Deep in the mountains beyond the temple, there it was.
No one went beyond the temple, so it was untamed and quite perilous. More cliff than path, it would be nearly impossible to climb without significant physical training.
"This must be the place."
After climbing up the cliff-like path and walking a bit further, a massive lake came into view. Given its sheer size and depth, it was shocking such a place existed this deep in the mountains. The stream flowing through the village likely originated from this lake.
"Wow! Impressive, right?"
"It certainly is."
More than just its size, the most incredible thing was...
"Is this water infused with magical power?"
I had sensed an enormous power even as I was climbing here. Though I'd heard of the Lake of Spirits and imagined some sort of spiritual being or sage lived here, it seemed I was mistaken.
"Nice find, locating a place like this."
"Well, just dumb luck!"
Yeah, luck.
"Remember when you said you needed my help with something?
"Nope, don't recall."
Her words went in one ear and out the other.
"I did say that! Pay more attention to me! Anyway, this is what I needed help with, right here."
"Oh, I see now."
"Huh, really!?"
She seemed confused by my response for some reason. What exactly does she take me for?
"While you swim naked here, I'm to keep watch so no one disturbs you. Though I doubt anyone else could make it up here. It does look pleasantly spacious and relaxing, but don't overdo it."
What a considerate woman.
What's that? I'll be cursed if I see you naked?
"That's totally wrong! If anything, you're the dangerous one here!"
How rude. As if I have any interest in seeing her naked.
"As I said, this is the Lake of Spirits. There are spirits here."
"Oh?"
"Well, no one else can access this lake, so I just call it that. But there really are spirits here!"
Whether gods exist in this world, I can't say. But spirits certainly do.
I've heard spirits are drawn to places abundant in magical power. Water spirits in particular seem to favor lakes and other bodies of water. A lake overflowing with magic like this must be paradise for them.
"What does that have to do with me helping you?"
"I need you to distract the spirits so I can dive to the bottom of the lake."
"Why's that?"
"I want to explore down there, but the spirits here interfere whenever someone enters the water."
"I knew it, you just want to go swimming!"
That's basically what I guessed earlier.
"No no, that's not it! Um... I know! There's treasure at the bottom that the spirits guard. I want to get it!"
Oh come on. She clearly just wants to swim... Though, treasure, huh? That gives me an idea.
"Alright, but if we find this treasure, I want half."
"Eh, well... Okay, fine."
She frowned, but reluctantly agreed.
Truth is, I'm starting to doubt I can fully complete this job of stealing the God's Tear. Given the issue with Claire, I may have to settle for destroying the God Stone and taking a shard. That might not fulfill the request.
Without completing the job, I doubt the boss will pay me. Plus, I've already spent a decent amount investing in this job, and I still owe Sarah money.
So I figured getting half of this so-called treasure would help.
"Okay, so what do I need to do?"
"When you get near the lake, spirits will appear. Distract them by talking or fighting so I can dive in! Once I'm in, we win!"
"Got it."
Talking or fighting seem like very different approaches... But the point is to distract them however I can.
With that settled, I approached the lake.
"Begone..."
"Hm?"
"Begone, human."
Ripples spread across the calm water's surface. The water began churning as a spirit emerged amidst violent splashing. This one seemed rather powerful.
Its long, blue hair and thin dress-like garment gave it an appearance screaming "I'm a water spirit!"
A shame it wasn't fully naked, but the look certainly fit.
"Leave, human. I cannot allow you to enter this lake."
"Come on, after all the effort to get here? Can't you let it slide, just a bit?"
"Absolutely not. It would defile the lake."
I glanced to the side and saw the blindfolded girl preparing to dive in a short distance away. Holding them off shouldn't take long, so this should be the end.
"Hmm. But isn't someone already about to dive in over there?"
"What!?"
Splash!
The spirit reacted to the sound, but by the time it turned, the girl had already jumped into the water.
"Tch, can't be helped. It's my failure for letting a human enter the lake. However! No more! Come, my servants!"
The water spirit chanted something, and water spirits that looked like younger versions began surfacing all over.
"Go! Catch the human who jumped in!"
The young spirits dove underwater, and before long, hauled the blindfolded girl out and dumped her on land. Yeah, that girl's useless.
"Hmph... See? In waters under our control, you humans stand no chance. I'll let you off this once, but next time, I'll kill you."
I didn't have high hopes for the blindfolded girl, so no real loss there. But this arrogant spirit looking down on me irritated me a bit.
"Ha! Stingy spirit! That's why your chest is so pitiful! This washboard spirit has smaller breasts than her own servants!"
Crash, smack!
The punch sent me flying into the lake a short distance away.
"Master, the human has fallen into the lake, but..."
"Oh..."
What a violent spirit.
With a flat chest like that, she must be ripped under that dress. Washboard. Still, as I sank down, I spotted something at the lake's bottom. It was...