LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 9: Chapter 9: “The Quest for the Holy… Towel?”
It had been three days since the great mouse chase, and Kazuya was still having nightmares about squeaking noises and glowing cheese.
"I'm telling you, this world has it out for me," he grumbled as the group trudged along a winding dirt path.
"Maybe it's because you're the Chosen One," Mika said, smirking.
"Chosen for what? Embarrassment?" Kazuya shot back.
"Cheer up!" Lyria said, skipping ahead. "We have a new quest!"
Kazuya groaned. "Please tell me it doesn't involve rodents, cheese, or chickens."
Lyria pulled out a scroll and cleared her throat dramatically. "According to the Ancient Order of Bathhouse Keepers, we must retrieve the Sacred Towel of Purity!"
Kazuya blinked. "The what now?"
"The Sacred Towel of Purity," Lyria repeated, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Mika facepalmed. "Why do I feel like this is going to be another disaster?"
Arrival at the Bathhouse of Eternal Steam
Their journey led them to a towering bathhouse nestled in a bubbling hot spring. The air was thick with steam, and the faint sound of laughter echoed from within.
"This doesn't look so bad," Kazuya said cautiously.
As they entered, they were greeted by a woman dressed in flowing robes. Her hair was tied up in a perfect bun, and she held a staff topped with a loofah.
"Welcome, travelers," she said serenely. "You have come for the Sacred Towel, yes?"
"Uh, yeah," Kazuya said, scratching the back of his head. "What's the catch?"
The woman's serene expression darkened. "The Towel resides in the Forbidden Sauna, guarded by the Steam Elemental."
Kazuya groaned. "Of course it does."
"The Elemental cannot be defeated by force," the woman continued. "Only through… creativity."
"Great," Mika muttered. "We're doomed."
Into the Forbidden Sauna
The trio entered the Forbidden Sauna, where the air was so thick with steam that they could barely see a foot in front of them.
"Is it just me, or does it feel like we're walking into a wet blanket?" Kazuya said, fanning himself.
"Stop complaining," Mika snapped. "Let's just find the Towel and get out of here."
A deep rumbling voice echoed through the room. "WHO DARES ENTER MY DOMAIN?"
"Hi! We're here for the Sacred Towel!" Lyria said cheerfully.
The steam parted to reveal a massive, muscular figure made entirely of swirling mist. Its eyes glowed blue, and it flexed dramatically.
"I AM THE STEAM ELEMENTAL," it bellowed. "AND YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"
"Really? The 'shall not pass' line?" Kazuya muttered. "Original."
The Ridiculous Challenge
Instead of attacking, the Steam Elemental struck a pose. "To claim the Sacred Towel, you must defeat me… in a Dance-Off!"
The trio stared at it in disbelief.
"Wait, what?" Kazuya said.
"A DANCE-OFF!" the Elemental repeated, snapping its misty fingers. Music began playing from nowhere, a catchy beat that made it impossible not to tap your foot.
Lyria immediately perked up. "I love dancing!"
Mika groaned. "We're really doing this?"
"Apparently," Kazuya said, already regretting every life decision that had brought him to this moment.
The Dance-Off
The Steam Elemental started things off with a series of fluid, graceful moves, its misty body swirling to the rhythm. The crowd of bathhouse spirits that had gathered cheered wildly.
"You're up!" Lyria said, shoving Kazuya forward.
"Why me?!" he protested.
"Because you're the Chosen One!"
Grumbling, Kazuya stepped onto the dance floor. He attempted a basic two-step, but his foot caught on a slippery patch, and he ended up spinning uncontrollably. Somehow, the audience went wild, mistaking his flailing for an avant-garde routine.
"Look at him go!" one spirit exclaimed.
"Is he breakdancing or having a seizure?" Mika muttered, trying not to laugh.
Lyria Saves the Day
Next up was Lyria, who leapt onto the dance floor with enthusiasm. She twirled, flipped, and even cast a spell that created a glittery light show.
The Steam Elemental looked impressed. "Your moves are… formidable."
"Thanks!" Lyria said, beaming.
Finally, it was Mika's turn. Reluctantly, she stepped forward, her face set in a determined scowl.
Her moves were sharp and precise, almost militaristic. The crowd watched in awe as she executed a flawless moonwalk.
"Where did you learn that?" Kazuya asked, gaping.
"None of your business," Mika snapped, blushing slightly.
The Sacred Towel
After several rounds of intense dancing, the Steam Elemental finally raised its misty hands in defeat.
"You have bested me," it said, bowing. "The Sacred Towel is yours."
A pedestal rose from the center of the room, holding a gleaming white towel that radiated an otherworldly glow.
Kazuya stepped forward to claim it, but as he reached out, the towel… winked at him.
"Uh, did anyone else see that?" he asked nervously.
Before anyone could respond, the towel sprang to life, wrapping itself around Kazuya's head.
"IT'S A CURSED TOWEL?!" he screamed, flailing as the towel refused to let go.
Lyria burst out laughing. "You look like a mummy!"
"GET IT OFF!" Kazuya yelled, stumbling around the room.
Mika sighed, pulling out her dagger. "Hold still!"
After a few chaotic minutes, they managed to wrestle the towel off Kazuya, who collapsed in a heap.
"I hate this world," he muttered.
Lyria picked up the towel, which was now perfectly still. "Well, at least we got it!"
"Great," Mika said dryly. "Let's hope the next quest is less humiliating."