Chapter 16

While talking, Rain’s expression softened.

He recalled his lover’s serious face, though sometimes, even if she looks cold, she was actually quite easy to get lonely.

When she does, she would seek intimacy as much as she could. She would hold him, pull him and hug him closer. It’s as if she was trying to take as much warmth from him as she could. And he loves those moments.

Rain felt his existence was necessary—as if he had found something he could give her in return for all the help she had given him.

Zarda furrowed her beautiful eyebrows and flashed a doubtful looked and stared at him as if she was trying to ascertain whether if Rain was saying the truth or not. However, she didn’t say anything; in fact, surprise flashed across her eyes.

Because——

When Rain said those words, his pupil, even the sound of his heartbeat, told her that everything the man in front of her said held his words in full belief.

Of course, with those sharp ruby eyes, Rain felt as if Zarda can see through if he was lying or not… that is why he said, he didn’t remember anything about this world instead of ‘I don’t remember anything’… which is in fact not a lie. He didn’t know anything nor could he remember anything about this world. He wasn’t a local since he came from another world!

How could he know about this world?

Therefore, he wasn’t lying at all.

At the same time, he was also not telling the entire truth…

As a matter of fact, this wasn’t a misconception. Rain’s suspicion was spot on. His pulse, his breathing rate, perspiration, movements, gestures, Zarda doesn’t have mind-reading skills but she was observing every change in Rain's body.

This is what most people refer to, Cold Reading…

And even if she has the skill to know whether he was lying or not, Rain was certain that he wouldn’t be found out because he wasn’t lying at all. And Zarda was able to know that. On reflex, she wanted to conclude that he was lying. Or perhaps, he was hiding something. However, whatever Rain did, was not shown to have a lie.

If what he said was a lie, then this man, at any circumstances could fake a lie perfectly.

But could such a person actually exist…?

Listening to the heartbeat of this Human youth, aside from the truth and affection, any reaction wasn't felt, causing Zarda to gasp. Is there really a human who bears no ill will towards existence like them?

It would have been acceptable towards Beastmen, but they are Demi-Humans—considered as Monsters.

“So you really are fine with her being a monster…?”

“What do you mean by a monster?” Rain smiled wryly. “In my opinion, Monster is a subjective term. Who is a true monster is not decided by race…never was. Indeed, in the view of humans, you might be monsters, but are you really one? Monsters are depicted as evil, whose appearance frightens and whose powers of destruction threaten the world's social and moral order…if that’s the case, then wouldn’t a human be considered monsters as well?”

“… …?!”

Rain chuckled in amusement as he looks above him—“In a world devoid of you and other strange races, the word Monster is still being carried out. But do you know who was known as a monster by all? Not your kind, of course, since you didn’t exist. Rather, it’s the fellow humans who carried evil, cruel and blood tainted hands. Then, if that’s the case, why is the word Monster used as a Noun? Just because something that is partly not human, you will call them monsters?”

“It’s hard to understand what you are saying… though, I somehow seemed to get it. However, if only all humans think the same as you,” Zarda smiled wryly, her eyes turning moist—whether she realized it or not.

“Humans would not, but perhaps not all. There might be people who share the same opinion as me. However, as they say, humans are social creatures. To avoid alienation, they just follow the crowd. Because most people fear the unknowns, detests those who might challenge their social standing and status, they tried to display their superiority and overwhelm those who they think are lowly. Well, perhaps there are also other factors, but in any case, I only judge what I see, hear and feel with my heart. Hence, I can't call you monsters due to your race, or appearance alone.”

Rain shrugged his shoulders; “I won’t be the one to judge whether you are indeed monsters or not, but you yourself. You will be the one to give me the answer to that…”

“That’s what people call naivety, you know…” Zarda smiled helplessly. “Suddenly trusting us, who were considered terrible monsters in this world, you might lose your life without you realizing it,”

“Perhaps… what, you’re disappointed that I am the type who talks about ideals rather than reason…?” Rain was unperturbed as he sent a taunting smile in response.

Zarda was surprised for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing. Though this time her laugh seemed unrestrained and for some reason, her heart seemed to have become more open to Rain.

Rain notices it, and his lips curled into a wry smile.

“No, I think I like you more like that than pretentious humans who judge everything just based on appearance. Just that I can’t truly believe you…at least for now. So do forgive me for that,”

“You’re quite frank,”

“There’s no use pretending, am I right Rain? You will be with us, longer than you can imagine. There’s no use faking everything,” Zarda smiled mischievously.

“I don’t think I quite like the sound of that…”

“Oh, you will, in due time…”

“I’m going to say this, but my heart already belongs to Lafetti…” said Rain with a serious expression.

“… …” Zarda smiled in response, but she didn’t say anything. She didn’t deny his words, nor agreed to it either. She just smiled mysteriously.

Rain furrowed his brows, not knowing what Zarda was thinking. However, he suddenly felt a bad premonition or some sort, just by staring at her back. What is she planning?

“...she’s not going to do anything bad to me, right?” Rain who was following the group through the woods, ask the silver-haired Lamian beside him. “I, I trust her…”

“Even though you say that your expression is not convincing at all, you know?” Stagna smiled wryly. “And also, rather than telling that to me, you should say that to her instead,”

“I actually trust her, you know… I’m trying. But your Chief is just a little bit weird… she’s looking at me like I’m some sort of expensive steak from time to time—humans are not among your diet, right?”

“Perhaps not, but we do eat meat…” Stagna grinned.

“Eh?”

“…good luck,”

While saying that Stagna giggled in amusement as she grabbed his arm and drags him gently.

“H, hey,” Looking at her, it’s hard to imagine she was trying to kill him a while ago. Though the Lamian called Drova was still somewhat stiff and looks at him with vigilance, but it was far better than before. Seeing them like this, it’s really hard to see them as mere monsters.

While walking through the woods, Rain finally noticed something odd—there was actually sunlight peering through the thick leaves of the enormous trees. It’s as if they have gone outside of the cave, but were they?

“Of course not, we are still in the Desolate Cave. Still, you really didn’t know anything, do you?”Zarda said with a wry smile.

Then, she started explaining.

It seems like this cave was shaped like a big bowl, it has an open crater which was quite enormous. And within this crater that the looked like a big hole from the outside, was covered with dense vegetation and forest. This could be said to be the heart of the Desolate Cave.

Truthfully, no one knows how big the Desolate Cave truly is. There are still many places and areas that are not fully explored yet. However, it’s certainly is bigger than one could expect or imagine. If Rain has to make a comparison according to his understanding from Zarda’s explanation, then aside from the known surface, where they were currently at, the places underneath the ground was much more complex like an Anthill.

There are many paths that lead to the underground, and if you don’t know your way, you might actually get lost as if it was like a maze.

However, although it looked like a paradise due to the forest, it was actually not. 70-80% of plants and resources are not edible, and poisonous, some monsters even like the Poisonous Ivy. What even worse is that there is a completely high number of different kinds of tribes and monster races living in this Cave, and every day is like a fight for survival.

Most races were brutal and aggressive and they like to plunder and attack other villages and tribes than to live peacefully.

It truly is like a competition for survival every day.

They even called the Desolate Cave a natural Dungeon. Though, it still has yet to become truly a Dungeon. However, with how diverse and enormous it was, it just less inferior to Dungeons. Powerful monsters reside in this place, hence, most human adventurers didn’t dare waltz in this place without any important purposes.

Rain listened to what Zarda said, and somewhat felt it was truly lucky that he had managed to survive up until now.

Although he knows that this was a Monster Lair, even still, it seems like he was truly still underestimating this place.

Going around behind Lafetti’s back is really a foolish choice.

He could have lost his life at any given moment.

The group pass through a creek then fought treant-like monsters. Watching them battle, Rain was somehow able to understand the structure of their party. Although all of them can use magic, they have their own preference in combat.

Drova was a swordsman, and Stagna was an Archer as well as part-time Magic User as well. Her wind magic was especially strong. As for Zarda, she can use a sword, so she can be said to be a swordsman. However, she was especially strong as well in terms of magic. More like, she was like a cheater in terms of magic. Her capabilities were beyond the ceiling...she's super strong.

And she has a variant affinity at that—[Ice].

Looking at her freezing everything was a sight to behold. If the ancient Medusa can turn those who saw her eyes into stone, then Zarda can make them into ice sculptures.

While admiring their appearance as they fought against monsters, suddenly—

“Rain?!!”

An extremely loud cry appeared in the area.

Rain who was extremely familiar with that voice immediately turned around.

“Lafetti?!” Rain happily called out. Not so far away from them, there was the figure of an emerald –haired Lamian breathing hard, which had become a very important pillar of his life. If it was not Lafetti, then who was it?

It seemed like she had just returned from hunting as she was dragging a cow-like animal with three horns, and together with her was also a group of Lamians who was displaying confused expression, some even shock when they noticed Rain among Zarda’s group. After all, no matter how he looks at every angle--he is a Human!

The moment Lafetti caught sight of Rain, *daa――――* she dashed.

Like that, Rain was thinking that she would embrace him with a loving expression just like usual but……

When she arrived, she forcefully grabbed Rain’s arm and pulled him towards her, even her tail coiled around his body, tightening. And rather than loving expression, Lafetti’s expression was serious and completely full of anxiety.

She drags Rain a few meter distance from Zarda’s group and grasped his face, then his arms, and looking at the rope binding his arms, fury flashed in her eyes. More so, when Lafetti noticed the several wounds and cuts on his body as well as face—

“YOU DARE!!!”

Lafetti assumed for the worst and her top blew out. She pulled her sword and her tail uncoiled from Rain, only to lash it out towards Zarda and the others. It was a full-powered strike that can break even the largest oak in an instant.

“Lafetti, don’t!!”

Drova and Stagna also felt Lafetti’s change and immediately cried out. Anxious. However, it was too late, Lafetti was already beyond calm.

When she saw Rain being surrounded by Zarda, Drova, and Stagna, she already assumed for the worst. Now, seeing him tied up with bruises and cuts on his body, Lafetti had already forgotten what calm is, and her mind blanks out in utter rage.

Much less Rain, even Zarda and the rest didn’t expect for her to attack all of a sudden. Her long serpentine tail swung towards Zarda and the others without any hesitation. Her expression turned fierce, like an angry demon god.