The Guild Master laughed as she spoke.

“Anyway, follow me. I have business with you.”

I followed Vulcan. Then, the Guild Master suddenly said:

“By the way, is it really okay to draw this much attention?” “Well, this guy’ll handle it.” “……Did I just hear something weird?” “You heard right. You’ve monopolized the attention of a woman even the Empire treads carefully around and a man they tried to recruit as a duke.” “…….”

Of course.

The harder I struggle to survive, the more unnecessary attention I attract from all sides.

I felt inexplicably gloomy.

-Why the gloom? This is practically an honor.

‘I don’t want that kind of honor.’

Honestly, I have no idea how impressive these two are.

I’ve barely heard of them, after all.

They’re just called “amazing,” so I go along with it, but…

‘……Well, their presence alone is unsettling.’

Even watching them as a swordmaster—

No blue aura emanates from them.

In fact, the stronger I become and the higher my level rises…

‘The red lines on my body keep increasing.’

It’s absurd.

I don’t feel weak, so why am I being treated like this?

“Well, what I want to ask isn’t much. Just a small investigation into your Gift, since it deals with souls.” “……Did you tell them?” “I prefer certainty. You don’t seem the type, but our Guild Master already saw you handling souls.” “Is manipulating souls that dangerous?” “Yes. 300 years ago, someone with a soul-related Gift became far too dangerous.” “……Let’s set that aside. More importantly, does your Gift have the word ‘soul’ in it? Answer only ‘yes’ or ‘no.’” “No. It doesn’t.”

Jeoltu steals things—it’s not related to souls.

“Well?” “……Surprisingly, it’s true. Handling souls seems to be a secondary ability.” “Hoho, so it’s similar to that bastard’s power, but a side effect?” “Well, that guy’s Gift was specialized in souls, while this one’s different. For now, I’m relieved.” “Then can I go now?” “I’d like to say yes, but that might be difficult.” “Huh?” “It’s nothing major. You’ve done better than whatever you expected, and I’d like to reward you for it.” “A reward?” “Look at his eyes—they’re sparkling.” “I like it. If a few coins are enough to win him over, that’s convenient for us too.”

The Guild Master leaned back in her chair, smiling lazily.

“How much do you want?”

I decided then and there to side with the Guild Master from now on.

“About 10 platinum coins.”

A platinum coin is worth 100 gold coins.

So, ten platinum coins would be—

‘1,000 gold coins. About 10 billion won!’

An absolutely staggering sum.

With this, I could probably live comfortably for the rest of my life.

“……Hmm.”

But at my words, the Guild Master frowned, looking troubled.

What, did I ask for too much?

Just as my opinion of her was about to drop—

“That’s far too little for your contributions. I’d need to give you five times that to feel satisfied.” “I pledge my undying loyalty. Shall I polish your shoes?” “This little brat.”

From today onward, the Guild Master’s enemies are my enemies.