Chapter 44

"………"

Two days after the appearance of the mutated hydra, I was standing at the reception desk of the Labyrinth City Adventurers' Guild, my face pale as I looked down.

It was clearly a suspicious attitude, and I could feel the suspicious gazes of the adventurers.

Still, I couldn't pretend to be normal.

The reason for my state was the existence of the hydra, which had mutated due to something I had hidden from everyone.

Hiding the existence of the hydra was a serious crime.

I was sure to be fired from my job as a receptionist, and at worst, I might be imprisoned for a few days.

……But now that the hidden hydra has mutated, the punishment I will receive will be far heavier than just hiding its existence.

I will surely be made a slave or receive an even harsher punishment.

"……Why did I try to hide the hydra's existence?"

My words, tinged with unhidden regret, trembled as I spoke them.

Just imagining what might happen to me made my body shake uncontrollably.

For now, they haven't realized that the hydra mutated in a short period of time, nor that I was the one who hid it.

……But it's only a matter of time before they find out that I was the one who hid the hydra.

The blood drained from my face as I anticipated this bleak future.

I felt an impulse to run away, but I knew that running now would only make my crime worse and I wouldn't be able to escape.

Understanding this, I could only continue to do my receptionist work, trying not to arouse suspicion.

My heart was being increasingly cornered by this hopeless situation.

"……I did nothing wrong."

……And when I reached my limit, I turned away from reality.

"……I had nothing to do with the hydra's sudden mutation. I was just unlucky. Why should I be held accountable?"

I whispered these words of self-defense in a small voice, trying to convince myself.

……I was turning away from the reality that my decision to hide the hydra for my own safety could have led to the destruction of the Labyrinth City if things had gone badly.

"Yes, why should I become a slave? The one at fault is the hydra that mutated, right? I am the victim."

Gradually, all guilt disappeared from my heart, and the belief that I was a victim took over.

I convinced myself that I was just a victim of the hydra's abnormal mutation and had done nothing wrong.

……But no matter how much I tried to escape reality, it wouldn't change.

The usual scene of the Adventurers' Guild played out before me, and I realized that no matter how much I tried to ignore reality, it had no meaning.

The situation, which had no future, wouldn't change even if I convinced myself that I was a victim.

"!"

Realizing the inescapable reality, I still couldn't accept the idea of becoming a slave.

As the time ticked away, I bit my lip in frustration and looked around, searching for something to cling to.

"Um, I'll go pick some flowers for a bit."

"Okay, I'll check the requests for tomorrow."

── At that moment, I happened to see Raust and his martial artist companion, who were discussing something happily.

The moment I saw them, I couldn't help but grimace.

Raust, the healer who was once looked down upon, had become a renowned adventurer, not only in the Labyrinth City but also in the capital.

His party of just two had almost effortlessly defeated the mutated hydra, and he was rumored to be on the verge of becoming a top-tier adventurer.

……This was the exact opposite of my situation, where I was facing the possibility of becoming a slave and was filled with fear.

Just a short while ago, Raust and I were in very different positions.

I was the dedicated receptionist for the elite party, Lightning Sword, while Raust was despised by the people of the Labyrinth City.

"……Why!"

But now, Raust's position had risen to an unbelievable degree.

In this situation, I couldn't hide my envy and hatred towards Raust.

I knew that if Raust had stayed with Lightning Sword, I wouldn't have been in such a desperate situation.

……Putting aside the fact that I had stopped working with Lightning Sword, my resentment towards Raust grew.

"If only Raust had achieved something while still with Lightning Sword……"

If Raust had been with Lightning Sword, the credit would have gone to the party, and as a dedicated guild employee, it would have been my credit as well.

Thinking this, I was about to sigh.

"! This will do!"

At that moment, an idea came to me on how to claim Raust's credit as my own.

The moment this idea came to me, a smile appeared on my face.

This might allow me to avoid becoming a slave.

"Sorry, I'll be out for a bit."

"Eh, ah! Y-Yes!"

The next moment, I told the receptionist next to me and started walking towards Raust.

Fortunately, the troublesome martial artist was not with Raust at the moment.

This meant no one would interfere with what I was about to do.

With a full smile, I approached Raust, who was enthusiastically looking for a request.

"Can I have a moment?"

"……Eh?"

The next moment, Raust let out a surprised sound when I called out to him, but I ignored it and continued.

"Will you come with me?"