Chapter 3: Chapter 3: The Invisible Island! The Gorgon Sisters!
[You have arrived on the Invisible Island, home of the three goddesses.]
[Under their care, you grow strong.]
[Your growth is rapid—by the age of twelve, you can hunt Phantasmal Beasts and repel intruding godslayers.]
[You wish to protect the three sisters.]
[Today, you follow Stheno's directions to a cave, seeking treasure—only to encounter a massive serpent…]
A blade sliced through the air, and blood splattered.
The massive serpent let out an anguished screech as its colossal head crashed to the ground.
Standing atop the beast's corpse was a young man.
His chiseled muscles were sculpted with divine perfection, akin to an artistic masterpiece.
His long, messy black hair swayed in the wind, exuding a hint of untamed charm.
"Tch. First it was a Chimera, then the Caucasian Eagle, and now you throw a Hydra-blooded serpent at me?!"
Moran grumbled.
This wasn't his first time hunting monsters.
It all started when his eldest sister, Stheno, claimed there was treasure hidden in the cave.
And, as usual, she had arranged for a beast to "test" him.
This kind of trick had happened countless times over the years.
When Moran finally opened the treasure chest—
"Ta-da! Congratulations, Moran, you've passed the trial."
"Where's the treasure?"
"Right in front of you. It's me~"
Stheno emerged from the chest.
Her stunning face wore a mischievous smile.
Moran, already expecting this, turned away without hesitation.
[After years of living with them, you know all too well—]
[Stheno loves to tease others.]
"Ahhh, Moran, don't be so cold. You used to be much more fun!"
"Kids grow up. Try acting like an older sister for once."
"Impossible~ I am a goddess. I exist only to be loved."
Moran sighed.
[Elder Sister Stheno and Second Sister Euryale are pure goddesses, the embodiment of male longing.]
[The price of their immortality is becoming the most fragile beings in the world.]
[They are goddesses who cannot survive without others.]
[Yet, they still chose to raise you.]
[As goddesses, and as family, they are irreplaceable to you.]
Although this was just a simple life simulation, Moran retained all the detailed memories.
To him, it was no different from a second life.
It was precisely because he knew how fragile his two sisters were that he could never bring himself to get angry at them.
Even though they had no ability to survive on their own—
They still chose to raise him.
Aside from her mischievous habit of teasing others, Stheno had never done anything particularly cruel. On the contrary, she painstakingly raised Moran from infancy, bit by bit.
"Elder Sister... I think... I'm late..."
Medusa timidly hid behind a stone pillar.
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, yet Stheno caught it perfectly.
"Medusa, didn't I instruct you to guard the treasure chest with that big serpent? You couldn't even handle such a small task, and now you dare disobey your elder sister's orders? Looks like you'll need some proper punishment tonight..."
"Guh! I... I'm prepared for it!"
"Good. To show me your resolve, Medusa, go and defeat the brave warrior, Moran."
A playful glint sparkled in Stheno's captivating eyes.
As expected, she saw hesitation flash across Medusa's gaze.
Ever since Moran arrived on the Invisible Isle, Medusa was no longer the only one being toyed with by the two sisters—he had joined her as their new target.
Perhaps, because of this shared experience, Medusa and Moran had grown close.
So close that even Stheno felt a tinge of jealousy.
"I'm sorry, Moran. Elder Sister's orders are absolute... I have no choice..."
"Well, I'm used to it."
Moran shrugged and raised his sword, assuming a stance.
After all, they were stuck with such a willful elder sister.
And after all, they were each other's only family on this island.
[You and Medusa engage in an intense battle.]
[Meanwhile, Stheno plays the roles of both director and performer, choosing to stand on your side as you fight.]
[Unable to defy her elder sister, Medusa is naturally defeated.]
[Perhaps, your battle's outcome never truly mattered—Stheno simply wanted to see Medusa struggle with indecision from the very beginning.]
"You couldn't even follow the order to fight seriously? That's why foolish little sisters are just that—foolish. Looks like you really need to be punished."
"Elder Sister... I'm sorry..."
Medusa hung her head in shame.
Stheno smiled knowingly at her reaction.
In truth, no matter what Medusa did, she could never escape—Stheno would always find an excuse to tease her.
"Hmph, Medusa, you're quite bold. Well then, I suppose I have no choice but to join in. I'll help with the punishment."
Another figure stepped into the scene.
If Stheno was the embodiment of nobility and allure, then this girl was the very definition of purity and cuteness—a true idol.
She was the second sister, Euryale.
Medusa could only resign herself to her fate, her expression one of utter despair.
"What's this...?"
"Moran, these are the leftover flowers and herbs from my decorations. You may kneel, tears streaming down your face, and accept them with gratitude."
Moran caught the bundle of flowers Euryale tossed at him.
At a glance, he noticed medicinal herbs mixed in.
"You can share some with Medusa if you like. After all, to me, these are just useless weeds. I absentmindedly gathered too many, so you can take care of them as trash disposal."
"Ugh... Second Sister... Thank you so much...!"
Seeing that the herbs were meant for her as well, Medusa quickly expressed her gratitude.
Euryale nodded, clearly pleased.
"A goddess giving gifts to others is usually impossible, you know? Hmph, this is just trash disposal—don't go getting the wrong idea."
"....."
Moran wasn't sure whether to comment.
It was obvious that Euryale had prepared these herbs on purpose.
She was worried about her younger siblings getting hurt.
Despite their sharp tongues, both sisters cared deeply for Moran and Medusa.
Stheno and Euryale were the same in this regard.
To those they deemed unworthy of their love, they were ruthless—so much so that even a three-headed hound would tremble before them.
It was precisely because they loved deeply—
That they teased so joyfully.
For Stheno, this was how she expressed her affection for her younger siblings.
Loving someone and enjoying teasing them—
These two things were not contradictory at all.
"Moran, I permit you to express your gratitude to me now~!"
"Wow... Thank you so much... Dearest Euryale, my wonderful sister..."
"Ugh... That was so insincere! There wasn't a shred of emotion! Where's the love and devotion a younger brother should have for his sister!?
Don't run, Moran! Get back here!"
Euryale clenched her delicate fists and let out a fierce shout.
Before she could voice any more complaints, Moran had already made his escape.
Thus continued Moran's daily life on the Invisible Isle.