Episode 021.
Three Days Later
"This is the Shadow Lord's head."
I pulled out the massive beast's head and placed it on the counter.
The surrounding adventurers gulped at its charred black fur and eyes that still emitted a chilling light.
++
[Shadow Lord Subjugation Complete!]
-You have slain the Shadow Lord that was attacking merchant caravans in the borderlands.
-Your reputation in the surrounding areas increases greatly.
-Your name is spread among the dwarves.
Current Title: Guardian of House Springfield
└'Hero of Artem' (1,700/10,000)
Regional Influence: 174
[You can be promoted from F > E Rank!]
[Warning!]
The Shadow Clan has begun watching you.
Be careful. They could target you from anywhere.
++
It wasn't just because of Count Gondor, but my influence had shot up all at once from my first proper mission.
But.
It left a bitter taste in my mouth.
If I had been the Hero, this mission would have pushed me past 5,000.
I stopped a mercenary revolt and foiled Count Gondor's conspiracy, yet the total is only 1,700...
It must be because I don't get a fame boost.
If that's the case, there's nothing to be done. I have no choice but to keep grinding with my own two hands.
"By the way, Tanas, this guy's quite the catch, isn't he?"
Gran, who had accompanied me on this monster subjugation, clapped my shoulder and laughed heartily.
"He's going to be the future of our Artem."
Jack, who was standing beside him, nodded as if it were no big deal.
"Using Poison Spider webs like that... isn't he a real genius?"
"Thanks to Mr. Tanas, we were able to finish even such a dangerous mission smoothly."
"It's nothing. It was only easy because the rest of you lured it. Thanks to you, I was able to map out the surrounding terrain as well, and aren't we fellow adventurers? We fought with our lives on the line, so it's only right to split the loot equally this time."
"Hahaha...."
They knew it too.
That without me, this mission would have failed,
That by now, they might have ended up in the Shadow Lord's stomach.
The trick using spider webs was one of the exploits I'd learned while playing the game,
But when I first showed it, everyone had screamed in shock.
"Gran, if that bastard hadn't tripped over there, we'd have returned a day sooner."
"What? You're the one who let it get away."
"Hey! I was holding off the Shadow Wolves!"
The veteran adventurers exchanged some banter before awkwardly handing over a large pouch.
"What's this?"
"Tanas, it's your share of the loot."
Teeth, hides, crude weapons the monsters carried—at a glance, my share was several times larger than that of the other four adventurers, Gran and Jack included.
It was only natural, considering how much I'd contributed, but.
I shook my head and handed the pouch back.
"No, it's too much for me. Half is enough."
"Huh? But Tanas, you did way more...."
"Yes, it's the share you worked hard for yesterday and the day before, Mr. Tanas."
"It's not that big a deal. Thanks to it, I was able to map out all the surrounding terrain, and aren't we fellow adventurers? We fought with our lives on the line, so it's only right to split the loot equally this time."
"Still...."
"The priest himself is saying this, are you sure you don't need it?"
"I'm good. If you feel bad, give me item priority next time or something."
"R-really?"
At my firm answer, the surrounding adventurers' expressions brightened instantly.
The young priest seemed so moved that he furtively wiped away tears that had begun to well up.
A person with a comfortable purse wouldn't become an adventurer risking their life in the first place.
They do receive quest rewards from the guild, but the real money came from selling these byproducts separately.
Moreover, Shadow Lord hides and horns were top-tier goods that were so sought-after you couldn't find them even if you wanted to sell.
"Man, I really like this guy!"
"Right? He's skilled but humble to boot...."
Gran threw an arm around my shoulder.
"Tanas, you."
"What?"
"Wanna marry my sister?"
"What?"
What crazy nonsense was this.
"I can't marry you, after all."
"AHAHAHAHA!!"
"Look at this guy's flustered face!"
The surrounding adventurers cackled at those words.
Over the past three days, I'd grown quite close to the veteran adventurers while crossing life-and-death lines together.
"So this is why Milene praised you so much."
"Still, think about it. I'm not joking, my sister would like you too. Want me to set something up?"
"Shut up, man."
By giving away a few trivial items like this, I could raise my fame in the Artem region much faster,
So for me, this was several times more profitable.
"Tanas, do you have more schedule? Let's go grab a drink."
"The guild master is looking for me."
"Oh yeah? We'll wait here then."
Escorted by the adventurers, I headed up to the second floor.
"Oooo!! Tanas! Our hero! Welcome, welcome."
The guild master, who had been sighing heavily like a patient suffering from a chronic illness on the first day, now spread his arms wide to welcome me, as if that had all been a lie, now that the A-rank mission had been successfully completed.
After exchanging a few words about the mission, I spoke.
"I have a request."
"Oho! Say anything! If it's your request, I'll do my utmost."
"I want to establish a mercenary guild, even if it's small."
Outside of large cities, it was rare to find two guilds coexisting.
Their requests often overlapped, so they were dividing the pie.
It was almost an unwritten rule.
Like a convenience store next to a convenience store, or a cafe next to a cafe.
"Now that Count Gondor has been driven out, do we even need mercenaries in our Artem?"
I gave a suitable excuse.
"I'm concerned about the Demon Lord's Army's movements. It's best to be prepared."
"The eastern front is still intact. I have reliable sources."
"It's better to prepare in advance. After something happens, it'll be too late."
"Are you worried about a special task force?"
"Something like that."
The guild master pondered for a moment, glanced at my expression,
then nodded.
"Hm, I see.... It seems excessive to me, but... I can't ignore your words. I'll do it."
The guild master readily accepted the unreasonable request,
As if he'd wanted to do something for me all along.
"Go on. You'll have much to do from now on."
As I came down to the central hall,
"Tanas!"
Milene approached, hooking her arm through mine slightly and opening her mouth wide.
"I heard. You completed an A-rank mission?"
"I got lucky."
"Wow... I sure had good luck back then."
I smiled widely as I looked around at the surrounding adventurers.
"Drinks are on me today."
"What? Really?"
"Hey hey! I knew I could count on you! Tanas!"
"Damn! You're the best adventurer!"
++
[Your reputation among adventurers increases greatly!]
[Your reputation in the surrounding areas increases slightly.]
++
I lifted my pouch of gold coins and thought.
Mercenary guild and Adventurer's guild,
I had no choice but to keep both plates spinning.
********
Afterward, I built up my reputation by completing guild missions.
"Let's hit ten thousand!!"
After completing the last remaining A-rank mission, I shouted.
++
Current Title: Guardian of House Springfield
└'Hero of Artem' (4,154/10,000)
Regional Influence: 598
[You can be promoted from D > C Rank!]
++
I'm going insane.
Despite having the favor of House Springfield, a regional noble house, I'm only at 4,000.
Still a long way to go.
For a while now, there'll only be B-rank or lower missions.
"Ten thousand? What do you mean by that..."
The receptionist looked at me with wide eyes, as if I were strange.
"I meant I'd do nothing but work."
"Ah...."
I heard whispers from around me.
"He's crazy! Has anyone ever devoted himself to Artem like this?"
"I'm ashamed of myself for ostracizing him as an outsider. Tanas... that man is the real deal!"
++
[Fame increases by 1.]
└'Hero of Artem' (4,155/10,000).
++
Despite completing missions like a madman, I hadn't even reached half of the goal of 10,000.
It can't be helped.
Straight to the next mission....
"Sir Knight! It has been a while!"
Just then,
Grabbing the hem of her dress and curtsying elegantly, Priscia walked over.
"Priscia? What's the matter?"
"I had asked you to visit our house once... but it seems you forgot, so I came myself."
Truthfully, I hadn't forgotten—I deliberately hadn't gone.
House Springfield's financial situation had never been good to begin with, and after hiring a large number of mercenaries for the recent affair, their assets must have hit rock bottom.
That's why they'd been so happy when Count Gondor's territory was entrusted to them.
They probably barely had enough to pay the reward money, so I hadn't wanted to burden them further.
Even if they gave me the earth vein jewel, I had no use for it right now.
"But Sir Knight, where are you going?"
"Mad Spider subjugation."
"Then I shall go too, I shall go too!"
She added in a small voice that with her help, it would be finished quickly.
"......."
My hesitation lasted only an instant before I nodded.
It wouldn't be bad to check how capable she currently was as a mage before switching her to a vanguard role later anyway.
However,
That was a mistake....
"Haah! Flame Cannon!"
Kwaaang─!
A massive pillar of flame erupted from Priscia's fingertips, tearing through the air.
Overwhelming power.
The problem was that it hadn't hit the target, the Mad Spider, but struck squarely at my feet.
"Where are you aiming at!"
"O-ohohohoho! I-I was testing Sir Knight's skill! I-it was on purpose!"
Don't lie.
"Hmhmhm!"
She avoided my gaze and stealthily backed away—she was clearly flustered.
Priscia's firepower alone was decent, but her accuracy was at the level of a blind man.
"......."
The other adventurers watched but kept their mouths shut.
But their eyes said it all.
'I wish that woman wasn't here....'
Then,
The forest shadow swayed, and a massive form burst out.
"It's the Mother! It's the Mother Spider!"
It displayed abnormal leaping power, soaring into the air.
"The spider... flies?"
"Stop it!"
"Damn! Too far!"
It happened to be directly above Priscia, who was in the middle of chanting.
Her pupils froze in terror.
"Eek!"
I was too late.
Paat─!
I squeezed out the last of the internal energy I had been saving.
My form shot forward like lightning, instantly closing the distance, and I pulled her by her slender waist.
A small mouthful of blood came up from the recoil.
"S-Sir Knight...!"
"Are you alright?"
Priscia rubbed her face against my back and grabbed me tightly with trembling hands.
Soon, the other adventurers joined in,
and we soon drove our blades into the Mother's head.
"Haah...."
The subjugation was a success, but the losses were devastating.
The internal energy I had arduously accumulated over several weeks had vanished cleanly in that single movement technique.
'Is this for real?'
I performed qi circulation over and over,
and realized I could no longer use martial arts as I used to.
Some great law was interfering with the accumulation of my internal energy.
I could draw upon innate true qi or use demonic arts, but only briefly—
it didn't last long.
It was like having a car but being unable to drive it because there was no fuel.
What the hell....
But nothing changes.
What I had to do was set in stone.
Saying I couldn't do something because I lacked something
didn't suit my temperament,
and by any means necessary, I would take the Demon Lord's head.
If there was one saving grace, it was that the Hero's body was sturdy.
I just had to roll around a few more times as I always had.
While I was thinking that,
Priscia, who had been rubbing her cheek against my back for a while, spoke quietly.
"Sir Knight... I'm sorry about earlier."
Her voice was strangely subdued, her tone unlike her usual self.
"I should have dodged quickly... but my feet... my feet wouldn't move...."
"......."
"I was scared... Does that make me a failed mage...?"
I walked with heavy steps and replied indifferently.
"As long as you're safe, that's all that matters. Who would have expected a spider to fly."
"......."
At my short answer, she rubbed her face against my back again and asked.
"Sir Knight, why are you so kind to me? No matter how much I think about it, I'm only a burden...."
A snicker escaped me.
Why am I kind to her? Isn't it obvious?
"Didn't I tell you? You're a noble young lady, so I'm treating you well to mooch off you when you make it big later. If you're grateful, you'd better treat me even better from now on."
Priscia giggled and perked up.
She really recovers fast.
"...Hmhmhm! As expected, Sir Knight saw my value early on."
A cheat character whose attack power was decent and whose physical and magic defense were top-tier—
that was Priscia.
I needed to raise her quickly so she could pull her own weight,
but it was still a long way to go.
I guess I have to roll around a bit more myself.
What can you do.
It was then.
"...Sir Knight."
As Artem began to come into view,
"Could you teach me the sword?"
I stopped walking for a moment.
"What?"
The reason I had gathered so much fame,
the event that would occur after obtaining the Hero of Artem title,
> It was all to see this.
++
[Your bond with Priscia Springfield deepens.]
[The special effect of the title: Guardian of House Springfield activates!]
[Character scenario has been activated.]
[Hidden Event 'First Disciple' has been activated.]
└Target: Priscia Springfield
++
My hardships are over.
##