Chapter 17
Rumors that a Hidden Dungeon had appeared on the Starting Floor spread throughout the Tower, but surprisingly, things remained fairly peaceful for now.
But that was merely the calm before the storm. A fierce struggle was already unfolding behind the scenes.
Amid this precarious peace, Zion—the person who could be called the cause of all this—was now……
“Haaah.”
[Kyu!!]
“Did you sleep well, Fafnir?”
……She was sitting in the chapel, doing little but yawning. Her daily routine was simple. First, she woke up in the morning and cleaned.
After that, if someone came to make an offering, she cast Recovery on them. If no one came, she went out to the fields to grow crops.
Fafnir following her around like a puppy was an added bonus. And if it got hungry along the way……
“Fafnir?”
[Kyeeeek!]
“All right, all right. I’ll feed you, okay?”
[Kyu!!]
At the sight of Fafnir making a strange pterosaur-like shriek as it clamped its teeth onto the hem of her habit, Zion smiled and took out a magic stone.
Fafnir immediately let go of the hem of her nun’s habit, its expression turning cute again as if nothing had happened.
At least it ate less than it would if she fed it ordinary meat…… but even so, it went through a considerable amount every day.
‘At least I’ve found a steady source of supplies. Otherwise, I’d have had to go into a dungeon every day……’
“Um……?”
“Welcome. Lost lambs are always welcome here.”
Perhaps it was because she’d been acting as the Saintess of the Starting Floor for over two months. Zion had even started using polite speech in her thoughts.
Two people entered through the door, shuffling in hesitantly. Judging by their shabby equipment, they seemed to be novice adventurers.
Zion immediately put on her customer-service smile. That alone was enough to leave the two novice adventurers completely spellbound.
“Wow……”
“……She’s beautiful.”
Her eyes, with their cross-shaped pupils, were so beautiful they seemed almost divine. Her skin was as white and soft as snow……
Her looks were more than worthy of being called peerless, and most beginners who knew nothing of the world were bound to be left dazed.
Zion did her best to play the part of a Saintess, speaking gently and kindly as if she knew nothing at all.
“Is this your first adventure?”
“Ah…… Y-yes!! It is!!”
“I thought so! May God’s blessing be with you on your journey……”
“Thank you, Saintess!!”
“If you don’t mind, could I ask you a small favor?”
“Of course! Just say the word!”
No adventurer could have resisted that angelic sight of her fidgeting with her fingertips as if she were troubled.
……Just as planned.
But unlike her harmless appearance, Zion opened her mouth with a smirk worthy of the god of a new world.
“Actually, the monsters in the Starting Dungeon are quite a nuisance. There are quite a few injured people, too……”
“You even look after the injured……”
“You really are an angel…… Ahem! W-well, I see. Then should we take care of the monsters?”
“I’d be grateful if you did! But all I have to offer is potatoes……”
“That’s more than enough, Saintess.”
“Please bring me the magic stones you get from defeating the monsters! I have to purify them.”
Naturally, that was a lie. She didn’t even have enough magic stones to feed Fafnir right now. Why would she purify something so precious?
Even so, she went this far to establish at least some plausible justification in everyone’s eyes.
In fact, the two adventurers were so moved by Zion’s kindness that they accepted the quest without a moment’s hesitation.
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< The Beginning of Adventure >
No one is good at everything from the start.
You’re probably no different.
For you, the Saintess prays.
May we meet again alive……
After clearing the ‘Starting Dungeon’ and returning,
offer a magic stone for purification.
Reward: Hefty Potato x2
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< Hefty Potato >
Like someone’s heartfelt prayer.
Small and unimpressive in appearance, yet as hard and heavy as a rock.
Though its taste is bland……
in its place, it will kindle a firm resolve.
Effect: Permanently increases Defense by 50. (Max 1 time)
“If you don’t mind, could I ask you a small favor?” - Saintess of the Starting Floor
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‘We can earn points with the Saintess and get a reward this incredible……’
‘Legendary NPCs really are on another level. I should come by often and raise her affection.’
Beginners were told to make sure they visited the Nameless Chapel. The two had come after hearing that, but……
They’d never imagined she’d give them a reward this good. Though it was a shame that it only increased Defense.
For beginners who weren’t Rankers or veteran adventurers, Defense was a welcome stat that greatly improved their chances of survival.
It was sure to be a tremendous help, at least until they grew strong enough to obtain Defense easily.
“I’ve been thinking.”
“Thinking about what?”
“I think the Saintess really is an angel.”
“What kind of nonsense……”
“Look, she asked us to reduce the number of monsters to save people, purifies the magic stones, and even gives us generous rewards.”
“……I guess you’re not wrong.”
After accepting the quest and leaving, the adventurers headed for the dungeon, talking as if they’d been bewitched.
One by one, novice adventurers who felt they’d received an enormous kindness from Zion began to appear.
They must have been moved by her goodwill and noble concern for others. Of course, Zion herself wasn’t thinking much of it.
‘I can make them work for me with just a few potatoes. The more I think about it, the more I realize NPCs really are the best.’
Instead, Zion was secretly delighted that she’d found more suckers she could put to work for a few potatoes.
◇
Only when the sun went down and dusk settled over the land did Zion’s daily routine finally come to an end. The same was true for everyone else.
Ifrit, the administrator of the first floor, had only just returned with Rin after finishing work. She looked utterly exhausted.
Zion tilted her head. Ifrit had been coming back late lately, and her expression, too…… Had something happened?
“Ifrit, is something wrong?”
“Why are you asking all of a sudden?”
“You look pale. Almost as if you’re afraid of something……”
“I’m fine. It’s nothing.”
“I really am fine, Sister Zion.”
People who tried to change the subject like that were usually not fine at all…… but she couldn’t keep pressing them.
Not only Ifrit, but even Rin was trying to reassure her with a forced smile.
Their effort was admirable, so Zion decided to let it go this time. If things really got serious, they’d tell her then.
“Then let’s start with dinner……”
A chill of unease made her lips go stiff. Only then did Zion notice the white breath escaping between them.
Before long, the tightly shut door swung wide open, bringing with it a dreadful cold that froze her to the very depths of her lungs.
Sensing the ominous presence, Rin and Zion had started to draw their swords, but they—and Fafnir—were frozen in place.
“You…… How did you find this place?!”
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The sound of a cane echoed through the frozen chapel. It was made of ice, so transparent it seemed beautiful.
At last, a pale-skinned man in a jet-black robe appeared. How could she ever forget that face?
“El Roscadi……!!!”
“Is that any way to speak to your father?”
“I never had a creepy father like you!”
“Are you planning to fight here, without caring what happens to your friends?”
At El’s cold voice, Ifrit bit her lip. It was revolting how genuinely concerned he sounded.
Even now, he could have frozen everyone in an instant, including her, if he’d wanted to.
Although he’d fallen to 39th place because of his leg injury…… he had once reigned as the Tower’s seventh-ranked High Ranker.
“Your flames can’t melt my ice. You know that better than anyone, don’t you?”
“……What do you want?”
“It’s time to come home.”
She could guess what would come next without hearing it. If you want Zion, Rin, and Fafnir to make it out alive, do as I say.
That’s right. This was a test—a way for that man to impose his values on her…… If she ignored her companions here,
he would gladly leave, thoroughly satisfied that she’d finally become a true High Ranker.
“……”
“Are you still hesitating? I taught you to cut off companions who were no use to you without a second thought……”
“I’ll come quietly, so shut your mouth.”
“……That’s why I still can’t let you go. You’re still a child who knows nothing. You need protection.”
Crash.
At the very last moment, just as she was about to snap at his needling voice, something unbelievable happened.
With a clear sound like breaking glass, Zion—frozen in place while sitting down—opened her eyes.
“……”
“……”
“A rather rude brother has come to visit. Well then……”
“I see…… Impressive, but your two friends are still here. To break the ice, you’ll need to……”
“Cure.”
Crash!!
A pure white light so intense it momentarily overwhelmed even the pitch-black darkness that had come with night burst forth.
When they opened their eyes again, Rin and Fafnir—and even the chapel—had returned to their original state.
“……”
“Lost lambs are always welcome here. So, Brother……”
Why don’t we have a little chat?