Chapter 27: Opportunities Are Given To Those Who Act

Chapter 27: Opportunities Are Given To Those Who Act

A subjugation task for reinforcing the garrison?

Its a subjugation task, but theres hardly any danger. The dangerous monsters are handled by high-ranking adventurers led by a hero, and newcomers just need to focus on scouting or dealing with small monsters like goblins.

It was a task where quantity was more important than level, so both high-ranking and newcomer adventurers gathered without distinction.

Certainly, with such a task, anyone could take it on without concern for their level.

Of course, if it went as the future that Airi read, I would die in this task, but then, all quests had a risk of death, so wasnt it the same whatever I did?

Moreover, the whole point was to help Merilyn so that I could prevent that future.

If minimizing variables was the goal, then perhaps the right answer would be to go to this place with her without changing anything.

Merilyn, what do you think about this task?

Merilyn?

Oh, sorry. I got absorbed in reading the task details without realizing it.

Merilyn spoke while carefully reading the contents of the document.

Then she continued, smiling as before.

Since Im not familiar with this kind of content, Ill follow Mr. Woo Hyo-sungs opinion for now.

Ah, yes. Then lets proceed with filling out the application

The silence was a bit unsettling, but it should be fine.

After filling out the documents provided by the clerk and confirming the task, I left the guild and glanced back at her.

The task starts tomorrow, so we have some free time today Do you have any plans afterward, Merilyn?

Normally, I would look for work at places like taverns to earn travel funds, but

She pondered, resting her chin on her hand.

Then, she glanced at me and asked cautiously.

If its alright, may I observe what youre doing?

Me? Are you talking about me?

Yes, since we will be working together, I thought it wouldnt be bad to spend more time together when we have the chance.

Fellow adventurers on the same task often build camaraderie by drinking together or sharing accommodations.

Such occurrences were common among adventurers, and as a porter, I had often experienced them.

If it werent for the fact that the person in question was of the opposite gender and was attractive, I would have accepted it without much thought.

You can follow if you like, but it wont be very interesting. Im just planning to loosen up at the training ground in preparation for tomorrow.

Hehe. Thank you for considering me, but you dont need to worry about that.

Merilyn, always smiling, looked back at me, modestly gathering her hands near her waist.

From the moment I became interested in you, I have been giving meaning to every moment I spend with you

Interest and value.

Considering the meaning and weight implied within them, they were not words to be said to just anyone.

The words she spoke at that moment meant she thought of me as someone special

Youre not joking, right?

Pardon?

No, its nothing.

Damn.

As expected, she was bad for my heart.



The second benefit provided to adventurers following class selection was that the training ground was usually free to use.

Hiring instructors or using advanced training tools required money, but otherwise, there was little restriction for newcomers like me.

Naturally, for someone like me looking to test out a new weapon in addition to my class, the opportunity to use the training ground for free was considered a stroke of luck in itself.

But was luck something that shone on its own once found?

If it rolls in front of me, I must grasp it and make the most of it.

As I diligently swung my spear at a dummy, Merilyn, who was observing from the side, took the opportunity during a break to ask me a question.

Youre working harder than I thought. You could take it easier. Is there a reason for you to work so hard like this?

Working hard

I did my best within what I was capable of, but it seemed even such an effort was somewhat surprising to her.

Actually, most who came to the training ground just swung their weapons casually or followed what the professional instructors would say.

Well, if I had to say, its probably because of a compulsion to work hard.

Compulsion, you say?

Yes, its because of something that happened before

Although I valued adaptability and diligence, I did not work this hard in my past life.

Yet, the admiration from other people probably came from an experience I had before.

It was likely due to my experience assisting a hero sponsored by an organization.

Wouldnt it be better to use that power to escape?

Be quiet. What do you know about faith to speak so freely?

My words were meant to suggest using her power more efficiently, not about faith.

Damn, how much more of this dungeon did we have to conquer? Yet she was wasting energy like this because of her stubbornness.

As Ive said several times, those without faith dont understand the necessity of waiting. Those who pray and prove their patience will eventually be granted a miracle by the Lord

That damn nun went on preaching about waiting for a miracle to come, like in an Indian rain dance.

Normally, she wouldnt cast barriers during others fights and would instead randomly criticize others actions with her preaching, which was exhausting.

As a mere porter, I could only watch from a distance, but seeing her preach in such an undignified state with only her lower half trapped, my blood pressure felt like it was rising in real time

Once again, patience is a virtue that people need. Especially in such rough times, those like you who lack faith and therefore cant awaken the proper power need to feel the necessity of patience even more.

That damn nun kept repeating these boring lectures like a school principals admonition, worthy of being smacked down with a Dempsey roll.

But for someone like me, a lowly outsider, standing up to a hero blessed by the Gods was impossible.

If I resented it, I needed to earn money quickly and start my own adventure.

Mulling over it internally and merely nodding along for a while, I soon noticed her face turning pale.

Always keep this in mind. If you pray to the Lord, it will be granted. Thus, you will have the power to overcome any danger in this harsh world Ugh!

Are you okay?

Im fine. Ive said so many times Ugh!

She seemed to be struggling with a feeling of something surging from within, like nausea.

But the cause was not immediately clear.

Since she had blocked her sensations with her powers, it was impossible to know exactly where and how she was affected.

Somethings wrong. The Lords holy protection should be guarding my body. Why then?

Even she, who had been preaching, couldnt overlook the abnormality as she waved her hands, and a status window pertinent to her appeared in front of her.

Perhaps within it, she could check the status of the barrier she had cast, linked to her abilities.

And then

What? What? Has the barrier been broken?

Her confusion burst out reflexively.

Then, as she looked down the hole, her face began to redden with intense anger, fading away her paleness.

No, no way. Then, my body is Aaah!! This filthy demon! How dare it defile this body dedicated to the Lord!!

Is the situation serious?

Cant you see!? What are you doing? Dont just stand there! Call someone *Cough!*

Damn it, I should have called for help earlier!

In haste, I threw down the baggage and called people from the base camp, who, not realizing the severity of the situation, followed me with slow steps.

Spending hours in prayer was routine for her.

So, everyone must have thought it was no big deal, even though I was making a fuss

Er uh ugh

But what they found when they arrived was her upper body, always so proud and upright, now toppled over.

Unable to emerge from the hole, and with her upper body slammed to the ground, she was gasping. A sight that was enough to make anyone take it seriously.

Over here! Dig up the ground quickly, please!

Damn it, what the heck is going on!?

The party members, who belatedly realized the gravity of the situation, started to dig up the ground where she was buried forcefully.

Soon, sand began to pour down from above.

At that moment, utter emptiness was revealed, and everyones mouth, including mine, fell open in shock.

Yes, there was nothing there where something should have been.

Eh, what?

The person who had witnessed the scene with me soon opened his mouth, spitting out blood, and spoke with difficulty.

My My lower half, where has it gone?

A sob choked with despair.

Immediately after, a bunch of tentacles slithered up from the ground, wrapping around his remaining upper body and then dragging him into the earth.

Followed by a squelching sound echoing around.

Aaahhh! A sensation-blocking man-eating monster!

I ran away from that spot without looking back.



So, like that nun, relying on the heavens might get you devoured without even realizing it. Thats why I decided that when an opportunity to act arises, I should give it my all.

Oh, um. I see.

After recounting such a past to explain why I was putting so much effort into training, Merilyn, who was listening to my story, stared at me with a blank expression.

Strange. Given her character, I would have expected her to crack a few jokes.

Wasnt this a fairly common story in this world?