The foxkin really let me go. She even let Gold Seeker go, but not before taking all his stuff. It’s a shame about Money Grubber though. Is this karma? She refused to lend money to Gold Seeker, forcing him to attend the Despair God’s Tomb’s opening. And for that, she was kidnapped by a deranged foxkin. I’m not sure if the punishment fits the crime: It’s too harsh.

“She’s still there! Catch her!”

…I swear I just heard the foxkin, but then again, I’m in a very crowded and noisy place. It’s easy to have made a mistake. Despite being a sky-realm expert, differentiating between this many sounds is difficult. And … there’s a large phoenix flying towards me. I’m deluding myself, aren’t I? Why does this damned foxkin want to catch me again!? “Hello again, Mrs. Feathers.” That’s the phoenix’s name, right? I bet the foxkin named it.

“Don’t call me that!”

Ow! The phoenix hit my face with its wing! All I saw was a flash of red after she spoke. As expected of the foxkin’s pet; they’re both so damn violent. “Do you really have to tie me up?”

“Yes, Boss’s orders,” the phoenix said. “If I don’t listen to her, she’ll try to eat me.”

…Have I been mistaken? Perhaps this phoenix is on my side after all. She has an abusive owner, but that doesn’t excuse the fact she’s violent herself. No. I wasn’t mistaken. Both this foxkin and this phoenix are evil. Once the phoenix finished tying me up, she slung me over her wing and onto her back, right next to Money Grubber. If Money Grubber was caught due to bad karma, why was I caught? Bad luck? My luck’s always been relatively good. I suppose it was about time for it to run out.

A small clearing had been made around the foxkin. If I had to guess how, she probably picked people up and tossed them aside after taking their valuables. Even the people who were still in despair knew to avoid her space which was conveniently right in front of the tomb’s entrance. Even after I told her being first offered no benefits, she still claimed this spot. Though, I’m surprised she didn’t just destroy the tomb like the Slaughter God’s.

“Treasure Finder!” the foxkin said and smiled at me as if she were happy to see me. I wish I could do the same, but all I could muster up was a scowl. “I need your help again. I’m going to conquer the tomb and take the inheritance!”

If I ask her for my interspacial ring back, she’ll probably reject even if I agree to help her, so I won’t to save myself from being embarrassed. But does she even need my help? Actually, the almanac I gave her should’ve had its subscription canceled, so she probably does need me to guide her through the tomb. But she doesn’t even listen to my suggestions! Ugh, I’m still mad about that. She asks me for advice and proceeds to directly ignore me. …Then again, circumstances were different from the trials depicted in the almanac. However, that was probably due to her affinity with slaughter. This time, there shouldn’t be any unexpected changes…. Right?

“Hello? Are you listening?”

“Yes.”

“Then you should’ve responded!” The foxkin snorted and crossed her arms over her chest. By her side, the purple girl—who I’m pretty sure was the statue from the Slaughter God’s Tomb—stared at the foxkin. Was that disbelief? “When does the tomb open?”

“It opens at noon today.” But is that really all she’s worried about? “So…, by any chance, you do know the Slaughter Seeking Sect is here, right? And that you probably shouldn’t flaunt the Slaughter God’s inheritance?”

“Eh…. But it makes me look pretty!” The foxkin furrowed her brow and looked up at the sky. The war between the two sects was still ongoing. Luckily, the phoenix was here to fend off the few stray attacks that came by. “Besides, those slaughter people are busy fighting the despair people. They don’t have time to worry about me.”

I’m not sure where this foxkin’s confidence comes from. Most people are confident in their abilities, but I think this foxkin is only confident because she’s too stupid to recognize any danger that exists. It’s a miracle that she’s survived this long especially since the bad karma she’s accumulated must be astronomical. “Shall I tell you about the trials inside the tomb right now?”

“No, tell me inside before they start or I’ll forget.”

Of course.

“Oh!” The foxkin’s eyes widened as if she just remembered something. “Tell me about the defensive formation protecting this stupid tomb. Does it just blow people up and make them rip their faces off?”

I don’t think the defensive formation blows people up…. “It’s a mental attack that causes whoever it targets to feel an immense amount of despair. Maybe people commit suicide via self-detonation if it targets them?” That’s the only reason I can think of that’ll cause people to explode. And … I just noticed the traces of self-detonation on the tomb walls and ground around it. “Did you throw people at the wall again?”

“Mm, it was a gentle toss, not a throw.” The foxkin frowned. “Is there anyway to avoid this despair?”

It seems like the only reason she’s trying to take the inheritance normally is because she can’t figure out a way to go around this defensive formation. Good job, Despair God. You’re much better at defending your grave compared to the Slaughter God. “I don’t think there is. But if you have an unyielding conviction, the despair shouldn’t affect you.”

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“An unyielding conviction…,” the foxkin muttered. “How do I get one of those? Can I steal, err, borrow it from someone?”

“Uh, I think you’re either born with it or not…. It’s not something you can take from someone else.” Do I tell her that she probably doesn’t have it? No, I won’t. Maybe she’ll delude herself into thinking she does and touch the wall, activating the defensive formation. One can only dream.

Volume 3 Chapter 11 - Despair (4)

The tomb opened. Once again, I was the first one inside. And the interior is exactly the same as the Slaughter God’s Tomb’s. Am I really in the right place? “Why’s this place so similar to that other one?”

Treasure Finder cleared her throat from atop Mrs. Feather’s back. “The Slaughter God, Despair God, and Death God were sworn brothers, presumably, because they were similar to one another. It’s no surprise that their sense of design is the same. I mean, couldn’t you tell just by looking at the exterior of the tomb?”

“They might’ve been sworn brothers, but you shouldn’t assume they’re similar to each other,” Ilya said. Was she mad? She seemed upset. I wonder why; isn’t she just a statue? “The Slaughter God’s tastes are much nobler and more refined than the other two’s. And, while they might have been sworn brothers, they did have a falling out because the Death God couldn’t abide by an agreement.”

Treasure Finder rolled her eyes. “Says the statue created by the Slaughter God.” Then she looked at me. “I’m sure you’re aware, but this statue you keep around might not have your best interests in mind. You seized the Slaughter God’s inheritance in a manner that wasn’t intended. If you’re not careful, this statue might kill you or force you into dangerous situations because of that.”

Hmm…. Durandal was saying that too. And I’m only here at this tomb because Vera, who’s also a statue, made a deal with me…. But Ilya would never want to kill me! But this Ilya’s a fake. …And even the real Ilya didn’t want to stay with me. Hah…. Why do I feel so sad? Is it because of the tomb? It definitely is! The Despair God’s Tomb, what a fitting name. “I don’t like this place.” I should destroy it. But I don’t have that thing Treasure Finder calls unyielding conviction. And I can’t steal it from someone either. It must be a really rare treasure.

“Hmph! We’ll forgive your transgressions this one time!”

“Our transgressions? You attacked first!”

Oh? A lot of people are streaming in. Like, a lot a lot, say, two whole sects of people. Is their war over? Who won? Mm, it doesn’t matter either way. “What’s the first trial, Treasure Finder?”

“Catching the despair fish.”

…Really? “Is the second trial destroying three statues too?”

“Similar.”

“…That’s lame.” Actually…, I might get another Ilya! Wouldn’t that be nice? If having one Ilya already makes me this smart, imagine what having two would do. “Mm, I guess it’s a good thing those dead people copied each other.” And I already know how to deal with the despair fish when they all gather up to eat me! Anes…, painkillers!

Treasure Finder cleared her throat. “Do you want to know the details about the first trial?”

“Nope!” I already know! It’s going to be easy. All I need is my net that I use to catch Durandal.

“Welcome to my tomb, graverobbers. Perhaps one of you will inherit my will. The rest of you can despair.”

Ooh, it’s the exact same metallic voice as last time. They’re really unoriginal, huh?

“The first trial, catching the despair fish, requires you to catch and eat ten despair fish to proceed. Despair fish are attracted to despair. Kill, torture, maim each other to bring out a banquet of despair for the fish to feast upon! Let the first trial…, begin!”

Mm, the only difference is this voice is much more talkative than the other one. It’s nicer too with all its explanations. And now, I wait for the despair fish to descend from the…, ack!? “Treasure Finder, what’s happening!?” The, the ground! There’s, there’s, there’s water! “Water’s coming out of the ground!” Fly! I can’t fly!? Why can’t I fly!? “What the fuck is this shit!? Help!”

“I mean, they’re called despair fish. Isn’t it obvious that fish live in water?” Treasure Finder’s friend asked.

“No! It’s not obvious at all! They’re supposed to fly!” Boat! Where’s my boat!? The water’s up to my ankles! At this rate, I’ll drown soon! “Treasure Finder, you bastard, why didn’t you warn me earlier!?”

“You said you didn’t want to know the details….”

“Fuck your details! If there was water, you should’ve told me!” I can’t take my boat out of my interspacial ring! “Why can’t I take my boat out of my ring!?”

“Boss…, by any chance, are you afraid of water?” Mrs. Feathers asked. Even the Long family members were staring at me with strange expressions, but I didn’t have time to teach them all a lesson because the water was already up to my knees!

“Mrs. Feathers!” If I can’t use a boat, I’ll use her! “Expand a bit to let me on your back!” That’s right! Mrs. Feathers is a giant when she grows to her full size. Carrying me should be super easy for her. Phew. There’s plenty of space for me even with these two tied-up people and the barkeep.

“I’ll heat up my back to dry your clothes,” Mrs. Feathers said. Then she became warmer! She’s the best.

“Mrs. Feathers.”

“Yes, Boss?”

“I’m glad I didn’t eat you.”

“…Thanks, Boss.”

But, there’s still so much water! It’s up to the Long family members’ chests, and they’re not even showing signs of panic! Do they know how to swim? Mm, they’re very brave. “Mrs. Feathers, grow a little bigger.” The water’s getting too close for comfort. It, it touched my tail!? I can’t even relax my tail!? I was caught off guard because I thought it was safe on Mrs. Feathers! “Grow bigger!”

“Boss, the despair fish are swarming towards us!”

“Who cares about some stupid fish, you dumb barkeep!? Grow bigger, damnit, Mrs. Feathers!”

“…Boss, I’m already at my full size. The water’s only up to my ankles.”

Eh? Then what touched my tail? It still feels like my tail’s in the water…. “Is that a fish?” It is a fish! “I thought you said these fish couldn’t fly, Treasure Finder’s friend!”

Treasure Finder’s friend didn’t say anything, so Treasure Finder answered instead. “It must’ve bit you while you were still in the water.”

“Over there! All the despair fish are gathering towards that phoenix!”

“Old Man Despair, just this once, let’s put our differences aside for the greater good. The two of us should be enough to take care of that quasi-immortal beast.”

“Who are you calling an old man, you slaughter-filled brat? Respect your elders more, especially when you’re asking for their help.”

Mm? Those two sects are plotting against me? I should’ve destroyed them both outside!