The Hymnkeeper

Personal Info

Brimming with energy and optimism, the Hymnkeeper belongs to the organization Hymnus, championing virtues like justice and compassion throughout the Abyss.
Her impressive skills and extensive experience make her a seasoned Explorer of the perilous regions of the Abyss.

After completing any task, she always leaves her mark behind, hoping one day to make a name for herself across the Abyss.
Yet there's a catch: her appearance clashes so starkly with the rumors about her that many mistake her for a fraud.
At first, she patiently corrected them, but now she lets her fists do the talking.

Chronicles

That girl's always full of energy. Every time she comes back from the Abyss, she stops by to buy a few freshly baked pies.
She loves sitting here, eating and telling me about her adventures down there. She doesn't look much older than my daughter, yet she's seen more than most folks ever will...
Yep, that's the same kind you're holding. One's usually enough for regular folks, but that girl? She can polish off several in one go! What I wouldn't give for an appetite like hers...
— Pie Shop Owner

You're asking about the Hymnkeeper? So you're not in trouble? What a shame...
She doesn't look like much, but she's decently strong. I'll admit, even I was a little surprised the first time we worked together.
But she's always chasing after some grand, flashy feat to make people notice her... Tch. With her talent, if she just focused on getting stronger, recognition would come naturally, no?
And if she's so desperate for a spectacle, why wait for an opportunity? She could always create one... Heh, just kidding.
... But really, you're sure you're not in any trouble? Stalkers? Harassment? Threats? Anything?
— The Absolver from Hymnus

When we first settled in this village, that child would often come by to listen to our stories of the outside world, especially our experience as Explorers.
After a few visits, we realized she had a real talent for magic, so we considered taking her on as an apprentice. To our amusement, she flat-out refused! Hehehe.
Later, though, the villagers started teasing her about her height. That's when she came running back, begging to learn magic.
She improved at an astonishing rate, easily matching the talents we'd seen before. But the villagers' opinions of her never changed.
No matter how strong she became, the elders here still saw her as just a child. So in the end, she made up her mind to leave and carve her own path in the wider world...
— The Hymnkeeper's Master

Record

The first thing the Hymnkeeper did after joining the team was preach the ideals of Hymnus while actively solving members' problems to recruit followers.
Some teammates were wary at first, fearing her zeal might bring unexpected complications.
However, much to everyone's relief, it has turned out nothing changed, aside from her self-appointed problem-solving spree.
And her second thing was to corner the team's most notable members to grill them on how to be more eye-catching.
Didn't know what advice they gave. But judging by her forced and awkward behavior in the following days, it clearly didn't suit her.

On missions, the Hymnkeeper comes into her own.
Her combat prowess has made the team see her in a whole new light.
Knowing her, members made sure to highlight her achievements after every operation.
And it has certainly worked. She is delighted and will fight even harder next time.

Anecdote

Winding through towering buildings, squeezing past bustling crowds, pausing before shop windows overflowing with goods—the girl stood frozen, overwhelmed.
Her plain clothes, unkempt hair, and patched-up travel pack made her stick out like a sore thumb.
"So this is where Master lived..." she murmured, tightening her grip on her Explorer's license.
"I'm a genuine Explorer from now on. And I'll do even greater things than they did."
Her determination flared, then immediately replaced by confusion.
What now? Find a team? How? Hadn't even sorted out food or lodging...
As anxiety crept in, a gentle voice cut through the noise.
"Excuse me, are you in need of help?"
The girl turned to see a woman smiling at her.
She was dressed in strange yet striking attire unlike anyone else in the crowd.
"Young miss, are you lost?" the woman asked again when met with silence.
"Wh-who are—?" The girl's voice cracked with nerves.
"Ah, forgive me. I am the Merciful from Hymnus..."
Bringing order to the Abyss? What a noble cause! Master and everyone back home would be stunned!
All members dress like this? She'd never be one of the millions again!
As the Merciful introduced herself, the girl had made up her mind.
"I—I want to join Hymnus!"
"Pardon?"
"I said I want to join Hymnus!"