Volume 1 - Chapter 0 Prologue

Volume 1 Prologue : Part 1

The name of my job is “Adventurer”.

In this world, adventurers dive into dungeons to seek the treasures within and claim them as their own. This was one of the main source of income for people who chose to become an adventurer. The only other source of income was to defeat magical beasts that are present in those very dungeons. Once these magical beasts are defeated, they will drop items which can be taken back to a town or the guild and sold for money. In terms of income, adventuring is a profitable profession, however it is as dangerous as it is profitable.

I, am one of those “Adventurers”. A veteran who has been adventuring for over 20 years.

Once again, I am entering a dungeon. This time, with the goal of hunting monsters.

[Last one left.] (Man)

As the man turned towards the meadows, he noticed his prey hiding within the shadow of the grass.

It was a Wild Boa.

Wild Boas are demons who look similar to wild boars with brown fur. It is well-known for its high-speed rush along with its sharp tusks on its head. The combination of its rush and sharp tusks poses a huge danger to adventurers facing this magical beast.

However, in the man’s eyes it is merely food. In fact, he can’t see it as anything but food. The quest that he accepted from the guild was a request to collect meat from Wild Boas in the dungeons.

Without warning, the Wild Boa performed its signature high-speed rush, rushing directly towards the man. Not feeling the need to dodge its attack, he lifted his two-handed sword and swung down towards the Wild Boa. In the midst of its attack, the Wild Boa crashes into the sword, the collision emitting a dull sound. At the end of the exchange, the Wild Boa had its head crushed, and its body laid limp on the ground. Few moments later, the body of the Wild Boa turns into blue particles, leaving behind a lump of meat with skin the color of tree bark on the ground. This phenomena was something that occurred all around the world, however even after it was studied, the only thing that was discovered is that only monsters will transform into blue particles when they die. With some luck, there is also a chance that “Item Drops” would drop from their blue remains.

[Whether they are boars or pigs, at the end of the day they are still meat.] (Man)

The man picked up the Item Drop, Meat (Average). In this world, the quality of an Item Drop increases as the level of the monster increases. Meat(Average) was similar to meat obtained from ordinary livestock. It is also possible to obtain higher quality meat such as Meat(Excellent) and Meat(Special) by hunting beasts with higher levels in dungeons with higher difficulties. Although Meat(Special) is a rare and delicious type of meat which can only be dropped by beasts of extremely high difficulty where even first-class adventurers would be in danger.

[Let’s see… The requested amount of meat is ten. With this, the request is completed.] (Man)

The man placed the lump of meat in a Magic bag (Capacity: Large). It was a magic bag that was found when he was adventuring in the past. It is a highly valued magical item capable of storing up to 200 kilograms of items. He thought of selling it many times in the past as it had cost as much as buying a house in the village, however it is so rare that the probability of it appearing in the marketplace is close to zero. It was near impossible to obtain the bag again once sold. Convinced by the convenience the bag provided, the man kept the bag and his adventures became much easier as it removed the need to carry heavy items around .

As a precaution, the man took out the request form from his bag to review its content once more. Afterwards he began counting the lumps of meat obtained from his hunt to check if it matched the requested amount before leaving the dungeon. As he walked towards the magical gate in the dungeon, he thought about how he would reward himself with a good night of drinks for his work.

When the man returned to the village, he went towards the butchery in the village to deliver the meat before heading over to the guild for his quest rewards.

[Welcome back, Yuuya-san.] (Old Lady)

A familiar face, the old lady who ran the receptionist desk smiled as she waved at him. If this was a guild from a big city, surely a beautiful girl would had been assigned at the desk as the receptionist, however for a small village like this, being able to choose who ran the desk was a luxury in itself, making it near-impossible to select a young and beautiful receptionist. The other adventurers often complained about this at the bar, although personally the man did not mind as it was merely for work. So long as the receptionist did not obstruct his work, their age or gender do not matter.

[I am back. The meat collection request has already been completed, here is the certificate of completion.] (Yuuya)

Yuuya handed over his status card and the certificate of the request over to the old lady who quickly removed the seal from the certificate and the quest reward was shown on his status card. As she returned the status card, Yuuya checked to ensure the quest reward matched the amount as stated in the request form. As he expected, the reward matched.

[Yuuya-san, you do know that your speed in clearing requests is respected and extremely helpful to the guild? I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize your trust in the guild, regardless of the quest.] (Old Lady)

[Well I am just checking because its work after all. By the way, are there still any more requests approaching their deadlines?] (Yuuya)

[Ah that request was the last one. Oh right, Yuuya-san. Nikita asked me to pass you this.] (Old Lady)

As she said that, she passed to Yuuya a homemade apple pie. Nikita was the showgirl of a bar that he goes to often. She was going to be 16 this year, and is quite well-liked among the men in the village. Although he ate at the bar quite often, he couldn’t seem to recall asking her for an apple pie. As if she was reading his thoughts, the old lady looked at Yuuya with a gentle smile.

[Do you remember about the incident where the Maltese disease spread throughout the village? Back then, you were the one who took up the request to collect Karnatta stone which was the main ingredient in brewing the potion used to cure the disease. Thanks to that, you saved her mother who was infected with the disease. By the way, aren’t you still single? At your age, shouldn’t you be looking to settle down and start a family yourself? Why not consider Nikita? She has pretty good looks for someone her age you know.] (Old Lady)

[Sorry but I’ll have to pass on this one. I am just an old man who is about to retire. I am sure a girl like Nikita will have many younger and better-looking guys to choose from. I will be accepting the apple pie. I will also be dropping by tomorrow, please reserve a rewarding quest for me. It is the last time after all.] (Yuuya)

Although Yuuya had just received a generous reward from completing the request earlier, he was also offered a homemade apple pie. He felt like he would be disrespecting Nikita if he rejected the offer and decided to accept the apple pie.

[Yuuya-san. Are you really not going to renew your contract with the guild? The other guild staff and I would like for you to continue being an exclusive adventurer for the next year as well you know.] (Old Lady)

[Sorry. But I am already 36 years old this year. It is difficult for me to continue adventuring at my age. As you can probably tell, I already have plenty of savings built up. I plan to return to the countryside and spend my retirement slowly cultivating fields. As for adventuring, you can rest assured since my successor, Beck is an excellent adventurer. After all, I was the one who raised him.] (Yuuya)

Exclusive adventurers were adventurers who are bound to a guild with a contract. They were obliged to accept undesired quests that nobody would complete. In exchange, they were paid an additional salary as they continue to work as an exclusive adventurer. For quests like these, which were mainly errands put up by villagers for their needs, veterans like Yuuya were chosen to complete them. These requests were troublesome in many ways, however he did not mind completing them. Since being an exclusive adventurer also gives them the option of declining quests with higher difficulties, this allowed adventurers access to a stable income with relatively low risks as compared to the adventurous, high risk high reward lifestyle of an adventurer. This was also Yuuya’s way to show appreciation to the people in the village.

However, adventurers are humans too. As they grow older, their bodies grow weaker. Even as an exclusive adventurer, the idea of an being an adventurer is more or less impossible due to their old age. In his peak, Yuuya was able to call himself a first-class adventurer, however he was still unable to become one of the top-class adventurers. Similar to first-class adventurers, many top-class adventurers who were forced to give up their ambitions do not aim to conquer high difficulty dungeons but rather spend their time completing odd-jobs while nurturing the next generation. For Yuuya, he spent his days steadily completing jobs that were safe, slowly building up savings for retirement to live a quiet life that was not chasing the thrill of adventure.

Volume 1 Prologue Part 2

After performing my daily maintenance for my sword and armor, I began heading out towards the bar. Whenever the thought of preparing my own dinner, I would feel depressed at the thought of preparing dinner for one. Hence, I preferred to eat out every night. I entered the bar, sitting on a table for two in the corner .

As always, this was my special seat in the bar. Even if nothing was said, ale would always be delivered without fail.

[Nikita. The apple pie you gave me was delicious.] (Yuuya)

The one who brought the ale was Nikita, the signboard girl of the bar.

She was a young girl about to hit the age of 16 this year. An energetic girl who lightens the mood just by being present. Even now, men all around the bar are looking at her as we speak.

[Its nothing much. Thank you very much! I am happy that Yuuya-san ate my apple pie. My father taught me how to bake that apple pie and I tried my best to bake it to his level.] (Nikita)

I couldn’t help but let out a wry smile. This girl has feelings for me even though at my age, it would be more appropriate to show respect as an elder.

[That was your first time baking? You definitely have talent for cooking.] (Yuuya)

[It wasn’t anything that special.] (Nikita)

[I envy the man that will become your future husband.] (Yuuya)

After hearing my response, Nikita’s expression became cloudy. Looking from a different perspective, its similar to saying that I would not become her husband. It would be better for me to throw away any feelings of attachment as soon as possible.

[Nikita, what is today’s recommendation?] (Yuuya)

[Uh..Well pork dishes are recommended today as a large batch of pork was brought in today for a cheap price.] (Nikita)

That must be the batch that I delivered to the butcher this afternoon. It seems that the butcher had sold the meat immediately after it was delivered.

[In that case, give me a stew and a skewer, as well as a refill please.] (Yuuya)

[Yes! No problem.] (Nikita)

She immediately ran into the kitchen. Whenever I am alone, I find myself coming to the bar. It was a place where many adventurers gather at. Although in a village that only has a low-leveled dungeon, it is quite the sight. There were many young adventurers. Although being an adventurer was a popular job, it was not a job a person could sustain beyond their mid thirties. Although many people pass away before they hit that point. Young people often spoke passionately about their dreams. Even now, the spirits of the young men were raising even higher.

[We are definitely going to conquer the Tower of Trials someday! And we will eventually be hailed as equals to the hero Leonard!]

[You say that although you are still struggling with Giant Toads.]

[Hey please do not say that out loud!]

Everyone in the bar laughed together.

After feeling the intensity of their passion, I felt my cold heart being warmed slightly.

I could see my food being carried over and I started having my dinner. The food was delicious as usual as the chef who works here had good cooking skills. Before arriving at this village, I had spent a large amount of time in a big city but that city did not have many stores that outclassed this store in terms of cooking ability.

Should I ask for one more refill? As I was asking myself that question, a man sat down in-front of me.

A man wearing magical armour with a silver class adventurer’s identity card hanging from his neck. His equipment was unfamiliar, suggesting that it was not from this village. It was however a familiar face. A face filled with youth and confidence

[I have been looking for you, Yuuya-san]

[I heard that you joined Blow, Ain.] (Yuuya)

This person was an adventurer from this village

Seven years ago, his parents begged for me to teach him the ways of the adventurer and I ended up teaching him for three years. After three years, he became a competent adventurer and left the village to challenge dungeons with higher difficulties.

[Well I have been training for the past four years with the Blows and became one of them. I plan to challenge the Tower of Trials.] (Ain)

I dropped my fork on the ground unintentionally.

[Yuuya-san. Would you like to come with us to the Tower of Trials? We can find out how great of an adventurer you really are! I am sure someone of your caliber would be able to clear the trial easily!. Doesn’t it sound like a good idea master?] (Ain)

I took a deep breath and began recollecting about the past. About how I was told similar things by other people in the past. However. My answer was decided long ago. Over ten years ago.

[Ain. I am grateful for the trust you have in me. However, I have to decline. I am not a chosen one.] (Yuuya)

Tower of Trials

It is a place where every adventurer dreams of going. It is a place where an adventurer goes if he wishes to be stronger than anyone else And more than a decade ago, it was the place I escaped from without even attempting.

[Please do not say such a thing! I have two dependable companions that are coming with us. If we had the experience,skill and strength of my teacher there-] (Ain)

[I told you. That I was never chosen for the trials. It was always shown on my status.] (Yuuya)

I activated my status card

The status card is capable of carrying money as well as function as an identity card. It was capable of revealing the stats and level of the owner. As he looks at the window that popped out, Ain said:

[Master you are lying to me.] (Ain)

[I’ve told you this before. I was unlucky back then. There was also a time I aimed to become stronger and pass the trial. However, the more we progressed, the more I despaired. It was impossible for me. When my friends told me that they wanted to challenge the trials, I left the party. I gave up my chance at becoming strong. Since then, I have doing unreasonable jobs like this.] (Yuuya)

My level is currently 50 and was the highest limit a person could go. Once a person reached this limit the person would unable to become stronger. Hence I have become as strong as the limit allowed me to be. Statuses existed in this world. Every time a person leveled up, their stat parameters increases by a value of 1~3. The expected value is 2, but there are always variations and restarting was impossible.

And I had the worst possible luck. My parameters always increased in increments of 1, however I believed someday my stat parameters would increase dramatically. Believing this I continued to level up, eventually hitting my level limit. To overcome my low stat parameters, I polished my swordsmanship as much as possible throughout the decades and eventually, I found a way to obtain a power that surpassed a person’s status.

Through blood,sweat and tears, I managed to obtain strength that went beyond my current status. Despite this, I still reached a limit. The higher the level, the larger the difference between our stat parameters becomes, and the more apparent it’s effects are, making it impossible to catch up with other people who aimed to be the strongest.

I could confidently say that I am a first-class adventurer, but I will never be able to reach the realm of heroes. And thus, I gave up on my dream of becoming the strongest. Like this, I chose a stable job by completing quests with lower difficulties.

[Ain, good luck in clearing your trials. If its you, you might have a chance at clearing the trials. You are different from someone like me who was cursed with bad luck.] (Yuuya)

Ain had the status required for someone to enter the realms of heroes. He could even be able to achieve something that is impossible for me.

[I am sorry Yuuya-san. I did not know.] (Ain)

[It was bad of me to talk about a depressing story to someone who cherishes his teacher. I am done with my meal. I will be making a move first.] (Yuuya)

It became an atmosphere impossible to drink alcohol in. I placed a little more money than the bill on the desk, and called out to Nikita before leaving the bar.

Seriously. Reminding me of bad memories.

.

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Although Youya gave up his dream of becoming stronger, the burning passion within his heart began to burn once more.