Chapter 15. I'm Right Here.
Finally, I'd established the guild. From application to approval, it took two whole weeks. The filing fee wasn't cheap either. But the reason I'd gone through with it anyway was simple: guild members fell under guild law. That was exactly why I hadn't been able to strong-arm the orc healer Gorsh into joining.
The guild's initial members were Gid, Yael, Mahushu, and Kayak. Grace and Grendal would decide after this expedition.
With that, guild business was all wrapped up. Now it was time to gear up for the expedition. The grace period between missions was exactly half a year. By the time I'd returned from Crescent Lake, more than three months had already slipped by, so time wasn't exactly on our side. We had a little over a month left.
Once you hit A-rank hero, that deadline stretched to a full year, and S-rank eliminated it altogether. But reaching those heights would take me a few more years at least.
Anyway, I'd already decided what this expedition would target. To avenge Grace and Grendal, we were going demon hunting. I headed to the mission depository and grabbed handwritten copies of the quest scroll myself.
It was the mission to slay the demon Genevy. Two years ago, B-rank hero Rayg's team had taken it and failed. Left untouched since, the contribution points had climbed to 80. To promote from C-rank to B-rank, you needed 150 points, so completing this would fill more than half the requirement in one go.
Demon Genevy... The bastard lurked in some labyrinth deep in the Monster Plains, far to the continent's southeast. Distance-wise, it was much closer than the last expedition. But the difficulty was nothing to scoff at.
Just the fact that it was in the Monster Plains guaranteed those high points. The climate there was milder than here—decent for camping, though swarms of bugs were a pain, and any food that wasn't properly dried spoiled fast. At least the rivers meant no worries about drinking water.
The real terror of the Monster Plains was the swamp smack in the middle. To reach the labyrinth, you had to cross it—a real slog. But since everyone had experience from the first expedition, I figured we'd manage without too much trouble.
We'd pass through four cities en route: two mid-sized ones and two small ones, no major metropolises. I'd budgeted half a year for the round trip, generous estimate. The distance was shorter than to the western demon realm, but rooting out the demon from the labyrinth would eat up time. It wouldn't be an easy road.
No wonder heroes ignored it. Still, gaining Grace and Grendal made it a net win in my book. A healer of her caliber was rare. Sure, her fragility meant we had to protect her, but her years surviving as a hero carried weight you couldn't ignore.
Compared to mercenary bands or guilds, hero teams had way higher mortality rates. Lasting that long meant top-tier adaptability and skill. Of course, she came with issues—chain-smoking, potty mouth, anxiety, occasional freakouts—but those would improve with time.
I spent the next week prepping. Everyone was a veteran now, so they handled their own gear-ups thoroughly. We replaced all equipment with fresh stuff. For Yael, I shelled out big for a staff topped with a small mana orb.
Grendal the orc was surprisingly an archer. Not just any bow, either—a massive composite bow crafted from monster bone. String it with twisted sinew, and no ordinary human could even draw it. The power was insane. He practiced daily; two years off had dulled his edge, but experience brought his accuracy back fast.
Yael, feeling the limits of her low-level fire magic, pushed to master higher-tier combat spells. Her academy theory background gave her solid understanding. Imperfect, but persistent practice let her pull off a shaky high-level fire spell. Nowhere near battle-ready yet, but steady work would get her there.
Fully prepped, we finally set out.
"Ahh..." Grace's eyes trembled as she gazed at the capital's walls, red in the dawn light—her first departure in two years. She sank into nostalgia. Grendal's gaze deepened too, strange emotions stirring within the orc.
The healer's body began to shake. She fumbled urgently for a smoke. Her hand trembled on the pipe. Classic anxiety flare-up. But she played it cool. Grendal watched her with concern.
"You okay?"
"...I'm fine. Don't worry about it."
Gid, reading the mood, stretched with a loud urracha.
"Fuckin' hell, stuck in the capital so long I was crawlin' outta my skin. Perfect timing."
The bald bastard grinned slyly, scanning the group.
"I'm movin' up in the world now, right? Guild member and shit."
Mahushu nailed him instantly.
"You're useless. Can't even take a hit right."
"The fuck! If I was really worthless, the boss—er, captain wouldn't have begged me to join the guild, huh?!"
"...Did I?"
At my words, Gid whined pathetically.
"C'mon, boss, just play along here."
The team burst out laughing. Tension shattered. Grace had calmed. Grendal cracked a smile.
...Good team. The orc savored the rare peace.
I glanced at our two new recruits.
"Don't stress too much at first. Ease back into it, remember the old feel. You'll get your groove quick."
"Yes, Captain."
The morning sun pierced the horizon. Darkness fled. Grace was scared but squeezed out courage—for her lost lover...
...and for herself.
Three days out of the capital, we made our first camp. Grace and Grendal's first in two years.
"Sleep well, everyone."
They unrolled mats and bedded down. I watched them settle by the crackling fire. Soon, quiet snores filled the air. I lay back too. Pretty starry sky. I stared a while, then closed my eyes.
Then—a groan. Uuuh... I snapped awake, pinpointing the source. Grace. She thrashed in seizure.
I rushed over.
"Grace, Grace...!"
I pulled her into my arms, stroking her back gently.
"It's okay. I've got you. Captain's right here, yeah? Don't be scared. Hmm? I'll protect you. That's it, good girl. Calm down now. Shh, there you go."
She quieted, sobbing muffled against me. The commotion woke everyone stealthily. I pressed a finger to my lips—pretend you saw nothing, back to sleep. They obeyed, eyes shut.
I kept rubbing her back softly. After a while, she pushed weakly at my chest.
"I'm... okay now. I'll sleep."
Her voice was stiff—embarrassed by the exposure.
"Yeah. Get some rest."
She lay down. I returned to my spot. She tossed a bit before drifting off.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Ten days out, we hit our first city: mid-sized Gehel. Nothing special, just your average town. No need for an inn—I headed straight for the inner keep. As a real hero now, not a candidate, crashing with nobility was fine. Safer, comfier.
Gehel's baron was a plump, affable guy. He welcomed us warmly. But we weren't the only guests; someone had arrived a day ahead, heading back to the capital.
Who? I figured I'd peek at his face—then he beat me to it, storming in.
I clocked him instantly. Shit.
"You the human hero?"
Muscular beastkin build. Taller than me by a head, fierce eyes, fangs flashing in a creepy grin. I knew him well. Impossible not to.
...Infamous even among heroes. A-rank hero, werewolf beastkin Navr.
Bad luck. Of all places.
"Who're you?"
"Navr. A-rank hero."
"Ah, got it. Kang Ji-hyuk. C-rank."
Navr extended a hand—thick, rough, beastkin-style. I eyed it warily, reaching slowly.
Suddenly, he lunged for my throat. Fast. But nowhere near Master Eizel's level.
His grab whiffed clean.
This fucker?
He eyed me with intrigue—no tantrum, just amusement.
"Thought the rumors were bullshit. Guess not. Got skills, for a human."
Condescending tone, but I stayed cool.
"That's how beastkin say hi?"
"This? My hello. Mad about it?"
Rumors didn't lie—dirty mouth, filthy attitude.
Just my luck, the one asshole I didn't wanna deal with.
"Just unfamiliar. I'll remember next time."
I kept polite but firm. Navr grinned wickedly. I didn't flinch. He took it for guts.
"Haven't had a junior this fun in ages. Fuck, everyone else just pisses themselves."
"They piss themselves? Why?"
He barked a laugh, shoulders shaking—like it was hilarious.
"Fuck, humans like you actually exist. This is gold. Got the skills too. Real deal, you prick."
He could "prick" me all he wanted; I wasn't fazed. Days of getting rattled by words were long gone.
His eyes gleamed with excitement. Part of me wondered if I should've groveled—but nah, no need to kiss ass anymore.
Just avoid the shitstain.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It is. I like you, for real."
Navr stared intently.
"Come to my room later. Got it?"
"For what?"
"Just. Wanna give a gift to the guy who amused me."
I knew exactly what "gift" he meant. Considered refusing, but no point pissing him off here.
Better to play along and bail.
"Sure. See you then."
"Yeah. Later, human."
He flashed a toothy grin, eyed me up and down, then sauntered off. The tense air eased.
He'd been shady since C-rank—petty incidents ramping to full menace at B-rank. Stirred shit even with fellow heroes. Tight with gang lords, too. The imperial court flagged him as a person of interest.
No upside in beefing with him. I'd be gone soon anyway—just play nice till then.
Dickless fucker—
And yeah, the bastard literally had no dick. A prime example of how far a male could shatter without one.