Chapter 8

Holding their sharpened iron swords, two figures faced each other.

One was Feelithia, a young beast girl who was a novice hero. The other was Dysis, a young hero who had been active for a few years.

He may look like a gentle man, but his sword traced a steady path, revealing his well-trained skills.

Those who joined the Hero Guild were supposed to teach new members how to use a sword until they could be of some use in battle.

However, the veterans were reluctant to do so, and it was usually left to those who had just graduated from being new members.

The two of them continued like this for a while, but the moment Feelithia's foot slipped forward, Dysis stepped in.

"Here I come!"

A powerful strike came from above, and Feelithia had no choice but to block it with her sword. She couldn't dodge, as her body was already moving forward.

The blow was heavy. Despite blocking it, she felt as if she was about to be knocked down.

Moreover, Dysis didn't stop there. He quickly countered with a horizontal slash.

Feelithia blocked it with her sword, but the difference in weight sent her flying.

When she finally managed to land, Dysis was already in front of her, sword raised and ready to strike.

In the shadow, Feelithia looked into Dysis's eyes. His eyes were unusually bright, almost animal-like.

"Roar!"

Distracted by this, Dysis roared and brought down his sword, which glowed even brighter. Feelithia hurriedly tried to defend herself.

However, her sword was deflected, and she tumbled to the ground.

When she got up and looked at Dysis, he had returned to his usual calm expression.

(Was that just my imagination...?)

Feelithia blinked and looked at Dysis, but there was no sign of the intense light she had seen.

"Feelithia, you don't seem to be focused. Let's call it a day."

"Um... I'm sorry."

Dysis didn't respond, put the practice sword away, and left the area. He wasn't usually talkative, but he was even less so when with Feelithia.

When Dysis was out of sight, Feelithia let out a sigh.

(If I hadn't defended myself, would Dysis have stopped his sword?)

As she calmed down, questions began to arise. If he had brought it down with full force, she might have lost consciousness. The thought made her shudder.

Shaking off these dark thoughts, Feelithia shook her head and stood up firmly.

After putting away her sword, she left the training ground. This place was open only to heroes, but most of them didn't use it, so it was usually empty.

She then tidied herself up. Her skirt was dirty from rolling on the ground.

Her clothes, along with her sword and armor, were provided, so they were very different from when she left Konaria Village.

However, there was something different about her as well.

Feelithia shook her tail lightly to remove the dirt and checked the base. There was a hole for her tail to come out.

These clothes weren't a uniform, but if someone who admired heroes saw her tearing them, they might think she was treating them carelessly. Still, she had no choice.

Thinking about this made her nostalgic for her life in Konaria Village. There, she didn't have to worry about such things.

(...I wonder what Fon is doing now.)

Feelithia had been troubled by their parting. She wished they could have talked properly.

However, there was no point in dwelling on it. She raised her head and clenched her fist.

(I have to work hard for Fon too!)

◇

Fonsie, who had spent over ten days in the western city, was once again at the chapel.

His appearance had changed significantly since he first arrived.

He held a blood-stained cloak, indicating he had just completed a mission. He wore a simple leather armor and carried a small repeating crossbow on his hip.

All of these were purchased with the money he earned from completing missions, and he had become quite adept at fighting monsters.

When he prayed to the goddess Mariska, his level was displayed.

Level 2.25, Skill Points 600

Since then, Fonsie had taken the skill to detect the location of the hunter's enemy and the prerequisite "Archery" skill. He also took the assassin's skill "Stealth" — which consumes magic to reduce the sound and wind caused by movement.

In essence, he chose skills that allowed him to attack without being noticed by the enemy.

This style was a result of fighting alone.

(But... that's not enough power.)

Heroes, who have a hero class, gain more magic and physical abilities as their level increases. Villagers, no matter how much they level up, can never catch up.

Therefore, he needed to boost his abilities. He had been saving points for a long time for this purpose.

He used 500 skill points to take the "Swordsmanship" skill of the Sword Saint, a higher-level class for swordsmen. This skill overlaps with the swordsman's skill, further enhancing his sword techniques and physical abilities.

While not as powerful as a hero, it is a class that is expected to lead an army and stand on the front lines.

In other words, it is the most balanced class for increasing abilities, excluding heroes.

He used the remaining 100 points to take the "Strength Enhancement" and "Steel Body" skills of the warrior. These skills increase strength and toughness, and are initial skills for warriors who use axes and greatswords.

These skills significantly improved Fonsie's abilities.

After finishing his prayer, he left the chapel. He felt light and powerful.

(I want to test how strong I've become.)

This desire welled up inside him, and despite just finishing today's mission, he returned to the Citizen Guild.

As he looked at the postings, the receptionist bowed to him, now quite familiar with him. Not only her, but anyone who had visited the guild a few times knew Fonsie well.

His image as someone who completed missions from morning to night but belonged to no guild was a mystery that piqued curiosity.

Ignoring the gazes, Fonsie looked at the missions, but there was nothing particularly appealing. Originally, there were few monster-related missions that ordinary villagers could take.

After ten days of him continuously completing them, it was natural that they were running out.

(What should I do? Maybe I should go to another city.)

As he thought about this, the receptionist started posting a notice on the bulletin board.

This board contained not only guild announcements but also information about social conditions, which was an important source of information for Fonsie, who belonged to no guild.

Looking closely, he saw that the forest, which had been designated as a no-entry zone due to the appearance of a Goblin Lord, had been de-designated.

However, there was no mention of the Goblin Lord being defeated.

(Maybe they gave up because they couldn't find it.)

Continuing to search a forest with only goblins would yield little profit for the city.

Personnel costs are not free.

If the Goblin Lord wasn't planning to attack the city, it would be better to leave it alone and deal with any that came out.

(But that means someone will become a victim.)

It could be a merchant leisurely traveling on the road or a new adventurer entering the forest.

At the very least, the first person to encounter it wouldn't come out unscathed.

(Since the monsters around here are gone, it's a good time. ...I'll defeat it!)

Fonsie made up his mind.

Feelithia, who had become a hero, was probably making a big impact. But he intended to build up from small things and eventually stand beside her.

He couldn't keep cowering from a single monster. He couldn't be held back by the past!

Fonsie immediately left the Citizen Guild, returned to his inn to get his belongings, and ran towards the eastern city.

His body felt light, and he felt he could go anywhere.

He dispatched the monsters on the way and reached the eastern city in half the time it took him to come. The benefits of the Sword Saint's skills were significant.

When Fonsie reached the gate, the guard looked him up and down.

"You've grown quite a bit since I last saw you."

"Yes, I've earned a bit over there."

"You look like a real hero now."

The guard patted his shoulder.

Though not particularly close, Fonsie felt a sense of pride from always fighting alone.

He then put his belongings in the inn and immediately headed to the forest. There was no Citizen Guild in this city, so he had no other source of information.

(I will overcome that and become even stronger. Stronger and stronger, no matter what!)

With his resolve, Fonsie stepped into the forest. There was no tension or anxiety like before.

As the sun slowly set, he headed towards the dark, dense forest.