Chapter 17: Sara's Story
Chapter 17: Sara's Story
“Grandpa, hurry, hurry!”
“Haha, you little rascal. Are you that excited? Just wait a moment.”
Sara had been buzzing with excitement since early that morning.
Today was the day she would finally accompany her grandfather on a hunt for the first time.
From the moment Sara had first brought it up, her grandfather had seemed quite reluctant. But in the end, he couldn't resist his adorable granddaughter, who clung to him, pestering him with all her charm until he finally gave in.
To her, he was the perfect grandfather—stronger, wiser, more knowledgeable, and kinder than anyone else in the village.
Some people were scared of him because his whole body was covered in scars, but Sara respected him more than anyone. When she grew up, she wanted to be just like him. She wanted to do everything her grandfather did.
That was why she had desperately pestered her reluctant grandfather to teach her how to use a bow.
Truthfully, she had wanted to learn swordsmanship too, but that was the one thing he absolutely refused to teach her.
Still, one day, I’ll become a great hunter, just like Grandpa.
Even though today’s hunt was just a trip to the back mountain to catch rabbits for her safety, it was still a precious opportunity to follow her grandfather and learn from him.
Until now, her grandfather had forbidden her from even climbing this small mountain.
Even though it was only home to low-level monsters like rabbits.
Even I can handle something like that without any trouble.
Still, if I show him how good I’ve gotten with the bow after all this practice, maybe Grandpa will finally acknowledge me a little?
Sara urged her grandfather on, her steps light as she headed for the mountain.
Just you wait. I’m going to completely surprise him.
“I see a rabbit over there. Rabbits have good ears, you know. They react to the smallest sounds. When you approach, you must be careful where you step and be as quiet as possible. Why don’t you give it a try, Sara?”
When they finally encountered their first rabbit on the mountain, her grandfather explained things kindly, just as he always did.
She crept forward carefully, making sure not to step on any fallen branches, until she was within arrow’s reach. Then, she took aim.
Since she was only Level 1, her Archer level was also stuck at 1, so she had to get quite close. Fortunately, the rabbit didn't seem to have noticed her.
Even at Level 1, the skills she had honed through constant practice were more than enough for a Level 1 rabbit. The arrow struck its body squarely.
“Ah!”
But it wasn't a fatal blow. With the arrow still stuck in its side, the rabbit bolted in an instant.
“Oh, my. What a quick little fellow.”
This was my chance to show Grandpa what I could do….
Feeling frustrated and embarrassed, Sara hung her head.
“I’m sorry… Grandpa.”
“Haha. It’s alright. Everyone’s like that at first. Didn’t your arrow hit its mark? Don’t be discouraged. Let’s find another one.”
They soon found another rabbit.
This time, I’ll definitely get it, Sara thought, steeling her resolve as she approached quietly.
Hitting its body was a bad idea. This time, I’ll aim for its legs.
Sara calmly drew her bowstring and aimed for the rabbit’s legs.
“Got it!”
The rabbit, struck in the leg, was startled and tried to flee, but it couldn't move properly. Its speed was noticeably slower than the last one.
Seizing the opportunity, Sara fired another arrow and finally managed to catch the rabbit.
“Grandpa! Look! I caught it!”
“Haha. Well done. Our Sara is amazing.”
“Yeah! And my level went up! I got a new job besides Archer, too!”
“Oh, is that so? What kind of job did you get?”
“Um! It’s… Hunter! And also… He… ro? Wow! Hero!”
The moment Sara said those words, her grandfather’s kind face hardened into a frightening mask.
“What… did you just say?”
“I-I mean… He-Hero….”
It was the first time she had ever seen such an expression on her grandfather’s face, and Sara was terrified.
Did I do something wrong?
“Let’s call it a day and head back down.”
His face still grim, her grandfather started down the mountain.
Sara was too scared by his expression to say a word and simply followed behind him.
“…I’m sorry.”
Her grandfather, walking ahead, suddenly spoke.
“Sara, do you know what a Hero does?”
Sara thought for a moment.
She had read about them in fairy tales.
A great person who defeats monsters, slays the Demon King, and saves people.
That was usually what a Hero was in the books she read.
“They do great things?”
“Yes. That’s not wrong. They do have the ability to do great things. But listen, Sara. No matter how hard someone with special powers tries to do good, if they are exceptionally powerful, people will appear who envy them, who are jealous of them, and who try to use them.”
The words were difficult for the young Sara to understand.
If a great person is doing great things, why would anyone need to be jealous or try to use them?
“This might be a little hard for you to understand right now. But Sara, I want you to remember this one thing. I don’t want you to live the life of a Hero.”
The lonely look in her grandfather’s eyes as he said those words was etched deep into Sara’s memory.
*
After that first hunt with her grandfather, Sara never went hunting again.
She had been too young to understand his words that day, but now, Sara was old enough to fully comprehend their meaning.
And now, she thought she finally understood the reason for the expression on his face.
Her grandfather was a man who never spoke of his own past. But sometimes, when he was thoroughly drunk, he would tell fragmented stories.
They were minor, disjointed tales, but by piecing them together, Sara had been able to draw a single conclusion.
Her grandfather’s son—Sara’s father, whom she had never met—had been a Hero.
And based on that job, her father must have accomplished many great things.
But he had been brought to ruin by those who envied him and those who sought only to use him.
Her grandfather, having witnessed it all, grew weary of people and went into hiding with Sara in this remote country village.
What must her grandfather have felt, having to send his own child off before his time because of the envy and greed of others?
Realizing this, Sara vowed to never let her grandfather have such a lonely experience again.
According to her grandfather, the greatest traits of a Hero were their unparalleled potential and growth rate. Moreover, the experience they gained from killing monsters was so immense compared to others that they could level up without even having sex.
If Sara had continued hunting, she might have leveled up just by catching rabbits.
But her grandfather seemed to want her to live a life where she not only avoided doing Hero-like things, but where the level of her Hero job didn't rise at all.
That was also why he had absolutely refused to teach her swordsmanship.
Understanding and respecting her grandfather’s wishes, Sara stopped hunting altogether from that day on.
Sara’s daily routine was simple.
She prepared meals for her now-elderly grandfather and went into the village to run errands for people.
It was a small slash-and-burn village with very few young people. Perhaps because of her Hero job, Sara’s physical abilities were far superior to others even at a low level, making her an indispensable source of labor for the village.
When she went down to the village, she found people gathered at the chief’s house for some reason.
“Hello, ma’am. Is something going on?”
“Oh, Sara. You’re here early. A passing adventurer has come to the village. You know how there was talk of seeing orcs around the village recently? It seems the chief is asking the adventurer to investigate, since he happened to stop by.”
Normally, Sara’s grandfather would have handled such matters, but at his age, such dangerous work was too much for him. Lately, his back had been so bad that even getting out of bed was a struggle.
It seemed they were going to ask the adventurer to subjugate the orcs in her grandfather’s place.
“I see.”
An adventurer…
It was the job that country kids dreamed of most, a path that could lead to a fortune if one was lucky.
Sara wasn't without such dreams when she was younger, but ever since she decided not to reveal her Hero job, she had made a conscious effort not to be interested.
But as she entered the village chief’s house, she came face to face with that very adventurer.
“Chief, I’m here.”
“Oh, Sara. Just a moment. We have an important guest.”
“And who is this young lady?” the male adventurer asked, looking at Sara.
A male adventurer.
They certainly weren't nonexistent, but their numbers were significantly smaller than female adventurers.
To think she would see such a rare sight in a small village like this.
“Ah, this is Sara. She’s a good girl who helps around the village while taking care of her old grandfather by herself.”
“I see.”
Even as he replied to the chief, the male adventurer’s gaze crawled over Sara from head to toe.
It was a look Sara, who was blessed with a beauty that didn't belong in such a rural village, was used to.
Of course, she also knew exactly what kind of thoughts were behind such a gaze.
Hmph. Who do you think you’re looking at?
If another village girl had received such a look, she might have thrown herself at him.
He was a male adventurer, guaranteed to be above a certain level. Just one night with him would raise a girl’s level to a degree unthinkable in this village, and if she managed to seduce him, it would be like hitting the jackpot.
But Sara wasn't interested in either.
As a Hero, she could achieve both on her own if she put her mind to it, so she had no reason to be.
Sara casually ignored the adventurer’s gaze and set out to help with the day’s village chores.
“Grandpa, an adventurer came to the village today.”
Sara said that evening as she prepared dinner, having returned with food after finishing her work.
“Hmm. The villagers were getting anxious after hearing that orcs had been spotted. That’s good. If only my body were in better shape…”
“Hehe. Of course, if you were well, Grandpa, those orcs wouldn’t stand a chance. But you’re getting older now, so you can’t push yourself.”
“Hmm… Sara, I’m only saying this just in case, but with that adventurer, try to…”
“I know. You don’t have to worry. I’m not interested at all.”
Sara said with a smile.
It was a lie to say she had no admiration for adventurers, but it wasn't strong enough to make her go against her grandfather’s wishes.
And so, that day passed as uneventfully as any other.
Or so she thought.
That night, Sara’s eyes snapped open as she sensed a strange presence.
What is it? Is Grandpa going to the bathroom?
His back is so bad, he should have told me. I should help him.
As Sara opened her eyes and tried to sit up, she saw an unfamiliar man above her.
“Kyaa—mmph?! Mmmph?!”
“Shut up. I’m about to do something nice for you.”
The man clamped a rough hand over Sara’s mouth as she tried to scream.
What?! What’s happening?! Who is this person?!
Sara fell into a panic and struggled, but the man easily pinned her down and began to strip off her clothes, one piece at a time.
“I can’t believe there’s a woman like this in a shithole like this. I’ve hit the jackpot.”
“Mmph~! Mmph! Mmmph!”
No matter how much Sara struggled, the man didn't budge.
“Be quiet. You think this is just for me? It’s good for you, too. It’s tough for a grown woman to be Level 1 with no experience, right? I’ll make sure to level you up, so just shut the fuck up.”
Hearing those words, Sara finally realized who the man was.
The adventurer she had seen during the day!
“Hmm… Sara? Is something wrong? Huh? Hey! What do you think you’re doing!”
Just then, her grandfather must have heard Sara’s struggles, because he entered the room.
“Fucking hell. Get lost, old man. I’m just trying to help your poor granddaughter level up a bit.”
“Y-You bastard!”
Her grandfather immediately lunged at the adventurer.
The two of them became a tangled mass, punching and kicking as they began to fight.
“Dammit! How is a dying old man this strong?!”
“Aah! Aaaah!”
Watching them, all Sara could do was scream.
“Die! You fucking old man!”
Just then, the adventurer pulled a dagger from his belt and plunged it into the center of her grandfather’s chest.
“Keuk! Krrk.”
Her grandfather collapsed, foaming blood from his mouth.
“Hah, hah, fu-fucking hell! Why’d the old geezer have to put up such a fight!”
The man, who clearly hadn't expected this outcome, spat out the words and fled outside.
“Grandpa! Grandpa!”
Sara rushed to her grandfather’s side, but the wound was already too severe.
“Grandpa! Wake up! Grandpa!”
Her grandfather looked at Sara, gave her the same kind smile he always did, and then his eyes closed.
“No! Grandpa! Grandpa! Someone! Somebody help me! Grandpa!”