I was at the end of the line. The debt of 10 coins with Zara and another 5 with Lira, because of the disaster at the Fire Festival, felt like rocks in my pocket. Melina's song about "the strippers of the fire festival" was now sung even by Vaelor's beggars, and I just wanted to pay off these debts and stop being a laughingstock. My head was a mess. Elara, Vespera, and Liriel messed with me in ways I couldn't understand. Elara, with her shy glances that made my heart race; Vespera, with her teasing that made me blush; and Liriel, with that jealousy she tried to hide behind sarcasm—every moment of closeness turned into a catastrophe. I wanted to understand these feelings, but with this group, it was like trying to solve a puzzle that was on fire. The amulet, scepter, sphere, tome, and orb in my backpack glowed together, and Lira said the incendiary item from the festival was linked to the Demon King's general. The impending attack on Vaelor gave me chills.
At the guild, I found a mission that seemed connected: "Hunt a creature in the Mist Swamp, suspected of being linked to the Demon King's general. Reward: 80 silver coins." It was a chance to pay off the debts and strike against the threat. Dragging Liriel out of the inn was the same drama as always. "A stinking swamp? Unworthy of a goddess!" she complained, clutching her wine glass. Elara looked nervous. "I'll use protection spells, nothing excessive," she said, gripping her staff. Vespera, with her bow, smiled. "Swamps are exciting! I can't wait!" I tried to sound firm: "No crazy spells, no crooked arrows, no succubus charm. Just hunt the creature." They all nodded, but I knew it was empty talk.
The Mist Swamp was a dense mud pit, with thick fog and a stench of rot. We met Sylva, the elven huntress, and Gorr, a swamp hunter with a beard full of moss and a grumpy face. "The strippers? Great, more trouble," Gorr grumbled. Sylva laughed. "Careful not to strip the swamp." My face burned. Gorr said the creature, a giant slime, might be linked to the Demon King's general's ritual. Sylva, who was tracking the monster, guided us through the muddy paths. I noticed Elara walking closer, Vespera shooting me teasing glances, and Liriel posing with her wine glass, as if competing for my attention. It was confusing, and I just wanted to focus on the mission.
In the swamp, chaos came quickly. Elara tried a protection spell against the slime. "Just to block it!" she said. The shield glowed for a few seconds before she collapsed, panting. "Mana... gone," she groaned, falling into my arms. Her face was so close I felt my heart race, but the slime attacked, throwing a sticky wave that trapped us. Vespera, laughing, used her succubus charm. "Come here, filthy slime!" She lured the monster, but her arrows went crooked, hitting a tree that fell and spread even more mud. "Delicious chaos!" she shouted, as the slime hit her—and she seemed to enjoy it.
"Liriel, do something!" I yelled. She raised her glass. "Divine purification magic!" The mud turned into a glowing slime that stuck to everyone, leaving our clothes semi-transparent—again. I tried to hit the slime with my borrowed sword but slipped in the goo. Gorr, watching, snorted. "You're a plague." Sylva killed the slime with a precise shot, but the goo spread even more. In the center of the swamp, we found a crystal with markings identical to the amulet, scepter, sphere, tome, and orb. When we touched it, it released more slime, sticking us all together. Elara, still weak, murmured, "You always save me, Takumi...," blushing—almost a confession. Vespera, laughing, leaned closer. "I like seeing you like this, all messy." My face burned, but Liriel, irritated, tried another spell, which only made things worse: the goo stuck all four of us together with Sylva. "Mortals and their stupid crushes!" she huffed, but her jealous glare was sharper than ever. Gorr, laughing, said, "That's one for the taverns."
We got the crystal, but the swamp was left in ruins. At the guild, we received 50 coins, discounted for damages. We paid off Lira's debt, but Zara's remained at 10 coins, and Gorr charged us 5 more for the mess. At the inn, I sat exhausted while Elara and Vespera argued over who "defeated" the slime. "My protection helped!" said Elara. "And my charm lured it in!" countered Vespera. Liriel, sipping her wine, snorted. "You're pathetic. I did everything."
When they went out to get food, I pulled Liriel aside. "If you're a goddess, who's on your throne right now?" She shrugged. "Celine, my assistant. She's annoying but handles things." She took a sip. "Why? Trying to get rid of me?" She smiled, giving me a look that left me confused. Sylva passed by the inn, saying the crystal confirmed an active ritual by the Demon King's general, with minions gathering in Vaelor. "Be careful, strippers," she said, leaving. I looked at the glowing items—amulet, scepter, sphere, tome, orb, crystal. Those moments with Elara, Vespera, and Liriel—almost confessions—shook me, but always turned into humiliation. And now more Demon King minions? My life was a nightmare, and I just wanted one day without being called a pervert.