"Yes," Violet said, her tone sounding more serious.
"The Devil King is pretty self-explanatory why he would be bad. However, he's not alive nor dead,he's sealed, yet the infection leaks out of his seal beca—"
Violet stopped herself.
"Because of unknown reasons," she said, regaining her composure.
"FUCK YES! THIS IS EXACTLY LIKE MY ISEKAI FANTASIES!"
Luraz shouted loudly, expressing his overwhelming joy.
"What the hell is an isekai?"
Rainz asked. The question made Luraz stop laughing and look serious.
"Hey bro…quit messing with me. Which year did you come from, the damn '70s? How do you not know what an isekai is?"
Luraz looked baffled by Rainz's ignorance, little knowing that Rainz didn't have his full memories yet.
"Yeah, I don't have my memories,of both worlds, okay?"
Rainz said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. Violet noticed; however, Luraz smirked when Rainz said that, and her guard could never waver or weaken.
"You lost your memories? Oww, my little delulu friend… eh, kinda disappointed in ya. I wanted a friend from my time who doesn't instantly try to kill me,"
Luraz's tone sounded disappointed. However, Violet could see right through him but didn't want to jump to conclusions out of prejudice.
They finally reached Lethoria, land of the Sloth King. When they entered the gates, it felt like they crossed a barrier; magic felt slightly heavier, but it wasn't bothersome.
"Hey Violet, where do you think the Adventurers' Guild is?"
Before Violet could speak, Luraz chimed in:
"HAH! Easy! You go find the place with the most N.P.C-looking people!"
"WE CAN NOT UNDERSTAND YOU!"
Rainz and Violet shouted in sync.
"Okay, okay, jeez. I'll explain simply: go to the place with the most bizarre-looking people; they're probably cocky adventurers."
Luraz's enthusiasm drained because he didn't like explaining in a boring way.
"Well, that's surprisingly smart. Good job, Luraz,"
Violet said, out of her mouth, not her heart. But Luraz was as cocky as ever.
"Jackpot!"
"Don't make me regret this,"
Violet replied to Luraz's cocky response.
They ventured around the kingdom. There were guards everywhere, and people seemed unnaturally calm. Even crowded shops were quiet in an uncanny way.
"Hey, uh, guys… something doesn't feel right,"
Rainz said, looking confused. Luraz felt the same.
"They aren't allowed to be loud,"
Violet said coldly.
"If they get too loud, they'd wake up their king. If that happens… eh, I don't know what would happen. The king hasn't woken up in centuries, but people do lose their heads if he even just moves in his sleep."
Her tone returned to normal, but she kept her guard up.
"What a sleepyhead… why are they even that scar—"
A guard approached Luraz, anger in his voice but quiet:
"You dare call our king such words?"
"Oh yeah? What words?"
Luraz asked with a grin.
"You said our king is a sleepyhead."
"Haha!"
Luraz laughed, pointing a finger at the guard childishly.
"You said it, not me!"
Rainz and Violet just stared at Luraz's boldness.
"That's it! You're coming with m—"
The guard was shushed by other guards and citizens, feeling shame and embarrassment as Luraz laughed loudly. Violet grabbed him, and together with Rainz, they walked away quickly.
Once they were far enough:
"Luraz… congratulations. You've earned the Dumbass of the Day title,"
Violet said, holding back her annoyance.
"Oh c'mon, twin. That was super rad, not gonna lie,"
Luraz replied.
"I'm a half-demon, you're a full human. I'm not your twin,"
Violet explained coldly, glaring at Luraz.
"And I'm a half-sexyman, half-gambler,"
Luraz smirked.
"What happened to our mission of finding the guild…"
Rainz asked, slightly confused by the sudden drift from their goal.
"Damn it, you're right. We might spend days trying to look for it in this weird kingdo—"
Luraz cut her off:
"We're already here, though, twin,"
He pointed at the backdoor of the guild—they had run into it by accident.
They entered the building. There were a lot of tables with other adventurers sitting and drinking juice or water. Alcohol wasn't allowed because they might get too loud. Everyone looked at Rainz, Luraz, and Violet.
At the reception, a very elderly woman greeted them:
"A-ah, welcome adventurers. Are you new to this to—"
"Skip skip skip skip,"
Luraz said. Rainz laughed. Violet stepped on Luraz's foot, and he shut up. The elderly lady understood them and went straight to the point.
"Sigh… just write your names and your leader, and then we can assign your roles."
The woman placed a paper and went to drink tea.
Violet grabbed the paper, and they went to sit at a table.
"Who's gonna be the leader? Oh, wait, don't answer; I already know it's gonna be m—"
Violet cut off Luraz's sentence.
"Rainz, I'll put your name as the leader. After all, this is merely 1% of your debt to Rainz Holloway."
The moment Violet said that, a new thought entered Rainz's mind. It felt carved into him. He had never truly considered how much he owed the owner of his current body, Rainz Holloway. He kept bragging about having his muscle memory and appearance but never thought about how Violet must feel, losing her love in front of her.
"Y-yes… do so,"
Rainz's voice sounded shaky, filled with regret and unnecessary guilt. It wasn't his fault, yet he found himself to blame.
"Hey V, why didn't you put your own name? Y'know, I'm the new guy, so I don't have a say. And this guy points at Rainz is a total scaredy-cat. You could've written your name and we wouldn't care."
Luraz's tone turned serious as he asked Violet a question that seemed to intrigue him.
Violet thought for a second, speaking reluctantly but trying to cover it:
"Nothing would make me happier than seeing Rainz Holloway's name be found and known… the further you dig into this question, Luraz, you'll be digging your own grave, okay?"
She said it in an uncanny casual tone. She didn't look mad, cold, or sad—rather happy, as if speaking truly from her heart. However, the last part made Luraz shiver slightly.
"Ya don't gotta tell me twice,"
Luraz said, then looked at Rainz.
"So, mister big shot, what's your next step? Becoming filthy rich from missions… and what?"
Rainz looked completely stuck in his thoughts, slightly depressed. He looked at Luraz seriously for the first time.
"I gotta pay back my debts."
Violet's eyes opened slightly, admiring Rainz's naive way of thinking.
Luraz, however, seemed a bit bored.
"Laaaaaaaaaame."
Rainz giggled at Luraz's response, then said:
"How about you, Luraz? What's your goal?"
Luraz's whole demeanor shifted defensively.
"W-where is that coming from?"
Violet smirked, finally getting something to tease Luraz with:
"Come to think of it, you did come to me on your knees and said sweet stuff to me, which felt rotten coming from you. Aww, is your goal to find a girl who can deal with your bullshit~?"
She said in a very bratty teasing tone. Luraz got annoyed and defensive.
"Go easy on him, Violet. Maybe he has a reason. Don't jump to prejudice,"
Rainz said, trying to calm both of them down.
"Yeah, fine, whatever,"
Violet said, looking away. Luraz shut up for now.
They went back to the reception. Rainz took the paper from Violet and handed it to the elderly woman.
"G-good… now for your roles, take these,"
The woman handed them three cards.
"E-excuse me for saying this, but you need to put a tiny blood sample on the card for it to recognize its holder."
They looked at each other, each biting their fingertip and placing a drop of blood on their card.
"Just… what kind of weird cult activity is this?" Luraz muttered flatly.
After that, their full name, age, blood type, and magic skills appeared on the paper by magic.
"Great, you younglings are officially adventurers. Oh… is any of you a Hopeseeker, perchance?"
Rainz and Luraz raised their hands.
"Well, kids, if you check your card, you'll see your blessing or curse pinned at the top of the skill board,"
The old woman explained. While Luraz and Rainz inspected their cards excitedly, Violet asked,
"Excuse me… why aren't the magic spells I learned saved on my card?"
Her voice was polite, but sharp.
"Oh, young lady, you need to save them on the card first. Right now, you can only use a spell once. To save it, you have to cast it in front of my son; he'll mark it with his magic pen."
"That's oddly specific… what if I cast it now?" Violet asked cautiously.
"Well… you won't be able to use that spell again until your adventurer card expires after a year, and you can only cast it once to save it," the woman explained.
Violet's eyes narrowed.
"Fine. Where's your son?"
The old lady pointed to a room. Violet stormed off, shooting Rainz and Luraz a glare.
"Wait outside. Don't leave this building, or I'll use every spell I know on you in your sleep," she warned,Rainz knew she wasnt joking, Luraz didnt want to find out
Rainz and Luraz exchanged looks after 4 hours of waiting.
"I'm bored, Luraz," Rainz muttered.
"Same," Luraz admitted, brightening suddenly.
"Ooh! I know—I'll ask my dear lovely coin some questions!"
"Good idea," Rainz said, intrigued.
Luraz's expression grew serious as he picked up the coin.
"If Rainz and I should leave this building… heads.
If we should stay and wait for Violet… tails."
He tossed the coin and covered it with his hand.
"Guess, Rainz—heads or tails?"
Rainz placed a hand under his chin, thinking.
"Tails… I really hope it's tails."
Luraz chuckled and revealed the coin: heads.
"Yes! Now let's leave."
Rainz laughed briefly, then the smile faded.
"Good joke, Luraz… really."
"No, I'm serious. Let's leave," Luraz insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Dude, you take that coin way too seriously," Rainz doesnt believe in the coin.
"It's my damn blessing. I have to listen. If it says staying here is dangerous, I'm leaving—and dragging you with me."
"I said I'm not coming, dude!" Rainz snapped. The entire guild hushed, but they ignored it.
"Fine. I'm leaving alone. I hope I'm making the right decision. But if you stay and get harmed, twin, do as you please."
Luraz left the guild, slamming the door. Luckily, sponges on the door frame muffled the sound.
Outside, muttering under his breath, Luraz encountered two jacked men.
"So, you're the punk who stole our rings and chains, huh?"
Luraz grinned awkwardly.
"Oh silly… hehe, you must be mistaken—oh, look! Behind you!"
The men didn't flinch.
"Did you think that would work on us?"
"Well… kinda? Anyways, bye—"
Before he could finish, one man slammed Luraz to the ground while the other clamped his mouth shut. The first attacked again, striking straight for his throat. The blow crushed the cricoid cartilage, snapping the delicate structures that housed his voice. Luraz's prepared excuses died in his throat.
The second man let go and muttered,
"Nyom Mend."
A green light glowed from his hand, and the injury vanished. Luraz scrambled back, silent and terrified, clawing at his neck. His mouth moved frantically, trying to shout a barrage of slurs and insults back at them but nothing came out, as if his chest his hollow.
*I can't talk… this hurts… Rainz… Violet… anyone… help!* Luraz thought to himself
The men carried him away.
High above, almost at the clouds, the castle's vice king discussed the new Hopeseeker with his chief general.
"I need an assassin to deal with him as quietly as possible," the vice king whispered, careful not to wake their king.
"But sir, if this Hopeseeker is like the previous one, direct combat is useless," the general reasoned quietly.
"I see… then I want you to send him."
The general's hand shook slightly.
"But sir… we don't know if he'll cooperate or turn against us,he is—…"
"Do as I say, or else."
The general nodded and walked down the long hall, stopping at a door. He tapped it lightly—enough to knock in the quiet castle. A man inside opened it, smiling innocently, wearing a pure white cloak. His silver hair and pearl-like eyes were almost unreal. The general entered.
"What's the problem, sir? You don't usually assign me missions,"
the man said, voice soft but confident.
"Okay, I'll play along. The new Hopeseeker of Melancholy is in town. Seen inside the Adventurers' Guild. Deal with it yourself," the general said.
The man's eyes flickered at the word "Melancholy," then widened into an uncanny grin.
"And what's my goal for this mission?"
"Know every detail and see if he uses Black Heart. Use any… creative methods you need. I leave this entirely to you, Malcor Veylen."
Malcor's grin stretched impossibly wide.
"This mission is perfect for me. I remember every tiny detail about the last Hopeseeker of Melancholy—it's nostalgic."
The general left. Malcor lingered a while, preparing for everything.
So,now back to Rainz, waiting for Violet:
"God… just how many spells does she have? And does it really take this long to save them?" he muttered out of boredom.
Malcor entered, wearing the clothes of a regular adventurer, shoes dirty and sword rusty. Chara's eyes widened, sending a zap of magic through Rainz's brain,she was not allowed to do that, using forbidden magic just to attack him in her mere spirit form, but it seems there is much much more worse than that.
"Rainz, beware that man… at all costs," Chara warned,her tone is uncanny cold and serious.
Rainz knew he doesnt need to talk physically to communicate with chara so he used hdu thoughts, thought: What the hell? He's just an adventurer. If this is one of your pranks, I'm ignoring you.
Chara's voice remained serious.
"Fine, but here's a tip, stay with him or Don't leave him."
So first I beware, now I stay close? Y'know what! I'll ignore you, Rainz decided.
Malcor sat at the same table as Rainz.
"Hey there… are you an adventurer?" His eyes sparkled with joy, his tone warm.
"Yeah, me and my party just became adventurers today. But one left out of boredom, and the other is saving her spells." Rainz explained.
Malcor's smile was genuine.
"A party of three? Not bad for day one. I hope you guys handle the infected magic beasts around the kingdom well."
The more Malcor spoke, the more comfortable Rainz felt. After so much trauma and obnoxious friends, this felt… alive.
"Thanks! We'll kick their asses. Hey… wanna join our party? You look like a solid swordsman, judging by that worn blade," Rainz offered.
"I'd be honored. My old party left me for a better swordsman, so here I am," Malcor said, glancing down, then back up with a bright smile.
"That… sucks. Well, you've got us now. I promise we won't kick you out for a better one," Rainz said confidently.
"Oh, right! I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Malcor, but my friends call me Mac. Haha!"
He chuckled softly.
"Okay, Mac. I'm Rainz."
Violet returned, looking drained.
"Oh, Violet… you're finally bac—oh… wow. What happened to you?" Rainz's tone shifted from cheerful to concerned.
"I'm hungry… and my magic is drained," Violet admitted.
Malcor looked at her.
"Go order whatever you want. It's on me."
Too tired to question, Violet nodded. Malcor touched her shoulder briefly and glanced at Rainz. Rainz didn't even look. Malcor smirked wickedly before reverting to his charming persona.
"So, Rainz… may I ask something sensitive?"
Rainz tilted his head, puzzled.
"Yeah? Sure."
"Are you a Hopeseeker… or a human from this world?"
Malcor's eyes searched Rainz's face, analyzing every tiny expression.
"I'm a Hopeseeker… I guess," Rainz thought. What's up with this guy?
"Oh, pardon me… I was just curious."
Guards entered swiftly, quietly.
"This is the one making loud noises this morning. Capture him—and his party," the lead guard ordered.
Malcor held Rainz's hand.
"Rainz, Violet, follow me. I know how to escape."
He grabbed their arms. Violet still held the giant meat-on-bone. They fled into the alleyways but were trapped. Malcor fought, slashed on his left arm—not deadly, but painful. Rainz swung his sword but was heavily cut; his blessing saved him. Violet, however, was stabbed twice in the gut.
"VIOLET!" Rainz shouted, pale, desperate. She collapsed unconscious, the guards tried to shush him but he ignored them.
He raised his hands to Malcor.
"Mac… please… drop your sword!" Malcor complied without argument.
They were captured and thrown into the dungeon under the kingdom.
Rainz held Violet's body.
"Oh god,please god,am begging you please don't let her die…"
Tears were streaming down his face malcor behind him maliciously smiled wickedly behind rainz, rainz couldnt see malcor face, he kept screaming,begging,pleading to god that she's alive
"ANYONE? CAN ANYONE USE HEALING MAGIC?!"
He glanced at Malcor. The grin vanished as he looked down.
"MALCOR… PLEASE… TELL ME YOU HAVE HEALING MAGIC! I CAN'T… I CAN'T LET HER DIE… IT WAS MY FAULT!"
Rainz cried into Violet's body. He heard a wall hitting noise and looked up, Luraz appeared.
"LURAZ! YOU'RE HERE! CAN YOU USE HEALING MAGIC?!"
Luraz fallen to madness and insanity, cracking his head to the wall, and scratching his own neck trying to scream, he has a mouth yet cant scream, he tries to talk but he's unable due to his injury, he's gone mad
"L-Luraz?"
Rainz looked at Malcor.
"MAC! PLEASE,HELP HIM! HE'S OUR FRIEND!"
Malcor slowly approached and slashed Luraz's neck mercilessly. Rainz froze, wide-eyed, terrified, he crawls backwards in fear, despair and tears streaming down his face, his mind boiling with questions with no answers.
Malcor finally walks to Rainz direction
Malcor then faced Rainz.
"I think it's the end, Hopeseeker of Melancholy—the second. I thought you were special… I thought you had Black Heart… but you're a pathetic buffoon."
Malcor looked around briefly.
"Hand me your adventurer card."
Rainz threw it at him, hands shaking.
"Let me see… hmm… you do have Black Heart. Weird… seems your condition to use it is different, that's why you're weak."
Malcor stabbed Rainz's heart. He cries and screechs in more boiling pain and unbearable fear mixed with anger, a stab worth years of trauma on rainz
"Huh? Weird… you didn't die. So you must have the actual Black Heart… then why are you so weak?"
Malcor smiled sadistically, continuing to slash and stab.
Finally, Chara's voice cut through coming to save Rainz.
"Rainz, say this if you want to escape your misery, 'death trigger' say it"
Rainz tears and screams were so loud he felt like he couldnt breath, he finally gathered all his strength and might and said it out loud
"DEATH TRIGGER"
...