Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Beastkin
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Since Ermé had stepped forward with such confidence, it was time for me to do my part.
First things first, I needed a house.
'More precisely, I need stuff to fill the house with.'
To do that, a place to live was essential.
And alchemy catalysts, along with materials for making poisons and potions.
Once I bought it all, thirty platinum coins were gone.
'What a rip-off.'
It was pretty bleak.
The places had been recommended by Volkan and Ermé, so the quality was guaranteed, but...
'No, fuck, my money!!'
I screamed inwardly, but all that came out were heavy sighs.
I knew it was all necessary spending, but it still hurt down to the bone.
'Money I saved up so frugally.'
Still, the labyrinth haul from last time hadn't been settled yet, which was some consolation.
'If things go well, I might pocket at least one platinum.'
I hummed along as I headed to the Adventurer's Guild.
Maybe because of the rain yesterday, a lot of people who were with us decided to rest, making the place packed.
And on one side, I saw people crying.
Hilda was caught up with them, and they soon approached me.
"These folks came for the belongings you brought back."
"Ah, the belongings."
"Th-thank you. Thanks to you, we can at least hold a funeral."
My heart grew a little heavier.
After the bereaved left, I settled up with Hilda in the payout room.
Normally, Ermé would handle this, but today I took care of it.
'Well, she's busy, so no choice.'
She's running around like crazy to bolster the clan, so I have to step up.
Once I got to the payout room...
"In total, five platinum coins."
"...Whoa."
An enormous sum.
Of course, this wasn't all mine.
It still had to be split.
'But my share's the biggest anyway.'
The world started looking beautiful.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Ermé said she'd prepare clan members, so I had my own preparations to make.
I'd bought a new house, but we were still in the middle of moving, so doing it there felt off.
So in my inn room, I sat on the bed and looked at Rishiel.
'Time to get ready.'
I'll use anything I can.
That's my philosophy.
- ...Why are you looking at me with those eyes?
'The time has come. We've got a clan now, so we need to expand the party.'
- You want my recommendation? Sorry to disappoint, but from here, the only one I can suggest is Sylvanas. I don't even know why that bitch came here in the first place.
'What are you talking about.'
- ...?
I looked at Rishiel, who kept spouting nonsense, and said,
'I told you. There's a speed-focused swordsman.'
- ...Wait, you. Don't tell me?
'Time to give your body back.'
I pulled Rishiel's corpse out of Hidden Space.
The body still held a faint warmth.
'...Preserved right from the moment of death.'
So her skills shouldn't have degraded.
I took out her soul stone.
And embedded it straight into her body.
Her pale skin gained a bit of warmth.
I looked around, but Rishiel was nowhere to be seen.
'This feels a bit...'
Empty.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ While Ermé was bustling about recruiting party members,
I was currently glaring sullenly at one man.
"What."
"Don't glare like that. Normally, I'd hesitate even for pay, but this feels like free labor."
"Free labor my ass. You're just refusing because of that sword, aren't you?"
"...That's why I hate sharp guys."
A sigh escaped as I looked at Diago talking nonsense.
Why was I stuck with this guy?
"The holy sword still causing trouble?"
"Yeah, whining about wanting to go to you."
"Just take it to that genius or whatever the Empire's hiding."
"Well, I think it'd settle down then."
Diago sighed deeply and said,
"The problem is it wants to see you."
"Why's that a problem."
Did it have a twisted personality like Veronica?
"You don't know that existence. Just its talent alone brings despair to every genius."
"Why would something like that be interested in me."
"Because you're one of the top hero candidates."
"..."
Honestly, I wasn't that interested.
The fate of an entire race riding on one person. Veronica called it the hero.
'An existence that determines a race's rise and fall.'
They were even called the hope of their race.
Humans always produced a Saintess,
but it wasn't always the case for other races.
To put it simply, the Sword Hero. Most came from orcs,
but occasionally dwarves or elves too,
and sometimes total outsiders popped up.
'Humans usually just produced Saintesses.'
This time was different.
Sword Hero.
The Empire's secret weapon.
That existence had burst onto the scene.
"Honestly, I hope you sort this out quick."
"Sort what out?"
"The holy sword choosing you. I think it's fine if you become the Thief Hero... but that's me as an Empire bureaucrat and guild member. As a person, having her by your side... no, maybe you'd be different."
He's playing both sides of the drum and cymbal by himself.
"I hope you don't get dragged in."
"Just what is this existence that's got everyone in a frenzy?"
"Genius Killer. Heard the nickname?"
"Yeah."
"Kills geniuses. Literal meaning. Its talent is so brutally distant even to other geniuses. Glances once and masters intermediate swordsmanship on the spot. More ridiculous? In spars, it uses swordsmanship optimized for the opponent."
"...?"
Isn't that normal?
I could do it with Sword Master.
"But you're different. Even among geniuses. You're the one who can match that absurd genius step for step."
Diago rarely praised me.
"That's why I'm worried. The Empire's all-in project. If it sees you as a threat, who knows what they'll do."
"...I'm a thief to begin with."
"That's a problem too. An elf's signature archer hero job just popped up."
"What bullshit is this guy spouting now."
Volkan cut in.
Diago beamed at him.
"Brother!"
"Who the hell's your brother! And I've told you a million times: don't give advice with your narrow worldview."
"But this is important advice. The Empire's hidden sword is interested in this guy."
Volkan frowned at Diago's words.
"Ah, that kid? In pure sword talent, this guy's better."
"See? That's why..."
"By a hair."
Volkan cut Diago off before he finished.
"And he's a thief to begin with. Pair him with that kid for synergy. The gap's razor-thin anyway. Effort can close it."
"...That close?"
"Didn't you see?"
"See what?"
"You've got eyes but no vision. Incredible."
Volkan sighed in exasperation.
One thing bugged me.
"If our sword talents are that close, isn't that bad?"
"Don't downplay your own talent. You're more than that."
A guy wielding other races' sword styles can't be ordinary, right?
Volkan muttered low enough for only me to hear.
"Wait, if sword talent's that equal..."
"Add everything else, and you might surpass."
Volkan stopped there, grabbed my back, and yanked me up.
"Anyway, let's go. Looks like you haven't trained lately."
"Been busy..."
"Whatever, hurry up. You've hit level 4, so more crap to handle."
"How'd you know?"
"You come back radiating killer intent like you wanna murder someone, and ask how I knew? Hilarious."
"Just leveled up, couldn't control it."
"Hilarious."
Volkan smirked and dragged me off somewhere.
"Decided on a title yet?"
"Title?"
"Yeah, around level 4, they start sticking. I'm pushing Sword Ghost."
"...You self-proclaim or force that?"
"I'm the Sword King."
So, power play.
'Sword Ghost.'
Not bad. Better than something weird.
"Lots call themselves Sword Ghost, so maybe prefix it. Self-Spinning Sword Ghost?"
"Eh, kinda."
"Jealous? Get stronger. Make Sword Ghost fit you."
"..."
"Your nickname'll probably be dragon though."
"Dragon?"
"Yeah, in the East, they call young hotshots like you dragons or phoenixes. Caught on here, now any standout twenty-something gets called that."
"What about that Genius Killer?"
"Ho, you showing interest? Rare."
Volkan spat it out casually.
"Heavenly Dragon. That's what they call the kid."
"Heavenly Dragon..."
"I call 'em kid, but the talent's real. Give it ten years, might overtake me."
I looked at Volkan in surprise.
First time he'd praised someone so openly.
"What about me?"
"Hmm."
Volkan pondered his evaluation.
"Originally figured five years."
"Five years?"
"Now? No clue. Growth speed's insane."
"Ho."
"Don't get cocky. Almost there, so watch yourself from now."
Looking around at Volkan's words, the path felt familiar.
When was I last here?
'...Miss it.'
Nokgolma.
Nation and Viola came to mind.
And at the end of this path,
'Guild Master.'
That existence waited.
But it was different now. Specifically,
'No presence like before.'
Instead, another presence prickled.
"Watch yourself means?"
"Someone ahead wants to see you. I figure it's no loss for you."
"Loss?"
"Burkan level."
"Orc hero candidate..."
"Not an orc this time."
Click.
Volkan opened the door, and a wild scent wafted out.
"Ho, so you're the famous one."
A playful expression on a non-human face.
The classic fox ears.
Snow-white hair, eyes glowing blue.
"Greet me first. This one is a beastkin hero candidate, the forest's sharpest claw, descendant of the bravest wolfman Fenrir..."
The beastkin trailed off, staring blankly at me.
"...?"
Why'd she stop?
She realized, flushed embarrassed,
and said,
"............Please call this servant Cheongyurang, with affection."
"...?!?!?!?!?!?!"
What the hell.