Labyrinths were a source of great pride. In terms of the modern world, it was similar to hitting it rich through stocks. It was always a gamble, but one that was endorsed by the world and had no legal repercussions for the most part.

People could find items in labyrinths that could buy them two castles outside. Spells that mages would kill for. Abilities and skills that could make them famous overnight. And if nothing else, like making small gains on their investment, they would at least get stronger and earn a little bit of money.

Of course, just like stocks, when there were no legal repercussions there were always personal repercussions. Someone could lose all their investments in the modern world, here they would die a gruesome death—pretty much the same thing.

I trudged through the forest while looking for such corpses. The growlish chirps of the hideous insects and birds echoed in my ears.

Night had fallen, it would have been dangerous to move right now, but pushing myself would only help me.

And… I couldn't sit idle with my thoughts.

Now and then, small animals crossed my path. They immediately ran away after seeing me and I didn't chase them either.

That was when I noticed a tiny fox—or at least what I assumed was a fox—already running past.

My eyes traced its path, and I walked where it had run from.

There, past the trees in a small clearing, a giant fleshy bear was feeding on the corpse of a group of adventurers.

I quickly pressed myself against the trees. The mana I had used hadn't recovered and my body was still a mess. I couldn't fight for now.

My only option was to wait. I quietly slid down to the ground, my back stuck against the trunk, and sat on the ground.

The sound of the bear's feast echoed. I quietly pulled my knees closer and buried my head in my hands.

.

.

.

The bear left after what felt like hours, but it was probably closer to 20 minutes. I peeked out of the trees and saw that the animal was gone. Slowly, I pushed myself off the ground and walked over to the corpses.

The sight was gruesome, but I had learned to ignore it. I quietly checked around. It seemed to be a party of four, they hadn't died from the bear…

A claw mark ran through the face of the remnants of the most robust body, probably the warrior or tanker… It seemed not 'all' of them had died from the bear.

My eyes went on their luggage. The bear had left it alone. I rummaged through the bags of the adventurers and felt a sharp pang of guilt.

What kind of idiocy had taken over my head to not look around in the city itself? It felt like everything that had happened since I left Magen to the point where I realized I had survived the fight against the Scorpion was a blur. It was hard to recall the events.

Now that the thirst for vengeance was becoming a part of me, it finally opened room for more thought instead of being the only thing on my mind.

“Food… some sanitation, water… I can use magic for that. Where is the mage's...? Got it.“

There was, thankfully, almost an abundance of everything I needed. It was items for four, and they seemed to have died very early into their exploration.

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I found the mage's luggage. Here was the thing I was looking forward the most to.

Buying magic spellbooks myself had a limit. They were expensive and only sold through magic towers. While people like adventurers and knights could access basic magic spells, specialization was difficult.

Taking it from mages seemed like the best option. I could also use them right away, and use as many as I find. While my stats would fluctuate, magic was the way to go.

It wasn't uncommon for mages or other roles to bring such spellbooks or personal items either. They had to improve and could spend months at a time here.

I found a spell book after looking around.

[Intermediate Water Magic (3rd circle)]

[Intermediate Water Magic (4th circle)]

Both of them were useful books. There was also a blue stone inside the bag, which seemed to have been kept rather well. I decided to take the bag itself instead of worrying about things.

“That should be enough.“

Taking everything I could, I stood up and turned away. But my feet felt heavy.

I turned back again.

The corpses were mauled by the bear. They had been half eaten, and who knew what would eat the rest of them.

With a sigh, I dropped the bag and grabbed a small shovel which they had brought here as a camping tool. With the shovel in hand, I started digging the ground up.

It took hours, but the hard work ended with four shallow but deep enough holes in the ground. I used magic too to make it faster.

I then pulled the bodies and dragged them into the ground, burying them.

As I pulled the heavy bodies in the humid heat, my thoughts remained elsewhere.

Why the hell was I doing this? Was it compassion?

Was I feeling bad for them? That would be rich coming from a grave robber

I couldn't be a good person anymore. Not anymore.

The soil fell on their bodies, slowly filling the hole up. I used their four weapons—a bow, a sword, a staff, and a dagger as gravestones and stepped back.

The only reason I did this was because they were 'destined' to remain here, defiled even in death.

Since I couldn't escape mine.

I at least tried to deny those gods' destiny.

At least that much, for now.

I turned away again and started walking off. And once more, I stopped in my tracks.

My eyes snapped back and landed on the corpses.

On the weapons. Skills I wasn't going to forget, were far more useful than stats.

“That should make us even…”

***

The grand city of Crimson, the Captial of Zirkonia faded in the distance as a cheeky young knight peered out the window.

He smirked at the distant city which had been his home for a long time and closed his eyes.

“Oh great goddess Eos, thank you for pulling me through another gathering of crazies.“

The saintess sitting across the knight scoffed at his words.

“I should have you pelted for those words. What do you mean crazies?“

“Crazies and a beautiful maiden.“

“I favored the heroes too.“

“Crazies, a beautiful maiden, and a classroom worth's otherworldly heroes.“

The knight finished his prayer and nodded, satisfied with himself. A prayer overseen by the Saintess of the goddess made it at least ten times as effective.

“To blue, then?“ The saintess, gently stroking her hair, asked. She pondered how she should style it today to most piss off the bishops and other members of the church when they would hear about her choices.

“Yes. We heard some strange incidents were happening in Blue and the count has started patrolling the streets from yesterday. Are you sure you want to go there?“

The saintess nodded.

“I can always use you as bait if anything happens, so I am not worried.“

“Bait? I am hurt. Why can't we use Brother Coachman instead?“

The coachman outside shivered.

“Ah, perhaps a high pony?“ The saintess gathered her long silver hair and tied it up as she looked at the knight. They had a long journey ahead of them, but her mind kept running back to the one she had just left behind.

It was perhaps the longest period that all the seven saintesses had gathered. After all, they had to nurture heroes from another world.

Unfortunately, even as she left, the saintess couldn't help but feel a bit bitter and a tad more intrigued by everything.

She turned to her knight who was wordlessly being cursed by the coachman and asked.

“What do you think about the heroes? Honestly, since it's just us here.“

The knight leaned back in his seat.

“They were brilliant. I still can't believe they never fought or used magic in the other world.“

The saintess nodded, she had felt that first hand too. Some of them even had the potential to surpass some saints and be chosen as oracles of the septet.

“That's why… it's a giant shame.“

The saintess softly smiled. It seemed her knight was of the same thought.

The heroes may have slipped from their grasp. No, it was certain they didn't have as much control over all of them as they would have liked.

“I wonder what the gods were thinking…” said the knight. “Asking us to kill one of them. It's a shame.“

“How can we comprehend what the great deities think?“ The saintess looked out of the window. “We can only follow and watch.“