Ch.47Chapter 47. A Lucky Day

# Defense Battle at the Outpost Beyond the Empire

After becoming an adventurer, my first mission resulted in severe damage, but thanks to the Demon Tribe and Beastmen retreating midway, I was somehow able to end it successfully.

I only felt at ease after returning to the guild and submitting a report detailing what had happened to the receptionist.

“Yes, Adventurer Hyoseong Woo. Mission completion and survival return confirmed.”

“…Is that all there is to it?”

Relief finally washed over me at the receptionist’s confirmation.

Now that I realized the matter was settled, I took time to reflect on what I had gained and lost through this incident.

As for what I gained: compensation for participating in the outpost defense battle as a low-ranking adventurer, and some merit points needed for advancement in adventurer rank.

And a small change in my aptitude stats that had been stagnant for two years.

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Aptitude Stats

Physical: C+++ Skill: C++

Intelligence: C- Perception: C+

Mental: A+ Mystic: F

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Yes, my Mental aptitude, which was A, rose to A+.

It might seem like just a “+” was added, but considering that A-rank is essentially the human limit, this wasn’t growth to be taken lightly.

In fact, it was this mental strength that became the decisive factor in my fight against that damn lazy bastard, and this mental power had grown even stronger after that battle.

Apart from gaining one “+” in Physical after being a porter for two years, there hadn’t been much change. Is it true that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger?

Well, I don’t really feel any different, but I’m pleased that the system has recognized my growth.

“…The problem is that what I’ve lost outweighs what I’ve gained.”

Yes, as the saying goes, fortune and misfortune are intertwined—when something good happens, something worse follows.

Compared to the modest compensation and Mental rank increase I gained, the losses from this mission were by no means small.

I had to say an indefinite farewell to someone I’d hoped to continue with in the future, and even if I tried to forget that, the reality awaited that my armor, which I’d invested my entire fortune in, was completely destroyed.

Damn, after returning the Ego Weapon, I’ll need to get a new weapon too. I wonder if I can afford even a used one with my emergency funds?

“Are you Adventurer Hyoseong Woo?”

As I was lamenting, a guild employee approached the receptionist who was continuing my processing.

Behind him calling my name was a large backpack, which soon landed with a thud in front of me.

“W-what is this?”

“What else? These are processed materials from the Demon Tribe corpse that you, Adventurer Woo, eliminated.”

The Demon Tribe corpse.

Come to think of it, I’d heard that depending on the individual, Demon Tribe members could be used as materials. Does this mean the guild dismantled the body of that lazy bastard I killed?

“That demon, when the supervisors examined it, turned out to be quite high-ranking. Though its level was somewhat lower, in terms of potential, they said it was at least equivalent to a Demon Lord’s executive!”

“What? That guy was an executive-level?”

“Based on the combined testimonies of the adventurers who were with you, it’s certain. To single-handedly take down a monster capable of altering terrain—you’re really amazing for a rookie!”

Certainly, the power that guy possessed wasn’t at the level of an ordinary Demon Tribe member, but to think his potential was at executive level…

No, thinking about it, it makes sense.

In reality, because of that guy’s laziness, he took all attacks with his body, and after the fight intensified, he exerted all his strength until he reached exhaustion.

For someone so lazy that he didn’t care about merits or promotion, it was only natural that he remained a foot soldier despite having such power.

“On top of that, the guild seems to be evaluating you highly for this incident. You might jump several ranks in your next evaluation~”

On the other hand, the guild, judging only by results, would highly evaluate that monster.

I felt the evaluation might be excessive, but regardless, the fact that I dealt with him doesn’t change.

And everything gained from eliminating him would be credited to me.

“Then, what’s in this backpack…?”

“Yes! After deducting fees, taxes, and impurities from the dismantling process, 80% of the processed materials will go to you, Adventurer Woo!”

Bones, carapace, tendons, and more, all neatly organized in heavy pouches.

Realizing that each item could be called a “premium material,” an involuntary exclamation escaped my lips.

“Jackpot.”

Well, as they say, fortune and misfortune are intertwined.

After grinding like a dog for two years, I guess I deserve to hit the lottery once.

****

Of course, I still can’t shake the feeling that it’s excessive, but since the guild is following the rules, there’s absolutely nothing legally questionable about the situation.

So, considering this as a result of my efforts and pondering how to utilize it, I decided to head straight to Tachia Pailoi’s workshop with the backpack.

Whether to sell the materials for money or use them directly to make equipment.

I thought it would be good to consult with her, a blacksmith, while also returning the Ego Weapon.

“Hahaha! Hey, mister. That backpack you’re carrying looks quite bulky~?”

But on my way to my destination with an excited heart, I encountered some unwelcome guests.

Men in leather jackets occupying the middle of the street, who at a glance appeared to be thugs who lived off extorting others.

“But what’s this, mister? We’ve been occupying this area for a long time!”

“Yeah, this is our territory~!”

“Drop everything you have and get lost!”

Lackeys snickering behind the mohawked man presumed to be their leader.

Encountering them, I sighed and quietly lifted the mask that had been hiding my eyes.

I had been wearing it at the guild because the infamy of being a “Hero Killer” or whatever wouldn’t go away, but sometimes such notoriety helps in clearing away troublesome matters.

“Step aside while I’m asking nicely. I don’t have time to deal with small fry like you.”

“Hehehe, acting so arrogant… *cough*! T-that guy!?”

The moment one of the thugs recognized me and expressed shock.

On the other hand, the mohawked leader, who didn’t recognize me, only expressed confusion at his subordinate’s reaction.

“What’s going on? Why are you so surprised?”

“Ah, boss. I-I saw him at the guild before. That guy is the famous Hero Killer!”

Yes, there’s always someone who recognizes me.

Causing trouble is limited to when I’m cornered in places with few people around.

Since such opportunities don’t always arise, they need to do odd jobs to make a living, and it’s not unlikely that they might have seen me by chance while frequenting the adventurer’s guild.

“Aha~! Now that you mention it, I have heard rumors. Didn’t he almost kill a Hero at the guild?”

In contrast, the mohawked guy, though meeting me for the first time, seemed to have heard rumors and was snickering.

While his subordinates were tense, his expression showed confidence, as if he had something to rely on.

“I heard he just screamed and trembled as soon as the clerics revived him. Must have given him quite a scare. Hehehe.”

Not just a rumor, but there were actual eyewitness accounts of me almost killing a Hero.

Yet he displays confidence, which clearly shows that his current swagger isn’t just bluster?

“But in the end, aren’t Heroes just people who die when stabbed? Whether it’s a Hero or a Hero Killer, there’s nothing to fear if you have a weapon that can kill them!”

“…That sounds like you’re saying you have the means to take me down.”

“Hehehe, if you’re interested, I should show you.”

Shing! A sharp dagger drawn from his possession.

It looks ordinary on the surface, but if such an ordinary object is the basis of his confidence, it’s not a situation to be taken lightly.

“Hey mister, do you know what kind of weapon this is? It’s a dagger made from the processed fang of a Demonic Venom that inhabits the magical realm!”

“Don’t underestimate it just because it looks ordinary. When infused with magical power, it secretes a poison that can send even someone with overflowing vitality like a bear Beastman to their grave in one hit, let alone a Hero!!”

-Woong.

The moment a vibration sound occurred from the dagger as magical power was infused.

The mohawked man confidently licked the dagger and began to close the distance between us.

“Hehehe! I wonder if our mister can avoid getting stabbed by this dagger even once while fighting me… *cough*!”

And before he could swing the dagger, he collapsed.

“*cough*, *hack*… ugh!”

After coughing up blood, the thug’s head hit the ground, and his body began to tremble as if paralyzed.

Having openly licked a poisoned knife, this was the natural result.

What is this? Is he an idiot?

“Ahhh! The boss has collapsed!”

“You cowardly bastard! How dare you provoke our boss’s habit and reduce him to this state!?”

“…Isn’t the idiot the one who bought a poison-secreting dagger while having such a habit?”

Is conscience an erogenous zone?

They started the trouble first, so why are they blaming an innocent person?

“Setting aside the fact that he collapsed due to his own stupidity… Do you still want to continue? If left like this, his internal organs might dissolve and he could die.”

“D-damn! We have no choice. Retreat for now! You bastard, I’ve remembered your name!”

“Just wait, Hero Killer Woo! Next time we meet, I won’t forgive you!”

No, it’s not Woo, it’s Hyoseong.

Even though fantasy-type people put surnames at the end, other isekai natives are properly called by their first names, so why am I treated differently?

…Is it because the last part of my name is my surname, so they’re just omitting the surname?

“Anyway, a poison-secreting dagger.”

Well, in any case, the roadside bandits have retreated.

I picked up the dagger that was left behind where they had fallen and examined its blade.

A dagger that secretes poison just by infusing magical power.

Seeing him cough up blood as soon as it touched his tongue, it seemed that depending on the infusion of magical power, it could produce poison lethal to humans.

“It looks quite expensive, but… They’re lawless thugs anyway, so there’s no need to report this to the guards.”

From a monster’s corpse yielding a treasure trove, to picking up a rare item on the road.

I’m really lucky today.

****

Of course, as I’ve thought several times, fortune and misfortune are intertwined.

Good things happen, and bad things happen too, and often in this world, bad things can directly lead to loss of life.

This time I was lucky because the bandit was an idiot, but given what I possess, the risk of being targeted by others is not small.

Therefore, proceeding with heightened vigilance, I safely arrived at the workshop where Tachia, the owner of the Ego Weapon, was located.

“Ms. Tachia. Are you here?”

The moment I returned within the promised return period.

While the person who willingly lent me the Ego Weapon wouldn’t harm me, I still decided not to let my guard down even after entering the workshop, just in case.

“Ms. Tachia, are you not here? Ms. Tachia…”

-Splash.

The sound of water being poured from the basement of the old workshop.

Sensing that this was evidence of someone’s presence, I immediately moved towards the stairs leading to the basement where the sound was coming from.

Is Ms. Tachia down there?

It’s a bit concerning to hear water sounds in a workshop, but… I guess it’s not strange since cold water is needed for processes like quenching.

“Ms. Tachia. Are you working… *gasp*!”

But what I encountered in the place I entered with such a casual mindset was an unbelievable sight.

As I froze in place upon encountering it, the woman with her back turned began to move towards me.

“T-Tachia. That appearance…”

Yes, the person there is Tachia Pailoi.

While she’s the original owner of the Ego Weapon strapped to my back, I couldn’t even offer a polite greeting, let alone hand over the weapon, as I stood frozen in place facing her again.

She seemed to have just come out of the bath, with her body and hair wet, and all that concealed her voluptuous body was a towel held by her hand in place of clothes.

Her extremely voluptuous body, barely covered by just a wet cloth…

“Haa, haa…”

The moment I realized I was breathing heavily at such a sight.

My lower body, which had shrunk due to the aftereffects of injury, began to gradually regain strength.