'I'm home - ......'

My house is an inn.

It is a reasonably priced inn that targets adventurers who dive into dungeons. The building is a bit old, the rooms are a bit shabby, and it's a bit far from the dungeon, but it's cheap and the business is thriving thanks to my father's delicious cooking and my mother's attentive care.

Above all,

'Welcome back, big brother! Souvenirs?

With a smile like a flower opening, my sister Mary asked me. She is one year younger than me, and she thinks she is already a signboard girl. No, actually she is. She has a charming face like her mother and is very popular in town.

She dashed to me standing at the back entrance and asked me again.

'You went to the castle, didn't you? What's your souvenir?
No, no, no.
''Can I tell you a story about how my brother's dreams were dashed?''
'How do you know that!

Mary was startled when I raised my voice.

'Oh, I really didn't make it. I'm sorry.
'No, ......, it's fine. I'm sorry for being so loud.

I walk past my sister.

'I'll play the innkeeper's son quietly. I promised my father I would. If I don't become an adventurer, I'll take over the store.

Mary turned around,

'Big brother, you haven't been to the dungeon yet!
'......It's okay, already.'
'You can't give up! No matter how useless your skills are, they will come in handy!
'[Breathing] What good are your skills going to do! You can breathe in and breathe out! What the hell is that?
You'll never know unless you try! Breathing, breathing, right! Um, well, um, I can't think of any off the top of my head!
'It's okay, just leave me alone ......'

My sister then tried to say something, but was silent.
She must have imagined my disappointment. She is a kind person. It was so hard for me.

'Big brother ....... Uh, um...'
'............ what?'
'Prine came by earlier and said she'll be back later. ......'
It's my childhood friend's name. It's probably about skills.
'Okay. Thanks.

I said this and did not look at my sister's face until the end. I put my foot down on the outside stairs,

The next moment.

'--Oh, my God!

Mary screamed behind me. But I couldn't turn around. My body froze as if frozen. It was as if an invisible force was holding me.

--Magic ......!

It's not a metaphor, but it's pitch black. The stairs, the walls, the sky, my feet, my hands, they all turned black and I couldn't see them. Only, I heard voices. It was a woman's voice.

'...... I'm sure of it.

--Who is it?

'...... I'll take this girl's 'time'.'

--Mary! You've got to be kidding me! Who the hell are you?

'...... witch of the north'

Bussa-bussa-bussa-bussa, the pitch blackness turned into a crow and flew away.

Mary!

I turned to see my sister lying in the doorway. She was still breathing, but no matter how many times I called out to her, she would not wake up. Not a twitch.

Ra-kun!

Prine, a childhood friend, comes running.

'Was that ...... Mary-chan!

'You heard that too ....... Prine, go get your mother and father!

'Oh, Mary, sweetie. ......'

'Prine! Get your mother and father!

Yes, yes!

My parents arrived shortly thereafter.





'This is the "Witch's Curse" ....... I can't handle it. ......'

Dr. Jean, the magic doctor who always examines me, shakes her head ruefully.

Afterwards, Mary is put to bed in her room. The mysterious voice calling herself the "Witch of the North" was heard by her parents. A witch doctor was immediately called, but it seems that even the best doctor in the country could not wake Mary up.

'Mary is ....... What will happen to Mary, doctor?
'Perhaps, in a year's time, he will wilt ...... and draw his last breath. ......'

Dying, you mean. My sister.
Because of that, uh, incomprehensible man.

'Oh, no. ...... Mary ...... why ......!

As my mother continued to cry with my sister in her arms, Dr. Gene said to her, "I'm sorry.

'--'--'--'The Seed of the Wise'...



I was tense.

My father asks.

''The seed of the wise man? Is that the only thing that can cure me!

'Yes, probably. You know where it is, don't you, Rana?

I nodded slowly as he turned to me.

'The lowest level of the dungeon...' he said.



The lowest level of a dungeon that no one has ever reached.

It is said that there is a universal stone called the "sage's seed" there. A prize coveted by every mage and adventurer. Well, that should break Mary's curse.

Through my father, the innkeeper's father, I called other spellbreakers and mages to examine Mary, but none of them could wake her up.

Then there was nothing else to do.

The next day.

I stood in front of the back door with my luggage for the next two nights.

I would register with the Dungeon Guild, get a job, and become an adventurer.

Then, within a year, I will reach the lowest level of the dungeon and obtain the "Seed of the Wise.

The "Seed of the Wise" is the goal of all adventurers and can be exchanged for great wealth.

I will never give up, even if my skill is something as obscure as breathing.

Just like Mary encouraged me.

Rana.

My mom and dad were worried when they came to see me off,

My father will tell the guild about the Witch of the North. If I find her, I'll ask some adventurers to come and bring her to justice.
'So, Rana. You don't have to do this, okay?

I asked him the same question over and over again since last night, and each time he smiled and said, "It's okay. If I didn't come home after my sister, he must have thought so.

I held their hands tightly,

'I'll wake Mary up, I promise.

I turned on my heel and left.

My home, where I have lived since I was born.

The back of my nose twitched.





After hiding in an alleyway and wiping my eyes, I start walking again down the road leading to the guild.

I thought I was supposed to meet him around here. .......

'No, please don't, let me go......'