episode_0018

I want to crush the Adventurers Guild.

It’s been my thought throughout the 12th round.

Of course, it’s just a fantasy in my mind; I’ve never once considered how to actually break it down.

The Adventurers Guild forms strong bonds with adventurers.

The guild acts as an intermediary between quest givers and adventurers.

Adventurers make use of their mediation and convenience facilities.

They have a strong bond of trust between them.

Strictly speaking, the Adventurers Guild is somewhat oppressive.

But if this bond of trust were to be broken, it could bring about a big change.

How can I break this bond of trust?

There was no need to ponder deeply.

I already had enough power to destroy the guild even without relying on trust.

[Skill: Mana Control (Level 1)]

[Proficiently control mana within the body. Consuming a small amount of mana greatly enhances physical abilities. Overload results in damage.]

The skill acquired by forming an alliance with Blin, Mana Control.

It was more morale-boosting than I had imagined.

Gradually consuming mana, my senses sharpened, strength increased, and speed heightened. This subjectively felt like the performance level of a paladin.

Of course, the penalties were significant.

Since the decrease in mana wasn’t visible in real-time, one had to estimate it roughly based on sensation.

If one mistakenly used up all their mana until it was depleted, they would suffer from mana exhaustion, making it extremely difficult to stand.

Raising output too high in excitement could also lead to overload.

If my future aspiration is a charcoal-grilled skewer, it might not be a bad idea to maximize output.

“Human, did you really take them all out by yourself? Aren’t the guards veteran adventurers?”

“Don’t talk… My whole body aches right now…”

It was easier when attacking adventurers one by one.

But taking down the guard unit of the guild, consisting of a mix of mages and knights, was a whole different story.

Not only did I have to incapacitate them without killing anyone, but I also had to avoid causing a major disturbance.

Still, thanks to Mana Control, I managed to quietly neutralize the guild.

As the fight ended and Blin’s group gathered around me,

I was already sprawled on the ground due to mana exhaustion and overload.

“Human, how are you so ridiculously strong?”

“Do you really need to know?”

“Haha! Never mind! As long as we took down those adventurers, that’s all that matters!”

“Exactly. That’s all that matters.”

Watching Blin laugh, my feelings became complicated.

I had met him twelve times before, but this was the first time seeing him smile.

He always shed tears as my sword fell on his neck.

Not that it made me particularly fond of him.

We shook hands momentarily out of mutual understanding.

Having seen it all, it’s time for us to go our separate ways.

“But can we really take all the gold pouches with us?”

“If I say take them, then take them. Melt them and sell them to the dwarves. I’ll just take two pouches. Oh, right. Can I take your wooden club as loot too?”

“What? My wooden club? It’s nothing special!”

“I know that too.”

“Human, you’re truly bizarre! You’re out of your mind!”

Obtained relic, the wooden club.

Now it feels empty without it.

Sometimes used to massage aching backs or as a laundry bat.

There’s no all-purpose goblin club.

[Achievement Unlocked]

[First loot obtained!]

[Skill ‘Appraisal’ granted as an achievement reward.]

[Since you already possess the skill ‘Appraisal,’ its proficiency has increased.]

Even though I didn’t kill Blin and loot him, the system judged it as loot.

Perhaps because I said I would take it as loot.

Indeed, the system’s judgment is quite lenient.

“Once again, I warn you that if rumors about me spread…”

“If rumors about you circulate, adventurers will likely slaughter us like rats. Why even mention it! We’re not that foolish!”

“Understood. Then, I’m off.”

“Hmph! Strange human, farewell! Let’s not meet again!”

As the sun began to rise, Blin and his companions shouldered their gold pouches and disappeared into the forest.

They had considered setting fire to the guild and fleeing immediately but decided to stay a bit longer to observe.

The reactions of the adventurers who discovered the burnt guild varied.

Some were still clueless and arrogantly demanded compensation from the staff, while others wore expressions of despair having lost everything.

There were also those who seemed to have lost their minds.

Despite feeling a hint of sympathy, considering how they had drained the citizens dry, any compassion quickly faded.

Thinking about eliminating competitors before they could interfere with them, they felt relieved.

Their plan was to clear out dungeons near this area before the adventurers could intervene, giving them plenty of time.

First things first, they needed to gear up.

“Phew, this is so heavy, I might die.”

“What is all this?”

Thud.

Entering a shoe store, they set down their gold pouches.

The estimated value of the stolen gold by Blin and his group overnight was worth millions of gold coins.

Even though they only brought two pouches, it felt like their waist would break.

Quickly handling the transaction would be good for their backs.

“This is the money to spend here.”

“Oh? How many pairs are you ordering…”

“Just one pair… No, make it four pairs for spares.”

“…?”

When you have money, you should spend it.

I’m not saving for a house or retirement fund.

There’s no reason to skimp on equipment and items.

Moreover, I’ll earn a hefty sum later, so I don’t need to worry about money.

“What? Thin steel plates around the ankles? And the soles thick enough that even sharp blades can’t penetrate?”

“Yes, please. Please don’t skimp on materials.”

“What kind of boots are these supposed to be…”

Muttering to himself, the craftsman measured my foot size and immediately started working.

Equipment for Frost-style swordsmanship, utilizing the entire body as a weapon.

Naturally, it was the first time making such equipment, but being the most skilled craftsman in the area, he would produce it quickly.

It would have been better if he were a dwarf, but human craftsmen were also skilled enough.

“A ring… made sturdy enough to withstand sharp blades?”

“Yes.”

“Sir, are you sure you’re in your right mind?”

While leaving my shoes for crafting, I also placed an order for a ring at the adjacent store.

Similarly, it was equipment necessary for Frost-style swordsmanship.

Yerina carries ten on each hand, but I find it more convenient to wear just one.

Since this doesn’t require much skill, there’s no need to find a highly skilled craftsman.

Just someone who can make a tough and heavy ring.

I decided not to care about the craftsman looking at me like I’m crazy.

I wanted to entrust it to a craftsman in Palana, but…

If possible, I didn’t want to attract Yerina’s attention.

Or even get involved with her.

Yerina has a keen eye; she might notice something.

This guy is much stronger than he appears.

Once the main heroine starts paying attention to you, our game is over.

As I aim to challenge the final boss, I will completely avoid any interaction with the main heroine.

That’s my plan for the final round.

“Yerina won’t be a problem.”

Yerina doesn’t usually leave the northern continent.

Unless she has a special schedule, she rarely ventures outside Palana.

Like a madman, if one does not flaunt Frost-style swordsmanship in front of people as if showing off, the chances of encountering them are slim.

“Yulia is even easier.”

Yulia’s difficulty level in terms of strategy is as low as the damage she incurs.

Due to her social anxiety disorder, she is usually holed up in the high-rise buildings of Petenbourg, making it impossible to meet her unless she wants to.

As long as Yulia doesn’t attract attention, she won’t be stalked or subjected to persistent obsession.

It feels like a relief after being so filthy for twelve years.

“But cleanliness… can be quite demanding.”

However, cleanliness is the issue here.

If cleanliness is neglected, fate dictates that a month later, she will be assassinated by the anti-Saint faction.

Since it’s already the final chapter and the harem ending has been abandoned, I don’t care about cleanliness anymore.

“The Saint must be kept alive.”

Just as long as she remains alive.

Cleanliness is like a suppressor for the Papal See at present.

If the Saint disappears, the Papal See will designate Petenbourg and other anti-church factions as enemy states and forcefully conduct a holy war.

If the atmosphere at the borders becomes tense due to war, it will be inconvenient to traverse dungeons.

Once again, cleanliness needs to stay alive to fulfill the role of suppressing the Papal See’s war efforts.

As long as she stays alive, I don’t care what happens.

So, the problem lies in how to keep cleanliness alive.

“Reviving her half-heartedly would lead to unwanted obsession.”

Perhaps it’s due to reading too many web novels.

Wearing a mask and rushing to Hamelren while concealing my identity, the idea of saving cleanliness comes to mind.

How do protagonists who save heroines in such a manner usually end up?

The heroine somehow manages to uncover the masked man’s identity and ends up obsessing over him.

It’s dizzying just to imagine.

My long web novel experience almost became a hindrance.

I decided to anonymously send letters to the Saint’s bodyguards.

Warning them to be cautious during the grand cathedral completion ceremony on a certain date.

I used a typewriter to ensure my handwriting remained unrecognizable.

Why bother with masks and all that fuss?

It’s exasperating.

After struggling throughout the 12 chapters, it seems my mind is still not fully alert.

“I should start heading into the dungeon soon.”

I even got a new sword for my equipment.

I also acquired a useful stat-boosting skill called Mana Control that wasn’t available in previous chapters.

But why am I hesitant to enter the dungeon?

[Stats]

[Strength: 9(-5) *Penalty for Paladin class in effect]

[Health: 7(-5) *Penalty for Paladin class in effect]

[Mana: 12(-5) *Penalty for Paladin class in effect]

[Agility: 18(-5) *Penalty for Paladin class in effect]

[Luck: 14(-5) *Penalty for Paladin class in effect]

“Ugh. I still haven’t removed the Paladin class penalty.”

Until now, I always entered with the heroine, so I never had to worry about triggering the Paladin’s protection.

Of course, even without the Paladin, I am indeed strong enough to conquer the early dungeons.

But the issue lies with my health.

While Mana Control significantly boosts my strength and agility, it doesn’t prevent physical exhaustion.

To continuously raid dungeons day and night, I’ll need to activate the Paladin’s protection.

Isn’t there a loyal companion who follows me everywhere, believing they’re protecting me, obeying my every command without question?

“Ugh. What kind of companion is that?”

Such a companion doesn’t exist in this world.

They’re practically slaves.

“Ah. Slaves.”

Come to think of it, this world operates on a caste system.

Simply buying a slave would solve everything.

A surprisingly clear solution emerged, almost embarrassingly straightforward.

First things first, I should go buy a slave.