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S-grade Hunters, just like a bunch of high-level video game characters suddenly teleported by dungeon gimmicks, our girl Olgania, the child of the World Tree, got whisked away to somewhere in Hwangwoo Valley.
Now, dungeons aren’t exactly sentient beings, but sometimes they’re treated as living entities. The basic rule behind a dungeon’s teleportation mechanism is determining strength based on the quality of mana.
While other elves were merely at the A-grade Hunter level and thus not suitable targets for the dungeon’s teleportation, Olgania was different. She was a child of the World Tree, a member of the hero party that had fought against the Demon King, and she could hold her own in close combat against the famed Mangja Seongnyeo Shia—definitely a rare breed.
So, it’s not that surprising that the dungeon designated Olgania as an S-grade Hunter and teleported her.
“Oh my! Oh my… where on earth am I…?”
With hands scratching her cheeks in a flustered manner, Olgania’s face looked like that of a helpless woman in need of help. But alas, anyone who knew her would surely tell her to stop with the nonsense right away.
Especially Yujin.
“It’s troubling~ I can’t see our Yujin…”
Actually, the fact that Olgania got teleported somewhere in the dungeon wasn’t that big of a deal. The real issue was that it left her feeling rather displeased about being forced away from Yujin.
–grrrr…
–moooh…
And it didn’t help that Olgania’s left hand was clutching three Minotaurs in a thoroughly unfortunate state.
“Oh dear, are you hurt?”
With a sweet smile, Olgania looked down at the Minotaurs at her feet, checking on their well-being.
For reference, the three Minotaurs that had fallen to her were considered elite fighters, boasting titles far beyond the average muscle-bound Minotaurs in Hwangwoo Valley.
Truth be told, Olgania hadn’t planned to reduce them to this sorry state. But the male Minotaurs, upon seeing the beautiful Olgania, had gotten a bit too excited, thinking of using her as their breeding machine. With her excellent senses and high nature affinity, Olgania had, despite not showing it, utterly rage-smacked the elite Minotaurs down into the dirt.
The title of elite fighter was designated to those who could take on ten Minotaurs solo. To gain such a title in a dungeon inhabited by these collectively strong muscle-bound Minotaurs, one needed to show extreme effort and natural talent.
“Are you okay? Does it hurt? I’m sorry!”
And there she was, poking the three elite Minotaurs like they were mere toys, asking if they were alright.
Yet those defeated Minotaurs were too mentally exhausted from fear and despair to answer her questions.
Even if they could muster a response, these elite Minotaurs didn’t care about the hierarchy involving Hunters or humans.
To be blunt, those elite Minotaurs might have had plans to toy with a fragile-looking elf barely reaching their knees. They definitely didn’t expect her to do a number on them with just one hand.
While the fallen elite warrior was still recovering from the shock, Olgania smashed one of their necks with her foot, rendering that elite Minotaur utterly incapacitated.
The other two, fueled by rage, attempted to charge at Olgania, but it was like a punch to a brick wall; their fists shattered against her delicate form.
The last one was pinned down by unseen elemental forces, unable to fight back.
“Do you happen to know where this place is? We need to get back before our Yujin cheats on us.”
–moooh…
–grrrr…
“Are you not willing to answer me? Sigh, how troubling…”
–mooohhh!
With a gentle expression on her face, just as a defeated elite Minotaur, twisted in fear and rage, suddenly swung a fist at her in desperation.
“Oh dear.”
A fist larger than Olgania’s body swung like a sledgehammer, creating a massive gust of wind, but the overwhelming force simply halted right in front of her.
–Kya-ha-ha!
–Ah-hah!
–Grrr-rr!
Tiny wind spirits, blessed by the World Tree, took the form of young girls. They threw a counter-wind against that Minotaur’s punch, halting his attack.
Inside that small space, a whirlwind erupted, completely restricting the Minotaur’s ability to move, as he was caught in the storm and unable to pull back or strike.
“Oh dear, oh dear… Hehe, hehehe~”
With a kind smile, Olgania grasped the Minotaur’s horn that had just attacked her.
“I did give you a chance, didn’t I?”
–mooohh!!
Crack!!
–Mooohhhhh!!!
Olgania, with one hand, snapped the massive Minotaur’s horn off, leaving the fainted Minotaur behind and surveyed her surroundings once more.
It was a bit awkward since there was no one around.
She wanted to find her way out, but Olgania currently didn’t have an AI drone or a smartwatch.
Sure, even if she had those, the dungeon’s gimmicks and mana density made the way back nothing short of a headache.
Despite all the battling, not a single soul had arrived in response to the noise, suggesting there were no Hunters in a one-kilometer radius.
–Kwang!
[Frost Infection]
“Oh my?”
Just then, Olgania spotted a massive mountain of ice in the distance, and a wave of relief washed over her.
‘Speaking of which, there’s that Yeonhwa among the S-grade Hunters, right?’
Though they may not be best buddies, it would still be a blessing to meet someone she has even the slightest connection with.
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Hello there!
This is Mangja Seongnyeo Isia.
Why am I suddenly greeting you, you ask?
Well, typically, greeting someone signifies a physical meeting or farewell, but it can also indicate a psychological separation or change through the fluctuation of one’s inner thoughts and feelings.
In my case, it’s more of the latter.
You might be wondering just why I’m feeling this psychological shift…
“I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia. I’m disappointed in Shia.”
Is this a hero or a zombie?
The golden aura that used to shine brightly around Menelapie transformed into a ashen aura, spreading a gloomy and sinister energy, making her look like a horror movie come to life—walking with limbs drooping like those of a zombie or ghoul.
If you only looked at her appearance, she resembled an elder lich rather than a golden hero.
“………..”
“……. Is that you, Seongnyeo Shia?”
Even Lilybet, who usually radiated positivity and kindness, was trembling beside me, whispering under her breath.
“What’s up with Menelapie all of a sudden…?”
“We should just keep quiet, okay?”
“Y-yeah, let’s do that…”
Even the extremely my-pace character of Lilybet was struggling to delve into this topic.
You’re wondering why Menelapie has changed so suddenly?
To put it bluntly:
I said one thing wrong, and this is what came of it.
Just one sentence: “Menelapie, I’m disappointed!”
That golden warrior, that emperor I knew…
Is it all my fault now?
No, to be honest, isn’t it?
‘Did I really expect this outcome!?’
The Menelapie I knew was a heroic figure from scripture or an ancient legend—a being akin to a god. Stronger against the mighty, gentle and caring towards the weak, her qualities embodied the term ‘gentle strength’.
Not just a strong hero, but one who maintained a firm grip on the imperial reign without wavering through all the brutal politics of the empire.
Among the strongest spirits I knew, Menelapie was someone I admired deeply.
To see someone I believed in turn completely devastated by a joke I made is quite a sight to witness.
“You can’t just apologize?”
The apology I just attempted was my seventh attempt!
But it seemed she wouldn’t hear a thing…
“Hey, Menelapie, I’m sorry…?”
“Shia… Shia… Shia… my Shia… Shia… Shia… Shia… my Shia… Shia… Shia…”
Uh-oh, this isn’t good!
She can’t hear me.
At this moment, Menelapie couldn’t perceive anything. No sounds entered her ears—not even my voice!
Menelapie had attained an incredible level of concentration. Whether it was due to her capabilities as an emperor or a hero, once she fell into her own world, she shut out all senses and sounds around her.
No matter how much I shouted “It was a joke!” or “I’m sorry!” splattered with despair, all she did was amble on, shrouded in her ashen aura.
It’s not my fault or anything…
Menelapie took my joke way too seriously…
I tried to deny reality.
Menelapie is strong and righteous; I have no doubt she’ll return to her original self if left alone for a bit.
Oh, right!
No, that’s not it.
This situation is definitely my fault!
Damn it.
This is all entirely my fault!
No doubt, it’s all on me!
If anyone saw this scene, they’d think I’d been gaslighting Menelapie for a long time.
A priestess gaslighting? That would be terrifyingly blasphemous!
Anyway, to think a single phrase brought Menelapie’s mental state crashing down completely… what can I even do now?
Should I forcefully sit her down and say something?
“Sniff…”
“…!?”
“…!!!!”
“Huuu, huhu… huhuhuh… huhuuh… heh…”
This is insane.
Absolutely mad.
What is happening?
Is this a dream?
Right now, is Menelapie crying?! She is, isn’t she!?
Nope.
Actually, it’s more accurate to say she was sobbing in a strange voice, and though no tears were framing her vacant eyes, the scene of that golden aura transforming into a ashen one was scarier than any horror film.
And as she bowed her head, concealing her expression, the intensity of that ashen aura emanating from her grew even stronger.
Yeah, she looks like a jilted ghost.
“Huuu, huhu, uhuuhuhuhuhuhuhuh, huhu…! Huk…! Hu-huh…! Huuu…!!”
“Ah…”
“Um…”
Watching the situation spiral far more out of control than I expected, both Lilybet and I froze like statues caught in a petrifying beam.
While I had experienced some pretty shocking and terrifying things in the previous world, I’m confident that what lies before me now is likely the most surprising and frightening sight on Earth.
‘This, this is it, Seongnyeo Isia! I know what’s happening!!’
‘W-what is it…?’
I perked up at Lilybet’s whispering.
Just maybe, there could be a way to undo this.
‘It’s a fall from grace! The hero is going to fall!’
‘Eh? You’ve watched too many cartoons!’
‘Don’t take this lightly, Seongnyeo Isia! In cartoons and legends, it’s common for heroes to fall due to the slightest emotional wound! It’s a recurring cliché, making it likely to occur in such situations!’
‘… Is that so?’
As someone who had fought fiercely for romance, creating the Green City, Lilybet had a point, albeit one that momentarily swayed me.
‘So, if the hero falls like this, what then? Hurry and do something! It’s better to act and maybe regret it than to do nothing and end up regretting it!’
‘……You’re right.’
Ugh.
Alright.
Following Lilybet’s advice, I couldn’t just shy away from the situation, considering the karma I had set in motion.
Decisions must be made quickly.
I was mentally preparing dialogue for Menelapie and thought, “If she doesn’t listen to me again, I’ll force her to…”
‘Where did the hero go?!’
“Huh?!”
Turning around, I was shocked to realize Menelapie had vanished.
She had just been there!
Did I lose her presence?
Impossible, right?!?
Could it be that ashen aura obstructed her presence?!
“This is bad! Menelapie has definitely transformed from a blonde beauty to an ashen-haired, black-armored, scantily clothed dark hero ready to take on Seongnyeo Isia!!!”
“….Huh?!”
Imagining it for a second.
If the fallen Menelapie…
Instead of her golden aura, emanated a sinister, ashen essence.
Wearing black armor instead of her usual elegant robes, no pants or bra to speak of…
‘Oh no…’
That alone is a harrowing and horrifying visualization, terrifying enough to make my skin crawl.
We really need to find her fast!
