Securing the Rice Bowl
Feeling good about my meal ticket. The gentle ripples spreading across the calm pond softly fill my vision. If things had been like this from the start, I wouldn't have had to deal with all that stress. It's been two days since I deserted the hero's party. As expected, the kingdom is in an uproar. The hero abandoning his own party is basically the same as stealing the national treasure, the Holy Sword. I do feel a bit sorry about that part. The king and the citizens did nothing wrong. It was just those three—Ragner, Lunaris, and Fina—who messed up. Those bastards. Who told them to act like such pricks? Ah, just thinking about it again makes my brows furrow.
I take in the swaying trees and the fresh scent of grass. Watching the carp in the pond nibble on bread crumbs brings a sense of calm to my mind. “Carp have it good... just swimming around aimlessly, getting fed by people, no reason to get angry...” Anyone passing by would think I'm a total idiot. And they're right. A suspicious guy with his face covered is loitering in front of a fish market. Of course people would find that weird.
The grassy field I'm lying on, the scent of grass—it's all an illusion. My stomach is so empty it feels like my skin is sticking to my spine. I'd never felt this way in my entire life. If I'd known it would come to this, I would've donated to those African refugees. “...Does this child even know what it means to be full?” A TV commercial line pops into my head unbidden. Given the situation, the filter between my brain and mouth has completely vanished.
“Mom, that uncle is weird!” “Shh. Be quiet. Something bad will happen if you get close.” “Okay!” A mother and daughter passing by mutter to each other. Even as she says that, the woman who looks like the mother is covering her mouth and laughing. If you're going to laugh, at least help me out. Ah, if I'd donated back then, would they have donated to me now? This is all karma from my past life. ...I must really be in a bad state. 'I was the idiot.'
I was so focused on deserting that I didn't bring any money. All I have on my back is the Holy Sword. I've wrapped it in cloth so it doesn't stand out. No money for food, a fish dish right in front of me, and my mind on the verge of shutting down. Ah, has it already shut down? I don't know. I just stare blankly at people eating.
“Tsk.” Still, it's awkward to take on adventurer guild requests. My fingerprints, face, and personal details are already registered there. The rumor that I ran off with the Holy Sword must have spread far and wide by now. What's the cheapest food I can buy? “Get it together, Kim Taesik. Think.”
How much was it? The only food I'd eaten since coming to this world was the royal castle's feast on the first day and the grilled meat and pile of grass Ragner had made. Now that I think about it, I'd never bought anything to eat outside. The shillings I earned from requests just kept piling up. Aside from buying potions, I'd never spent any on food.
“Hahahaha... hahahahahaha!” This is ridiculous. What the hell have I been doing for two years? “...Mom, that uncle is weird... mmph!” “Just say it once.” “Okay!” Ah, life. My mood is terrible. Obviously. I can't eat right now, but there's something even more serious than that. “This is so damn pathetic.”
The fact that I feel more at ease now than when I was in the hero's party pisses me off. * Why did it come to this? A collapsed stone wall. Filthy waste covered in grease. Above all, people draped in tattered leather. I'm kneeling among beggars who shake baskets full of shillings with a clinking sound, begging just like them. I've covered my eyes with cloth. To survive, I have no choice but to join them. It can't be helped! From now on, these people are my brothers. I've already eaten bread from them and emptied a cup of alcohol. We agreed to split today's earnings fifty-fifty. We're in the same boat.
People with bad eyes, people with bad legs, people who can't speak, people abandoned after cheating, people who were beggars from birth. All kinds of people gathered here “acting.” “...Damn it.” They're all normal. They have no injuries and can speak more fluently than anyone. If they stood up and ran on two legs, they'd easily outrun a Haste spell with a bit of exaggeration. So why are these guys doing this here? 'Because we have to survive.'
The streets are cold. In that coldness, nothing gets you help as effectively as stirring people's sympathy. Honestly, I don't like being in this position. But what can I do? We “brothers” are connected by heart. “How'd you end up here?” “Me? I got tired of hanging around with idiots.” Huh? You too? Hey, me too. “Even for a short time, these people here smelled like actual humans.” Kya, agreed. “Maybe because I've been with non-humans until now, but I missed this smell.” Uh... I don't agree with that. Now that I think about it, there was a weird smell. From below? I looked at the guy's shoes. Whoops. You stepped in shit, didn't you? “This is so damn pathetic, seriously!”
Thirty minutes later. I quit the beggar life and left the village. I'd rather hunt. As long as I don't starve to death before getting there, it'll be fine. Before heading to the Brilla Mountains, wild Kadri Dragons appear in the nearby villages. I've seen them a few times and even caught some. I hate to admit it, but the Kadri Dragon wings Ragner grilled were pretty damn tasty. They don't directly harm humans, but for creatures that live off crops, villages must be a paradise of food. Especially now during harvest season, the farmers must be pretty anxious. I don't know what expression I'm making right now, but I'm sure it's a smile filled with joy. “Yeah, let's catch those guys, grill them, and get paid too.” Good for the goose, good for the gander. Two birds with one stone. Let's forget the past with those beggars. Brothers, my ass. I'm an only child, you beggar bastards.
I left the village with light steps. I explained the situation to a merchant heading toward the Brilla Mountains and got a free ride in the cargo hold of his wagon. If I succeed, I'll definitely repay him. I shoved the overflowing humanity deep into my heart for a moment and wiped away my tears. Each and every one of these warm kindnesses touches my heart. Is this healing...? Why is he better at healing than the Saintess? Do you want to be a healer, mister? *
Rattle, rattle. Maybe because it's the cargo hold, my back hurts like hell. Every time the wheels hit a rock, my butt lets out a scream. It hurts. No joke, it feels exactly like the sharp pain after getting “birthday punches” from friends on your birthday back in school. It's not an experience you go through often. I endured it, but this stabbing pain is a really dirty feeling. I shifted my position to the side for a moment and looked at where I'd been sitting. “...Ah.” A slightly broken piece of wood was sticking up. The odds of getting hit in this exact spot even with bad luck are extremely low. I was genuinely impressed by my overwhelmingly terrible luck. I must have committed a lot of sins in my past life. No matter what I do, this world hates me. Even the wagon rejects me—what can I do? “Hahahaha!” “...What, got some good news?” “Just feeling happy.” “Haha! The young man knows how to enjoy life. Laughing even on this rough road.” That's right. I guess my heart has been hurting a lot until now. Ha... It was peaceful—ah, no, not peaceful. It felt like riding the Disco Pang Pang ride twice in a row. In that moment, “Hiiiiiing—!” The horse came to a sudden stop. My body rolled backward and sank into the straw. Puhah! Straw got in my mouth. I pulled my head out right away and asked the merchant, “What is it?” “...Sorry. There's bandits up ahead...” “Bandits?”
I turned my gaze to where the merchant was pointing. There really was a group of bandits surrounding a wagon. It makes sense that a merchant carrying rice to the village would be scared. Above all, the wagon they're surrounding... has a red lion crest. I've seen it before. It was definitely the emblem I saw at the party when I visited the royal castle in response to the king's summons. Honestly, I don't remember which family it belongs to. But I knew it was someone of precious and noble status. “...Maybe.” A memory from the past flashes through my mind. Amid the masked ball with soft music, I remember talking to a man wearing that crest on his chest. I also recalled which family the red lion crest belonged to. The Lionblood family. And the image of the family head, Vidar Lionblood, came to mind clearly. Vidar had once challenged me to a spar. I remember that the mage Lunaris had been forcibly dragged along or something, and since there was no need to listen, I put him to sleep right there on the spot. “It's Duke Vidar Lionblood's wagon!” “I know. It's obvious just by looking.” “...You should call for people first. Let's turn back quickly!” I asked the merchant, “Stop for a moment.” “...Hm?” Grin. A sly smile formed on my face. The merchant trembled at the sight. Mister. Why are you like that? If someone saw, they'd think you saw a demon. Don't misunderstand. I'm a hero. A righteous hero who saves people from evil! Since I'm a hero, I'm just saving good people. It's absolutely not because I'm short on money or want to be treated to a meal. I'm just sincere about my work. Daring to attack the wagon of a noble as high as the sky? I'll deal with it before it's too late. Quagagak! The bastards are stabbing their swords into the wagon door. Crazy bastards. They're really brainless. It can't be helped. The time for my cool entrance is... “Now!” “...Huh?! Young man!” I didn't draw the sword wrapped in leather. These guys are easy enough with my bare hands. “...Swift.” Fragments of pure white mana flow through the air. In an instant, I became supersonic! Hehe. A noble wouldn't be able to refuse, right? When their lifesaver asks for a meal, who would turn them down? Even without catching and grilling a dragon, I could easily get food. Since the mask only covers my eyes and nose, I'd be able to eat. I could avoid revealing my identity. Honestly, I don't like the false rumor that I stole the Holy Sword, but on top of that, I can't even eat? That would be wasting an opportunity. But. “What do I do?” I'm just too hungry. “Who the hell are you?!” “Me? A righteous hero.” The bandits' daggers draw trajectories. Thankfully, they probably aren't poisoned. I ducked and simply uppercut one guy's chin with a windmill motion. The guy behind thought he was doing a surprise attack, but I can see everything. [Presence Detection] Guys who make a living by attacking wagons with weapons are basically beggars. Guys who can't even notice the gap in strength when facing a superior right in front of them are what you'd call “incompetents.” It's even more pathetic that these kinds of guys are gathered together doing bandit work. That said, I don't condone taking their lives. “It'll just sting a little.” Pababak! With my supersonic steps, the bandits looked flustered. Their pupils dilate and their hands tremble. A proper fight won't happen in that state. Just like that, [Sleep] My hand touched all of them. I chant the rune. Mana is read and the magic activates. The guys collapse, falling asleep just like that. And not long after, the wagon door opens. ...What? It's not Vidar. White hair and blue eyes. My gaze meets the eyes of a girl with a blue lion crest placed near her chest. “You are...” “I took down the bandits.” “A-All by yourself?” “Yes. Is there a problem?” “Ah, no! Um, that...” I was surprised that it wasn't Vidar but a beautiful girl who came out, but so what? It's none of my business. What's important to me right now is— “If it's alright, I'd like to repay you—” Grumble... My stomach, which hadn't eaten in two days, let out an un-cute sound. “Oh my.” “Haha... I've been starving.” “Please don't hold back and come inside. If possible, I'd like to have a meal together.” “Wouldn't that be too rude...” Rude, my ass! I wanted to say that, but if I accepted right away, it might cause misunderstandings. It was an answer with a bit of leeway. “Huhu, then please take on the temporary role of my guard. I'll make sure to provide compensation.” Maybe because of the earlier situation, her eyes waver anxiously. “Um... would that not work?” Of course it works. If you're going to feed me and pay me, I'd be grateful. “My name is Kim Taesik.” “...Yes?” “Please hire me.” “Y-Yes!” Hehe. Secured my meal ticket! Ah, wait a second. Did I just say my real name?