Chapter 2: BLOWIN’
Pulmy En Dynast.
She was the Guild Master of the town—my first base as I sought to conquer the Mirror Labyrinth—where I had set foot in this world. An Elf Woman with striking Green Eyes. There was no way I could forget her.
“This evening, I will be speaking with her,” Sensei announced.
His expression was tinged with nostalgia, as if he were excited to catch up with a long-lost friend.
On the other hand, I was taken aback when her name slipped from Sensei’s lips.
It wasn’t that I feared her or held any disdain. In fact, it was quite the opposite. I respected her noble character and the kindness that often lay hidden beneath her exterior. I trusted her completely.
After all, it was the Knight Commander who had trained me in swordsmanship, and it was Ange who had bestowed upon me the magic that had brought me this far. Similarly, it was Pulmy—who had tirelessly worked to teach me the basics of labyrinth exploration, despite my complete lack of experience as a Seeker.
I found myself reminiscing about my memories with her. First and foremost, she was an extraordinarily beautiful woman, a sight I had never encountered in my previous world.
Little did I know at the time, but among the Elves—who were said to be all stunning—she was particularly striking.
When I first arrived in Green Eyes, I had no immunity to the presence of women, and I found myself blushing and unable to meet her gaze.
Looking back, it was clear that she, being far more mature than I was mentally, had sensed my discomfort. Thus, she had taken it upon herself to bridge the gap between us.
For instance, it was unusual, but whenever I sought her guidance, it was customary for me to do so in her office—the room designated for the Guild Master.
That day was dedicated to her lecture on the tools necessary for Seekers. As soon as I entered her office, she handed me some materials.
“Feel free to look through this while I explain each item one by one. Make sure to remember everything,” she said with a somewhat cheeky and cool demeanor.
To someone unfamiliar with her, she might appear as an untouchable embodiment of beauty, her coolness and looks creating an alluring aura.
I flipped through the materials she had given me. Upon being summoned to this world, I had gained the Otherworld Translation Ability, allowing me to understand not just conversations but also written text. As I focused on the contents, I noticed the letters were unusually rounded and adorably cute. Moreover, as I turned the pages, I discovered charming hand-drawn illustrations.
In hindsight, the content was simplified for beginners, concise enough to help someone like me graduate from novice status once memorized.
I could feel the immense effort that had gone into creating those materials.
As I chatted with Mika, saying things like, “Look at this illustration!” and “Wow, this is amazing!” I noticed Pulmy’s ears turning red.
Indeed, the illustrations were delightful. The materials included not only tools like flasks and herbs but also numerous cute, stylized depictions of monsters that captured their characteristics perfectly. Mika seemed particularly taken with them, repeatedly exclaiming, “This is great! I love this!”
Mika continued her enthusiastic praises, while I nodded along, and in response, Pulmy’s face grew even redder.
“While it’s nice to receive compliments, let’s tone it down a bit. Return to the first page; it’s time to start the lecture,” she said.
It was then that I realized the materials were crafted by her own hands.
This revelation was far removed from the image I had of Pulmy. I never would have imagined that such a cool person would create such adorable illustrations herself.
Above all, despite being swamped with her duties as Guild Master, she still took the time to create these materials for us. She could have easily delegated the task to her subordinates or outsourced it. She had every opportunity to cut corners.
Pulmy was like this in every aspect. She never cut corners when it came to my education, always striving to be directly involved.
Her words were cool and straightforward, yet she was always sincere, thoughtful, and compassionate.
Indeed. Although it had been less than a year, I owed her a great deal. I felt a profound sense of gratitude.
So why had I flinched when I heard Pulmy’s name?
It was because Pulmy was not only a reliable woman to me but also the guardian of Ange, who was now referred to as a Sage.
I traced back my memories.
It was after I had survived a fierce battle against the boss monster, the Angel, in the Light Labyrinth.
At that time, I was overwhelmed by an inescapable sense of emptiness. After a life-and-death struggle, I had finally returned to the town, only to have my partner—who I believed loved me—leap into the arms of another man right before my eyes. The shock was indescribable.
To begin with, when Pulmy brought Ange to me, it was right after Mika had distanced herself from me, and I was living a life akin to that of a recluse. With my partner gone once again, I found myself in a daze, contemplating retreating back into isolation… No, that wasn’t it. I couldn’t even do that. The memories of both towns were too overwhelming.
Even if I wanted to forget, or suppress my feelings, memories of them were everywhere in the town. Just walking through the streets would inevitably awaken memories of happier times. It was unbearable pain, forcing me to confront my loneliness.
Thinking about it made me restless. I could no longer stay there. That feeling surpassed even my sense of emptiness.
I immediately approached the Guild Master to discuss the next labyrinth and town. Three days later, I rolled out of the town, ready to embark on my next adventure.