Thank you everyone for the patience with the story!

It will still update rarely for now!

Lair

Chapter 043.5 – Feeling Lost (Mina)

By Skalsar

Mina had told Mardo quite a few things about what had happened.

Not about the abusive character of her guardian, but about lending money and searching for hints about her mother, the [Hero] Idril that died in the [Quon Village Dungeon].

About Gram and her exploring.

How she returned emptyhanded and was therefore reduced to being a slave.

Even a few things about her class escaped her while she was at it.

After running away and hiding, it was a good feeling to finally talk to someone again.

Like this, they arrived at [Mafay Village] thanks to the [Field Walk] at the [Adventurer Guild].

But she couldn't just go into the dungeon again.

First, she would have to find Gram.

And maybe talk to the [Local Lord].

Mardo had told her about him and the [Village Chief] and they sounded like good people.

The chance was, that they might help her.

Mardo therefore wanted to go to the lord first and talk about something important before arranging a meeting for them. In the meantime, Mina could search for Gram. But..

How was it that no one seemed to know about where Gram was?

Looking around, color was everywhere.

Sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker.

Few had seen a boy like what she described, but that was over a month ago.

Couldn't be he was stupid enough to go back into the dungeon again, right?

Like.. alone.. When they had already failed.. right..?

The thought hit Mina hard.

What was this sudden pain, the feeling as if someone was pressing against her chest.

Gram was just a boy after all.

What if he thought that it was just bad luck to lose to that [Slime], because of their inexperience?

But that wasn't the case.

The dungeon was clearly too much for them.

Not to mention Gram not being able to escape with [Dungeon Walk].

The [Queen] that casually threw them out should have been more than enough proof for that.

You don't cheat death like this twice.

And still she was thinking about entering again herself too.

>Eek!The man fell besides her.

>I'm sorry! I was..

>... and shall burn those who are lost in corruption!Screams appeared.

How long had she drifted off, thinking about the boy?

She tried to focus and see what was going on, but the colors were so bright.

Orange was everywhere.

>This.. isn't color..?

Fire spread everywhere and a laughter echoed through the village.

Poeple were running and bodies dropped dead.

Faster then she could watch, a man rushed through the masses and slaughtered many with a swing of his sword.

Chaos broke loose everywhere.

'Why?

Just why?', she thought.

Was death following her even here?

'Am I just a toy for the gods to suffer?', she wanted to cry as the [Paladin] noticed her and stepped near.

>Noooo!>I don't want to die! I don't want to die! I don't want to..

This was too much.

People dying left and right, as if they were just cattle.

And then, the [Paladin] stood before her.

Touching her head with his left hand.

>Oww, don't worry little one.

You aren't from here, right?

I shall protect you.

I will get rid of this corrupted filth for you any moment now.

She didn't dare to breath.

Wetting herself as he just left and continued the slaughter.

Fire spreading from one house to the other.

Blood flowing beneath her feet, as a severed head fell before her.

She didn't dare to move from her spot and closed her eyes, hoping it would be over soon.

Telling herself there was nothing she could do.

But a small whisper remained.. 'Why aren't you even trying to stop that man..?'.

END OF VOLUME I