Chapter 3: It's the Curse of Heat
The moment I sat down on the edge of the plaza bench, exhaustion crashed over me like a wave.
…I already knew. That Curse Breaking was a useless skill.
I never actually wanted something like this. Ever since I was a kid, what I dreamed of was an offensive skill. Swordsmanship, magic—anything. Being at the front of the party, flashy and heroic, taking down enemies in style.
But at the age of fourteen, during the skill-awarding ceremony, what I received was something plain, unremarkable, and unreliable.
Still, I believed it was a talent granted by the gods, so I trained it. I got to the point where I could break curses that church potions couldn't touch. Even if my turn rarely came, I was helping the party—I really believed that.
And yet, with just a few harsh words, everything was thrown away.
Pathetic. More than anger toward my former companions, my chest was filled with shame directed at myself.
(…What am I supposed to do now?)
My share of the rewards was small, so I barely had any savings. I needed to find a new party to join if I wanted to survive… but how many parties out there actually want a curse breaker?
I started walking aimlessly. I should head home. Clear my head. That's what I thought—when—
"…Um."
A voice called from behind me.
"Yes?"
I turned around. At the edge of the street stood a figure with a deep hood pulled low.
"You're Theo-kun, right? The curse breaker from 'Wings of Grandeur'?"
"…Yes, that's me."
A long robe covered their entire body; even their eyes were hidden under the hood. I couldn't tell who it was, but from the voice, it sounded like a woman. By the way, "Wings of Grandeur" was the name of the party that just kicked me out.
Silence stretched on, so I spoke first.
"Um… is there something—"
"Come with me!"
"Huh? Wait— whoa!?"
Before I could finish, my hand was grabbed tightly. I was dragged at a brisk pace into a side alley.
"W-wait a second!? Where are you taking me!?"
No answer came. We turned several corners until we reached a deserted back street.
"…W-what is this? Seriously. If it's money, I don't have any. I was just kicked out of my party—"
"I know."
The voice was short but clear.
"That's why I called out to you."
"Huh?"
While I stood there stunned, the hooded figure pulled back the covering.
"…!"
Golden hair spilled out softly. It reached down to her waist, shimmering and swaying in the light. Slightly drooping crimson eyes, a beauty mark under one eye. And on top of her head—fluffy triangular fox ears, the unmistakable mark of a fox beastfolk.
The woman let out a small sigh.
"Sorry for dragging you away like that. My name is—"
"M-M-Milfi-san!?"
An embarrassingly loud squeak escaped me.
The fox-eared woman blinked rapidly.
"Huh? You know who I am?"
"Of course I do! There's no adventurer in this town who doesn't know you!"
Milfi-san was the undisputed top-ranked adventurer in our guild. A magic swordswoman who wielded elegant swordsmanship and fire magic, she had cleared countless dungeons. When she single-handedly defeated the legendary Black Flame Dragon Balganos, the entire city held a festival in celebration.
I had only seen her from a distance a few times at the guild headquarters, but even from afar, her presence and aura were overwhelming.
Her strength, her achievements, her appearance—everything about her was on a completely different level from me. Truly someone from another world.
And now that very person was standing right in front of me.
"Um, but… why would someone like Milfi-san want anything to do with me…?"
Seeing me panic, Milfi-san hesitated for a moment, taking a small breath. Then she said,
"I want you to break my curse."
"Huh? A curse? What kind?"
She fell silent at my question. Her cheeks flushed red, and her breathing grew quicker.
"Milfi-san…?"
A thin sheen of sweat appeared on her forehead. Her chest rose and fell, and from it drifted a sweet, seductive fragrance.
"H-heat…"
"Huh?"
"…It's the curse of heat."
The words she whispered in embarrassment made my heart pound violently.