Chapter 24

Forest Barbarians move in pairs. They are giants about three meters tall.

However, what is completely different from humans is that they have four arms, one eye, a smooth green surface, and no clothing.

They are nicknamed "Green Giants" and "Forest Guardians" — quite literally.

But their threat is immense.

As can be seen from their bulging muscles, their strength far surpasses that of humans. With four arms, no less. To take one down, it is standard practice for two shield bearers to pin it down — so it was written in the books in the library.

But in Pola's three-person party, the front-liner is Pia. Her weapon is a greatsword. While it is easier to deal effective blows to the tall Forest Barbarian, it is not suitable for defense.

In fact, she managed to block a club with her greatsword, but was blown away by a log swung by another arm.

"Pia!!"

"Pola, healing magic!"

Priscilla sharply called out.

"I, I know!"

Pola ran to Pia and began to chant the healing magic. Meanwhile, Priscilla tried to draw the Forest Barbarian's attention with her bow and arrow.

However, the Forest Barbarian merely glanced at Priscilla and continued toward the fallen Pia.

"Damn."

Priscilla fired another arrow. It was supposed to hit the unguarded back — but it barely pierced the skin and fell off immediately.

The Forest Barbarian had this tough skin. Only a particularly strong attack or a sharp blade could penetrate it.

"Pia, Pola, run!"

But Priscilla's voice was too late.

Pola, who was facing away, was chanting the healing magic. Pia, who was unable to move, was in agony.

The Forest Barbarian raised his club behind them.

"Run... Pola..."

Tears streamed down Pia's eyes. If this continued, not only would she die, but Pola would too.

Pola must have known this. Yet, she did not stop chanting the healing magic — a prayer to the gods for a miracle.

"No... No... No, Pola...!"

Pia's voice made Pola shake her head slightly.

The club was about to come down —.

"...Huh?"

It did not come down.

Instead, the Forest Barbarian's arm dropped limply, and he fell over.

"What... What...?"

As Pia was confused, the healing magic activated.

This magic, which causes "miracles" in others' bodies, requires a prayer to the gods. It is long and leaves the caster vulnerable during the chant, which is a weakness of healing magic.

In return, its effect is powerful.

Pia could feel her broken ribs mending. The healing magic was indeed potent, but Pola's aptitude for it was also high.

However, her injuries were not the main concern now.

Why did the Forest Barbarian fall?

"...Have you guys tried to die twice in a few days? Are you suicidal?"

Standing there was a black-haired, black-eyed boy — Hikaru.

A brief flashback —

When Hikaru saw the Forest Barbarian, he handed the bag with the Redhorn Rabbits to Ravia and ran.

He could have approached using "Group Concealment," but to strike the tall Forest Barbarian, he needed to jump, and it was faster to move alone than with two people.

A single strike to the spine from behind.

That was enough to kill.

Hikaru felt his soul rank rise.

"Master Hikaru...!"

Pola, exhausted from casting the magic, brightened up. She tried to stand but fell over.

"Pola! Don't overdo it!"

"Huff, huff... Pia was the one who overdid it, right?"

"Ugh, sorry..."

Priscilla also ran over to help Pia and Pola stand.

Meanwhile, Ravia approached Hikaru, dragging the bag. It seemed heavy, and she was breathing heavily.

"Sorry. Can you carry it for me?"

"Hikaru... Are these people friends?"

"More like acquaintances, I guess."

"Hmm."

Ravia glanced at Priscilla's chest — her ample chest — and narrowed her eyes, which Hikaru did not notice.

"Pia, Pola. Can you stand? Can you return to Pown?"

"Y-Yes, somehow... I'm really sorry. To be saved twice like this..."

"You guys are taking too many risks. Why did you go after a Forest Barbarian —"

As he spoke, Hikaru realized something.

A Forest Barbarian near this town? That's strange.

This seemed to be a question for Pia as well.

"We were trying to earn some quick money by gathering materials and hunting small monsters. We didn't expect the 'Green Giant' to be here, let alone alone."

"Alone? Not a pair?"

"We'd be dead if there were two."

"So you didn't take it down yourselves. Hmm —"

Hikaru put his hand to his chin and thought.

(…Oh.)

He realized something.

Hikaru had hunted a Forest Barbarian in the forest deep in the lake.

At the time, he didn't think much of the fact that it was alone, but upon closer consideration, it might have been one of a pair.

This forest is vast, even extending to the lake. The Forest Barbarian, having lost its mate, might have thought it was killed by humans and sought revenge —.

(So, Pia and the others being attacked was my fault!?)

Cold sweat trickled down his back.

"What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing."

Asked by Ravia, Hikaru tried to maintain a calm demeanor.

Of course, it was just a guess — but Hikaru couldn't shake off the guilt.

"Master Hikaru... We will give you all the materials from this monster. As you defeated it, it's only right."

"N-No, I can't take them. You fought and defeated it."

"But you finished it off."

"Still! I can't take them. I can't, I really can't."

"...What's wrong? You seem shaken."

"I'm not shaken."

While thinking of how to refuse, Hikaru looked at Ravia — or rather, the bag she had dragged.

"We already have our catch, and we don't have enough hands to carry more. Besides, the Forest Barbarian is quite damaged, and it won't fetch much money. It wouldn't be worth the effort to pay for transportation."

"...I see. Then, how about some other form of thanks —"

"It's fine, really! Let's head back to town. If Pola and the others want to take the materials, that's fine. Just don't mention my name. I get a lot of unwanted attention."

Pola and the others seemed reluctant, but Hikaru's persistence eventually convinced them.

The Forest Barbarian's skin is a valuable material. It is tough and flexible, and easy to dye when processed. Selling a whole one would fetch around 50,000 gil at the standard price, but this "standard price" is actually the highest price for an undamaged one. Given the damage from the fight, Hikaru thought it would fetch around 10,000 gil.

The relatively energetic Priscilla decided to take only the skin from the back.

"Um... Master Hikaru?"

"Hm?"

"Who is that person?"

"Oh — this is Rencrow. My... partner."

Introducing Ravia. She blushed slightly at the word "partner" and adjusted her hat.

"Partner... a beautiful boy's partner...!?"

Pola was unusually excited.

Since the town was nearby, Hikaru and the others decided to return first.

Priscilla finished skinning the Forest Barbarian just before sunset.

"Hurry. Pia, can you run?"

"Yes. No problem — Priscilla?"

"..."

"What's wrong? You seem dazed."

"I'm not dazed."

Priscilla was looking at the Forest Barbarian's corpse.

A single stab wound on the nape, the mark of Hikaru's strike.

"What? Is something off?"

"...Nothing. Let's go."

"Okay?"

The three hurried back to town.

Upon returning to town, Hikaru and Ravia headed to the Adventurer's Guild.

"...Hikaru"

"Hm?"

"Who is that woman, Pola?"

"Who... A beginner adventurer who can use healing magic, I guess?"

"That's all? You know her, right?"

"Yeah. —Is there something about Pola?"

Hikaru suddenly stopped, thinking maybe his face had been recognized.

"Hikaru..."

"Y-Yes."

"...This is just what I felt."

"Uh-huh."

Swallowing hard.

"That woman definitely likes you, right?"

"———Huh?"

"Definitely. A woman's intuition never fails."

Hikaru slumped, feeling the tension drain from him.

"Well, I can sense some affection, but that's all."

"Is that so...?"

"Don't worry, I only have eyes for Ravia."

"!"

Ravia's face turned bright red.

"Ugh... That's a cheap shot."

"Generally, what are you worried about? That I'm flirting with them? I have no such intention."

"No, it's not that. Hikaru is so cool, he must be popular..."

"No, not at all."

Even in Japan, he was called "arrogant," "cocky," "arrogant," and "worldly-wise," but never "cool."

(Oh, there was one time. Hazuki-senpai said, "Hmm, you're pretty cool, Hikaru-kun," but that was just teasing. It's not like that.)

"The only thing I can think of... I said they are 'acquaintances,' but I saved their lives once. They might be idealizing me because of that."

The "misattribution of arousal" effect, where the excitement from danger is mistaken for romantic excitement.

"If that's the case, it's fine..."

"If you understand, let's go to the Adventurer's Guild. Okay?"

"? Are you holding hands? Shouldn't you hide in the city...?"

"No, I just want to hold your hand."

"......You're so sly!"

Blushing and pouting, Ravia still took Hikaru's hand.

"But isn't it weird for boys to hold hands?"

"...True. Well, there's not much traffic now, so let's hide our presence."

In the end, they used "Group Concealment."

Ravia moved closer to Hikaru, almost touching his shoulder.

"Hehe."

"...Isn't that a cheap shot?"

"Huh? Did you say something?"

"Nothing."

When they entered the guild, it was almost closing time, and there were hardly any adventurers left.

It made sense, as Gloria was the only one at the counter.

Apparently, the shifts were: Aurora from early morning to noon, Jill from morning to early afternoon, and Gloria from noon to closing at sunset.

Gloria, who quickly dismissed adventurers, was the perfect choice for closing time.

"This is the Adventurer's Guild..."

Since there were few adventurers, Hikaru and Ravia entered.

He looked around, and his attire, though not cheap, made him look like he had wandered in by mistake.

"Oh, Hikaru-san."

"Is Unken here?"

"He is, but... I don't think he can see you today. Is it about the Redhorn Rabbits?"

Gloria's perceptiveness was helpful.

"I'll process and deliver them, so can you evaluate the price later?"

"That would be a great help. I'm sorry, but Unken wants to do the evaluation himself."

"That's fine. It will be good practice. Though, my technique might not be great, and the meat might spoil — oh, and I'll take the organs."

"Ah. The guild doesn't buy them, but what do you need them for?"

"The owner of 'Pasta Magic' wants them."

"...Oh."

Hikaru didn't notice the gleam in Gloria's eyes.

"Then I'll use the dissection area."

"Sure — oh."

"Hm?"

"Is that your friend, too?"

"Yes, that's right. —Rencrow, this way."

Ravia, who came over with a pat, bowed to Gloria.

Gloria's smile was like that of a saint — but Hikaru, knowing her devious side, couldn't take it at face value.

"Is Rencrow becoming an adventurer?"

"Ah, yes... I want to become one."

"Then, let's register you?"

"Like, have some tea?"

She asked casually.

Ravia, excited by Gloria's suggestion, was interrupted by Hikaru.

"Hey, hey. Don't make decisions without asking. Rencrow hasn't gotten permission from his parents to register, right?"

"—Oh, right."

"Oh, is that so... The Adventurer's Guild is a proper organization, you know?"

"That's true. It is an organization."

"Oh, Hikaru-san, you're speaking with some implications, aren't you?"

"Even in a good organization, there are people who can corrupt it. Like a receptionist who uses new adventurers as errand boys for the Thieves' Guild."

"Really? There are such terrible receptionists?"

Gloria smiled.

Hikaru, thinking how she could maintain such a smile, smiled back.

"Anyway, I'll use the dissection area. See you."

"Sure. Hikaru-san, let's talk more next time?"

"Sure, if there's an opportunity."

Hikaru led Ravia to the dissection area. Gloria, whose thoughts were always a mystery, was still scary.

"...Hikaru, sorry."

"What's wrong?"

"I can't register as an adventurer... in this country."

Registering would reveal her name, "Ravia."

If she had registered on the spot, it would have been a disaster.

"True. In this country."

"...Huh?"

"Or, are you being searched for only within the country? If you leave the country, it's fine. The Adventurer's Guild network extends beyond borders, so you can register in another country."

"Ah, but... we're not staying in this town forever, right?"

"For now. Once things cool down, we can go anywhere. So don't look so worried."

"—Hikaru"

Ravia moved closer and took Hikaru's arm.

In the dark, secluded back of the guild, with no one around.

"...Thank you."

She whispered in his ear.

"Ah."

Though he responded nonchalantly, Hikaru also felt warm.

After that, they thoroughly dissected the catch.