Chapter 31

"Silver-class adventurer... huh..."

Even when I see the silver tag with my name engraved on it, I can't really feel the reality of it. Not everyone who continues for a long time becomes a silver-class adventurer; hence, they have a certain social standing. Of course, that comes with its own set of responsibilities.

I don't feel at all like I'm a "full-fledged adventurer." As I walk among the farmers returning from their fields, the merchants moving their magic cars from the neighboring town, and the adventurers returning to the city after completing their quests, I tuck my guild tag back under my clothes and let out a sigh.

Indeed, being an adventurer isn't just about combat skills. Some become silver-class by planning how to meet the conditions of a quest, or by having the knowledge and skills to secure the required materials at the requested quality. However, I still don't think I deserve such an evaluation, either in combat techniques or in gathering materials.

Even after hearing from Fred that my family didn't praise me to keep me from getting arrogant, I still can't shake this feeling.

After all, even when I came in first in a competition where rankings were given, I never received any praise. My opponents were praised for their victories, but not me.

I always wanted to be recognized by my family, but all I ever heard were things like, "This is what you should be able to do," "This isn't worth praising," and "Your success this time was just luck." I couldn't objectively evaluate my own abilities anymore.

Even now, when I'm told that my self-evaluation is low in my new life, I try to correct it. But when I try to think deeply about it, my thoughts become foggy, and my head doesn't work properly. Gradually, I start to feel a ringing in my ears and nausea, so I end up deliberately avoiding thinking about it. I can't even talk about this to Fred or Anna.

...If only someone could define my abilities like a piece on a chessboard. Infantry is 1, spearman is 2, cavalry is 3. I don't even know my own strengths.

Thinking about my time at home makes me feel a bit gloomy, so I lower my head to avoid people's gazes and pull my hood deeper over my head.

While lost in thought, looking down, I arrive at the adventurer's guild, where the delivery area is already quite crowded. I should have left a bit earlier, I realize, feeling a bit regretful. But I couldn't help it; I found a bug that likes to feed on the flowers I was looking for, and I had to chase it.

I found the flowers I was looking for and managed to gather them as expected, so I decided to join the queue, even though it would take a bit longer. Some days are like this, I thought as I stepped into the crowded delivery area.

I calculated how quickly the line was moving and decided to join the queue at Darria's window, a veteran staff member. However, I noticed a party I know by face and name in a bad way a bit further away, and I instinctively tried to hide and step back.

...Ah, I should have left earlier.

Fortunately, they don't seem to have noticed me. My silver hair is quite noticeable, so I've been wearing my hood since entering the city to avoid being recognized. Recently, I've been frequently invited to join parties, so I've been trying to avoid being noticed.

The guild has been careful not to spread the information too widely, but it's inevitable that it leaks out. I'm sure I'm being recruited based on the fact that I'm the youngest silver-class adventurer, without anyone really knowing my abilities.

Should I join a party? I understand the benefits of risk distribution and other advantages of working in a group, but I'm not really motivated to do so. I also have the selfish thought that if I join a party, the invitations might stop. I'm a bit overwhelmed by the number of invitations I've been receiving.

I haven't been recruited by the "Blazing Sword" party, but there's another reason I don't want to see them.

I was asked to prioritize the delivery of a "Jewelbird," a magical creature, but they suspected me of taking a Jewelbird that had been caught in their trap.

The misunderstanding was eventually cleared up. Their trap involves coating branches with a sticky substance to catch the target, which is called a "limb." Jewelbirds fly at supersonic speeds, making them very difficult to catch, which is why they have a high buyback price.

There's always demand for Jewelbirds because they are used in medicine for the lord's child, who is ill. Many parties set the same traps because anyone can catch a Jewelbird if they get lucky. However, due to the unstable supply, I was asked to deliver one if possible.

However, there was an issue with someone taking a Jewelbird that had been caught in another party's trap, so now in Lindemen, the sticky substance must be colored to indicate which party's trap it came from.

The color and material of the sticky substance on the bird's legs are used to determine this, but I don't use this method. I find the Jewelbird's feeding grounds, wait there, and use magic to catch it.

I use a basic wind magic spell to create a vacuum around the bird. Without air, the bird can't flap its wings, so even a supersonic Jewelbird falls to the ground. This makes it easy to catch.

When I was suspected, the guild confirmed that there was nothing on the bird's legs, and the suspicion was cleared. However, the "Blazing Sword" members strongly asked how I caught it, and I was at a loss. I almost said it was with a basic magic spell, but the staff member who mediated the dispute warned me not to reveal my method.

I thought it would be fine if it cleared up the suspicion, but it wouldn't benefit them, and it could disrupt the Jewelbird's ecosystem if the method became widely known. I could only say that I didn't take it from their trap.

The guild handled the situation, but the "Blazing Sword" party still looks at me with suspicious eyes, so I've been avoiding them. It's very uncomfortable.

I pull the edge of my hood to hide my face more naturally. I change direction and head towards the guild's dining area, where I order one of the few non-alcoholic drinks and decide to kill some time.

Many people do the same to pass the time while waiting for the line to thin out, so I won't stand out. My cloak has a concealment effect, so unless someone is specifically looking for me, they won't notice me. I blend in with the men standing around the tall tables and take a break.

As I think about what Anna will cook for dinner tonight, I feel someone standing in front of me. With my hood covering the upper half of my field of vision, I can only see the boots of a man.

The only person I can think of who would find and speak to me while I'm trying to remain unnoticed is Fred, but I don't recognize these boots. Who could it be?

"Long time no see, Liana."

I stiffen at the sound of his voice.

...It's not been long for me. I've been avoiding him, trying not to be seen, but I couldn't get back to the guild before it got crowded, and I was too distracted to notice him earlier. I should have increased the concealment effect... but if I did that in the guild, I'd just look suspicious.

"Yes... it's been a while, Gord. You seem well."

"Such formalities. I've always told you to call me Duke. Ah, I've had a tough time because of you, Liana. Sajé was mad at me too."

When I first registered as an adventurer, he was a temporary staff member due to an injury and evaluated my delivery. There was a problem with his evaluation, and even though I would have been the one to suffer if it hadn't been discovered, his words make it sound like I caused the trouble.

The guild penalized him for giving improper evaluations to several adventurers, including me, so I don't know why he's complaining to me.

"It's not my fault."

"I was shocked. I was kind and invited you, but you turned me down, and I was treated like a villain and scolded by the guild. I was hurt."

I don't know how to respond, and I want to explain to the people around us, but he doesn't give me a chance to speak. I'm not good with men, especially those I've never had around before, so I don't know how to handle this. It's embarrassing, and I know I should respond, but I can't.

I find it bothersome to keep turning down his frequent invitations to join his party, using apologies as an excuse. Some people in this city would consider it an honor to be invited by a high-ranking adventurer, but it's not an attractive proposal for me. I ended the conversation last time as if I was running away.

When he speaks to me, his female companions glare at me, making me feel very uncomfortable. That's why I've been trying to avoid any involvement. I hope that if I join a party, they'll finally give up.

"...Actually, I really don't plan to join any party... Our styles of operation are different, and I don't think there would be any benefit in adding me to your party."

This is the truth. I mainly take trap-based gathering quests, while their party focuses on monster hunting in dungeons and the subsequent skinning. There's no benefit in adding me.

I wish I could just say I don't want to, but I know it's not a good idea to create conflicts with someone who has been in the business for a long time, especially if I plan to continue being an adventurer in the same city.

Why am I being so persistent? How can I turn him down so that he'll finally give up? I'm considering giving up on today's delivery and running away when he suddenly grabs my wrist.

"Can't you at least listen? It's not a bad deal for you, and you can decide after getting to know the members. Why don't you join our party's after-party?"

I instinctively try to pull my hand away, but I hesitate, thinking, "Is this considered assault among adventurers?" This hesitation is probably what led to my hand being firmly grabbed.

As I look down at my wrist, my hood is pulled off, and I find myself face-to-face with him. The sweet scent of his tobacco is unpleasant, and I instinctively turn my head away.

"Um, I'd rather not, but..."

"You don't have to be so formal."

I know I should resist to protect myself, but I can't move, overwhelmed by the many gazes. I start to worry that if I resist and escape, I'll draw more attention.

I've heard that this Gord is a skilled adventurer, and Darria warned me to be careful.

However, he looks like someone I could easily resist. But if I do, even if it's self-defense, I'll stand out for "defeating Gord."

...No, he's skilled, so this might be a trap. He might be trying to make me think I can win, and if I resist, he could claim I injured him and demand compensation. I've heard of similar scams.

This seems like the right conclusion. His stance, the way he grabs my wrist, and his center of gravity don't look like those of a skilled close-combat fighter. It's suspicious.

This is his method, like a troublemaker who initiates conflicts. I should have thought about how to handle this situation, but it's too late now. The adventurers in line form a wall, blocking the view of the staff, and the people around me are watching but not intervening.

I'm not waiting for help, but I'm trying to think of other solutions. Nothing comes to mind, so I decide to escape and deliver my items tomorrow morning.

"...Let go of my hand..."

"Hmm, I'll let go if you stay for a drink. ...Hey, it's better to nod while I'm being nice. I have connections in the city, and it's scary to be alone in the forest, right?"

I make sure to clearly refuse.

I don't want to be accused of hurting him, so I plan to surprise him and escape into the crowd. As I step forward, I hear a sound.

"Guh..."

Gord is suddenly flying away from me.

He hits a table, which shakes and drops some items. The adventurers around the table quickly evacuate with their plates and cups.

The person who knocked him away, or rather, punched him, doesn't stop there and steps on Gord's shoulder as he tries to get up, pinning him to the ground. I can't immediately recognize who it is.

"Fred, stop! That's enough!"

I freeze for a moment, then quickly grab Fred's arm and shoulder to stop him from delivering a follow-up kick.

"...Eh, what, what?"

"Too much! He's already unconscious!"

When he was kicked, Gord hit the back of his head and lost consciousness. I'm surprised by Fred's sudden violent behavior, but he seems just as surprised, staring at his own fist in shock.

...I'm shocked. Fred, who just now lunged at Gord, looked like a completely different person. His eyes were so frightening.

"What's wrong, Fred? You usually