Sakeer descended the stairs, straightening the sofa that had been knocked askew during the earlier commotion. His gaze flickered toward Leinas's waist.
Magic leather pouches?
He had already noticed how she pulled her spear from the small pouch at her side—
A storage-type magic item, commonly used in this world.
And an expensive one, at that.
Given Leinas's former noble status, it made sense for her to own something of such high quality.
"I'm just offering practical solutions," Sakeer said with a shrug.
"Both of these methods will clearly resolve the curse afflicting you."
Leinas lifted her gaze, staring at him.
"...Do you have any other methods?"
"Take me to the place where you were first cursed."
Sakeer's lips curled into a faint smile as he met her eyes.
"Only by finding the source can we uncover a true solution."
"But I won't lie—"
"There's no guarantee this will work."
Leinas's fingers clenched around her black spear, her expression tightening.
Returning to that place?
To the territory she once swore to protect?
Once, she had taken pride in purging the monsters that threatened her family's land.
And how had they repaid her?
Betrayal.
If she went back now—
Revenge would be the only thing on her mind.
"...Fine."
A trace of hesitation flickered in her green eyes before she steeled herself.
"Let's go, then," Sakeer said, standing up.
"Huh?"
Leinas hesitated.
Why does it feel like this was his plan all along?
From the side, Imina—who had been silently observing—blinked at the sudden turn of events.
"Wait—what about the regeneration potion?" she cut in.
"Do you have any idea how valuable alchemy potions are right now? Leaving now of all times—"
She paused mid-sentence, then exhaled.
"...Forget it. You're the employer."
Shaking her head, she slung her bow over her shoulder.
Sakeer turned to her.
"Leaving the Imperial Capital wasn't part of the original contract."
"For now, keep an eye on things here. If anyone asks, just tell them I'm busy researching a new alchemy potion."
He smirked slightly.
"Three people just died here—no one should be in a hurry to break in anytime soon."
"I'll have this little guy patrol the area."
Sakeer gave a short command, and the little Barghest at his feet let out a low whimper of protest.
"Awoo..."
Its chains rattled slightly as if expressing grievance.
Leinas's eyelids twitched.
She had been right.
This guy's real goal was always to get her to lead him there.
Yet, even knowing that—
She had no choice but to comply.
Middle Fire Month, August 24th.
Sakeer and Leinas quietly departed from the Imperial Capital, heading toward the territory once ruled by her family.
The Baharuth Empire's geography was far more rugged than that of the Re-Estize Kingdom.
Its land was not only barren and lacking in resources, but it also lacked the vast, open plains of its neighboring kingdom.
Instead, mountains and swamps covered much of its landscape.
Despite these difficulties, the Blood Emperor Jircniv had managed to elevate the empire's strength to rival that of Re-Estize, proving himself to be an exceptional ruler.
Three days later.
The landscape before them shifted—
A vast swamp stretched out beneath the sunlight, bathed in a soft lilac hue.
It looked almost like a massive lake, embedded deep within the land.
The air was thick with moisture, carrying the scent of earth and decay.
A light breeze stirred from the swamp's depths, bringing with it a scent that was—
…Let's call it 'French.'
Sakeer stood at the swamp's edge, surveying the terrain.
The area was immense—
Scattered with pools of standing water, overgrown with thick weeds and tangled underbrush.
If not for Leinas's warning, he might have mistaken it for a meadow.
Deeper in, a looming mountain range dominated the horizon, partially veiled by the misty swamp jungle.
A heavy sense of unease settled over the area—
A silent warning of the danger that lurked ahead.
This was the Rockbruise Territory.
The land that once belonged to Leinas's family—
Located in the eastern regions of the Baharuth Empire.
Not far from here lay the Azerlisia Mountains, but a vast swamp and a series of smaller mountain ridges acted as a natural divide between them.
Standing beside Sakeer, Leinas remained silent, her golden hair swaying in the light breeze.
Her gaze was locked onto the land before her, and her expression...
Was dark.
Returning to this place, heavy with memories, would put anyone in a foul mood.
"The monster we saw—I've never encountered one like it before. It doesn't belong to this swamp. It must have come from the jungle or the mountains deeper inside," Leinas murmured, inhaling the familiar yet rancid scent lingering in the air.
Sakeer withdrew his gaze from the swamp and smiled.
"In that case, I suppose we'll have to head deeper in."
Leinas's eyes widened slightly.
"Are you serious?"
"Forget what might be lurking in the depths—the swamp itself is a deadly obstacle. Crossing it is extremely dangerous," she warned.
Even for someone who had lived here since childhood, venturing too far into the swamp was unthinkable.
It wasn't just a territory—it was a devouring abyss.
Even in the past, Leinas had only hunted monsters that trespassed onto her family's land. She had never attempted to purge the swamp itself.
A powerful force.
But also a curse.
And if he truly sought it out—
He might regret it.
Leinas bit her lip, reminding herself of this.
In her eyes, Sakeer had come here for one reason—
The power of her curse.
"Do you know what matters most to a player—an alchemist?" Sakeer asked, stretching lazily.
Before Leinas could answer, he grinned and answered himself:
"The unknown."
"Mystery."
"As for power?" He chuckled. "Believe it or not, that's not what I'm after."
After all—
He already possessed power.
"You can stay here if you want," Sakeer added.
Leinas's chin lifted slightly in defiance.
"I'm not the kind of person who needs someone else to protect me."
She pulled out her black iron spear and rested it against her shoulder.
"You should be more concerned about how we're getting across this swamp."
Sakeer smirked.
"Easy."
The loose sleeves of his priest's robe shifted as he raised both arms, revealing two magic scrolls held between his fingers.
With a light pinch, the scrolls disintegrated into radiant energy.
Fwoosh!
Two beams of white light emerged, swirling mid-air—
Then ignited into flame.
A moment later, two Archangel Flames materialized, their fiery wings unfurling against the sky.
Swish!
One of the Archangel Flames soared behind Sakeer, extending an arm—the one not wielding a flaming sword—and held it across its chest.
Sakeer casually hopped onto the outstretched arm, settling into place with ease.
"See?" He smirked. "Simple."
A magic caster?!
Leinas was stunned.
He can summon two angels at once?
Her gaze toward Sakeer shifted again.
He's not just a genius alchemist...
He's a Magic Caster with faith-based magic?
Before she could voice her thoughts, another Archangel Flame descended toward her.
Leinas took a step back, then—
With a swift stomp, she leapt onto its back.
Unlike Sakeer, who perched effortlessly on the angel's arm, she had to grab hold of the grooves in its armor, steadying herself.
"You're a Magic Caster, I'm not," she muttered.
"Sitting like that would leave me completely defenseless."
The Archangel Flames beat their wings once more—
And then—
They soared.
The dangerous, unstable terrain below disappeared beneath them as they glided toward the swamp's depths.
Gurgle…
A dark shape moved beneath the swamp's surface, gliding swiftly through the muck.
Its predatory gaze locked onto the unusual creatures soaring overhead.
Then, as the Archangel Flames passed over it—
BOOM!
The swamp erupted.
Mud and water exploded into the air.
A monstrous shape lunged upward—
A shark-like creature with brown, armored skin, its jaws gaping wide as it snapped at the sky.
"A Swamp Shark!" Leinas shouted in warning.
Swoosh!
A blazing sword sliced through the air, meeting the shark's charge mid-flight.
SLASH!
A spray of blood splattered against the sky.
The Archangel Flame's sword cleaved straight through the swamp shark, splitting it in half.
Chunks of flesh and blood rained down, sinking into the swamp below.
And then—
The water boiled.
The peaceful swamp was no longer silent.
From beneath the surface, hungry creatures swarmed toward the falling remains, devouring them within moments.
Experience Gained
『XP Gained: 172』
『XP Gauge: 4123/10000』
Sakeer exhaled, unfazed.
"So these are the monsters of the swamp," he mused.
"How peculiar."
(End of Chapter)