Chapter 56: Full of Tea Flavor  

Hearing how much the monster cared for their well-being, Soketto and Bukkororii were visibly moved.

Zunzun, however, only sneered.

They may be adults, but in Zunzun's eyes, they were still innocents—untouched by the toxic gospel of the Little Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Purple, Black, and White Book apps. In other words, pure blank slates.

Although he had no hard evidence, Zunzun's instincts screamed:

This nun-shaped Tranquility Girl was full of tea flavor!

"You seem different from the adventurers who came before," the "nun" said softly.

Her tone was mild, like she was talking about the weather, but there was a pained smile on her face. Sadness clouded her eyes, as though she was barely holding back tears.

What's with that expression? Did we just poke her trauma?

Yunyun froze nervously.

Soketto moved closer, heart already melting.

Zunzun, quick as lightning, grabbed both of them by the collar and yanked them back. With his foot, he drop-kicked Bukkororii, who had already opened his arms to embrace the "nun."

Then he stared the Tranquility Girl down.

"I want to know," he asked coldly, "have you killed everyone who's come here before?"

The "nun" didn't deny it.

"Everyone… hopes to die without pain," she replied quietly. She folded her hands before her chest and bowed her head in prayer, her expression full of repentance.

Is the Tranquility Girl evil?

There was no clear answer. Some adventurers claimed that dying in the gentle embrace of a beautiful Tranquility Girl was far preferable to wasting away from poison, disease, or curses.

"I don't want to hurt anyone," she murmured, a tear sliding down her cheek. "But I can't control myself... My existence hurts people."

Zunzun narrowed his eyes.

It reminded him of how, in his past life, he was promoted out of nowhere and forced to live on passive income by renting out real estate. A dull life. A frustrating one.

Maybe this Tranquility Girl really was distressed by being a monster.

"Yunyun…" he heard her voice trembling.

She was crying.

Even Soketto said nothing, but her eyes silently pleaded with him.

Then the "nun" looked up and whispered:

"So that's it. You've come to punish me."

The four fell silent.

"I understand. That's fine."

She raised her head and, hands still folded in prayer, continued:

"The goddess Eris once said that suicide cannot grant entry into Heaven... I know this is selfish. But if I am to stop hurting others... please—destroy me."

Was she... asking to die?

The Tranquility Girl didn't want to hurt humans anymore and wanted them to end her. Was this a selfless monster with a pure heart?

Zunzun wasn't buying it.

But Soketto and Yunyun had already bought the entire act.

Their tearful eyes stared at him again.

After a long pause, Zunzun finally reached for the oversized sword strapped to his back.

"Very well. If that's your wish, I'll grant it."

It was just a training prop from a previous field exercise, but when the "nun" saw the gleaming blade, a flicker of panic crossed her face. Her soulful eyes seemed to ask:

Do you really have no pity at all?

But she kept up the act.

"If… If I'm lucky, I want to be born human in my next life," she whispered. "But… I've harmed too many already. I'm not worthy… Goddess Eris, please forgive me…"

Then—she peeked.

Opening one eye, she tried to gauge his reaction.

"Wait! Wait, Zunzun!"

It was Yunyun this time, stepping between him and the sword.

"Do we have to kill her? She's so kind! Maybe we can become friends!"

"Friends?" the "nun" echoed wistfully. "Yes… All those adventurers were my friends. Even as they passed, I prayed for them to find peace in Heaven."

"We only need her roots, right?" Soketto added. "We can just… ask?"

As a plant-type monster, the Tranquility Girl's roots likely spread throughout the forest. Taking a piece wouldn't hurt her.

Zunzun wanted to end it. But under those pleading stares, he finally relented.

They politely requested a sample of root.

The "nun" generously gave them one.

And the group left.

Zunzun glanced back once.

The Tranquility Girl's abilities were far more insidious than expected. If he hadn't been hardened by two lifetimes of exposure to manipulative internet culture, he might have fallen for her "tea-flavored" act too.

Even now, Soketto and Yunyun kept turning around, clearly still concerned for her.

This won't do.

"Sister Soketto," Zunzun suddenly said, "I need to… go for a bit. Urgent."

"Huh? Then let's go together—"

"No, no! I'll be back quickly!"

Before she could link arms, Zunzun darted off into the woods like a shy child, only to break into a sprint the moment he was out of sight.

He returned to the clearing.

And found the "nun" cheerfully trimming leaves from the tree behind her, muttering:

"Hmm... Maybe the lighting was wrong? Or the robes weren't torn enough?"

She ripped a few more holes in her already-ragged outfit, revealing large swaths of snowy skin.

Then—

"Are you adventurers here to pray for rest? Or just lost?"

She folded her hands solemnly. The sunlight she had just adjusted now cast the perfect divine glow upon her again.

"…Not bad," she nodded to herself.

Then she dug into the ground and inspected the part of her roots they had taken.

"Damn it! He really pulled it out… That evil little brat! Pretty face wasted on him. Never trusted me for a second!"

The Tranquility Girl kicked the tree trunk, fuming like a fishmonger cheated at market.

Gone was the pious holy woman. In her place was a furious grifter who'd just been outplayed.

"Whatever. Time for some photosynthesis."

She sat down again, hands behind her head, lounging with her legs crossed.

"Still, those two women... they'll come back. They're already under my spell. Slender types with unexpectedly big chests… Good food. 'Friends'? Hehe... friends taste great."

She licked her lips with a sickening grin.

At that moment, her light dimmed.

Frowning, she opened her eyes—only to see Zunzun's silhouette blocking the sun.

"Oh my~ Adventurer, you came back just for me? Feeling guilty? Want to confess?"

She went full-nun mode again.

Zunzun rolled his eyes. "Enough. I saw everything."

"...Tch."

Busted.

She hesitated, then forced the saintly expression back on.

Zunzun crossed his arms.

"Answer me one question. Get it right, and I'll spare you."

She raised her head with exaggerated meekness.

"Ask away, dear adventurer…"

"Who is the goddess you serve?"

"...Goddess Eris?" she said carefully.

Zunzun stepped forward and smacked her with a full B-rank bag attack.

"You're wearing robes from the Axis Church. And you say you serve Eris?"

Later, Zunzun caught up with the others.

They were stunned to see him dragging a tree root bigger than himself.

"Zunzun?! Is that the Tranquility Girl's root? Where did you get that?"

"I picked it up," Zunzun replied innocently.

Smiling like a pure child.

And hidden where no one could see—on the clean-cut root end—was the glimmer of a freshly upgraded adventurer card.

-End Chapter-

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