Chapter 52

In a forest a little away from the city streets of the capital.

I began my usual training, taking a deep breath of the morning air as the sun started to rise.

"──Parii"

First, I firmly gripped the 'Black Sword' with both hands and swung it with all my might at the densely leafed trees around me.

The 'Black Sword' is heavy, so just one swing made my feet sink into the ground and the entire forest tremble slightly. At the same time, a strong wind blew, scattering the leaves of the surrounding trees.

I kept the sword at the ready and waited for a while──

then, I aimed at one of the dozens of leaves falling around me and flicked it.

"Parii"

A satisfying sound accompanied the leaf's explosion.

Then, I aimed at the next leaf, struck it, and flicked it.

I repeated this action, gradually speeding up the series of movements until I knocked down all the leaves scattered by the wind before they hit the ground.

This was the first set, like a warm-up.

"──Parii"

Next, I swung the sword a bit more forcefully, creating a stronger wind.

Then, I activated one of my few skills, [Stealth Step].

This eliminated the 'air barrier' that usually hindered my movement.

Originally, it was a skill to silence my footsteps, but one day I noticed that it also made the surrounding air disappear, and since then, I've been using it this way.

Thanks to this, I can move much faster than usual.

"Parii"

I moved through the forest, weaving between the trees, and flicked all the hundreds of leaves scattered in the area before they hit the ground.

No wind or footsteps were heard, only the sound of the leaves exploding echoed through the forest.

──Thanks to this, it was quite noisy, and after a while, even the birds and beasts disappeared.

"──Parii"

When I finished, I did the same thing again.

I created wind with my swings and flicked all the falling leaves.

I repeated this tirelessly, gradually increasing the strength of the wind and the number of leaves I knocked down.

I've been doing this every day recently.

"Parii"

After flicking about ten thousand leaves, I took a slight breather.

"Well, that's enough for the morning."

This method of flicking leaves is simple but much better than just swinging the sword.

Since I started this training, I feel I can move a bit faster and more accurately.

I've also become quite adept at handling the heavy 'Black Sword' quickly. I can feel my improvement.

When I came up with this 'Swing and Leaf Flick Method' a few days ago, I was excited, thinking it would make me a bit stronger──

But, as it is...

"It's not enough, right?"

I shuddered as I recalled the image of the 'Goblin Emperor' I had heard about.

A terrifying monster that moves several times faster than the quick 'Goblins'.

If I were to set out on a journey, I want to be able to at least protect my companions and escape if I encounter such a creature, even if I can't defeat it.

──But, I can't even imagine being able to do that.

I felt my limits.

I may have become a bit stronger, but I still don't feel I can defeat such a monster.

Most of all, if I continue this training for three months, the forest's trees will be stripped bare.

While I have no choice, I think that's a bit too much.

I need to find a different method.

Something is missing.

I probably need to train in a way that's closer to real combat.

◇◇◇

I stopped my afternoon training and headed to the Adventurer's Guild.

"Hey, Noll. Haven't seen you in a while──but it's only been a few days. We see each other almost every day, so it feels like it's been a while even after a short break."

"Yeah, that's true."

The guild's uncle greeted me as usual when he saw me.

"So, what brings you here today? If you need the money we're holding for you, we can give it to you anytime. You got paid a lot for that construction job. I've never seen such a large amount for dragon slaying... By the way, have you considered joining a construction guild? It's unbelievable that that stingy old man would pay that much. ...I know you won't listen, though."

As usual, the uncle started suggesting jobs, but I just let it pass and got to the point of my visit.

"No, the money is fine. I don't have any plans to use it, so you can keep it. I came here to look for a job."

"──What, a job? Didn't you say you were taking a break?"

"No, not a construction job.

Is there anything where I can fight something that moves──a job I can do in the capital?

Of course, I can't handle anything too powerful, but I want to fight something as quick as possible, something I can do every day and isn't too dangerous."

"There's no such convenient thing.

...But, there might be something.

...But, it's a bit of a stretch."

"Is there something?"

"Should I tell you about it?"

"Yeah, please."

"──Do you remember how the area around the 'No Return Labyrinth' was damaged during the previous imperial attack?

The 'Barrier' that was set up to prevent the labyrinth's monsters from escaping became unstable, and some weak monsters started to overflow."

"Is that so? I didn't know that."

"...Didn't you see the signs near your construction site? Didn't you notice them?"

"No. I was so focused on my work that I didn't even notice the signs."

"Well, the ones that have overflowed are just weak monsters from the shallow layers, and the capital's defense forces and general adventurers are working together to contain them, so it's not a big problem. But some of them have been left unattended.

They're not a serious threat, but they're time-consuming, so they've been left alone due to the busy schedule.

The capital's defense forces requested support from the Adventurer's Guild a while ago, but it hasn't been fully addressed."

"Is there such a thing?"

"Yeah. The job is basically 'ghost extermination.'"

"──Gh... Ghost... Extermination...?"

"Yeah, mostly 'ghosts' appear, but if you're unlucky, you might encounter a 'skeleton' occasionally."

"──S, Skeleton?"

"They're animated skeletons. Haven't you heard of them?"

"R, Really? Bones that move? That's... a bit creepy."

"Are you scared?"

"No... n-no, I'm not... scared..."

My voice cracked a bit.

To be honest, I'm not good with that kind of stuff.

When I was little, my father told me stories about ghosts and zombies, and I was so scared I couldn't go to the bathroom at night, crying and asking my mother to come with me.

I think I'm fine now, but I remember being very scared back then.

I've convinced myself that ghosts don't really exist and that zombies are just made-up stories.

...No, wait.

──Do they really exist?

"Well, it's true that 'skeletons' should be approached with caution.

They're a bit stronger than goblins, with a threat level of E.

They attack with weapons and are quite tough. But they're not very fast, so it's easy to run away. If you encounter one, make sure to run."

Stronger than goblins, huh?

That might be just right for me to challenge.

"By the way, 'ghosts' have a threat level of F.

They're not really considered monsters but are treated as nuisances.

They have some aggression, but they only affect you mentally, not physically. So, it's more like 'extermination' rather than 'slaying.' Even with your 'Unknown' rank, you can take this job."

"──I see."

My adventurer rank is still 'Unknown.'

Actually, before, Leen's brother offered to recommend me for a higher rank because of my contribution during the imperial attack, but I declined.

To be honest, I was a bit hesitant, but I think it's better to earn recognition based on my own abilities.

It wouldn't be good to have a higher rank when I can barely defeat a goblin.

I want to become strong and acquire skills, and then proudly become an adventurer.

──In that case, this job might be perfect for me.

"But, to drive away 'ghosts,' you need to use magic. Just like their attacks don't affect us, our physical attacks don't affect them. Can you use magic skills?"

"Well, I can use one, you know."

I lit a small flame like a candle on my fingertip.

The only magic skill I can use──

"【Puchi Fire】"

"Yeah, I know that, but are you planning to fight with that?"

"──Is it not enough?"

"Well, I wouldn't say it's not enough... but I've never heard of anyone fighting ghosts with that. I don't think it can deal much damage, but it might be a little. If you think it's too difficult, just stop, okay?"

But, I decided to take this job.

To be honest, it's not my strong suit.

But, if there's a chance to encounter a skeleton, which is a bit stronger than a goblin, it's worth trying.

The uncle said to run if I encounter one, but I need to face a stronger opponent now.

──Even if it means taking some risks.

Well, I'm not a kid anymore, and I can't say I'm still scared of ghosts.

But, I do have some concerns.

The only way I can effectively deal with ghosts is with 【Puchi Fire】.

It's not very reassuring to rely on just that.

So──

"──I'll ask Leen to come with me."

It's not that I'm scared to go ghost hunting alone. It's not that I'm scared of ghosts──

But, with her magic skills, I'll feel more secure if something happens.