"Coins?"
Shade raised an eyebrow.
"A boatman in a black robe? Sounds like the Grim Reaper ferrying souls across the River Styx in old stories."
The Bard quietly recounted a tale passed down in this era.
"We don't have any money on us, do we?"
The old knight was quite worried.
"Since we've made our choice, we can't regret it. I'm sure we'll find a way."
The witch said, while the story continued.
"The impoverished Travelers did not have enough coins to pay the fare across the river, while turning back meant the failure of their journey, an outcome they could not accept. Thus, the kind Boatman proposed that the soul of one among you be used to pay the passage for the other four. Would you accept?"
The god asked the five of them. Just as before, neither Shade nor the witch was willing to sacrifice a companion here:
"Of course not. We set out on this journey together."
"The rejected Boatman was not angry. Instead, he reminded you that a one-eyed giant lived not far away, and it might possess enough coins to pay your fare across the river."
Shade had expected another choice, but the story unexpectedly skipped straight to the next stage.
"So, before lunch, you found the Cyclops living in a cave. The irritable giant was extraordinarily enraged at being disturbed. The battle begins."
The god spoke with a smile. Against the crackling bonfire, His voice carried a gentle quality that made people drowsy. Since appearing, He had always used this tone, as though He truly were sharing a little nighttime tale with Travelers He had met by chance.
"How are we supposed to fight?"
Shade asked, and the god answered:
"Of course, you truly have to fight."
"Huh? Sorry, what?"
Before Shade had even