Yano sat in the overly clean Oak Camp, looking up at the bright sunlight and the surrounding mist, his eyes glazed over.
If he hadn't walked here step by step himself, he would have thought this wasn't the depths of the swamp, but rather a tree garden meticulously cared for by some Forest Witch.
This scene was completely different from the dark lair he had imagined, which would be flowing with lava and filled with the pungent smell of sulfur.
'This is where a Demon lives?'
'And the Demon is a Slime?'
Two Poisonous Sting Bees flapped their wings, buzzing as they flew down from an oak tree. They approached him holding cups woven from leaves, filled with clear dew, interrupting his thoughts.
Yano subconsciously took the leaf cup and murmured his thanks.
'Is this a hallucination, or am I dreaming...'
Even the terrifying Poisonous Sting Bees had become as well-behaved as little fairies from a fairytale, knowing how to welcome a guest.
Everything in the Oak Territory was challenging the understanding of the world he had built over decades... It was just too absurd.
But the rough feeling of the leaf in his palm, the uneven stone seat beneath him, and the fresh scent of the swamp... all served as constant reminders that this was real.
'Fine, if a Slime can be a Demon, what's left that I can't accept?'
On a simple table made of stone, a few Poisonous Sting Bees carried Moss Monsters and placed them on a wide leaf spread across the tabletop.
These insects seemed to be the lunch the Demon had prepared for him.
But this little moss-like thing, rather than lunch, seemed more like a test from the Demon, or perhaps some kind of ritual to extract the power of fear.
'Or was it just to satisfy some twisted sense of humor?'
His gaze fell on the distance, where the Demon was inspecting the "offerings" he had brought. It then shook its Gel as if nodding in satisfaction and was about to hop back over.
To leave this place safely, he had to act in a way that would satisfy the Demon.
Yano comforted himself internally. 'It's just swallowing a bug whole. Back when I was training to be a Knight in the deep mountains, I ate rats when I was starving.'
As if he had made up his mind, he squeezed his eyes shut and shoved a Moss Insect into his mouth.
First, a strange, coarse texture spread throughout his mouth. Then, the Moss Monster burst, and a rich juice flowed out, stimulating his taste buds with the scent of the swamp.
To be honest, the thing wasn't bad. If it were cooked, it could probably serve as emergency food in the wild.
But the little thing looked so bizarre that it was hard to accept it on a psychological level.
Yano had to half-gag, half-swallow just to force one Moss Monster down.
Over on the other side, Chen Yu had just returned and was stunned to see Yano ferociously gulp down a Moss Monster.
He was momentarily stunned.
'The humans in this world are even braver than I thought. He swallowed a Moss Monster whole without even blinking.'
He recalled how he himself had hesitated for a long time at first. It was only when he couldn't bear the hunger anymore that he tried swallowing a Moss Monster, which was how he ended up developing a recipe for Slimes.
'The Adventurers here deal with monsters every day. They're probably all survival experts.'
'Eating a Moss Monster—crunchy, nutritious—is just a normal part of their daily adventures.'
He felt his understanding of this world's Adventurers had deepened a little more.
"How does it taste?"
Chen Yu drew closer, and a curious voice echoed in Yano's mind.
At the sudden voice, Yano forced a smile.
"It's... delicious."
"If it's good, then have some more."
"..."
To be honest, Yano's palm inexplicably started to itch. He wanted to slap himself.
But with the Slime staring at him, he could only force a smile, suppress his nausea, and stuff another Moss Monster into his mouth, swallowing it down.
Only after seeing the round Slime before him show a satisfied expression did he finally breathe a slow sigh of relief.
"Ma... Master... I..."
'Master?'
'I didn't expect people from another world to be into these weird forms of address.'
'Is it some kind of special kink?'
"Just call me Boss."
"From now on, you're the Rider for this Shunfeng Forest Path, understand?"
"Yes, Boss!"
'I have to understand, even if I don't.'
"Rider" sounded like "Knight," so he guessed it was a title similar to what a god's chosen follower might receive.
Compared to some chuuni titles like "Shadow's Touch" or "Holy Son of Light," Yano was actually more satisfied with the title of "Rider." It reminded him of his difficult yet fulfilling time as a Knight's squire on the border.
It was also during that time that the symptoms of petrification appeared on his body. Even though he later achieved outstanding results in the Knight training camp, his instructor still advised him to withdraw and return to his village.
Fortunately, he received a decent severance payment that allowed him to get by.
But after the precious grain and salt on his beast-drawn cart fell into the hands of those Gray Scale monsters, every last bit of that money was gone.
Yano subconsciously glanced at the base of his right fingers. The petrified spot seemed to have become a little clearer, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of worry.
"Are you worried about your illness?"
"Boss... can't my soul be exchanged for a healthy body?"
"It's not impossible, it just requires a dozen or so treatment sessions."
"Treatment sessions?"
"Take off your clothes and lie down."
"Ah... take off... my clothes?"
'Getting so intense right from the start.'
'Is he going to perform some kind of evil ritual?'
Yano steeled himself, gritted his teeth, and did as he was told. He stripped off his shirt and lay on the ground as if resigning himself to his fate.
"I'm ready, Boss."
For Lola, for his child, he could endure even the most evil and painful of rituals.
He didn't even care about death. His life was worthless anyway. As long as he could earn enough money for Lola and the child to live on before he died, that was enough.
He had been prepared for this when he made a deal with a Demon.
Chen Yu gurgled, bubbling. He had a feeling this human had misunderstood something.
"Brace yourself. This process is going to be a little painful."
To prevent Yano from moving around, Chen Yu slowly released his Hallucinogenic Factor, putting him in a dazed state.
Only then did he guide a Poisonous Sting to pierce his back.
As expected, the first sting missed its mark. Fortunately, the anesthetic effect of the Hallucinogenic Factor was top-notch, and Yano didn't feel a thing.
However, he could feel a needle pricking his back, and he finally understood why his back had been burning with pain when he woke up last time.
'So it was all from being stabbed by needles.'
Chen Yu calmly pulled out the misplaced Poisonous Sting and stabbed him with another one.
Luckily, he didn't miss this time.
As this strange ritual proceeded, Yano's consciousness gradually grew hazy. Little dancing figures appeared before his eyes—all of them naked versions of himself.
In his daze, he could hear the Demon's questions, asking his name, his origins... He found he had no will to resist and answered them one by one.
Until his consciousness finally slipped into a deep sleep.
An unknown amount of time passed before Yano's eyes shot open and he sat up from the ground.
Feeling the pain gradually return to his back and his body growing lighter, he realized the experience hadn't been a dream.
"You're awake?"
"You should head back before it gets dark, unless you want to spend the night here."
'Spend the night?'
'Spend the night in this dangerous swamp, with a Demon right next to me?'
Yano shuddered, and his hazy mind cleared in an instant.
"No, no, Boss, I wouldn't want to trouble you."
He was just starting to hurry and pack his things when two Poisonous Sting Bees landed in front of him, carrying a leaf-wrapped bundle that smelled faintly sweet and fishy.
"Poisonous Sting Bee meat paste?!"
"Is this for me, Boss?"
"Mhm, it's your delivery fee. I don't shortchange my employees on their salary."
"Remember to accept your Rider quest before you go back."
"Rider quest?"