It was no longer a walk. It was a parade. Through the town, people were giving me gifts. I accepted the small ones, but refused coin or valuable stuff. One guy came before me. It was a thin scholar type that smelled of crushed herbs and blood.

"Hello, Mr. Hero. I am Alvus, the apothecary of this town. I thank you for helping us."

"Don't worry, sir. I was just doing my job for the kingdom." More people offering me their precious belongings. "The king will reward me greatly for my work here, so just your gratitude and smiles are enough."

"The Hero is really a generous person." "Praise the Hero" "Please marry me!!" "Shut up wait for the harvest festival" "Make a baby with me"

"Alvus, I need to reach the Adventurer's Guild. I have to talk to the Master. Can you lead the way?"

"Oh, sorry. I am busy with all the wounded. But this boy here, Cloude, is an adventurer and an acquitance of the Guild Master. Cloude, escort the Hero."

"With pleasure! This way, sir." Cloude makes a funny salute.

I shake his hand. "Cloude, is it? Remember to pick your fights well. If something too strong comes, it is no shame to run away. Even if you have to leave someone behind. There is no glory in fighting just to thow your life away."

Cloude turns his head in shame as I mention running away. He is earnest. I know I can trust him.

"Erm... The Hero surely is wise."

"I am still alive. If I get to old age and remain alive, then I'll accept that I am wise. Now, come. Lets go to the Guild, Cloude."

"Is Mr. Hero an adventurer?"

"No. I'm just some random stranger that was hired by the king to settle things in this town." I'll be dismissive and stern here. I cannot jeopardize my mission in any way.

"Oh. I see. I won't pry any further."

"Don't make that face. I want to be your friend, Cloude. It is just that I have things I'd rather keep away from the knowledge of the general public." I draw closer to his ear. "Like what girl I like."

Cloude is a total virgin, isn't him? He is fidgeting and blushing. I just hope he likes the right girl. But I think it is so. Oh, i know that medal hanging from his neck.

"Cloude, what is that medal in your neck?"

"It is the Shining Blades medal. It is like a memento of them. Can I ask you one thing?" I nod. "Where did you get that sword?"

"I found it in the woods while investigating the disturbance." Yes, there was a huge disturbance in the woods' tranquility. "There were several complains".

"Hey, I have more of those medals. And nothing to do with them. Can you take them off of me?" I hand to him six more medals.

"Oh. So this means that the Shining Blades are all..."

"Yup. Dead. Told you. That orc mutant's fault." Call me callous, but the reality is even more. I have to wake this kid up.

"But the troll..."

"My investigations showed there were no troll. Only the helmet of that orc mutant made it look like a troll." I face Cloude. "Did you see a troll? Did you confirm that it was a troll? How did you get out alive from a troll encounter? Did you sacrifice someone to escape from a troll?" For each question, Cloude shrank more and more. Bullseye!

"Yes, you see.. I can't confirm it was a troll indeed. but..."

"Know what, the Guild is not going anywhere. Please, tell me everything you know. I'm on a mission for the King himself. Even stuff some other authority told you to keep silent about, even something you think is pointless. Tell me everything. Here, come into this tavern." I take Cloude into a tavern, and toss two gold coins at the barkeep. "Get everyone out. I want to talk only me and my man Cloude here. If anyone wants to barge in, tell them to ask the King for an audience first."

"Yes, Sir Hero!! The tavern is all yours." I think two gold coins could indeed buy the place now that the city is almost ruined.

"Oi, tavernkeeper, bring us some fine drink. I don't want your tavern, I want quiet. And tell everyone outside to go on their own business there is a wall to rebuild if they don't want to be eaten during winter."

I turn to Cloude, that is whiter than snow. "Cloude, now tell me everything."

And Cloude spills the beans of all his story so far.

Interesting. Much Interesting.

After a couple hours, Cloude is drinking watered mead, the go to drink for young kids with low alcohol resistance, while I am drinking something called "Dwarf killer." The tenth jug.

I stand up, and call the tavernkeeper. "Hey my good man. Here is another gold coin. Please take this brave boy back home safely. And thanks for all your drinks. Peace."

I leave the tavern, and resume going to the Guild. The entourage is smaller now. I think the 'Hero' effect is wearing down. There are also other effects wearing down, but I have at least another week. While counting my time remaining and my objectives, I reach the Guild. Inside, just a few wounded aventurers. The otherwise noisy place full of hooligans became an infirmary. A girl in suggestive uniform, maybe in her twenties comes to me.

"Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild. How may I help you today?"

I take a stern look at her, and go straight to the point. "I am here on a mission from the king. Where is the Guild Master." With intimidation skill activated.

The receptionist sweats, and her breathing becomes irregular. Maybe I've put too much pressure. "Master is at his office. I'll lead you there."

"Please do."

She was about to knock on the door, but I just barge in. Oh, it was locked. Too bad for the lock.

"Who is it?" There is the Guild Master. "Who are you, and what business you have breaking my door."

I wave at the receptionist, shooing her. She leaves at once without a noise or even letting out a voice. What a professional. I walk into the office, and close the door after me. He stealthly tries to open a drawer. I'm not concerned whatever he may have in there. After some difficulty, I was able to put the door back in place, and go take a chair across the desk of the Guild Master.

His office is a mess. Cluttered. Trophies, reports, monster parts, wood shavings. He is worn out. Tired. Worried. Afraid. I'm loving it.

"So, Guild Master, I think I should introduce myself now. Name is Beowulf and I am a Hero sent here by the King himself to investigate some conflicting reports. By the way, I took the liberty of killing this guy and his lackeys." I show the orc mutant's head to him briefly.

"The King? Do you have an edict? Some proof of your assignment."

"Did I need one? Crap, that minister has set me up. But it is true, you know? After I am done here, I'm going to the capital to get my pay. But I found this sword here in the east forest, it is a fancy one. Check it out." I show him Helmholtz sword. "Quite a find, it was in the deep forest. Its owner already dead when I picked it up."

He breaks a cold sweat. "What are your business with me?" He is slowly opening a drawer outside my view. Let's play.

"Tell me all about the gold haired girl you sent to the lockup. And about the troll, and about your schemes with the baron."

"I know nothing about these things you speak of." I stand up and pretend I am distracted. Give him the proverbial rope.

"Fine, fine. You can drop that poisoned dagger now." I tell him without turning around. Then I return to the chair, and look at him in the eyes. "Is that drawer where you keep the wyvern venom?"

It should be impossible for him to pop his eyes more than before, but he did. "Wyvern venom? I wouldn't deal with something that dangerous."

I return to the desk and sit down.

"Oh, cut the crap and stab me with the knife." I show him my arm. But I retract that arm, once I see something in the wall to the side. It didn't catch my attention. "Nice monster arm you have there. Is it stuffed? Very nice work. One can see the poison damage in the tissue as it was poisoned yesterday..."

"That is a troll arm. Of a troll I hunted in the woods last summer." You don't need to tell me. Cloude told me everything. I know what you did last summer.

"Cool. Back to the poisoned dagger, can you please stab me?" he is looking at me as if I was crazy. "If I die, everything will be fine for you. I barged in, never showed proof. You captured an impostor that was using the King's name without permission."

"But if you don't die..."

"If I won't die from that knife, do you have anything else you can do? Think you can run from me? After all you have done? I'm giving you a sporting chance here."

"Fine. Then die." He takes the knife, and makes a deep cut across my forearm.

"Ugh." It is indeed Wyvern Venom. The necrotic venom is spreading in my veins, corroding my flesh. Guild Master is gloating. He took two cloth handkerchiefs, and laid the knife on it. With the other, he pressed on my wound.

"Don't take me wrong, I don't want your dirty blood staining my desk."

"I don't mind (pant) it surely looks expensive (pant)."

"I commend you on your resiliency. But you are done for."

"Ugh. It seems so. Damn this thing is strong! It is the real deal, Guild Master." I shout loud, so everyone in the building should have heard.

After some minutes, my arm is as bad as the arm in the wall.

Skill Poison Resistance has leveled up. Skill HP Restoration has leveled up. Skill Max HP Increase has leveled up.

And after a few more minutes, it reverted back to normal. Guild Master is astonished. I pick up the dagger with my other hand.

"Now it is my turn. But first, I want to listen to a story from you."

The guild master did not resist. He spoke everything I wanted to know.

And then he tasted his own 'medicine'.

You have leveled up. 1 skill point gained. You have leveled up. 1 skill point gained. You have leveled up. 1 skill point gained. You have leveled up. 1 skill point gained.

A few minutes later, the Receptionist knocks on the door. "Is everything fine in there, Master, Mr. Hero?"

I answer the door, and talk to her. "No, everything is fine. But the Guild Master is no more." I point at the now headless body, totally bleak from the poison. "He was a criminal that jeopardized an entire town on his quest for power. His treatment of adventurers as his own pawns was also something to be considered. By the King's power, I have dealt judgement. He died with his own poisoned dagger."

"Oh, Master...." That is a cry of a woman in love. She looks at me with hateful eyes.

"Hate me all you want. You'd be an orc bride just like that girl he injustly locked away had I not arrived." I wait for the words to sink in... "was that Guild Master your man?"

"No. I am unmarried." But not a virgin... well, you are past marriable age. And who you fuck is none of my business. So long it is not me. And stop crying already, it is gross. To cry for that shitty excuse for a human being.

"Welp, whatever. I need to use the job changing crystal. Where is it."

"With the Guild Master dead, the crystal stays dormant until the next Guild Master executes the Claiming Ritual."

"Well, it can't be helped, can it?" She is almost laughing, while covered in snot. This much for vengeance? Come take a stab at me too. This is just a minor inconvenience. Minor, did you hear me? "I'm going to visit the Baron now. You are in charge of the guild, good work." Humm. "But first, I'll have you register me. The registration crystal is still working, right?"

"Yes, the registration is still working. But I thought you were an adventurer."

"I am not. I haven't even changed jobs once. Come on, lets do it. You can see my status in full when I register, right?"

"I doubt you are just a villager." I can't help but grin. " If you want to expose yourself bare, be my guest. Lets register." There is something dangerous in her eyes. She is not broken yet. But how could she hurt me?

We go downstairs and enter a registration booth. The booth is separated in two sides, but I enter on her side.

"You stay on the other side." It is cramped.

"No. I think it is better for me to stay here with you. Don't worry. I don't have any interest in you as a woman." She is angry. Did I say something bad? Did I?

"Just place your hand here." A tingling feeling appears as my status is appraised by the stone.

Name: Beowulf Class: Villager Level: 20 Race: [Human] Level: 19

"Level 20 villager? And what are you, humans don't have racial levels!" She begins to raise a voice, but I shut her mouth.

"Finish the damn registration if you don't want to die right now. Not a single word." I am squeezing her mouth harder than I need. Is it hurting? I don't care. "I can break your neck with a flick of my finger, Guild Master whore."

She finishes making the registration. Rank 'i'. I have no idea how newbie this should be, but it will do. Status is only read in full at registration. I can use the card to control my information now.

"Is it done?"

"Yes." Oh, she is still glaring daggers at me. What a hard spirit. Unbreakable.

"Is the data from the registration recorded in the crystal?"

"Yes. Once the Guild Master access the data it transfers to the job-changing crystal to be broadcast later."

"Fine." My rage is channeled to my fist as it smashes the registration crystal. "Now show me the guild vault. I want some things from there."

She looks at me with bloodshot eyes. "You have no authority to access the Guild's vaults." And she is right. But I don't care.

"You are correct. But there is evidence in the vaults that I need. If you won't help, maybe the next receptionist will." I make a motion like counting. "Or the next one. Or the last one."

"I'll take you. Don't harm the other girls. But I'll have you sign an affidavit for what you take. And you are taking not a single coin."

"I don't want your gold. Don't worry. I am only taking some 'useless' stuff." We move back to the guild master's room. The vault entrance is here, hidden behind the bookshelf. "I am also taking that big arm, this knife, this vial and this bow."

She takes me to the vault. When I show her what I want, she is astonished. I sign the form as "The Hero in the service of the King".

We return to the guildmaster room. "Say, there was a girl with wheat hair the guild master brought last summer, right? A newbie adventurer from that arm incident" I point at the glass case with the big arm.

"Yes. I remember her. Monster bride. Filthy girl. I had to clean up the whole guild building alone for two days because no other receptionist would accept working in here."

"Did you see her?"

"Yes. That filthy monster bitch. Just thinking about her makes me want to puke. If it were not a personal request of Master, I'd never have laid my even eyes on her."

"Oh. Is that so. This makes what I am going to do much easier." Helmholtz's blade cleaves her heart in half. She falls at the feet of the headless Guild Master. The same place she spent her whole life at.

I pick up my trophies and the inert job-changing crystal and go to the inn clean myself and change clothes. These I am wearing have too much dried and fresh blood. A quick wash, new clothes. I go to the inn's yard and burn the old clothes.

I need to confirm the stories I heard. After asking around, I arrive at a house near the main square. I knock at the door, nobody answers. I yell, a neighbor shows up.

"If you are looking for Ms. Mercy, she is in the apothecary."

"Oh, thanks my good man. Are you injuried?"

"No, I am fine. Just bruised."

"Rest well, my good man. I am off to the apothecary. But how do I find it?"

Following the directions the man gave me, I reach a house with a picket fence, and a big herb garden at the backyard. Those herbs are too lively, in the middle of a drought. There should be some magic at work here. I make my way inside. Several wounded people. Some guys recognize me.

"Oh, it is Sir Hero. Hey Sir Hero!!!" "That boy is the Hero? Don't joke with me!" "Oh, he could marry my daughter.." The peanut gallery is noisy as usual. I smile, nod and wave.

"I am looking for Ms. Mercy. Is she available."

"If it is for Sir Hero... Hey Mercy! The Hero is here to see you."

A young woman in her late twenties come out of the back. "What is this noise! There are wounded people here." she is wearing a bloody apron.

"Hello Ms. Mercy. I need to talk to you. In private, if possible."

"I am busy now Mr. Hero. If you don't mind giving a hand around, I can be free faster."

"Lead the way, my lady." I have no problem with blood. Lets help fix up some good adventurers and villagers. I need to get the good grace of Ms. Mercy.

After some nice long hours of hard work, all the sick people are treated and sleeping. It is already night. Mercy and I leave through the back door, to find Mr. Alvus feeding some rats. Oh, nice.

"Hey, Alvus, are those your pets?"

"No. I am just looking after them for someone."

"good to know. Hey, the little one has something tied to his back..."

"He won't let me touch it. It is some kind of message."

I lower my voice. "Fine. Look I will go straight to the point. I have executed the Guild Master for all his crimes. I know you were involved, Alvus, but there is nothing against you, so rest at ease." I turn to Ms. Mercy. "I need you two to tell me everything about the case. Please."

They were tired, so we arranged a meeting tomorrow.I borrowed the same tavern, but the tavernkeeper refused to receive another gold coin. I gave it to Alvus instead, so he can buy medicine for the wounded soldiers and adventurers.

He tried to refuse. "I am getting one hundred of those when I return to the capital. Don't worry. I am sure you can use it to help the people that were injuried from the orc attack."

Now, you two, please tell me everything. I have already heard the versions from that kid Cloude and the Guild Master, so please hide nothing.

We drink and eat, while the story slowly unravels before me. I lied when I said the Guild Master told me everything. I didn't want to hear his voice any more. But with the version from these three people, the picture is almost complete.

Now only two business are left before I can leave this town and return to the capital.

The least important one is giving that filthy baron and his rapist sons some 'justice'.

Reaching the Baron's house, I just shouted to the gate guards. "By the order of the King, the Baron is to present himself before this Hero." The guards refused to open the gate. "Open the gate and summon the baron." Still nothing. A crowd formed after a few minutes.

I shouted again at the gate guards. "If you guys are covering for the baron while he escapes, I am going to get the Baron, then I am coming back here and killing you both." I walk to the gate, putting threatening pressure towards these two idiots. Then I hold the gate bars and rip the gate from its bearings. While the gate guards are slack mouthed, I toss the gate a few yards in and to the side, and walk into the estate.

With [Presence Detection] I see some people hurrying to get aboard a carriage. I run, pick up a big stone. With my ultimate skill, I toss the stone into the carriage. It bursts as if hit by a cannonball. The horses in front of it were hit also, they died with their flanks gouged out. Reaching the carriage wreckage, I see the fat nobleman cowering behind a plant vase.

"Mr. Baron, for crimes and conspiracy against the crown, you are hereby sentenced to death." With a swift motion, the baron's head rolls in the ground.

The baron's guards threaten me with their weapons. I decide to not slaughter them. "KNEEL" my intimidating shout goes.

They drop to their knees. A woman is crying. "My children were in the carriage!!!!" I've got the two dicks with a single stone. Less shit to deal with.

"I'm sorry for your loss Ma'am. But from the stories I heard around, those two were guilty of raping several girls in town."

"You piece of commoner shit, die!!!" She takes a dagger, and tries to stab me. I grab her arm, and break it. "Fuuuck die fuck!"

The dagger goes to the other hand. "Murderer!" And it is broken too. I finish her with the sword.

The household servants are disgusted, wary, awestruck and dumbfounded. All at the same time. I snap their leader out of his torpor.

"Hey, senescal. I am appointing Apothecary Alvus as Mayor until a new lord anoited by the kingdom arrives."

I look behind me, there are dozens of citizens entering the manor yard. I address everyone.

"And I have another edict. This fall, everyone in this town has to pay just one small copper chip as poll tax." The people cheer as I walk out of the manor. I'm sorry not sorry at Alvus, for putting such burden on you.

With that out of the way, it took me two days to accomplish the other goal. Sneaky little things...

Now all that is left is to return to the king, deliver my report and get my due reward.