Danmachi: A Despicable Stranger

Chapter 77: Caught

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"Ah, the scenery and flavors here haven't changed at all. The cultural circle of the Kaios Desert and the architectural style of the Dizara region of the Ocean Country are still as wonderful and diverse. What do you think, Izzy?"

Standing at the entrance of Street in the fourth district, closer to Southeast Street, Raul patted Izzy on the shoulder and sighed with the tone of a seasoned veteran.

"Me? To be honest, I don't feel very good..."

It wasn't that he was nervous because it was his first time in Red light district—just Red light district alone was something he could tolerate.

What truly unsettled him was the inexplicable warnings his sixth sense had been sending him ever since they arrived.

It felt as though stepping into the Red light district area would inevitably bring some sort of crisis.

This ominous feeling left Izzy bewildered. He was simply strolling around the amusement park and taking a quick look inside. Could something genuinely life-threatening happen in such a casual situation? Surely not, right?

"Not feeling good? It's fine. There's always a first time for everything. It's no big deal—just come with me, bro!"

Raul glanced at Izzy with a trace of confusion but quickly decided he understood the situation and offered some reassurance.

With that, the hedgehog-haired young man's mind cleared, and he was about to step forward to lead the way.

This area was completely different from the geographically adjacent downtown to the south. The atmosphere here was steeped in a peach-colored charm.

Pink magic stone lamps adorned the walls or pillars of the buildings, their glow reflecting onto the street. Dim streetlights illuminated billboards shaped like bright red lips or fresh fruits, alongside images of women in dresses that revealed their beautiful backs and slender waists. Their allure was undeniable, designed to bewitch men.

The women, primarily Amazons but also including humans, orcs, and even dwarves, approached men walking along the street. With charming or provocative smiles, they would stop them for a brief exchange of words. Moments later, the men—grinning like fools—would enter the women's respective shops, holding hands or with arms around waists.

At this moment, Raul's grin was no different from the men being led into shops. With a mischievous smile, he grabbed Izzy's arm, attempting to pull him along. Yet, after a moment, he noticed that Izzy wasn't budging.

In fact, it seemed like Izzy had no intention of following him.

Raul froze for a moment, doubts creeping into his mind, before turning back to check on his friend.

As for Izzy, it wasn't that he didn't want to follow Raul—it was that he had been stopped by someone.

"Izzy... where are you going?"

Just as he was about to take a step forward, a soft, slender hand gently pressed onto his shoulder, then gripped it tightly. A clear, pleasant, and all-too-familiar voice spoke up.

In that instant, it felt like lightning had struck his mind, clearing his confusion.

It only took a fraction of a second for Izzy's sharp mind to understand the ominous feeling from before.

He—Izzy Alyward, visiting Ted light district for the first time in his life—hadn't even managed to step fully into the area before being caught.

By the goddess herself.

"Hey, Izzy, care to explain why you're here?"

The goddess, with her slender hand resting firmly on Izzy's shoulder, stepped forward and positioned herself directly in front of him.

The most striking thing wasn't her sudden appearance but the half-smile on her face—a smile that sent a chill down Izzy's spine.

"L-Lady Artemis..."

Izzy stammered, inexplicably overcome by a sense of panic.

Question: What should I do if my girlfriend catches me "eating out" with my best friend? Waiting for urgent advice online...

"Hmm?" The goddess maintained her sweet smile, almost as if she were pleased that Izzy still remembered her.

While Izzy stood frozen in fear, Raul nervously swallowed and weakly asked, "Izzy...is this someone you know?"

Raul was starting to feel uneasy himself.

Was it really this coincidental?

It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision to come here, and someone they knew had already caught them?

"It's more than just an acquaintance! Can't you tell from my face that I look like someone caught red-handed in an affair?!"

Facing Raul's clueless question, Izzy couldn't help but feel the urge to slap some sense into him.

"Eh? Wait..."

But then, something clicked in Izzy's mind.

From a certain perspective, what he was doing now did resemble a crime.

But could it really be considered a crime?

Sure, he had been about to step into Red light District, but he hadn't actually gone in yet.

If merely having the idea but not acting on it was a crime, wouldn't everyone be guilty of something?

After all, a crime requires both intention (motive) and action.

Doesn't this count as pulling back from the brink of disaster?

"Since I didn't go in, why should I panic?"

With this realization, Izzy suddenly felt a bit more confident and quickly formed a plan.

Ignoring Raul, who was still trying to explain himself, Izzy turned to Artemis with a bright, disarming smile.

"Long time no see, Lady Artemis. How have you been lately?"

"Huh?"

For a moment, Artemis was caught off guard by Izzy's unexpectedly calm and self-assured reaction.

How could he act so smug after being caught wandering into Red light district?

It seems like Izzy had picked up some bad habits during his time in Orario!

Artemis narrowed her eyes slightly. She blamed herself for letting him associate with her. That's right, she knew exactly what kind of influence Loki was.

Letting Izzy follow Loki? That was her mistake.

Artemis couldn't decide whether to laugh or fume. She smiled wryly, but her grip on Izzy's shoulders tightened ever so slightly.

"I'm doing okay," she said lightly, though her tone was laced with an edge. "I suppose my life isn't as... comfortable as yours. You've even learned how to frequent amusement parks, hmm?"

Even Artemis herself wasn't entirely sure why she felt so angry about this situation.

But she didn't realize that her irritation stemmed from a deeper, unacknowledged emotion.

Hearing her words, Izzy blinked innocently, glancing briefly at the entrance to Red light district ahead. His expression grew puzzled and guileless.

"Red light district? Here?"

"Oh? Don't tell me you're trying to say you didn't know where this was?"

Artemis tilted her head slightly, raising her chin as she scrutinized Izzy, her narrowed eyes gleaming.

Mortals couldn't lie to gods—Izzy knew this all too well.

But asking questions to which he already knew the answer? That didn't count as lying.

With this loophole in mind, Izzy sighed, putting on an aggrieved expression.

"Lady Artemis, this is the first time I've ever come to a place like this, and I was dragged here by someone else."

To emphasize his point, Izzy glanced at his arm, which Raul was still gripping as if he intended to drag him further inside.

"Um???"

For a moment, Artemis blinked, startled.

He wasn't lying?

With just one glance, she could discern the truth in his words.

Given the unshakable rule that mortals cannot lie to gods, Artemis had no reason to doubt him.

Her attention shifted to Raul, her gaze growing noticeably colder.

Her expression seemed to say: So it's you—the one with thick eyebrows and big eyes—trying to corrupt my Izzy by dragging him into Red light district?!