Published: February 1, 2026
Early in the morning, Jill was heading alone to the adventurers' guild.
For some reason, Rizel’s party had a reputation for taking on quests individually whenever they wanted, and today was no exception. Even without all three members together, they accepted requests whenever they pleased.
Rizel was fast asleep at the inn. Eleven’s whereabouts were unknown. Meanwhile, Jill felt like taking on a subjugation quest today and slipped through the guild doors as usual.
“Oh.”
If Jill said she didn’t have a bad feeling after locking eyes with an adventurer, it would be a lie.
A man leaning on a spear with its tip covered by a guard stood there. Three companions accompanied him, along with a person who seemed to be a client. They appeared to be discussing something in the middle of the guild.
Jill casually averted the gaze as if nothing had happened and naturally walked over to the quest board. It was nothing to worry about—it was the usual.
“Don’t be so cold.”
However, the other party didn’t seem to think the same.
Jill noticed approaching footsteps accompanied by laughter but pretended not to notice. As she glanced at the neatly posted quest papers, she sighed inwardly, wondering if it was good or bad that Rizel wasn’t around.
Ignoring Jill’s clear refusal, the adventurer walked up beside her.
“Hey, I want you to take on a little favor.”
He spoke with a scheming but friendly smile. Jill cast a glance at him.
He was the adventurer who had previously picked a fight with Rizel and won easily. Although it might have seemed like a close match, Jill knew that while Rizel was somewhat serious, this man had plenty of room to spare.
A man like that asking for help was nothing but a nuisance. Jill frowned unhappily and looked away.
“Go ask someone else.”
“Come on, don’t be like that.”
A voice rose from the man’s party members. He waved his hand dismissively and shrugged his shoulders in front of the surrounding adventurers, who watched keenly.
“He’s our regular client, but well, he’s a strange merchant. He goes around giving sweets to kids for free and finds it incredibly fun—he’s a natural-born good guy.”
The merchant, who was the client, smiled awkwardly, but the man went on without bothering.
“But he made a terrible mistake! The birthday of his beloved daughter, who’s waiting at home, is suddenly only three days away. The shortest route to the village takes three days one way, but that path goes right through the Forest of the Lost Souls.”
Everyone’s gaze shifted from the merchant with a sigh.
The Forest of the Lost Souls was a well-known forest in the Capital City. It wasn’t a labyrinth, just a forest. However, it was teeming with ghost-type monsters.
Why ghosts, which normally only appear in labyrinths, had settled in this forest was unknown. However, a labyrinth stood in the middle of the forest, looking exactly like a Western mansion. Some said it was a remnant of a past great invasion, while others thought it might be a lonely labyrinth teasing people.
“Our strength is guarding. Thanks to that, we’re never short on escort requests, but with a time limit, our attack power is lacking.”
The man tapped the spear leaning on his shoulder with his finger and grinned.
“If you make the love of your life cry, a good guy turns into a villain in no time, right?”
Normally, Jill would say, “What does that have to do with me?”
But they had seen each other for years in the Capital City. Not close, but they exchanged minimal words when necessary. Though the relationship was limited, Jill guessed he must have some confidence to keep pushing like this.
“There must be others who can handle it.”
“Come on, don’t say that.”
When Jill, feeling annoyed, tried to end the conversation, the man reached out his hand to Jill’s shoulder. Jill dodged it. He probably wanted to put his arm around her, but she nonchalantly waved the hand away, and the man’s face broke into a defiant smile.
“By the way, has the noble’s mood improved?”