~Chapter 118~
As expected, Kan had protected the children who escaped the labyrinth with him.
He tried to take responsibility for the kids who couldn’t return to their parents or head to other villages.
He also seemed to notice the strangeness of this village far too quickly.
“Kan… he also witnessed God’s miracle. But after seeing it, he said this place was a cult’s village!”
When the cult tried to force the children to do strange tasks, Kan attempted to lead everyone in an escape.
But they failed. Kan was captured, and the children scattered.
‘He figured out it was a cult village?’
He didn’t have much information to work with. Our main character… how can he be so perfect?
I only admired him for a moment.
If he was locked in prison, at least that was better than the worst-case.
‘But he’s already been locked up for more than three days.’
Soon he would be dragged into the phenomenon.
Dad and I had only been here for one day.
In the game, it was best to wait three days and investigate the village naturally.
‘But Kan’s in danger. I can’t wait.’
I had visited the prison in the game too. Thinking of it in reality, it wasn’t a place anyone should remain long.
Especially imagining how cultists treated their prisoners.
I raised my head.
“Dad, this might be dangerous… but can you come with me?”
Dad bent down on one knee before me.
“You don’t need to ask. Just give the order.”
“No, I don’t like that. I know it’s dangerous—that’s why I’m asking, not ordering.”
“Isn’t risking danger to save someone exactly the right thing to do?”
Dad smiled faintly.
“I’m not your real parent, but… in this, we’re alike.”
“Of course. I’m your daughter, so I take after you.”
Dad’s smile turned a little bitter, but then grew warmer and deeper.
[‘Dad’ feels happiness!]
I smiled brightly at the floating sign.
“Then let’s go now. We’re heading to the prison, right?”
“Yes.”
I had to see Kan with my own eyes.
Thankfully, I wouldn’t leave all the burden on Dad—I could help too.
After all…
I touched the bandage on my cheek.
‘Dad was so shocked when he saw my wound at dinner.’
He had even stopped breathing for a moment.
He tried to storm into the workplace where I got hurt, and I had to stop him.
He even blamed himself, saying I was injured because he was useless, his confidence shaken.
It had taken a lot to cheer him up again.
I felt a little sorry, but in truth, I was glad I got hurt.
Because it brought me unexpected luck.
[Achievement unlocked! First injury by a monster!]
[Active Skill ‘White Footstep’ acquired!]
It surprised me, but I was happy too.
‘Normally, this skill isn’t obtained this way, but… good for me.’
The new skill…
‘It makes my presence faint, like an assassin.’
Very useful for sneaking into places full of enemies.
I never thought I’d get it here.
‘Maybe luck is on my side this time.’
I explained the skill briefly to Dad.
And about four hours later—
At 3 a.m.—
We quietly slipped outside.
Dad told me not to speak, not even to breathe for a while.
So I stayed still in his arms, like a block of wood.
“You can breathe now. You can talk too.”
“Haa… okay.”
Several close calls happened as we moved.
‘The security was strict.’
But since most guards were at the village fence, Dad managed to avoid them well.
It helped that he had worked near the prison during the day.
He even pulled weeds there.
‘He worked so hard pulling weeds that his hands turned green…!’
To think they made a former hero do such chores—I swallowed my frustration.
“The prison’s less guarded.”
“Yeah, I think I know why.”
Because I’d been there before.
‘They drug the prisoners to make them faint or weaken their bodies, so they don’t need guards.’
When I explained this, Dad’s face stiffened in shock.
He quickened his pace.
“I feel no strong presence inside. Just as you said—the prisoners are unconscious. I’ll guard the entrance.”
I nodded. We’d already planned this.
“If something happens inside—”
“I’ll summon you right away! Don’t worry!”
With no time to lose, I hurried into the prison.
‘In the game, Kan was in the very last cell, wasn’t he?’
I paused when I entered.
The place looked just like the game—but far darker.
The foul stench and the groans of unconscious people made me hold my breath.
Soon, I reached the final cell.
I checked each one along the way, but Kan wasn’t there.
Finally, I shone my flashlight inside the last cell—
My eyes widened.
‘Empty…?!’
The prison was completely empty. My heart dropped.
The boy swore Kan was here.
‘Did he lie to me?’
Or had Kan already been dragged into the phenomenon?
That would be the worst.
Cold sweat ran down my back.
‘I need to talk to Dad—now.’
I quickly switched off the flashlight and turned to leave.
Then—
Thud!
Right in the moment my eyes hadn’t adjusted to the dark, footsteps sounded nearby.
“…!”
A hand grabbed me. My body was pulled against cold chains.
I gasped, wide-eyed.
It was tight, but not painful.
“Alisha, so you’re tonight’s guard—”
The voice cut off.
I froze too, staring through the bars at the silhouette.
‘But I checked carefully—it was empty a moment ago!’
I couldn’t look away.
Because standing there—
A boy, a little taller than me.
Thinner than before, but still with that shining, almost pure face.
His startled but kind eyes.
The one I had been searching for all along.
The one I had changed fate itself to save.
Kan.
Without thinking, I grabbed the hand gripping my collar.
“…Kan!”
I felt his hand tremble.
Confusion, doubt, questions—everything shone in his red eyes.
The boy’s lips moved slowly.
“…Do you… know me?”
