Chapter 6 of 10

Chapter 6

9 min read2,347 words

Dungeon.

In Arcerea, there are two major types of places called dungeons.

The realm revered by the subjects—the Divine Territory [Shiniki].

The realm abhorred by all—the Evil Domain [Akuryou].

The mythology of Arcerea goes like this:

In the world, things that are opposites exist in pairs.

When the gods created the world, the Otherworld was also born.

When the gods created humans, monsters were also born.

When the gods defined good, what leaked out became evil.

When the gods defined life, death became the inevitable result.

And at the very beginning, when the gods came into being, the evil gods had already fallen.

The gods guided humans, while the evil gods led the monsters.

A great war, known as the Human-Monster War, broke out.

In the end, the human side emerged victorious, but both the gods and the evil gods were utterly exhausted, making it impossible to destroy one side completely.

Thus, the official army, the humans, obtained the surface, while the monsters were driven underground.

The Divine Territory is a tower labyrinth where magical artifacts imbued with divine power sleep, believed to be where the gods rest.

The Evil Domain is an underground labyrinth where magical artifacts imbued with the power of evil gods sleep, guarded by wandering monsters, believed to be where the evil gods gather their strength.

The Divine Territory rejects the acquisition of magical artifacts through trials, while the Evil Domain does so through battles with monsters.

Magical artifacts can be owned personally or dedicated to the state.

In the latter case, a substantial special reward can be obtained.

In other ways, the records of monster slaying and trial completion are logged through the Direct Glass Device—a terminal similar to contact lenses—and rewards are given upon submission of video evidence.

"Adventurers are the most popular profession in this country. But compared to visitors, the people of this world are weaker. Actually, it's the other way around. Visitors are just too strong."

"…Because they were unhappy?"

Kousuke's words alone don't seem to be enough to convey the truth, so she adds:

"More precisely, the misfortune of their previous life is converted into status modifiers in their reincarnation."

"Considering they can become happy, it's quite a merit-based system, isn't it?"

"Hehe, I think that's a natural reaction. But you'll understand once you try it. By the way, once you dedicate a magical artifact to the state, you'll be recognized as a subject."

"I see, so you can buy your status with results."

"Exactly. If someone contributes to the development of the state, they will be recognized as a member of the country, even if they are a visitor."

Indeed, if one considers living in this world for life, it's something to think about.

While obligations such as taxes will arise, guarantees will also be provided.

"Is there a dungeon for beginners?"

Despite being told he has high stats, he doesn't feel like taking reckless challenges.

As a beginner, he should act according to his capabilities.

"There's an Evil Domain nearby. Want to go?"

"Will you come with me?"

"How about a kiss?"

Kousuke leaned in, his lips brushing against her cheek.

A sweet, fruity scent tickled his nostrils for a moment.

The skin he felt through his lips was very healthy and full of elasticity.

"Is this okay?"

"Ho-ho, you've gotten quite used to it, haven't you?"

Kousuke decided not to mention that he had used a loose woman for finding a criminal, as it might not be appropriate.

Women can be a better lead to finding people than men think.

Thanks to that, Kousuke was able to find the hangout of the criminal's friends, torture them to find the criminal's hideout, and carry out his revenge.

It's not something he should mention now.

"Not really. I'm still blushing."

He lied, making it sound plausible.

"Because I'm beautiful?"

Shiro playfully brushed her hair with her hand and said, swaying it.

Kousuke ignored her.

"What about preparations? Is this outfit too casual?"

"……Hmm, yeah. Let's get you a full set of equipment. I'll lend you the money."

"You're really taking care of me. Thanks."

"Then don't ignore me again, okay?"

Her eyes looked pained.

She seemed quite hurt.

Kousuke nodded.

"Alright, I'll go prepare. Just relax for a bit."

She said this and ascended the stairs to the second floor at the back of the shop.

Kousuke watched her for a while, then heard a knock on the counter.

He had been looking to the left, but it wasn't from there.

Reluctantly, he turned to the right.

A woman with unusually long hair was there.

Sitting down, he couldn't tell exactly, but her golden hair would likely reach her knees if she stood.

It was so fine and beautiful, it almost seemed to glow.

Her eyes were red.

Like blood-dripped rubies, they balanced terrifying and beautiful qualities perfectly.

She smiled, but it felt oddly fake and cold.

As if she didn't know how to smile and was just imitating others.

"…I've never seen you before. Are you a visitor who came today?"

She was wearing a loose robe, but underneath was a white bikini.

She had a piece of cloth, like a pareo, wrapped around her waist.

That was it.

Well, she was also wearing boots, so it wasn't entirely accurate to say that was all.

In any case, she was walking around in a bikini under a robe with boots.

Kousuke asked in a flat tone:

"Which one are you?"

"Feel free to look."

Text appeared in his vision.

'Permission to view Quinty Celestis Clearbedivia's status information has been granted. View?'

I see, so you need permission to check someone's status.

When he entered the tavern, he wasn't wearing his Direct Glass Device, so everyone could see his stats.

Kousuke hesitantly gave permission and viewed the information.

【Name】Quinty Celestis Clearbedivia

【Level】41

【Class】Hero

【Status】

Health 1200 (200)

Mana 1500 (200)

Strength 500 (200)

Stamina 1300 (200)

Endurance 500 (200)

Skill 2500 (200)

Speed 1800 (200)

Intelligence 2900 (200)

Fate 9999 (9999)

Talent 9999 (0)

【Condition】Peak

【Experience】Hidden

【Skills】

◆Innate Skills

'Hidden' SSS

'White [???]' Unknown

◆Acquired Skills I

'Hidden' SSS

◆Acquired Skills II

'Hidden' SSS

◆Acquired Skills III

'Hidden' SSS

【Magic】

◆Suitable Magic Attribute 'White'

【Blessings】

'Thoughts of Ehecrus'—Hidden

'Favor of Yoldrozea'—Hidden

'Divine Love of Airhilrow'—Hidden

'Mind's Eye of Merexius'—Hidden

【Curses】

'Hero's Burden'—Hidden

【Awards】

'Hidden'—Hidden

【Equipment】

'Hidden'—Hidden

Kousuke was speechless.

"You, this is a scam, right? I can only see the stats."

However, Quinty looked nonchalant.

"Of course, isn't it...? There's no point in showing your power."

...It was a valid point.

Power doesn't need to be flaunted, and flaunting it isn't wise.

A capable hawk hides its claws.

Kousuke, being a beginner, couldn't help but be careless.

He had revealed everything, including his skills.

It was probably possible to hide them.

What can you see? It's almost as if you can't see anything.

"...You're amazing. Your stats don't look like Level 1."

"Yeah, my previous life was crap. You're not bad either, though I don't know much about it."

His tone was somewhat sulky.

It felt like he had been tricked, so it was hard to be in a good mood.

"Magic attribute, 'Black.' Color attribute. This is the first time I've met someone like you."

"Yeah, is this weird? What's normal? 'Fire' or 'Water'?"

"Um, natural attributes. That's what's normal. Until now, color attributes were only me. I was the only special one. The only one in the world. That's what I thought."

"You're a Hero class, so you're special, no doubt."

She lowered her eyes for a moment.

Her long lashes fluttered.

"Your stats are blacked out. Class, Undetermined."

It sounded as if it was natural for it to be determined.

"Yeah, that's right. How do you change it?"

Like in a game, you probably need to meet certain conditions.

"Your lifestyle. The glass device extracts existence information. It means you haven't decided what you want to be yet."

"So, you're going to live as a sacrificial offering to the subjects?"

"Sacrificial offering?"

Quinty looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Indeed, her lashes were very long.

Her eyes had a strong, almost hypnotic power.

If you were drawn in, you'd be burned by that red. It was enough to make him imagine such a thing.

"Being sought after, celebrated, and consumed. Even if you leave your name in history, you can't be satisfied. It's a convenient human sacrifice, being a hero."

"…………………………You think so."

The long silence, what was it due to?

Kousuke felt a bit guilty and bowed his head slightly.

"If I upset you, I apologize."

She looked at him with an unreadable expression.

Her gaze seemed to penetrate him, looking into his soul.

"Hey, can I call you Kuro?"

He was almost overwhelmed but managed to nod.

"Yeah, if we meet again, feel free to call me that, Hero-sama."

"Quint."

She said it suddenly, and he took a moment to understand.

"...Huh? Ah, you want me to call you that? Got it, Quint."

"I actually don't like it, Hero."

It was a sudden change of topic.

From the way she spoke, she probably wasn't good at communicating with others.

"Hmm."

That was all he said.

"I've always wanted to run away. But everyone says no. It's a big deal, they say. It's necessary, they say. Even though I don't want to. They tell me to do it. I do it reluctantly. I endure."

Her voice didn't convey emotion, but her eyes told the story.

The depth of her hatred for the world.

"Are you not a visitor?"

"Yeah. Probably, among those born in Arcerea, I'm the strongest."

I see, that would explain why she wants to run away.

Visitors, after all, are outsiders, like mercenaries.

Even if they are recognized, they are still treated differently.

Just like in sports, people tend to support their own countrymen.

Humans are wired to side with those who share something in common with them.

So, a person born in Arcerea who is as strong as a visitor is a valuable resource.

Quinty—should he narrow it down to Daltora?—has probably been used as a source of pride for Arcerea.

But that can also be a heavy burden.

Whether she can bear it or not depends on her.

"If you don't like it, I think it's okay to run away."

Kousuke said this casually, or at least it sounded that way.

Her eyes closed, seemingly on purpose, and after a moment, opened again.

"But I don't know how to live after running away."

"Then find out before you run away."

Kousuke immediately responded, as if it were the most obvious thing.

She looked at him as if he were a rare sight.

"……You won't tell me not to run away?"

She had always been told that.

Not because of that, but...

"Unfortunately, I'm a visitor and not very familiar with the world's affairs. So, I'm speaking as an outsider. If you want to run away, do it. If someone is inconvenienced, it's not your fault."

"Do you really think so?"

"I can't think of any reason why you should be used up for someone else's sake."

It was Kousuke's honest opinion.

If his efforts could change something, why must it be changed?

For example, if he loved soccer, but wasn't talented at it, and someone said he was talented at basketball, would he have to give up his love for soccer and switch to basketball?

Kousuke would continue playing soccer.

He does it because he loves it, not because he's good at it.

He doesn't want to invade someone's personal choice, no matter what others think.

So, he doesn't want his own thoughts to be invaded either.

"……I see."

Quinty fell silent for a while but eventually smiled, as if a flower had bloomed.

It was different from before.

It was as if a feeling of joy had sprouted in her at that moment.

A smile that made you want to bless her.

"Yeah, do that."

His expression naturally brightened.

"It would be a little nice to meet you again."

"I'll probably be around here for a while."

"……What about Kuro?"

She asked, but he didn't understand the question.

"What?"

"Will you want to meet me again?"

Kousuke thought for a moment, took a sip of milk, and said:

"Will you teach me things I don't know?"

"If it's something I know."

"Then you're an important source of information. I definitely want to meet you again."

"……I see."

She looked a bit disappointed, as if she had received a different answer than she expected, but she smiled in the end.

"Kuro! Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's go, to the monster-infested Evil Domain!"

Shiro came down the stairs with unusually high energy.

She had changed from the shop's uniform into an explorer's outfit.

"Hmm, yeah."

He nodded and then turned his head to the right, tilting it.

No one was there.

Did she disappear in an instant?

"Hey, did you see where the person next to me went?"

"? When I started coming down the stairs, no one was there."

Kousuke felt his cheek twitch.

He asked the master and Vienne, but the answer was the same.

Sweat formed on his forehead.

Quinty, who are you?

The next time I meet you, I'll ask you first.

With that in mind, Kousuke stood up to head to the dungeon.