Chapter 11

**I'm very sorry. In the previous chapter, I mentioned that "all initial items have been unlocked," but the "Magic" item was missing, so I have added it. Thank you for pointing out the typos. I would like to correct them all at once at some point...**

Here is the "Magic" item that has been added to the previous chapter. The other parts of the description have not been altered.

【Magic】

【Magic Power】0

【Elemental Affinity】

【Fire】0

【Wind】0

【Earth】0

【Water】0

【Magic Creation】0

**This section contains descriptions of killing living beings.**

Hikaru left the town, but there was someone who was worried about him.

The gatekeeper.

Because right after Hikaru left, six adventurers also went out as if they were chasing him.

"Hey! He's not here!"

"Where did that kid go!?"

"There's no way he could disappear in such a short time, what did you lose him for!?"

"That's your fault too!"

This way of speaking.

It was not calm.

The gatekeeper approached them cautiously.

"Hey, what are you making a fuss about? And from what I just heard, it seems you have some business with the boy who went out just now? Why didn't you take care of it in town?"

"Huh!? A guard!?"

The adventurers fell silent.

"Come with me to the station for a moment."

"No, no, that's not necessary. There's nothing going on! Right!?"

"Yeah! There's nothing going on!"

The gatekeeper put force into his words.

"This is a security order. Come to the station."

"Ah—"

The adventurers hung their heads and were escorted.

And then, surrounded by strong soldiers—

"Are you kidding? You were trying to teach them about hierarchy to get back at the receptionist? What are you all thinking as grown adults!! That's why women don't take you seriously!!"

They were scolded.

Incidentally, this information was brought to the Adventurer's Guild by the soldiers,

"Wh-What!?"

which added to Jil's worries.

Unaware of this commotion, Hikaru wandered through the grasslands.

"The habitat distribution of Red-Horned Rabbits is near the town. The further away from the town, the fewer they become—a peculiar characteristic—probably because there are no dangerous monsters near the town, making it easier for weaker monsters to breed."

This information was found in the archive earlier.

It detailed their ecology and habitat distribution.

"But, the hunting—rather, the hunting of them is 'extremely difficult.' The reason is..."

From a distance, he could see a glimpse of the grass on the other side.

The target, a Red-Horned Rabbit.

It was larger than a regular rabbit, about the size of an orange box?

And it had horns on its head. Bright red horns.

The longer the horns, the more valuable they are, but most break during their lifetime.

Indeed, the one Hikaru found had broken horns.

"Hmm..."

About 100 meters away.

He tried changing the "Occupation" on his guild card to "Civilian." No change.

Next, he deactivated the "Stealth" skill.

"!"

The Red-Horned Rabbit lifted its head and looked around.

"Even at this distance, it can sense me?"

Hikaru reactivated the "Stealth" skill and approached.

The Red-Horned Rabbit, seemingly forgetting the sense of unease, buried its face in the ground, doing something.

When the distance was less than 50 meters, and then about 30 meters—

"!"

The Red-Horned Rabbit lifted its head.

This time, it clearly looked in his direction.

It fled at an incredible speed.

"Truly a fleeing rabbit..."

He muttered.

"But, my 'Stealth' skill has a limit of 30 meters. I was quite confident in my 'Stealth' skill, but it's tough against a monster specialized in anti-'Stealth.'"

Hikaru grunted.

"Wait, that rabbit clearly confirmed my presence. That means it knew the direction I was in. The only way to know that is—"

Life detection or magic detection.

"I have one point in 'Life Concealment' and 'Magic Concealment.' So, it must have a detection method that surpasses that. I don't know the level, but... well, it's fine. Next, I'll try the 'Occupation' effect."

It took about 15 minutes to find the next Red-Horned Rabbit.

The "Occupation" on his guild card was now "Stealth Deity: Wearer of Darkness."

"Seriously?"

Approaching from a blind spot.

But, what does this mean?

"Phew, phew, phew"

At Hikaru's feet, a rabbit about 60 centimeters long had its face buried in the ground.

By changing the "Occupation" on his guild card, he could get this close.

This time, the Red-Horned Rabbit had unbroken horns. According to the archive, unbroken horns are rare.

"Should I take it down?"

He muttered, but it didn't seem to hear.

It was chewing on something, probably insects or worms, with its face in the ground.

"..."

Hikaru gripped the "Strength Short Sword."

He was about to kill this creature.

He had left the town with that resolve.

Yet—his blade trembled.

"Ha... Ridiculous. I've killed a human, yet I'm moved by an animal..."

But, the Duke Murgstadt had a reason to be killed.

The Red-Horned Rabbit was unrelated to Hikaru.

"..."

He understood.

It's like how you're not moved by packaged beef in the supermarket, but if you go to a slaughterhouse, you might think, "How sad."

He understood.

He understood, but—

(I'm such an idiot. I really am...)

He clasped his hands together.

He knew it was futile. There was no Buddha in this world.

Then, he drew the "Strength Short Sword" and, in one swift motion, pierced the Red-Horned Rabbit's back, straight into its heart.

The blade cut through without resistance, taking the Red-Horned Rabbit's life. The effect of the "Assassination" skill, no doubt.

The Red-Horned Rabbit trembled and then slumped over.

The blood seeped into the earth.

Hikaru felt the strength in his legs drain away. He held it back.

He released the short sword and clasped his hands together again.

"I'm an idiot."

He muttered again.

Once he had killed, it was quick.

He efficiently skinned the rabbit by a stream, drained the blood, and cut open the belly to remove the organs. This would reduce the weight and improve the taste of the meat.

However, the heart and kidneys of the Red-Horned Rabbit were valuable and should be kept.

He threw them into a bag he had bought as a household item—made of a monster material similar to plastic, washable—and washed his hands with soap.

Then, Hikaru returned to town. It was around noon, but he had no appetite for a sandwich.

When he entered the town, the gatekeeper tapped his shoulder and nodded.

"?"

"Go to the Adventurer's Guild."

"? Ah..."

Something had happened while he was gone.

Since he intended to go there anyway, Hikaru headed straight to the Adventurer's Guild.

"Hikaru—"

When he returned to the Adventurer's Guild, Jil and Gloria were at the counter.

Jil, upon seeing Hikaru, was about to run over but stopped after a glance at Gloria. She then resumed her duties as if nothing had happened.

"..."

But, she kept glancing at him.

Her eyes spoke volumes. "Come here. Come to me. Don't go to Gloria."

It was troublesome, but if he went to Gloria, it would only upset Jil. Hikaru reluctantly walked over to Jil.

As usual, adventurers were swarming around her—now both her and Gloria.

(Are these really adventurers? They have too much free time. But, from a biological standpoint, trying to secure a mate during the day isn't wrong...?)

He waited for a moment when the reception duties were done and cut in to the front of the line.

"Quest submission—"

"Perfect timing, adventurer Hikaru. I need to talk to you in that booth."

"Huh?"

"I need to talk to you in that booth."

"Wait, what?"

"I need to talk to you in that booth."

After saying it three times, Jil quickly walked to the booth.

"..."

The adventurers' gazes pierced Hikaru.

(...Really troublesome. If they recognize me, it'll be a hassle. Maybe I should buy a mask.)

In the booth, Jil said with a hint of urgency.

"I'm sorry!"

She placed her hands on the table and bowed deeply.

The adventurers exclaimed in surprise.

They react to every move Jil makes.

And Gloria, while working, kept glancing at him.

"...I don't understand."

"You didn't realize, but actually, six adventurers were tailing you."

"And?"

"They... they are, well, my fans. They thought I was favoring you too much and decided to harass you."

("Harass" huh? More like "attack" probably.)

"Well, I knew. So?"

"Huh?"

"What do you mean?"

"You knew?"

"I knew. In fact, their actions were pretty obvious. Aren't the adventurers here a bit low-level?"

"No, no, that's not true! Tsyrnenko is quite skilled among the young ones. He's still at rank E, but he's highly regarded for his future potential."

(...Really? Him? I thought his skill in "Sword" was only 1... Is 1 still quite strong?)

"He also had the 'Occupation' 'One-Handed Sword Deity: Technical Swordsman.'"

"Ah... I see. So, the 'Occupation' was good. But, it's a 5-letter god, right?"

"Yes. He was quite suited for combat."

"..."

Hikaru thought.

(Being a 5-letter god gets attention... I shouldn't tell anyone about the "Occupation" field on the Soul Board.)

"Hikaru? Is something wrong?"

"...No, nothing."

"Ah! I get it! You must be scared. Of course, if you knew you were being targeted by skilled adventurers with a 5-letter god, you'd be scared. Don't worry! They've been warned by the guards and are under surveillance for a while!"

"A, okay."

He wasn't really scared, but he let Jil believe what she wanted.

Now he understood why the gatekeeper had a friendly expression. The adventurers who followed him were clearly suspicious and were caught by the guards.

(It wasn't much of a threat to me... but it was annoying. And...)

Being worried about and protected by someone didn't feel bad.

(Maybe I should bring some sweets? It seems to be a part of Roland's culture.)

"So, rest assured. Hikaru is well-protected!"

Jil reached out and patted his head.

Hikaru's thoughts froze.

What? She patted my head?

"...I find it very unpleasant. I don't like it."

"Wh-What!? Do you prefer the same sex? I know there are different values, but..."

"No. Don't assume that what you do will be appreciated by others. Your attitude leads to unnecessary misunderstandings and drives short-sighted adventurers to act against me."

"A... I'm sorry. I'll pat your head in a place where no one else is around next time."

No!!

He wanted to say, but he knew it wouldn't get through to her.

His head hurt.

"Enough. Is that all? Then I'd like to request an evaluation for the quest submission."

"Ah, okay. Got it—what?"

Jil looked puzzled.

"I hunted a Red-Horned Rabbit."

"You're kidding... That's impossible."

"I'm not kidding. Just one, though."

Hikaru opened the bag at his feet, and the smell of the animal and blood wafted out.

"...Hikaru."

Jil, with a mix of shock, said:

"You're really lucky."

And that was that.

I received the top spot for two consecutive days. It was worth writing during my child's nap. Thank you for your continued support.