"Do I deserve to die like this?" Kazuki questioned himself, his voice barely a whisper.
The people he had trusted and served had betrayed him, using him as bait. He couldn't bear to live in such a manner. Doubts and self-criticism flooded his mind. Was he weak? Just a stereotypical shut-in otaku?
But despite his bleak circumstances, a voice reached his ears from a distance. Slowly, he opened his eyes and saw a mysterious figure standing nearby.
The person appeared to be a tall, elegant East Asian woman with long, silky black hair and piercing red eyes. She wore a traditional Japanese Kimono and held a Chinese fan called a 'Shan,' likely her chosen weapon.
"Are you... an angel?" Kazuki softly questioned, his voice filled with both curiosity and resignation.
"I may not be a saviour, but I can offer my assistance," the unnamed woman replied politely.
"Are you the worthy one who fought with that Floor Guardian, Abaddon, whom I vanquished?" she inquired.
"I guess... so," Kazuki replied, still feeling dazed from the encounter.
"I was impressed by your excellent fighting skills, unlike your peers," the woman complimented him. "But don't worry young boy, I will heal your wounds."
With a wave of her fan, the unnamed woman cast a healing spell on Kazuki. Her chanting was peculiar and unfamiliar as if it belonged to another country or ancient magic. It reminded him of something he had read in the Palace Library.
Overwhelmed by exhaustion, Kazuki fell into a deep sleep after the mysterious woman's spell took effect. What struck him the most was how effortlessly she had defeated the powerful Floor Guardian, Abaddon, while he and his former allies had struggled. Despite all their training, this unknown woman had dispatched the guardian with a single strike of her magic, leaving him in awe.
When Kazuki awoke, he found himself cradled in the woman's arms, as if he were a bride at a wedding. But there was nothing joyous about this situation; it was a matter of life and death. Holding him securely, she led him through a hidden passage—a shortcut to the nearest town—located outside the 62nd floor.
The town they arrived at was called Silvercrest. Nestled in a lush valley, it boasted picturesque landscapes of rolling hills, emerald-green meadows, and ancient oak forests. Dominating the town's centre stood a grand castle made of grey stone, with towering turrets reaching towards the sky. It served as the residence of the ruling Lord or Lady, who governed Silvercrest and its surrounding lands.
As they walked through the town's narrow cobblestone streets, lined with timber-framed buildings adorned with colourful banners and flower boxes, Kazuki marvelled at the bustling hub of activity.
Blacksmiths hammered away in their workshops, weavers worked diligently at their looms, and merchants bartered their wares. The central marketplace bustled with farmers selling their freshly harvested produce, artisans displaying their crafts, and merchants from distant lands peddling exotic spices, fabrics, and trinkets.
The air was filled with the mouthwatering scent of freshly baked bread, and the sound of laughter and lively conversations filled the streets. Silvercrest's townsfolk comprised a diverse mix of farmers, craftsmen, merchants, knights, and peasants. Known for their warm hospitality, a strong sense of community, and love for festivities, they made the town a vibrant and thriving place.
The surrounding fields and orchards provided ample sustenance, with hardworking farmers tending to their crops and livestock. Silvercrest was also renowned for its skilled artisans, who produced exquisite metalwork, textiles, and pottery that were highly sought after in the region.
In the room where Kazuki found himself, he noticed its spaciousness, a comfortable bed, and a table beside it. He realized he was tucked into bed, a blanket providing warmth under his body. A sharp pain in his stomach drew his attention, and he discovered a large wound there.
Kazuki examined his body for any other injuries but found none, except for the bandage wrapped around his head. As he tried to recall the events that transpired in the labyrinth, the memory of the woman who had saved him stood out vividly in his mind.
"Ahh... my head feels heavy," he murmured, still grappling with the fog of his memories.
Kazuki found himself in a spacious room, furnished with a comfortable bed and a table nearby. As he took stock of his surroundings, he realized he was tucked into bed, with a blanket providing warmth beneath his body. His attention was drawn to a throbbing pain in his stomach, and upon inspection, he discovered a substantial wound.
Examining his body for other injuries, he found no visible bruises or wounds, except for the bandage wrapped around his head. In an attempt to recall what had transpired in the labyrinth, his memory focused on the woman who had saved him.
Sitting on a nearby chair, the woman who had come to his aid observed him, as if waiting for him to wake up. Kazuki couldn't help but feel a bit unsettled by her watchful gaze while he slept. However, when he turned his head to look at her, he was captivated by her stunning beauty.
Wow, she is breathtaking. I've never seen a woman this beautiful before.
"Oh, you're awake. Good, good," she said with evident happiness at his recovery. Kazuki couldn't quite understand why people would feel relieved when someone they didn't even know woke up.
"Th-Thank you for... saving me," he stammered, expressing his gratitude.
"Huh? Oh, that was nothing," she replied casually. "By the way, I witnessed you and your teammates fighting that guardian."
Recollections of the moment when he was betrayed by a former classmate flooded Kazuki's mind, filling him with anger. He wasn't willing to discuss the details of what had happened.
"What's wrong? Did something happen when you were on the 62nd floor?" she inquired, sensing his unease.
"Well, you see, I was betrayed by a treacherous classmate of mine," Kazuki revealed.
Attentively, she listened to his account of the labyrinth, offering a sympathetic expression as she tilted her head towards him. Her cheerful demeanour remained unwavering as she observed his face.
"I want to go back and give him a piece of my mind, whoever did it," Kazuki declared, his determination evident.
"Before that, what is your name?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued by the person she had saved from the brink of death in the labyrinth.
"My name?" Kazuki pondered for a moment before answering. "My name is Kazuki Fujioka. I am a mercenary."
With a formal introduction, Claudia revealed her full name and background. "My name is Claudia Wellenpealte, daughter of a Duchess from a different country. I am a trained assassin."
Excitement surged within Kazuki, but he managed to maintain a serious expression, concealing his inner elation. "Claudia, is it? That's a wonderful name," he remarked. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kazuki-san," Claudia replied with a smile, her eyes filled with affection. Love seemed to bloom between them at first sight—a heroine who had saved a life, and a man eager to grow stronger before the impending catastrophe that threatened humanity.
In this new world, Kazuki yearned to experience life fully, and now, he had found someone who captivated his interest. He was determined to continue living and would do whatever it took to return to his world, no matter the cost.
Their paths had intertwined, and together they would face the challenges that lay ahead, united by a shared desire for strength and a shared connection that transcended the boundaries of their