episode_0027

Was it because Amy, Bolton, and the receptionist’s report had been delivered to the higher-ups?

The next day, the dungeon we had stopped exploring and returned from was given the name “Crude Catacomb.” It meant a crude and gloomy catacomb.

“It’s just a temporary name anyway. Since the Goddess Sect is dispatching an expedition force, the conquest will be over in no time.”

“Hmm… is that so?”

Well, I didn’t care. My role ended when I safely brought Amy out.

That Abyss Priest or whatever, the one called “Lower Caste Butcher,” the sect would surely take care of him. That’s what the sect is there for.

According to the receptionist, as soon as the Goddess Sect heard Bolton’s report upon his return, they immediately organized a punitive force consisting of paladins and priests.

Of course, it wasn’t a substantial force by any means.

Even if there is an Abyss Priest, it couldn’t be considered a serious threat to the extent that the sect’s main forces should be mobilized.

There was too much for the sect’s main forces to handle.

Dealing with an Abyss Priest hiding in a low-level dungeon was incomparable to the strenuous tasks they faced.

So, did they only dispatch the forces stationed here in Vesperian?

Although they were nothing more than reserve forces… still, they said they could handle creatures like wights as easily as snacks.

The fate awaiting the Abyss Priest is nothing but being handed over to the flames like a dog.

◆◆

For the following week, I spent my time on various short-term requests.

Subjugating the embarrassing one-floor Kobold den that could hardly be called a dungeon.

Collecting mountain magic grass used to make mint-scented incense.

Clearing out a pack of wolves raiding villages to find food.

And even rescuing villagers who had been kidnapped and taken to the goblins’ hideout.

I handled the Kobold subjugation and village rescue requests with Kikel, while the wolf eradication and collection requests, due to Kikel’s unavailability, were performed with a temporary party we found.

As with most temporary parties, they weren’t exactly trustworthy, not in terms of character, but in terms of ability.

Honestly, it made me miss Kikel involuntarily.

What happened?

In the midst of searching for mana grass, a sudden encounter with a mountain bear occurred.

– Roar! Roar!

A single bear emerged from the snowy mountains, startling everyone.

– Run away!

– Pretend to be dead!

– Just run for it!

They scattered in all directions, screaming like cats drenched in water. Their agile escape was almost comical. I found myself facing a colossal bear, armed only with a sword, reminiscent of a battle against the Wights. Fortunately, my experience paid off, and I managed to triumph, despite the odds. The bear’s hide, once in my hands, was worth less than expected.

On the 8th morning,

“Congratulations, Hilde.”

Out of the blue, the receptionist congratulated me.

“Congratulations?”

“Your previous missions have earned you quite a reputation. If you successfully complete one more, we can discuss your promotion.”

“Really?”

With Banma, who never expected this.

◆◆

Promotion discussion.

Although they called it a discussion, it was essentially a confirmation of my promotion. Unless there were serious disqualifications, adventurers with the skill and achievements to warrant promotion were not easily dismissed. While I fell into the category of having a “serious disqualification,” thanks to Amy and Bolton’s endorsement, that issue was resolved. So, as long as I completed another mission successfully, I could also be recognized as a Dongpae-level adventurer.

It was an unusually swift promotion. Was it due to the significant contribution of finding the Abyssal Priest’s trail? Even though it was more of a chance encounter, luck was often acknowledged as a skill in this industry. Add to that the report of defeating over ten Wights and single-handedly taking down a mountain bear, and despite my short career, it led to discussions about my promotion to Dongpae level.

“Dongpae…”

Somewhat taken aback, but it was a job well done nonetheless.

The goal of becoming a Silver-tier adventurer was still a long way off, but even as a Bronze-tier adventurer, there were quite a few benefits.

Would it be like the difference between temporary and full-time employment?

Since Bronze-tier adventurers could still pride themselves on being somewhat respectable, the guild also took some care in looking after their needs.

For instance, if they died during a request, a small condolence payment would be given to their family, and using guild-affiliated stores guaranteed a 5% discount… things like that.

Moreover, unlike Iron-tier and below who had to rent an inn for lodging, from Bronze-tier onwards, they were allowed to acquire a residence within the city.

Considering the cost of housing here, it was more of a nominal allowance; unless they struck it rich beyond belief while exploring dungeons, buying a house would be out of the question.

“Ka-chak! Promoted to Bronze-tier, huh? Congratulations!”

Kikel, who had been listening nearby, offered his congratulations with a nod of his head.

I wondered if Kikel could also be promoted, but it seemed premature to discuss promotion based on his skills and experience.

Was he at the top level of Iron-tier adventurers? To be promoted to Bronze-tier, he would have to diligently conquer and explore dungeons.

Well, it wouldn’t take an incredibly long time.

By killing enemies and accumulating experience—referred to as ‘leveling up’ here—he would also become stronger than now, reaching a level suitable for a Bronze-tier adventurer.

◆◆

Anyway, feeling good about the unexpected windfall, I immediately took on a new request.

It involved cleaning out a den that had become a nest for a large group of giant spiders.

It wasn’t a particularly difficult request. The giant spiders were only a little dangerous with their venomous fangs and web-shooting abilities, but as long as we were cautious of those, they were monsters we could easily defeat.

The problem was…

“Oh, are you the adventurers who’ve chosen to subjugate the giant spiders with us?”

One of the party members who had chosen the same request asked.

“Pleased to meet you. My name is Wolfgang. As you can see, I am a warrior walking the path of unarmed combat.”

Perhaps different from Kikel in some ways, maybe because he was not human.

A young martial artist boasting a smooth scalp without a single hair.

Bald people are not considered human, and martial artists cannot be seen as humans either, so the bald martial artist could be considered an incarnation of human disqualification in its literal sense.

Reflecting on a life full of shame, he continues to live shamelessly, engaging in adventures instead of committing suicide. How can such a being exist?

It was truly astonishing.

◆◆

Martial artist.

This word refers to a half-chimpanzee that goes against the course of human evolution through tools.

People who deny the fundamental truth that being stabbed and cut is much more painful than receiving a blow, and those who ignore the basic truth that the richer one is, the more advantageous fighting becomes.

With inadequate attack power, excessively risky combat style, and stubbornness that refuses to listen to reason.

They were nothing more than outcasts, treated even worse than dagger warriors among fighters.

According to them, they claim that their fists, honed to the extreme, possess the power of a club…

If that’s the case, why not just buy a club? At most, a club costs only around 2 silver.

Therefore, martial artists could only be seen as fools.

During the maturation process, something went wrong, and the genes of primitive ancient cavemen were expressed in these half-human, half-beast beings.

That was the essence of a martial artist.

Of course, those who have accumulated enough strength to transcend the limits of muscles may be able to defeat monsters with just their fists and kicks…

But where am I working right now?

Among adventurers below the bronze level, the fist fighting of swordsmen swinging great swords and martial artists had almost no difference.

Swordsmen also swing heavy swords around, so they are recognized for their strength.

The only difference among them is that martial artists seem to put a little more effort into punching when they do.

In a tone suggesting that they have learned how to punch properly unlike other wishy-washy individuals.

…Anyway, could I endure my astonishment when such a being joined the party?

Moreover, it was nothing short of a promotion test or a request.

Even the man had no hair.

…No, really. No hair at all?

How can a person be like this? I couldn’t believe it no matter how much I looked.

If he looked around 70, I might not have been surprised, but how could a man in his late twenties have not a single strand of hair?

Even if he were a martial artist, his head should be as dense as a gorilla’s due to excessive hair growth.

Could he be suffering from some kind of fatal illness?

Unless that’s the case, there was no way the hair of a man not even thirty would shine dazzlingly like a light bulb.