“So, you’ll be having your first purge today huh?” [Ellie]

“Yeah… it’s only a tria purge though…” [Lan]

“Don’t underestimate purgatory Lan. A purge is a purge, no matter how low level it is, you can’t be too cautious” [Vin]

“There aren’t any cases of vessels killed during their tria purge though. I think you’ll be fine Lan. Despite your abnormal arcana, your skill makes up for it” [Elena]

“You’re just buttering me up. I know I’m weak” [Lan]

““!””

“Where’d you get that idea Lan? Of course we aren’t buttering you up!” [Ellie]

“Hah… I thought I made a good job at hiding it” [Vin]

“Shh Vin! Shhhh!” [Ellie]

“It’s alright you guys, nevertheless I’m still going. I’ll just have to fight smart” [Lan]

““…””

“Intelligence is the lifeline of the weak, I’ll find my own way to be strong” [Lan]

* * * * *

After our training session, I went home and prepared for my first purge.

I bought three days’ worth of food provisions and water, I had my dagger mounted at the back of my waist, I don’t have armor but I have a long sleeve turtleneck made from steelworm’s silk and with this my preparations are complete.

Ember gave me a hug then I left, I already told Ellie and Vin earlier that I’d set off today so there’s no need to say my farewells further, I’ll just tell them about the purge after.

I arrived in town then spotted Ellie in her casual clothes, it looks like she’s waiting for someone…? Does she have a date or something? she’s quite famous, pretty and strong as well; why wouldn’t she have a boyfriend, right?

“Ah! Lan! What a coincidence… Are you headed to purgatory?” [Ellie]

“Hmm yeah. How about you?” [Lan]

I took a long look from top to bottom, as if hinting her to say if she’s out on a date-

“W-What a coincidence! I-I’m headed that way too. How about we go there together?” [Ellie]

So she says… Headed to purgatory in casual clothes? Hmmm maybe she didn’t have a date after all? Oh well-

“Sure, let’s go!” [Lan]

Purgatory was pretty close but we took our time talking before we got there. We also got some street food from the stalls-

“Ah, it’s almost time for my tria purge, I’ll be going on ahead. Bye Ellie!” [Lan]

“Good luck Lan! Make sure you come home safe, we’re waiting!” [Ellie]

“Of course!” [Lan]

I arrived at the station outside of Purgatory, lots of strong people everywhere; I feel overwhelmed. I can’t waver, my resolve is absolute. I don’t have brute force so I’ll just have to fight with my head. We have a guide and a team this time so I don’t think I have to worry too much-

“We won’t be accepting anymore tria purge vessels on this team, let’s head out!” [Guide]

“I’m finally heading to purgatory! But why do I have to be in a team with this lowblood” [Midblood I]

“Tsk, don’t bring us down. If you do, it ain’t the monsters that you need to be worried about” [Midblood II]

“It’s just my luck to be paired with someone as weak as him” [Highblood I]

Aaaaaaaaaah…

Music to my ears…

I don’t even need to ask who they’re referring to.

These people all have armor, proper equipment, training and all that prestige that comes with money yet they’re with this plebian who doesn’t even have a substance of arcana.

I’d call them typical side characters but the side character is probably me…

“Silence! In purgatory there are no bloods, no class, no hierarchy. In purgatory, all rules of society vanish. Once we step inside, we are all monster fodder so shut up and let’s go!” [Guide]

…

Seems like they hit the guide’s sore spot. Oh well, that’s that.

We were all given bond bracelets beforehand so that we’d end up on the same floor. We then headed inside the gate to enter purgatory then…

“Welcome to purgatory! Stay alert and follow me. Listen to my instructions if you don’t want to die or left behind” [Guide]

“Hey, where’d that lowblood go?”

“He was right behi- huh? he’s not here?”

Shit happened.