Chapter 36: Children and Warriors

Chapter 36: Children and Warriors

Part 1

After 3 weeks, we reached Rank D.

I feel that we went up really fast so I checked it out.

The conditions for raising ranks is as stated below.

=============

F –> E

Clear 10 F rank jobs.

Clear 5 consecutive E rank jobs.

E –> D

Clear 50 F rank jobs.

Clear 25 E rank jobs.

Clear 10 consecutive D rank jobs.

D –> C

Clear 100 E rank jobs.

Clear 40 D rank jobs.

Clear 10 C rank jobs.

C –> B

Clear 100 D rank jobs

Clear 50 C rank jobs

Clear 20 consecutive B rank jobs

B –> A

Clear 300 C rank jobs

Clear 100 B rank jobs

Clear 20 A rank jobs

A –> S

Clear 100 A rank jobs

Clear 20 S rank jobs.

There is also a rank demotion if one repeatedly fails to clear the jobs.

Failing 5 consecutive jobs of a lower rank will result in a demotion.

Failing 10 consecutive jobs of the rank will result in a demotion.

Failing 5 consecutive jobs of a higher rank will not result in a demotion, but you will not be able to receive higher rank jobs anymore.

================

Because we relied on Veskel and Jaril to do the F and E rank jobs, we easily raised our ranks.

Now we are D rank, which also means we can receive C rank jobs.

C rank requests are easy enough, so we should be able to easily raise to C ranks. It is about time to stop our partnership with Jaril and Veskel.

Even though they won't do any more things like kidnapping, I don't know what sort of bad influences will happen from exchanging our requests.

We came to this town for the sake of earning money, and now might be a good opportunity to leave and bid our farewells.

But there are things that we can still make use of before Rank C. Even though there are no problems from the current situation, it is a little regrettable to put down our current status quo.

When it concerns money, it's better to have more of it.

Our current wealth consists of 1 Green Ore coin, 7 iron coins, 14 scrap iron coins, and 35 stone coins.

If you convert everything to stone coins, we have 1875 stone coins.

1875 yen...

If I count everything that we have it's not even 2 Asura Big Copper coins.

No, I should stop thinking about the prices of another continent.

Once we reached Rank C we will part with Jaril and Veskel, then leave this town.

We should progress in this direction.

Part 2

I find a particular request.

=================

B

Job: Search/Destroy the mysterious Monsters.

Reward: 5 scrap iron coins (2 iron coins if they are killed)

Job Contents: The search/destroy for Monsters.

Location: South forest (Forest of petrification)

Time duration: The end of next month.

Time Limit: As soon as possible.

Name of the requester: Roaming merchant Bellver

Notes: I saw squirming shadows deep in the forest, and I want to investigate the true identity of the shadows. If they are a dangerous entity, please eliminate them.

==============

Jaril and I are both holding our chins at the same time, troubled by it.

The mysterious creatures.

This request is really unclear.

In fact this Monster might not even exist.

Even if they do exist, how do you prove it's the creature that he saw?

But the rewards are quite good, even if you do not kill them we can still receive 5 scrap iron coins, so that is not bad at all.

[Is this request on your mind?]

[Even though the reward is quite good, it is a little suspicious.]

Jaril also nods.

[It is likely that even if you do this request you can't get anything out of it, it's better if you don't.]

Something like this also happened once, about 2 weeks ago.

A request of "Please help me gather the Acid Wolf".

We did the same things as usual, and gathered the fangs and tails of the Acid Wolf.

But we were told that they needed the entire body of the Acid Wolf.

Even though the contents of the contract were not detailed, we still paid the penalty for breaking off the contract.

If I think about it I feel humiliated.

In order to prevent something like that again, it's better to not accept this request... But.

I am dazzled by the money.

[Hm, but this is 2 iron coins... Even if we paid another [Studying fees] it might still be worth it.]

[Aren't you shy already of being bitten once?]

[In this situation, the penalty is still 5 scrap iron coins right?]

[Yes, because the brackets there would indicate it's a special reward.]

Just to add on, because I find it irritating to have Nokopara bothering Ruijerd, and the other adventurers bothering Eris, I let both of them wait outside.

Veskel is not at the guild as well.

So there is no one who can stop me.

[Well, if it's the forest of petrification, even if we can't complete this request, we can still get something that can be sold. If it's you guys, you can still break even from breaching the contract, isn't that good?]

[Alright, then we will work hard on our end.]

When I go back and think about it, no matter how I think about it I feel that I had a lapse in judgment.

Because I have gotten used to things, I have become complacent.

Due to things progressing smoothly, I have underestimated the risks.

I have gone too far in pursuing rewards.

It could have done better, but contrary to that thought, I merely did things till that extent.

I assessed myself that way.

Part 3

The forest of petrification.

It is about a day's journey away from the town Rikaris.

The side of the road leading to the forest is filled with sharp bone-like trees growing everywhere, appearing as if the forest has been turned into stone.

There are also very dangerous B rank Monsters, called Almond Anaconda and Executioner, residing in the forest.

Even though it's a shortcut to reach the next town through this forest, only urgent roaming merchants will use this route, and they will hire many skilled guards.

In this world the forests are dangerous without exception, but the Magic continent's forest is exceedingly so.

Part 4

At the entrance of the forest, there are three parties gathered there.

A rank B party [Super Blaze], a Rank D party [Trouble village hooligans], and a Rank D [Dead End].

The leaders of the team meet with each other.

It seems to be common sense amongst adventurers to meet with each other, if the parties run into each other at places like the forests.

Even though I want to ignore them, it will be troublesome if we run into each other in the forest.

In any case, we should show ourselves now.

[Hey, what are you bunch doing here.]

The first line that comes out from him.

The irritated face of [Super blaze]'s leader Blaze.

I still have an impression of his face, it should be the pig-head person who laughed at us on the first day.

Ah, I'm not insulting him.

It's because his face is really a pig.

He's the same race as the gatekeeper who looked at Eris with a lascivious expression.

What is his race name...

Indeed, I classified it as pig-faced race "orc".

They seem to be comprised of many races in their 6 men party. There's a Lamia, a sprite like person, centaur, etc.

To level up to Rank C requires the skills of hunting the surrounding Monsters.

If one reaches Rank B, they are veterans with assured skills.

[We're here to do requests!]

[Trouble Village Hooligans]'s leader Kurt says with a sullen expression.

He's a charming handsome youth with 2 horns.

[We're here to do the same.]

[Dead End]'s leader nods just like the party on the right side.

Well, that's me.

Blaze scoffs with his tongue after listening to the 2 Rank D people.

[Are there people who reserved this? There's something bad about it...]

Blaze irritatedly scratches the back of his neck.

[R, reserve what?]

[Huh!?]

Kurt asks timidly, and that pig suddenly snaps.

[Well, well, calm down, calm down, please teach us beginners.]

I rub my hands together and go closer, and Blaze spits onto the ground.

[It means that different people doing the same request at the same time, and the guild didn't manage it properly.]

I see.

Double booking.

There are 3 people who made a request. There are 3 people who are doing the requests. Even though the request looks different, but they are one and the same.

Something like this does indeed happen.

[May I know what everyone's request is?]

I ask.

Blaze's request: [To kill the White-Fang Cobra within the Forest of Petrification].

Kurt's request: [To collect the mysterious egg in the Forest of Petrification]

Rudeus's request: [To search for the mysterious Monster].

[Search? Ara? There's a request like this in the D rank?]

Kurt asks.

Of course, I have thought about ways to handle this.

[This is a C rank request which is posted after you have left the guild.]

[I see... Your request is really good...]

I cast a sidewards glance at the grumbling Kurt, and begin to think.

These requests seem to have an overlapping feel to it.

First of all, there is no White-fanged Cobra in this forest. Since a request has been made, that will mean one has been found.

That is to say, the mysterious creature may possibly be the white snake cobra.

The mysterious eggs... may possibly be the white-fanged cobra's egg.

Of course, it's possible all these mysterious are unrelated to the white-fanged cobra. It's too early to conclude it as a double booking.

[Leaving this aside, why would something like this happen?]

[Who knows, there are times where things like this happen.]

Well it can't be helped, since they are not using a computer to manage things.

[And? How do we settle this?]

[Nothing to it, the fastest person wins.]

Blaze says that and Kurt yells with surprise.

[What! If you kill the Monsters, then what about our request!]

[Huh? You're gathering the eggs? If we see that we will destroy it. It's very troublesome if the White-fanged cobra breeds.]

Blaze laughingly mocks at Kurt.

[Hey, Rudeus, say something! If they defeat the Monsters our requests will...!]

Kurt passes the baton onto me.

Indeed, if they defeat the Monsters we will also fail...

No, our mission is to search, if we report [The White-fanged cobra is in the forest], I think the mission will be completed.

If this is still not counted, we will hunt for Monsters in the forest, and pay the penalty for breaking the contract.

[It's still too early to decide our requests are repeated, it might not be a White-fanged cobra but some other Monster.]

Blaze shows a disgusted expression after hearing me say that.

[You mean you want us to look for it together? You want us to protect children?]

Huh? How did things turn out this way?

While I am in confusion, Kurt jumps up at the words "to protect children". Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

[Who said we need you to take care of us!]

[Even if you say that, isn't it better with our protection? It's very harsh for D ranks in this forest.]

Ah, so that's how it is, I see.

With two additional parties, Kurt and I, are like goldfish dung sticking to him. He probably does not want to complete the request easily by bringing us along.

This will only contribute to Blaze's party's burden.

Of course, I don't want to move with them either, because I don't wish anyone to see Ruijerd use a spear. He's really too strong, and may easily divulge the truth that he is a real Superd.

So we will have Kurt take the opportunity.

[Indeed, it will be unpleasant. We don't need any protection, 『Dead End』 will work independently.]

I say that and walk out of the circle formed by the leaders.

Part 5

I go back to Ruijerd and Eris. Ruijerd is looking over the forest while Eris waits idly at his side.

[What happened?]

Eris asks, her appearance almost as if she is saying [I can't wait any longer].

[The contents of the request have been double booked.]

[Double booked?]

[It means our requests have overlapped each other.]

Even though she was kissed, the reality is that she was kissed on her glove.

Even though I do not feel the need to do it so desperately...

『T-this isn't needed anymore!』

Eris takes down her glove, and carelessly throws it into the forest's interiors.

Hey, hey, the glove is not free of charge.

『Don't throw your equipment away!』

『It's wasteful to buy a new one!』

Ruijerd and I rebuke Eris with overlapping voices.

Even though it's my mind's reflex, at this point in time I'm still thinking of money.

Haaa...

『Shut up!』

Eris stomps on the ground with tears in her eyes.

I have not seen this Eris for a long time.

What is it.

The meaning of kissing the thumb.

『Rudeus! Here!』

She brings out her hand to me.

I lick it involuntarily.

『!』

Eris' face is painted crimson red, and she gives me a punch.

A serious punch that is designed to strip my consciousness away.

I feel like my bones are breaking.

If one has this punch, one can obtain the world.

I fall onto the ground in an unsightly manner.

What should I do?

At the same time I see Eris staring at the part I licked. She then licks it with her tongue.

After which the blush goes all the way to her ears, and she wipes her hand on the clothes.

『I, I'm sorry Rudeus, but you can't lick it!』

Her actions are too cute, so I completely forgive her.

That earlier failure which brought about my dispirited feelings has been cleared slightly.

Part 8

I consider the things about Ruijerd when we walk in the forest.

– Likes children

– Has a sense of justice.

That is what I knew about Ruijerd in the past.

But today I have a new vocabulary word for him.

– Warrior.

[Ruijerd-san, what is a warrior to you?]

[A warrior is one who protects children and treasures his allies.]

He replies immediately.

But I finally understand the reason why Ruijerd is angry.

He has never once thought about having a sense of justice, but he has only pursued the goals of a warrior's pride.

A warrior must never hurt children.

A warrior must always protect children.

A warrior must never abandon his allies.

A warrior must always protect his allies.

He has only considered these things.

Therefore he must have decided that the kidnapper who kicked me must be a bad person.

The 2 people who did not fight their enemies but begged for their lives are bad people.

Kurt's party was most likely seen as children. To leave them alone, Ruijerd must have considered me as a bad person.

But after Kurt refutes him, he changed his views. He has now seen them as children who became warriors.

And thus, he has forgiven my actions.

Or perhaps he must be reflecting from before, that he did not treat them as warriors.

I really have no idea how he draws the line between warriors and children.

Even though Eris is considered a child, what am I considered?

Should I ask, or not?

[There's a battle going on.]

Ruijerd suddenly utters a sentence of caution when I am having an inner conflict.

[That is... Blaze's party?]

[Yes.]

It seems to be Blaze.

I don't know how Ruijerd's third eye is able to see things. Even if it's covered with a hood, he's able to see.

Also, it's not just a radar, he can differentiate individuals.

That is really convenient, I also want one.

[Should we help them?]

[There's no need.]

As expected of a Rank B, Ruijerd seems to have regarded them as warriors.

In the front of the forest, a huge snake is coiled there. And then surrounding it are four bodies.

But they are dead.

Oh, so it is unnecessary to help them refers to this?

I am unable to find Blaze's body, perhaps he ran away.

[What about the other two?]

[They died.]

It appears they have been completely wiped.

I place my palms together.

[But what is that Monster?]

The Monster that wiped out Blaze's party is incredibly huge.

[That's a Red-fang Cobra.]

The body of the red snake cannot be covered by both my arms and Eris arms, its body is about 10 meters long, and its neck is opened up as if to threaten us.

In the center of its body is a huge lump, I'm afraid it's that pig.

Come to think of it, isn't it a white snake?

[To think this forest actually has a Red-fang Cobra, and it's so big too.]

[You mean that it usually doesn't have one?]

[Usually. But there's a small chance that one might appear.]

A Red-fang Cobra is a higher ranking species.

It has a bigger body than the White-fang Cobra, and it's much more agile. Its body is fully covered with fire-resistent scales, and their sharp fangs also contain lethal venom.

I'm not sure what a White-fang Cobra eats to become a Red-fang Cobra, but there is a small chance one will appear amongst the White-fang Cobra.

Even though White-fang Cobra is a rank B, but a Red-fang Cobra is a strong enemy that's Rank A.

A B rank party will probably get killed immediately.

It is in the middle of enjoying its meal, and did not appear concerned about us. It seems that it is about to eat its third meal.

[We can do it?]

Eris confidently pulls out her sword.

[Should we do it?]

Ruijerd asks for my opinion.

[... Are you sure you want to let me decide?]

[I'll leave the decision to you.]

[Who else can decide?]

I'm entrusted with the decision.

After a slight consideration, the request is to discover or eliminate the mysterious Monster.

Perhaps they have mistaken a Red-fang Cobra for a White-fang Cobra.

It seems there isn't a White-fang Cobra here.

Now that we've discovered something like this, even if we go back this request will be considered as a success.

But if we beat it we get 2 iron coins as the reward.

If we can defeat it, I still want to beat it.

But even though I want to do it, there are words to describe situations like this.

He that fights and runs away may live to fight another day.

Just then someone died in front of my eyes.

If we lose we will die.

We should not cross this dangerous bridge.

[If you want to do it, I can kill it on my own.]

Ruijerd suggests that when I'm in conflict.

[Ruijerd-san wants to defeat it alone?]

[I am sufficient to kill it.]

That's a sentence that is really reliable.

He feels a little like Dash-san.

He is capable of dealing with Rank A creatures.

Well, since Ruijerd already says this, it should be fine.

Alright.

[Then let's do it.]

I make a decision.

Part 9

The two of them fight in close combat, while I fight in ranged combat with Magic.

It's the usual combination, so I use the Stone Cannon like normal.

This time since the opponent is a Rank A Monster, so I increased the power and make the ammunition into a wedge shape, in order to make an explosive effect after it hits, as well as adding Fire Magic in it.

Discharge.

The bullet shoots out at super speed, aiming towards to the Red snake, and ends in a huge explosion.

That is how I visioned it in my mind.

[Wha!?]

The Red-fang Cobra twists its body, and evaded the bullet.

It evaded the attack.

This is not a coincidence. It has clearly seen the attack and avoided it.

The bullet flies off to a distant place and explodes.

[That's a lie right...]

The preemptive strike has failed.

But our special force will not stop. Ruijerd leads the vanguard, while Eris trails behind.

It's a little different from the usual formation, usually it is Eris who is in front.

[Saaa!]

[...Hmph!!]

Ruijerd fiercely aims for the head, using the short spear as always to stab at it. The Red-fang Cobra twists itself to avoid his attack, and then makes use of the recoil to bite at Ruijerd.

Ruijerd easily knocks the attack away with his spear, and the ground is torn asunder with a big hole from the fangs.

At the same time, Eris goes around the snake and swings her sword to chop its tail, but it did not get cut off.

That is because either the scales, the flesh or both of them are very hard.

[Saaaa!]

The snake brings its attention onto Eris, and at the same time, Eris and Ruijerd move away from the snake body.

Using the opening in this instant, my Magic flies at the Red-fang Cobra.

1. Me

2. Eris

3. Ruijerd

Even though 2 and 3 are reversed, this signalling still follows the earlier combination that we set up before hand.

[I missed again!?]

But the Red-fang Cobra avoids the attack again.

This time the front of the bullet has a sharp tip so the speed is increased, but it streaks past the side of the Red-fang Cobra and snaps several trees behind its back.

It did it again, evading the attack after seeing it.

Even though things turn out this way, it doesn't really matter if it does not hit.

Ruijerd and Eris attacks are like a wave. Ruijerd resolutely aims for its brain and heart, while Eris keeps cutting on the tail to distract it.

The magic that occasionally grazes it only inflicts a little damage.

Although this formation is simple, it's not something that can be easily handled.

Even though there might be an opening for it if it aims at Eris carefully, Ruijerd's control has been perfect, making it unable to ignore us.

Ruijerd's attacks are unable to hit it, but the Red-fang cobra gradually starts to get tired and its movements slowly dull.

And then, the Stone Cannon finally hits the Snake's body.

Part 10

When the Red-fang Cobra has finally been cut up, the sun has already set.

On that day our evening meal is the Red-food Cobra's meat.

Even though I do not know where it can be sold, we pulled out the fangs and rolled up its skin like a carpet.

The eggs that Kurt wanted to find has also been found, but they are really too big to be transported. After thinking for a long time we decided to destroy them.

That's because it is forbidden to increase the population of Monsters.

After relieving Blaze's party of anything that can be sold, we burned and buried them.

If we will leave them alone they might become Executioners.

I really do not understand how they revive as zombies.

(But I must say the Red-fang Cobra is really amazing.)

I think about the fight we had earlier. I remember how it kept evading my magic attacks.

It evaded.

It evaded countless times.

Until the last moment, there were almost no attacks that struck it.

Thinking it through, the Executioner did the same thing.

I thought that it should have hit, but it only lost a single hand.

So Monsters that reach Rank B and above can evade magic attacks?

Red-fang Cobra.

It can even avoid Ruijerd's spear...

But that should be Ruijerd not being serious. If he is serious, he probably can finish it in one blow.

It didn't avoid Eris' sword because the threat was too low, so it didn't need to evade it.

But this world's creatures are all crazy monsters.

Even a human can avoid magic attacks, so Monsters can also evade them.

It could be possible that S ranked Monsters might not even be hurt from the Stone Cannon.

That's awfully frightening.

It's best that I do not approach such dangerous places.

—

With that, we accomplished the request.

And then, this request became our final request in this town.