Chapter 84
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Escort Request
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I have no talent.
That said, it had been proven that a lack of talent could be overcome to a certain extent through sheer effort.
Of course, the effort I was talking about wasn't the ordinary kind.
People often said that Silver rank was the realm of talent, something ordinary folks couldn't reach even at the upper echelons of Bronze.
It wasn't sour grapes; it was just the way of the world, so it was undoubtedly true.
Yet here I was, talentless but aiming for Silver rank. This went beyond talent or effort—it was clearly a difference in support.
In the Demon Realm, where even decent Silver ranks could barely cling to life, two Gold-rank adventurers protected me, allowing me to undergo even more aggressive training with my life assured.
Others lost their lives the moment crisis struck.
The world wasn't forgiving enough to let you survive crises and grow from them.
But I could.
In the past half-year, I'd faced nearly triple-digit brushes with death, yet thanks to Helen and the witch, I'd never lost my life once.
That allowed me to correct my mistakes and grow.
Who in the world gets support like that?
Gold ranks often took disciples under their wing, but they'd pick the talented ones and provide appropriate guidance.
There wouldn't be anyone else doing what they did for me—and succeeding.
"Now you're finally worth looking at."
That was Helen's evaluation of me.
I'd been fighting by relying on traits and skills, and my fundamentals were shakier than I'd thought.
So Helen filled in those gaps, and I absorbed every lesson without missing a beat.
"At this rate, you could hold your own against the lower-tier Silver ranks, right?"
"I don't think so."
"You have such weird abilities. In a prolonged fight, they'd get used to them and you'd be at a disadvantage, but in a short burst? Who knows!"
"Is that so...?"
Maybe because the Silver ranks I'd seen were so impressive.
Honestly, Helen's words felt exaggerated, but I took them in with a thrilled heart, knowing they meant I'd grown that much.
"So, what now?"
"Yeah, what now."
Everything in the Demon Realm was wrapped up.
I'd grown, and through the witch, I'd gotten a clue about the strange events unfolding in Heron.
"Someone connected to demons is in the capital's upper echelons, right?"
That's why they'd been wandering around so openly.
I had no intention of returning to a place like that.
I worried about Shan and Marcel in the capital, but with their skills, they'd be fine and we'd surely meet again somewhere. I needed to focus on myself first.
Especially since that demon had seemed interested in me.
"So then..."
I didn't know much about this world, so I had no idea where to go, but shifting my thinking from "where" to "who to meet and talk to" brought the answer quicker than expected.
"I'm thinking of going to meet the Saint."
Another playable character like me.
It had been a while since Rie abandoned me, so I lacked info on her side. Meeting the Saint seemed the surest way to get it.
If reaching out recklessly reignited Rie's interest in me, that could be a headache.
But better to actively figure out the disaster coming my way than sit idle and wait for it.
"The Saint, huh... Guess we won't see each other for a while then?"
"...Pardon?"
"We weren't going to stick together forever. I'm planning to leave not just the capital, but the whole country for a bit."
Helen had been dreading a return ever since that letter.
Unlike me, who thought avoiding the capital would suffice, she was fleeing the country entirely.
It felt jarring compared to her usual confident demeanor—she looked scared.
Noticing my gaze, Helen flicked my forehead lightly and clicked her tongue.
"Leave a country where demon worshippers run rampant? Have they gone mad? Sure, everywhere has some rot, but you can overlook that. This? No way."
She had a point.
If only parts were rotten, you could cut them out and heal. But that letter suggested the whole kingdom was festering.
No matter how skilled Helen was, it was beyond fixing.
"So... we're parting ways."
"No need to look so down. Back then, maybe, but you won't get beaten up everywhere you go now."
Helen patted my shoulder, and I nodded.
Now, I could charge a goblin village head-on, take some damage sure, but wipe them out solo.
I wasn't a powerhouse yet, but definitely no weakling.
"You'll just get picked on looking so young, but that's for you to handle."
"Can't help that..."
Rie had made me this way from the start—it was something I had to endure.
If I'd grown just 10cm taller, no regrets, but potions could restore lost limbs, not promote growth.
Well, growth potions existed, but they only worked during growth phases. Mine was fixed, so useless.
"Sigh..."
Arm length mattered for swordsmen.
Proportions were fine, but overall shortness made this body the worst for swordsmanship.
Not just fighting— it looked easy prey too.
I packed my bags with a sigh.
Barely changed from when I entered the Demon Realm.
Two swords.
Subspace bag and clothes.
A few potions from Helen and dried food.
"You two still haven't left?"
The witch approached with leisurely steps unfit for her short legs.
Come to think of it, I'd owed her a ton too, even more than Helen maybe.
Helen trained me, but the witch handled everything else.
Helen saved me from death's door, but the witch healed me and made the potions.
Plus food and shelter. I bowed in thanks.
I probably wouldn't return after leaving the Demon Realm.
This was goodbye.
"Unlike that worthless one beside you, you know gratitude."
The witch approached, beaming proudly, and handed me a wooden box.
"...What's this?"
"Things born and raised in the Demon Realm. Common here, but valuable outside. Take them."
"...And me?"
"You're asking for some without even a thank you...?"
The witch eyed Helen pitifully but fetched her own wooden box anyway.
She looked younger than me but was in her 80s, I guess.
Like a generous grandma.
"The worthless one’s fleeing Heron, so fine. Eli."
"Yes."
"Dying's your fate, but don't go out too pathetically."
"...Yes."
Her way of worrying.
I clenched my fist.
I had no plans to die pathetically. With solid basics, I knew how to build on them.
"Well, time to go."
Goodbyes were brief. Helen and I left the Demon Realm together.
Then she went the opposite way. First time truly alone in ages.
A twinge of unease at losing my guardians, but I shook it off vigorously.
After all that care, it was time to stand on my own.
Grandpa, Shan, Marcel, Helen, the witch.
Can't rely on protection forever.
"I'm not as helpless as before..."
I wouldn't let pointless anxiety take hold.
Calming my thoughts, I started walking.
Demon Realm vicinity was lawless—escape first, then hit a guild in any city for the Saint's whereabouts.
Five days passed like that.
Lonely moving solo, but not truly alone.
Ran into three bandit groups in five days. Sliced them while gathering info.
Capital seemed peaceful on the surface.
No incidents since I left; demon worshippers spotted once a month ago but quickly purged.
"...More peaceful than I thought."
While I rolled in the Demon Realm, the world flowed on peacefully, at least outwardly.
A thought crossed: maybe because I hid in the Demon Realm.
Self-centered maybe, but incidents swirled around playable characters naturally.
No flaunting, so quieter? Fantasy shattered recalling other playables.
The Saint, that doll guy.
Both active; no way peaceful without me.
Or maybe bandits like these knew nothing substantial.
Outcasts with no skills turn to banditry last.
Expecting more from them was foolish.
Sorting info, another five days to a village where I bought a horse.
Walking wasted too much time.
Another week on horseback.
Finally reached a city.
Guards gawked at a little girl on horse alone but waved me through after showing Silver tag.
Thanks to the witch's lenses maybe.
No hostility on sight.
Just curiosity. I looked like a kid, after all.
Ignored the stares—used to hate-mixed looks anyway—and headed to the guild for Saint info.
Recent movements: completed pilgrimage, returned home to rest in a distant port city.
"...A month from here, huh."
Sudden halt after pilgrimage bugged me, but made finding easier.
Still, time too precious to just travel. Found a decent request.
Area lawless, lots of escort quests.
One heading my way.
"...Hmm."
Large merchant caravan escort.
Pay good, min req Silver—doable.
"Departure in two days..."
Hadn't rested coming here; perfect.
Great deal, no hesitation—took it, headed to client’s lodging.
Simple test there, then hired.
Surprisingly, familiar adventurers waiting, undergoing same tests.
Sparring caravan's exclusive guards.
Watching, seemed enduring decently sufficed over winning.
That’s what I thought.
I could win that easy...
My turn came. Guard smirked, underestimating the kid.
I smiled back.
"Quit now if you don't wanna get hurt."
"Heh."
Guard seemed strong for Silver, but my standards too high now.
His words just funny.
Realizing I wouldn't back down, he sighed, gripped spear—gaps everywhere.
I charged, sword in scabbard.
He swung desperately; I ducked low with small frame, jabbed scabbard at his throat unsheathed.
Overwhelming win exploiting carelessness.
No traits or skills used. I beamed proudly; his face flushed crimson, distorted.
Could blame underestimation, but crushed by a little girl? Humiliating.
Guessing his feelings, patted his shoulder comfortingly with small hand.
His face went redder, if possible.
Two days later.
I sat closest, guarding the caravan's youngest young master.
...The spot the test guard held originally.
"...Hmm."
Uncomfortable position.