Chapter 12 : Water source (12)

It was essentially the same thing.

“There’s still plenty to see in the city.”

“Really? Like performances or festivals?”

“Something like that.”

“Wow! Let’s go watch one together next time!”

At those innocent words, even Hans could only force an awkward smile.

No matter what, he wasn’t the kind of person who took pleasure in shattering a girl’s pure excitement.

Because even if what she said was “something like that,” the reality was that the closest equivalents were strip shows featuring naked performers or brutal bloodsport parades with captured monsters.

As Hans was thinking about that, he suddenly realized something—without even meaning to, he had naturally imagined doing it together with her.

His shoulders stiffened.

“…”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

It was only natural.

Now that Hans had decided not to kill the mimic monster—Now that he knew her name was Alje, had exchanged meaningless chatter with her, had saved her and been saved in return, had held her hand tight as they finally escaped the corpse hill—Repaying a debt was one thing.

Releasing a mimic monster into the city was too dangerous.

Those were rational reasons.

But more than that, simply—”Your gaze is getting weird again. You’re thinking something strange about me, aren’t you?”

“I was just thinking we need to find you some clothes before we reach the city.”

Hans glanced at Alje, whose body was still a mess—coated in corpse dust, muddy water, monster blood, and the fresh red streaks of human blood still pouring from the gaping hole in her chest.

Hans chuckled, ruffled her hair, and started walking again.

“People are definitely going to have weird thoughts when they see you.”

No matter how beautiful or kind the girl was, the empty void in her chest—Even if it was covered with clothes, the bloodstains that would inevitably seep through, the unmistakable absence of a heart—That was the ultimate proof that she was a monster.

This was insanity.

Bringing a monster into the city?

Taking in something that should be hunted and deciding to care for it?

His emotions and even his logic were telling him this was a reasonable choice.

That meant something had broken inside him—maybe from clawing his way through a hill of corpses for too long.

But whatever.

Hans decided he wouldn’t think about it anymore.

*

The closer they got to the city, the more likely they were to encounter people.

Of course, in a place like this, encounters rarely ended pleasantly.

Compared to monsters, humans were easier to subdue, and they left behind more valuable spoils.

Especially in these roads—close to the city, yet sparsely populated.

A perfect hunting ground in every sense.

But this time, they got lucky.

“Hide.”

The moment Hans sensed movement beyond the sparse maze-trees of the labyrinth, he lowered his voice.

Alje was already hidden before he even spoke.

“…Fast.”

“I’m naked, you know? It’s embarrassing.”

Hans nearly tripped.

That was… an incredibly belated concern.

“Wait, so up until now.”

*

“I didn’t have a choice! And besides, it’s fine with you since you’re old.”

He wanted to ask what that was supposed to mean, but there was no time.

Shaking off unnecessary thoughts, Hans lowered himself into the undergrowth.

Footsteps approached.

Before long, a forager came into view.

Not an explorer who carved paths into the unknown.

Not a guide navigating treacherous yet mapped terrain.

Not even a hunter, prowling near the city for stray monsters.

Just a coward without the courage to die.

Foragers scavenged the labyrinth’s natural resources—herbs, mushrooms, minerals—because it was easier and safer than risking combat.

They were the lowest of the low in Heimvig’s hierarchy, scraping by at the very bottom of the labyrinth’s food chain.

Normally, Hans wouldn’t have even glanced at them.

Step.

Step.

Step.

The man looked exhausted—his skin sallow, limbs thin, yet his stomach bloated.

His darting eyes constantly flicked around, scanning his surroundings with obsessive paranoia.

Good.

Pathetic as he seemed, at least he had the right instincts.

In this place, wariness was what extended your lifespan, even if just by seconds.

Not that it would change the outcome.

“You said you needed clothes, right?”

At the unfamiliar voice, the forager flinched and turned his head——Only to be met with a fist flying straight at his face.

Wham!