Chapter 25

～～Adventurer Guild, "Girnerize"～

"Is, is it really okay, Lady Niera? For me, a low-ranking adventurer, to be the one guiding you through the guild?"

"Yes, I sent all the officers on quests. There are still some who have loyalty to that little girl, so I want them to prove their loyalty to me by completing their quests first."

"I, I see..."

"I sent them on somewhat challenging quests, so they won't be back today."

Niera was touring the inside of the guild with one of the guild members.

"Where does this guild store the adventurers' food? We should also need tools for facility repairs, but I can't find a 'warehouse.'"

"H-Hmm... We just followed Tim's orders, so we don't know."

"Still, not a single speck of dust has fallen. The bath had a little bit of trash, though."

"We mostly didn't use the bathtub because Tim's skill cleaned our bodies. It's quick, and it feels like our bodies are in better condition."

"Hmm... Every time you open your mouth, it's 'Tim, Tim'—"

"S-Sorry! By the way, Tim seems to have taken care of all the cleaning with his skills."

"Well, as long as we hire someone for the odd jobs, that boy's role can be managed. Don't worry so much."

As Niera was laughing it off, the outside suddenly became noisy.

It seemed that the guild members who had set out on quests this morning were returning.

"Already back by midday? Indeed, my guild members are excellent."

"Doesn't something seem off?"

Outside, the guild members were in a flurry.

"Companions were taken down on the quest! We need healing!"

"H-Horrible injuries... Take them to the infirmary immediately!"

Adventurers returned carrying their injured companions.

It seemed that an accident had occurred on the quest, which was rare for this guild.

"Ugh, I have no luck at all..."

As the newly appointed guild leader, Niera had no choice but to go and hear the story.

Reluctantly, Niera went to ask one of the uninjured quest companions.

"Severe injuries on a quest are rare. What happened?"

"Lady Niera! It's strange! They weren't that weak before!"

"You're in a panic. Calm down and tell me the situation one by one."

"Y-Yes! One was torn open by a dragon's claws, one was hit by a fire breath, and one was crushed! That's all, but everyone is bleeding and suffering..."

"Hmm. ...Hmm?"

Niera was puzzled.

If they were still breathing after attacks that would normally be fatal, it was fortunate.

As Niera was thinking this, the companion continued.

"Until now, even with the lowest rarity 'Adventurer's Clothing' made by Tim, our defense was so strong that we never took any damage."

"Such a thing, even a dragonkin couldn't withstand that. A human can't survive such attacks without protection."

"No, I actually managed to carry them back while taking hits from the dragon..."

Indeed, the adventurer in front of her looked like he was only wearing poor-quality 'Adventurer's Clothing.'

"Can't be... 'Appraisal'!"

Niera appraised the 'Adventurer's Clothing' of the adventurer in front of her.

"Equipment name 'Adventurer's Clothing,' Physical Resistance +, Magic Resistance +, Slash Specialized Resistance, Compression Resistance, Strength Enhancement, Additional: Temporary Stitching + (This equipment will break after 2 days from creation), Full Coverage, Super Shock Absorption, Fireproof—What is this? Where did you get such a thing?"

The adventurer looked puzzled and answered.

"W-What's wrong? I asked Tim to make me clothes that would last for 2 days because I was going on consecutive fire-breathing dragon hunts. The clothes he makes in an instant only last a day and then fall apart."

"Unbelievable! Such a thing... This makes me look like a fool for plotting and even getting low-ranking guild members to cooperate to obtain treasures and such!"

Niera's body trembled.

"Lady Niera! A large number of adventurers who failed their quests are returning!"

"Adventurers injured on quests are being brought to the guild! We don't have enough healers!"

The guild's medical team contacted Niera.

"Damn it! No way! That unremarkable boy was really supporting this guild!?"

Severely injured adventurers were being brought to the guild one after another.

They all groaned in pain.

Among them, Niera was shocked to see one of the "adventurers" being carried in.

"G-Garnash!? 'Sword Saint,' how could you be taken down? What's going on!?"

"N-Niera... Sorry..."

With a shaky hand, Garnash grabbed Niera's hand.

"I drank too much... I'm about to throw up. And, can you lend me some money?"

"---Just die already."

Niera pushed Garnash's hand away.