(Monster Eater)
(Episode 5: Elysia of the Jade Storm) Thank you for helping me.
I don't know what would've happened without you.
There's no way I could stand by after seeing that.
She's putting on a brave face,
but the miasma must be eating away at her body.
I've done as much first aid as possible,
but the miasma keeps weakening her abilities.
Our priority is getting out of the maze.
By the way,
I never expected to meet anyone this deep in the maze
where so few adventurers visit.
Where's your party?
Or did you come here alone?
Uh... well...
We're in the middle floors now. So the monsters are getting bigger.
It seems like the leader of those moths.
You rest. I'll handle this.
Just being large isn't enough to take me down.
Are you okay?
Mm...
I'm fine. It missed me.
Darn thing, it scared me.
Don't think flying makes you safe.
Skill: Air Slash.
How does it feel getting hit by your own skill?
Paralysis scales, huh?
Too bad those don't work on me.
Oh no, that girl...
Wind magic.
As expected of an elf.
Poison and paralysis don't affect you?
And isn't that "Air Slash" you used
a monster's skill?
How do I explain this?
Hey, did you breathe in those paralysis scales?
Don't worry.
It has nothing to do with paralysis.
Mm...
I'll tell you about my condition after we get out of here.
I feel much better at the place without the miasma.
My body feels lighter now that we're out.
That's good.
So what did you want to tell me?
Before explaining,
let me introduce myself.
I'm Elysia.
I used to be an adventurer.
Elysia... Are you Elysia of the Jade Storm?
You know of me?
That was one of the top S-rank parties in the Kingdom of Rudias,
Sky Trail.
Everyone knew its members.
But wasn't Sky Trail already...
Yes.
Five years ago, we challenged the monster
in the deepest part of the S-rank maze "Abyss Maze".
Our leader died in that battle.
One member retired from severe injuries,
and another was consumed by the maze.
I barely survived,
but not unscathed.
Wait, what are you...
This is the curse placed on me during that battle,
"Level Down Curse".
Level Down Curse?
I've never heard of such a thing.
Neither had I.
I used every connection to try breaking the curse,
but could only slow it down.
Those Adventurer Hunters knew about my curse
and attacked me as they thought they could sell me at a high price.
If you can't lift the curse,
the only option is defeating the monster that cast it.
But in the past five years,
no one has reached the deep floors, let alone the deepest part.
Before my level hits zero,
the chance of that thing being defeated is minimal.
What happens when your level reaches zero?
I don't know.
But every time my level drops, I can feel it.
I'm sure only death is waiting for me.
Even if this curse kills me,
I refuse to be manipulated by those bad guys. I won't tolerate it.
Your curse...
I might have a way to lift it.
Would you let me use a skill on you?
Okay.
Skill: Substitute.
My curse is transferring to him.
Stop!
The curse will be transferred to you!
It's okay.
Watch out!
Good. Seems it's worked.
What was that just now?
How is your curse now?
No way... the curse is lifted?
My special skill is "Immunity to Abnormal State".
I thought if I transferred the curse to myself, I might be able to nullify it.
I took a gamble on whether "curse" counts as an abnormal state.
Fortunately, it worked.
Are you an idiot?
Why take such a risk for someone you just met?
Still...
Thank you.
Mm.
The food is cheap, and the drinks are great.
You sure know how to pick a place.
I'm glad you like it.
But I don't actually get drunk, so I barely drink.
Another round, please.
By the way,
is it okay for you to drink?
You were injured earlier...
Relax.
That kind of injury is trivial to an adventurer.
I got proper treatment after returning to the city.
Besides...
On a celebratory day like today,
we must drink to our hearts' content.
So what are your plans now?
Well...
First, I'd like to learn more about you.
Why did you become an adventurer?
It's nothing special.
Monsters attacked the village I lived in.
My family and friends were all killed.
I was certain I'd be killed too.
Then an adventurer arrived just in time and saved me.
The figure is etched in my memory.
So I wanted to become an S-Rank adventurer
and save people like that person did.
That's my goal.
I see. That's a great goal.
You don't find it laughable?
Only those who've abandoned their dreams mock others' dreams.
I've walked all this way, hoping to become S-rank too.
And now, I must become stronger than I was five years ago.
My teammate's still trapped in the Abyss Maze's deepest part.
No matter how it turns out, I must challenge that monster again.
So until we're strong enough to achieve our goals respectively,
do you want to form a party together?
No, I'm afraid...
Hey, you're drinking with a beauty?
Miasma Scavenger.
These guys... it's that group from before.
Hey, Lady elf,
ignore that loser.
Wanna come drink with us?
Let her go.
You... you bad guy!
Both of you, stop!
This is a tavern.
Since there's a dispute,
let's settle it with a drinking contest.
The winner is...
Elysia!
Really?
You'd already drunk so much before the contest.
I can't believe you kept going.
And why did you compete against them?
I should've been the one to face them.
You're my savior.
I couldn't ignore them mocking my savior.
I haven't sunk so low
as to let that slide...
What do I do with you?
Skill: Substitute.
Drunkenness counts as an abnormal state.
I transferred it away.
It works on curses and hangovers?
Your skill is amazing...
We absolutely have to party up!
Great! I'm drinking more.
Know your limits, okay?