Volume 1 - CH 59

Volume 1

Chapter 59-Reunion and Reckoning

(TL:By Rafael)

"No ......, huh?"(Yuki)

The stairway area has not collapsed yet. On the landing, I drop my shoulders.

I thought that if they were evacuating, it would be to the stairway area.

"Skip, did it not work?"(Yuki)

"No, it probably worked."(Nene)

Nene, who was checking her surroundings, comes back to us.

"What do you mean?"(Yuki)

"Look at this."(Nene)

Nene pointed to a dimly lit corner of the stairs.

There, illuminated by the light, was a fresh bloodstain that had not yet dried.

"From the freshness of the blood smell, I'd say she was here a while ago. I don't know how much time passes in a leap skip, though. ......"(Nene)

Nene's gaze drifted to the trail of blood that dotted the floor below.

"Did she had to move from here?"(Nene)

"I think she was attacked by something or someone ."(Yuki)

Jamie was pretty reckless in trying to get us out.

Even the most dim-witted Simon might have realized Jemie's betrayal if he had seen the situation.

I don't think Simon is still alive, but if he is, it seems like it wouldn't be surprising if he attacked Jamie.

The labyrinth is in such a state, it's possible that the demons have 'overflowed' and invaded the staircase area, but that's not what matters now.

What's important is that Jamie was attacked by someone and went down from the supposedly safe stairway area to the dangerous and unstable lower level in a wounded state.

'Yuki, let's go!"(Marina)

Let's go, Yuki-san!"(Silk)

Marina and Silk both look at me.

─ "Follow the theory of the labyrinth strategy dungeon work.

The words that Benwood had spoken to me rushed through my mind.

This is something that my predecessors would always say to their juniors who were taking on dungeons.

If you neglect it in an emergency situation, you will surely face a painful retribution.

Experienced adventurers know that sometimes it is their own life or the life of a companion that pays the price.

"I'll be fine to go in no time."(Marina)

"I'll be fine, too. But I'll leave it to your judgment."(Silk)

"......"(Yuki)

After a bit of hesitation, I made my decision.

"Let's go."(Yuki)

◇

I lead the way down the stairs,wishing for Jamie's safety.

We stepped into a strange, yet somewhat familiar landscape.

The sky was tinged with the color of sunset, and the red light cast shadows on the ruins.

"This place is ......."(Rain)

Rain looked unusually agitated.

But Rain wasn't the only one who was moved by this scene.

We all stopped in our tracks.

"It's collapsed, but it's Finis ......, right?"(Nene)

"Yes, because behind us is the ...... Adventurer's Guild."(Marina)

When I turned around at Marina's words, I saw that the staircase behind me had turned into an adventurer's guild.

You can vaguely see the stairs in the middle of it.

"The blood trail is over there."(Nene)

Nene pointed to a small street that led from the Adventurer's Street to the West Street.

That direction is ......, I see.

"I know where Jamie's going. Nene, do you know where the Dancing Duck Pavilion is in the West Settlement?"(Yuki)

"Yes, I do."(Nene)

"I want you to head in that direction and scout for danger. ...... I think Jamie's headed for home to find her brother."."

In the West Settlement, there is an apartment where Jamie's brother lives.

Jamie  let her brother, who has asthma, live there.

The stairs ...... "Colorless Darkness" made Jamie leap-skip to where she wished.

The scene was somewhat in poor taste, though.

The adventurous city is completely devastated and devoid of human life.

Many buildings still bore the scars of destruction, and the adventurer's guild was covered in scars.

"It's kind of scary."(Rain)

Rain frowned as she looked around.

"Yeah. This is not Finis. It's too quiet."(Silk)

"It's a disgusting sight. Let's get Jamie out of here and go home."(Rain)

"Yeah. When we get back, we'll thank Jamie, give her a lecture  on her recklessness and then have a party at ......."(Marina)

That's right.

This is not the Finis we want to go back to.

"Route secured!"(Nene)

Nene came back and called us from the alley.

There is no sign of the enemy, but there were footprints following the blood trail. They might be chasing her.

"Let's hurry ......!"(Yuki)

I let out a small breath to calm my mind, and then ran through the devastation of Finis.

Don't be distracted by the familiarity of the place.

"I can see it: ......!"(Yuki)

The Dancing Duck Pavilion, where I used to sleep, was completely destroyed, but the large wooden duck statue that stood in the doorway was still standing.

"Bloodstains and footprints are over there."(Nene)

Following the blood trail, we stepped into the plaza of the West Settlement.

"......!"(Yuki)

As our vision cleared, we finally caught sight of Jamie.

Covered in blood and with an ashen face, she was leaning weakly against the well.

And beside her was a servant with a lowly smile, exposing himself to the red light of the sunset.

He turns his head toward me.

His face is darkened here and there, and one eye is glowing blood red.

He didn't look very human, but his face was familiar to me.

"Hello, Yuk. You saved me a lot of trouble by coming from there."(Simon)

The knight turns to me and raises the corners of his mouth like a crescent moon.

"......Simon......!"(Yuki)

My childhood friend, who was supposed to be dead, laughed while spreading a clear killing intent.