Chapter 100

“…That.”

Melissa blinked before answering.

Hmm. Melissa, who had been wrinkling her nose slightly, muttered as if she was talking to herself.

“Yeah, why did I do that?”

“I-It’s not that it’s bad!”

Damn it. Why did I bring this up when I was trying to avoid trouble?

Sweating profusely and glancing around, Roro quickly shook her head when Melissa nodded slightly and spoke.

“I think it’s because I like people. When I see people smiling, it makes me feel good, and it feels like they’re giving me permission to be around them. But, because I’m not very observant, I sometimes end up making others uncomfortable. I feel frustrated with myself sometimes, too.”

…Huh?

Roro doubted her ears.

She’s always smiling, so I thought she was fine. But she’s hurt too?

And what does she mean by making others happy being like permission to be around them? Why would she need permission for that?

Roro was confused and was trying to find something comforting to say when Melissa’s voice quietly continued.

“Above all, I guess I’ll never be able to do this forever.”

Her tone flowed smoothly, like calm water.

“There’s nothing permanent in this world. Nothing stays, and nothing lasts. That’s why I want to do my best now. The only thing I can do is that.”

“Why are you saying that?”

Roro asked absentmindedly.

“Why talk like it’s all going to disappear soon? Nothing lasts forever? Then, what are you living for?”

“…Hmm.”

Melissa gave a slightly awkward smile for a moment before flashing a soft grin and holding her finger to her lips.

“Rather than that, should we find a way out of here? Could you let me know what the spirits around here are saying?”

Ah.

Only then did Roro become aware of her situation again.

This isn’t the time for this.

Roro could feel her throat going dry with nervousness.

She didn’t know how long they’d been in the cave, but it was obvious they wouldn’t last long like this.

No matter how much Melissa said she had emergency rations, the amount they could survive on for a few days wouldn’t be enough.

Most importantly.

The water in the bottle she held sloshed in her hand with a faint sound.

From that sound, she could tell that she had already drunk about half of it.

There was no visible water source in the cave, and even if there were a waterway, she wouldn’t know if it was safe to drink.

If what the spirit had told her earlier was true, then there was nothing here humans could drink.

Roro turned her gaze slowly and looked around.

This place looks strangely shaped.

Ever since she came here, she’d noticed that some of the spirits had human-like forms, but many more didn’t.

There were some that looked like fish, swimming through the air, some with four legs like cats or dogs, others resembling plants that walked or flew, and some that looked like beetles. There were even some that were so round that it was hard to pinpoint a specific form.

Are those squishy tentacles spirits too?

As Roro stared at something floating in the air, resembling a jellyfish from the ceiling, a question came to her ears again.

“What are the spirits doing?”

“…Well.”

Roro rolled her eyes and casually responded.

“They’re sticking to you.”

It smells so good…

It feels so nice…

So cozy…

Bzzzt bzzzt bzzzzt!

Actually, it had been bothering her for a while. Every time Melissa explored the cave, spirits would fly from somewhere and stick to her.

Right now, tiny spirits were hanging all over Melissa’s thick hair, shoulders, and arms.

And they were all wearing extremely satisfied expressions.

What the heck is going on here?

It’s not like spirit catnip or anything.

Roro looked at the spirits clinging to Melissa with a slightly uncomfortable expression.

Just then, one of the relaxed spirits mumbled.

I really like her.

The spirit next to it snuggled deeper into Melissa’s hair and responded.

Should we stay with her forever?

The spirits burst into laughter as their wings flapped.

Yeah, let’s do it!

Let’s stay with her here in this cave forever!

“Get off me right now!”

As soon as Roro heard that, she waved her arms and yelled.

Melissa blinked her eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“You!”

Roro glared at Melissa and asked.

“You want to leave, right? You do, don’t you?”

“Yes? Ah, yes.”

Melissa nodded, and the spirits fluttered around in surprise.

Why? Why do you want to leave?

Don’t you want to stay with us?

We’ll make it fun for you!

“We’re leaving! We’re leaving now!”

Roro shouted as she pointed at the clothes lying on the floor.

“We’re leaving just like that person did!”

Like that person?

The confused spirits started chattering amongst themselves.

That wasn’t us!

He disappeared as a particle. Whoosh!

He’s from the bloodline blessed by the Great One.

Yeah, yeah. That’s the power of the Great One.

“The Great One? Who is that?”

Roro asked, but the spirits continued chattering without stopping.

He hasn’t woken up yet.

We’re always waiting for him.

When will he return?

Then one spirit looked at Melissa and asked.

Can’t you do that too?

“…What?”

Roro asked dumbly. But the spirits just kept talking, not giving her an answer.

Eventually, Roro had no choice but to ask Melissa.

“You, can you get out of the spirit’s cave?”

“No?”

Melissa shook her head, looking confused.

“The only thing I can do is disarm magical traps or explosives. I’ve never been in a place like this before, and there’s no clear way out.”

“You can’t do it!”

Roro shouted angrily, and the spirits whispered in surprise.

She can’t do it.

She can’t?

No way.

But the scent of the Great One is so strong here.

Hmm, I thought she was the Great One at first.

One of the spirits, who had been whispering, muttered in confusion.

Now that I think about it, she seems not to understand our language?

Suddenly, the spirits’ eyes all turned toward Melissa.

Really?

Why can’t she see us?

The scent of the Great One is so strong.

Is something wrong?

This is weird.

Then one spirit suddenly raised its antennae.

Should we open the way for them?

Hiiiii, noooo…

One spirit, who had been weaving a ribbon out of Melissa’s hair, rolled its body and started throwing a tantrum.

Let’s stay with us, okay?

We’ll make it fun for you forever.

At that, all the other spirits stopped for a moment, then began chattering loudly.

Yeah!

Don’t go! Stay with us!

Let’s have fun here! You’ll enjoy it too!

“We’re leaving! Get lost!”

Roro growled as she swung her hand.

But the spirits that had fluttered around Roro landed back on Melissa’s body or hovered in the air, tilting their heads in confusion.

Why is she so angry?

Is she out of breath?

Humans can’t survive here for long, I guess.

Yeah, the last human who came here couldn’t even last ten nights before stopping moving.

…What?

Roro’s eyes widened as the spirits continued to chatter.

We were talking about the human who came before, the one blessed by the Great One.

Right. A human suddenly came in, and it was surprising.

Humans don’t usually come in here.

Yeah…

One of the spirits raised its ears.

I know! Someone must’ve intentionally opened the way for them.

Really?

There’s a human who can do that?

Listening closely to the spirits’ conversation, Roro hurriedly said.

“Whatever! We’re leaving! We shouldn’t stay here!”

Roro stomped her foot and yelled.

“Hurry up and open the way. Quick!”

The spirits, who had been puzzled by Roro’s urgency, finally looked at each other and hesitantly asked.

Do you really want to leave?