"Don't worry, I have potions I can use," the girl interjected quickly, noticing the puzzled expression that clouded Vyn's face. Her words sliced through the haze of his thoughts like a sharp blade.
Vyn snapped his attention back to her, a flush of embarrassment warming his cheeks. He stammered a response, "Oh really? Sorry, I couldn't be more of help. There seem to be some issues with my abilities…"
"It's fine. Thank you for showing the initiative to help me. Are you a worshipper of the light?" Her question came swiftly, accompanied by a curious smile that belied the seriousness of her inquiry.
The question caught Vyn off guard. It was well-known that only those who devoted themselves to the Celestia Light—a god and deity revered by many—could wield the power of light. His situation was peculiar; he was neither a worshipper nor a believer. If he denied his faith, how would he explain his ability to harness the light's power to this inquisitive girl?
"Yes, I do worship the light," he replied, the words tasting bitter in his mouth. His disdain for all gods ran deep in his veins; admitting allegiance to any deity felt like severing a part of his soul.
"Oh… You must be quite fervent in your beliefs. It must be comforting to have a god who watches over you." Her words paused momentarily, her bright smile lingering, yet Vyn detected a faint note of disappointment in her tone.
In this world, mages were of several kinds. Some were anointed by gods or deities, others drew their strength from elemental forces, and yet others harnessed the raw energies of the world itself. Vyn had surmised from the girl's earlier battle with the monster that she was an elemental mage, known to harbor a deep-seated resentment towards deity worshippers.
This resentment was not without reason. Amongst god-worshippers, those dedicated to the Celestial Light were notoriously arrogant, viewing non-believers with disdain and considering themselves a chosen people, the only true followers of a divine power. Their arrogance was palpable and often led to bitter divisions.
"I am not a fervent worshipper; I merely believe in the light and was privileged to be granted its powers. I believe in other concepts too," Vyn explained, hoping to bridge the growing divide between them.
"It's fine…" she replied, her smile softening slightly. "What do we do with this?" she asked, gesturing towards the monster's lifeless body sprawled on the ground.
"Well, the monster was defeated almost entirely by you, so I have no objections if you wish to claim it," Vyn stated firmly. There was no way he would argue with an A-rank mage over a monster's corpse!
In this world, greed was a deadly vice that cut both ways. Many had lost their lives to it. After spending two years honed on the battlefield, Vyn had learned to temper his desires, a necessity that had undoubtedly contributed to his continued survival in such harsh conditions.
Vyn was acutely aware that the creature before him was no ordinary monster. In the aftermath of its terrifying transformation, it had exhibited a strength on par with that of an A-rank monster. The value of such a beast's parts could not be underestimate, it should be prized as those of any A-rank monster.
This discovery was a fortune unlike any he had stumbled upon since his arrival on the grim expanse of the battlefield. Despite the tantalizing prospect, Vyn was determined to feign indifference, especially now that he was certain the young girl before him would express her interest.
"Don't say that, we both contributed to defeating this monster. Besides, if it wasn't for you, I would definitely have been killed," the girl argued, her voice laced with persuasion.
"I'll pass,"
Vyn responded with unyielding resolve, his eyes nearly shut, as if to shield himself from the gravity of the situation.
This moment felt like another of life's harsh trials, almost as if his inner demons were beckoning him towards his doom—a formidable temptation he was desperate to resist! He could almost envision the girl's face twisting into a sinister smirk the instant he agreed to share the spoils of their battle.
'Is she looking for a reason to kill me because I said I worship the light?' The thought flickered through his mind, unbidden yet persistent.
"If that's the case, then I would also not take the corpse as my conscience won't allow that," the girl declared with a soft sigh, her disappointment palpable.
It was evident she understood why Vyn had refused to share the monster's remains with her. It was a poignant reflection on the bleakness with which people often viewed the world. Ironically, she did not actually need the corpse; her resources were plentiful, and she was faring quite well on her own.
Vyn met her gaze with a hollow look, his eyes a mirror of the emptiness he felt within, betraying not a trace of interest in the creature's remains. "Then… what do you intend to do…?" he asked, his voice trailing off into the tense air between them.
"Heh..."
The girl's grin was mischievous, sending an involuntary shiver cascading down Vyn's spine.
_ _
"What a strange day…"
Vyn murmured to himself, standing just outside the dungeon gates. His eyes were wide with disbelief as he recounted the day's surreal events. It was all too bizarre, surpassing even the wildest tales of fantasy he might have conjured in his dreams. And yet, the reality was even more astonishing.
The girl had not only harvested the monster's corpse but had also packed the remains neatly into a storage pouch. Then, in an unexpected twist, she had pressed the pouch into his hands. Initially, he had refused, but she had been adamant, going so far as to threaten him. Who would have thought such things could transpire in this strange, twisted world?
When did people start rejecting treasures and forcing it on other people? Vyn found himself grappling with the absurdity of the situation. Could it really be that the end times were upon them? Such thoughts swirled through his mind as he pondered the peculiar turn of events, leaving him more baffled than ever.
With a heavy sigh, he shook off his contemplations and hastened away from the scene. His destination was the administrative center, where he was tasked with documenting the events of the dungeon. As he sat down to write his report, he diligently marked the dungeon as cleared, adhering strictly to the mysterious girl's instructions. He made no mention of the anomalies he'd encountered, despite the nagging questions that haunted him.
His report simply stated that he had been aided by a C-rank adventurer, and that their mission had proceeded without a hitch. Yet, the enigma of the girl gnawed at him. Why would an A-ranker, a veritable titan in this world, choose to obscure her true identity? What secrets was she guarding that necessitated such discretion?
He had even ventured to ask her name and origin, to which she had cryptically replied, "If fate wills, our paths shall cross again," her lips curling into a mysterious smile.
'If fate wills my arse!'
Vyn thought scornfully. The idea of encountering her again was the last thing he desired. Her mysterious demeanor was more of a puzzle than he cared to solve. Her insistence on him taking the dungeon loot, despite his protests, only deepened his irritation.
Everyone had their secrets, and Vyn's greatest secret was the bizarre system that had become a part of him. However, he resolved to steer clear of the strange girl for his own peace of mind.
Lost in these thoughts, Vyn arrived at the guild house—a dilapidated structure that stood as a testament to his desperation. The 'Ironclad Union,' as it was grandiosely named, was anything but ironclad. The name was emblazoned on a large plaque that hung comically in the front yard, promising more than the guild could ever hope to deliver.
"Tsk. Such a grand name for an almost good-for-nothing guild,"
Vyn muttered aloud, his voice laced with disdain. He had joined this guild out of sheer desperation, seeking comrades with whom to safely navigate dungeons. Yet, the guild had offered him little more than exploitation. Like the other low-ranking members, he was bound by what he deemed a 'slave contract,' where eighty percent of their hard-earned loot was funneled into the so-called 'development' of the guild. Still, it remained as rundown as ever, its senior members profiting at the expense of their juniors.
As Vyn pushed open the creaky door and entered, his expression was a mask of bitterness. The usual cacophony of voices filled the guild hall, but it ceased abruptly as he stepped inside. A hush fell over the room, and all eyes turned towards him in stunned silence.
"Vyn…?" someone whispered, disbelief tinting their tone.
"Is he a ghost?" another voice echoed, adding to the bewildering atmosphere that now enveloped him.