episode_0027

Lately, the atmosphere within the guild, or rather the entire Kubeul, was gloomy.

Rumors of the newly appointed saint and hero were spreading like wildfire, painting a grim picture.

“Have you heard? They say this hero is a former criminal from the capital.”

“How did such a scumbag become a hero?”

“I heard he even slapped the bishop.”

“Ugh, that’s just despicable. He even spat on the face of the knight commander.”

Just how much of a trashy person must he be to have such rumors circulating about him?

Honestly, when the narration had certified, “You are definitely not a hero,” I lost interest in becoming one.

But with new bizarre rumors about heroes circulating daily, I couldn’t help but hear about them, whether I liked it or not.

“It’s all about heroes these days.”

I handed Tiena today’s request form and said, “Given the suspicious movements of the demons these days.”

“…I don’t think that’s the issue.”

“Anyway, I’ve completed the request registration-”

Tiena proficiently processed the documents and flashed a business-like smile.

Watching her these days, it was hard to imagine the serene and compassionate Saint Cistina she used to be.

Well, she may not have worn underwear back then.

But now, with dark circles under her eyes and an indiscernible darkness in her business-like smile, it was difficult to picture her as the same person.

She handled paperwork so skillfully and swiftly, not even looking at it, that she was undoubtedly the ace among the receptionists.

It made me realize how people could change so drastically when their environment changed.

“But, Miss Yunoa, aren’t you going for a silver promotion assessment?”

As I turned around, Tiena asked me, “Promotion assessment?”

“There happens to be a request available for a silver promotion assessment.”

Truth be told, I was content enough operating as a bronze adventurer and had never considered a promotion.

Of course, I didn’t plan on staying in bronze forever, but I hadn’t bothered to look into promotions either.

“Yunoa was satisfied with her stable income and sought only a comfortable life, devoid of ambition or dreams.

She was the epitome of a passing adventurer, adventurer A, with no ambitions or dreams.”

Well, that’s not entirely true.

Lately, it felt like the narration was mixing incitement and fabrication to attack me. Was it just my imagination?

Normally, it provided accurate information, but when it came to me, it attacked me in that manner.

If only the facts were reversed, I’d want to train it until it spoke kindly.

Anyway, since there was a request available for a silver promotion assessment, there was no reason to refuse it.

Adventurer promotions typically involved participating in quests of higher difficulty than usual, alongside adventurers of a higher rank.

To be promoted, adventurers had to undertake quests of higher difficulty than their usual ones, ensuring safety through this system.

For example, for a bronze adventurer to be promoted to silver, they would need to participate in a silver-level quest with silver adventurers.

Similarly, for a silver adventurer to be promoted to gold, they would need to undertake a gold-level quest with gold adventurers.

Once the quest was completed, the higher-ranked adventurer who led the party would submit an evaluation form to the guild.

Based on this evaluation, the guild would make the final decision on the promotion.

It was similar to the monster subjugation squad I had participated in when I was a novice rank.

Thanks to Milaia, the leader of the subjugation squad, submitting an evaluation form to the guild after the quest, I was able to be promoted to a bronze adventurer.

She found out about the promotion assessment late and submitted her pass evaluation without even knowing the target.

“Promotion assessment… It would be nice to receive it. What kind of request is it?”

“It’s a subjugation of the Arachne Queen’s nest. The party will consist of three members, including Miss Yunoa.”

Three people, not too many enemies, just right.

Honestly, the monster subjugation team she participated in as a novice didn’t even feel like I participated.

The undead monster attack in the middle of the night was not originally part of the request.

“Alright. Let’s go with that.”

“Yes, I’ll process it right away.”

Tina quickly finished the paperwork and stamped it to complete the process.

* * *

She met the two adventurers who would accompany her in the subjugation of the Arachne Queen’s nest in front of the guild.

Since it was her first time performing a party request from the guild, she thought first impressions were important and greeted them as soon as she saw them.

“Hello. I’m Yunoa, participating in the request for the promotion assessment this time.”

“Oh…! W-well, nice to meet you! I-I’m Sylphy! I’m also a candidate for the promotion assessment!”

A girl with short hair that looked almost like a mushroom bowed her head nervously towards me.

She had a short sword at her waist. And her skirt was short too. Is she a dagger user?

It was somewhat refreshing to see that the majority of registered adventurers in the guild were swordsmen.

“Hmph, do you need two stingers to go?”

At that moment, a man who was looking at me and Sylphy with an unpleasant expression spoke abruptly.

“And you?”

“Nigel. I’m the leader of this request. A silver adventurer.”

“Oh, I see…”

“Don’t act out and listen well, so you don’t interfere.”

Nigel narrowed his eyes like a snake and spoke.

What a troublesome guy.

He looked younger than me, but he blatantly ignored me.

Well, what can you do.

In society, rank is more important than age.

If the adventurer’s rank is higher than mine, he’s my senior… but it’s just my luck.

But that doesn’t mean I have to be rude and disrespectful.

Anyway, since he’s a silver adventurer and the leader of this party, Nigel will be the one submitting the evaluation for me and Sylphy.

Ugh, so annoying.

“I-I’ll do my best! P-please take care of me!”

Bronze adventurer Sylphy, with her mushroom-like hair, bowed 90 degrees to Nigel as well.

At least she seems nice.

If both sides of the party don’t get along, I’ll lose my motivation too.

The target of the subjugation, the Arachne Queen, was a giant spider-like monster.

As the request grade was high, I heard that it was a monster so dangerous that it couldn’t be compared to slimes or ratmen.

As someone who had been tired of bronze requests every day, it was also an opportunity to test my skills that I had been training with mana conversion and swordsmanship every day.

Even if the monsters are stronger than expected and we’re in danger, there’s no problem because a silver-ranked adventurer is accompanying us for safety.

Although his attitude is annoying, silver is still silver.

He must have some skills, right?

After we finished introducing ourselves, we immediately set off for the Arachne Queen’s nest.

* * *

I’ve always hated spiders since I was young.

The unpleasant experience of walking down the street in the summer and having an invisible spider web stick to my face.

Despite knowing that they are beneficial insects that eat pests, I felt a physiological aversion to them because of their grotesque and creepy appearance.

If ordinary spiders are like that, how much more so are Arachnes, who are not even insects.

“Ugh! There are so many spider webs here!”

The more I looked at the mushroom-like head of Failp, who was tightly gripping a dagger in both hands, the more he trembled and spoke.

The forest where the Arachne Queen’s nest was discovered was truly a sight to behold.

The surrounding bushes and trees were completely covered in white spider webs.

Despite walking cautiously and being on guard, the invisible spider webs kept tickling and sticking to me.

“Don’t tremble so much just for this. Do you really want to level up that badly?”

Nigel, a self-proclaimed food connoisseur, looked at Failp and clicked his tongue as if he pitied him.

“But the spider webs keep sticking to me…”

“It’s an Arachne nest, so it’s only natural. Don’t act like it’s something new…ugh!”

Suddenly, Nigel grimaced and frantically wiped his lips with his hand.

He had accidentally gotten a spider web in his mouth while talking.

Acting all high and mighty, but looking ridiculous.

As we ventured deeper into the forest, it became darker and darker.

It wasn’t because the sun was setting.

It was because the spider webs covered the tall trees, blocking the sunlight.

As we continued forward.

Snap!

“Ahhhh!”

A white, sticky spider web suddenly shot out from the bushes and wrapped around Failp’s ankle.

“It’s an Arachne! Watch out for the spider webs!”

Nigel shouted, holding his sword and lowering his stance.

In response to his warning, I immediately focused my mind and filled my body and sword with magic.

“Ahhhh! Help meeeee!”

Failp was being dragged on the ground with one ankle entangled in the spider web.

Her thin, white legs flailed in the air, unable to find a foothold.

Snap!

Another spider web shot out from the bushes, this time aiming for my ankle.

I quickly stepped back, filled my sword with magic, and swiftly cut the spider web before it touched my ankle.

Then, I ran towards Failp, who was being dragged by the spider web, and cut the web entangled around her ankle with my sword.

“Th-thank you!”

“Get up quickly! More spider webs are coming!”

I grabbed Failp’s wrist and helped her up.

Since spider webs kept flying out from the bushes, there was no time to waste.

Snap! Snap!

This time, multiple spider webs shot out from the bushes simultaneously.

Nigel, being an adventurer of his level, was handling the spider webs well on his own.

Since he seemed to have it under control, I decided to stay by Failp’s side and help her with the situation.

“Failp, can you react before the spider webs touch you?”

“I-I’ll try!”

Failp nodded in response to my question and drew her dagger.

At first, she couldn’t cut the spider webs properly, so I had to block the ones coming towards her.

But after a few repetitions, Failp seemed to get the hang of it and started dodging and cutting the spider webs with agile movements.

“Wow…”

So adventurers who use daggers move like that.

Failp avoided the spider webs, touched the ground with her hand, somersaulted up, and landed, cutting several spider webs on the ground.

Her flexible body and agility were evident in her movements.

It felt like watching a gymnastics routine, and I couldn’t help but keep staring.

“Yunoa was admiring the body of a young and beautiful female adventurer in this tense situation.

In her flashy movements, he didn’t miss the moments when her underwear was briefly exposed.

He couldn’t help but be a shameless pervert. ”

The narration in my head suddenly started pouring unfounded criticism at me.

I’m busy dealing with the spider webs right now, do you think I have time for such idle thoughts?

Seriously, this damn narration…

…

…white.

* * *