(I managed to defeat it...)

　I wasn't confident at all.

　I only moved instinctively when I thought that child was going to die.

(Oh...?)

　I felt spiritual energy flowing into my body, filling me with power.

　It was as if I had absorbed part of the strength of the monster I had just defeated.

　The woman known as Refray was staring at me from the ground, into the darkness—probably at me, within it.

　The immediate danger had passed, I suppose.

　I decided to place only the spirit stone I had taken from the mantis—the one that sealed the cosmos, likely the Spirit Stone of Chaos—into my Shadow Bag, and vanish.

　My presence should be nearly invisible to others.

He felt a sense of accomplishment at having defeated the monsters without even hearing their voices or seeing their gazes.

Perhaps he could live as a proper adventurer after all.

— In the end,

he had simply wanted to escape from the "comfortable hell" of always hiding in the darkness.

Since he had defeated the mantis, he might now be able to survive without scavenging corpses.

With that hope in his heart, he turned around and began to walk away.

Given her skill, returning to the first level should be easy.

He had defeated monsters, saved a beautiful woman,

and even obtained treasure.

It looked like it might be a good day.

"Wait, please...!"

I stopped in my tracks, startled by the pleading voice from behind.

Even after the battle had ended, her cheeks were flushed, her features breathtakingly beautiful—so much

so it was almost frightening. The deeper one got involved with her, the more it felt like being

drawn into something strange and inexplicable. Moreover, she was addressed with a respectful honorific. Her gear was perfectly fitted

, a gleaming white and gold plate armor(. It was clear she was) no ordinary adventurer like the countless explorers who roamed the labyrinth. "Ah

, who are you...?" "I'm nobody. Can you make it back on your

own?" Though I'd helped her out of necessity, that didn't mean

I intended to get involved. Even now, Earth was still watching with curious eyes. The more beautiful she

was, the more she herself would be exposed to their gaze. "I-I don't think I can... I might not be able

to go back..."

"Given your combat power, couldn't you handle anything other than a mantis?"

"I'd just get lost..."

He spoke softly, looking down with a hint of embarrassment.

Though this place is near the stairs leading to the first floor, without a map, distance might not matter much.

It's entirely possible one could wander around aimlessly, exhaust their stamina—no matter how strong they are, being ambushed by a mixed party of orcs and ogres would make escape impossible. Worst of all, they might even run into another mantis.

It's the same situation as with Grapeflour, after all.

The retainer was probably the one who knew the area well.

(Well, there's nothing to be done about it...)

They were already on board.

In any case, their existence was already known. As long as they remained within the darkness fog, there was no risk of being seen.

It's better than leaving it here and having a bad awakening.

"Then, I'll take you down to the first floor. Pick up the spirit stones. You did defeat them, right?"

"Oh, no. We were the ones who received help, so we'll give you the stones. It's a bit forward, but could you please accept them?"

"Really? Alright, then I'll take them."

The scattered spirit stones were likely those of the orc horde.

There were about fifteen of them.

Honestly, this is a big help.

"Shall we go? The stairs to the first floor are this way."

After stowing the spirit stones into the Shadow Bag, I approached her while still cloaked in darkness, taking her hand. I couldn't guide her otherwise in the darkness.

Her usual battle-ready composure had faded, and she looked a little dazed—probably due to the aftermath of extreme combat.

　

(Hot)

Perhaps because she had fought right up to her limits, her hand was radiating heat almost as if it were about to burn.

She looked slightly surprised, then relaxed her lips, her cheeks turning red.

I pretended not to notice and took a slightly forced step forward.

The second floor had no debris scattered about, so I could walk without tripping even in the darkness.

As long as I passed by the monsters, the stairs to the first floor would be nearby.

Just like with Grape Flue, our connection would end there.

That was how it should be.

"Ah… um… could you at least tell me your name…? You're an explorer of this town, aren't you…?"

During the journey, she timidly asked such a thing, but I firmly declined, saying we'd never meet again.

I won't deny that I nearly answered when she asked my name, but I don't want to be burdened with some odd sense of obligation.

After all, the Dark Spirit Magic is being watched. I want to eliminate any risk.

"If you feel indebted, please don't tell anyone we met."

"Y-yes! I promise I won't!"

"……Please."

Perhaps I relaxed a little, relieved that I'd successfully silenced her.

We were just a few dozen meters from the stairs leading to the next level, and I'd grown overconfident, believing the Darkness Fog would hide my form from view.

"We're here. You're at the foot of the stairs now, so just be careful on your way back. Don't make any more mistakes."

I released her hand and prepared to vanish into the shadows.

"Um... could I please see your form just one more time?"

"Huh? No, just forget about me."

" I don't want to(... ). ...Light."

And so, I was slow to react to her sudden incantation.

A sudden burst of light erased the darkness.

I couldn't even open my eyes from the brightness.

"W-what...?"

"Thank goodness... the spell worked... If we had parted like that, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life."

She stood before me, gazing straight into my eyes with a blissful expression.

A floating orb of light hovered in the air, dispelling the darkness around us and gently illuminating the surroundings.

"You didn't know? This is the light spirit magic 'Light.' It's a boring spell that just illuminates the surroundings—but today, it did its best work."

I was speechless.

I never imagined someone who saved my life would pull a stunt like this.

"Your name... could you tell me...?"

"I won't tell you! What are you even...? Why would you do something like this...?"

"Well... I couldn't see your face or properly thank you otherwise, could I? After you saved my life."

She said it casually.

Maybe I'd gotten involved with someone I shouldn't have.

A hunch told me so—but it was already too late.

"I apologize for my lack of manners. I am Refleia Ashbord, an apprentice knight of the Sanctuary of Light. It is our family's creed to always repay kindness. I will surely return the favor for saving my life—please allow me to do so soon. Your name… you can tell me when that time comes?"

With a wink, she said this and swiftly turned on her heel.

Her dazzling platinum blonde hair swayed as she ascended the stairs to the upper floor.

All I could do was stare at her in silence.