Chapter 7

The sun had just set. The guild staff's working hours end at 8 PM. By now, the accounting department must be busy calculating today's earnings.

I work in the adventurer management department, so I have nothing to do with it... but that would be a lie. From the way Barizas acts, it seems I'm not recognized as a guild staff member.

My job is probably just to post notices on that bulletin board and be done with it. I'm sure that's how it's been done so far. And any unfinished work has likely been quietly buried. The thought that such things have been getting away with it makes me increasingly angry.

But right now, I need to clear the uncompleted requests.

"First... 'Eliminate 10 Black Wolves'"

Black Wolves are creatures that are active at night. If left alone, they attack animals, which in turn leads to secondary disasters like the animals ravaging nearby crops. That's why this request is regularly issued, but for some reason, it remains uncompleted.

"This town is called an adventurer's town, but basic requests like this aren't being completed."

That makes sense. In reality, those who register as adventurers in Tauron are former mercenaries who are confident in their skills. They know that selling monster materials from the dungeon is far more profitable than taking on requests. And they have the ability to do so, which is a problem.

In the dungeon, adventurers earn money from monsters, the guild sells these materials on the market for profit, and people's lives are enriched. It feels more like a dungeon town than an adventurer's town. But the town where I used to be an adventurer, Rant, wasn't like that, was it?

"Well, there's no point in thinking about it."

I dashed into the night forest.

"'Perception' and 'Night Vision'"

Perception is a skill that allows you to detect the position of enemies even in poor visibility. Night Vision is a skill that improves your vision at night. I took out a single-edged sword using spatial magic and began to search the area.

The Black Wolves were easily found. Rather than sneaking around,

First one...!

I cut off its head with one stroke. I quickly put it away using spatial magic and searched for the next target.

It took about an hour to complete the request.

"Next is 'Harvest Dark Grass'"

Dark Grass. It's a mysterious plant that can only be harvested at night. There are also Sunflowers and Moonlight Grass. Dark Grass is a material for magic recovery potions, and I've used it many times. Using the skill search, I ran through the forest. Soon, I found a cluster of Dark Grass and completed the request.

"Then, 'Harvest Magic Water' and 'Investigate the Magic Pool'"

Magic Water is also a material for potions. Magic Water can be harvested from the Magic Pool. According to the request, it has become difficult to harvest Magic Water from the Magic Pool. They want the cause to be investigated.

"Well, I can only think of one reason."

I ran to the location of the Magic Pool. It's deep in the 'Monster Forest.' The Magic Pool is in a forest that holds magic. And usually, there is,

"Are you there? 'My kin'"

Then, a translucent woman appeared in the middle of the pool.

"Why do you know our words?"

She is a spirit.

"I was told recently. More importantly, are you moving somewhere?"

"...Yes. The power of this land has declined over the past few years. It was a good place to live, but we are moving to a distant land."

So, that was the reason.

"By the way, can you tell me where you are moving to?"

"I cannot."

She quietly said so.

"I see. Many people will be troubled if you leave. Your magic gives monsters a sense of self, but the benefits are immeasurable. When are you leaving?"

"On the next full moon night. It's interesting to meet a human at the very end."

Then, the woman smiled as if she were being drawn in.

"That's good. I'm just here to collect Magic Water. This might be the last time anyone comes here."

"Many humans have visited this place. And a few have noticed our existence. However, very few have made contact. This is the first time I've spoken to a human in hundreds of years."

"Right?"

While saying this, I gathered the glowing water from the surface. It continues to glow even after being placed in a container. This is Magic Water, and it is also known as 'Spirit Water,' though it's not widely known.

"I sense a strange aura from you."

"I've been told that before."

It was a spirit I met when I was an adventurer.

"I see. You've already met my kin."

"Yes, I learned the words then. Well, I'll be on my way. 'May you have a good journey.'"

Upon hearing this, the woman looked slightly surprised, then smiled and disappeared.

"Alright, request completed!! All that's left is to report it."

I headed back to town. Then I realized I hadn't eaten anything since I arrived in Tauron.

When I get back, I'll have a meal.