Chapter 9

A few days after the wolf extermination request, we were once again spending our days hunting to increase our magic stones. The magic stones were accumulating steadily, and although we didn't have the initial momentum, we now had 38 of them. Heh, the Second Hachiro Carnival is coming up soon.

Our money had already exceeded 1 million G. I asked Noal if we should get another room at the inn, but he said, "No, it's fine as it is!" and refused, so we stayed as we were. Well, there's no particular problem, and we can talk, so I'm fine with it too.

"Hey, isn't that Ohtsuka? What are you doing here?"

"Ah, Mr. Green. Thank you for your help the other day."

Today, I was looking for a request at the Adventurer's Guild. On the way, I was called by a familiar man. It was Mr. Green, who had accompanied us as a carriage guard before.

"Cut out the formalities. So, why are you at the Adventurer's Guild?"

"Well, actually, we've become adventurers too."

"Ah, you guys were strong. It hasn't been that long since then, so you're probably around F rank now, right?"

"No, we're E rank now."

Come to think of it, we've been adventurers for about 10 days, right? I don't know if that's fast or slow... but since we only take extermination requests with clients and regular monster hunts, it feels pretty easy.

"...That's fast."

"Mr. Green? Do you know Ohtsuka-sama?"

While talking to Mr. Green, the receptionist called out. She was holding some documents... Could it be another request?

"Ah, Mana. Yeah, they helped me when I was attacked by a horde of monsters a while ago."

"That's what happened. By the way, Mr. Green, Ohtsuka-sama, are you free now?"

"Hmm? Do you need something?"

"Yes, we have a guard request. They are looking for about three people. Here are the details."

Sure enough, it was a request. They're looking for three people, which is quite a coincidence. Plus, Noal is already considered part of my set. And finally, I found out the receptionist's name. Her name is Mana. I didn't ask before because it felt a bit awkward.

I took the documents from Mana and read through them. So, we're supposed to guard a carriage to Ruberg Village? We'll probably have to walk. Well, this is doable. The reward is 100,000 G.

"Ugh... We have to go through the Bistros Forest?"

"What kind of place is that?"

Mr. Green, who was also reading the documents, made a displeased sound. Apparently, to get to Ruberg Village, we have to go through the Bistros Forest. It's usually passable, but sometimes very strong monsters appear.

"Well, with you guys, it should be fine."

"Even if you say that, it's a bit of a burden... But we'll go with you. Is Noal okay with it?"

I owe Mr. Green, and he's one of the few people I know in this world. It wouldn't be bad to help him. I turned to Noal to confirm, and he was looking at a stuffed animal in his palm, saying, "Hehehe~."

Isn't that the stuffed animal I gave him the other day...?

"Hey!"

"Wha!? Ah, y-yes, I'm fine!"

"You like it, huh..."

He definitely wasn't listening. But he'll come, so it's fine.

●

"Mr. Green, can I ask you one thing?"

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Can I take a quick look at you?"

"What's that? Sure, go ahead."

We joined the carriage we were supposed to guard and started the request. It would take about two days to reach Ruberg Village. We had food and other supplies in our magic bag, so we were ready for camping.

While moving, I asked Mr. Green for a favor to try something. I took out my smartphone and used it to check Mr. Green's status. Now, there's no one around, so I don't have to worry about being seen by others. I couldn't try this in the city because I didn't know where people's eyes might be. I wanted to see the status of a combat adventurer, and this was a perfect opportunity.

"Here goes."

● Green

Race: Human

Level: 30

HP: 500

MP: 0

Attack: 200

Defense: 160

Agility: 40

Magic Resistance: 5

Unique Ability: None

Skills: None

●

Hmm, this... It seems a bit low. It looks like Noal and I have abnormal stats. Is it because I have the same stats as a protagonist unit? If so, it's certain that GC units in this world have abnormal combat abilities.

"Thank you."

"Hmm? What was that?"

I shouldn't spread this information. And from this status, it seems that all my equipment is also abnormal. Considering what I saw when I looked at Noal, it seems that the status app doesn't show the stat boosts from equipment.

"By the way, I noticed that most adventurers are warriors. Are there no priests or magic users?"

"You seemed unfamiliar with this area the last time we met. You said you came from far away, right?"

I didn't want to be questioned about my smartphone, so I changed the topic and asked a question. The last time we met, I said I was from far away and fudged the details, and it seems to work again. I've been wondering about this since becoming an adventurer. I've only seen adventurers with large shields, swords, axes, spears, and bows.

I've never seen the typical fantasy priests with staves or magic users.

"Of course not. Most of them become dedicated healers in the capital, Shuting. Mages go to the school in Queres and then join the military in Shuting."

"I see. That's why I never saw them at the Adventurer's Guild."

Healers, huh. It makes sense that there's a demand, and it's much more stable and profitable than being an adventurer. It's probably the same for mages. Since they're in the military, they're probably employed by the state. No wonder they don't become adventurers, which are less stable and just as dangerous.

"That's right. Just having a priest or mage in an adventurer party makes them stand out. In fact, most A-rank adventurer parties have both."

"Have you met A-rank adventurers, Mr. Green?"

"Yeah. You guys are strong, but A-rank adventurers are in a different league. I saw them during a dragon extermination I participated in. They're a bunch of people who have transcended humanity. Even I, a D-rank adventurer, can tell. Well, you guys could probably make it to B-rank for sure."

Mr. Green is D-rank. I can't imagine how strong A-rank adventurers are. I need more information. I need to figure out a way to secretly check statuses in the city.

"Whoa!?"

"Whoa!?"

"What's happening!?"

We were moving with the carriage when a loud thud shook the ground. We had been walking for more than half a day and were already in the Bistros Forest. This vibration in the Bistros Forest... A monster must have appeared.

"Run, you guys! It's a Cyclops, a Cyclops!"

The client on the driver's seat shouted. Then, a one-eyed giant with a gray body appeared from the forest ahead. It had a sharp horn on its forehead and a club that was probably about 3 meters long. It was so tall that I couldn't see the top of its head. It was 5 meters, no, maybe even taller.

"What... Hey, you guys, run too!"

"Aren't you going to fight?"

"Are you crazy! It's a Cyclops! Its extermination rank is C. Only a C-rank adventurer party can defeat it! Damn, why a Cyclops here..."

Seeing this, Mr. Green got off the carriage and tried to run away with the client. It is big and scary. But we have Noal. With her, even a Cyclops shouldn't be a problem. If we have to use a skill, we'll run. I don't want to make Noal sore again, and if we get attacked by other monsters on the way back, it could be bad. I quickly took out my smartphone and aimed the camera at the Cyclops.

● Cyclops

Race: Cyclops

Level: 45

HP: 26,000

MP: 0

Attack: 700

Defense: 500

Agility: 20

Magic Resistance: 10

Unique Ability: Immune to Special Effects

Skills: None

●

Hmm, high HP and attack. And... Immune to Special Effects!? What's with this pinpoint ability? It would halve Noal's advantage... What should we do?

She should have over 2000 defense, so she shouldn't take damage. My total defense, including armor, is about 500, so I can take a few hits. My attack is around 850, so I can only deal 350 damage. Noal should be able to deal around 2000 damage, so she should be able to defeat it in 13 hits. But if it takes too long, other monsters might come.

"Should be fine, right? Noal!"

"Understood! Should I use a skill?"

"No need. It might hurt more to be downed afterward. First, slow it down, let's go!"

"Hey, stop, you idiot!"

Ignoring Mr. Green's warning, Noal and I ran. My current speed, while not as fast as Noal's full speed, is still pretty good thanks to the Nikes. The Cyclops noticed us and raised its club to strike.

"Whoa, these shoes are great."

"Good movement, Ohtsuka-sama."

Before the Cyclops could strike, we ran past it, and I positioned myself behind it. When the Cyclops brought down its club, Noal jumped to the side. She then slashed its arm, reducing its movement speed by 50%. It was slow to raise its arm again, giving us time to attack the Cyclops.

After that, we thought it would be like a routine attack. But when I stabbed it in the back of the knee, the Cyclops finally started to fall backward.

"Huh?"

"Ohtsuka-sama!"

The giant body, before turning into a drop item, was about to crush me. But when I heard Noal's voice, I felt a strong impact and was thrown backward. I hit the ground and felt pain in my back, but I managed to survive. Looking ahead, I saw Noal, who had grabbed me and flown with me.

"Hey, Noal! Are you okay!?"

"Ouch, are you okay?"

"Huh, ah, yeah?"

When I called out to her, she replied in a different tone of voice. Her usual helmet was gone, and a long silver-haired girl was hugging me. Our eyes met, and I saw her clear blue eyes. Her face, still retaining a hint of youth, was exposed to me.

We were so close that I could hear each other's breathing, and I felt a shock as if I had been hit on the head with a hammer. To put it simply, she was incredibly cute.

"Hehe, that was good~"

"Hey, are you okay?"

I was stunned by her appearance, but her tone of voice felt off. Something was wrong. Did she hit her head or something?

"Huh? What's wro—Ah, ah! My helmet, my helmet is gone!"

She finally noticed her helmet was gone and quickly got off me.

"No, don't look, don't look..."

She covered her face with her hands and started to cry. She sat down weakly, and I felt a strange feeling. Seeing her like this, it felt like I had opened a door I shouldn't have.

"Here, your helmet."

"Ugh, snif, I was seen... I was heard... Snif, I don't want to... I want to go home..."

"Really sorry, sorry."

I found her helmet nearby, picked it up, and brought it to her. She snatched it from my hand and put it on quickly. Then, she huddled on the ground, crying. From her voice, I could tell she was really crying. This guilt is overwhelming. I kept apologizing while patting her back. What is this situation?

● Noal Fanya

Level 12 → 16

HP 1780 → 1940

MP 190 → 230

Attack 410 → 450

Defense 295 → 315

Agility 69 → 73

Magic Resistance 30

Cost 15

● [Leader] Ohtsuka Heihachi

Level 11 → 15

HP 770 → 810

MP 95 → 115

Attack 255 → 275

Defense 195 → 215

Agility 35 → 39

Magic Resistance 10