Chapter 65

"Really, I'm so sorry!!"

A loud apology echoed throughout the guild.

Seeing this, the hunters near the reception, who were busy with cashing out, distributing rewards, and eating, fell silent and watched the scene.

"Um... please, at least lift your head."

"No! It's not that easy to lift! To push a monster onto someone who came to help me... I really, really feel so sorry..."

This is troublesome... This person's sincerity has already been conveyed clearly.

So I don't intend to do anything about it, and besides, I returned almost unscathed, so I didn't suffer any real harm.

Perhaps the incident with Adept before has made him even more nervous.

"Alright, I forgive you for today's incident. As you can see, I'm fine, so please lift your head."

Hearing this, the man finally raised his head.

"I really appreciate your kindness... However, if there's anything I can do for you—anything at all? You did so much, so please tell me!"

Oh... He's really principled or something.

By the way, Lady Reia mentioned that the axe-wielding man was still concerned about you even when he was running away.

But what can I say when he asks me to tell him anything...

Glancing at Amanda, she sighed but explained the situation.

"Alba came to report today's events. He said he pushed a monster onto the boy who came to help and ran away. When I told him he hasn't returned yet, he said he would wait here..."

"I see."

"But it's good. If it was just a boy, it would probably be Loki, and I thought he would be fine, but the guild members were all worried?"

Hearing this, I looked at the office side, and I met the eyes of Peyro, who knows my situation, and others whose faces I recognize but haven't spoken to.

So, while bowing to everyone, I briefly confirmed the situation.

"By the way, I think there were four people in the party at that time. What about the other three?"

At this, both Alba and Amanda had a bitter expression.

"I'm sorry... As soon as they found out you were the one who had a conflict with Adept, they fled from this town..."

"This is my fault. I told him that if he messed with Loki, it wouldn't be cheap..."

"Oh no..."

But I can't blame Amanda.

If he had dodged this apology and acted nonchalantly, I would have considered making him pay for something serious.

"I understand the situation. I've properly accepted your apology, so you don't need to worry anymore. Just be more careful next time."

"Huh? N-no, but! The worst-case scenario could have been that only you survived, and the others might have died!"

"Hmm, well, it could have happened depending on the situation—but I'm alive, right?"

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Thanks to you, I'm fine."

"You fought two orcs alone...? What's going on...?"

"There's no real harm, and it seems Alba has reflected on his actions... If I see the other three, I might beat them up, but I don't intend to do anything to Alba."

"But, but! My conscience..."

Hmm.

He must be really tormented by guilt.

Indeed, if I had been a bit weaker, the one who came to help might have died horribly, and the ones who were helped would have fled.

If I were in his position—

Yeah, I wouldn't be able to sleep properly for a while if I had a guilty conscience.

So, making a light request might help Alba feel better.

"Hmm... hmm... hmm..."

"Loki? Are you okay?"

He is a hunter who hunts in the Ruru Forest.

Currently, he is in a party dissolution state and is probably alone.

His age is... around his 30s, and he seems to be experienced as a hunter.

But fighting two orcs is probably a struggle for him...

"Hey! Loki! Are you listening?"

"Ah, I was just thinking about something."

"You sometimes seem to drift off somewhere..."

"Hehe... I often end up like this when I'm thinking. So, Alba."

"W-what?"

"Although it's not because of this incident—there might be a win-win situation for both of us, so would you like to talk with me for a bit?"

Saying this, I proposed a 'negotiation.'

"Huh?"

I pushed Alba, who didn't quite understand my question, towards an empty table.

"Let's sit there. Ah, I'll have a fruit water ice version, please! Would you like something to drink, Alba?"

"N-no, I'll pass..."

"Let me know if you get thirsty. I'll treat you."

"A-ah..."

He looks confused, but this could be a beneficial talk for Alba.

I might ask some impolite questions, but please bear with me.

"Then I'll ask you a few questions. Don't worry, they won't be too difficult, so feel free to answer."

Saying this, I started to confirm if my plan was feasible.

"Are you from this town, Alba?"

"Huh? Yeah, but..."

"When did you become a hunter?"

"Since I was 10."

"So you've been a hunter for quite a long time. You're currently E-rank, right?"

"Right."

"Since the other three fled, you're alone now, right?"

"Right."

"What are your plans for the future?"

"I might join another party hunting in Ruru or earn a living alone in Palmera, where it's not too difficult..."

"I see... So there are a few parties you could join?"

"Having been a hunter for a long time, I have some acquaintances."

"By the way, how many monsters in Ruru can you handle alone?"

"Huh, alone...?"

"Yes. For example, you can't handle orcs, but you can handle two small wolves... Just a rough idea is fine."

"Hmm... I can barely handle one orc, but I can handle small wolves or rig spiders one-on-one without much trouble. However, I don't have much confidence in handling multiple at once."

"I see, I see... How about the other parties you're considering joining?"

"What about them?"

"Are their skills similar to yours? Can they handle an orc alone, or do they avoid fighting multiple orcs even in a party?"

"There is one particularly strong party in Bezart, but the others are similar to what I just said."

I see.

The particularly strong party must be the one using the extra-large cage that Rody mentioned.

"So, the daily earnings in Ruru would be around 200,000 to 300,000 for a party?"

"Yeah... but 300,000 is a stretch. Even in my party, we would stuff as much meat as possible and return to town after hunting one orc. Even if we got materials from other monsters, it often just slightly exceeds 200,000 a day."

"That's divided among the party members, right?"

"Right."

"I understand, thank you. I apologize for asking so many detailed questions."

"No, it's not about skills or anything, so it's fine—did you learn something from this?"

"Yes, perfectly."

This is enough to proceed.

The rest depends on whether the conditions are met and whether he is willing to do it.

Even if Alba doesn't agree, it's not a problem.

This was not part of the original plan, so it's just an extra.

"Then, let me make a proposal. Of course, you can refuse, but please at least hear me out."

Saying this, I explained my plan.