Chapter 59

Today's update as well ('ω')

"……Not here, huh."

At the landing of the still intact staircase, I slumped my shoulders. I thought if they were taking refuge, it would be in the staircase area.

"Skip, didn't work?"

"No, I think it probably did."

Nene, who had been checking the surroundings, returned to me.

"What do you mean?"

"Look at this."

Nene pointed to a corner of the dimly lit staircase. When I shone a light there, fresh, not yet dried bloodstains were visible.

"From the freshness of the blood, I think they were here just a little while ago. I don't know how much time has passed since the jump, though..."

Nene's gaze followed the trail of blood leading down the stairs.

"Did they need to move from here?"

"Maybe they were attacked by something, or someone."

Jamie pushed us to escape, even though it was a reckless move. Even Simon, who isn't the sharpest, might have noticed Jamie's betrayal if he saw the situation. I don't think Simon is alive, but if he is, it wouldn't be surprising if he attacked Jamie.

Given the state of the dungeon, it's possible that monsters 'overflowed' and invaded the staircase area, but that's not the main issue right now. The important thing is that Jamie was attacked by someone and, despite the staircase area being safe, he descended to the dangerous and unstable lower levels while injured.

"Yuk, let's go!"

"Let's go, Yuk!"

Marina and Silk looked at me in unison.

──"Follow the dungeon exploration rules."

The words Benwood said echoed in my mind. This is something veterans always tell their juniors before they tackle a dungeon. If you ignore these rules in an emergency, you'll surely face a harsh backlash. Sometimes, it costs the life of yourself or a companion, and veteran adventurers know this well.

"I can go right away."

"I'm fine too, but I'll leave it to your judgment, Yuk."

"……"

After a moment's hesitation, I made my decision.

"──Let's go."

◇

Wishing for Jamie's safety, I led the way down the stairs. The place we stepped into was strangely familiar yet eerie. The sky was dyed in the colors of sunset, and the red light cast shadows on the ruins.

"Here……"

Rain showed a rare sign of agitation.

However, it wasn't just Rain who was moved by this scene. We all stopped in our tracks.

"It's collapsed, but it's Finis……right?"

"Yeah, because the building behind it……is the Adventurer's Guild."

Turning to Marina's words, the area behind us had transformed from the stairs to the Adventurer's Guild. The stairs were faintly visible within it.

"The blood trail is that way."

Nene pointed to a small intersection leading from the Adventurer's Street to the West Street. That direction makes sense.

"I know where Jamie is heading. Nene, do you know the 'Dancing Duck Inn' in the West Residential Area?"

"Yes."

"Please take the lead and scout ahead. ……I think Jamie went to his brother's house."

In the West Residential Area, there is an apartment where Jamie's brother lives. Jamie had his brother, who has asthma, living there. The stairs……the 'Colorless Darkness' must have teleported Jamie to the place he wished for.

This scene is a bit distasteful. The once bustling Adventurer City is now completely desolate. Many buildings bear the marks of destruction, and the Adventurer's Guild is scarred.

"It's scary."

Rain frowned as she looked around.

"Yeah. This isn't Finis. It's too quiet."

"This is a terrible sight. Let's hurry and help Jamie and get back."

"Right. When we get back, I'll thank Jamie and give him a lecture……and we'll have a party together."

Indeed. This is not the Finis we should return to.

"Clear the path!"

Nene, who had returned, called us from the alley.

"No enemies, but there are footprints following the blood trail. They might be being chased."

"Let's hurry……!"

I took a deep breath to calm my mind and then ran through the desolate Finis. We can't let our guard down just because it's a familiar place.

"I can see it……!"

The 'Dancing Duck Inn,' where I used to sleep, was completely destroyed, but the large wooden duck statue at the entrance was still standing.

"The blood trail and footprints are that way."

Following the trail of blood, we stepped into the square of the West Residential Area.

"……!"

The view opened up, and finally, we spotted Jamie. Covered in blood, with a pale face, Jamie was leaning weakly against a well.

And next to him, the culprit stood with a lecherous smile, basking in the red light of the sunset. He turned his face towards me.

His face was blackened in places, and one eye glowed like blood. It didn't look human, but I recognized his face.

"Hey, Yuk. You coming from that direction saved me some trouble."

Turning to face me, the knight raised the corners of his mouth in a crescent moon shape.

"……Simon……!"

My childhood friend, who was supposed to be dead, laughed with a clear intent to kill.

How was it ('ω')?

If you're thinking "I want to know what happens next!" or "Is he alive?!", please change the ☆☆☆☆☆ below to ★★★★★ to support me. I'll work hard tomorrow too. Thank you.