Falling Day (1)

<Side: Clarice Siete>

『Fisherman’s Moon – 14th Day (Lunchtime)』

“Haaah…!!”

–Clang…!!

–Thwaaang…!!

Our party was smoothly carrying out the mission.

I illuminated the dark cave with Flash, Alex’s enhanced sword sliced through the Slime, and Mel supported us with Magic against any Slime we missed. Our teamwork was seamless.

As the sword’s Enhancement was about to wear off, I periodically re-applied it to prevent it from being melted by the Slime.

Originally, I would get a headache and feel exhausted after using Enhancement about three times, but now I’ve used it more than four times and I’m still going strong! This must also be thanks to the Goddess’s Blessing♡♥

–Kugwaaaaaang…!!!!!!!

“Yeah~ Bullseye! This is the first time I’ve had this much output!”

“This is also thanks to the Goddess, Mel!”

“I see. That must be it! Heehee~ Long live the Goddess♡♥”

Along the way, Mel’s Fire magic, which had received plenty of the Goddess’s Blessing, melted a horde of Slime in an instant. The many Slime in the cave were no longer a threat to us♪

The cave itself wasn’t very long, but due to the characteristic of a mass outbreak, there were a lot of Monsters appearing.

Therefore, each time we wiped out an approaching horde, we took a break to reorganize and steadily move forward.

“Hoo… I’m a little tired. Are you guys okay?”

“I’m fine. More than that, Alex must be much more tired. Mel and I were supporting from the rear, but it was Alex who caught the Slime. It can’t be helped that you’re tired. Ah! You’re sweating a lot, so I’ll lend you my handkerchief.”

“Hee~ You two look good together. Anyone would think you’re lovers~”

“Ye, yes…? Me, Mel, really… Those kinds of jokes are mean.”

Alex and I are like lovers…? Hehe, Mel makes a lot of mean jokes, but this one is especially refreshing♪

Oh, my face is burning. Could it be that I’ve been poisoned by the Slime without me knowing?

“Clarice. Your face is red, are you okay? Do you have a fever or something…”

“Ah, no. It’s definitely not that! We, well… We’ve rested enough, so let’s move forward! It’s probably because my Flash is too hot! Anyway, it’s definitely not what you’re thinking!”

“Flash isn’t hot, though?”

“Anyway!!”

Ignoring Mel’s tactless words, I roused everyone from their rest and moved forward again.

Since this is a one-way cave with no forks, we can complete the quest if we continue to defeat the Slime as we have been doing.

However, since we can’t accurately estimate how long it is, we have to proceed with caution. That’s why resting is also part of the strategy…! That’s what Alex and Lacey Oppa emphasized, I remember.

“Clarice.”

“Ye, yesss…! Wh, what’s wrong, Alex…?”

I, I was surprised. While I was bowing my head and taking a breather, Alex suddenly called me.

“Shh! Be quiet. Turn off Flash.”

“Yes, eh……”

Alex’s expression isn’t good. It seems like the situation isn’t normal…

He put his finger to his lips and signaled me to be quiet, so I quietly turned off Flash as Alex said.

“What’s wrong, Alex? Is something there?”

Mel also seemed curious as to why Alex was acting like this. Why is Alex suddenly like this…

–Thump…! Thump…!

The moment the light went out and the cave was surrounded by darkness, that’s when I started to hear heavy footsteps.

The quest was definitely to exterminate a mass outbreak of Slime, right? Slime crawl, so there’s no way they could make this kind of sound…!

“A, abnormal situation…!”

“Everyone calm down and listen carefully. It seems the guild gave us the wrong information, or an abnormal situation has occurred… Judging by the sound, which can be heard from quite a distance, it’s at least Golem-level and at most Ogre-level.”

Alex stood up, regained his posture, and continued to speak.

He himself seemed flustered by the unprecedented abnormal situation, but he calmly reassured us.

“Considering the distance we’ve walked so far, we can get out of the cave if we run at full speed. So hurry……”

–Thump, thump, thump…! Thump, thump, thump, thump…!

“Kuh…! The footsteps are getting faster…!”

Did it hear us running away? Suddenly, the footsteps began to accelerate rapidly.

At this rate, we’ll get caught from behind by the Monster while we’re running away!

Alex seemed to sense that it was too late, and bit his lip tightly.

“Tch, we can’t retreat any further! Everyone, prepare for battle…!!! Clarice, turn on the light!!”

“Ye, yesss!”

The battle came so suddenly. In response to Alex’s signal, I turned on the light in the darkness again, and the Monster’s identity was revealed.

“O, Ogre…!?”

A Monster that the guild evaluates as mid-to-high level. Its entire body is covered in steel-like leather, so ordinary weapons can’t even scratch it, and it also has strong Magic resistance. It approaches quickly despite its size, and its main attack method is to swing its Club or crush with its massive body…

A Monster that our party can’t possibly handle… Why is this happening? But it’s too late to run away…

Now that it’s come to this, there’s no other way but to fight…!

“The enemy is one Ogre. Clarice, cast Enhancement on my entire body. And Mel, aim Fire magic at the Ogre’s eyes!”

“What! Ogres have Magic resistance…”

“It doesn’t matter! We just need to block its vision for now…!”

–Bang!!

“Alex, look out…!!!”

In that short moment, the Ogre came right in front of us, and at the same time, it swung the Club it was holding down on Alex. Mel’s scream was heard…

–Crack…!

“Kuaaaaack…!!!”

He barely managed to avoid a fatal blow with Buckler, but in exchange, the Buckler was shattered beyond recognition, and Alex was sent flying through the air and slammed into the ground…!

“Qu, quickly… Quickly heal him…! He, heal………”

If I don’t heal him quickly, Alex’s life is in danger……

[Defeat the evil before you, and come here quickly♥ My child♥]

“Ah, ahh♡♥ O, ohoh♡♥”

Wh, what is this♡ This feeling that vibrates through my whole body… This is definitely, the Goddess’s Blessing♡♥

Why here, at this moment…? Ah, ahh… I understand♡♥ The Goddess has recognized our threat and is trying to protect us with this whisper to me…!

–Pshuuuut♡♥

He, eheheh♡ I felt something wet flowing from my Cunt. I’m not wearing underwear, so it’ll definitely be visible on my clothes♡♥

But it’s okay♡♥ This is also proof that the Goddess has given me a Blessing…!!

“Ah♡♡ Goddess… I’ll be there soon. I’ll defeat the abominable Monster before me, and head towards the beyond where you’re waiting…!!”

–Bang!! Thwaaaang…!!!

With the single-minded determination to face the Goddess’s Blessing, I confronted the Ogre in Alex’s place.

The Ogre roared so loudly it felt like it would break my body, and swung its Club, but…

“It’s… useless!”

My body, which had been carefully coated with Enhancement, wasn’t even scratched by the attack. At the same time, I cast Heal to minimize the damage.

“Mel! Aim Magic at the Ogre’s eyes…! Magic that has received the Goddess’s power will definitely be effective!”

“U, un…!”

–Thwaang…!

“I, it went in!”

No matter how strong its Magic resistance is, it’s nothing more than a piece of paper in front of the Goddess’s Blessing♡♥ Mel’s proud Magic pierced the Ogre’s eyes in an instant, preventing it from ever seeing the light again♡♥

“Alex. Are you still okay! We, who have received the Goddess’s Blessing, will, we’ll take care of this♡♥”

“Ku, kuh…! Clarice…!”

Alex seemed to be badly injured, spitting out blood as he collapsed. Oh no… I have to defeat this monster quickly and heal Alex…!

At this rate, Alex will collapse… Then our priority will be to take him and run away…?

“No, no… I can’t turn down the Goddess’s Blessing for such a reason…!”

–Thwaang!!

The Ogre seemed to be struggling, wildly swinging its Club and tearing up the cave. Mel also seemed flustered and wasn’t moving at all…

“Cl, Clarice…! What are you doing! No, no more! Let’s run away. Let’s run away! That’s not something you can handle!”

Retreat…? There’s absolutely no retreat… The Goddess is waiting ahead, so I can’t turn tail and run…

“Haa… Haha. Hehehee… I can’t do that!!!!”

–

–

–

<Side: Alex Raise>

“Kuaaaaack…!!!”

A sudden abnormal situation. I ended up kneeling from the Ogre’s repeated attacks that came at a fierce speed.

A single swing of the Club felt like it was breaking all the bones in my body… Or maybe they were broken. I was strongly slammed into the cave wall to the point where it cracked, rendering me unable to fight.

It’s hard to breathe, and my eyes keep closing. Blood keeps rising from inside my throat, and all I can smell is blood even when I inhale.

But if I give up here, the others will be in danger…! If I don’t get up and stop that Monster… I’ll lose my precious people again…!

Even if I have to give up my life, I have to save these two…

“Ku, kuh…! Clarice…!”

At that moment, Clarice stood alone and began to confront the Ogre. She confronted the Ogre with skillful combat skills that were hard to believe came from her, who was in charge of rear support, and Mel’s Fire magic hit the Ogre’s eyes along the way.

Clarice’s face was blurry and I couldn’t see it properly, but it seemed like she had an impatience in her body that wasn’t like her usual self.

“Cl, Clarice…! What are you doing! No, no more! Let’s run away. Let’s run away! That’s not something you can handle!”

Mel shouted in a flustered manner. The hand holding the Staff was trembling, and she was breathing heavily as if she was nervous.

“Haa… Haha. Hehehee…”

Strangely, I heard Clarice’s laughter. Has she lost her mind in this hopeless situation? If not… Then why?

“I can’t do that!!!!”

At that time, Clarice’s Self-Defense Mace was enveloped in light. It was the light of Enhancement. Could it be that Clarice is trying to fight that Ogre…? Absolutely, absolutely not. I can’t let that happen…

“N, no…”

“Stop it. Clarice!!”

“Goddess, I, Clarice… I, your faithful follower, will go soon♡♥”

–Crack……!! Thwaang!! Keeeeeeng!!

I heard a strange sound of something twisting, and I closed my eyes pathetically. I couldn’t bear to see Clarice being crushed by the Ogre… Mel is probably in a similar situation.

That spot should have been mine, but Clarice sacrificed herself in place of my incompetent self. I can’t just turn a blind eye here, I have to do something… I have to, but…

The fear engraved in my body after confronting the Ogre prevented me from doing so…

“I’m a coward……”

The cracking sound was the sound of one of the two weapons breaking. It must have been the sound of Clarice’s Mace breaking.

“If only I were stronger…!”

Ironically, that sound motivated me. I lost Clarice, but I can’t lose anyone else…

I have to save Mel and get her out of here… That sense of responsibility forced my creaking body to get up.

“I’m sorry… Clarice…!”

I opened my eyes, which I had closed like a coward. I have to face it. This tragedy, this catastrophe… In order to not repeat it again…!

“Eh, what…?”

However, when I struggled to open my eyes, the sight that unfolded before me transcended my imagination.

“Haa… Haa… Haa… To the other side… To the place where the Goddess is…”

It was Clarice who was standing on two feet. It was the Ogre who was collapsed and the Club it was holding was broken.

I collapsed without even being able to exchange blows with the Ogre… But Clarice managed to defeat that Ogre.

The Ogre collapsed with a small hole in its chest. A miracle had occurred that was logically impossible to predict.

“Cl, kuh… Clarice…!”

Clarice, who was covered in the Ogre’s blood all over her body, was just smiling at the other side of the cave, not even looking at the Monster she had defeated.

“What happened… Clarice.”

–

–

–

<Side: Clarice Siete>

I pointed the Mace covered in Enhancement towards the Ogre. It was just once, but…

–Crack……!! Thwaang!! Keeeeeeng!!

The Ogre’s weapon broke down like a reed. Ahh… This is the Goddess’s power♡♥

The Goddess must be cheering me on♡♥

The Ogre, who had lost its sight but confirmed that its weapon was broken, hesitated for a moment, but soon identified the place where I was and ran towards me with its palms open.

It’s probably trying to grab me and crush me…

“The game is over. You uncivilized thing… Fall quickly. I can’t delay any longer♡♥”

I can’t waste even a single second. I have to, I have to… Go to meet that person♡♥

[My child, pierce the enemy]

“Ha, haha♡ Yes~ I understand. Goddess♡”

The Goddess was also watching over me♡♥

As a faithful follower of the Goddess, I will carry out her words. I stretched one foot forward, pulled the other foot back, and put strength in my legs.

And I aim the Mace at the area near the Ogre’s solar plexus as it runs towards me.

I’ve never handled throwing weapons before, but the Goddess’s words told me what to do.

“Take this♡♥”

I then threw the enhanced Mace towards the center of the Ogre. The Mace that flew at high speed…

–Pshak…!!

Hit the Ogre’s solar plexus accurately, piercing through it like paper. An accurate throw that didn’t even make a sound…

The Ogre, whose vitals were pierced, died on the spot, and the Ogre’s blood that burst out as a result splattered all over me.

“Haa… Haa… Haa… To the other side… To the place where the Goddess is…”

That’s not important. More than the fact that an Ogre died, I have to go to the other side… To the place where I can feel that person’s Blessing.

–Tadak…!! Tadak…!!

“Clarice!? Clarice, wait a minute…!”

Leaving the Ogre’s corpse behind, I ran non-stop towards the end of the cave in order to receive the Goddess’s Blessing. I heard Mel’s voice along the way, but Mel will have to face that person’s power anyway♡♥

Suddenly, I remembered Alex, who was bleeding… I’m sorry, Alex…

The Goddess is hundreds of times more important than Alex being injured and dying… No, it’s rude to even compare♡♥

I’ll heal you if you’re alive after I meet the Goddess… So please hold on a little longer♡♥

“Haa… Haa… Ahah♡ I found it. Goddess’s Treasure Box♡”

A dead end. There, there were as many as two Goddess’s Treasure Box, the same ones I had seen before.

Looking back, I can see the stains made by the water and sweat that flowed from my Cunt♡♥

“Ahh… That person’s Blessing is overflowing♡♥ I can’t stand it anymore♡♥”

With a pounding heart, I opened the two Treasure Box at once.

“Ahah♡♥ Thank you, Goddess♡♥”

Inside the first Treasure Box were 1 Blessing potion, 2 Growth potions, and 2 Ascension potions. A total of 5 potions.

The other one contained clothes with a vulgar structure that were embarrassing to look at, and various accessories and tools, including a small cross necklace.

This is definitely the Goddess supporting our party with supplies.

“Ahh♡♥ Thank you always, Goddess. I want to feel this ecstatic feeling a little longer♡♥”

“…Lari, …Cla, ri……ce. …Lari……ce!”

“Shut up…”

While I was immersed in emotion after seeing the sacred objects that had received the Goddess’s Blessing, there was an uninvited guest who kept calling my name in succession.

This is an important moment when I have to give thanks… If you keep doing this, even I won’t be able to stand it.

“Haa, haak… Clarice. What’s wrong with you…? You defeated the Ogre like that, so what happened that you came all the way here?”

“Kuh… Haa… Cl, Clarice…”

Looking back, there was Alex, who was bleeding a lot, and Mel, who was supporting him. Both of them were breathing irregularly as if they had run here in a hurry.

“Eh…? Then, were Mel and Alex calling me just now? Again, again, I had such unholy thoughts… No, no. More importantly, Alex needs treatment…”

“Alex, I’m sorry… I’ll heal you right away.”

Overcome with guilt, I couldn’t bear to see Alex’s critical condition.

I immediately used two bottles of Holy Water, as well as my Recovery Magic, to completely restore Alex.

Thankfully, Alex’s breathing returned to normal, and Mel no longer needed to support him.

“I’m really, really glad…”

“Clarice… explain what happened. The Ogre that even I, as the Vanguard, couldn’t handle… how could you, in the Rearguard, defeat it single-handedly…?”

“It’s thanks to the Goddess…”

It was because of her miracle and word…

“Goddess? That doesn’t explain it. Even if it’s thanks to the Goddess, your actions just now were too strange.”

Could it be… could it be… that Alex is doubting the Goddess’s power…?

No, that can’t be. How dare a mere creature doubt the Goddess’s power.

That’s a great sin that can’t be forgiven even if you die hundreds of millions of times. I want to believe that Alex isn’t like that. Right, Alex?

“It’s not like that! I, it’s really the Goddess’s power…”

“Don’t talk nonsense…!!”

[Cease your doubt, my children]

“Ohooooot♡♥ It’s here, it’s here♡♥”

The Goddess’s voice, dominating this space, as Alex was about to raise his voice.

The Goddess’s command to cease doubt. I never had any doubt about the Goddess♡♥ Then the target is Alex, who had doubts about the Goddess’s power…

The Goddess knows it too. That the ignorant Alex is not to be punished, but to be enlightened♡♥ As expected, the merciful Goddess♡♥

“Ah, ah… yeah, it’s thanks to the Goddess… I understand…”

“Hey, hey, what’s wrong? Alex. Did you eat something wrong too?”

Mel is worried about Alex, who suddenly stopped doubting with hazy eyes.

Ah, that’s right! There was something I really wanted to show Mel too♡♥

“Mel! Leave Alex there for a moment, and quickly look at this! It seems the Goddess has recognized Mel as a Devotee of the Goddess, just like me. She even prepared Equipment for you!”

“What are you talking about…”

I took out one of the obscene outfits from the box and showed it to Mel.

“Ah… Ahaha♡♥ I see♡♥”

Then Mel also seemed to stop doubting in an instant, drooling foolishly as she looked at the clothes. Mel has been a faithful Devotee of the Goddess since yesterday, so that’s a natural reaction♡♥

And what I took out was a shiny black rubber strap. I knew instinctively. That this was Mel’s♡♥ Imagining Mel wearing this makes my Cunt hot again♡♥

Also, this time the Goddess might have prepared something for Alex!

The Goddess wouldn’t have ignored him, who was disappointed last time for not receiving the Goddess’s Blessing!

“Here, Alex. This time there are many kinds. There must be something for Alex among them. Hurry, hurry and touch them!”

“U, um… I understand.”

–Zzzt…!

“Ugh…!”

“Oh my… I guess the Equipment is a failure again this time…”

Alex seemed to feel pain just by getting close to it.

But seeing that the Goddess’s voice reached Alex, it seems the Goddess hasn’t abandoned Alex either…

–Zzzt…!

“Ah…!”

“Aaa… the potion is a failure too… Poor thing…”

This time he reached for the potion, but it seemed to sting him as well. He immediately pulled his hand away.

“Oh, I can touch this…”

In the meantime, Alex picked up a potion bottle with pink liquid in it without any problem.

“Waa♡♥ Congratulations, Alex! That seems to be proof that the Goddess hasn’t abandoned you yet!”

“The Goddess hasn’t forgotten Alex~”

The bottle was labeled ‘Blessing’. Aha! This must be because the Goddess personally took care of it to give Alex a Blessing!

“Alex. This is an opportunity. If you drink that potion in one gulp, something good will surely happen!”

“Y, yeah… I guess so……”

Alex is about to open the potion cap, and I am enthusiastically cheering him on… but right then.

“Kugh… wa, wait. Just a moment! This is, no…”

“Haa…? Why are you hesitating? That potion is full of the Goddess’s Blessing, so if you drink it, only good things will surely happen…?”

Why, why… is Alex so doubtful…?

“Even if that’s the case… Kkeugh… we need to regroup…”

“What are you saying, you fucking bastard…! Shut up and just drink it…!”

Why does this man keep trying to reject the Goddess? The Goddess is constantly giving us Blessings, and if you ignore and deny that sincerity…

I might really hate Alex, this male…

“Clarice…… Haa…! My head, is dizzy, zy…”

“Pathetic. Incompetent male…! This won’t do. In order to get that weak figure out of my sight, I will personally pour that Blessing down your throat! Come here. Immediately…!!”

“H, hey, both of you calm down first…! Clarice, ease up on your expression, and Alex doesn’t seem to be in his right mind right now? Getting back is the top priority, the top priority!”

“Haa? Shut up, you brat! Are you trying to hinder the Goddess too?”

Why is Mel doing this again! Why, why is she constantly hindering the Goddess?

“Think about it! Our party almost ended in one morning because of the guild’s idiotic work! Now is not the time for us to be arguing among ourselves! I won’t be satisfied until I grab the guild member who gave us this quest by the collar!”

“Kugh…! But thanks to that, we were able to receive so many of the Goddess’s Blessings here!”

“That’s that! This is this! Calm down, take a breath… we’re friends!”

Mel’s voice started to mix with tears a little. Alex is holding his head and sitting against the wall…

“Hoo… I understand. Since you are a fellow Devotee of the Goddess, I’ll let it go today…”

I took out the Cube from my bosom and put all the Goddess’s Blessings in the box.

Honestly, I wanted to change into this Goddess’s Equipment here and drink that shimmering potion too…

But because I don’t want to get angry with him anymore, let’s talk about the rest after we get out.

“Then let’s get out quickly first. My clothes are soaked with blood, so I want to take them off right away.”

“Yeah… let’s get out.”

An icy atmosphere. But I didn’t do anything wrong.

It’s all Alex’s fault for trying to deny the Goddess…

But Alex always has a chance to make up for it. If he drinks the ‘Blessing’ in his hand, he will be saved at any time. I have that conviction.

“May the Goddess’s protection be with Alex…”

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