Chapter 33

"――Veltaran! It's an emergency!"

While I was having a drink with my companions at the tavern, a young adventurer, whom I had seen around the guild many times, burst in.

"Stay calm. Take your time. Tell me what happened in order."

"Yes, well, actually..."

According to the story of the young man who rushed into the tavern, the famous A-rank adventurer Rex had come to the guild with the new party he was training.

Moreover, he had taken the new members to the outskirts of the city, having them accept the request for the "Seven-Colored Lava Cave."

"Damn fool!!"

In my anger, I slammed my mug on the table.

"Hey, old man!"

The mage Juke and the thief Lane, who were sitting next to me, hurried to stop me, but my anger wouldn't subside.

I had always feared that a day like this would come.

――The "Solitary Adventurer" Rex.

That adventurer, with his grand name and impressive history, was, in short, a fraud, a man whose reputation far exceeded his actual abilities.

For the past month, I had been carefully observing that man's actions.

Indeed, there were things to see in his escape from the destruction of the city of Earth to here.

He had sustained near-fatal injuries, remained silent, and cut down a careless demon in one stroke.

When I heard such stories, I rejoiced, thinking that although the incident in Earth was unfortunate, a capable adventurer had come to this city.

However, I soon realized that my initial impression was wrong.

Despite being touted as an A-rank adventurer like us, he had never once attempted to clear a dungeon.

He imposed harsh training on the new members while merely watching them.

He scattered large sums of money to collect trash-like items and gained popularity among adventurers.

He even made the new members wear the trash items he had collected and laughed at them.

Given his reputation as the "Solitary Adventurer Rex," I was greatly disappointed.

It would have been more believable if someone had said that his appearance remained the same, but his inner self had been completely replaced by someone else.

Moreover, upon actually meeting him, I realized something.

First-rate or even super-first-rate individuals always have a certain aura, a presence that commands respect.

However, the aura surrounding the man called Rex was that of an ordinary person.

He immediately cowered under my intimidation and showed no signs of courage.

He certainly didn't seem like a seasoned adventurer who had faced death multiple times.

(When I think about it, his history itself was already suspicious.)

Adventuring is, by nature, a team activity.

Warriors, mages, thieves, and priests.

Only by combining the strengths of these companions can one accomplish difficult quests.

No matter how much effort one puts in or what tricks one uses, it's impossible for a single person to fulfill all these roles.

Unfortunately, it seems that Rex was probably a terrible fraud even before he came here.

(The request for the Lava Cave is not very popular. He must have thought that if he could somehow complete it, it would add to his reputation...)

Indeed, a layman might think that gathering requests can be accomplished with luck even without skill.

But that dungeon is not such an easy place.

If things continue as they are, not only will he be in danger, but the party he is training might be wiped out.

(Adventurers are forbidden from fighting each other. But...)

Before I knew it, I had my beloved sword in hand and was standing up from my seat.

"Sorry, Lane, Juke. I'm going to..."

But the words I was about to say were interrupted by my companions.

"Ha, you're still as wet as ever."

"Sorry, but I've always decided to follow you no matter what happens."

"You guys..."

He hasn't committed a clear crime, and if I forcibly stop him, I might face demotion or even expulsion from the guild.

Yet, Lane and Juke, without hesitation, were ready to follow me.

――I have been blessed with good companions.

Always.

Though I am often praised as the "Invincible Veltaran" and the "Guardian of Freelure," I have always relied on the people around me.

I am "invincible" because of them.

That's why...

"Let's go! This time, I'll make full use of your strength!"

This time, I won't let anyone die!

※ ※ ※

I learned from the city gate guards that Rex and his party had already set off for the Lava Cave.

Fortunately, it hadn't been long since they left.

We could easily catch up.

"Listen, both of you. This time, our goal is to expose Rex's true colors and wake up the new members. Try not to hurt them if possible."

"I get it. If we involve the new members in dealing with Rex, it would be counterproductive. We'll target Rex alone..."

"No! I said, if possible, don't hurt anyone, including Rex!"

If it comes to killing or being killed, it will only start a cycle of hatred.

Even if one of them suffers a serious injury, it will leave a deep grudge.

...But.

It might be a naive thought, but adventurers are simple.

I believe that if we fight with all our might, we can become friends.

"I don't think strength is justice. But adventurers are simple creatures who admire strong people..."

He might be off the right path now, but he is still an adventurer.

If we can overpower him and make him surrender without injury...

(We might be able to make him see the right path and return to it!)

"But..."

"I understand."

It's easy to say but hard to do.

Subduing someone without injury is far more difficult than simply defeating them.

Even if Rex doesn't have A-rank abilities, he's not incompetent as an adventurer.

Facing an opponent who might try to kill him while holding back could be suicidal.

"But, that's what it means to be an A-rank adventurer!"

The adventurers I once admired, the ones I once aspired to be, were supposed to turn the impossible into the possible.

With a determined look, I saw my two reliable companions grin.

"Well, I expected you to say that."

"Hehe. That's the spirit."

In response, I said, "Don't mock me," and we dashed like arrows across the field.

It was a place near the city where no monsters lived.

Naturally, we found Rex and his party quickly.

But...

"That bastard...!"

The moment I saw their equipment, my vision turned red with anger.

The new members Rex was leading were wearing equipment I recognized.

The trash equipment they wore during training.

All of it was of such poor quality that it hindered movement.

Indeed, wearing such equipment during training might make one feel like they've trained even with minimal effort.

But even if we allow it for training, it's not suitable for a dungeon!

I could feel my rationality tearing apart.

Before I knew it, I was giving Juke a quiet order.

"Juke! Their feet! Give them a shock with one hit!"

※ ※ ※

"I'm sorry, but this road is closed. I know you're in a hurry, but I can't let young people die needlessly because of a delusional fool."

After Juke used the "Freeze Rain" spell to rain down ice arrows and stop them, we stood in front of Rex and his party.

Their reactions varied.

But among the new members, who were clearly trembling and confused, one woman was staring at us with a sharp, penetrating gaze.

(She's "strong.")

Not just in terms of ability, but in spirit.

She exuded a unique aura.

She stepped forward to protect Rex like a mother cat protecting her kittens, but was stopped by Rex himself.

(What...?)

The black-clad adventurer, Rex, was nervously rubbing his right hand with his left, looking at us.

I thought he was too scared to speak, but something seemed off.

"Veltaran, Lane, Juke, huh. I see, the other two are unknown to me."

He said he didn't know them but called their names accurately.

This gave me an unsettling feeling.

"You used the magic just now, Juke, right? Hmm, a former scout turned mage?"

"What?"

Involuntarily, a surprised exclamation escaped my lips.

Indeed, Juke had worked as a scout in his early days.

He became a mage after Lane joined the party, but how did Rex know this?

"Your agility is impressive. Your focus is also commendable for your level. But..."

He looked at the ice arrows Juke had cast, which were fading away, and smiled.

"Your mana is completely insufficient."

How to describe the chill I felt at that moment?

Before I knew it, I had turned around and shouted at my companions.

"Lane! Juke! He's about to..."

"But, is it just a matter of showing strength?"

However, the warning was too late.

Rex slowly raised his right hand, and the three rings on his fingers glowed dully.

"Freeze Rain"

With the incantation, ice "spears" rained down from the sky.

The massive and fast ice spears pierced the ground in front of us, and we could only stare in shock.

"Impossible. Without a staff, to cast such..."

I realized what Juke's trembling voice meant.

This magic was the "Freeze Rain" Juke had cast, a spell that rains down countless ice arrows.

The difference in power, just by a different caster, was astounding.

"Damn! There was no information that he was a mage!"

With a curse, my other companion, Lane, moved quickly.

I could instantly tell that his signature move was about to be unleashed.

"Lane!!"

"It's too late, old man! We have to stop him now!"

Considering Lane's words, who had overcome many difficult situations, my movements hesitated for a moment.

On the other hand...

"Lane, huh. Your speed is impressive, but your growth is too focused on agility. You probably can't even open treasure chests properly, can you?"

The black-clad adventurer, who was the target, was stroking a golden ring while giving a casual lecture.

This seemed to be the final push, and Lane finally launched his attack.

"I won't hold back! Take this!"

"Damn fool! Behind you..."

I tried to stop him, but it was too late.

Lane's right hand flashed.

"Knife Shot!"

Lane's skill as a master thief allowed him to throw two knives with a single motion.

With the veteran adventurer's technique, the two knives, aimed to kill, were thrown simultaneously.

"Knife Shot"

However, they were easily deflected by four knives thrown by the black-clad adventurer.

With no way to avoid them, Lane was hit by the knives.

"Lane!"

Before my eyes, Lane was struck by four knives and fell.

I rushed to help him,

"This is..."

The four knives had not injured Lane but were embedded in his clothes and shadow, immobilizing him.

I remembered that this was a thief's technique called "Shadow Sewing."

(No way. To think of that in such a critical moment...)

That moment of hesitation was my weakness.

"Old man! Behind you!"

Lane's warning made me snap back to reality.

I turned around, and there he was.

"Wind Sword"

The black-clad man closed the considerable distance between us in an instant.

His sword flashed, and the ring on his right hand glowed red.

At that moment, I braced for death.

However, Rex's strike cut through the air, missing me by about a meter.

Did he misjudge the distance? If so...

"Over Arts"

But the moment I heard those words, a chill ran down my spine.

He was a balanced adventurer with a one-handed sword.

I was a warrior who had lived by close combat with a two-handed sword.

My rational mind screamed that I should counter and cut him down.

But my instincts screamed to use my sword as a shield and protect myself.

"Damn it!"

In the end, I found myself retreating, holding my greatsword in front of me like a shield.

"Steel Sword Revolt"

This sword, which I had found by chance three years ago, had been my partner ever since.

Even when surrounded by countless demons or in a life-or-death battle with a wyrm, I had relied on this sword to overcome the odds.

(I won't lose!)

No matter what attack came, I would block it and then engage in a power struggle.

Even if I couldn't match his speed, I had the raw strength to overpower him.

In an instant, I made these calculations and prepared to block Rex's strike.

But...

The impact I expected never came.

Because the tip of his sword, which had flashed, met with...

"..."

The black-clad adventurer, who was looking at me with a calm gaze, and...

"...huh?"

My greatsword, which had been cut at the base of the blade.

To Be Continued→