The Gloomy Busty Adventurer is Being Targeted
"Hm?"
Someone was waiting for Ethan in the corridor. It was Claire.
"When you go to slay the Demon King, please add me to your party."
"Who are you?"
She had a different vibe from the other elementary division students. Ethan could tell at a glance. Claire had crossed the line of death before.
"That silver hair... You're a survivor from Nora Village, aren't you?"
Claire gave a subtle nod, barely perceptible.
"So you were the one who killed the Dreadful Luther."
"My father told me. He said I was born to kill monsters."
"No one is born for a reason like that."
"But I have exceptional talent. Use me."
Ethan walked toward Claire with steady steps. Thinking it was a test, she tensed up completely.
It's okay. If I just do things my way, they'll acknowledge me.
Should she have begged to at least buy a lower position? As that thought crossed her mind...
Ethan examined her clothes and said curtly,
"No."
"Why not?"
"You're still too young."
"But... I'm stronger than most adults!"
"That's not the issue."
Claire's mind filled with question marks. She couldn't understand what the hero was trying to say, and his attitude suggested she wouldn't get it even if he explained. But Ethan stated firmly,
"Captain of the White Flame Knights. You still don't even know what weighs on your shoulders. That's why you can't join."
"......"
"Fulfill your duty first. Then I'll take you along anytime."
"You promised."
No matter how he refused, she wouldn't give up. To her, the position of knight captain was just a stepping stone toward her goal of slaying every monster in the world. Ethan vaguely sensed the enormous flame flickering within the little girl's body—something even she couldn't handle yet.
"Claire!"
After Ethan left, Daphne came looking for Claire, who had separated from the group. The blonde girl and red-haired boy were with her.
"Your name's Claire? You're so pretty."
"Th-thanks."
"I've never seen you around. Where are you from?"
Claire honestly revealed her status.
"Whoa!"
The boy’s eyes lit up.
"We're the same age, and you're already a knight captain? Awesome!"
"Claire... that's amazing...!"
"Hmph."
"I'm Vito. Vito Asher."
"Claire."
Everyone's attention turned to the blonde girl.
"......Beatrice de Felicia."
She had her arms crossed, acting standoffish, but it was clear she wanted to be friends with Claire too. Daphne grabbed Claire's hand tightly.
"We're going to tour the palace treasures. Come with us!"
"But... I'm not even a Deseval student. Is that okay?"
"We'll hide you."
"What about the uniform?"
"We'll say Betty spilled water and borrowed clothes."
"You think that flimsy excuse will work? Any sensible adult wouldn't believe a noble lady like me would cause such an accident."
A moment later.
"Oh, Beatrice spilled water...? So you borrowed clothes?"
Claire blushed. She was already embarrassed just thinking about lying.
"Yes. I borrowed these clothes."
"Beatrice can't be helped. Go play. But don't go outside."
"Yes...!"
Claire had a blast touring the royal palace with the three. Until the headcount revealed one extra person.
Meanwhile, Ethan's appearance in Furnaul sparked rumors that the Demon King had emerged, spreading from mouth to mouth.
The adventurers' guild was especially abuzz.
"The Demon King's appeared? For real?"
"There've been more disappearances lately."
"I heard some villages got attacked."
"Wonder how horrific this Demon King is..."
The mood was half worry, half excitement. The hero occasionally picked up skilled adventurers, but it was rare. The common view was that Demon King subjugation wasn't an adventurer's job.
The reason was simple: it was a sacred mission requiring proper qualifications. Strength was key, but they didn't pick solely on that. Standards varied by nation, but they considered bloodline, appearance, and character too.
Adventurers could rise in status relatively easily through skill despite lowly origins, but they weren't favored for hero parties. Still, they suffered most from Demon King outbreaks, as monster activity exploded.
For various reasons, silver-rank adventurers who had been inactive flooded the guild.
Some for fat rewards, others to test themselves. During these seasons, unpopular requests like searching for missing people—which seemed risky for low pay—exploded in popularity.
Paradoxically, some adventurers sought out cheap, dangerous jobs. Many silver-rank adventurers filling the guild now were such oddballs. Mundane requests didn't appeal. They craved real danger with big potential.
Silver-ranks knew from experience that jackpots hid where others feared to tread.
The request for a missing bronze-rank adventurer from Rotana Village—now the tentacle monster's hive—was no different.
"......"
It hung forgotten in the board's corner, ignored by bronze-ranks. A woman stared at it intently.
Black hair veiled her eyes, a pitch-black robe cloaked her. Anyway, her breasts were enormous.
"Isn't that request dangerous for a woman alone?"
A blonde man popped up beside her.
"Ah, I..."
"'Search for missing bronze-rank adventurer in Rotana Village. Danger level C. Party recommended.'"
He read it aloud, flashing a friendly smile.
"Wanna go with us?"
"I..."
"Gold-rank or something? Nah, right?"
"......No."
"Worried I was being nosy. I'm Crispers. Silver-rank."
"I haven't said yes yet..."
Crispers was a womanizer who prized women over money. He'd eyed her as prey when she timidly entered, timing his approach.
Handsome face, tall build, silver-rank skills. She gonna turn me down? Can she reject someone this nice?
He was confident.
"...I'm Libia."
Pretty name too. Crispers valued personality and looks most. Sluts weren't his type. Timid girls who couldn't speak up straight, yet had pretty faces and killer bodies—like they were born to be prey. Those were his targets.
The black robe hid her, but he knew. He'd leered at her voluptuous breasts and hips swaying with each step, like a perv.
Libia's figure was insane. Huge ass and tits she saw as flaws, paired with a slim waist and shapely legs. More model than adventurer. The more he looked, the more she screamed "big catch."
"Libia, let me introduce my friend."
He knew she couldn't refuse bluntly. He'd steamroll ahead.
"Hey. Whoa, she's a beauty."
"......"
"I'm Harper. Silver-rank, frontline fighter."
"Libia."
Harper shared Crispers' tastes. Damn, can't hold back. Where'd this ass-shaker come from?
He ogled her body hungrily. Crispers tsked inwardly. Harper, you idiot, tone down those beast eyes if you don't wanna ruin it.
Gotta be gentle with girls like this. Who'd like a predator lunging? She'd bolt in fright.
"What do you do best, Miss Libia? Magic? Holy arts?"
"A bit of holy arts."
"Ooh, top-tier talent."
"Holy arts? Solid! Church affiliate?"
Harper dropped formal speech naturally. The two males sandwiched her like sandwich bread.
"Self-taught, a little..."
"Self-taught holy arts? Impressive. Join our party. You'll fit right in."
Saying she'd "fit," Harper brushed her breasts with his arm. This girl... no bra? Hah, can't take it.
"Harper, back off. It's rude to Miss Libia."
"Sorry. Got too chummy?"
"No..."
Sweeter than expected. How'd a girl like this become an adventurer?
Crispers went straight to the counter and accepted the request.
"Shall we grab a meal now?"
"Wait."
Then, a blonde short-cut woman—glaring sternly as if sensing their predatory gazes—butted in.
"Mind if I join?"
Damn.
Crispers tsked inwardly. Obvious interloper. Overly wary busybodies like her were trouble. Had to shake her off!
"Haha, thanks, but we just accepted."
"Receptionist, add one more. I'm in too."
She was pushy.
"If a beauty like you joins our party, we'd be honored."
Idiot Harper! Our target's Miss Libia.
Harper's grin was understandable. She was an elf. No need to check the long ears—elves screamed elf. Exquisitely beautiful features proved it...
But that made her too conspicuous. Crispers' plan to snag Libia quietly was ruined.
"I'm Epi. More people better for a missing persons search, right?"
"......"
Damn, they know each other?
Crispers' eyes darted, but Libia looked flustered by the twist too.
"...Fine, whatever."
Epi linked arms with Libia, glaring defiantly at the men.
"To celebrate the new party, let's eat first. There's a pub called Northwalker right outside..."
"I know a cheaper spot. I'll lead."
"......"
"Cheap and good. Problem?"
Harper and Crispers clamped their mouths shut.