Hiro was working on his biceps, lifting forty-kilogram dumbbells. Ren was sitting next to him, just lounging.
"I knew asking Marittus about a good spot for bicep curls wouldn't be in vain."
"True, the guy lent us his private outdoor gym. I was surprised they even had one here. This equipment, although mostly made of wood and metal, reminds me of our modern stuff."
"Mhm, probably because you're the one using it the most," Hiro replied, smirking mockingly.
"Buzz off." Ren shot back, stretching. "By the way, what's your special skill anyway?"
"What's with you all of a sudden? Can't you see, you idiot, that I'm busy?"
"Listen, if we're going to work as a team, we should at least know enough about each other to figure out a common strategy, don't you think? I know you'll call it naive whining for wimps, but if we want to survive, we can't just rely on you."
Hiro sighed and put down the dumbbell.
"I hate it when little punks like you are right. But fine, I guess it'd be useful if you could actually help. Status! Check this out… bet you're envious, hahaha".
A red holographic screen appeared in front of the boys:
Name: Hiro Arakawa
Status: Extraordinary Hero
Class: Fighter
Level: 500
Special Skill: Flaming Fist
(When used in battle, Flaming Fist boosts the user's physical attack power and speed by 500%.. The Flaming Fist also deals magical damage equal to 50% of the total of physical strength plus an additional 500%)
"Woah, that's insane! I got some total crap compared to you."
Hiro frowned in disapproval.
"Wait, how the hell did a moron like you get a special skill, when only extraordinary heroes are supposed to receive one?"
"Yeah… I was wondering the same thing…" he replied, awkwardly. "Status!"
This time, a yellow screen appeared before them.
Name: Ren Mizuno
Status: Hero
Class: Extraordinary Mage
(Extraordinary class unlocks a passive skill, though not as strong as that of extraordinary heroes.)
Level: 105
Passive Skill: Association
(Association blocks the ability to learn any spells beyond the basics. When cast on allies during battle, it provides additional benefits. For every new level gained by an ally during combat, the user of Association receives a fivefold boost to the power of a chosen spell. For every 100 enemies killed by allies, and 1,000 by the user themselves, Association grants a single boost in power).
"Hmmm… that old geezer didn't mention the extraordinary class at all. Maybe he's losing his marbles, or there are exceptions even he doesn't know about. Your skill doesn't look bad. Just hang back, throw Association on us, and gain some XP without moving a muscle. Perfect for a lazy bum like you. If they try anything… well, you're on your own".
"Alright… fine…"
"I'll have Luciia teach you all the basic spells she knows."
"Luciia…" Ren added with a silly, smoldering, dreamy expression.
Hiro picked up the dumbbell again and started lifting at a much faster pace.
With Ren, who turned out to be not as useless as I thought, our chances of beating Zetto increased by a few percent. Still not much. I need to make him pay for humiliating me in the throne room. Losers like him need to learn their place.
*
Tae led Zetto and Alice outside the city, into a nearby forest. Zetto and Alice had to watch out for the roots jutting up everywhere, unlike Tae, who had walked this path hundreds of times. On the way, Zetto channeled his magic into the Goddess of Kindness' Blessing, and the zombie even managed to smack a mosquito that had landed on the Messenger's shoulder.
Finally, they stopped at a small, trampled clearing, more open than the dense trees around it. Tae let out a short, tiger-like roar.
In front of them, a dark hole opened in the ground.
Hmmm… this must be some kind of interesting illusion, Zetto thought. Alice moved closer and instinctively hooked her arm around his.
"I'm scared," she said, genuinely frightened.
"There's nothing to worry about," Tae reassured them. "We Tiriga are honorable race. I promise you won't face any nasty surprises."
"Eh," Alice sighed. "If I have to, I have to."
"I'll go first. The stairs might be too dark for ordinary people."
"Thanks for the concern, but we'll manage. I probably know a spell to boost our vision. One of my skills activates it once we're inside," said Zetto.
"Mhm," Tae replied briefly, her intrigued eyes on Zetto.
Without another word, they headed into the corners of the underground corridor.
*
It took them a few minutes of careful climbing along the winding, steep stairs. They finally reached a small rectangular room, dimly lit by a single floating orb of light above. In the shadows sat only one Tiriga man, who immediately stood and stepped toward them. He was nearly two meters tall, heavily muscled, with cold but lively blue tiger-like eyes contrasting with his aged, deeply lined face. His silver hair matched his ears, and he had a scruffy, medium-length beard with equally untidy sideburns.
"So, you bring friends?" he said mockingly, giving Tae a suspicious glance. Then his eyes fell on her two companions. His face showed a mix of fear and surprise. He grabbed the first weapon he could find in the dim room – an axe. "Tae, have you lost your mind? What the hell are the Messenger and Laraine's favorite maid doing here? Not a step further!" he shouted, pointing the axe at Zetto.
"I'm not who you think I am," Zetto said, keeping his cool. "Alice volunteered as one of fourteen to help the newly summoned heroes on their mission. I picked her for my team. Tae brought us here because it turns out our interests align."
"Father, don't start a fight with them. I've seen what this man can do. When he left the Golden District, I attacked him without knowing what kind of hero he was. If I'd faced someone more fanatically devoted to Atoria's ideals, we wouldn't even be talking now."
Tae's father exhaled sharply and then lowered his weapon.
"I'm Gerai, leader of the last Tiriga tribe and sworn enemy of the current king, Hatara VII. I expect an explanation," he said, staring sternly at Tae.
Zetto thought this was the first time he'd heard the name of the one who had summoned them.
Even though I hate people from my class, I should feel some sort of gratitude to that old man on the throne. Thanks to that unexpected summoning, I finally get to be someone.
"I don't think I need to introduce Alice. I'm Zetto, the Messenger, class: Healer."
"A Messenger who's a Healer? Hmmm… strange coincidence," Gerai mused, rubbing his chin.
"What do you mean by that?" Zetto asked, genuinely puzzled.
"That girl" – he nodded toward the silent, unusually quiet Alice – "should know best."
Is she hiding something from me? Zetto glanced at her, a distant flicker of anger reflected in his eyes. Memories of Makoto, who had pretended to be his friend only to stab him harder than Hiro ever did, flashed through his mind. I still wonder why he did it. I won't let history repeat itself. I need to know. I need to know that Alice isn't lying, that she isn't just another illusion…
"Even I," the zombie began in a trembling voice, "used her name only when we were alone. I never said it so casually like you just did, it was precious to me. The day the princess asked me to call her a friend was the happiest day of my life. I thought nothing could separate us. Your kind has no right to speak her name like that!" Alice sniffled. "I could never understand why the Tiriga, who fought alongside us for centuries under the same banner, would kill such a wonderful person, the most talented healer among the royal descendants?! I told her to stay in the palace that day," She broke down completely, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"That's not true! It wasn't us!" Tae snapped, offended. "Even you fell for that vile propaganda? As someone close to the princess, you should know that the Tiriga were respected and privileged during her time. Why would we do such a thing? That crazy old man had no one else to vent his anger and sorrow on. Someone spread a rumor that the princess's killer had cat-like ears. We were blamed because so many envied our talents and honors. We're few now, and we still have to hide underground like miserable worms! You know the supposed murder by one of us isn't true!"
"I… I… don't know," Alice said, trying to calm herself. "When the princess died, her loss hurt me twice as much. Ever since she disappeared, everyone treated me like I didn't exist, and nobles took out their frustrations on me, since zombies can't die. On top of that, the country I loved went mad. Harassing your kind was too much, but if any of you really did kill her… I couldn't forgive it. Zetto is the only one who saved me from that nightmare. All I really want... is to find the true culprit and make sure they get what they deserve."
So that's what they meant by the coincidence. Alice had been honest with me from the start. Maybe after my school experiences I'm just getting too paranoid? No, it's just caution. Or… I think it is. Either way, a weight off my shoulders.
"Tiriga," Gerai said after a moment, "fight for the same cause and to clear our name. We loved Princess Laraine more than any of her subjects. And…" He turned to Zetto. "It's quite possible you're a dayun," the chief added, smiling faintly with hope.
"Dayun?" the messenger asked, surprised.
"Dayun," Tae explained, "in our beliefs, it's the universe balancing itself. If a pure-hearted person dies too soon, someone appears to punish those responsible. It's not just a universal law, it can be individual people carrying out that will."
"I'm starting to suspect my summoning into this world has a lot more to do with the princess than I first thought," Zetto added.
"I'm glad we cleared some things up, though some questions remain," Gerai said. "As far as I know my daughter, she brought you here to prove your words - and that you're honest allies of the Tiriga."
"Give us a task, and we'll handle it," Zetto said with a hint of arrogance. "The more allies I gain against the newly summoned heroes, the better for me."
"I like your spirit," Gerai laughed. "But understand, even if your help is useful, I can't pay you. Once proud Tiriga now live day to day in shame."
"No problem. I think we can work out a deal. Give me one of the toughest, most important tasks, and in return I'll take your daughter…"
"W-w-what?!" Tae exclaimed, blushing and shocked.
"…permanently, into my party. I could use someone good in close combat," Zetto finished, but Gerai ignored the last part. He stepped dangerously close, his eyes blazing with anger.
"You think I'd give my only, beautiful Tae to someone weak like you? Even if you want her in your party, you have to prove your worth as a man and as a warrior."
"Dad, stop! Zetto, what were you thinking, asking my father for something like that? We barely even know each other!"
"I don't see anything strange about it", he replied, shrugging. "That's why I asked for the hardest task".
"Your audacity is unforgivable", Gerai said gravely.
"Huh?" Zetto replied, confused.
"Zetto", Alice said quietly, her soft voice even gentler, "You probably don't know Tiriga customs. Asking the chieftain's daughter to join your party in exchange for the hardest task is like…", she leaned closer to his ear and whispered the details.
"Mhm. Mhm… wait, what?!", Zetto exclaimed, surprised and a little embarrassed. He looked back at Gerai, who was burning with anger. "Sorry, that's not what I meant, I just thought Tae could be useful as…"
"Silence. If you prove yourself worthy, then it will be Tae's choice."
"Zetto is really strong. I wouldn't have any problem fighting by his side" , the tigress said with a small smile that quickly turned into irritation "but I don't know what made you take such extreme steps to get me in your party".
"In two days" Tae's father said grim "from that cursed capital I'd rather forget the name of, a caravan will leave. According to our information, it will carry five high-ranking nobles responsible for ethnic purges. The caravan will be guarded by fifty knights and mages, along with few assigned heroes. If you manage to kill the nobles by yourself, then I will agree to your request. Tae will go with you, but she will not fight. The caravan's first stop is a small town called Varlen, half a day's journey from here. If you leave today, you might be able to use the element of surprise."
"Then we better leave as soon as possible to plan the right strategy", said Zetto.
Gerai didn't answer. He let out a disapproving grunt, as if he didn't believe Zetto could do it.
"Come on" Tae said, pulling her hood over her head "I'll lead you back to the main path".
*
The next day…
The three-person team, led by the tiger woman, had traveled quite a distance. As dusk approached, they neared a grove.
"We're almost there," Tae announced. "About two more hours' walk, and we should reach the place."
"Time for a break." added Alice.
"Is that necessary? I can easily help us recover," Zetto replied, turning to the maid.
"Do you know how my tummy's growling so badly??" Alice said, making a suffering face. "Most undead don't need to eat, but sometimes some zombie organs stay alive. For me, it's the digestive system," she admitted, looking downcast.
"I won't lie, I could eat something too," Tae added. "I'm not that hungry, but…" The growling in her stomach suggested otherwise. "Who am I kidding? I've been surviving on a handful of roots for a day and a half. I'd raid the whole pantry if I had the chance."
"Hm, alright, no problem," Zetto answered flatly. "We can handle wild animals and bandits, but lunch is a bit tricky. Even if we find food, we don't have anything to cook it in."
"Don't worry about that, hehe," Alice said, beaming proudly, and stretched out her open hand. "Pot, appear!" Suddenly, a large copper pot appeared between her and Zetto.
"You never told me you could do that," the Messenger said, surprised.
"Oh! Right, the king didn't mention it because it's not exactly essential knowledge for heroes. But since you have your own maid, I'll explain. Ahem. Servants have passive skills from birth that help with household tasks. They usually inherit them from their parents, which makes it a hereditary caste. You really have to try hard not to end up serving someone if you have a servant's passive skill. On one hand, it's kind of depressing, but on the other, it makes our work much easier. Status!"
A black screen appeared in front of the team.
Name: Alice Volie
Status: Undead (Zombie)
Class: Maidservant
Level: 1
Passive Skill: Maid's Pocket
(Maid's Pocket allows the user to summon everyday household items on command. It can also summon purchased household items.)
"Unfortunately, it has its limits" sighed the zombie. "I can only store one of each type of item. If I buy a new, better pot and want to summon it with my pocket, I have to do something with the old one".
"Oh, I see. That's actually pretty handy if you think about it. I guess if you'd mentioned it in your presentation, I might have had some competition, haha".
"You meanie!" Alice puffed out her cheeks. "You're wrong. If I showed off my maid skill, they'd just laugh at me even more. In our culture, it's not something to brag about."
"You two have quite the chitchat" Tae interjected "but could we, please, focus on food?", her stomach growled again.
"Ah, of course. Sorry, I'm such a chatterbox. Hmm… " the maid looked around. "If I'm not mistaken, there are plenty of fruit bushes nearby. I'll make a sweet and filling stew out of them", humming to herself, Alice headed off.
"One of us should go with you, just in case you need protection" called Zetto after her.
"No need! I'll stay in sight, and I have the medallion you bought me. You guys better get some firewood ready. Oh!" Alice crouched and summoned a wicker basket. She began picking the first fruits.
"I'll do it" Tae said. "I grew up in the wild anyway" the tiger woman stepped a few paces into the woods, looking for dry, usable branches.
"So… what should I do?" asked a confused Zetto.
"You can just watch and keep me company. Unless, of course, that's not a fitting role for a big messenger" she added with a laugh.
"Okay then" Zetto said, watching Tae's tail peeking out from the bushes.
"Oh, and I heard" Tiriga spoke up again "that you bought your cute little maid a pendant."
"…please don't put it like that, I'm starting to feel awkward" Zetto added with a blasé expression.
"Don't you think you should replace the swords you broke? How am I supposed to fight otherwise?"
"You've got your claws."
"Yeah, but I'd rather use them only as a last resort," she said, stepping out with a big pile of branches. Zetto gestured to help, but the independent, strong-willed tigress waved him off. "Besides, cleaning them is a nightmare," she added, placing the branches on the ground. "Do you know how hard it is to scrub dried blood and meat off? And anyway, I didn't train with weapons just to leave this skill unused", she added, then began moving the nearby stones around the pile of branches, forming a temporary barrier to stop the fire from spreading further.
"Hm, alright. After this mission, I'll have to go back to the capital anyway, so I'll take you to the Golden District for some shopping."
"N-no need!" she said, puffing up and crossing her arms. "Besides, I wouldn't even be allowed in. They'd recognize me instantly from my tiger ears and stripes."
"I think we can figure out a way for you to sneak in incognito."
Alice's humming grew louder. The zombie returned with two baskets: the first filled with fruit, the smaller one holding some herbs and spices.
"Done!" she said, proud of herself. "Oh, sorry for making you wait. Tableware, appear!" Next to the pot, a wooden round table and three chairs appeared.
"Aren't we drawing a bit too much attention?" Tae asked, looking surprised. "A fancy picnic in the middle of a modest grove is basically an invitation for unexpected guests."
"Don't worry about it. I've already cast a cloaking spell on us. And even if someone shows up who could see through our disguise, I'll wipe them out with a single spell" Zetto said, shrugging
"You don't know how much your confidence annoys me, but… you're right."
"Zetto, hand me some kindling!" the zombie commanded.
"Ah, right." The messenger opened his hand. A small flame jumped from his palm straight under the cauldron, igniting the branches Tae had gathered.
Alice began cooking. It didn't take her long. While working on the dish, he also summoned plates and utensils.
"Done!" she said, proudly presenting her meal, which looked like a jelly with pieces of strawberry-like fruit. "A hearty, sweet-and-herby treat, ready!"
"Fiiinally! I was starving." Tae exclaimed.
The rest of the evening passed in jokes and conversations about everything and nothing. Shortly after eating, it was time for rest in the form of sleep. Zetto volunteered to take the watch tonight.
The pleasant crackling of the slowly smoldering fire mixed with the sounds of the forest animals. Alice and Tae slept in the makeshift bedding summoned by the zombie. Zetto sat on an old stump he had found nearby. Earlier, Alice had insisted on leaving a chair for him, but he said he could manage without one. Zetto stared into the fire with a vacant, gloomy gaze.
This is what it feels like to not be alone, isn't it? he thought, then looked up at the sky. I don't know what will come of these bonds that are just beginning to sprout. Will Alice and Tae turn their backs on me when they find out what I really plan to do to the other heroes? Will I become a monster to them, just as Hiro, Ren, and Makoto are monsters to me?
I don't want to lose the trust I'm just starting to build. My life used to be like a dark, cold night with not a single light on the horizon. Now I see sparks of the first flames, enough to warm it.
Zetto's eyes dropped to the ground. He tried to hold back, but still, a single tear fell onto the sand.
Damn it. I thought I'd gotten used to suffering in solitude. The truth is… I don't want to face life without anyone anymore.