Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

"Fine, as long as the compensation is commensurate, I will complete the commission."

Wearing a hoodie, Chloe found herself in a nearly forgotten clock tower. The clock, no longer chiming, hung from the ceiling, and the quiet moonlight streamed into the room through the arched windows.

This is one of the designated locations where she meets the other party when she accepts a "commission".

"Yes, no problem. The assassination target for this mission is none other than the infamous [Swift Wind]."

The person standing in front of Chloe was a man (dwarf) belonging to a certain merchant guild.

This man often made enemies and was quite greedy, always seeking out clients who would come looking for money.

"Hmm... Is [Hayate] still alive?"

"Yes, as long as you accept the commission, I will provide detailed information. That guy is now a top-tier bounty target."

The man handed over a wanted poster, which depicted a masked adventurer with his hood pulled low.

The amount listed on the portrait is as high as 80 million falies.

"There are very few people with such a high bounty. We need to take her down before others do, and we'll split the reward equally."

"The deposit is forty million, and I will take 70% of the remaining amount after deducting the bonus."

Krooi interrupted the man and threw out those words.

The dwarf merchant was immediately at a loss.

"Wait a minute, this is a bit much... At least change it to a 60/40 split..."

"I don't want it. Even if she's injured, she's still a female monster capable of single-handedly destroying the dark faction... Since the target is her, it would be too much of a loss not to get some reward."

Rosie resolutely refused to back down.

The hood, pulled low to cover her eyes—its top bulging with the cat ears, a symbol of the "black cat"—swayed in the night breeze. Her cherry-like lips curved into a chilling crescent shape.

"Otherwise, I'll force you to reveal the information right now, and I'll keep all the prize money for myself."

"I...I understand...we'll go with your terms."

Faced with this assassin whose specialty was torture, the dwarf gasped and nodded vigorously.

He put down the parchment containing information about "Gale" and fled the clock tower as if his life depended on it.

"...So easy to handle, meow~"

After being alone, Kroy, whose tone had changed drastically, let out a deep sigh.

"He's such a spoilsport, meow... He might as well have just taken the commission with him... meow."

Chloe has made a name for herself through her assassination skills and has survived to this day.

Because of her profession, in order to avoid being looked down upon, she always wears a professional mask and throws herself into this kind of dark and dreary work.

However, she gradually grew tired of this kind of life.

"Working as an assassin in this labyrinth city is such a thankless job, meow~ Almost all the money I earn goes into preparing for the next mission, meow~"

Even with Chloe's near-perfect assassination success rate, the adventurers of Orario were still far too formidable for her. The preparations alone for each assassination nearly depleted her entire earnings.

Ever since Chloe successfully took down a second-tier adventurer, nothing good has ever come of it. The increasing number of requests is always incredibly difficult, and every time she manages to defeat her opponent with great effort, she is immediately asked to prepare a new coffin for someone else.

She used to always groom her fur, and her most prized feature, her tail, is now covered in a messy, unruly coat.

"Ah~ I long to live an elegant life served by handsome young men, meow~ Just letting them stroke my belly button and tail, enjoying that blush-inducing paradise on earth, meow~"

Chloe Rollo is now sixteen years old.

A cat-person girl, her mouth brimming with desire yet still quite young, gazes up at the moon in the night sky and whispers:

"Should I retire from the assassination industry, meow..."

2

A torrential downpour was falling from the sky.

This rain was as cold as ice; this rain washed everything away.

The bloodstains that dripped onto the stone floor dissolved and disappeared in the rainwater.

"...!"

Liu walked on the road.

Alone, she dragged her injured body through the deserted alley.

—I succeeded. I finished.

I have completed my revenge.

I have wiped out the [familia] that took the lives of my comrades, as well as all their associates.

but……

After completing her revenge, Ryu did not gain any sense of accomplishment.

There was only an endless sense of emptiness in my heart.

"...What should I do...?"

The once vibrant red landscape has now turned gray.

Ryu could no longer recall either her companions' smiles or their tragic deaths.

The tears that flowed from his eyes and the sobs that were squeezed out of his throat all vanished.

Ryu finally realized that she had become an empty shell.

When the anger that drove my body disappeared, my heart was enveloped in a bewildering darkness.

Moreover, this endless darkness did not give Ryusuke the motivation to continue living.

The icy rain falling from the sky seemed to be a form of punishment, robbing her of her body temperature.

It was as if even the gods longed to see this misguided spirit meet such a foolish end.

As his severely injured body let out a mournful cry, and his limbs were exhausted by unprecedented fatigue, Ryuga collapsed to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut.

The sewage gushing from the puddle, carrying sludge from the bottom, stained Ryu's body.

It was impossible to tell whether it was his own blood or the red liquid that had splashed on him when he killed his enemy; it gradually froze and solidified.

(...How pathetic.)

In the frigid, bone-chilling night, the magic stone lamp, nearing the end of its energy, emitted a blurry outline of light.

This is where Ryu was buried. Located in a dark and dirty alley, he met his death without anyone to see him off.

Such is the fate of a spirit who has committed a foolish act.

(Lady Astraea...Alicie.)

The goddess's smile flashed through my mind, so endearing. Her words echoed in my ears, equally unforgettable.

All Liu wants now is to find release and hear the voice of her deceased friend one more time.

She faced her impending fate with two conflicting emotions in her heart.

Then, slowly close your eyes.

"Are you alright?"

but.

A person reached out a hand to Ryu, whose consciousness had sunk into the abyss of darkness.

"...?"

Liu slightly opened her eyes and found a girl standing in front of her.

Beneath that umbrella were a head of pale silver hair and eyes of the same color.

This voice was very similar to the steady voice of the Supreme God, as well as the voice of his deceased confidant.

The girl knelt down and gently enveloped Ryuna's right hand, which was stained with blood and mud, in her hands.

(……ah.)

—My (the elf's) hand, which refused to touch outsiders, accepted the girl's touch without resistance.

Her hands are so soft.

So warm.

So gentle.

Surrounded by tenderness, Ryuna's already withered eyes shed an unknown liquid.

--You can't come over yet.

After hearing those words spoken as if by a close friend.

Ryu has truly lost consciousness this time.

○

The moment the dream ends—

Ryu finally regained consciousness.

“──!”

She suddenly opened her eyes.

A wooden ceiling came into view. The feel of the blankets and sheets covering her body told her that she was lying in bed. This was different from the scenery in her dream; she was in a wooden house.

The morning sun streamed into the room through the window on the side.

"Where am I... um!"

Liu slowly propped herself up, then immediately curled up again.

A sharp pain and exhaustion washed over Ryu. At the same time, the blanket that fell to the ground allowed her to see the bandages wrapped around her arm. It seemed her injuries had been properly treated.

Just as Ryu was feeling confused by the scenery and the scent of this unfamiliar room—

"Ah, you're awake! That's wonderful!"

With the sound of footsteps, a girl pushed open the door and walked in.

"...Who are you?"

"Please don't force yourself to get up for now, because your injury is really serious."

The girl who appeared with bandages and a towel was the same light silver-haired girl that Ryu had seen in the alley. She looked exactly like Ryu in her last memory, wearing the uniform of a certain shop.

It is obvious that this girl brought Ryu to this room and treated her.

"You've been asleep for three days, thankfully you've regained consciousness."

"Three days..."

Ryu wasn't particularly surprised when she heard the number; she was currently only thinking about one thing.

I actually survived—that was Ryu's only feeling at that moment.

"My name is Hill Frova."

The young girl, Seele, met the eyes of the bewildered Ryu and began to introduce herself.

She is such a lovable girl. The kind smile she showed to comfort Ryu conveyed her character and kindness, while also contrasting with Ryu's cold attitude.

The girl's appearance, which made people smile involuntarily, perfectly matched the description of "a girl from the streets".

"This is the bar where I work. After I found you collapsed in the alley, I brought you here first—"

"Why……"

"what?"

Liu interrupted the girl and asked a question.

His words were tinged with regret and despair.

"Why did you save me?"

Ryu has lost everything.

After killing all her enemies, she even lost the will to live.