Pick Me Up!

After several days, the basic tasks were completed.

The overhaul of the training system, the creation of administrative positions, and the clarification of rules.

It was not yet perfect, but it was a section that needed to be refined over time. Well, anyway, the operating system would slightly differ from that of Niflheimr.

But then.

“……”

I was in my personal room at the lodging, arms crossed.

It was late evening. Anytng had disconnected. It was the time when everyone would be asleep.

‘There’s one troublesome issue.’

A report lay on the desk.

Originally, five beastfolks were supposed to stay in that forest, but now only one lives there. The four others had all died.

‘It seems like Anytng tried to fill it.’

This summoning that brought the twin mages, its original purpose must have been to replenish the third party’s ranks.

But it did not turn out that way.

It was, in a way, expected.

The chance of summoning a non-human species was extremely rare.

So, what this lone survivor does now is.

Nothing.

The last time I saw Kishasha was exactly there.

Standing dumbfounded in front of the columbarium that contained the relics of the fallen four.

Since then, I never saw her again.

If you look at Anytng’s operation window, it’s clear that it’s stuck in the exclusive forest most of the time. He rarely looks at others.

‘Sigh.’

A sigh came out involuntarily.

I understand the situation, but.

After pondering for a moment, I got up from my seat.

I couldn’t just leave it. Kishasha was the only natural 4-star in the waiting room.

Having fought her in person, I knew of her potential. If I leave her alone, the fate of losing her was clear to see.

Even if Anytng is reasonable, they wouldn’t leave a useless hero unattended.

Silent protests don’t last long.

I put on the sheathed sword and armor hanging on one wall.

After drinking my cold tea, I left the room. I swiftly exited the darkened mansion and went down to the plaza on the third floor.

“I see you quite often these days.”

I ran into Velkist on the stairs.

“What’s the matter? At this hour.”

“I came to deal with a newcomer who seems promising. What brings you out here at dawn, senior?”

“I’m going to see Kishasha.”

“Hmm.”

Velkist stroked his chin.

“If she’s sitting there, she’s nothing special, right? Just leave her. What you do with strength if your spirit is too weak.”

“Kishasha ended up like this partly because of me.”

“You seem different from before, senior.”

“How so?”

“You’ve become kinder.”

“Kinder?”

“I’ll leave you to your babysitting. Take care.”

Velkist chuckled and passed me to go up the stairs.

“……”

I didn’t think so.

The annihilation of the third party was indeed my responsibility.

It was my decision to include Eolka in the mission. I was the one who dragged the third party, which only led to their demise. It was my mistake that needed to be repaid.

Well, if Kishasha had been a worthless hero, I wouldn’t bother doing this.

‘Kinder.’

That’s just a hasty assumption.

I smirked bitterly as I stepped out into the third-floor plaza.

Passing through the darkened plaza, I headed towards the lodging. If you walk for a while down the hall from the entrance of the lodging and turn right…

Crunch.

The sound of dirt and leaves being stepped on.

The first time I came here, a noisy little one was hanging on my right hand.

Now dead.

I continued down the hallway.

The metallic floor changed to dirt and grass.

But there was no sign of life. It was hard to distinguish anything in the hallway, and only the chill could be felt from the once-fresh forest breeze.

‘It seems like it hasn’t been managed for a long time.’

Well, there was no need.

I moved forward, crushing the dry leaves underfoot.

It didn’t take long to arrive at the exclusive lodging for the third party.

The village in the forest.

This place, decorated by Anytng for the beastfolks, now had no use.

Once Kishasha’s treatment is decided, it will be demolished.

‘It’s quiet.’

A clear outline emerged from the darkness.

The effect of the Night Vision skill. I walked down the forest path that stretched out from the center of the lodging.

“Kishasha.”

I murmured softly.

Beastfolks have exceptionally keen hearing.

She must have heard me clearly.

“I’ve come to pick you up.”

“……”

“I know you’re there.”

I stopped in the clearing of the forest.

The branches and leaves rustled annoyingly in the wind.

“Have you made up your mind? Come back. We need you for the mission strategy.”

“……Mission.”

I turned my gaze to the left.

In the upper part of a large tree, within the dense leaves, a shadow flickered.

“That’s right.”

“What’s the point? All of my folks are dead.”

There was no emotion in the voice.

“How does helping you humans benefit me?”

“You can revive them if you reach the 100th floor. You know that.”

“Is there a guarantee your words are true?”

“None. But I think it’s a trustable word.”

Huhuhu.

A cold laugh echoed.

“I thought it would be okay at first. I am a worthy warrior of the Storm Tribe who went through the coming-of-age ceremony. I am the successor recognized by the Beast King.”

“That’s right, you’re a warrior. So…”

“But no.”

“……”

“Go back.”

As expected, this was the response.

I closed my eyes for a moment and then opened them.

“I don’t blame you. It’s all my fault. My mistake led my folks to death. What pride is left for me?”

“Do you know what will happen if you continue like this?”

“I know. Yes, I know well. I’ll die. Just die. Maybe… that’s not such a bad end.”

‘Pathetic.’

I shook my head.

At that time, that girl was shining.

But the Kishasha here is just… a remnant?

“Am going to be consumed by you? What an honor.”

“Really? And what are you going to do about it? Are you going to just sit there?”

“……”

No answer came back.

‘Yeah.’

I had been expecting it in a corner of my mind.

It’s not the first time I’ve seen this. There have been several similar cases in Niflheimr.

When heroes lose all their comrades in a party, they often end up like this.

So, I tried not to end up like this from the beginning.

To not be swayed by anything. To avoid giving affection as much as possible.

But in the end…

‘This is something.’

People’s affection is sometimes strange.

Even I can’t fully understand my own heart.

“I understand, Kishasha.”

“Go back.”

“I don’t want to.”

Click.

I drew my sword from its sheath.

In the darkness, the blade gleamed coldly.

“You cowardly b$tch.”

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