Chapter 10

The new chapter starts from Rad's perspective.

After an unbearably long day finally came to an end and the night broke,

The incident in the town of Earth seemed to have reached a tentative conclusion.

I, as a party to the events, was questioned by the defense force and the Adventurer's Guild, but thanks to that, I was able to obtain detailed information.

Upon receiving reports of the attack on Earth, scouts were dispatched, and it was confirmed that the town had indeed fallen into the hands of monsters.

After the bigwigs had their discussions, it was concluded that retaking the town of Earth was currently impossible.

In other words, on this day, a town was completely overrun by monsters.

It was probably a historic event that would shake the world.

When we were released that night, we wandered around the unfamiliar town with our heads still in a daze, and finally managed to secure a place to stay, where we slept like logs.

The next day, I woke up around noon, had a meal, and then aimlessly walked around the town.

"This is the town of Freelera, huh."

The town of Freelera, known as the city of freedom and struggle.

While it may not have the history of the ancient city of Earth, it certainly doesn't lack in vitality and scale.

We ended up coming here by chance, but I had always wanted to visit the arena here.

However, my feet naturally led me to the Adventurer's Guild.

Despite what happened yesterday, or perhaps because of it, the guild was bustling with activity, making me stop at the entrance.

The term "adventurer" apparently comes from a legend where the gods called those who bravely fought against evil "adventurers."

In other words, anyone who fights monsters is an adventurer, and the guild was filled with various races and equipped individuals.

Usually, I would dive straight into the request board, but now, without my companions and without the right mood, I paid at the reception and headed to the guild's training grounds.

The place was about half full, which seemed perfect for a good, uninterrupted training session. Just as I thought that, I spotted something unpleasant.

"..."

A word slipped out of my mouth involuntarily.

Noticing this, the elf, Prana, one of my party members, who had been shooting arrows at a target, turned around.

Seeing me, she dramatically widened her eyes.

"I didn't expect you to practice. I thought you were the type who doesn't."

"Shut up. Sometimes I feel like it."

Waving my hand dismissively, it seemed Prana had no intention of further confrontation.

After watching her return to her practice, I took out my sword and got into position.

"V Slash!"

I executed one of the basic sword techniques, V Slash.

The sword flash, released with a shout, drew a V and sliced through the imaginary enemy.

(No, this isn't it.)

In the past, I would have been delighted, thinking I was a decent swordsman.

But now, the image of "that guy's" arts, those divine combos, was burned into my mind.

Compared to that, I couldn't be satisfied with such a slow and weak art.

That guy... the A-rank adventurer, Rex, whom I parted ways with last night.

A novice adventurer and a successful A-rank adventurer naturally stay in different inns.

He also had that unconscious woman, Leesia, with him, so it made sense for him to stay in a safe place.

I understand that.

I understand, but...

"AAAAAAH!"

It just didn't sit right with me, and I gripped my sword tightly, pouring my frustration into my training.

***

(Still not right.)

Arts are divine techniques bestowed by the gods.

Thus, they are automatic, activated by visualizing the learned technique and infusing the weapon with magic power.

That's what I've always been taught.

But, no matter how many times I tried, I had a feeling I couldn't reach that guy's level.

(Maybe...)

I can infuse my weapon with magic power and swing my sword on my own.

If so, could I use arts by infusing my weapon with magic power while performing the same movements?

It was a wild idea, even to me.

But, guided by a sudden inspiration, I got into position, infused my weapon with magic power, and then...

"---Haa!"

I swung my sword without relying on the divine arts.

(Huh...?)

It was a chaotic, unrefined sword stroke, far from what I would call a V Slash.

But...

"...The feeling just now..."

I stood there, sword in hand, in a daze.

If I had to say whether it was a success or a failure, it was definitely a failure.

Still, for a moment, I felt a similar sensation to when I used arts.

"Haha!"

I couldn't stop the laughter.

I had taken a step towards becoming like Rex, that hero.

(Wait for me, protagonist! I'll catch up to you soon!)

I wiped the smile from my face and started swinging my sword with renewed focus.

***

"---Hey, you're really putting in the effort."

I turned at the sound of the voice.

"What? You again, Nuek?"

There stood Nuek, the mage and the strategist of our party.

"Aren't you supposed to be off today? You're really dedicated, even on your day off."

"That applies to you too, Rad."

There was no denying it.

Seeing my state, Nuek's usually calm expression took on a hint of concern.

"But, I get it. Yesterday was intense."

"..."

I had experienced more in one day than in my entire life.

Most importantly...

"I'm an adventurer too. Seeing a battle like that, I can't help but feel fired up. ...Right?"

"Tch. Whatever."

It was annoying to be seen through, but he was right.

Realizing I was at a disadvantage, I changed the subject.

"By the way, how's Mana? Her hometown...?"

"Ah, Mana was just here..."

Following Nuek's gaze, I saw Mana approaching the training grounds, heading towards Prana.

From her demeanor, it didn't seem like the destruction of her hometown had affected her as much as I feared.

But...

"Mana!"

Before I knew it, I was running towards her.

"Ah, Rad-kun."

Her reserved smile made my heart skip a beat.

"Hey, are you okay? If it's too hard, you don't have to force yourself..."

"I'm fine."

She answered as if reading my mind.

"...There was no one I cared about in that town."

"That's..."

Just as I was about to ask more, Prana's cold voice cut in.

"Zero tact. That's why you're a stray dog."

She held her bow, still nocked, and glared at me with icy eyes.

"Prana! You!"

I was about to shout in anger when Nuek stopped me.

"Sigh. You two never grow up, do you?"

"Ugh... But she..."

"I've been watching. Rad, you were in the wrong too. Besides, we have a meeting with Rex tomorrow. Is it really a good idea to waste time like this?"

"..."

Nuek was right.

We had agreed to meet Rex in two days at the guild.

There might be a chance to learn about those mysterious arts and the layering of arts.

It was an opportunity that might not come again.

I wanted to solidify my newfound sensation by then.

"Sorry, Mana... and Prana."

"That's okay."

"Of course."

Feeling my face twitch at their contrasting reactions, I clenched my teeth, held back any further words, and returned to training.

***

"Damn it."

Despite being the last to leave the training grounds, my attempt to use arts on my own yielded no results.

(Infusing the weapon with magic power while swinging the sword is already difficult, let alone accurately replicating the movements! Besides...)

Even if my method was correct, how many techniques did that guy combine?

Techniques that traced far more complex trajectories than a V Slash, strung together in rapid succession...

(Damn! How far ahead of me is that guy?!)

Returning to the inn in despair, I finished my meal and was about to go to bed when...

There was a knock on the door.

(At this hour? What is it?)

My guard went up.

The inn had locks on each room, but they wouldn't hold a determined attacker for long.

"Who is it?"

The answer to my tense question was unexpected.

"---It's Rex. I have a favor to ask. Can you open the door?"

***

I was wary of a trap, but the person standing there was indeed the black-clad adventurer.

I was secretly relieved, but I maintained a gruff tone.

"So? We're meeting tomorrow. What's so urgent that you're coming to my room?"

This guy was unpredictable.

Heroes, in general, tend to be self-centered and impulsive.

I couldn't say if that applied to all heroes, but it certainly fit this one.

But, on the other hand,

I was excited to see what new adventure he would drag me into.

"---Yeah, I know."

Rex hesitated, falling silent.

For this brash guy to hesitate so much, what could he possibly say that would be so out of the ordinary, so beyond my imagination?

I braced myself for what was to come.

After a long pause, he finally spoke.

"---I need to borrow some money."

I was momentarily confused.

"Huh?"

"I need you to lend me some money!"

He repeated it forcefully.

Unfortunately, it wasn't a misunderstanding.

As I stood there bewildered, he pressed on.

"Don't worry! Just 1000 wens. I'll triple it and pay you back soon! No, I'll make it ten times, no, a hundred times!"

"Wait, wait!"

I pushed back against his desperate plea.

It made no sense.

"You're an A-rank adventurer, you should have more money than me! What happened?"

"That's..."

I pressed, and Rex faltered.

"Is it something you can't talk about?"

"..."

He shook his head slightly.

But he seemed to be debating whether to speak or not.

"---It's a long story."

"Huh. I'd be more curious and unable to sleep if you left it at that. Just tell me."

My encouragement seemed to be the final push.

After another long pause, Rex finally spoke.

"The incident started a few hours ago, when I was walking through the town."

His eyes seemed to look far into the past, and then...

"I found a casino and decided to check it out---"

Hearing that, I silently closed the door and locked it.

Next time, Chapter 10:

"How a Certain A-rank Adventurer Got Hooked on Gambling and Ended Up Broke"

Will be updated tomorrow! Stay tuned!

This is the protagonist of this story!!