Perman's Past

"I think it was a little over a month after I became an adventurer that I first reached the fourth floor," Perman recalled, feeling a pang of nostalgia for her younger self. Time had flown, and she had transformed from a fearless, wild girl into the leader of a Familia. Her daughter was nearly as old as she was back then, making her sigh with emotion.

"I had it even worse than you back then. While I looked like this, this world, Orario, respects strength above all else. Being good-looking doesn't give you any advantage, especially when elves are practically as beautiful as gods," Perman said, gently stroking Xin Mu's back. Having weathered many storms, she could sense Xin Mu's anxiety and sought to comfort her. Of course, there was a bit of playful groping involved, but Xin Mu was already captivated by her words and exhausted, so she didn't react to Perman's actions. After all, Perman had just saved Zhang Ruofeng, and Xin Mu was aware of that.

"I lingered around the fourth floor for about two weeks. Back then, without any skills or magic, I was tormented by those annoying Earth Bees, so I was too afraid to explore further. Plus, I really loved the taste of Star-shaped Fruit, so I kept hoping to get lucky and find some," Perman stopped her advances, lit her pipe, and took a puff. "Until that day, when I discovered Star-shaped Fruit in the Dungeon's Food Storage."

Perman's expression suddenly turned tense. Xin Mu was also surprised. She had seen Perman several times, and this powerful Familia leader always had a cheerful demeanor. She had never seen her show such emotion.

"At that moment, just as I was picking those three Star-shaped Fruits, a crack suddenly appeared in the wall of the Food Storage. I never expected the Dungeon to set traps for people to fall into," Perman shook her head and continued, "I didn't think twice and turned to run. But my agility was only at an H-rank back then. How could I outrun them? I heard a buzzing sound behind me. When I looked back, I was filled with despair. Two Guard Bees were chasing me. I was truly terrified, and for a moment, I froze." Even though Perman had become an accomplished adventurer, the memory of that experience still sent shivers down her spine.

"Then I started crying uncontrollably. As my vision blurred with tears, a figure rushed from my side, threw me aside forcefully, and yelled at me to run before charging forward. I was completely stunned at the time, numbly getting up and fleeing. After running for a while, I realized something was wrong. Gritting my teeth, I slowly crept back."

Perman's expression darkened. She took a long drag from her pipe and fell silent for a moment. Seeing Perman's state, Xin Mu knew the rest of the story wouldn't have a happy ending. She could only reach out and take Perman's hand. Perman gave a self-deprecating laugh and continued, "When I returned to where I had fled, the place was a mess. The two Guard Bees must have flown away, leaving only a corpse with one arm severed and its head crushed. The pool of blood made me feel faint. Then, I desperately rushed to the adventurer's side, knowing full well they were beyond saving, and started performing CPR, crying as I pressed on. Then I pressed again. Isn't that ridiculous?"

Xin Mu shook her head. She knew Perman was a good person and had helped her and Zhang Ruofeng several times. Although Perman was always a bit handsy, Xin Mu, being a woman herself, dismissed it as playful teasing. Seeing Perman's dejected expression, Xin Mu gently patted her head. Perman responded with a cat-like expression and slowly said, "After that, I learned healing magic and became afraid to adventure alone in the Dungeon. I started trying every way to gather adventurers, and then you know what happened. It all spiraled out of control, and I had to leave the city and hide for a few years."

Xin Mu finally understood why Perman had stirred up so much trouble over the years. Her deep-seated fear prevented her from venturing into the Dungeon alone, which was why she had gone to such lengths to form parties.

"If it were up to me, I definitely wouldn't go down there," Xin Mu said, looking directly at Zhang Ruofeng. Facing that environment was worse than helping the Goddess run a flower shop. Xin Mu was naturally indifferent. Although her family was wealthy, her lifestyle wasn't extravagant, and her lack of strong interests made her vague about her family's wealth. Her father had always taught her to do things for herself, so she never felt particularly like the eldest daughter. However, she couldn't cook and only knew how to use a washing machine, which had caused her considerable hardship in this world. Although Zhang Ruofeng shouldered almost everything, she couldn't possibly ask him to help wash her underwear, and Zhang Ruofeng would never agree to it.

"Hahaha, you're mistaken if you think that," Perman said with a wicked grin, burying her head in Xin Mu's chest again. The clothes made of materials not found in this world were so soft against her face. Perman was addicted. "If you don't go to the Dungeon or become an adventurer, then I'll have to take you into my harem."

"I refuse," Xin Mu said without a second's hesitation.

"This isn't a matter of your refusal," Perman sighed helplessly. Although Zhang Ruofeng's strength was still lacking, his protection of Xin Mu was too excessive, which worried Perman greatly.

"You have to consider this: in thousands of years, besides you and Zhang Ruofeng, have there been any other people who transmigrated from another world? No, right?" Xin Mu nodded naturally. Even her own Familia's God had never met someone from another world before, proving that she and Zhang Ruofeng were indeed the first transmigrators to this world.

"Then do you think the Gods wouldn't be curious about you?" Perman sighed helplessly. She truly didn't expect Xin Mu to have given no thought to this aspect, unlike Zhang Ruofeng, whose eyes were always filled with vigilance as he looked around and pondered every time she saw him. Xin Mu wasn't very concerned about these matters. "The curiosity of Gods can be terrifying, and some adventurers are blindly loyal to their Gods. Take the beautiful Goddesses and the Goddess of the Wind. The Goddess of the South Wind has a group of male adventurers who are devoted to her. If you don't have strength, or if you're not an adventurer, do you know how terrifying that could be?"

Perman's gaze suddenly sharpened, making Xin Mu feel uneasy.