Chapter 8

When I returned to town and went to the guild, the main gate was already locked.

I see... I didn’t even have a key to this place. Then I remembered that the window of the adventurer management department was a skylight. When I went around to the back, sure enough, the window was open.

"Alright...!"

I jumped up and landed on the window frame. The room was the same as always, but for some reason, there were many pebbles scattered on the floor. I deduced that this was the reason the window was open.

"Damn, I thought they were playing baseball, but this was intentional? How much do they hate this department?"

I put all the stones away using spatial magic. At that moment, the door suddenly opened.

"...Huh? You’re back?"

The person who appeared was Serae.

"Yes, just now."

"Hmm. I heard a rumor about you."

"A rumor?"

"Yeah. That you ran away on your first day. After all, you weren’t at the guild much today, right?"

So that rumor was going around. And everyone knows me even though I haven’t greeted them yet.

"Yes, I was busy with uncompleted requests."

"I see. How about it? Are you done?"

"I’ve completed the uncompleted requests. I’ll report tomorrow."

When I said that, Serae’s eyes widened.

"No way? All of them?"

"Well, about half of them were past their deadlines."

As I said this, I put the request forms waiting for a report into the desk drawer.

"Locking Spell"

Then I locked the drawer with a skill.

"Wow, you can do that too?"

"I can do most things. After all, I’m a versatile type."

I didn’t add that my abilities would soon reach their limit.

"Amazing! So, Tept, are you excellent?"

"Actually, I was the top of my class at the capital’s guild school."

"Wow! I barely passed every time. But, this disproves one of my hypotheses."

"Hypothesis?"

"Yes, that everyone who comes to this guild is a failure."

At her words, I smiled a little.

"That’s good."

I was a failure as an adventurer.

"Anyway, why are you here?"

"Oh, right. There’s another request that might become uncompleted. ...Is it okay?"

"Sure, what is it?"

Serae timidly handed me a piece of paper.

"This is... the ‘Pilark’ extermination request?"

Then I sighed.

"Sorry! I didn’t mean to!"

"No, it’s not that. I just can’t understand why this request is still uncompleted. Maybe the adventurers in this town don’t know the purpose of the adventurer guild?"

"Ah, that’s true. Everyone just wants to dive into the dungeons."

"Well, controlling the dungeons is important too."

I posted the paper I received on the bulletin board.

"Are you going home, Tept?"

"Huh? Yes, there’s nothing else to do today."

"If so, would you like to have dinner with me?"

It was an invitation I couldn’t refuse.

"I’d be happy to."

...

The town of Tauran is lively even at night. In fact, it seems to be more active at night. The fire magic stones lit up the entire town, making it bright. The abundance of magic stones is probably thanks to the adventurers.

"I have a regular place. It’s modest, but let’s make it a welcome party for Tept."

What a good person. I almost cried. I’ll write on the wall later that "Serae is an ally."

The place was a somewhat refined shop. When I looked closely, Serae, without her uniform, looked like a very refined young lady.

The food served was, of course, exquisite.

"This is my favorite dish."

It was made from the meat of the Red Uros monster, similar to a hamburger. When I cut into the well-cooked surface with a knife, sauce came out along with the meat juice. When I put the crispy Sakuai grass in my mouth, the rich flavor of the meat spread even more.

"This is delicious."

"Hehe. Isn’t it?"

The start of a difficult journey, but if there are days like this, it’s not so bad. That’s how I felt.