Ch. 192
“Heheheh.”
A laugh slipped out, born of pure satisfaction.
It was the first time I’d felt this good since forming a contract with [Endairon]. Not even tearing Grak to pieces had felt this rewarding.
“What… what is that smile…? Creepy.”
“I wasn’t gonna ask, but… seriously, what ‘is’ she?”
“She’s not normal…”
“In more ways than one.”
As the gap in the door widened, my laughter grew louder. When it finally swung open all the way, I turned proudly with my back to it and shouted,
“What are you all standing there for!”
“Uh…?”
“What? It’s open, right? Should we… pretend to push it or something?”
“As mere humans, we’re experiencing a deep sense of helplessness. Is that a problem?”
“I thought spirits were all cute, but… yeah, that’s a lie. My heart’s broken.”
These idiots.
All looks, no substance!
“After everything I’ve done, you can’t even give me a round of applause? Some gratitude for my hard work, maybe?”
“Yes, yes.”
“If Lady Geenie says so, we’ll do it.”
A forced act of appreciation—but really, who was worse? Them for obeying so easily, or me for still feeling it wasn’t enough? Birds of a feather, indeed.
“That was amazing, Geenie!”
‘Clap clap clap.’
Among all the reluctant applause, only one person clapped sincerely—who else but Ash.
He was so enthusiastic about it that it made me feel a little embarrassed. Sure, I told them to clap, but I hadn’t wanted ‘that’ much excitement.
“…I’m kind of awesome, huh?”
“Yes! You’re incredible! You’re the most amazing person in my life. Truly incredible…!”
What was this feeling? Like when your dad shows up at the school sports day and cheers louder than everyone else.
Except, you know, Ash’s sparkling eyes and heart gestures weren’t exactly ‘fatherly’.
To anyone watching, he probably looked like someone hopelessly in love.
“Now that I think about it, Lox, you really risked your life mouthing off to her, huh?”
“Didn’t realize you had that kind of courage.”
“Yeah. Totally changed my opinion. Where’d you write your will?”
I was the one who opened the damn door, but somehow Lox was the one getting praise and admiration.
Annoying. Still, after receiving Ash’s over-the-top applause, I felt content enough to let it slide. I dismissed [Endairon] with a light heart.
And immediately felt the world spin.
The exhaustion I’d been holding back came crashing in all at once. Summoning four spirits at the same time really was too much.
[Undine] was left by the lake, while [Undaine] and [Ador] stayed nearby. And [Endairon]—manifesting him physically just to open that oversized door—had taken a serious toll.
Even though I’d dismissed [Undaine] to lessen the strain, my body was already overdrawn. Just like during the Grak incident, when I’d been bedridden for a day after overdoing it.
I felt the danger, but instead of showing it, I put on my best smug face for the group approaching me.
“Well? Behold my greatness.”
“Yeah… sure…”
“No tears of admiration? I’ll allow it.”
I leaned casually on Ash’s side. Mostly because if I didn’t, I’d collapse.
Resting my dizzy head against his solid shoulder, I let my arm slide along his and looped it.
Ash stiffened instantly, which only drew more attention from the rest of the group. I could see their eyes widen as they watched us, but I didn’t care. For the first time in hours, I could actually breathe.
“Um… you’re clinging on ‘very’ naturally, aren’t you?”
“Heroes deserve loyal men by their side.”
“…You really have no intention of learning humility, do you?”
“Not my style. Anyway, Lox, don’t you have something more important to worry about right now?”
“Like getting you two to separate.”
Lox really was the perfect nag.
And me? I was the perfect contrarian. The more someone told me ‘not’ to do something, the more I did it.
Ash’s hand… was surprisingly big.
I grinned as I toyed with it. “If you have any conscience, you’ll admit my contribution to this quest has been enormous. While I was opening the door, what did you guys do? Breathe?”
“We did receive more help than expected. I sincerely appreciate it.”
Lox’s gaze kept darting to wherever my hands touched Ash, flinching each time. Which only made me want to touch him more.
“A true gentleman expresses gratitude with more than just words, don’t you think?”
“…And what exactly do you want? You can’t have Ash.”
“Oh, come on. I wasn’t going to ‘ask’ for a person. …Though now that you mention it, not a bad idea.”
“How about Chad instead?”
“What!”
It was a joke, but Chad took it seriously and practically jumped.
Not that I wanted him anyway.
I had standards.
“Chad’s got the kind of face meant for freedom. What I ‘do’ want is for my name to be added to the expedition record. I didn’t care before, but I’ve changed my mind.”
“I was nervous about what you’d demand, but that’s perfectly reasonable.”
“Put it at the top while you’re at it.”
“If we find the [Goblet of the Golden Star] here, it’ll be deserved. Your name will be listed first—immortalized in history.”
When I first tagged along on this journey, I hadn’t expected to play such a major role.
Honestly, I didn’t even believe this group would actually find the goblet or end up in the history books.
But now, after everything I’d done, with the path to glory shining ahead, it felt absurd that my name might be missing from the record.
I wasn’t about to be the fool who worked for free.
Not for money—just recognition.
Honor and glory didn’t matter to me, but doing all this for nothing? That grated on principle.
Even Lox nodded easily, and no one else seemed to object.
Everyone agreed—and Ash, as usual, looked ‘too’ happy about it.
“Of course. You played the most important part.”
He clasped both my hands, voice soft and full of emotion.
“Geenie, we couldn’t have made it here without you. We all know that. And more people deserve to know what you’ve done.”
A simple thank-you, but somehow it made my stomach flutter. Damn it, he really ‘does’ like me too much.
“Hmph. As long as you promise that—don’t forget to credit me as the great adventurer who discovered this place. Just the first name, no surname.”
“Exactly as you wish.”
“Alright, you two! Hands off each other.”
I should’ve killed Lox when I had the chance.
Even as I glared daggers, he wedged himself between us.
Maybe I’d misjudged him—he really did prioritize Ash’s safety over his own. A loyal guard dog… shame it’s ‘me’ he’s guarding against.
“Sorry to ruin the mood, but we still haven’t found the goblet. Let’s not forget that.”
“Not even a little sorry, judging by that face.”
“There could still be dangers ahead—traps, mechanisms, anything. It’s not time to relax yet.”
“Fair point. Get in there, then.”
We were all giddy, as if we’d already found the treasure, but Lox wasn’t wrong. Opening the door was only the beginning.
Beyond it stretched a tall, long corridor, bright light flooding in from the far end—so intense it illuminated the entire passage.
We couldn’t relax until we reached the source of that light.
“Let’s keep moving!”
“Have a good trip.”
“…You’re not coming?”
“I’m gonna eat an apple.”
I pulled out a ripe one from my magic pouch.
Ta-da.
“What the—”
“I’m hungry. I’ll rest a bit, you guys go on ahead and check if it’s safe.”
“That’s usually the strong one’s job—assuming they have any sense.”
“I don’t. That’s why minions exist. I’m precious.”
They all knew I was the strongest here, but still, the kind-hearted idiots only looked confused as to ‘why’ I wasn’t going.
Normally, I’d be the first to rush in and trigger every trap.
“You’re acting weird. It’s just a corridor—why rest now? Aren’t you curious?”
“You’re tired? Then let’s rest together.”
“No, go. All of you. Ash, you too!”
“Geenie? What’s going on—Geenie?”
I shoved Chad and Ash through the doorway.
Then stood guard like a sentry, watching until they were halfway down the corridor.
Only when I was sure they were safe did I step aside.
And sank down against the wall.
“Damn it… this is brutal.”
My legs gave out completely. As I slumped to the floor, Rai clicked his tongue and approached.
[Master, you really are stubborn! You shouldn’t try to do everything alone when you’re not used to it!]
“I thought I could handle it… and I ‘did’!”
[But you overdid it!]
I wanted to deny it, but it was too obvious. That just made it all the more infuriating—and humiliating.
All this pain… just for opening a door?!
Unbelievable!
[Master’s a fool! A big fool!]
“Shut up! Says the one talking nonsense!”
[Only fools act tough!]
“It’s not the same! I just hate looking weak! Ugh… damn it. All this suffering just to open one door—what were the ancients, ‘monsters’?”
Even shouting was exhausting now.
I dismissed [Ador] to save energy and curled up alone in the darkness.
[By today’s standards, yes. I didn’t spend over ten thousand years rotting in the Spirit Realm for nothing, you know! There hasn’t been anyone like you in all that time!]
“So you’re saying…”
[Wait—don’t you ‘dare’ say it—]
“I’m a once-in-ten-thousand-years genius, huh.”