The forest stayed quiet. Too quiet. The leaves barely moved. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Ars crouched behind a tree, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. Around him, the others stayed hidden, weapons ready, breathing low. No one spoke, and time passed slowly.
Then—
"…Something's coming," someone whispered.
Ars heard it too.
They could hear wheels, wood creaking, and horses stepping on the dirt. A caravan was coming. A few had come and gone in the hour they had stayed hidden, with no luck in finding the bandits.
So no one was that hopeful about this one, and people were starting to get impatient.
Then it came into view, slowly rolling along the road like any other. At first glance, nothing seemed unusual. They had seen others before. This could be another false alarm.
No one moved.
Then—
One of the village guards raised his hand.
It was the signal.
His expression hardened as he nodded.
"It's them."
The air changed instantly.
Derrick raised his hand.
"Positions," he said quietly.
Everyone tensed.
They were already split into two groups—one ahead, one behind. Just like they had planned.
Now they waited for them to get closer. Even closer.
"Now!"
The forest exploded into motion.
"Attack!"
They rushed out from both sides.
Steel flashed. Shouts rang out. The bandits froze for a split second, completely caught off guard.
"What the—?!"
"Ambush!"
"Defend!"
But it was too late.
The first clash hit hard. Weapons collided. Sparks flew.
Ars moved in with the others, his sword already in motion. A bandit rushed at him, swinging wildly.
But it was too slow.
Ars stepped in.
Ting—
He knocked the blade aside and drove his sword forward.
With a clean strike, the man dropped to the road.
Ars didn't stop. There was no time to stop. The battlefield turned chaotic quickly.
Bandits shouted, cursed, and scrambled to form lines—but they were already losing ground.
Then—
"Sir Hynes!"
A voice roared from the center.
"Please get out now!"
The tone changed.
Three figures stepped forward from the caravan.
They seemed different from the normal bandits.
They were calmer than the rest.
The moment they appeared, the pressure shifted.
They were probably adventurers.
Ars's team also had adventurers, but only two of them, both Level 1. They didn't know what level the enemies were.
Ars narrowed his eyes.
"So those are them… You got ambushed like this even after I warned you. Tsk."
The fight grew heavier.
Derrick and Paul moved immediately, intercepting two of them.
Weapons clashed hard against each other.
But the third one—
He didn't rush. He just smiled at the chaos around him.
Then he moved.
He was fast. Extremely fast. Too fast for the others.
He slipped through the battlefield, striking where it hurt—quick cuts, shallow but precise.
People screamed in pain and fell to the road. It wasn't just the cuts; there was poison in them, the wounds slowly turning blue as the pain spread.
"Watch out!"
"It's poison—!"
One man dropped, clutching his arm.
Ars clicked his tongue. This was not good.
Then it got worse.
"Don't move!"
A bandit dragged a woman forward, pressing a blade to her throat. Another followed. Then another. The bandits were using the women as hostages and shields.
After all, there were only eighteen people with the bandits while Ars's team had more on their side.
"Try anything, and they die!"
The momentum broke. Everyone hesitated. That hesitation cost them dearly.
The bandits pushed back.
"Damn it…" Derrick gritted his teeth as he blocked a strike from Hynes.
Even he was being pushed back. Paul wasn't doing any better. The gap showed. Those two were stronger than Derrick and Paul, it seemed.
Then—
"Help!"
A voice cried out. Ars turned. Nolan froze, too. His eyes locked on one of the captives.
"Masha—!"
The girl struggled, crying, shaking. She saw him.
"Nolan! Help me!"
Nolan rushed forward.
"I'm coming—!"
But—
A bandit intercepted him.
Nolan quickly defended himself with his spear, stopping the sword strike.
"You're not going anywhere!"
Nolan was forced back.
"Move—!"
He tried again, but failed again.
Ars watched it all in a moment. Too many problems at once, all around the battlefield.
The third adventurer was still cutting through their side.
Derrick and Paul were losing ground.
The captives were being used as shields.
If this kept going—
They'd surely lose.
Ars stepped forward.
"I'll take him."
No one stopped him.
He moved straight toward the third adventurer. The man noticed him and grinned.
"Well now… do you also want to die?"
They clashed hard.
Ting—
The impact ran through Ars's arms. The man was far stronger and faster than the others.
This wasn't like the goblins.
"Not bad," the man said. "Which familia are you from?"
Ars didn't answer.
He moved again, faster than before.
Their blades met again and again.
Step. Strike. Block.
Ars adjusted quickly to match him.
The man was skilled—but not enough to overwhelm him.
It was still manageable. Ars had fought even harsher battles against Saber. But it was still dangerous.
A cut grazed Ars's side. Another scraped his arm.
Ars ignored it. He pushed forward, deeper cuts forming on the enemy. He forced the man back. With injuries starting to pile up, the man was clearly being pushed back. The rhythm shifted.
"You're so annoying! Drop dead already!" the man yelled.
Ars didn't let his guard down. Even if it took time, he could defeat this guy.
Behind him, things were also changing. Without that third adventurer, the others in Ars's group regained their pace and started ganging up on the bandits with their numbers.
Nolan broke through as well. Others followed behind him. They began pushing toward the boss.
Ars kept his opponent busy and locked him down. There was surely no escape.
But then—
The man clicked his tongue.
"Tsk. Not worth it."
He suddenly disengaged.
He turned and ran, pushing a nearby bandit into Ars's path. Ars cut him down, but the man had already sprinted toward the caravan.
Ars didn't waste any time. He immediately followed.
Inside, it was dark. The space was tight, making movement difficult.
Then he saw it.
The man stood there, holding a girl.
Ars didn't know her race, but she was a renard—a beastwoman he had never seen in the village.
In just a day, he had already seen so many new species that it was starting to feel overwhelming.
She had golden hair, fox ears, and a tail trembling in fear. What struck him most was her beauty.
Ars could tell she was easily among the most beautiful women he had ever seen.
Almost as beautiful as Saber.
But it wasn't the time for thoughts like that.
Ars quickly pulled himself together.
A blade was pressed against her throat.
"Don't move!" the man snapped.
Ars stopped.
The girl was shaking, tears in her eyes.
"N-no…"
The man was also badly injured now. Desperate enough to do anything.
"Throw your sword away," he said. "Now!"
Ars didn't move.
"Do it!" he shouted. "Or she dies!"
The blade pressed closer. A thin line of blood appeared on her neck. The girl sobbed in pain.
Ars's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Tch."
Slowly—
He threw his sword away. It slid across the floor. The man smirked.
"Good choice."
Then—
He shoved the girl forward, hard.
Ars reacted instantly.
He moved forward to catch her.
At the same time—
The man lunged from behind her.
Aiming straight for Ars's head. It happened too fast.
The man was too confident. At this range, he wouldn't miss. He was certain. He meant to cut off Ars's head.
Then—
Clang.
The blade stopped mid-air.
It was between Ars's fingers.
Two fingers, to be specific. But they weren't normal anymore. They had turned into steel.
The man froze, unable to believe what he was seeing.
"…What?"
Ars didn't answer.
His grip tightened.
Crack—
The sword broke just like that.
Before the man could react, Ars stepped in. His steel fingers drove forward, straight into the man's abdomen. A dull, wet sound echoed.
The man choked, looking down at the wound in pure horror.
Ars pulled back.
Then came a straight punch. Clean. Direct. It landed on the man's nose. He dropped instantly.
Silence followed. Ars exhaled slowly.
The girl trembled in his arms.
"It's okay," Ars said quietly.
She looked up at him, still scared, still shaking.
"…Stay here," he added. "It's safer here."
She nodded weakly. Ars let her go.
For a brief moment, his eyes lingered on her features again. She really was different from normal humans. It was his first time seeing a beastwoman like her. Not to mention one so well endowed.
'…So this world really is like that... Kemonomimi…'
He grabbed the unconscious man, dragged him outside, and kicked him aside.
Then he moved back into the fight.
Outside—
Derrick was being pushed back. Hynes pressed him hard.
"You're done!"
But Ars stepped in. He blocked the next strike. Derrick glanced at him.
"…Did you take care of the other one?"
"Hmm. No time to talk. Let's put him down first," Ars said.
They attacked together.
Now it was different.
Two against one.
Hynes faltered.
Step by step—
They pushed him back.
Then—
An opening came. Ars moved first, and Derrick followed.
Two simultaneous strikes. One clean hit.
Hynes went down.
"Next," Ars said.
They turned. Paul was still fighting the last one. Not for long. It was three against one now. It ended quickly.
The battlefield settled.
The bandits—one by one—were brought down.
Nolan stood over the bandit boss, breathing hard. His cousin stood behind him. She was safe.
Ars looked over the battlefield. It was really over. His first bandit subjugation.
Silence returned to the forest. Only heavy breathing remained.
After a while—
"…We did it," someone said.
But no one cheered. They were too tired, too drained. Some had died. Many were injured, and some were poisoned, though not fatally. They were still alive. That was enough.
It was how it worked.
They gathered quickly, tied up the surviving bandits, freed the captives, and began the return to the village.
Ars walked quietly among them, blood on his clothes. His mind wasn't calm. Many thoughts ran through it.
He had seen people die in front of him. It wasn't a pleasant feeling. He didn't kill anyone directly, but seeing death for the first time still left an impact.
The fight replayed briefly in his head.
Then it faded.
For now—
It was over.
They all headed back to the village.
The walk back to the village was quiet.
No one spoke much. The forest felt different now. The same road they had hidden in earlier didn't feel calm anymore. Every sound of rustling leaves made people glance around.
Ars walked near the front.
His sword was back in its sheath. His clothes were stained with blood and dirt, but he didn't seem bothered by it.
Behind him, Nolan stayed close.
"…Hey," Nolan said after a while.
Ars looked at him slightly.
"What is it?"
Nolan hesitated.
"…Thanks. I know I keep repeating it, but thanks again. Without you taking care of that adventurer, we wouldn't have survived."
Ars didn't respond immediately. He just nodded once.
"Welcome."
That was all.
Nolan scratched his head, then looked forward again.
"…My cousin is safe because of you."
Ars glanced briefly at the girl walking with the rescued captives.
She looked exhausted and scared, but she was unharmed.
"That's good," Ars said simply.
Nolan smiled weakly at that.
Then he didn't say anything else.
The group continued walking.
A few injured men were supported by others. Some of the rescued villagers were crying quietly. Others just walked in silence, still unable to understand what had happened.
The wounded and some of the rescued villagers were traveling inside the caravan. They were bringing everything the bandits had, including the caravans.
It couldn't fit everyone, and some of the rescued people didn't want to go back inside those wagons anyway. There had been cages in there, after all.
The bandits were tied up tightly, dragged along without mercy.
No one was in the mood to be kind to them.
Still, the mood wasn't great as silence filled the place.
After some time, Derrick broke the silence.
"Everyone, stay alert," he said. "We're not out of danger until we reach the village."
No one argued.
They kept moving.
By the time the village walls came into view, the sun was already lowering.
The guards at the gate immediately tensed when they saw the group approaching.
But when they noticed the tied bandits and the rescued villagers—
Their expressions changed.
"Open the gate!" one of them shouted.
The gates creaked open.
The group entered slowly.
And the moment they did—
The village changed.
People rushed out from nearby houses.
"What happened?!"
"They're back!"
"Is that… the kidnapped ones?!"
Voices rose everywhere.
Then came crying.
Relief.
Confusion.
Ars stepped aside slightly as the villagers surrounded the rescued people.
Masha's mother immediately ran toward her daughter.
"Masha!"
The girl looked up.
For a moment, she didn't react.
Then—
"Mother…"
She broke down.
She caught her as she collapsed into her arms. Nolan stood beside them.
Ars looked away slightly.
He didn't know what to do in moments like that.
So he didn't interfere.
The bandits were taken away immediately by the guards.
The chief arrived not long after.
When he saw the results, he let out a long breath.
"…So you really did it."
Derrick nodded.
"We lost some people," he said. "But the mission is complete."
The chief closed his eyes for a moment.
"…I understand."
Then he looked at Ars and the others.
"We will handle the rest here. Rest for now."
The group didn't argue.
Everyone was exhausted.
One by one, people began to split off.
Some went to get potions.
Some went to clean themselves.
Some just sat down where they were.
Ars stayed standing for a moment.
Then he slowly turned away. He wanted to rest. Ars went to his rented room and fell onto the bed as soon as he touched it. He didn't even bother changing his clothes or cleaning.
Sleep came quickly.
*
*
*
Later that night, someone knocked on Ars's door again.
"…Arsalan-san? You awake?"
Ars slowly opened his eyes. The room was dim, with only a small lamp lighting the corner. His body still felt heavy from the earlier fight.
He sat up.
"…Nolan-san?"
The door opened slightly, and Nolan stepped in.
"Yeah, it's me."
He looked around the room, then at Ars. His eyes narrowed.
"…You really just slept like this? With blood and dirt on your body?"
Ars looked down at himself.
"Seems so."
Nolan sighed.
"You should at least clean up."
Ars didn't reply.
Nolan shook his head and then reached into a small bag he was carrying.
"Here."
He placed a few small bottles on the table.
"What are these?" Ars asked.
"Potions. I brought them earlier, but you were already knocked out like a dead man."
Ars stared at them.
"…For me?"
"Obviously," Nolan said. "Your wounds didn't look good. Just take them."
Ars picked them up slowly.
"Thanks."
Nolan scratched his head.
"Don't mention it. Also—"
He paused.
"Come to the Hypnos familia house again after half an hour. There's still stuff to discuss."
Ars nodded once.
"I'll be there."
Nolan turned to leave, then stopped at the door.
"…And seriously, clean yourself."
Then he left.
The room went quiet again.
Ars looked at the potions in his hand.
Without much hesitation, he opened one and drank it. Then another.
The liquid was slightly bitter.
A moment later—
His body reacted.
Warmth spread through his chest. The cuts on his arms, his side, even the smaller wounds he had ignored earlier—began closing slowly.
His eyes widened slightly.
"…This is…"
He watched as his skin returned to normal. No scars. No pain. Like it was never there.
He clenched his fist.
'Healing…'
His mind moved quickly.
'If I understand the structure… can I copy this too?'
He frowned slightly.
But he shook the thought away.
Not now.
He put the empty bottle down.
There were more important things to do.
He stood up, went outside, and quickly washed himself at the previous well. The cold water helped clear his head.
After that, he changed into clean clothes. Simple, nothing special.
Then he ate a quick meal downstairs at the inn.
Nothing fancy. Just enough to fill his stomach.
Half an hour later—
Ars arrived at the Hypnos familia house.
The place was already busy again.
People were gathered inside. Most of the same faces were there.
But not all.
A few empty spots were noticeable.
Some seats were left untouched.
No one said anything about it.
When Ars stepped in, a few people noticed him immediately.
"Oh, he's here."
"How are you doing, man?"
"Thanks for holding off that adventurer…"
Murmurs spread.
Then someone raised a hand.
"Oi! Arvendis!"
It was Derrick.
He gave a short nod.
Paul also glanced at him and nodded once.
Others followed.
Small nods. Quiet respect.
Ars just gave a short bow of his head.
Nothing more.
The room slowly settled. Soon, some others also came.
Then the village chief stepped forward.
He bowed deeply.
"First… I thank you all."
His voice was heavy.
"If not for your help, this would have ended in disaster."
Silence followed.
He raised his head.
"Because of your efforts, the kidnapped villagers were rescued."
A pause.
"Some of you were injured. Some… did not return."
His eyes lowered for a moment.
Then he continued.
"As promised, rewards will be given."
A bag was brought forward.
"3000 valis for each participant."
He began handing them out.
But not everyone got the same amount.
Those who fought better and contributed more received more.
Ars watched quietly as names were called.
"Derrick-dono. 4500 valis."
"Paul-dono. 4500 valis."
"Nolan. 4000 valis."
Nolan blinked in surprise.
"Eh? Me too?"
"You defeated the bandit boss, after all," the chief said.
Nolan scratched his head awkwardly.
"…Guess I did."
Then—
"Arsalan-dono."
Ars stepped forward.
The chief looked at him for a moment.
Then he handed him the pouch.
"5000 valis."
Ars took it.
"…Thank you."
He stepped back.
No one complained.
They all knew why.
Even if they didn't say it out loud.
Without him, things would have ended very differently.
Then came the second part.
Loot distribution.
The bandits' equipment. Weapons. Supplies. Even the caravans and other belongings they had stolen.
Everything was sorted and sold to Dalton.
The total was divided.
"Each participant will receive 10,000 valis."
Murmurs rose slightly, but no one objected.
"Arsalan-dono," the chief continued, "you will receive 15,000."
Ars nodded once.
Again, no one complained.
It was fair.
Everyone knew it.
By the end, Ars had around 21,000 valis in total.
It was more than he had ever owned in this world. After all, it was just the first day.
The chief then continued.
"As for the rescued people from outside the village…"
Some of the captives looked up.
"Those who wish to leave may do so."
"And those who need help may stay in the village for a while."
He paused.
"They will be supported until they can find their own place."
Relief spread on some faces.
Fear in others.
But no one objected. After all, before distributing the rewards from the loot among the participants, they were also given some compensation from the loot.
Then came another topic.
The bandits.
"They are being interrogated."
The chief's voice hardened slightly.
"We have already gathered useful information."
The bandit boss had been captured alive.
That made things easier.
"We know where their main base is."
"We plan to strike it once the Hypnos familia members come back tomorrow."
Ars listened quietly.
So it wasn't over yet.
The chief asked if they would also want to join the next mission.
But Ars already knew his answer.
He didn't belong here anymore.
He had no reason to stay. Once the Hypnos familia members were back, they wouldn't need his help to deal with the rest of the bandits. So he would be leaving soon.
Orario was waiting.
Leah's request was still there.
Ars was thinking about how to go there.
As if on cue—
Dalton stepped forward.
"After this, I'll be leaving."
Derrick and Paul stood beside him.
"We'll also leave with our mercenary group as his escorts back."
"Can I tag along with you guys, too? I had heard that your destination is also Orario. I will pay for my fare."
Dalton looked at Ars.
"We'll be passing through a few villages on the way to Orario."
A short pause.
"You can come with us if you want."
Ars thought for a moment.
Then nodded.
"…I'll join you."
Dalton grinned.
"Good."
Soon, the meeting ended.
People slowly started leaving the hall.
Ars turned to leave as well.
But then—
"Arvendis."
A voice stopped him again.
He turned.
Hypnos stood there.
Same calm expression.
Eyes half-closed.
"…Do you need something again?" Ars asked.
Hypnos didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"I heard about your actions."
His voice was calm.
"You fought well."
Ars stayed silent.
Then Hypnos continued.
"Join my familia."
A simple and direct sentence.
"Your ability… it is interesting."
"I will fully support you."
A pause.
Then—
"…You would grow faster under my guidance."
Ars looked at him.
For a moment, only silence filled the space.
Then—
"I appreciate it," Ars said.
"But I'll have to refuse. I cannot stay here."
Hypnos didn't react immediately.
Then a faint smile formed.
"I thought so."
Ars tilted his head slightly.
"You did?"
"Yes."
Hypnos slowly opened his eyes a little more.
"I knew you would say that."
A pause.
Then he added lightly.
"Very well."
"I will not force you."
He stepped back slightly.
"Then as the god of sleep…"
His voice softened.
"I bless your journey."
"May your path be long… and your rest be peaceful."
Ars nodded once.
"Thank you."
Then he turned and left.
Outside the hall—
A voice called out.
"Arsalan-sama!"
He stopped.
The renard girl stood there.
Sanjouno Haruhime. She had previously introduced herself after the battle.
She looked nervous.
Her hands were slightly clenched in front of her.
"U-um…"
She bowed deeply.
"Thank you… for saving me."
Ars looked at her.
"…It's fine."
She slowly raised her head.
Then hesitated.
"Um… I heard you are going to Orario…"
Ars nodded.
"Yes."
She lowered her gaze.
"…I… don't have anywhere else to go. But I think some of my acquaintances might be in Orario."
A pause.
"Can I… come with you?"
Ars didn't answer immediately.
He thought for a moment.
Then said—
"I'll be going with Dalton's group."
"Oh…" she said softly.
Her expression fell slightly.
But then—
"I'll ask him," Ars added.
Her head shot up.
"R-really?"
Ars nodded.
"I'll try."
Her eyes lit up slightly.
"Th-thank you!"
Ars sighed.
"…And don't call me with '-sama'."
She tilted her head.
"B-but…"
"I said don't."
"…Yes… Arsalan-sama."
Ars gave up.
They started walking.
As they moved, Haruhime followed slightly behind, then beside him.
"Arsalan-sama is going to Orario too…"
"…Yes."
"Is it true that it is a very dangerous place?"
"…I think so."
"Then I will try my best not to be a burden!"
"…Good."
She smiled faintly.
Then they walked in silence.
Later, Dalton agreed without much trouble.
He laughed when he saw Haruhime.
"Of course I don't mind."
"Hard to refuse a beautiful girl asking so earnestly."
Derrick sighed.
Paul just looked away.
Haruhime blushed deeply.
And that was settled.
The next morning—
They left the village.
Nolan was at the gate.
"Take care on the way to Orario," he said.
Ars nodded.
"You too."
Nolan smiled.
"Yeah."
The village chief also came.
"Good luck."
Ars gave a short nod.
Then they left.
Roads stretched ahead.
Fields. Forests. Small villages.
Days passed.
Ars learned how to read and write from Haruhime along the way.
It wasn't difficult.
The words came quickly.
As if he already understood them. His ability was really a cheat.
Dalton stopped at a few villages to trade.
Four in total.
Then finally—
The walls appeared.
Huge and tall.
Impossible to ignore.
Orario—the city where heroes are born.
It is a city with a labyrinth that lies beneath its surface. It is the starting point of destinies, agreements, encounters, the unknown, and heroic tales—and at the same time, the place where they all come to an end.
Its full extent remains unknown, and it is a space where death is always lurking; a dangerous zone where it would not be surprising if someone you shared a meal with last night were dead by noon the next day.
It has given birth to countless heroes, and adventurers risk their lives to venture into the Dungeon, humanity's natural enemy—the monsters.
In ancient times, monsters invaded the land; in this age of gods, adventurers conquer the Dungeon.
If you were to ask, "So, are monsters the only enemies of humanity?" the answer would be no. Humans could be just as dangerous as monsters—sometimes even more vicious.
Ars stood at the gate.
He looked up.
"…So this is it."
Haruhime stood beside him, quietly holding her sleeves.
They were able to get inside without any trouble.
Dalton smiled behind them.
"Welcome to Orario."
The gates opened.
And they stepped inside.
[A/N: Word Count 4400.
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