“So in other words… we have to go to this city’s ‘circular theater’ and eliminate the monsters within two days, is that correct?”

Inside a vacant shop in the deserted commercial district they had passed through immediately after passing through the rift.

In a calm atmosphere, the eldest Duke Feriel summarized the situation.

He deliberately omitted mentioning that failure to slay the demonic beasts within the time limit would result in everyone’s death. This was to avoid lowering morale.

Rosha, the culprit of this incident, remained silent with pursed lips.

‘While I had anticipated trials… I never expected the penalty for failure would apply to everyone.’

She should have known this cursed Hardmode would ultimately extend its consequences to the others as well.

Lowering her head, Rosha felt unworthy of meeting their gazes, except for Koko, that is. It was due to her that they had all followed her here.

The lone Guide God’s existence surfaced in her mind.

Was she, who had forged a connection with the Guide God, also destined to ultimately walk alone?

It was at that precise moment that Duke Feriel spoke up:

“Looking at the sky, it seems the sun will set in a few hours. How about we look around here and the theater’s vicinity today, then set out early tomorrow morning?”

“Sounds good. Shall Joel and I explore the nearby area, then?”

“In that case, old man, would you go with me towards the theater?”

People began moving as if utterly unfazed by the prospect of death, their composure suggesting such mortal matters were far removed from their realm of concern.

Of those present, Rosha, or perhaps Heres, appeared most preoccupied by the death penalty.

“Ugh… why did I even come…?”

As Heres struggled to process the death sentence looming in two days’ time, Duke Feriel approached and reassured him with a pat on the back:

“Don’t be so disheartened. You’re not an ordinary person by any means, so some form of adverse condition was bound to accompany you regardless. I already expected as much.”

“…I suppose so.”

“For those fated to repeatedly confront the brink of death are simply drawing ever nearer to matters of profound importance. It has been quite a while since I last experienced such a thrill. Enjoy it.”

Duke Feriel’s assertion to embrace the inevitable bore striking similarities to Rosha’s former comrades’ philosophies.

Though tinged with an elder’s seasoned wisdom, no doubt.

“Even for the sake of those captivated by your charms, if nothing else.”

Pardon?

As the elderly Duke chuckled and departed with those softly murmured words, Rosha instinctively glanced around.

Cassis and Froy, the only other two privy to Hardmode’s implications, silently met her gaze.

At first, she had assumed their looks were reproachful. But that wasn’t the case.

“…Are you all right?”

Had they tried to blame her, they wouldn’t have phrased it so gently.

With a nod, Cassis launched into an awkward attempt at reassurance, dismissing any blame while suggesting they simply needed to slay the monsters – an effort that likely escaped his own recollection mid-ramble before he eventually withdrew.

Which left only Froy.

“Rosha.”

The man, who had been leaning against the window observing the exterior, spoke in a subdued tone.

“For once, let’s approach this with a sense of enjoyment.”

“Approach what, exactly?”

Where was this man proposing to go now?

It was then that he held up the back of his hand, wordlessly displaying a compass needle rendered in white lines pointing in a specific direction.

“The secret shop, it would seem, and quite nearby at that.”

* * *

Whenever possible, it was advisable to seek out the randomly manifesting secret shops within the rifts.

If only they could find them, but now Rosha had a compass.

‘In hindsight, accepting that quest from the God of Prophecy was indeed the right decision.’

It was decided that Froy and Rosha would visit the secret shop together.

The reason was simple.

-Among us, you’re the only one possessing ‘passes’ to make purchases at the shop. So there’s no need for everyone to rush there, right?

If pinpointing someone to accompany her, the most prudent choice was Froy. Not only did he have the compass, but he could move through space in times of emergency.

For this reason, the two departed the temporary base the group had established within the commercial district’s buildings.

“Hmm…”

The seemingly deserted city spread out before them, its residents vanished as if by sorcery.

Broad, well-paved streets lined with flat stones.

Beyond the commercial district, the residential area’s houses appeared wholly intact without any evident damage.

Rosha approached one of the windows, peering inside.

‘As expected, no one is present. Yet all belongings and furnishings remain undisturbed, with no signs of hasty evacuation…’

It was as if everyone had simply vanished one ordinary day amid their daily routines.

Moreover…

“Now that I observe closely, there are quite a few unfamiliar elements in this city.”

Froy muttered, glancing up at the clocktower in the plaza.

Indeed, she had never seen such a clocktower, not only in the imperial capital but in any other city as well.

And that wasn’t all. Beside a red brick wall stood a magically-powered two-wheeled motorbike, and next to it, what appeared to be a firearm.

‘A gun…’

For a fleeting moment, she considered procuring a few for their group before dismissing the notion – it was best to avoid tampering with anything within the trials.

If one must test every bridge before crossing, what use were guns?

At this point, one aspect had become abundantly clear.

“Rosha. I think… though merely a hypothesis, of course.”

Froy began, his tone suggesting a fairly conclusive assessment despite the caveat. Because he wasn’t one to voice idle speculation without substantial conviction.

“The trials generally seem to bear some connection to the ancient era. What are your thoughts?”

“It looks like that, doesn’t it? This city also seems to be from that ancient time.”

The ancient era. A bygone civilization whose existence could only be vaguely inferred through the scant remnants of ancient relics, with no substantial historical records.

She had never directly experienced that era herself.

Yet the clocktower, the motorbike… And the relief sculptures adorning the towering marble gates. None of it appeared distinctly dissimilar from her previous encounters.

Despite the city’s evident abandonment, that is.

“…Let’s proceed for now.”

They walked through this peculiarly advanced city blending modern and medieval elements.

Initially exercising caution for potential traps, their strides gradually grew bolder upon realizing there were none.

As the slowly setting sun cast elongated shadows, the eerily deserted, dilapidated cityscape exuded an enigmatic ambiance.

“Ah, here it is.”

Despite being only his second attempt, Froy swiftly located the secret shop, immediately spotting the small signboard nestled between walls. Upon extending his hand towards it, the store’s interface manifested.

However, without even perusing the listed items, he yielded the space to Rosha.

“Please go ahead and look. I’m rather impoverished, you see.”

Though the words seemed unnatural even as he spoke them, accompanied by a faint chuckle. It was likely the first time in his life uttering such a sentiment.

“Well then, allow me to purchase something on your behalf since I’m rich.”

“No need. Take a look first. There don’t seem to be many purchasable items available.”

Heeding his advice, Rosha promptly accessed the secret shop’s inventory, only to find his words rang true.

While five items were listed, three had been marked as sold out.

The reason being…

‘Their limited quantities had already been acquired by someone else.’

A disconcerting realization.

Typically, secret shop inventories refreshed weekly, at most.

Which meant someone other than their group had attempted this trial recently.

It was at that very moment-

Wheeeeng-

Carried by a gust of wind, a thin, amber-hued plastic wrapping fluttered towards them.

As Rosha reached to brush it off her clothes, she paused and examined it closely. The distinctively slanted typeface was instantly recognizable, despite some time having elapsed since her return.

“This is…”

The packaging of a Snickers chocolate bar.