End of the Grind

Three days later.

"This is the head of the Shadow Lord."

I pulled out the massive beast's head and set it on the counter. The charred black fur and the eyes still gleaming with eerie coldness made the surrounding adventurers gulp audibly.

There was the Gondor Viscount matter too, but for a first official mission, my influence had jumped in one go. Still, it left a bitter taste. If I'd been the Sword Hero, this mission alone would've netted over 5,000. We'd stopped a mercenary riot and foiled the viscount's scheme, yet only 1,700 total... Probably no fame bonus as a merc. Nothing to be done about it. I'd just have to grind it out with my body.

"Man, Tanas, that thing was no joke, huh?"

Gran, who'd fought alongside me on this monster subjugation, clapped my shoulder with a booming laugh.

"He's gonna be Artem's hope for the future."

Jack, standing beside him, nodded nonchalantly.

"Using that Poison Spider's web like that... You're a real genius!"

"Thanks to you, Mr. Tanas, we cleared a dangerous mission smoothly."

"No big deal. You all drew its aggro, so it was easy pickings."

"Hahaha..."

They knew it too. Without me, the mission would've failed—we might be in the Shadow Lord's gut by now. The web trick was just a glitch I'd picked up from the game, but when I first pulled it off, everyone freaked out screaming.

"Gran, if that idiot hadn't tripped, we'd have been back a day sooner."

"What? You let it slip away."

"Hey! I was holding off the Shadow Wolves!"

The senior adventurers traded light jabs before sheepishly handing over a massive sack.

"What's this?"

"Your cut of the loot, Tanas."

Fangs, hides, crude weapons the monster carried—at a glance, my share was several times bigger than Gran's, Jack's, or the other three's. Fair based on contribution, sure. But I shook my head and pushed the sack back.

"Nah, this is too much for me. Half's plenty."

"Eh? But you did way more..."

"Yes, this covers what you did yesterday and the day before."

"It wasn't anything special. Plus, we mapped the whole area thanks to it, right? We're fellow adventurers— we risked our lives together. Loot should be split evenly this time."

"Still..."

"The priest says so— you sure you don't need it?"

"Fine. If you're that guilty, give me first dibs on items next time."

"D-Deal?"

My firm response lit up their faces. The young priest wiped away tears, moved. No one with a full purse risks their neck as an adventurer. Guild quest rewards helped, but real money came from selling monster drops. Shadow Lord's hide and horns were top-shelf—demand outstripped supply.

"Damn, I really like this guy!"

"Right? Skilled and humble..."

Gran threw an arm around me.

"Tanas."

"Yeah?"

"Wanna marry my little sister?"

"What?"

What the hell?

"Can't marry me, after all."

"Ahahahaha!!"

"Look at that flustered face!"

The adventurers burst out laughing. Three days of life-or-death had bonded us seniors pretty tight.

"No wonder Milen praised you so much."

"Hey, think about it for real. Not joking—my sis would like you too. Want me to set something up?"

"Shut it."

Sharing some junk items sped up my Artem rep grind—worth way more to me.

"Tanas, got time left? Let's grab a drink."

"Guild master's calling."

"Oh? Wait here then."

With their cheers, I headed upstairs.

"Ooooh! Tanas! Our hero! Welcome!"

The guild master, who'd been wheezing like a plague victim on day one, now threw his arms wide at my A-rank success.

After chatting mission details, I said,

"I have a favor to ask."

"Ooh! Anything! I'll pull strings for you."

"I'd like to start a mercenary guild—even a small one."

Outside big cities, adventurer and mercenary guilds rarely overlapped. Requests overlapped too much—splitting the pie. Unspoken rule, like no convenience store next to another, no cafe beside a cafe.

"With Gondor Viscount gone, does Artem even need ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mercenaries?"

I gave a handy excuse.

"Demon King's forces have me worried. Better to prepare."

"Eastern front's holding. Got reliable intel."

"Prep now, before it hits. Too late after."

"Worried about raiders?"

"Something like that."

He eyed me, then nodded.

"Hmm... Overkill to me, but can't ignore you. Consider it done."

He accepted the pushy ask cleanly. Maybe wanted to do something for me.

"Off you go. Lots to do now."

Back in the main hall,

"Tanas!"

Milen approached, linking arms lightly, mouth agape.

"Heard? You cleared an A-rank!"

"Got lucky."

"Whoa... 'Got lucky,' he says."

I grinned at the adventurers around.

"Drinks on me tonight."

"What? For real?"

"Knew it! Tanas!"

"Damn! Best adventurer ever!"

Hoisting the gold pouch, I thought: Merc guild, adventurer guild, double-barrel grind.

After that, I piled up fame doing guild quests.

"Ten thousand, let's go!!"

I yelled after nailing the last A-rank.

Gonna take a while. Even with Springfield nobles' favor, only 4k. Long road ahead—and mostly B-rank or lower now.

"Ten thousand? What do you mean...?"

The receptionist gawked at me like I was nuts.

"Gonna hit ten thousand."

"Ah..."

Whispers rippled around.

"He's insane! Has anyone ever grinded for Artem like this?"

"Ashamed I shunned him as an outsider. Tanas... he's the real deal!"

Grinded like mad, still only half to 10k. No helping it. Next quest...

"Knight-nim! It's been a while—it's me!"

Frisia Springfield approached, elegantly lifting her dress hem in greeting.

"Frisia? What's up?"

"I asked you to visit our estate... but you forgot, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠so I came myself—it's me!"

Truth was, I skipped on purpose. Springfield finances were shaky to start, and after hiring all those mercs last time, they were tapped out. That's why they were thrilled handing over Gondor's territory. No need to burden them when they could barely pay rewards. The Earth Lord's orb was nice, but no immediate use anyway.

"But knight-nim, where are you headed—it's me?"

"Mad Spider subjugation."

"Then me too—I'll go too!"

She added softly, "I'll help, so it'll end quick—it's me!"

"......"

Hesitation lasted a blink. I nodded. Before shifting her to frontline, checking her mage skills wasn't bad.

But it was a mistake.

"Haat! Flame Cannon! It's me!"

KABOOM!

A massive flame beam erupted from Frisia's fingertips, slicing the air. Overwhelming power—the problem? It slammed right into my feet, not the target Mad Spider.

"Where the hell are you aiming?!"

"O-Ohohohoho! J-Just testing your skills, knight-nim! F-For real—it's me!"

Bullshit.

"Heheung!"

She averted her eyes, slinking away—clearly panicked. Frisia's firepower was solid, but accuracy? Blind-level.

"......"

Other adventurers just watched silently. But their eyes screamed: 'Wish she'd stayed behind...'

Then it happened. The forest shadows twisted, a huge shape bursting out.

"Mother! It's the Mother Spider!"

"The spider... is jumping?!"

Insane leap sent it airborne.

"Block it!"

"Shit! Too far!"

Right over Frisia's head mid-chant. Her eyes froze in terror.

"Eek!"

Too late. Flash!

I squeezed out my last hoarded inner energy. My form shot like lightning, closing the gap in an instant. I yanked her slim waist. Backlash made me cough lightly.

"K-Knight-nim...!"

"You okay?"

She clung tight, nuzzling my back, hands shaking. The others piled in soon after, stabbing the Mother's head.

"Whew..."

Subjugation success, but massive loss. Weeks of gritted-teeth inner energy cultivation—gone in one movement technique.

'For real?'

After repeated breathing exercises, I realized: no more martial arts like before. Some massive law blocked inner energy accumulation. I could pull congenital essence or demonic arts briefly, but not sustain. Like having a car with no fuel.

Nothing changed. My path was set. No excuses fit my style. Demon King's head comes off, come hell or high water. Hero body was sturdy at least—roll a few more times like always.

As I thought that, Frisia—still rubbing her cheek on my back—spoke softly.

"Knight-nim... Sorry about earlier."

Her voice unusually subdued, speech off too.

"Should've dodged fast... but my legs... wouldn't move..."

"......"

"I was scared... Disqualified as a mage, right...?"

I trudged on, replying flatly.

"You're safe—that's what matters. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Who predicts flying spiders?"

"......"

Short answer. She rubbed her cheek again, then asked,

"Knight-nim, why're you so nice to me? I'm just baggage, no matter how I think..."

I chuckled. Why nice? Obvious.

"Didn't I say? You're a noble lady—being nice so I can devour you later when you make it big. Grateful? Serve me better from now on."

Frisia giggled, perking up. Quick recovery as always.

"...Heheung! As expected, knight-nim saw my value early—it's me!"

Top-tier attack, physical/magic defense—cheat character, that's Frisia. Needed to raise her fast into a real asset. Long way, though. Guess I'd roll harder.

Then,

"...Knight-nim."

As Artem came into view,

"Could you teach me swordsmanship—it's me?"

I halted.

"What?"

The reason I'd grinded fame for Hero of Artem—to trigger the event after: Hero's Disciple.

End of the grind.