Kays Translations

Chapter 198: Invitation from the Darkness

Let's say they made it safely, for now. The adventurers' perspective is that as long as they are alive, everything else is trivial.

When the two safely exit the labyrinth, the sun is already leaning towards the horizon. The evening sun paints the warriors' profiles in a deep crimson.

All the small stalls for adventurers that were loitering in front of the labyrinth have been packed up, leaving the area deserted. Kasim, feeling a sense of loneliness as if abandoned by the world, deliberately raises his voice with an extra touch of brightness.

"Hey, wouldn't it have been nice if the dazzling sun welcomed us! It would give a greater sense of having escaped from the labyrinth, don't you think?"

"We're not moving according to our convenience, you know."

Lutz responded with little amusement. Although the test slashing this time yielded excellent results, it also added the issue of the monster’s evolution. Kasim couldn't bring himself to celebrate as enthusiastically as before. Lutz's work is far from over.

"What's with your lukewarm response? Come on, now that we're saved, let's fully savor the joy of being alive. Or perhaps you'd prefer to feel the pleasure of the flesh in your chest?"

"Well, yeah."

"Well, well, look who's being open about it. Oh my, Lutz-san, you're quite the pervert!"

"...Now I understand why you were kicked out of the party."

"Bringing that up is a violation of the rules, isn't it?"

Kasim, who showed an overly dramatic sadness despite having no lingering feelings for his previous party, was truly noisy. Although Kasim wondered why he was still sticking around after their business was done, upon reflection, their route home was the same.

While walking, Kasim continued to chatter on his own.

"Alright, let's go back quickly. Once it gets dark, we might get our buttocks bitten by scary wolves. Goodbye, buttocks; from today, you're a girl!"

"Wolves also have the right to choose."

"Don't be silly! Hahaha!"

After laughing on his own for a while, Kasim suddenly lowered his voice.

"I promised to treat you once we safely get out, but is it okay to postpone that? I just want to go back and sleep for now."

"Sure, don't worry about it."

"Oh, come on, you're not looking forward to it at all, huh? Fine, if that's the case, I'll thoroughly do it. Prepare yourself for a grand 'Thank You, Lutz-sensei Festival' with plenty of alcohol and food!"

"...Do as you please."

The strange journey continued. By the time the two returned to the fortress city, it was already late at night, and, of course, the main gate was firmly closed.

Around the gate, many people who had failed to enter the city and were preparing to camp for the night could be seen. Kasim considered becoming friends with them for a night, but Lutz continued walking without stopping and approached the gate.

He knocked on the small door of the narrow passageway and introduced himself as Lutz, the personal blacksmith and the gate opened from inside.

“I apologize for the trouble.”

Handing over several silver coins to the stern-faced gatekeeper, their sleepiness disappeared, and their faces brightened.

"Please, please, Lutz-sama, feel free to pass."

The gatekeepers took a rigid standing posture with heels together. It was unnecessary, but Lutz bent down and passed through the narrow passageway.

"Uh, what about you...?"

As Kasim tried to pass through, a gatekeeper with gray hair and bulkier build cast a suspicious gaze at him.

"He's my friend, sort of."

"Hmm, sort of...?"

While the gatekeeper tilted his head in confusion, Kasim quickly passed through.

"Well, whatever. I understand. Lutz-sama, please proceed."

With a loud bang, the gatekeeper closed the narrow passageway gate, cutting off the resentful stares from the campers.

"Hey hey hey, you're amazing! Seriously, are you a real personal blacksmith!?"

Excitedly praising him, Lutz replied in a low voice as if embarrassed.

"It's unfair with the nouveau riche taste. It's not a good thing."

"What's unfair about it? If you pay, you can pass. If not, you can wait until morning. It's as simple as that, right?"

"I understand what you're saying, but emotionally..."

"Is that how it is? I almost reached my peak with the jealous and envious looks of the poor folks."

"Even though it wasn't Kasim-san who paid."

"Oops, that's a promise we don't talk about."

Lutz abruptly stopped walking. This was a major intersection, dividing the path to the artisan district, adventurer district, and the main gate.

"Then let's part ways here. I didn't expect you to stay overnight, right?"

"...Is that not allowed?"

"Absolutely not."

For the first time, a clear refusal was expressed. Kasim reluctantly nodded, realizing that it wasn't advisable to insist on staying at this point.

The retreating figure illuminated by the torch gradually distanced itself and disappeared into the darkness.

...He's an interesting guy. If I stick with him, I might have some tasty experiences. On the other hand, if I stay with him, it feels like no matter how many lives I have, it won't be enough. Now, what should I do?

Grinning to himself, Kasim headed to the adventurer's tavern.

That night, Kasim took a private room at the inn. Although it was more expensive than the common room, a private room was undoubtedly better for a comfortable rest.

...Well, just for today.

Despite it being late at night, Kasim left the noisy tavern and headed for the stairs. Climbing up to the third floor and entering his private room, Kasim tossed his sword aside.

The relief of not having to worry about it being stolen—what a wonderful thing.

Jumping onto the bed, a sudden wave of fatigue, previously unnoticed, washed over him. He quickly sank into the swamp of sleep.

It seemed like he would sleep comfortably tonight. Yes, that's what he thought.

From the depths of a profound darkness, screams could be heard. They belonged to old companions and new ones alike.

Three people desperately fled towards him, but flames chased them from behind. One person got caught in the flames and turned into a blackened corpse. The remaining two were burned one after another, falling on the spot.

Even though their entire bodies were charred, only their white eyes remained, glaring at him with resentment.

"Why did you run away?"

"Why couldn't you save us?"

"Why couldn't we die together?"

...Noisy, noisy! What could I have done back then? I don't know!

The flames were approaching, and Kasim was the next target.

He ran desperately, but progress was slow. The flames were getting closer.

A demonic figure emerged from the light, extending its grotesque right arm and grabbing Kasim by the neck.

"Aaaah!"

Kasim woke up with his own scream. Breathing heavily, his entire body covered in sweat.

A loud thud came from the adjacent room, but that, strangely, helped bring Kasim back to reality. He found it almost reassuring.

"What the hell, damn it..."

No matter how intense the experience, it was foolish to jump up in fear from a nightmare. Life and death are one's own responsibility—that's the adventurer's golden rule. There's no reason to be resented by the idiots who died. Even those burnt to a crisp couldn't become undead and attack.

Mocking himself, Kasim lay down again, closed his eyes, and soon found a demonic hand reaching out from behind his eyelids. He quickly opened his eyes, his entire body trembling.

...Am I scared?

Realizing this, being alone in the deep darkness suddenly became unbearably terrifying.

Tripping over his own feet, Kasim hurriedly descended to the first floor of the tavern and ordered hot wine. While surrounded by the clamor, he finally managed to catch his breath, but he still couldn't sleep alone.

...If I close my eyes, that thing will attack again. What should I do? How can I escape from this nightmare?

Managing to bring the shaking cup to his lips while suppressing trembling hands, the warmth of the hot wine made him feel alive. However, soon the warmth faded away.

The meaningless commotion of adventurers sounded distant, as if it belonged to a faraway place. In this noisy space, he felt lonely, sipping lukewarm wine obligatorily while continuing to fear alone.

In the end, despite having taken a private room, Kasim spent the night at the tavern.

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