Chapter 78

Warren's Perspective

My name is Warren. I'm 16 years old.

I'm an ordinary guy, the fourth son of a farmer in Nectar.

No matter how much I complained to my father and brothers, I couldn't end up inheriting the farmland, and I've been working as a guild member since last year. I wish I had been a bit more serious about helping with the farm work, but it's too late now. I've been forced to work as a guild member with an unstable life. I know it's my own fault...

When I came to Regol and became a guild member, it was tough at first with all the unfamiliar tasks, but I managed to get through the first winter.

The inn is shabby and the room I share is noisy with snoring, but I managed to buy a short sword (second-hand) and some armor—though it's old, I have a few pieces. I think my life as a guild member is starting to stabilize.

I've also formed a party with comrades in similar circumstances, which has increased the stability of our missions.

My immediate goal is to buy better equipment, rank up, and take on more lucrative quests.

When I have more leeway, I want to base myself in a better inn. And then... I want to go to the town at night and meet cute girls... hehe.

No, no, it's better to spend money on something else... maybe invite a girl to join the party, become friends, and develop a romance... hehe.

No, no, no. I've been getting a bit too relaxed lately and almost giving in to temptation. Girls can wait! ...Or maybe just on special occasions!

The senior members of "Sword of Harvest" have said that those who indulge in luxury at the Iron rank won't become proper Bronze members.

I need to train hard, complete missions, and get recognized for my work so I can join a bigger party.

The party I'm in now isn't bad, but there are a couple of suspicious guys who just get by at the Iron rank. I need to get out of this lukewarm environment and transfer to "Sword of Harvest" or "Shield of the Earth"!

And eventually, I want to become a city guard or join the army and become a commander... hehe...

Oh no, no! I'm getting carried away with my fantasies again!

I have to take the promotion test to become Iron 3. I won't let my guard down and will do my best!

"Alright, Warren. Your sword is still honest and hasn't developed any bad habits. Not bad. I'll approve your promotion to Iron 3."

"Yesss!"

I was all tense, but I cleared it easily! Next is the promotion to Bronze! It's only a matter of time before I say goodbye to iron plates!

"Hehe, it was easier than the promotion test I took in winter! Fighting against you, Randy, is really comfortable!"

"Hey, Warren... don't get too cocky. I'm holding back on purpose."

"Wha!?"

You don't have to hit me, you know.

"But I thought I was being pretty strict. Who was your examiner for the winter test?"

"That guy, that guy. A half-Sangreal, solo Bronze."

"Oh... Mongrel, huh."

"Yeah, that guy! He's super strong! Bronze is amazing. I was underestimating it."

"Ah, he is... but he's stronger than his rank suggests. It's better not to base your image of Bronze on Mongrel."

Randy wiped his wooden training sword with a cloth and started to put it away. I should help with that too.

"Sorry, Warren. ...By the way, Mongrel is probably at the level of Silver 2 or 3. Even in our 'Shield of the Earth,' how many of us could go one-on-one with him..."

"Silver!? That's amazing! So strong! But why hasn't he been promoted? Is it because he's a half?"

"No, he doesn't want to. He dislikes conscription and emergency quests. That's why he's been a Bronze 3 for years. He's a weird guy."

"Yeah, he is."

Conscription and emergency quests are honorable, right? They might be a bit dangerous, but isn't that what guild members do?

People often say he's weird, but he really is.

"Hey, who's stronger, Randy or Mongrel?"

"Ah... Warren, don't tell anyone about this, okay?"

"Huh? Sure. What is it?"

Randy looked around and then turned to me.

"Without a doubt, Mongrel is stronger. He's exceptionally strong in a fight. I've never seen him lose. He can easily beat four people at once. I can't do that."

"Seriously? Amazing!"

"Killing a wild boar solo with a sword already makes him stronger than me. I could do it once or twice, but he's been doing it for years. It's effortless for him. I can't match that."

"Wow... but you're just praising him. Why can't I tell anyone?"

"Well, Warren..."

Randy looked uncomfortable.

"If Mongrel found out I said this, he'd get cocky. He's not a bad guy, but it's annoying when he gets cocky."

"Haha..."

"Warren, I'm telling you this because you're a serious junior. ...If you tell anyone, I'll kill you."

"...Okay."

I think if you praise people more often, you won't be so embarrassed. Randy is a bit unforthcoming!

"Hey? Mongrel's strength?"

"Yeah, yeah! Alex, you often talk to him at the guild, right? I heard he's strong, but how strong is he?"

On another day, I asked Alex, who I was sharing a table with at "Bounty of the Forest."

Alex is a Silver-class swordsman of "Shield of the Earth," more skilled than Randy.

Despite his stern and serious face, he's very kind and polite to newcomers like me.

"Well, I occasionally work with him on joint missions... he's pretty strong, I think. I don't want to say it in front of him because he might get cocky..."

"Who would win in a fight between you and Mongrel?"

"Who knows... From what I've seen of his sword skills, they're not military-trained, so in a one-on-one fight, I might have the upper hand..."

"It's Mongrel, sir."

A small, thin girl interrupted from behind Alex, who was pondering.

She even sat down at our table. ...I've seen her before. She's an archer from "Artemis."

Wow, sharing a table with someone from my dream guild "Artemis"... but this girl's thin body doesn't do much for me.

"Can I sit here?"

"Sure, go ahead, Lina."

"Sure, no problem. ...Oh, my name is Warren. I just became Iron 3."

"I'm Lina. Nice to meet you. I'm Bronze 3."

Damn, I thought she was my age or younger, but she's stronger and a senior.

"By the way, Bronze 3 is the same as Mongrel, right?"

"No, I still have a long way to go. Unlike Mongrel, I'm not ready for promotion yet."

"Really? From what I've heard, you seem like you're on your way to Silver..."

"Shina's policy is to train more. I still have a lot to learn."

"Artemis is strict... but more importantly, hearing that Mongrel is stronger than me is hard to accept. Even for you, that's..."

"Mongrel is super strong. He can almost take down a Cyclops alone."

A Cyclops alone?

A Cyclops is a giant, right? Fighting one with a sword...

"Ah... well, that's true...? Military sword skills are designed for group combat, so facing a Cyclops alone would be tough for me too... but it's not impossible."

"Really, Alex can take down a Cyclops alone!?"

"Yes, probably...? But as a guild member, the key is to avoid such situations. I'd consider it a loss if I couldn't turn it into a group fight."

"That's not important now! What's important is who would win in a one-on-one fight!"

"Right, Alex! What's the real deal?"

The strongest debate... this youthful energy is exhausting... Hmm, who would be stronger...

While Alex was thinking, Lina was drinking quickly. ...I can't be outdone!

"...After some thought, I think Mongrel is stronger."

"What! Really!? ...But I think you're cool for admitting it, Alex!"

"No, I'm not hurt, so no need to defend me..."

"Why did you come to that conclusion, Alex?"

"Well... I think Mongrel is hiding something..."

Alex chewed on some pickled jellyfish, choosing his words carefully.

"I think Mongrel probably has some hidden trump cards, hidden skills, or secret techniques."

"Ah, I see."

"I don't hide anything, so I'm open about my skills and fighting style, but Mongrel doesn't show much. In a fight, I might be at a disadvantage because of those hidden aspects..."

"What if we only consider what we can see of Mongrel?"

"I don't see his fights often... but based on what I can see, I'd win easily. His style is self-taught and his reach is short. I don't think I'd lose. But I don't think that's the case..."

A skilled swordsman who hides his true strength...

That's... pretty cool!

Mongrel... I don't want to go solo, but being recognized by others is amazing...

"I want to be someone who can't be beaten even when they're serious..."

"Warren, you don't have the strength to hide yet... train hard every day. The real challenge starts when you become Bronze."

"Ugh, that's tough."

"Trying to imitate Mongrel without the strength is just embarrassing."

"You're right..."

It's hollow to act strong without the strength...

I need to train properly... to the point where a cute lady in the town at night would praise me...