Chapter 39

After that, they spent three hours exploring the forest.

Ravia's new magic was devastating against the large monsters, and Hikaru skinned the proof of their defeat.

Hikaru's "Magic Detection" was also very useful. It helped him notice monsters in places he wouldn't have otherwise, like above in the trees.

Hikaru and Ravia collected materials together. Thanks to her study of the "Plant Encyclopedia," Ravia discovered herbs and flowers that Hikaru had missed.

When they had gathered about the same amount of materials as yesterday, the two left the forest.

"This should be enough to get us to Rank E."

He looked pleased. A considerable amount of money had gone into purchasing equipment and paying for information in Kerbeck, but the earnings from yesterday and today were promising.

His soul rank had also increased. Hikaru's rank went up by one to 21, and Ravia's went up by two to 15.

(I wonder how to allocate the one point on my Soul Board. The detection expansion was convenient, so should I add one more? But it seems like even if I can detect beyond 100 meters, I won't be able to use it effectively.)

Just as he was thinking about putting it on hold, Hikaru and Ravia were waiting by the lake for a fast horse to pass by.

A caravan with three wagons passed by. Hikaru thought about hitching a ride with the caravan and casually activated his "Magic Detection."

"…!!"

On the third wagon, there was a block of magic, even though no one was visible.

It was a "Stealth" skill.

Someone was hitching a ride on the wagon, just like when Hikaru helped Ravia escape and return to Pound.

"Ravia, keep your head down and wait here."

"? E, eh… okay…"

Hikaru stood up and approached the caravan, running after it to talk to the man leading it.

There were two guards, but they seemed to ignore Hikaru, thinking he was just a child.

"Sir merchant, can you take me to Pound?"

"I don't mind taking you, but it will cost you. Let's see, about 150 gilans."

"Wha!? A fast horse only costs 100 gilans. Can you make it 80 gilans?"

"120 gilans. No less."

"Ugh… okay. Then I'll give up."

"Sorry, but this isn't a charity. You can walk back to Pound if you have to."

The merchant grinned and spurred his horse on. Hikaru watched him go, trying hard not to look at the "block of magic."

As the third wagon passed, Hikaru called up the person's Soul Board.

[Soul Board] Sera

Age 18, Rank 39

9

[Life Force]

[Natural Recovery] 2

[Stamina] 3

[Immunity]

[Toxin Immunity] 2

[Strength]

[Strength] 1

[Weapon Proficiency]

[Short Sword] 2

[Bow] 4

[Throwing] 1

[Agility]

[Explosive Power] 3

[Flexibility] 3

[Balance] 4

[Stealth]

[Life Concealment] 2

[Magic Concealment] 1

[Perception Concealment] 1

[Dexterity]

[Dexterity] 5

[Intuition]

[Intuition] 5

[Detection]

[Life Detection] 1

(Bingo!)

Hikaru almost shouted.

The "block of magic" — Sera seemed to be looking at Hikaru, but after confirming her stats, he quickly turned away.

(Sera from the "Four Stars of the East." I had a hunch, but it's good I checked. Her "Stealth" isn't as high as I thought. Unken is much better. But she does have "Detection." With "Life Detection" 1, a cloak from the Dodorono Workshop should cover it.)

Hikaru wondered why Sera was here.

He considered the direction from which the wagon had come.

It was from the direction of the capital.

(Maybe… to investigate the actors who delayed the wagon?)

A chill ran down his spine.

When he and Ravia escaped from the wagon, he had asked Kerbeck to send people. The location was in the direction the wagon had come from.

(The "Four Stars of the East" are suspicious about the delay. They suspect that someone might have escaped during the delay. …Kerbeck said it would be fine, but I'm not sure.)

Worst case, they might trace the identity of the actor — the merchant. If they do, Kerbeck's name might come up. Kerbeck says he doesn't sell customer information, but Hikaru's name might come up as someone with a connection to him — after all, the receptionist Gloria delivered Hikaru to Kerbeck.

(This time, I found out about Sera's movements by chance. Maybe I was lucky… I should leave the country sooner.)

Hikaru continued to think.

After reaching Rank E, he would challenge the dungeon. Then, he would take a job in Routharbor and move to a town near the border. From there, he would leave the country —.

Jill's face came to mind.

She was a receptionist with a bad attitude but once you trusted her, she would get close to you, which was a bit troublesome.

(I should probably show my face… or I might be hated.)

"? Hikaru? I thought you were going to ride in that wagon."

Ravia sat down next to him.

"We'll wait for the fast horse. There was already a passenger in that one."

Sera, a Rank B adventurer.

(Even a Rank B adventurer's "Stealth" is only that good…)

Though he didn't know it, Hikaru had overinvested in "Stealth."

(Maybe I overdid it with my "Stealth"…)

After that, they caught a fast horse and arrived at the adventurer guild at about the same time as yesterday.

"Ah, Mr. Hikaru."

It was Gloria at the counter.

"I'd like to have my items appraised—"

"Before that, may I? Congratulations. All the items you submitted yesterday were recognized as legitimate."

"Thanks."

"…Oh? You don't seem very happy."

"There's no need to be happy if I didn't cheat."

"Well, that's true. So— are you submitting items today? Should I calculate the total amount?"

"Please do."

Gloria, who had wide eyes at the amount of items Hikaru submitted, quickly recovered and started the appraisal work. The adventurers around them were murmuring, but Hikaru, who wouldn't be seeing them again, remained calm.

"…That's a lot. And the condition of the items is very good."

"Thank you."

"These vampire flowers would only be this pristine if you found a previously unknown colony. Usually, bees would ruin them as soon as humans get close."

Well, I was in "Stealth" mode when I approached… but of course, he didn't say that.

"So, how much is it all worth?"

"Here it is. Yesterday's 22 slaying requests, 31 collection submissions, today's 17 slaying requests, 44 collection submissions, in total… 167,200 gilans."

"…So, so much."

"Even Mr. Hikaru is surprised."

"I'm not surprised."

Hikaru cleared his throat.

"I'd like to receive 57,200 gilans in cash and deposit 110,000 gilans."

"Understood. Your total deposit will be 200,000 gilans."

"And— will my rank go up?"

"……"

Hikaru became anxious as Gloria fell silent.

Is something missing? What is it?

"Yes, as of today, Mr. Hikaru is Rank E. Congratulations."

Hikaru let out a sigh. He wanted to say, "Don't keep me in suspense like that."

"—Mr. Hikaru, we have a whole red-horned rabbit."

"Ah. Can I use the dissection room? I want the organs."

"Of course. Please go to the back."

Gloria's behavior was concerning. She seemed unusually calm, and the silence earlier— what did it mean?

(Well, there's no point in thinking about it. I'll leave Pound tomorrow.)

Hikaru called for Ravia, and the two headed to the dissection room.

The bear-like manager of "Pasta Magic" ran out of the kitchen when he saw Hikaru.

"Organs! Fresh, blood-dripping organs, right!?"

"Your size and that line are a dangerous combination."

When Hikaru handed over the red-horned rabbit's organs, the manager shouted "Oh!" and ran back to the kitchen. The rare ingredients were fueling his enthusiasm.

"Ah, Hikaru! The box seats are full, so I'm sorry, but you'll have to sit at the counter!"

"Okay."

Before he even said he was going to eat, the manager was already rushing him.

Hikaru and Ravia lined up at the counter. When he thought about ordering a juice, a non-alcoholic cocktail was brought to them. It seemed to be for a toast.

"Let's drink this since we're here."

"Sure. —To Hikaru's Rank E."

Ravia said, and their glasses clinked together.

The glasses weren't fancy cocktail glasses but mugs that were barely transparent.

Still, the pink liquid inside was refreshing as it went down their throats.

"…Hikaru"

"Hm?"

"Are you really leaving the city tomorrow? You have many friends here."

Ravia might feel responsible, thinking that Hikaru was leaving Pound because of her.

"…Yeah. But my original goal was to travel the world. So, I might come back here someday."

"Right… I see. That's true."

"Yep."

When Hikaru finished his drink, he ordered a regular tea.

At that moment,

"Hikaru-kun!"

The door to the restaurant opened, and there stood Jill.

"I'm here too~"

Gloria was waving behind her.

Ah— that's it, Hikaru thought.

Gloria must have guessed where Hikaru would eat tonight and contacted Jill.

(They must have been planning something… that silence was about this.)

Hikaru sighed inwardly as Jill approached.

"Hikaru-kun… are you leaving Pound?"

She asked straight to the point.

Sera: "...Huh!? I didn't do anything, but I feel like I lost!"

Solyuz: "Sera, you say the funniest things."

Serica: "Sera, you lost! Eat your hot dog!"