Sane Hates Logue
"Hic..."
I was sobbing pitifully in the corner of my room in the Imperial Capital. In the three years since starting this job, I'd seen all kinds of people. From madmen who offered their own families as sacrifices to demons, to those who tried to summon demons just to destroy the world.
"Hic... Worse than... demons..."
That bastard was worse than any demon. Not only did he smash a health potion right in front of my eyes while I writhed in pain, he even forced me to carry him to the dorm and run errands for more potions...
'And where the hell did he learn the Submission Spell...'
"Huu..."
How did I end up tangled with such a demonic guy... Only Sane's sorrowful cries echoed through the silent room.
...
'Now I can finally breathe.'
After drinking the health potion and getting a good night's sleep, my body felt much better. The Submission Mark etched on my right wrist. Infusing it with mana and giving a command would make Sane obey—simple, yet powerful.
'Should I test it...?'
Curious if it worked from a distance, I poured mana into the mark and issued a command.
'Buy some meat skewers and come to the dorm.'
I felt the mana drain away, though the amount was negligible even for my meager magic stat. After a while, a knock sounded at the door.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The knocks carried clear irritation. I opened the door.
'It actually works...'
Sane stood there holding meat skewers. I snatched them from her hands.
"Good job."
Then I shut the door again.
SCREEEEEEEEEW YOU!
Sane's scream rang out, but I ignored it completely and enjoyed the skewers.
'With this, I won't have to worry about money anymore...?'
After finishing the skewers, I summoned Sane again and gave her several orders.
First. Compile all information on demons held by the Demon Countermeasures Division and bring it to me.
Second. Delete all information about me reported to the Demon Countermeasures Division.
Third. Report any new information on demons to me immediately.
Sane's face twisted at my instructions.
"You... who the hell are you? How do you even know about the Demon Countermeasures Division?"
"...You don't need to know. Just remember I'm not on the demons' side."
Doubt clouded Sane's expression, but I had no intention of explaining. She left the room soon after. She'd probably gather the information and bring it soon enough.
'What now...?'
Today was the weekend, so there was no need to attend the academy. My body still wasn't in great condition for dungeon diving either. While considering just going back to sleep, I remembered the mana stones I'd collected from the wolves but hadn't cashed in yet.
'This should fetch around 30 silver at least.'
My pockets were stuffed with mana stones. Plus the pack leader's stone—maybe worth even more. I headed to the Adventurer's Guild to exchange them.
...
'Isn't the academy building way too different from the era...?'
The academy had modern-style interiors, but this place truly felt like a medieval fantasy world. While marveling at the bizarre contrast, I spotted a familiar face.
'Why is that guy here...?'
Among the rough adventurers stood a girl with light pink hair. She carried a greatsword larger than herself diagonally across her back while scanning the request board. Her slightly sleepy pink eyes and flawless skin were striking, but what really drew the eye was...
'They're really huge...'
Her chest asserted itself despite her clothes. I looked away, feeling awkward.
'Why is Kiene at the Adventurer's Guild...?'
Kiene. A first-year student in Class C, different from mine. In the game, she was treated as a top-tier dealer, a character who carved through enemies with the greatsword on her back. I used Insight to check her stats.
'As expected, top-tier characters are different.'
Kiene had a chance to obtain either Herculean Strength or Powerful Force, and she was lucky enough to have both. At this level, aside from boss monsters or demons, there was practically no one who could beat her in raw strength.
And yet here she was at the Adventurer's Guild.
'Here to gain experience...? Or short on money?'
With Kiene's skill level, the academy provided ample support, so money was unlikely to be the issue. She was probably here for real combat experience. Kiene picked up one of the requests from the board and headed to the adventurer counter.
"Uh... This request requires a minimum party of two or more due to its danger level."
"..."
I casually moved beside Kiene and glanced at the request.
'Goblin Colony Extermination Request?'
Goblins formed colonies in groups. They didn't just stay put—they raided nearby villages once their numbers grew. Being monsters with some intelligence—they used weapons and set traps—the two-person minimum made sense.
Kiene fiddled with the request form, looking troubled. I handed my bundle of mana stones to the receptionist.
"These are Alverin wolf mana stones. There's a pack leader's stone too, so take that into account."
"Huh...? This many mana stones... Are you registered with the Adventurer's Guild?"
"Not yet."
"Then how about registering? Guild members get half the mana stone fees and compensation if accidents happen during requests!"
I hadn't planned to join because it seemed like a hassle, but thinking about it, the benefits were clear.
'Solo dungeon runs are risky... and lower fees on mana stones wouldn't hurt.'
"How do I join?"
"Um... Just fill out this contract!"
"What about the rank assessment?"
"You look like an academy student. Academy students start at C-rank. If you're good enough to get into the academy, you're already at that level!"
'Simpler than I thought...'
"Alright, I'll join."
The contract outlined mana stone sales fees, monthly insurance premiums, and request commissions. The insurance seemed surprisingly realistic. I signed it.
"Congratulations! Your name is Lo...gue? Logue, you're now a C-rank adventurer and can accept requests!"
The receptionist added that requests above C-rank required a promotion test. Looking around, Kiene was still hesitating over the goblin colony request. She probably couldn't find a partner.
'Or maybe she just doesn't like anyone available...?'
I approached Kiene.
"..."
"You're Kiene, right? Nice to meet you. I'm Logue from Class B, same year."
Kiene nodded warily. So my reputation had reached Class C too...
"I was just about to take the goblin colony request. Want to team up?"
After a moment's thought, Kiene nodded. Together we went to the receptionist to register the request.
"Great. That's settled. By the way... why did you come to the Adventurer's Guild? For experience?"
"...Money."
Money? According to the setting, Kiene was the eldest daughter of a baron family. Not wealthy, but certainly able to afford academy tuition. With her skills, the academy would even provide support.
"Money? With your grades, doesn't the academy give you a stipend?"
I asked Kiene.
"My little brother... is sick... medicine... expensive..."
So Kiene had joined the guild to cover her brother's treatment costs.
'Is Kiene's brother still alive?'
In the original story, Kiene's younger brother died from an unknown illness. Afterward, the protagonist Hero supported Kiene as she struggled with grief. Based on what she'd said, it seemed her brother hadn't died yet at this point.
"I see... If it's not too rude, could you tell me what's wrong with him?"
In the game, Kiene's brother's death was a fixed event, so there was no way to know the cause.
"He's... wasting away..."
"...Can't he eat?"
"He eats... but it's like his life force is being drained..."
So he could consume food, but wasn't absorbing nutrients...? Or maybe...
I immediately gave Sane an order.
'Sane. Stop what you're doing and investigate the second son of the Valentine Baron family. It's urgent.'
...
"SCREEEEEW YOU!!!!"
Sane abandoned her meal and stormed out of the room at the command to investigate the Valentine Baron's second son. It had been a rare day off, and she'd prepared all her favorite foods... but right now, she hated Logue more than anything.