Chapter 2

EP.2 I Defeated the Demon King – 2

Someone once said that good news and bad news come together.

Rejoicing at the good news that came in the early morning, I opened my laptop.

I had heard countless times that I had done enough and it was time to quit, but I was about to start "The Pursuer of the Eight Stars," a game that I had been playing for a long time.

Suddenly, a Steam chat message appeared on the screen.

It was from the developers of "The Pursuer of the Eight Stars."

[Um...]

Why would the developers suddenly chat with a mere user?

My doubts soon turned to suspicion, and in an instant, my posture changed.

To one of terrible fear.

A cold sweat ran down my spine, and my hands and feet trembled at the single line of text in the chat window.

[...You know, right?]

"...Shit."

With that, I was possessed by the game.

[You can return to reality by completing all achievements.]

When I came to, it was a deep night in the city.

The sky was dark, but the city was as bright as daylight, with a single red moon hanging in the sky.

The slightly naughty bars for men quietly displayed red lanterns, the gambling dens where battles for gold coins rather than lives took place hung green lanterns, the taverns selling food that might not be available the next day hung yellow lanterns, and the shops selling equipment for adventurers and soldiers fighting monsters hung blue lanterns.

The city was vibrant with the colorful lanterns decorating the many shops, unlike my slumped mood.

Or rather, isn't it usually the case that you have to vent your frustrations and complaints before you can enter?

Why should I, a good person who hasn't even done that, face such a trial?!

Of all things, why did I have to fall into this roguelike game, especially one known for its disgusting difficulty?

“Ha… shit.”

As a stranger in this city, or rather, this world, I could only bite my lip.

The sky was dark, and the moon was red.

The moon was red.

The difficulty was such that the party size was fixed at three members or less, and the stress level, enemy attack power, and defense increased, making it hardcore.

The only fortunate thing was that my class was "Sage," which could only be chosen in hardcore mode.

"The Pursuer of the Eight Stars" lived up to its title, allowing players to choose from eight classes, including the hero, to form a party.

Hero, Knight, Archer, Warrior, Mage, Priest, Thief, Shaman.

However, the only additional class available in hardcore mode was the Sage.

A class that made the hearts of men tremble, described as the non-existent ninth pursuer.

A "Jack of all trades and master of none," a "generalist," a "wise one," a "cheater character" — the concept allowed the Sage to use all skills except the ultimate skills of the eight main classes and their sub-classes.

It was a tiny bit of conscience from the developers for the dirty difficulty where the party size was limited.

Even if the Sage couldn't use the ultimate skills and the skill power was weaker than the respective classes, the ability to use a variety of skills meant being able to respond to many situations.

That's why most hardcore players included a Sage in their party, and I was no exception.

Of course, the best would be to become the hero and control the situation myself...

But even I, who am always positive, would rather not face the threat of becoming a female and falling into depravity, so it's really fortunate.

“Ha...”

Further curses were meaningless.

If I could make the Tripitaka with just "shit" to return to reality, I would do it, but that's not the case.

Moreover, excessive stress in this game could lead to death.

So, let's have a positive mindset.

No matter how much of a dumpster fire reality is.

At least there is a solution.

[You can return to reality by completing all achievements.]

The only clue and hope were already set.

So, there's no choice.

It was late at night. A time when people were trying their hardest to stand out, regardless of the red moon and the morning star.

People who had worked late and were heading home, those returning to old inns or taverns for tomorrow's battles, and those wandering around for one more drink.

Passing by the various people filling the streets for different reasons, I arrived at the Tail Tavern.

The place where the hero meets his companions in Chapter 1 of the game.

This is where the player meets the companions and the main story begins.

I hope the party recruitment isn't over yet.

Clasping my hands in prayer, I opened the door.

"Alright! To defeating the Demon King!"

A beautiful woman with golden hair.

A determined-looking female knight with short silver hair and old armor.

And an elf archer with black hair and light clothing.

The three beauties were clinking their glasses, dreaming of a bright future.

Hero.

Knight.

Archer.

The moment I saw the party composition, I felt dizzy.

Guys...

How do you plan to manage stress and recovery without a healer?

"...Um."

"Yes?"

"Are you the hero, Claire? I heard you were recruiting party members, so I came..."

"Oh, oh my. What should we do?"

The flustered woman bowed deeply in apology.

"The party recruitment is already over..."

I had tried to see if there was any chance, but it didn't work at all.

The blueprint I had prepared on the way to achieve all achievements instantly became trash.

Cold sweat trickled down my back, and my neck ached.

No Sage in hardcore mode, and no healer?

This way, we won't even be able to clear the main story up to Chapter 3, let alone defeat the Demon King.

Considering that only the hero can defeat the Demon King...

This can't go on.

Despite my panic, I managed to smile at Claire, who didn't seem to want to include me in the party.

While Levantia and Evangelina, who had joined the party before me, chattered and comforted me, I nodded to them and thought.

As a gamer who had spent ten thousand hours on this game, I quickly drew up a new blueprint to achieve all achievements.

"Well, there's nothing I can do."

"Yes... I'm sorry."

I shook my head at the regretful woman.

I'll step back for now.

Sitting alone, I sipped my beer and watched the three.

All three were dreaming of a bright future, but their eyes were filled with anxiety, already showing signs of stress, proving the hardcore difficulty.

But don't be anxious.

Whether you like it or not.

I'll make you defeat the Demon King.

For that, I can give you as much agape as you need.

====

...I momentarily lost my mind, and memories of the past came flooding back.

I saw the ones who had momentarily driven me mad.

An intelligent and beautiful priestess.

And a werewolf shaman with a smile that suited him.

These two, who had agreed to work together on this mission, surprisingly drove me mad within a few hours of starting the quest.

They are truly remarkable.

"Wow! Sage! Are we going to hunt a wyvern now?! Wyvern! Wyvern! Wow! I've never seen a wyvern before! Can we catch it? Can we? Can we?"

The overly cheerful werewolf shaman was grinning and chattering.

"Wow! You know about wyverns! Just in case you didn't know, wyverns have a pair of wings and a long tail with a diamond-shaped tip. They have dozens of teeth, and the one we need to catch this time is venomous!"

The priestess pushed up her glasses on her white nose and explained in more detail than usual.

"But you can use the antidote spell, right, Sage?"

"Yes. The antidote spell is a type of healing magic related to water, divided into two types. Its origin is based on magic and holy power. The antidote spell you use is in the magic category, especially water, so it can significantly reduce the threat of poison!"

"Oh, I see! Still, wyverns are dangerous monsters! I trust your healing, Priestess!"

"You shouldn't rely too much on healing. While I'm not sure how much you know about healing, it's a type of magic that accelerates the body's recovery or heals through holy power..."

It had been half a year since I left the hero's party.

To achieve the achievement "Now I'm an S-rank adventurer," I joined the adventurer's guild and accepted every quest, regardless of the party members.

That's how I ended up in a party with these kids.

But isn't this a bit too much?

One is a know-it-all, and the other is a flower child...

Are adventurers really this abnormal?

In the past few months, among the people I've done quests with in this village, only a few were normal, and even the last quest was a mess.

"By the way, Sage."

"What is it?"

"There's a quest in the adventurer's guild. It's looking for you! The hero's party is looking for you a lot! Do you really not want to go?"

Ever since I left the hero's party a month ago, the number of times I was sought after, not only by the adventurer's guild but also by some villages, increased. When I checked, the hero, the knight, and the elf were looking for me.

They even came to some villages, but I never met them.

I didn't avoid them on purpose. If I did, they would have to avoid me.

The reason I didn't meet them was simple.

Listening to their long, emotional appeals was less important than achieving more achievements.

"Forget it."

"Wow! The hero's party..."

"Oh, please, Priestess. Shut up. It's time to hunt the wyvern."

"Wyvern! Mr. Wyvern! Hello!"

"Shut up too..."

I really feel like I'm losing my mind.

At least the kids in the hero's party were better...

Or were they?

Anyway, let's finish this quickly and get back. I have a lot to do.

Once we catch this wyvern, the quests in this village will be over.

I hope the next village has more normal people to quest with.

-Screeeech!!

A harsh scream filled the air, and the sky darkened. A monstrous creature with black spots all over its body.

The wyvern, with venomous eyes, was descending towards us.

Seeing this, the werewolf shaman raised his staff, and the priestess took out her holy book and began to pray.

As for me, the Sage...

"Bind."

I threw the prepared chains, and the wyvern, with its wings bound, crashed to the ground, dazed.

"Go!!"

I swung my hammer, using the warrior's basic skill, Crash.

While the wyvern was staggering from the blow, the shaman, holding a dagger, laughed and ran energetically.

"Wow! The wyvern is really big!"

"The wyvern is this big because it was baptized by chaos before the Demon King. Many monsters changed, but the wyvern changed significantly. The theory behind this is..."

My ears are ringing.

Can't you just shut up and fight?

...Really.

No matter whether in the past or now, there are no normal people in my party.

Everyone has a bit of mental illness, but in this game, even the supporting characters are stressed.

I can understand that.

Whether an adventurer or a hero's party, they sustain their lives by killing other beings.

Compared to a normal life, the burden is inevitably greater, affecting not only the body but also the mind.

"Whoa! We caught it! We caught it! The wyvern is nothing! Haha! Sage, you were right! Hunting is really easy! Can we catch other creatures too? How about a Twin Ogre? No! No! A Mud Dragon would be good too!! Or..."

"Wow! You know about Twin Ogres! They are really scary. A Twin Ogre has two heads..."

God gives us only the trials we can bear, but can't I get an easier one?

Last time, there was a sex addict. Before that, there was a guy with a wall.

This time, a manic kid who never stops laughing and talking and a know-it-all...

Why can't I have a party with normal people?

Anyway, the mission was over, and we returned to the village with the wyvern's head, the requested item.

"Alright. Let's disband and not see each other again."

"Ah, no! I want to continue working with Sage! How about a fixed party?! I'll apply! No! I'll apply, so just wait, Sage!"

"A fixed party is a group that can be formed by applying to the guild, usually consisting of adventurers who have worked together for a long time. Therefore..."

"Enough. Don't apply. You'll regret it."

I ignored their proposal. There are still many normal adventurers out there, so I don't want to continue working with these two.

I wondered why my performance was good, but my evaluation rank was low.

"Here."

I handed the wyvern's head to the adventurer's guild office instead of them. The staff member smiled brightly.

"Thank you for your hard work. Taming a wyvern isn't easy..."

"So, this village's old quests are over, right?"

"Um... yes, but, Sage. There's a letter from the royal family..."

"If it's from the hero's party, just throw it away."

"No, it's a direct letter from the royal family."

What if? I haven't even become an S-rank adventurer yet, but is there already a royal quest?

I took the letter from the staff member, opened it, and laughed.

"What is it?"

"The princess recommends me as her teacher."

"Wow! That's amazing!! Being a teacher to the royal family!"

She was jumping with excitement, but such an honor is just a part-time job to me.

It's just an opportunity to achieve the "S-rank Teacher" achievement, which usually requires several stages, in one go.

Anyway, there's no reason to refuse.

Even if I might meet the kids from the hero's party.

Author's Note (Author's Afterword)

Starting a new work :) Thank you~