The Stagnant Witch’s Survival Method

It’s a bit late to mention this now, but there were many reasons why mental fortitude was the perk I always included whenever I played this game.

One of them was seeing through powers of illusion or manipulation.
After cross-checking, I realized that while the object looked like a beacon to everyone else, only I saw it as a strange item.

“Why?”

It’s incomprehensible.
If my thinking is correct, someone switched the beacon with this item and made it still look like a beacon, but why do such a thing?

While looking at the item with numerous questions, memories that had been gradually fading started to come back.
How could I have forgotten this?
It was something I used so usefully.
Seeing my expression become strange, worried gazes are sent from around me.

“Are you okay Grace? Wouldn’t it be better to install it quickly and go back?”
“That’s right. Your condition is deeply worrying, commoner.”
“I’ll carry you on my back!”
“No, that’s not it.”

I stood up.
Information about the item is instantly engraved in my mind one by one.
Even if it’s a faint memory, the moment I grasp its tail, I can pull out the whole body to the head at once.

▶ [Shadow’s Perfume]
▶ A scent that only monsters can smell spreads and attracts them here.
▶ From the moment it’s exposed to air, the scent spreads.
▶ Can be installed and sprayed as needed.

[Shadow’s Perfume] is one of the main items that the alchemist faction can produce.
Usually, it’s used to spray the perfume for farming and deal with the monsters that pour in.
I used it a lot in the game.
Because there’s no need to bother finding and killing monsters.
But now there’s no reason to use it for such a purpose, and it’s not that situation.

“Why such a trick?”

If we had installed this, we could have all died.
No, somehow I might have a way to barely survive alone.
But everyone here would die. The young witches, even the mercenaries who followed.
Monsters pouring in after smelling the perfume from beyond the domain would make it so.

My worries deepen.
I did my best to survive here.
I tried not to make enemies as much as possible.
Honestly, if I wanted, there were many opportunities to grow through extreme methods.
I could kill witches and offer them as sacrifices, set traps that are bound to catch, or try various methods that veterans know to shipwreck the Witch Society.

But I didn’t.
Because it’s uncertain.
I’ve never started from the Witch Society before, and I haven’t played much as a witch, so I’ve been moving timidly until now.
This is reality, so I couldn’t play like I did in the game.
Moreover, if the Witch Society collapses, there’s no organization to protect the domain.

But malice was placed here.
If I hadn’t seen through it with my mental fortitude perk, I can clearly see what catastrophe would have been laid.

“Who could it be…?”
The purpose is obvious. The cause is obvious. There’s no need for long speculation.
The of a 6th rank witch comes to mind.
This level of switching and illusion was impossible except for .
And there are only three witches who have reached 6th rank in the Witch Society.

Elune, Isoldia, Carmia.

Elune lacked plausibility to do such a thing.
One way or another, we belonged to Elune’s side.
Isoldia is severely injured and has no leisure to use Word of Power.
Therefore, by process of elimination, only one remains.

Carmia, and the ‘gathering’.

“Yeah, I could accept things like inviting or saying to join them to this extent, but if they pull such a dirty trick.”

Perhaps thanks to mental fortitude, fear didn’t surge.
I calmly stood up.

Originally, I didn’t enjoy growing slowly.
I enjoyed gambling, walking tightropes repeatedly to swallow an entire organization whole and rise high.
This was one playstyle.
When other users continued the game by raising their ranks one by one, I burst through to high ranks in an instant.

Even when I was a witch’s sacrifice, the idea of jumping into the witch’s ritual to resolve the situation stemmed from this.

“There’s no reason to stay still.”
“A-are you really okay?”
“I’m fine. Rather, my head is spinning well.”

I put the perfume back.
One way or another, it was a precious item, so there was no reason to throw it away.
Throwing it away for nothing would likely only make the problem bigger.

“We need to go back as quickly as possible.”
“Huh? Like this?”
“Well, this isn’t a beacon anyway. You’ll probably find out soon? We need to go back first, it’s dangerous here.”

Sensing that my atmosphere was unusual, everyone got on their brooms without much resistance.
And no one wanted to stay here longer.

“I have somewhere I need to stop by before we go, do you want to leave first?”
“Where are you going alone?”
“It’s nothing much, just something I need to check. You can follow if you really want to.”

As soon as I said that, Sharen nodded vigorously.
I didn’t particularly refuse company from other witches.
It’s not like they could recognize a Hidden Piece even if they saw it anyway.

“This lady is curious too, that you have something to find.”
“I don’t want to go alone! I’m following!”

So all the witches rushed into the cave.
Geez, are you that curious?
I sighed deeply and took the lead, slowly entering the cave interior.

The interior was very simple.
A space that didn’t seem to have anything particularly special.
The kids chattered here and there, not having a moment to rest.

“To think there was such a cave here.”
“It seems… cozy, I wonder if people lived here?”

Meanwhile, I dug straight into the center of the cave to search for the Hidden Piece.
And I could find it without much difficulty.

A skeleton in a sitting position.
At that strange sight, the girls swallowed one by one.
Sharen said trembling:

“S-scary…”
“Hu, huhuh, to be scared of such a thing, as expected of commoners…”
“Wak!”
“Kyaaaah!”

Thud-

Belladrin was speaking proudly for no reason when Ulrisa startled her from behind, making her fall over in fright.
Ulrisa giggled.

“Chick, cute. It’s hilarious to see you act all cocky and then slip up, makes me laugh till my stomach hurts.”
“You, you scared me? And calling me a chick? You barbarian…!”

I was a bit dumbfounded watching those two bicker.
We just fought hard against monsters until now, do they still have this much energy?

Ignoring them, I tapped the skeleton.
As expected, the skeleton turned to dust and disappeared.
At the same time, a voice echoed in my head.

Child who succeeds me, I shall bestow upon you the power I wield.
May this great will continue on…

It was a very brief lingering thought.
But a voice that resonated, penetrating my mind.
I examined in detail the power given to me.

As the name includes ‘absolute’, it’s quite a powerful barrier power.

Usage is limited to five times a day.

But in exchange, there’s no delay or consumption cost other than the usage limit.

A power that creates a barrier immediately if desired.

It can be used usefully in moments when life is in danger.

It’s a Hidden Piece on the ordinary side.
There are many more amazing Hidden Pieces than this, but those usually have trials or devices installed abundantly, so they can’t be obtained right away.
Everything has its pros and cons. As much as it can be obtained easily, its performance is also ordinary.
I was satisfied with this for now.

“Huh? Where did the skeleton from just now go?”
“Don’t know? I’ve checked everything I needed to, so let’s head back soon.”
“What, it suddenly disappearing makes it even scarier…”

I nonchalantly went outside.
The still dark sky and the bizarre form of the dimension outside are visible.

I mount the broom.
Moving to return with my tired body.
Originally we would be returning after completing the mission, but thanks to someone’s mischief, things turned out like this.
I intend to exact a solid price for today.

The return journey wasn’t easy either.
Even with the perfume sealed, monsters seemed to smell it and swarm in, small attacks exhausting our bodies and minds.

Even breaking through somehow with the mercenaries, gradually the mercenaries also collapsed, and in the end, there were casualties.

All we could do for those who died bravely stepping forward was a brief moment of mourning.
Seeing the corpses with bodies brutally torn apart, I felt sadness, and I was relieved at that.
Because I hadn’t become a monster like the witches yet.
That sadness is proof that I haven’t lost emotions towards humans.

Sharen even cried.
The one who wanted to emulate witches the most was the least witch-like.
Moreover, they died while guarding her, so she seemed very sad.

“Sniff, I’m sorry. Because of me…”

Following that, Belladrin left a few words with a short moment of silence:

“I will remember your noble sacrifice.”

One by one, they offered words of condolence.
The barbarian Ulrisa seemed to have her own way of mourning, strongly beating her heart twice before turning her back.
Fortunately, the other witches were still young too.
How nice it would be if they could keep such emotions.
The mercenaries seemed moved by the witches’ commemoration and responded with choked voices:

“Not at all, the Witch Ladies did their best too.”
“If it weren’t for the Witch Ladies, we couldn’t have come this far!”

The journey continued, and somehow friendship grew between the mercenaries and witches.
I guess it’s inevitable after repeatedly crossing between life and death together.
While resting briefly and lighting a bonfire, they shared jerky and stories about life in this city.

“Andel, you say? I remember. You said you’ve hunted monsters for 10 years. I saw directly, your axe-wielding skills are no ordinary thing.”
“That you remember me, it’s an honor.”
“There’s no need for it to be an honor…”

I ended up remembering almost all the mercenaries’ names, and started making plans in my head about which factions to recommend to them.
For those who handle swords to be able to enter the warrior faction, for those who handle axes to enter the barbarian faction.
Writing something on paper, I handed it to them saying:
“When I call, please come to this place.”
“We will definitely come.”
“If you need us, please call.”
I thought they would at least ask about my intentions, but seeing them answer as if they would come unconditionally when called made me a bit dizzy.
Isn’t their trust in witches too strong?
They might end up as sacrifices following an unknown witch.
Of course, it’s probably because of the trust built up journeying together.

The embers of the brightly burning bonfire go out, and we set out again, taking steps that don’t fall easily.
-Guoooo.
-Grrrrrrr.
This time too, monsters still popped out blocking our way.
The witches were nearing their limits too, and even the cheerful Ulrisa was now just breathing roughly.
When the mercenaries painfully lifted their shields and swords, trying to move forward thinking it was the last time somehow.
Flash-!
Dark lightning tore apart the swarming monsters.
Perfect slaughter different from the ones we barely caught after fighting hard and firing magic.
7th rank magic!
Even if I said [Dark Spear] I used was comparable to 7th rank, real 7th rank was on a different level.
Which means…

Looking up, for some reason I saw a face that looked very welcome now.
Purple hair fluttered.
It was Elender.
Her speed shooting down here riding a broom was so fast the eye couldn’t follow.

I seemed to know why she suddenly came here.
She probably noticed something was strange about this mission and rushed over.
As if confirming that thought, she flew over throwing her body and hugged me tightly.
To the point of suffocating… Keeeeek.

“You’re alive, you’re alive, thank goodness. Thank goodness.”

Her voice was full of moisture as if she had suffered a lot mentally on the way here.
Normally I would have pushed her away, but.
I was gradually unable to refuse the affection she gave.

This isn’t good.

If I accept their affection, will I change like the witches?
Knowing that they are no different from monsters with almost no affection for humans.
I was just pretending to accept it, but.

Now I was entrusting my body to her embrace like a child.

“…”

As tension eased, tremendous drowsiness poured in.
To begin with, my body was already screaming.
It was already at its limit from when I used [Dark Spear], and in that state I went to the edge of the domain and came back.
In between, I used magic again and again in a state that had reached its limit.
Because people would die as much as I spared magic.

“I’m back…”

I muttered in an extremely tired voice.
My words didn’t continue to the end.
Because I fainted like this.