31
Chapter 31
The next morning.
As soon as I opened my eyes, I stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment.
...Ugh, I feel refreshed for the first time in a while.
My legs are a bit sore, but there's no serious pain.
Honestly, I should be glad I don't have a single scratch after a fight like yesterday.
Suddenly, I thought about testing the Magic I received as a perk yesterday, but...
'It would be a disaster if I used it in the room, right?'
Since it's a Magic that creates fog, I decided to save it for next time.
As I sat up and looked around the room, a tiny figure scurrying on the desk caught my eye.
Click.
It was Gerangi.
The little guy who had actually pulled his weight yesterday despite his tiny body.
I swallowed a laugh and spoke to him.
"Gerangi, what was that ability you showed yesterday?"
Gerangi seemed to hear my voice, turning his small body to stare right at me.
...And then, click.
He raised his pincers in a shrug and let them drop.
Does that mean he doesn't know?
Well, he was like that before too. It might just be an instinctive power.
The blue barrier Gerangi deployed yesterday definitely felt similar to my [Water Barrier].
It must be an ability related to my Magic.
He only used it once yesterday, so maybe once a day is his limit?
Since we couldn't communicate, I could only make guesses.
"Yeah, anyway, thanks for yesterday."
Perhaps pleased by my praise, Gerangi wiggled his body left and right, dancing excitedly.
The sight was oddly cute, and a soft smile slipped out.
Swish.
I wedged a piece of Hardtack into Gerangi's pincer.
Gerangi tapped the Hardtack with his pincer, then continued his dance as if satisfied.
'Is it about time I leave this Village too?'
Barret's words from dinner last night crossed my mind.
They said they were heading back to the City since this commission was over.
That they had nothing left to do in this Village....
I guess there's no need for me to stick around this Village for long either.
Of course, I feel a little conflicted about leaving Old Man Brigan's training behind.
I thought it would be nice to train my body alongside my Magic, but reality hit hard after a few days.
Because my base stats were so low, using my body meant I would have to pour all my future Level Up perks into Physical Enhancement, which completely defeated the purpose.
...Do I really need to go that far?
I can use Magic in the first place.
There's no reason to risk close combat just to enhance my body.
In the end, the path I needed to choose became clearer.
'Yeah. Let's go to the City.'
I let out a quiet sigh and stood up.
I'll say my final goodbyes to Old Man Brigan when he gets back and then leave.
Seeing me stand up, Gerangi lightly waved his pincers and stood up with me.
He stared at the Hardtack wedged in his pincer for a while before finally gripping it slightly and popping it into his mouth.
Suddenly, my heart felt a little heavy.
My brief daily life in this Village was over, and new things would be waiting for me on the much bigger stage of the City.
If this were a game, it felt like finishing a side quest and moving on to the main quest.
Of course, it was a trash game where I had almost lost my life during that side quest.
I placed Gerangi into the small Pouch on my waist and slowly looked around the room.
'I stayed here for a long time.'
The worn-out Bed, the crumpled Blanket on it, and the Chair sitting by the window.
It had only been a little over a month, but quite a few traces of me were left in this room.
I glanced out the window for a moment.
The morning sunlight was softly falling over the Village path.
'...It really is time to leave now.'
I sighed, getting caught up in unnecessary early morning sentimentality.
My stomach let out a gurgle.
Feeling hungry at last, I smiled softly and opened the door.
When I stepped on the Stairs going down to the Dining Room, there was a creaking sound.
Perhaps because it was still early, the Dining Room was quiet.
However, Barret and a few Mercenaries were already eating breakfast.
The Dining Room was filled with the savory smell of Stew.
As the warm broth went down my throat, my tension eased a little.
Barret carefully opened his mouth.
"Lord Riv, are you planning to go to the City with us now?"
I put down my Spoon and gave a small nod.
"Yes. I think my work in this Village is done."
At that moment, the Dining Room door rattled open.
Old Man Brigan entered, bringing an unfamiliar woman beside him.
Brown hair reaching her shoulders, and a build about a head shorter than me.
For a moment, the woman's eyes that met mine were clear and cold.
Soon, Old Man Brigan spotted me and strode over to my side.
"Whoa, Riv. You were here."
I smiled awkwardly.
"When did you get back...?"
"I arrived before dawn yesterday. You had some trouble, I heard? I bet my training helped out, right?"
"..."
How should I put this.
Honestly, the close combat skills were mostly useless, but I did benefit from the increased stamina.
Perhaps noticing my sullen expression, the Old Man laughed out loud.
"What's with that face? Anyway, do you have anything to do right now?"
"Huh? Well, actually I was planning to leave for the City-"
"What? Haha! What a coincidence! I had something to entrust to you."
Something to entrust? What on earth.
The Old Man scratched his chin and lightly tapped the woman next to him.
"This here is Eileen, a girl entrusted to me by an acquaintance, and I just needed someone to send her to the City."
Before I could even react, Eileen bowed her head slightly.
"...I am Eileen. Please take care of me."
I hurriedly fixed my posture and sat up straight.
"Pardon? To, to me?"
Old Man Brigan looked down at me with his arms crossed and slightly raised the corners of his mouth.
"Yeah, you. I don't have anyone else to ask."
I let out a hollow laugh and grumbled.
"You should have taken her while you were out."
At that, the Old Man gave my forehead a light tap with his finger.
"Hey, you brat. Do you know how old I am? How am I supposed to walk all the way there."
I pouted my lips and thought to myself.
Not only do I not know how old he is, but where on earth did he go to be acting like this....
Old Man Brigan had already sat down next to me, casually picking up a Spoon as he spoke.
"Besides, wouldn't it be better than going alone? Go together. She's not a dangerous kid, so don't worry."
I hesitated and muttered.
"...I'm not alone, though. I'm going with Mr. Barret..."
Hearing that, Barret laughed out loud from the side.
"Lord Riv, we are fine with it. One Companion shouldn't be a problem."
I let out a long sigh inwardly.
Somehow, the atmosphere made it impossible to refuse.
"...Understood. I just need to take her to Mondak, right?"
Old Man Brigan patted his stomach as if he were full and said.
"Yeah, well, do you want me to pay you?"
I smiled slightly and waved my hand.
Considering how much I learned from that man, this wouldn't even cover the tuition fee.
After a bit of hesitation, I reached out my hand to Eileen.
"I'm Riv. I look forward to traveling with you, Ms. Eileen."
Eileen stared at my hand for a moment before carefully taking it.
"...I look forward to traveling with you as well."
Unlike her cold and firm-looking expression, her hand was warm and soft.
And so, we agreed on a schedule to leave the next day and parted ways.
***
The next day. The day to finally leave for the City dawned.
We woke up early and finished getting ready to depart.
We didn't have much luggage. I hardly had anything to call luggage to begin with, and Eileen only had one small Backpack.
"...Are you ready, Lord Riv?"
Barret spoke up.
I nodded my head.
"Yes. Ms. Eileen, are you ready?"
"Yes."
Eileen replied shortly.
Her eyes were still cold, but it didn't feel like she was being rude.
It must be because we were still awkward around each other.
We headed to the Village entrance.
Old Man Brigan came out to the front of the Village to see us off.
The Village Chief and Milen were also standing next to him.
"Alright, have a safe trip. Send a Letter when you arrive at Mondak, you brat."
"Got it, Old Man."
Honestly, I didn't even know how to send a Letter, but since the Old Man said that, I just nodded.
He's surprisingly a warm-hearted guy.
The Village Chief also stepped forward to greet us.
"Thank you for helping our Village."
At the end of his words, he even bowed his head.
Feeling embarrassed, I returned the greeting with a slight bow.
And so, we left Delhar Village behind and headed for the City.
To overcome the awkwardness, I spoke to her first.
Eileen looked at me for a moment and then nodded.
"Yes. It's my first time."
A short, stiff reply.
The conversation... got cut off again. I forced a smile and scratched my head.
'...Ah, what should I say.'
A voice from behind saved me.
"Lord Riv, don't be too tense."
It was Barret. A silver Mercenary Token flashed on his collar.
I smiled and turned my head.
"Is it obvious that I'm tense?"
Barret smiled and said.
"Yes, very."
Another Mercenary next to him giggled and threw a joke.
"I guess it's Lord Riv's first time traveling with a woman?"
I let out a hollow laugh and shrugged my shoulders.
"...How did you know."
Laughter spread around us, but Eileen continued to walk silently with an expressionless face.
Her attitude seemed completely unfazed by jokes.
As we walked along the path, the smell of grass grew stronger, and the breeze blowing from the Riverside brushed coolly against my face.
I kept my eyes on the scenery for a moment before looking at Eileen walking silently beside me.
"Are you tired?"
"...I'm fine."
A short and firm reply.
Thinking I asked for no reason, I swallowed a laugh inwardly.
Then Gailson strode over, looking back and forth between us, and said.
"Oh my, you two are so frustrating. Lord Riv, you should be a bit softer when talking to a lady."
Feeling wrongly accused, I hurriedly waved my hand.
"What did I do...."
At that moment, Eileen subtly raised the corners of her mouth from the side and said.
"I am fine."
Nick, who was walking far away, heard that, giggled, and cut in loudly.
"Gailson, you're clueless too. Last time you tried to confess to the Village Maiden-"
Gailson's face turned bright red as he rushed frantically towards Nick.
"Y-You bastard, shut up!"
Nick burst into laughter and quickly dodged, and the other Mercenaries nearby giggled as well.
I smiled slightly watching them.
A little later, Barret spoke to me again.
"So Lord Riv, what are you planning to do when you get to Mondak?"
I pondered for a moment before answering.
"I'm going to try and find some work first. I don't have any plans to settle down anywhere yet."
Barret nodded.
"Good thinking. I heard there's a lot of work over in Mondak these days."
I glanced over at Eileen.
She was still staring straight ahead without a single expression.
"Ms. Eileen..."
My words trailed off, but I eventually asked.
"If you don't mind, could I ask why you're going to the City?"
Eileen thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Well, there's someone I have to meet in the City."
"Someone to meet...?"
"..."
Her reaction made it seem like she couldn't say any more, so I couldn't find anything else to add.
Just then, Barret slipped closer.
I threw a glance at Eileen, but she didn't say a word.
I let out a small sigh.
The sun was gradually setting. Barret suggested we take a short break by the Riverside.
The Mercenaries set down their luggage and either drank water or plopped down on the Grassland.
I sat by the Riverside and kicked the water with my toes.
Eileen stood alone for a while before finally coming over to sit quietly beside me.
"...This is my first time. Going on such a long journey."
I looked at her in surprise.
It was the first time she had initiated a conversation.
"Really?"
"Yes. I was always stuck inside the castle."
"...Were you a Noble?"
Eileen looked at me as if slightly surprised, then gave a small laugh.
"No, I wasn't. However, my family was affiliated with the castle."
I didn't ask any more after that. She didn't continue speaking either.
For a while, only the sound of the wind lingered between us.
"How was life in the castle?"
I asked cautiously.
"...Every day was a repetition of the exact same tasks. Like a waterwheel."
From the look on her face as she gave that short reply, I could tell it wasn't a very fond memory.
"Still, the time I spent learning Swordsmanship was fun."
The short Two-handed Sword at her waist caught my eye.
I thought it was just for self-defense, but I guess not.
"So you learned Swordsmanship?"
"Just a little. There was a Knight at the castle."
Could that Knight be an acquaintance of Old Man Brigan?
The thought quietly crossed my mind.
But it felt awkward to dig any deeper into the topic.
So this time, I picked up the conversation.
The story of escaping the Dungeon, being chased by Goblins, and catching the Demonic Human.
I began to unpack the Bundle of stories I had experienced before.
Of course, I left out the fact that I was a Prisoner.
Eileen listened quietly to my words for a long time before finally asking in a small voice.
"...Since when did you use Magic, Lord Riv?"
"...Me? Hmm... fairly recently."
"You must have talent."
"Haha... No. Rather than that, I just got lucky."
At those words, Eileen nodded for a moment.
Seeing that, I felt a little relieved.
At least we can actually hold a conversation.
Barret jumped to his feet and spoke.
"Alright, let's get moving again! We need to go as far as we can before the sun goes down!"
The Mercenaries got up from their spots one by one.
I shook off my wet feet and stood up.
And with that, we hit the road once more.