Seeker 107

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Chapter 107. Cultist

Following the two dwarf warriors, we head toward the village's entrance. And there, what we saw was──.

"Skeleton! Just one, this early in the morning!?"

One of the dwarf warriors exclaimed. 

It was a gentle downhill path extending from the entrance of the settlement. 

In the distance, we could see the moving figure of a skeletal being. 

It appeared like a life model of a human skeleton, holding a bow and arrow in its hand.

The distance was still considerable, and magic wouldn't reach that far.

Similarly, the arrows from the other side couldn't reach us.

If that thing is considered a monster, it would be a Skeleton Archer rather than just a Skeleton. 

Then Skeleton. Their names were in the mission, so I confirmed it in the monster encyclopedia.

Right next to a Skeleton, there was a monster called Skeleton Archer.

It's like a Goblin Archer compared to a Goblin. But regardless, it's not a powerful monster. Stat-wise, it should be equivalent to or weaker than a Goblin.

After the Skeleton Archer made a gesture that seemed like laughter. 

It nocked an arrow on its bow and released it. 

Although we readied ourselves, as we expected, the arrow didn't reach us at all. 

It struck the mountain path, turning into a black mist and dissipating.

However, around where the arrow vanished, there was something noticeable. 

I saw something resembling a folded paper tied to a tree branch.

As for the Skeleton Archer, after making another laughter-like gesture.

It turned its back on us and ran away.

"W-What...? What was that Skeleton doing...?"

"What will we do, Badon? Should we chase after that Skeleton and attack it?"

"No, I'm concerned about its peculiar movements. It could be a trap. But it doesn't seem like the movement of an unintelligent monster. Could someone control that Skekeleton!?"

"What!?"

It seemed the two dwarf warriors had arrived at a hypothesis. But for me, it was all a bit confusing.

Yuzuki also tilted her head and asked me.

"Hey, senpai. Those dwarves have been talking about dark magic, but do you know what they're referring to? Seeker magic in our world doesn't have a dark attribute, right?"

"Yeah, that's right... Maybe in this world, there's a type of dark magic that we don't know."

"Wow, original magic from another world, huh?"

In our world, seekers' magic has 4 main attributes: fire, water, wind, and earth.

But there shouldn't be an attribute called dark. 

Well, based on the data I saw on the internet, so it's just hearsay. 

Neither the dwarf warriors nor us pursued the fleeing Skeleton. 

We didn't want to risk getting caught in traps without knowing what awaited us. 

Instead, we cautiously approached and collected the tied-to-tree branch paper. 

The paper appeared to be a letter. 

We unfolded it.

Then we saw red characters resembling blood and the written text.

[To the dwarf warriors of this village, I have taken custody of the female dwarf guard. Before the next night, she will have turned into a Revenant. If you value her life, you may come to our temple located to the west of this village to rescue her. But be cautious. Numerous skeletons are hidden and positioned around the settlement. Now, let the game begin! -From a follower of the God of Games.]

Upon reading the contents, one of the dwarf warriors trembled with anger and eventually crushed the letter with resentment.

"A game...!? I don't know who the hell this is, but they're mocking us! This is no cunning plan by Gordon!"

"Damn it, what is this! If followers of the evil god Lathima are involved in this matter...!"

"Oh, this is the worst! We've caught the attention of the worst lunatics!"

The two dwarf warriors spat out words one after another. 

While we didn't fully understand the situation, it was clear from the demeanor of the two dwarf warriors. 

The situation had become more dire compared to earlier. 

And most likely, the female dwarf guard who was on duty was in a life-threatening predicament.

I had only exchanged a few words of greeting with her, but I guess I wasn't insane enough to want to walk away from it all.

I glanced at Kazane-san and Yuzuki. 

Through eye contact, they expressed their affirmative will.

I turned to the two dwarf warriors and said.

"I'm sorry. We don't fully grasp the situation, but there might be something we can help with. Could you please tell us the details?"

Upon hearing that, the dwarf warriors widened their eyes and expressed their gratitude.