A temple floating in some sky—there is no ceiling, only columns standing in rows, and images of another place are projected in the space.
A woman appears from nowhere. It was the same being who had met “Beck” when he was reincarnated.
“Hah… You really have no self-awareness, do you? Of how the things you do are seen by those around you.”
She was someone Beck had encountered long ago, back when he was just starting as an adventurer.
Young Beck had been assessed as a “Baggage Carrier” in a job appraisal and, until the age of fifteen, had never stayed with a party for long. He was used, abandoned at times, yet still tried to remain an adventurer.
All life is equal, and those who watch from the heavens do not favor anyone.
However, she couldn’t help but become interested in Beck. He had faced death many times, even before diving into the labyrinth where the Abyssal Beast dwelled. Each time, he was about to be called to the heavens but somehow managed to survive and return.
Normally, he would have given up long ago. “Baggage Carriers” lack the fighting strength not only to compete with classes like the “Dragon Slayer,” which possess powers beyond human capacity, but even with basic “Warriors.”
A “Baggage Carrier” could never fulfill Beck’s dreams. In fact, she wondered, as one who merely watched over him, whether he had any purpose he wanted to achieve by surviving.
—There are other jobs that utilize that profession. Why do you insist on being an adventurer?
—I’m not sure myself. Maybe it’s because I still want to see things I don’t know.
Angelica, the girl known as the “Magic Princess,” was born with the ability to wield the highest level of magic. She formed a party with Ryud, the “Dragon Slayer,” and Sophia, the “Great Saint,” earning a reputation as invincible.
When Angelica’s leg was poisoned by a monster, she ordered Beck to suck out the venom.
Even though Beck obeyed her instructions, Angelica subjected him to the pain of what felt like an electric shock through her magic.
Beck didn’t realize what was happening. Only the woman watching over him understood.
“…This person is the type to attract that kind of attention easily, huh? I can’t say much either, but even after reincarnation, does he still bear some sort of curse involving women? It must be imprinted on his very soul.”
The poison, during the process of neutralization, had transformed into a substance with aphrodisiac properties—just as Mikuri Haruka had explained. However, when she entered Tsukasa’s tent, the fact that she used a skill to erase her presence was clearly a rational decision.
“Oh no… If I just sit and watch as my favorite gets devoured, it’ll seem like I have some weird hobbies. I’d prefer it not to happen like this, but this isn’t good.”
She acknowledged that she was a fan of the adventurer known as “Beck” and that she had been following the explorer known as “Tsukasa Fujiwara.”
Though she couldn’t intervene directly, there was one thing she was allowed to do—to provide information regarding the two skills Tsukasa had been granted.
“Please do something with this… Don’t worry, it’s perfectly justified self-defense.”
Her words were like a prayer. The projected image now showed the moment when Haruka took Tsukasa’s hand.
◆◇◆
The “Secret Sigil of Alchemy” cannot predict what kind of substance will be produced after converting a poison unless there is prior experience.
After realizing the utility of her skill, Mikuri Haruka had begun to consider ingesting new types of poison during explorations.
She had converted paralysis poison before, but back then it had produced a sedative effect, causing her to sleep for nearly half a day. As Tsukasa mentioned, there had been a time when it resulted in an aphrodisiac-like effect—in that instance, she had locked herself in a room that couldn’t be opened from the inside and spent time alone until the effects wore off.
(Though it was a necessary action… It’s not a skill that should be used carelessly. But the sensation when the poison converts inside me…)
“Haruka-san, your sister and Nanami-san are both in that tent over there…”
When Haruka entered Tsukasa’s tent, she used the “Silent Secret Sigil.” It was half due to an uncontrollable impulse and half due to the remnants of her rational side.
(That’s just an excuse… This must be my nature. I don’t want to admit it, though…)
Her heart pounded, and she found it pleasant. Her curiosity about Tsukasa’s subtle glances outweighed her embarrassment at exposing her skin.
“This is necessary… Fujiwara-kun has done nothing wrong. I’m just inexperienced and unable to control myself…”
She knew that Tsukasa could stop her at any time by using “Fix” to immobilize her.
And that’s precisely why she wanted to try taking his hand. Haruka guided Tsukasa’s hand to her chest—but before it could happen, everything likely came to a halt, and when they could move again, it would all feel like a bad dream, a story to laugh about later.
(…It won’t stop… Fujiwara-kun, really…)
With the last bit of guilt she had left, Haruka tried to stop herself—but.
『When you invite me like that, I can’t stop either.』
「Eh… th-that… Fujiwara-kun, your eyes are different than usual…」
『I’m the same as always. It’s your fault, Senpai, for thinking of me as a kid.』
Although Tsukasa had initially been pushed by Haruka, at some point, he had taken control of the situation.
Tsukasa’s hand, hovering just shy of touching her, started to move on its own. Haruka almost let out a voice, but this time, she was the one who remembered her sisters in the other tent and covered her mouth to muffle her sounds.
「Huu… nn, nn…」
『It’s because of the poison. You’ve done nothing wrong, Haruka-san… Don’t hold back.』
(He’s different from usual… We thought he was timid, but that was just our assumption. This is the real…)
Each time Tsukasa’s hand moved, a tingling sensation shot through Haruka’s body, shaking her awareness.
「N-no… Fujiwara-kun, I… I can’t go that far…」
『You weren’t planning to? It’s a bit late for that. Wearing something like that, provoking me… you were inviting me, weren’t you?』
「Th-that’s because of the poison…」
『Were you just teasing me? You shouldn’t do that—guys are like wolves, after all.』
Tsukasa’s hand gripped Haruka’s slender wrist. It wasn’t forceful, though—she could pull away if she wanted to. It felt more like he was testing her.
(…He may seem like he’s changed, but he’s still kind. This Fujiwara-kun is still Fujiwara-kun.)
「…Doing something like this is embarrassing, but… I…」
『It’s alright… I’ll be gentle. Just count the spots on the ceiling, and it’ll be over.』
「Haha… It’s a brand-new tent, though. Then I’ll just count the stars reflected in your eyes.」
『Sounds good… I already see the brightest star, you, Haruka-senpai.』
The small one-person tent shook lightly. Then, it quieted down, only to be followed by soft, muffled sounds escaping.
◆◇◆
Her heart was still pounding loudly—it wouldn’t calm down. All she could do was stare at the ceiling of the cave for a while.
「Haa…」
That was close—really close.
Name: Creeping Hand of the Night
Note: Temporarily puts the target to sleep, absorbing magical power while showing them dreams.
Value: Unknown, no record of sale.
It’s not something you should use on a party member, but this time, it couldn’t be helped. I had compressed it when I was caught in the illusion cast by the ‘Water Nymph,’ but to think I’d end up using it in a situation like this.
「…Nn… no, not there… Fujiwara-kun…」
Peeking inside the tent, Haruka-san was wriggling in the sleeping bag. I could guess what kind of dream she was having, which made me dread the aftermath.
(It being a dream doesn’t make it any better… Everything up until she took my hand wasn’t a dream…)
「—Beep beep.」
「Uh… Cipher…」
I had forgotten Cipher was there—or rather, it should have seen Haruka-san moving since I’d asked it to keep watch. Did Haruka-san use a skill to slip past Cipher’s surveillance?
「…Master, intimate acts during exploration are not recommended.」
「I-it’s not what you think, I didn’t… do anything…!」
Cipher showed me its LCD panel, displaying an image of Haruka-san clinging to me.
「…Do you have an explanation?」
I ended up performing the most flawless bow of my life, begging Cipher to keep it a secret.
「There truly is no moment to let your guard down… What is this person doing to my master? After all, this isn’t just ‘flirtation,’ is it?」
It seemed Cipher’s dissatisfaction was more directed at Haruka-san than me—but that didn’t change the fact that I couldn’t raise my head yet.
