Chapter 47

"Fuck."

F-Class porter Cha Ara couldn't stop swearing for even a moment.

"How can life be like this, it fucking sucks… In my next life, I'm going to be born as the youngest child of a happy, nouveau riche family…."

Inside a vast and complex anthill-shaped dungeon, Cha Ara was left alone, struggling to get by.

"Sons of bitches, leaving me behind. I'll fucking curse you all."

The place she was abandoned in was a dark cave filled with luminous gems.

One might ask how it could be dark when it was full of luminous gems, but creatures like light-eating dust inhabited this place.

Right near a brightly shining gem, the background was faintly visible, but other than that, nothing could be seen.

"……."

Cha Ara was abandoned in a dungeon this dark.

"Fuck."

It really sucked.

"…I hope you stub your toe on a doorframe and rip your fingernail and bleed. I hope you misstep while walking down the street and fall in a crowded place and get totally humiliated. I hope you get all sentimental at dawn and post some crap online and then wake up the next day and have a moment of deep self-reflection…."

The reason she was abandoned was obvious.

It was all well and good that they had entered the dungeon bravely with a tiny bit of courage, but they couldn't find a breakthrough, their food was running out with no results, the mood hit rock bottom and in the end, they used a Return Stone to escape the dungeon.

She could understand that much.

'It's fucking infuriating to have wasted money and time, but it's better to get out alive than to die.'

They say it's better to be alive even if you have to roll in a field of dog poop.

Even if it was a C-Class dungeon, a dungeon was a dungeon.

You never knew when someone might die and in a dark dungeon like this, mental fortitude becomes noticeably weaker.

They had already seen enough blood, so if there was a way out, it was wise to take it.

"……."

But they were one Return Stone short.

"Fuck…!!"

Return Stones themselves are expensive, so even if they had enough, she wasn't sure if they would have given one to her, an F-Class porter. Maybe the fact that they didn't have a stone was a lie in itself.

"Ah, this really sucks!! I hope you get dumped the day before your wedding and cry your eyes out and live as a jobless bum for the rest of your life, you motherfuckers!!"

Cha Ara clung to a gem as big as her body and sniffled.

This kind of thing wasn't common.

No matter how cold the world was these days, people didn't just abandon a porter so openly.

Weren't they colleagues, after all?

"……."

But it was also an incident that happened secretly, just not well-known because Hunters kept it quiet.

'…The bigger problem is that it's not something that never happens.'

This wasn't the first time Cha Ara had been subjected to this.

'The biggest problem is that this dungeon has extremely few visitors.'

Until now, even if she was left alone, she could escape by groveling to the Hunters who came in after her.

'Hunters have to manage their image, after all.'

Since a Hunter was a type of celebrity, they paid close attention to personality controversies, so unless a Hunter had a truly nasty temper, they would usually take in a single, pitifully abandoned porter.

However.

"Ah seriously, no, what do I do this time for real…."

This was the 'Water Vein of Jewels'.

A C-Class dungeon that was known for having unusually few monsters and poor rewards, so Hunters rarely visited.

"They said it's a lot if even one team comes in a week."

The paths were intricately intertwined, and because of microscopic creatures that absorbed all light, whether from a lantern or anything else, one could get trapped and die in this dark maze if not careful.

That's how difficult it was to find the exit.

The reason Hunters occasionally visited such a place was because of one monster that inhabited this dungeon.

"……."

A small monster with a gem body that glowed softly like a mood lamp.

The so-called 'Anticat'.

"…Those idiots, I knew something felt off when they said they were after that thing…."

The Anticat was a cat-type monster about the size of an adult man's palm or slightly larger.

Compared to its cute appearance that charmed people of all ages and genders, it hated human approach and always ran away and the fact that it absorbed light like the cave's creatures and made the surroundings dark added to its rarity.

'Even if you manage to catch it, you're not supposed to raise an Anticat.'

Raising monsters was strictly regulated by the state, and moreover, the Anticat was a fearsome monster that, when angry, would burn everything in its vicinity with a blue light.

'Well, being that kind of monster, there are a lot of bastards secretly dying to buy one, though.'

Anyway, she shouldn't have joined a team like this. She should have bolted the moment they said they were going to the 'Water Vein of Jewels'.

If only she hadn't been broke.

"…What do I really do…."

It hadn't even been 24 hours since she was trapped alone in the dungeon, but perhaps because the surroundings were dark and the silence ate up even sound, she felt her mind being greatly shaken.

Even though she was in a wide cave, it felt like being trapped in a place blocked on all sides.

She had heard that some prisons deliberately lock inmates in small, dark rooms to torment them, and this felt exactly like that.

Her body wasn't as uncomfortable as in such a narrow prison, but she was mentally exhausted.

"Ugh…."

She was starting to get hungry too.

'It's not like I'm strong enough to clear this dungeon on my own. What were the conditions for the exit to appear here again? I think it needed several people….'

And just waiting for rescue was also a hopeless situation.

"……."

Squeezing her eyes shut, Cha Ara soon got up from her spot.

"…Let's just try to move, do something."

It was easy to say it hadn't even been a day, but in a sober state of mind, it was a considerably long time.

She was tired of just staying still to prolong her life.

At this rate, she'd go crazy before rescue came, so it seemed better to move her body, if only to keep from going crazy.

"Still, the Water Vein of Jewels has few monsters. With no food, stamina, or abilities, I can't even dream of clearing it on my own, but if I'm just careful of the ghost-like monsters that suddenly appear… it should be fine."

The main point of the Water Vein of Jewels was not fighting monsters.

The only strategy was 'find the exit', and the place was just that complex and dark, like an anthill.

It was a dungeon where mental strength was more important than attack power, so even Cha Ara could get out without dying if she just kept her wits about her.

"……."

But after about three hours of that, she felt like she was going to lose her mind.

"Agh, I'm going crazy."

She was hungry, her throat was dry, she was sleepy, and her arms and legs ached.

The leg she had injured in the last raid still hadn't healed, and she was even limping.

At this rate, it was clear she wouldn't even be able to run away if a dangerous situation arose.

'But sleeping peacefully in a place teeming with monsters that suck your life force is a stupid thing to do.'

She didn't know for sure, having only picked things up here and there or seen them herself without any formal training, but she knew at least that all the monsters inhabiting the 'Water Vein of Jewels' had an appearance similar to ghosts.

In the same vein, the monsters here attacked by sucking the life force of Hunters; their physical attack power was not high, but if you lost focus, your lifespan could be cut in half.

'While I'm awake, I can at least pull myself together and chase them away….'

It was while she was trudging along like that.

"……."

In the far distance, she saw something glowing faintly.

It was a very weak light.

"…The gem pillars are…."

It doesn't seem like that.

Cha Ara narrowed her eyes.

Her eyesight wasn't bad, but the other thing was so small it was hard to see clearly.

'What is that?'

She knew as soon as she saw it.

That was not one of the luminous gems strewn about the cave.

It was much smaller, with a round shape that was immediately noticeable, and most importantly, four feet that moved lightly and nimbly like a young lady from a noble family.

"Uh."

Pointed ears and a bushy tail.

"Uh uh…."

Its body was as small as a kitten's, yet its fur was as magnificent as any long-haired cat's; it was the dainty, gem-furred cat that could fit in one hand, the Anticat.

"…Crazy, I can't believe I'm seeing this."

If the Hunters who left earlier found out, they would be kicking themselves in regret.

'That thought alone has filled my weary body and mind with satisfaction. I hope you all get screwed together.'

Cha Ara gained a bit of energy and observed the Anticat.

'…There's no way I can catch an Anticat, and I don't even want to.'

Even if it was a world where you could get away with things by keeping quiet, it was illegal in the first place.

If she didn't get caught, it would be one thing, but if she did, the F-Class porter Cha Ara, with no one to back her up, was highly likely to receive a severe punishment.

So what Cha Ara wanted was not the capture of an Anticat.

'There was a story that these guys move in the direction of the exit. It's not certain information, but still….'

The Anticat, as if it had noticed Cha Ara's presence, glanced back this way.

"Ah."

"……."

"……."

It was said that if an Anticat detects a human presence, it would turn off its light, absorb all surrounding light, and flee gracefully, but fortunately, the one in front of her did not.

Cha Ara inwardly let out a sigh of relief.

'…I'm, I'm saved.'

It was the first time Cha Ara had ever seen, no, heard of an Anticat emitting such a soft light.

Because she had learned that Anticats usually devour all surrounding light and hide in the darkness to avoid humans.

The Anticat, wagging its tail, soon began to move with light steps.

It was a light and elegant movement, like a soft balloon bouncing, like a flower petal fluttering.

"……."

Was it okay to follow?

'…Being a monster, it's probably not lighting the way with the intention of helping a human, but it doesn't seem to have any intention of attacking me. They say it's a monster that closely resembles a cat in its habits, so as long as I maintain a reasonable distance, I probably won't be suddenly attacked….'

As Cha Ara cautiously followed the Anticat, she noticed something strange.

"……."

"……."

"……?"

The Anticat seemed to be checking if she was following it.

'…What is this?'

It could be called a miraculous act of kindness from a monster, but no matter how low her rank, Cha Ara was a Hunter.

She knew very well that there was no way a monster would like a human and show them genuine kindness.

Especially since the Anticat was a monster renowned for hating humans.

'But that behavior clearly looks like it's luring me….'

Wait a minute.

"……."

Luring?

It was when Cha Ara faltered and tried to run away.

"Hello."

"H-huaaaaaaaah…!!"

Thud—!

Cha Ara's legs gave out and she collapsed.

"Wha, whawhawha, what wha wh—…"

"……."

"…Wh-who are you…."

It took a little time to grasp the situation.

Panting and catching her breath, Cha Ara realized that someone other than herself was in the darkness.

Since nothing was visible unless it was right next to a luminous gem, she hadn't even thought that there might be someone beyond where the Anticat was heading.

'It's not a monster… is it?'

What monster in the world could talk?

"Who, who are you…."

While asking haltingly, Cha Ara mustered her courage and awkwardly got up from her spot.

In the case of porters, they are sometimes killed for sport within dungeons even if the other party is human.

It was better to be cautious about everything.

'Please, calm down, you idiot.'

In the meantime, the Anticat had approached the 'someone'.

It was emitting a slightly brighter light than before, and in its blue but gentle light and even softer movements, the affection the Anticat held was visible.

As its small body drew near, only jet-black suit pants and pale bare feet were visible and the Anticat was rubbing its body against the ankle, acting cute.

"……."

It was an unbelievable scene.

"…The Anticat is…."

Isn't it the Anticat, famous for hating people?

"Ah, excuse me, are you perhaps… a, a Tamer? The…."

"……."

"Which guild's Hunter are you…."

She asked, certain that someone of a Tamer's level wouldn't be working as a freelancer, but the other party still didn't answer.

A strange silence followed.

'…Why is he so quiet?'

No, in the first place.

Why hadn't I sensed his presence?

'No matter how incompetent a Hunter I am, I'm not so bad that I wouldn't know if a person was this close….'

Cold sweat trickled down Cha Ara's cheek.

She instinctively sensed that something was wrong.

At this point, even the jet-black suit pants and the pale bare feet below them felt eerie.

Yes, that's right.

"……."

There's no way some crazy bastard would come into a rough cave like this barefoot.

"……."

…Let's think.

The Anticat hates people.

'They said it was no different even for Tamers.'

If it had been a problem that a Tamer could solve, Anticats would have been sold more openly.

But the Anticat extremely loathed contact with people, and this was the same for Tamers who could form contracts with monsters.

There was a reason the name had 'Anti' in it.

'For that Anticat to be acting so affectionately….'

At that moment, the stranger bent down and picked up the Anticat.

Cha Ara could see the Anticat's small body fitting perfectly into the large hand.

It did not resist and fully entrusted its body.

"……."

"Hello."

"…Ye, yes."

Ah, no way?

She had been so out of it that she had just let it slide, but Cha Ara remembered that she hadn't answered the person's greeting.

'Did I just scream and that's it.'

Feeling a strange sensation, Cha Ara awkwardly bowed her head.

"Th-ah, hello…."

To suddenly repeat the same words in a situation like this.

Perhaps he was asking again because she hadn't responded to his greeting earlier.

It was definitely not a normal reaction.

'Is he obsessed with manners?'

Even as she thought that, Cha Ara faltered and stepped back.

That cautious movement, hoping not to provoke the other party, already showed that she had defined the man before her as a dangerous being.

'…Something is strange.'

The Anticat, which hated people, was nestled in the man's pale hand, rubbing its cheek against it.

Even if it was the result of the man's excellent taming, it was strange.

A contracted monster doesn't necessarily feel affection for its master.

Most of their relationships were very dry, or sometimes connected by hatred.

'Besides, I've never heard a story about an Anticat emitting a soft light like that in a person's arms. It's such a rare sight that not even a picture has been taken of it.'

That light was like an anglerfish luring its prey in the deep sea.

"……."

There were no cases of Anticats liking people, but it often happened that a monster would offer tribute to a stronger monster.

"…Uh…."

Come to think of it, talking monsters did exist in the world.

They were so rare and uncommon that she hadn't even dared to think of it, but they definitely existed.

A humanoid monster.

"My name is Seo Jio."

"……."

"What is your name?"

A face submerged in darkness, where nothing was visible.

The hand holding the Anticat and his chest were faintly visible.

A jet-black dress shirt, a jet-black suit, and a cloak of an even darker black.

Down to the large, thick fingers that were as pale as a corpse's….

"……."

Cha Ara quietly took it all in.

Even though it was simply because he was obscured by the darkness, it felt like a man with no face.

"……."

And of course.

There is no such thing as a faceless human in the world.

"…I, I'm…."

"You are nervous."

"……."

"Are you afraid of me?"

"……."

"I promise I will not cause you any harm."

That voice was excessively polite.

'…What is this?'

It was a spine-chillingly good voice.

It was as neat and clear as an announcer reporting the weather, and as soft and firm as a teacher instructing a student.

Cha Ara suddenly felt that the voice was so perfect that it was, in fact, alien.

Perhaps because she had taken quite a long time to sort out her confusion, 'it' spoke to her again, as if unsatisfied with the flowing silence.

"Do not be afraid."

Cha Ara realized.

"……."

Ah.

That thing.

"I am curious about your name."

Is not human.

"……."

"……."

"Cha, Cha Ara… It's Cha Ara."

"A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Cha Ara."

In the darkness.

She saw eyes that were darker than it.

"Will you speak with me?"

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