Thank you,@Nepgear, for joining the memberships.
I'm truly grateful.
Bonus(1/1)
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Chapter 44: The First Glimmers of the Failure Spirit.
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The party had slain countless monsters and dark-faction operatives inside the vast, blood-red artificial labyrinth that seemed to stretch into infinity. Everyone except Riveria, Ryuu, and the long-range specialists was drenched in layers of gore—first slick crimson, then dried black.
During the chaos, they captured a twisted deity named Ikelos. After some forceful questioning, it turned out he was the main god of the poacher familia that had been sending his followers into the dungeon to hunt heretical beings. His reason? Simple amusement.
Kihara drew his silver blade in one fluid motion and drove it deep into the god, gravely wounding him. Ikelos was then forcibly returned to the divine realm. The sword, now speckled with divine ichor, gleamed with an ominous scarlet hue, as if undergoing some mysterious evolution.
"Too bad," Kihara sighed with mock regret.
"If that Ikelos had shown even a shred of backbone and chosen death in the mortal world over fleeing back to heaven, I could've added 'Godslayer' to my list of achievements."
The others quickly looked away, pretending to study the crimson walls. The word "godslayer" was taboo among the deities of this city—practically blasphemy. But since it came from Kihara, someone they trusted deeply, they simply chose to ignore it.
Clap… clap… clap…
Sudden, mocking applause echoed from the chamber at the far end of the staircase. In the next instant, dozens of thick, writhing green vine-tentacles burst through the labyrinth walls, lashing toward the group like living curses.
"Radiant Gale!"
"Winter of Exultant Fimbul!"
Two powerful spells slammed into the tentacles, yet they left not even a scratch. Strange elemental patterns glowed across the vines' surfaces, absorbing the magic whole.
Kihara, who had spent countless late nights gaming with Kaguya, instantly recognized the threat. These tentacles possessed magic immunity and absorption properties. Without hesitation, he pulled the trigger of his weapon and unleashed a relentless barrage, shattering the two tentacles that were about to counterattack with absorbed spells.
"It can absorb magic! Prioritize destroying the tentacles first!"
"Mages to the rear! Warriors forward!"
Finn's sharp command reshaped their formation in an instant. Among the frontline fighters, only Ais could barely leave shallow cuts on the vines—but those wounds healed almost immediately under the creature's horrifying regeneration.
The group switched again to a defensive stance. Kihara was the only one capable of dealing real damage, yet he didn't recklessly charge into the pitch-black chamber ahead.
At that moment, a sinister voice slithered from every direction, cold and dripping with malice.
"I don't know how you worms managed to infiltrate my artificial labyrinth… but delivering fresh experimental subjects for my spirit transformation? That deserves praise."
"Spirit…?" Ais murmured, batting aside another vine with a puzzled frown.
Finn and Riveria exchanged grim glances. Both sensed it—this grotesque, tentacled abomination was deeply connected to the legendary nature spirits.
"Spirits… ethereal beings born of nature itself, freely wielding magic as they please. How exquisite they are! And now, in my hands, they have transcended into something far greater! Ahahahahaha!!"
Kihara stroked his chin, eyes narrowing.
"From the looks of it, you're the final boss and mastermind behind this whole maze, right?"
"Hmm~ I quite like those titles. They suit me well."
"So… are you a mortal or a god?"
"You may address me as Thanatos—the god who brings death itself."
Thanatos's voice oozed smug satisfaction. His greedy gaze locked onto Ais amid the group. He had a strong premonition: she would make the perfect specimen.
"Then it's time for you to exit the stage, fallen god," Kihara declared with a brilliant, almost playful smile.
He reached into empty air and drew forth a shimmering silver blade, slamming it point-first into the ground. A translucent lavender barrier instantly spread outward, completely sealing the writhing tentacles and the dark chamber beyond.
"Impossible…! What manner of cursed barrier is this!? It should be magic—why wasn't it absorbed!?"
Finn let out a breath of relief. He and the rest of the party surged forward into the vine-choked chamber. Inside, they found only a sickly, blasphemous man-eating flower monster—no sign of the self-proclaimed Thanatos. The fallen god had apparently fled through a hidden passage.
When the creature Finn dubbed the "Fallen Spirit" was finally slain, it left behind no trace—not even a magic stone. Its final cry sounded almost like a sigh of release. The heartbreaking sound made Ais's eyes glisten with unshed tears.
A sudden wave of inexplicable sorrow washed over her. Biting her lower lip, she stumbled forward and buried herself in Kihara's chest the moment he stepped into the room.
Ryuu, standing right beside him, witnessed the scene. Her pupils contracted sharply, and her grip tightened unconsciously around the hilt of her kodachi.
"Wait—Ais, what's wrong!?"
"…Sorry. Just… let me borrow your chest for a little while."
Meanwhile, Kihara, still suffering the backlash from his great-sin armament, was screaming internally:
"Gah! Save me, Shinobu!!"
A tiny, exasperated voice echoed in his mind:
"Honestly, you're hopeless. When we return, I demand ten donuts!"
"Deal!"
"Then find a deeper shadow and sit down. My head won't emerge easily otherwise—and cover us with your cloak."
"Got it."
Kihara swayed slightly as he guided Ais to a quieter corner and sat down. Finn noticed the rapid flicker of pain, endurance, and strange comfort crossing Kihara's face, but pursuing the escaped Thanatos took priority.
"Ryuu-dono, could you please watch over Kihara and Ais? The rest of us will hunt down Thanatos. Fels-san, will they be safe here?"
"No issue. I've secured several labyrinth keys from the defeated dark-faction members. I can give one to Kihara-dono. As for the search… we should probably split into pairs to cover more ground, but only if it's safe."
After careful consideration, Finn decided against splitting the main force. Facing a god who had already succeeded in corrupting a spirit, no one could predict what other traps or horrors lurked in this cursed maze. The safety of every familia member came first.
Once Loki Familia's main party departed, Ryuu watched as Ais peacefully drifted off to sleep against Kihara's chest, a faint, sweet smile curving her lips. A storm of complicated emotions swirled in Ryuu's heart—like a mix of every seasoning knocked over at once.
She quietly sheathed her kodachi and made a silent resolution.
"Kihara… once this extermination operation ends, I must travel to the Swordsmith City. My vengeance is finally over. I need to report to Goddess Astraea in person."
"Is that city far from here?"
"For ordinary travelers, yes. For me… perhaps half a month's journey."
Kihara didn't try to stop her. Instead, he grinned lightly. "Bring me back some local specialties, okay? And don't get lost on the road. If you're not back in half a month, I'll come looking for you myself."
"L-Looking for me? You should be looking for Ais instead…"
"Because I want to invite you to live together with us in the Hestia Familia. You wouldn't refuse, would you?"
"Live… together!?"
The four words hit Ryuu like a bolt. She staggered backward, steadying herself against the stone wall before slowly sliding down into a crouch. Soon, a thin wisp of soft pink mist drifted from beneath her hood. She had completely fallen into her own blissful delusions.
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Thank you for reading.