I ran along the river for a while, and soon the view opened up.
Cold mist was faintly drifting in the air, cooling my body pleasantly after running and getting out of breath.
A wide basin and a waterfall cascading straight down from a cliff came into sight. Just watching it made me feel like my heart was being cleansed. It was truly a mystical scene. I understood why Filoรฉ had been eager to show me this place.
โIsto-san. Over there. Thereโs something under the waterfall.โ
Filoรฉ pointed to the deepest part of the basin. Right where the waterfall was hitting, something large and black was lying there.
We circled around the basin and approached the black mass.
โWhat the heck is thisโฆ?โ
It was about the size of a wagon. It was a splendid โsquare box,โ as if a craftsman had carved it into shape.
โLook at the bottom. The water around where this iron box is submerged is a bit murky.โ
โYouโre right. The dirt on the boxโฆ no, wait. This cloudy lookโฆ could it be?โ
Knowledge Iโd gained from documents surfaced in my mind.
โThis could be a monsterโs โmiasma.โ Itโs being purified by the holy water from the waterfall. If thatโs the caseโฆโ
Filoรฉ and I looked up at the iron box.
โCould this weird lump be a monster!?โ
What a surprise. I had never seen a monster shaped like this.
But something felt off.
Even though it was supposed to be a monster, I didnโt sense any ominous aura from it.
Was it because the holy water had cleansed the miasma?
โOh! Whatโs that?โ
Fearless as ever, Filoรฉ approached the back of the iron box monster.
There was a large crystal embedded there, about the size of a kiso fruit weโd seen in the forest.
I stopped Filoรฉ as she reached out to touch it, and instead, I took a closer look.
โNo use. I couldnโt figure out what it was at all.
Filoรฉ tugged on my sleeve.
โHey, Isto-san. Donโt you think this crystal looks a lot like the Tear of Fate?โ
โNow that you mention it, it really does.โ
โIsto-san, Isto-san. In that case, why donโt you try using Awakening Appraisal?โ
โThat skill isnโt really meant for something like this.โ
โBut! If itโs Isto-san, Iโm sure youโll figure something out! Youโre Isto-san, after all!โ
Ughโฆ
How do I deal with those expectant, confident eyes?
One day, Iโll have to properly teach Filoรฉ. Iโm neither a hero nor a sage.
But anyway.
If this crystal is anything like the Tear of Fate in humans, Awakening Appraisal might reveal something. Filoรฉโs suggestion wasnโt entirely unreasonable.
โFiloรฉ, step back.โ
I stood in front of the mysterious iron box monster and used Awakening Appraisal on the crystal.
And thenโ
โMonitoring Level 1 activated. Displaying the skills the target possesses:
Personality Liberation
Spatial Expansion
Kettle of the Dropletโ
โHmmโฆโ
โH-How was it, Isto-san?โ
โI found out what skills it has through Monitoring.โ
โWow, thatโs amazing!โ
โBut thatโs all I know. I still have no clue what this thing actually isโโ
Just as I was about to finish my sentenceโฆ
The crystal suddenly began to glow. At the same time, the entire iron box started to tremble.
Uh-oh.
โFiloรฉ!โ
โAh!?โ
I grabbed the slender girl and quickly moved us away.
Holding her tightly to shield her, I glared warily at the iron box monster.
โUhhโโ
โโฆ Is it coming!?โ
โUhh, uhhโฆ waaaaaahhhh!โ
โHuh?โ
โWaaaahhh, waaaahhh, wuaaahhh!โ
Crying. And in the voice of a cute little girl, no less.
Wait, hold on. What? Whatโs happening?
I used Awakening Appraisal on the iron box-shaped monster and learned it had some mysterious skills. Then it started crying out loud for no reason.
I have no idea whatโs going on.
โSniffโฆ sobโฆ itโs so painfulโฆ so lonelyโฆโ
I donโt get it, butโI could tell this strange monster was crying from the bottom of its heart. Unlike someone like Gabby who had hidden intentions, this was pure emotion.
โIโmโฆ better off not existingโฆ Iโm just a useless thingโฆ a piece of trash in the winds of lifeโฆ nothing more than a trash canโฆโ
Wow, thatโs some serious self-deprecation. And trash can? Really?
โSniffโฆ excuse me, humanโฆโ
Suddenly being addressed, my eyes widened.
โIโm sorry. It must be scary with me hereโฆ Iโm in your way, arenโt Iโฆ? Donโt worry. Iโll disappear soon.โ
The trembling of the iron box monster stopped.
A crack formed on its surface.
โIโm no longer neededโฆ Iโm just a useless thing. Iโm sorry for scaring you. Thank you for listening. Goodbyeโโ
โWait a second!โ
Before I knew it, I had spoken up.
I walked closer to the monster.
โI donโt know what happened, but donโt be so hasty.โ
โButโฆ Iโฆโ
โI donโt sense any ill will from you. Iโm not scared. So, why donโt you tell me whatโs wrong? It might make you feel a little better.โ
โHumanโฆโ
I gently stroked the crystal.
โI donโt know what to do anymore. I canโt remember who I am or why Iโm here. Being here feels like Iโm changing, and itโs scary, and Iโm so lonely and sadโฆ Why am I hereโฆ? Who am I, reallyโฆ?โ
Nodding, I listened quietly to this peculiar monsterโs words.
I felt like I understood.
It didnโt know its purpose. It didnโt understand why it existed here.
Thatโs why it wanted to disappear.
Even though it was a monster, it had a very human heart.
I couldnโt just leave it like this.
โHey. If youโd like, how about I give you a name? If you donโt know who you are or where you come from, maybe it would help.โ
โA name, for me?โ
โYeah. How aboutโฆ Redelia?โ
โRedeliaโฆโ
โItโs an old human word that means โto smile.'โ
The crystal blinked softly, and to me, it looked like a smile.
โItโs a wonderful name. Itโs far too good for something like a trash canโฆ but I love it.โ
โIโm glad you like it.โ
If possible, Iโd also like it to change its overly negative mindset, but I decided not to say that aloud. I figured it had probably been through a lot as well.
As I nodded in satisfaction, Filoรฉ poked me in the side with a hand chop, making me jump.
โWhoa!? H-Hey, what was that for?โ
โPuff.โ
She puffed out her cheeks and looked up at me.
โโฆWhat?โ
โPuff, puff!โ
I had no idea what she was doing.
So, I patted her head. Her inflated cheeks instantly returned to normal.
โUmโฆโ
Redelia timidly spoke up. It seemed calmer now, and the crack on its surface had somehow healed.
โI have a request for you humans.โ
โAh, I havenโt introduced myself yet. Iโm Isto. And this is Filoรฉ.โ
โIsto and Filoรฉ. Thank you for being so kind to someone like me. I know itโs a lot to ask, butโฆ could I come with you two?โ
โAre you asking to join us?โ
โI know itโs absurd for something like me to even ask, but I feel a strong attraction to you both.โ
Filoรฉ tilted her head.
โNot just to Isto-san, but to me too?โ
โI can sense a powerful talent in both of you. Just being near you fills me with energy.โ
Filoรฉ and I exchanged glances.
Could it be that Redelia had the ability to detect gifted skills?
โPlease, even if you treat me like nothing more than a trash can, I would be honored to accompany you. I beg you.โ