We are now in the golden era of hunters.
Across the capital of Sylvean, dungeons and relics defined power, and countless adventurers rose and fell chasing glory.
Among these rising stars stood one man who, despite his odd reputation, outshone them all.
His name was Hiro Ludin, the Lazy Trickster.
This is the tale of how that man somehow became the leader of the top-ranked clan, Blazing Dawn, and the party that shook the capital.
[Chapter 21 Begins]
"Hey, Mia… I'm sorry for sending you guys into a place like this. You might've lost your life because of me," Hiro said quietly.
Mia blinked, a bit taken aback. "No, it's okay. You don't need to apologize," she replied softly then shot a sharp death stare at the others.
"Yes, yes! You don't need to apologize!" the three Billy, Ruby, and George said in perfect unison.
Hiro sighed and lowered his head. "No… I have to. I know saying sorry won't make everything okay, but I'll make sure to pay you back through my actions."
There was a brief silence.
"…Oh, okay," Mia finally said, smiling a little.
"Hey, Mia, are you still feeling any pains? Should I give you another healing potion?" Hiro asked.
"No, Master. I'm fine. The potion you gave me worked better than anything we could buy in the market!" Mia said, her eyes sparkling.
"Your man-made potions work wonders," she added proudly, clearly impressed.
"R-Right… if you say so," Hiro muttered, turning his gaze away. (It wasn't his potion. The system sold it to him… at a painful price.)
"So the Lazy Trickster can make potions too, huh?" Billy asked with a grin.
"I can't," Hiro muttered under his breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing," Hiro said quickly.
"By the way," George asked, glancing behind them, "did you really defeat all those bosses? Just to be sure we're not getting chased again."
"Oh, if you mean that big guy what was his name again? Nala? Mala? Whatever…" Hiro said casually.
"It's The great Zalag," Mia corrected.
"Right, right, that one. The Great Zalag and his people are all dead. We don't have to worry about them anymore."
"As expected of Master," Mia said with a bright nod.
"Well, it was Slime-chan's doing, not mine," Hiro added quickly.
"What about those wolf-like monsters?" Billy asked nervously.
Hiro shrugged. "Didn't defeat them. Leaving there with you guys first was the right call. If I'd decided to fight, I'm not sure I could've protected everyone. This dungeon is strange… unpredictable."
"As expected of Master. He already thought that far ahead!" Mia said.
All of what Hiro said was a big, fat lie.
He hadn't thought about any of that. The moment he saw those wolf-like monsters, all his instincts screamed run!. There was no way he was gambling with his life again. The attack he used on Zalag had drained his body that was his limit.
"Anyway," Hiro said, straightening up. "Let's move before something else shows up."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Ten minutes later.
Hiro Ludin's POV.
What the hell am I doing…?
I told them to start walking, but where exactly am I taking them?
We've been walking in circles for ten minutes.
I think… I'm lost.
The Frostfang Den stretched endlessly before them twisting tunnels, glimmering walls of ice, and echoes that made it impossible to tell where they'd been or where they were going. Each footstep crunched faintly in the frost, and every shadow looked like a lurking monster.
So now the biggest issue is… where even are we?
And where's the damn exit?!
Ding!
> [Hi-ro Chan, you are lost in the Maze of the Frostfang Den.]
"Hey! Don't just say that help me out here!" Hiro hissed.
> [Sure, sure. You really can't do anything without me, can you?]
"Please," Hiro begged. "Just help me find the exit."
> [Fine. Use the only skill you can afford right now Insight. You'll be able to detect traps and pathways nearby.]
"Oh, that's nice, thank yo.."
> [Goodbye.]
"…Wait, what?!"
Hiro's eye twitched. He stared blankly at the system window that vanished just as fast as it appeared.
This damn system really hates me.
Behind him, Billy was whistling, pretending not to notice their clueless leader. Ruby looked exhausted, George was still on guard, and Mia walked beside Hiro like a loyal shadow.
"Master," Mia said softly. "We're not lost… right?"
Hiro smiled stiffly. "O-Of course not! I know exactly where we're going."
"Really?" she asked innocently.
"Totally," Hiro lied through his teeth. "We just need to, uh… keep going straight."
"But Master, this is the third time we've gone straight," Ruby said.
"…Then it means we're being consistent," Hiro said proudly. "Consistency is important in life."
Billy snorted, covering his mouth to hide a laugh. "Yeah, consistent circles."
"Quiet, or I'll consistently throw you to the monsters," Hiro shot back.
The silence that followed was broken only by their tired footsteps and the distant howling of wind through the icy caverns. The faint glow of the slime that clung to Hiro's boots illuminated their path faintly, just enough to make the endless tunnels feel less suffocating.
As they walked, Hiro sighed inwardly.
This is the worst… I'm supposed to be some overpowered reincarnator, but here I am, leading people in circles like a broken GPS.
He tightened his grip on his slime-sword, exhaling frost from his lips.
Still… at least they're safe. That's what matters.
Narrator's Voice:
Our dear Hiro Ludin marches on the reluctant leader carrying the weight of his party and a mountain of misunderstandings.
But has he forgotten the quest he accepted before entering this cursed den? What fate awaits the lazy trickster in this maze of frost and fangs?
Can Hiro Ludin actually complete his quest and find the missing explorers, or will he wander forever in circles?
Please cheer for him
in the next chapter!