Chapter 11

Logan, the leader of the Fist King Association, is a fighter. He wears a leather jacket over his bare skin, and his arms, as thick as logs, are equipped with gauntlets.

Logan is also one of the promising explorers at the Boar Demon's Club. However, he has a problematic behavior and often causes trouble.

"Hah, you're spouting nonsense. I don't know how it is in the red-light district, but such lies won't fly here."

Logan looked down at me, his thick lips twisted into a sadistic grin.

"Hey, this isn't your business. Back off."

Wolf approached Logan and glared at him. The height difference was about two heads. Even though Wolf is tall, next to Logan, he looked like a child. However, his fighting spirit only grew stronger.

The two have always had a bad relationship due to their completely different personalities. Although they have never come to blows, it seemed they were always looking for a reason to fight. However, Logan's purpose here was not Wolf but Alma.

"You're an outsider too. Who's going to back off?"

"Ugh, n-no, that's... that..."

Wolf, unable to counter, fidgeted, his fingers interlocked in distress.

"Well, I'm an outsider too. Normally, I wouldn't interfere with other parties' interviews, unlike this idiotic wolf."

"Grumble..."

"But according to what I've heard, this sow doesn't seem to be a suitable guest for the Boar Demon's Club. Moreover, she's a big liar. I can't just let that slide, can I? Noel, am I wrong?"

In response to Logan's question, I smiled thinly.

"Whether she's a liar or not, you're right about whether she's a suitable guest for the store."

Still, Alma wouldn't understand. An explanation of the situation was needed.

"It seems Alma didn't know, but there are entry restrictions for explorers' bars based on their rank. If you break them, it's customary to be beaten up by the regular explorers."

"First time I've heard of it."

"It's an unofficial rule. But it applies to everyone, and there are no exceptions for interviewees."

"But I was able to sit down."

"That's because I and the Purple Lightning Wolf Corps didn't warn you. Normally, someone like Logan would be the correct response."

Alma nodded with interest at my explanation.

"I see. I understand."

"Then, get out quickly. For Noel's sake, I'll let you off today. But if you do the same thing again, I won't show any mercy, sow."

Logan laughed derisively and pointed to the exit with his chin.

Alma ignored him and raised her right hand straight up.

"Noel, question."

"What is it?"

"How is an explorer's rank determined?"

"One is their skill rank, and the other is their track record. In other words, how much they have achieved as an explorer."

"I see, track record. I understand. Then—"

Alma jumped out of her chair and got into a fighting stance, facing Logan.

"Is it enough to knock down this arrogant ape?"

Correct.

Although it was delayed due to the Purple Lightning Wolf Corps, I knew that if I allowed Alma to stay, other explorers would come to reprimand her. The only way to silence them was for Alma to prove her strength.

Moreover, fortunately for me, Logan is the strongest in interpersonal combat at the Boar Demon's Club. He would be the perfect test subject to see if Alma is truly Alcor's granddaughter.

"Who are you calling an ape, you—!"

Provoked by Alma, Logan's anger boiled over.

"Hey, Noel! Just to confirm, if I kill this sow, you won't complain, right? I can't control myself from beating her to death!"

The two had already agreed to fight. In other words, it was a duel. If either of them died, no one would be held responsible. It would be a fair and just outcome.

"It's fine. She's not a party member yet. Do as you please."

When I agreed, all the customers in the bar stood up and turned into a gallery.

"Go, go, go!"

"Logan, show the strength of a senior explorer!"

"Little miss, don't lose so easily!"

"Hey, who are you betting on? I'm betting ten thousand fil on Logan!"

"Idiot, it's not even a contest!"

The gallery seemed to believe that Logan would win easily. The physical difference, the difference in combat ability between a fighter and a scout, and above all, the track record, all guaranteed Logan's victory.

However, Logan's face showed no sign of complacency. On the contrary, sweat was breaking out on his forehead, and he seemed confused by Alma's strength, which he had just realized.

In contrast, Alma stood calmly, her face expressionless as ice.

"...Alma will win."

Reisha, who was standing next to me, muttered quietly.

"Roar!"

Logan was the first to move. With a shout, he let out a sharp right straight aimed at Alma's face. If it hit, it would blow off her head.

But—

"Too slow."

The punch hit Alma's afterimage. She dodged the attack at a speed that couldn't be seen with the naked eye, then slipped into Logan's guard and delivered a knife-hand strike to his throat as she jumped.

"Ugh!"

Logan, hit in a vital spot, collapsed and spat blood. Bent over with his knees on the ground, he looked like a criminal waiting to be beheaded.

"Alright, it's over."

Alma's heel drop, not a guillotine, was brought down on Logan's neck. The powerful blow damaged his medulla oblongata and knocked out Logan's consciousness.

The fight was over in less than three seconds.

She's strong. For a scout to easily defeat Logan...

From my perspective, having been trained by my grandfather and having some knowledge of martial arts, Alma's combat ability is on a completely different level. Moreover, she was clearly holding back. She could have killed him with the first knife-hand strike if she had wanted to.

Truly, an instant kill.

Amid the commotion in the gallery over the result of the match, I kicked my chair and shouted to Alma.

"You're hired!"

†

†

After the duel, we, the customers, were scolded by the boss of the Boar Demon's Club.

"Hey! No fighting in the store!"

The kind of scolding that goes on and on if you get caught.

Not only that, but depending on the boss's mood, you might have to pay the tab for others as a penalty. In other words, a reverse jackpot.

So, we all fled like scattered spiders.

"Scatter! You're done for if you get caught!"

There was only one exit, but these explorers, who have experienced life-or-death battles, without any prior agreement, escaped outside in perfect timing without getting stuck.

As I left, I looked back and saw the members of the Fist King Association desperately dragging the unconscious Logan. I could only hope they would escape safely.

After leaving the Boar Demon's Club, Alma, who was walking next to me, looked as if nothing had happened, her face expressionless.

"That was a great fight. It seems you really are Alcor's granddaughter."

"Didn't you believe it, Noel?"

Alma puffed out her cheeks, slightly dissatisfied.

"Well, when you suddenly say you're the granddaughter of a legendary assassin, it's hard to believe. Even if I said I was the grandson of an immortal demon, no one would believe me at first."

"But I believed you right away."

"Really? Why?"

"Your eyes are different. You have the eyes of someone who will do anything to win. Grandpa used to say, 'Never fight the immortal demon. That man always thinks outside the box, so you can't beat him in a fair fight.' Your eyes remind me of that."

I could only laugh wryly.

The idea that my eyes remind someone of my grandfather isn't bad. But if I summarize what Alma said, it means I'm a completely insane lunatic.

Well, being an explorer is a job that requires a few screws to be loose. I'll take it as a compliment.

"As I said before, I want to make you a member of the Azure Outliers. But you don't seem interested in being an explorer. Is there any inconvenience in becoming a party member?"

"No. I'm just bored."

"Bored, huh. I acknowledge that you're strong. But if you underestimate explorers too much, you'll die quickly. Demons aren't easy to deal with. If you put me and the other members who will join in danger, it will be a problem."

"Battle requires strength, not spirit. I don't have much motivation, but I'll get results, so don't worry. Strength is the absolute justice. It should be the same for explorers."

She said it with conviction.

I can sense her arrogance, but it's not the arrogance of a frog in a well. After all, she was trained by Alcor, and in the same skill line. She can't be weak.

As someone who couldn't become a warrior despite being the grandson of the immortal demon, I can't help but feel envious.

"Noel."

I turned around when I was suddenly called. Alma was holding her stomach.

"I'm hungry. I haven't eaten anything since morning."

"Then, let's eat something."

Now that she mentioned it, I was also hungry. I had breakfast, but it was already noon. The hunger I had ignored due to the intense events became clear with Alma's words.

We walked around the food street together, trying to decide what to eat, but unfortunately, all the popular restaurants were crowded. We would have to wait in long lines to get in.

"This is a problem. Do you mind waiting in line?"

"Waiting in a long line is troublesome. —That one looks good."

Alma pointed to a stand selling fried buns. There was a crowd there too, but the turnover rate was good, so it didn't seem like we would have to wait long to buy them.

Ten minutes later, both Alma and I were holding hot fried buns. I had a meat filling, and Alma had a custard cream filling. Both were voluminous and looked delicious.

"!? This is delicious!"

Alma, who had taken a bite of the fried bun, lit up her face like a flower blooming.

I tried mine too. Oh, it's indeed delicious. The crispy surface and the chewy skin were filled with meat juice that oozed out. There were plenty of vegetables, and their sweetness enhanced the flavor of the meat.

"Noel, let me have a bite of yours."

"Sure, I'll have a bite of yours too."

We shared the fried buns. Yeah, this is delicious too. The rich sweetness of the custard cream goes well with the fried bun's skin.

I regret not knowing about this stand before, it's so satisfying.

"I've never eaten anything this delicious in my life."

Alma put her hand on her cheek and closed her eyes in delight.

I thought she was exaggerating, but she had been living in the mountains. If that's true, I can understand why she would find this fried bun to be the ultimate delicacy.

"Is this your first time coming down from the mountains?"

"First time."

"Yet, you don't seem out of place."

"I learned how to blend in from grandpa."

"I see. —Hey, there's one thing I'm curious about."

Since we were already chatting, I continued with the questions.

"Was the training in the mountains to become an assassin?"

"Yes. Training to become an assassin from a scout, and then to go even further. I haven't ranked up to B yet, but I've already met the conditions during my training."

"I see, as I thought."

I was already too strong for a C-rank, but if she had already met the conditions for a rank-up, it makes sense. To