The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 52
The image of Karina trying to catch his eye earlier was vividly etched in his mind.
But he could do nothing.
…Nothing at all.
Because he lacked the ability to guide or the exceptional power of an Esper.
To be honest, when they first entered the dungeon, he was inwardly pleased that Karina was not left alone with them.
Now, he was ashamed of that fact.
Angered by the situation, he lashed out at the Espers, but he knew best that he couldn’t even take care of his own body.
He was the biggest burden here.
Hedonia bit his lip.
The taste of bitter blood came from the bitten lip.
His blood, different from Karina’s.
Within it, a desire he didn’t even recognize himself blossomed.
Something he was not yet aware of…
“…I’ll do what I can, too.”
Hedonia remarked, almost as if making excuses.
Apart from his anger at them, they needed to cooperate with each other.
For solving the problem now.
He wouldn’t just be a burden.
Above all, Karina’s life was at stake.
“The fact that the Blackbird fled back here means this is its resting place.”
“…”
“We need to look around this cave.”
Hedonia’s words shifted the overheated atmosphere of just moments ago.
“Christopher, go in.”
“Oka―”
Before Shaelock could finish speaking, Christopher had already vanished. It was a moment where the sorrow of the summoned creatures could be felt even by the Espers.
“Then I’ll take a look around.”
As soon as Esban finished speaking, he moved.
Venturing deep inside the cave, Esban realized that it was deeper than he thought and that another exit connected to the forest they had just been fighting in.
Coincidentally, it was here that they encountered the Blackbird and its group coming in from the other side.
Scattered between the two cave entrances were gems-like pumpkins and sapphires, small and numerous.
‘Is this connected to the pumpkin from earlier?’
Esban returned after completing his exploration.
After hearing his story, Pheon murmured,
“We could lure it with the gems.”
Searching for the Blackbird from this side would take too long.
And when they had fought before, the Blackbird had almost died.
Esban and Pheon, now familiar faces, would be avoided as much as possible by it.
What they needed was bait.
The gems would serve as appropriate bait.
“So we set the bait and go looking for Karina?”
“Yes. It would be great to bring her back with us… but we may have to leave Karina alone for a bit.”
Hedonia was convinced by Pheon’s words.
“I’ll summon another hero.”
“…Are you sure? You don’t usually use your power to this extent.”
Pheon asked with concern.
And for good reason, since Shaelock typically summoned only one hero per dungeon, which was usually enough to clear most dungeons with ease…
Summoning more than that was beyond what her mind could bear.
Shaelock nodded nonchalantly.
“It’s okay. I think I can handle this much.”
Shaelock knew her limits well.
Her mind wasn’t entirely intact at the moment, but summoning a hero to find the Blackbird was feasible.
Having met an S-class guide and received contact guidance for the first time, the effect felt more potent.
And she intuited.
The other Espers would also painfully realize this fact.
It would only get worse over time.
Making them unable to live without the existence named Karina.
‘…Unless Hedonia becomes a guide.’
Could they shed the shackles named Karina before then?
This was a battle that would end the moment Karina realized she was the ‘dominant’ one.
* * *
Fortunately, the monster didn’t eat me.
It took me deep into the forest and dumped me in what appeared to be its cave.
The place, filled with sparkling gems, resembled a treasure vault.
Sapphires, rubies, diamonds… it seemed to have collected every gemstone imaginable.
‘…But why did it stash me here?’
Pondering over this, I recalled my attire for the day.
Dressed to the nines for a party, my platinum blonde hair, dyed to match Hedonia’s, sparkled like a gemstone.
Could it be?
Did it bring me here to add to its collection because I was all dolled up today?
I couldn’t hide my astonishment when the Blackbird seemed to answer with a cry beside me.
“Keeeee…”
‘At least that’s one less worry.’
But it was utterly absurd.
Well, it’s not really appropriate to feel this way about a creature that could devour me at any moment.
…Is it dumb?
Is this just how monsters are?
Suddenly, the formidable monster seemed more like an animal to me.
It was a truly strange feeling.
