Reincarnated as Twins: And Then, I Was the Only One Abandoned - ☆12 Into the Depths of Darkness ①

☆12 Into the Depths of Darkness ①

The journey to the Great Southern Chasm was way longer than I had expected. 

Gald and Fia’s attitudes hadn’t changed at all. 

Actually, I had a feeling their hostility toward me had only intensified. 

As we traveled south, the temperature rose steadily. It made the inside of the carriage stuffy. Outside the window, lush palm trees lined the road. And in the distance, the emerald-green ocean stretched out endlessly. 

Bright tropical flowers bloomed along the roadside, and colorful birds flitted cheerfully through the air. 

At some point, Elysia summoned the wind spirit Sylph. Which helped bring a refreshing breeze into the carriage. It made the heat a bit more bearable. 

After traveling for about twenty days since departing from the town nearest to the ancient ruins, we finally reached the island. 

“Whoa… that’s insane…” 

Those were the only words that came out of my mouth as I stared at the massive hole. Its gaping maw was seemingly ready to swallow everything whole. 

This was the dark abyss that had consumed countless adventurers. 

Well, not that it mattered to me—I wasn’t planning on going in. 

What I wanted was sashimi. 

Near the Great Chasm, lively shops and food stalls lined the streets. They were clearly set up for tourists. 

There were shops selling fresh seafood, and stalls grilling food with irresistible aromas wafting through the air. 

A crowd of people was happily eating as they walked. They were enjoying the festive atmosphere. 

I was about to join them, filling my stomach first and foremost— 

“It’s even larger than I imagined… Gald, Fia, do you have everything you need?” 

Just as I was about to turn away, Elysia checked with the two of them. 

They both carried large packs and, after carefully confirming the contents, nodded with serious expressions. They were signaling they were fully prepared. 

Elysia smiled satisfied. She then turned her gaze back to the Great Chasm. 

“Alright, let’s go. Let’s see how far we can get.” 

…..…Huh? 

I don’t *have* to go, right? 

This is where we *split up*, right?? 

I turned my back to the group and started walking toward the stalls. I was planning to blend in with the crowd of tourists— 

That’s when Elysia’s voice rang out behind me. 

“Souta, did you forget something?” 

I turned around to see Elysia looking at me curiously. 

“Huh? Wait… I’m going too???” 

“You came here intending to challenge the Great Chasm, didn’t you?” 

“No, I came here to eat sashimi and relax on the beach…” 

For a moment, we just stared at each other in silence. 

In Elysia’s eyes, I could see a flicker of irritation. 

“That’s not a funny joke. Come on, let’s go.” 

—Hey, hold on a second! 

There’s no reward for this, right?! 

Before I could protest, Elysia grabbed my arm. And her grip was surprisingly strong. She dragged me toward the abyss. 

I barely had time to resist before I found myself stepping into the darkness. 

The moment we entered, the temperature plummeted. And cold air wrapped around my skin. 

The ground beneath my feet felt hard and icy. The rough texture of stone spreaded through my boots. 

As we ventured deeper into the cave, a faint glow appeared in the distance. Eventually, we arrived at what looked like a reception area. 

A worn wooden counter stood before us. Behind it was a notice board covered with maps and warning signs. 

A man with a stern expression stood behind the counter. His piercing gaze was fixed on us. 

“Beyond this point, only A-rank adventurers or higher are permitted to proceed.” 

His low voice carried authority. 

“May I see your guild cards?” 

His sharp eyes scrutinized us, as if trying to gauge our abilities. 

From deeper within the cave, eerie sounds occasionally echoed through the air. 

We all presented our guild cards. But Fia hesitated as she pulled hers from her backpack. 

It seemed she was only B-rank. 

“I’m sorry, but you’ll have to turn back here.” 

“B-But I’m Lady Elysia’s—” 

Before Fia could finish, Elysia spoke in a reassuring tone. 

“It’s fine. We don’t plan on going too deep. If things get dangerous, we’ll turn back immediately. Just wait for us at the inn.” 

Fia looked at Elysia anxiously. But Gald placed a hand on her shoulder. He spoke in a calm, reassuring voice. 

“Yeah. And if push comes to shove, I’ll drag them out myself. You know Lady Elysia isn’t the type to just turn back so easily…” 

Fia let out a small sigh, finally nodding in reluctant agreement— 

Then, she turned toward me with sharp eyes, sending a clear warning. 

“Human. Be very careful not to disrespect Lady Elysia. If you so much as put a single scratch on her—” 

Before Fia could finish, Elysia cut in with a calm voice. 

“Fia, I already told you—I’ll be fine. I understand that you’re worried. But right now, I can also call upon Agni’s power. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t underestimate my abilities.” 

Fia’s expression briefly showed surprise. But she quickly bowed her head in apology. 

“M-My deepest apologies… In that case, please be careful on your journey…” 

Elysia gave her a gentle smile, then turned away. She stepped further into the darkness. 

We followed closely behind.