Chapter 12

That day was supposed to be just another ordinary day, nothing out of the ordinary.

Yet, what caught my eye was an army of goblins.

And leading them was the Goblin King.

Behind me, there was no one. Aura, Lily, and True, who should have been there, were nowhere to be found.

How did this happen?

To explain this, I need to go back a bit in time.

"Then, let's do it today too!"

I said this as I placed the sign that read "Starting treatment tomorrow. Price to be negotiated based on the condition of the injury" next to my desk.

Aura and Lily were already organizing the customers who had lined up, and True and I were treating them.

Since True came, my work has become much easier.

True's recovery magic seems to be quite excellent; although not as good as mine, he works very hard.

Then, I noticed a group of adventurers at the guild entrance, looking tense.

"Ms. Asuka, is there something happening at the guild today?"

I asked Asuka, the receptionist who was passing by.

"Well, it seems a large group of monsters has appeared near the city, and today they are forming a hunting party to eliminate them. I think all the skilled guild members will be going."

I had my doubts about whether this was dangerous, but apparently, the guild members here are surprisingly skilled and often receive monster meat as rewards.

When our treatments were almost done, the hunting party set off.

"Then, let's have lunch."

Today, we visited the inn's dining room for the first time in a while. The food made by the professional chef was truly delicious, unlike anything we amateurs could make.

Satisfied with the delicious lunch, we returned to the guild, but it seemed to be in a state of chaos.

"Oh, Mr. Nest and the others, you're here!"

Asuka, looking flustered, approached us.

"Um, is something wrong?"

"Yes, actually, the hunting party encountered the large group of monsters, but another large group was discovered on the opposite side of the city. The hunting party is engaged in battle and can't return..."

"Wait... Isn't that dangerous!?"

"It's very dangerous!! The guild master and the executives are discussing it, but it seems there's no solution... The hunting party is doing their best, but if they don't make it in time..."

Asuka's face darkened as she said this.

Realistically, the chances of the hunting party making it in time were low. They had left before we had lunch, so it couldn't have been more than two hours. Considering the travel time, it was even less likely.

"We'd like to help, but we have no experience with hunting... I'm sorry..."

I, along with Aura, Lily, and True, had virtually no experience fighting monsters. Besides, I didn't want to go to a dangerous place.

"I see..."

Unable to bear the awkward atmosphere, we left the guild.

The news of the large group of monsters had already spread to the citizens. Some were packing their belongings, others were crying in front of their houses, and there were all sorts of people.

This included the inn where we had been staying.

"Nest, what's going to happen to us?"

Lily looked at me with worry, but I couldn't answer. Aura and True also had their heads down.

Lily must have understood the answer. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"I don't want this! Everyone here has been so kind to us! How can they all just disappear?! Nest, can't you do something!?"

"Sorry. I want to help, but we can't do anything..."

We were just ordinary citizens who couldn't fight well and could only run away. If we could delay them, that would be something.

But wait... If delaying them is enough, maybe I can do it?

Of course, the risk is high, but if it can save the city, maybe it's worth a try?

"Sorry! I just remembered something I need to do, so go back without me!"

I sent Aura and the others back and hurried to prepare. My destination was the weapon shop.

I prepared some light armor and a coat to prevent my face from being recognized.

With everything ready, I was now outside the city. The black dots far in the distance were the large group of monsters.

"Maybe I should have just stayed home..."

The weak words slipped out of my mouth.

"But, if this can save the city, I'll be satisfied, right..."

Even saying that, I was still scared and didn't want to do it.

But I don't want to see the city in tears, and I don't want to see Asuka with a sad face. I especially don't want to see Aura and the others crying.

There are many things I don't want to do, but I don't want to regret it, so I will fight.

The distance to the monsters gradually shortened. They seemed to be goblins. Even though goblins are considered weak individually, this many was indeed a formidable force.

What caught my eye was the army of goblins.

And leading them, the Goblin King, who was noticeably larger than the other goblins.

No one was behind me, but everyone was far behind. There was something I had to protect.

I took out the knife I had been familiar with for a long time. The knife that had injured me countless times.

And today, it would injure an enemy for the first time.

"Then, let's go."

I ran towards the army of goblins alone.