Dark Fantasy Normalized

[Title: Why Can’t I Enter the Inn?]

Content: When I try to enter the inn, it keeps saying, "Access denied."

- "Just accept it, being rejected is something you're used to."

- "Must be a female innkeeper."

- "Try a men's inn instead."

- [Author]: "Shut up, all of you."

- "Do you have a dark elf in your party?"

- "In this game, having hated races in your party gives you massive penalties in towns."

- "Dark elves, demons, barbarians, undead, and a few others. Having them in your party triggers penalties."

- [Author]: "Here’s my party list, though."

- "Excuse me, but how did you even pass the city gates?"

- [Author]: "They attacked me first, so I killed them."

- "Then just burn down the inn, too."

- "That’s a terrifying party lineup."

---

[Title: How Do I Raise Party Trust Level?]

Content: Damn... Having four demons in the party really sucks. I refuse to let them sleep outside, though. How do I make it so they can stay at the inn?

- "You should be grateful the guards didn’t call the necromancer alarm on you."

- "Add high-ranking races like elves, beastfolk, celestials, or dwarves to boost the party’s reputation."

- [Author]: "Oh, adding a high elf worked! Now they’re letting us in."

- "But what determines these 'high-ranking races'?"

- "It’s whatever the elves consider worthy."

- "Huh?"

- "Yeah, the elves came up with the whole concept of 'high-ranking races.'"

- "Goddamn elves."

---

Gondola rushed to Lady Lapita’s side, visibly shaken by the bite mark on her hand.

"My Lady!"

The sight of her wound made Gondola cry out as if someone had died.

"How dare you!"

He glared at Risir with murderous intent.

Whoa, why me?

I didn’t bite her!

Risir adjusted the wolf in his arms to emphasize the culprit.

- "Mew..."

The wolf squirmed contentedly in his embrace.

"Gondola."

Lapita reprimanded her overprotective knight with clear embarrassment.

But Gondola couldn’t calm down.

"My Lady’s delicate skin now bears a scar!"

If that wolf weren’t her cherished spirit, I would’ve sliced it in half.

"There’s no scar. It was just a playful nip."

"..."

Still, Lapita’s stern tone left Gondola with no choice but to stand down.

Playful or not, wasn’t that an awfully clear sign of rejection? he thought.

But Lapita’s stern expression stopped him from saying so aloud.

---

Truthfully, this wasn’t the first time Ferin, the wolf spirit, had acted out toward Lapita.

Ferin had always displayed equal disdain for everyone who approached her.

The important point here was *everyone*.

Lapita had long accepted Ferin’s aloofness as part of her unique personality.

"Oh, my dear spirit is just a bit temperamental."

No matter how much Ferin snarled, snapped at her hand, or discarded her gifts, Lapita never took offense.

Because that’s just how Ferin was.

And yet, Lapita was utterly baffled now.

The same Ferin who rebuffed everyone else was now cuddling into the arms of a complete stranger. She looked utterly serene.

"How is this happening?"

Lapita refused to consider the possibility that Ferin simply liked him.

She was the bloodline of the World Tree, beloved by all spirits.

The idea that a rare and pure spirit like Ferin would prefer some random human was preposterous.

No, that human must have used some special trick to make Ferin follow him, she concluded.

---

"Sir Gondola."

It was Drapon, the guildmaster, who spoke next. His decades of experience as an adventurer couldn’t mask the confusion in his eyes.

"So, the spirit in question... is that the wolf in this man’s arms?"

"...Yes."

Both elves exchanged a troubled glance.

Should they be relieved or concerned?

"Yes, that’s her."

Lapita forced herself to smile, deciding to be grateful for the situation.

---

Reports had stated that a cult known as the "White Shadow" had set its sights on Ferin, recognizing her power and vulnerability.

Lapita had swallowed her pride and sought human help to prevent Ferin from falling into their hands.

And now, here Ferin was, unharmed and safely returned.

It should’ve been cause for celebration.

So why was Lapita glaring at Risir with such obvious frustration?

---

Meanwhile, Drapon and Duphona, the deputy guildmaster, shared the details of recent events.

Risir, a magician Kelra had brought in, had nullified black magic on the spot.

And that wolf? A spirit of immense power.

As the story concluded, everyone’s attention fell squarely on Risir.

Even Didoa, who’d been staring at him the whole time, seemed unsure of what to do when their eyes met.

"Master Didoa?"

When Risir spoke to her, she waved hesitantly.

"Hi, Risir. Thanks for acknowledging me. It’s nice to see you."

Her monotone delivery and limp wave made it unclear whether she was genuinely happy or just awkward.

"Ah, nice to see you too, Master Didoa. But what brings you here?"

"You {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} used to call me just Didoa. Are you mad at me? Is it because I came here unannounced—"

"No, Didoa! I’m glad to see you! So, what brings you here?"

"Thank you for being glad to see me. I’m glad to see you too. I know this might sound odd, but I missed you. By the way, I’m here because Gadena asked me to bring him to you. He has business with you, so please don’t be upset."

Her flat tone made even this explanation sound emotionless, but Risir couldn’t figure out how to classify this peculiar half-demon’s personality.

"So Gadena sent you to bring him here?"

"It just turned out that way. Fate, maybe? Just kidding. Sorry if that sounded annoying."

---

The tension in the room remained palpable. Gondola glared at Didoa for her audacity, while Lapita struggled to mask her discomfort at the half-demon’s presence.

Lapita eventually addressed her.

"Master Didoa, would you mind waiting outside until we’ve finished our discussion?"

"Okay. See you later, Risir."

"I’ll come with you," Risir said, following her.

"Wait, why are you leaving?" Lapita asked, confused.

"Aren’t you discussing something private that outsiders shouldn’t hear?"

"No, I just thought my presence might’ve made someone uncomfortable," Didoa said.

"Don’t be silly, Didoa. Who would think that?"

Their shared glance made Lapita feel like the odd one out.

---

The tension broke as Ferin jumped from Risir’s arms and began growling at Lapita. Her form shifted rapidly, transforming from a wolf into a humanoid woman.

Lapita’s eyes sparkled with admiration.

"Beautiful..."

But her admiration turned to shock as Ferin opened her mouth.

"Shut the hell up."

"What...?"

Ferin’s once serene expression twisted with anger.

"Stop pretending I like you elves. You make me sick."

"F-Ferin?"

"Finally, I can say it. I hate you pompous elf bastards!"

---

Risir instinctively tried to calm her, but Ferin stiffened at his touch, then leaned into his hand with a sigh of pleasure.

"Ferin, are you okay?" he asked, concerned.

Ferin, overwhelmed by the soothing sensation of his presence, unconsciously nuzzled his hand.

Lapita could only watch in horror as her perfect world shattered.