I Became a Fake Priest the Saintess Is Obsessed With

15 – Underground (2)

The place Poppy led us to was the underground sewer. It was dark inside, but thanks to the installed magical lanterns, we could see clearly ahead.

“Well, there are slimes over there. Normally, slimes don’t look so filthy, but the ones living in the back alleys eat waste and grow really dirty.”

“Oh… I see.”

“And that over there is a Ratman. Despite their appearance, they are gentle creatures, and they have a subtle intelligence, making some level of communication possible when you offer them food.”

“Oh, I see…”

Pobi knew a lot more about the monsters than I expected.

Since I was still unfamiliar with the monsters of this world, I listened with interest to his story.

“It’s an impressive mask… Before wearing it, I felt like I couldn’t even breathe, but now it’s much easier.”

“I’m a man who is always prepared, even in situations like this~ I carry extra masks just in case I go hunting with a lovely young lady like you!”

“Oh, I see.”

Considering it was a sewer filled with filth, I thought the stench would be unbearable, but thanks to the mask Pobi handed us, most of the smell was filtered out.

I couldn’t help but wonder how he managed to bring a woman into the sewer, but considering his preparedness, I didn’t raise any objections.

“It’s surprising that there’s a monster lair in the sewer.”

“Is that so? I was also surprised the first time I saw it. But most of the creatures here are gentle, so it’s okay. Even if there are aggressive ones, the Imperial Army will come to subdue them.”

As expected of the empire known for its good public order, they manage this side well.

The monsters that were visible, just as Pobi said, were only Ratmen and Slimes, so they didn’t seem particularly dangerous.

“Are you here to hunt Ratmen and Slimes then? They seem to be the only ones around…”

“hahahaha! Would the renowned Pobi hunt such mediocre monsters! We’re here to face a more special kind of monster!”

“A special kind of monster…?”

“A creature extremely hostile and aggressive towards humans!”

Sigh… I thought it would be an easy task, but just hearing the explanation made it sound like a challenging journey ahead.

“Relax your expression, young one! I’ve already subdued it several times; just trust me!”

Pondering deeply, Bomi approached and comforted me.

I wanted to say, “Do you think you can trust insane inspiration?” But seeing the knife and revolver clutched in his hand, I held my tongue.

Well, at least he excelled at wielding a knife.

Even if he’s out of his mind, we can trust his skill with a blade…

I stuck close to Bomi, and the holy maiden stuck close to me.

If someone saw us now, they might think we were playing “train” or something…

“Oh, what a lovely family gathering! Let’s go!”

Bomi, excited about something, took the lead and we moved forward.

We walked for what seemed like several minutes.

As we delved deeper into the sewer, the stinging smell filled our noses, even though we wore masks.

The foul and repulsive smell of filth dominated, but with a chilling hint of blood, I became tense.

“Is it okay to be smelling blood…?”

“It’s not human blood, so don’t worry…”

“If it’s not human blood, then what is it…?”

“Ratman, or maybe the blood of bugs or mice.”

Despite the unease, Bomi continued to press on.

I wondered if we should run away now, but since I had relied on Bomi to enter the sewer, I didn’t know the way out.

“Stop.”

At the intersection leading to a corner, Bomi halted us.

He had discovered something, pointing to the other side of the intersection with his finger.

As our gaze followed the finger, we witnessed a grotesque entity preying on Ratman.

Slurp…

It had a visage as if human flesh was melting away.

With a massive beak in the visible part of its face, bloodshot eyes, grotesquely stubby legs, and unusually long, unbalanced arms, its bizarre physique accentuated its peculiarity.

“Ugh…”

Saint Amelia couldn’t endure its repulsiveness and vomited.

Suppressing the bile rising within me, I cautiously spoke to Pobby.

“What is that, Pobby? It’s disgusting just to look at.”

“Well? I don’t know the exact name; these were recently found in the sewer.”

Even Pobby, knowledgeable about monsters, seemed unfamiliar with it.

In that case, I should ask someone who might know the secrets of this world.

‘Goddess, could you tell me what that grotesque creature is?’

As I earnestly called the goddess in my mind, a message from the system appeared before my eyes.

[Goddess says it’s a Fusion Entity.]

Fusion Entity?

Does that refer to a life form created by mixing various races?

‘Then what is that, and what races are mixed in that Fusion Entity?’

[Goddess refuses to answer while swallowing her saliva in silence.]

‘Don’t stay silent, and please tell me.’

[Goddess refuses to respond.]

The goddess, who had always answered my questions well, refused to respond for the first time.

Though a bit bewildering, I thought the goddess must have some circumstances preventing her from explaining.

“Alright, let’s start the hunt…!”

Pobi gripped the revolver and approached the creature slowly.

Tik-tik…

The Saintess and I stepped back, observing his actions.

Tik-tik…!

But… why do I hear crying nearby…?

Kyeeek!!!

“No way!”

Another fusion creature that had been hiding behind us suddenly launched a surprise attack.

However, Pobi, with superhuman speed, threw a knife, blocking the ambush. The fusion creature, with the knife embedded in its body, convulsed before taking its last breath.

“Unbelievable… You’re quite skilled at throwing!”

“Wait and see, young one! There are still a few left!”

Gunshots echoed from Pobi’s revolver, as if flames were spewing out.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The three bullets fired accurately pierced through the hidden fusion creatures.

“hahahaha! It’s truly satisfying! What do you think, young one? Am I impressive?”

Pobi had only fired three bullets at most, but the corpses of the fusion creatures counted more than seven.

At first, calling him the legendary hunter seemed exaggerative, but his skills were undoubtedly outstanding.

“It’s impressive, but are the bullets affordable?”

The gun itself is a cheap item.

However, the bullet prices are so high that guns are used more as toys for nobles, to the extent that it’s better to hire a few high-level mercenaries.

Is it really okay to consume something more expensive than what the beggars and nobles wear and carry around, made of gold?

“Didn’t I tell you? We looted a Dragon Rare before, so we have plenty of money. Don’t worry.”

Hmm… Is that really true?

After witnessing his exceptional hunting skills, I was confused whether his words were just boasting or actually true.

“Anyway, how was the hunt, youngsters? Did it excite you and make your blood boil?”

He shook his head vigorously.

“No. It was too scary. I almost wet my pants.”

“hahahaha! You were excited to the point of wetting your pants! Indeed, you have the spirit of a hunter!”

…Damn it.

I couldn’t communicate with Poppy at all, as if there was a language barrier between us.

I rubbed my forehead in frustration from the conversation that only gave me stress, and let out a deep sigh as if the ground was swallowing me, but then I noticed something on the floor.

“This is…”

It was a necklace with the name ‘Piel’ written on it.

Upon closer inspection, it resembled more of a small dog collar than a necklace, and it was lying near the fusion creature that ambushed us.

I cautiously picked it up.

“I could probably get quite a bit of money if I sell this to a scrap dealer.”

Although I felt a little uneasy, I considered it as loot and put the collar in my pocket.

“Great~! Now that we’re done warming up, let’s go play the real game!”

“Huh? Weren’t we just supposed to catch those things?”

“What nonsense are you talking about, Yangbae? The blood of a legendary hunter cannot be satisfied by hunting such mediocre prey!”

It felt like I was going crazy.

The smell of the sewer became more nauseating, the scent of blood grew stronger, and the sight of the corpses of the fusion creatures all around made me sick to my stomach.

In a situation like this, with Yangbae going off on a tangent, it was impossible to stay calm.

“Well then, what exactly should we hunt to be satisfied!!!!”

“An impossible beast that seems unbeatable. My goal is to defeat an enemy known as invincible. Stubborn…”

Poppy grinned, showing off her yellow-stained teeth.

“hahahaha… You really are completely insane, aren’t you?”

“Those who challenge the impossible always seem insane to others, even more so.”

If you know that, then get a grip on yourself.

I was dizzy because I had never met such a confident madman in my life.

“But it’s still impressive…”

“What?”

“The attitude of challenging the impossible looks cool, doesn’t it, Father?”

Could it be Stockholm Syndrome, where the victim sympathizes with the perpetrator?

The Saintess, in essence, started to sympathize with Poppy, who had practically abducted and brought us here.

“Ha! The young lady has a discerning eye! If you’re a man, you should adopt an attitude of challenging the impossible too!”

“I don’t know… I don’t want to… I don’t want to do something like that if I don’t have to…”

“hahahaha, you talk a lot. Follow me! I’ll turn you into a real man who doesn’t whine!”

Pobi forcefully grabbed my wrist and dragged me along.

Ah… perverted goddess.

If a man’s fate is like this, please let me be born as a woman in the next life.

I prayed desperately, envisioning the goddess who would witness my suffering.