“Please! Help us save this town!”

And here I thought that we can now properly start our own journey, a new fricking event suddenly popped out. The timing is really bad.

“Huh?!”

“Like what I said, A huge Demon Force is heading towards this town. We are in need of your help to stop them.”

“Can you please just stop for a minute? The events are just randomly popping out that I have no time to catch up. Whatd’ya say? An invasion by the Demon Army?”

“Yes!”

“You certainly came to the wrong people to ask for help.”

“But why?! You two are really strong, right?”

“Let’s first go to some place quiet. You wouldn’t want the crowd to hear about that certain thing that can kill them all, wouldn’t you?”

Izuna looked around her and saw curious bystanders eavesdropping to our conversation.

“Yea, we probably should.”

We went towards a café near the gates of the town. The café has few people in it which is good if were going to discuss about something that can potentially slaughter them all.

After ordering, Izuna went back to the topic at hand.

“Why can’t the two of you aide us on fighting the Demon Force?!”

“Ok, first of all, can you just call it Demon Army? Demon Force is misleading, like some kind of inexplainable power that can control things and control people… But I assume that you do not know that so… Just use Demon Army. Second, Eri and I will be the most unsuited to deal with that army.”

“But Why?!”

“You still couldn’t get it? Eri is a former Demon General, you know? And I, on the other hand will not be allowed by this town’s higher ups to know about the upcoming attack, let alone join the battle, because in paper, I am just a level 1 adventurer.”

“You have a point. But still…”

Izuna seems like she’s trying to find a reason for us to participate, but then her shoulders dropped, gesturing that she couldn’t find it.

“You understand it now, Izuna? It’s pointless to ask us.”

“Yes.”

She answered regretfully.

“If you have no questions, we’ll excuse ourselves.”

“Right… I apologize for stopping both of you. Thanks for at least listening to me.”

She sounded disheartened.

We called waiter, or whatever you call them in this world, and paid our orders. After that, we stood and head towards the exit. But before I could walk farther from our table, Izuna’s hands pulled me in the hem of my shirt. When I looked at her, she looks like she was about to cry while looking at me.

“Izuna?”

Izuna seems to have realized what she had done subconsciously and pulled her hand out immediately.

“I-I’m sorry about that. I did not mean to stop you, it’s just… I’m sorry. Aah, silly me! Why did I do that.”

“Now I can’t just refuse you. Not when you are showing that kind of face to me.”

Izuna looks like she’s trying to be tough while she’s wiping the tears slowly falling in her eyes. And that is something that I can’t just ignore.

“Huh?”

“Just like what you heard, we’re going to help you.”

“Really?!”

“Yes. But first, I want you to answer me truthfully.”

“What is it?”

“Do you love this town?”

Without hesitation, she answered wholeheartedly: “Yes!”

“Good. That’s enough for me. I’ll help you.”

“Really! Thank you very much! I’m sure that Lord Mereid will-”

“Wait, Izuna. You seems to be misunderstanding something. I will help you not to gain the approval of this town’s Lord. I am helping you because you said that you love this town. I am helping you to further your trust in us.”

Izuna was out of words for a second. Then held my hand.

“Thank you very much! Thank you!”

“Don’t mention it. I’ll help, but I don’t know about Eri.”

“The Demon King is already dead so I have no obligation to protect those demons. I’ll help you, Hans.”

“That’s great to hear! Now, what do we do next?”

“Good thing you asked. There is currently an emergency meeting being held in the conference room of the guild. The Guild Master, The Head of the Oreius Knights and the Lord of this town are in there, together with some leaders of high level adventurer parties. We need to go there immediately!”

“Wait wait wait, that is something that I can’t handle. C’mon Izuna, you’re telling me to go and meet those higher ups immediately? I will be bombarded with insult if I were to go there!”

“Don’t worry, they are all reasonable.”

“But still, those are very important people, I have no rights to meet them!”

“You have! You’re the only one who can save the town from the attack!”

“Can I just leave the whole ‘talking to important persons’ to you, Izuna?”

“No way, I have no rights to meet them.”

“That’s what I’m saying! You’re telling me to go somewhere important even if I’m not invited. I will be executed if something happened there and it’s my fault.”

“But that is the only way to make them let you join the defending group. You need to show them that you’re capable.”

“What a drag. We’ll just be a laughingstock there, you know. I certainly said that I would help but I don’t want to deal with those higher than me, it’s just hard to get through someone who feels that they’re superior than you.”

“I know, but you still need to go. Don’t worry, I’ll accompany you.”

“You don’t have the rights to meet the, right?”

“it will all work out, eventually.”

“That’s not reassuring, you know.”

“Don’t sweat it.”

And with that, I’m being pulled towards the guild building where the meeting is currently being held.

Right now, were in the door that leads to the conference room. And if you’re asking why we’re not going in yet, it is because on the other side of the door, a heated argument is currently happening.

“We need to evacuate the city right away! The people should be the first priority.”

“No! We should take our stand in here! We will not let those Demons destroy our hometown!”

“But that will be suicide! The Demon Army is huge. Even if all the powerful adventurers in this town were to gather, we would barely last the attack. Many will die, you know that?!”

“It is worth to sacrifice someone for the well-being of the majority!”

“But it will be foolish if there is an obvious way other than sacrifice that we should’ve taken.”

“You’re a coward, Knight! Just hide somewhere, we’ll handle the attack.”

“You, adventurers, are big fools! You will just sacrifice yourselves for nothing!”

“Enough! We can’t reach a definitive conclusion if you two were to argue without coming up with something productive. I get your point Moris, you just want to protect this town where you were born and raise, on the other hand, Altus has a point too. The well-being of the citizens should be the top priority. You two have a point, but we need to reach a conclusion that will save the citizens while preventing any casualties and damage to the town itself. I know that what I’m saying is practically impossible, but we still need to grasp even a slightest possibility that it can be executed. I know that I am selfish, but I love this town, I love my people.”

With that speech, the two arguing persons stopped talking.

On the other side of the door…

“Should we enter now? The commotion appears to be subdued.”

“I think we should. But I don’t know how to react after I entered the room.”

“Just be relaxed.”

“That won’t work. Especially right now that my nerves are cracking just by thinking that I would interact with a higher up.”

“Then how?”

I need to think abiot it. I need to leave an impression that I can do anything, not just a wimp whose afraid of talking to high-positioned people.

“I know, I’ll just act like an arrogant overconfident jerk!”

“That would be weird if I think about it. But if that’s what would make you less nervous, then so be it.”

“Ok then, I’ll enter.”

“-I am selfish, but I love this town, I love my people.”

“Then let me assist you! Lord Mereid.”

Right after I entered the room, everyone inside became wary and their weapons were drawn and pointed towards me.

“Who are you!”

The Knight whose named is Altus, if I’m listening right, was the one who broke the dreadful atmosphere and asks the question.

“No need to know me. After all, I’m just here to assist with the crisis at hand.”

“So, you’re not an enemy. But still, you’re being disrespectful of the Lord by entering the room even if you shouldn’t be here.”

“I know. But this is not the time for that. I’m sorry, Lord Mereid, but the crisis at hands should be the utmost priority.”

“Let him in. Looks like he has a plan.”

They let me in together with Eri. Izuna was gone when I looked outside, she seems to avoid being seen by the people inside.

As I walk towards the seat that they offered, I’ve bumped to a table and the silverwares fell in the ground. I tried to pick them up but I ended up bumping my head under the table. There goes my ‘tough’ acting…

“You look like a fool.”

“Shut up, Eri.”

We went towards the seat that was offered to us. Everyone looked at us without saying something, kind of like they were evaluating our strengths by looking at us physically.

There are currently 8 people in the room right now, including us. Lord Mereid, The Head of the Knight Altus, the leader of a High-Rank Party Moris, The Guild Master whom I don’t know and is quiet, and the other 2 leaders of the other High-Rank Parties.

The one who broke the silence was Lord Mereid himself.

“Before we can trust you, we need to know the both of you first. Can you show us your Guild Card?”

“Eri, show yours to them.”

Eri pulled out her guild card from her pocket and hand it over to Lord Mereid and he hand it over to the guild master to analyze.

The guild master looked calm and collected, but as he saw what’s Eri’s status is in the card, He looked surprised and amused.

“Now that’s what I call a shocker.”

“What did it say?”

“The Girl’s level is 312.”

“312?!”

The one that reacted like that is the other High-Rank Party leader that looks young and arrogant.

“I’m not joking. And by the way, little girl. I will tell you a little secret. You’re not the only one who has passed the 300’s in this room.”

As soon as he said that, Eri became wary of the Guild Master. I can tell that her hands were already holding her knives right now.

I patted her shoulder while signaling her to stop making commotion.

“Is it perhaps you, sir?”

“Hahaha! You have a good intuition there, Boy! Name’s Derekar, just call me Derek.”

“Ok, sir Derek. Are we clear now?”

“Oh, Boy. Not yet. Yes, your partner definitely has the power. But do you have it? Let me see your card too.”

“No need. I’ll tell you what my level is.”

“Good, less work for me.”

“I’m level 1.”

The room fell silent once again, as if anticipating a different answer. The one who reacted first was Derek.

“Are you sure, Boy?”

“Yes. I am level 1.”

“You… You seriously think that we’ll let you join here. Given your level is 1?”

The one who reacted was Moris.

“I don’t really care.”

“Hey! That’s not the way to answer Moris. You’re being disrespectful!” The other High-Rank Party leader blurted.

“I’m not talking to you. Who are you, anyway.”

“I am William. And I will not let you disrespect me too. You’re just a level 1, a weakling! What makes you think that you’re superior to me and you can just ignore me and disrespect me?”

“I don’t really care about you. I am talking to Moris, you see.”

“You know, I can kill you right here, right now.”

“Try it.”

“Stop it Will!”

“But Moris, he’s being disrespectful on us, when it’s clear that we’re Ranked Higher than him. On that note, why is a strong and beautiful girl like you partnering up with that weakling? If you were being paid to, Then I can raise your pay if you will join my party. If you were being forced, then I will make sure to make him release you-”

Will focused her lecherous eyes towards Eri, even though she’s wearing a cloak.

So that’s what he wants.

“-Come on, you really want to come with me now instead of that weakling, right?”

I can feel Eri’s blood boiling right now. I can relate to her, however. I want to punch that guy in the face too. But we can’t afford to do that yet so I signaled her to calm down.

“Looks like she doesn’t want to. Give up.”

“Ok that’s it, fucker! I will kill you right now and here! You weakling who can’t identify someone stronger than you! I will teach you a lesson, a really painful lesson. You, weak fucker, should just lower your head when I told you so, die when I want to! Weak should obey the strong! You degenerate motherfucker! Just cower while I punish you thoroughly. You weak, lame degenerate, idiot excuse for a-”

“I think you should stop talking now.”

“Huh?! Are you getting chills in your spine now, you weak and lowly excuse of a man?”

“Any further than that and your head will separate your body.”

“What are you-”

Even before he finishes what he’s saying, he noticed that there is a knife pointed in his throat. That’s why he stopped talking. The other members of the meeting were also surprised about what just happened and had no time to react at all.

Eri was not in her seat now. She was at Will’s back, holding a knife pointed to Will’s throat.

I then stood up, put my hands to the table and lean on it. I then released my bloodlust to the room.

“Look, I am not asking for permission to join. I’m just informing all of you that I will join and I don’t need your permission for it.”

All of them looked like they are feeling the pressure of my bloodlust. All of them besides Derek, the Guild Master.

After a brief silence, The Guild Master break it.

“Do what you want, Boy. You don’t need permission from us anyways. You know what, I doubt you because of your level. But after you released your bloodlust, I knew that you are not just bluffing. I can feel that you are hiding something and I won’t pry to it anymore. Just join us whenever you wanted. If you can help us with the current problem at hand, then that will be reassuring.”

I stopped my bloodlust and the pressure was gone from the air. Eri went beside me.

“Now then, we’ll go now. Good luck with the rest of your meeting. And I would strongly recommend not to get on our way. Once again, thank you for your time.”

We then walked out of the room. While walking, you can still hear them saying things like ‘Are you sure about that?’ or ‘Is it the right choice?’ Nothing matters anyway. We will still save this town in the fastest way possible and immediately resume our journey.

As I look back inside the room, I saw the people inside still arguing. Amidst that, I saw William glaring at me while clenching his fist, and I have a bad feeling about it.

“What happened there? Is everything fine? Did they agree to let you join?”

“Can you please shut up for a minute, Izuna? My head hurts right now and silence would help me a lot.”

We are now in one of the Guild’s Resting Rooms. As soon as we exited the room, Izuna greeted us. I really wanted to flick her in the forehead, but I’m too drained for that. Therefore, Izuna offered us a Guild Room to rest. But instead of being able to rest, we are bombarded by Izuna’s questions.

“C’mon, don’t be stingy. What happened there?”

“Eri, is it okay if you would tell to that girl right there about what happened inside the room?”

“Sure!”

“Yes! What happened there, Eri?”

“Hans embarrassed himself in front of them.”

“Let’s just forget about that, Eri.”

“If you just saw what happened to him, you will find yourself laughing too.”

“You don’t need to tell her about that, right?”

“So? What really happened there?”

“Well, he never shown respect to the people there and a fight almost happened. As expected of Hans.”

“What did you do, Hans.”

“That’s Broad! See, even Izuna misinterpreted that. You suck at telling stories, Eri. I’ll just tell the story myself. This is what happened:”

I told her the whole story from the start until the moment I exited the room, but I didn’t tell her about William and his glare.

“I’m not even surprised anymore. But still, why did you provoke William? Is that a part of your plan?”

“Nah, he just pissed me off.”

“I knew it.”

“I can’t help it. He’s being a jerk. He should be glad that a fight was prevented. If not, he would probably have a few broken bones by now.”

“I know that you’re just joking, but I have a feeling that you would go to those lengths if you’re pissed off.”

“No! I’m not joking. I swear to God, if he were to act like a douche in front of me, I’ll straight up punch him in the face.”

“If you do that, you will face the wrath of almost all the Girls in this town. Even if he’s a jerk, he’s certainly popular with girls, you know.”

“Oh, so that’s why he’s confident that Eri would join her. What does he think of himself, a sex icon? His kind is the kind of person that I hate the most! Those who thinks they are so handsome and all the girls should, compulsorily, flock to him whenever he go somewhere. Aaah!!! He’s pissing me off! I want to punch him so badly. C’mon, can I punch him just once?”

“”Umm.”

Before I realized it, I was already standing while my fist was raised. I immediately sat afterwards.

“Um, Sorry about that. Don’t mind me.”

“Okay… So? What are you going to do now? Will you prepare for the battle?”

“No, we’ll head to the inn that we stayed at. We need some rest considering the events that happened today were tiring.”

“You will not prepare?”

“Do you see us as the type of people that prepares for something?”

“Now that I think about it, No, prepping’s not suited for the both of you.”

“See! Well, we’ll excuse ourselves for the night. Let’s meet again tomorrow.”

“Ok, see you tomorrow.”

Eri and I went back to the Wolf’s Inn where we first stayed. Since we’ve already checked out, we need to check in again on the counter. We went towards the counter and we were greeted by the counter lady.

“Oh, you two again. I thought you two would head out today, why the change of heart?”

“Well, a certain energetic girl asked me for help with something, so we postponed our trip just to help her.”

“Oh, how nice of you! Well, enjoy your stay. Just tell me if you need anything.”

“Sure.”

After the counter lady send us off, we Eri and I went to our rooms. It’s been a long day so a good night sleep is definitely what I need right now. But before I do, I need to attend to something important first.

After confirming that Eri is asleep, I went outside and walked towards the Town Plaza.

“You can come out now.”

What came out are 6 Guys brandishing their weapons.

“Oh, so you noticed us.”

“Yeah. All of you are bad at tailing people, you know. I noticed right after I left the Guild Building.”

“So you noticed us and you still decided to go in somewhere deserted? You’re foolish!”

“Yeah, yeah. Enough of the Chit chat. Tell me what you want.”

“We don’t want anything from you. But our boss does.”

“Boss?”

“Hey there, Fucker.”

What emerged in the darkness of the night is William, holding a sword and brandishing it.

“Um, should I say… ‘As expected’?”

“Huh?”

“Well, you looked like you want to kill me earlier so if someone’s wanting to follow me and look for the opportunity to attack, then it must be you.”

“You’re smart, I’ll give you that. But still, you cannot escape this situation. And you didn’t bring that girl with you so this will be rather easy, it will be a shame for me to do it to someone as weak as you.”

“Then, why not ‘not’ do it?”

“Huh? Are you an idiot? You’ve embarrassed me earlier so you need to pay. Unfortunately, you will need to die here.”

“Are you sure with that?”

“You think you can change my mind? Sorry but I will kill you regardless of your reasons.”

“So that’s your final answer.”

William then instructed the 6 goons to attack me.

Suddenly, they became hesitant to come near me because of what appeared in my hands.

“He’s a mage?!”

“He has a wand.”

“Don’t worry, he’s still at level 1 so he can’t hurt you all.”

Is what I was hearing around me.

What appeared in my hand is a pump-action shotgun. Loaded with rubber bullets so it would not be fatal if hit.

“This is not a wand, this is my own weapon, a shotgun, and I’m going to defeat all of you by just using this.”

The goons appeared to be hesitant to move because of their unfamiliarity to the weapon I am holding. What pushed them to attack is William who’s still just watching.

“What are you standing around for?! Attack the guy!”

The goons attacked simultaneously. But unfortunately for them, I already have my weapon so it is pretty much a win for me.

I aimed the muzzle to one of the goons and pulled the trigger. The bullet sent the goon aback and writhing in pain.

“Now, let’s get this party started.”

I unloaded the bullets towards the goons around me while maniacally laughing. The goons were writhing in pain every time they get hit by the bullets. Some tried to escape but were shot immediately. Even if they’re already down, I still unload all of my bullets in them causing them to have bruises all over their body and losing consciousness.

After having my share of fun, I looked towards where William is standing. He’s shocked at what he saw earlier and couldn’t grasp the situation.

I dashed towards him and stop right before I collide with him.

“You’re next.”

After hearing those words, William frantically shouts for help.

“Remember when you said you’d kill me? You have so much conviction in that particular phrase, right? How about I do the same for you?”

After hearing what I said, William began to shout and cry more violently while trying to claw his way outside the situation.

“Oh, but since I’m not in mood for killing someone, I’ll refrain from killing you. Don’t worry, I will not Kill you, I’ll just hurt you so much that you would want to die afterwards.”

William tried to run away, but I caught up with him easily.

“Where are you going, the party’s not yet over.”

After catching up to him, I hand-chopped his shoulder strong enough for it to be dislocated. The sight of his arms being awfully dislocated made William scream louder. I did not stop there however. I Broke his other arm and tripped him down resulting on his ankle joints to be dislocated. I broke a few ribs but made sure that his organs were fine. I also twist his right knee. Right now, William’s cry for help became more and more faint. Looks like he’s slowly losing consciousness. Before he lost his entire consciousness, I bid him my farewell.

“That’s all for today, William. And I hope you learn your lessons already. Next time you tried to go in our way, I will Kill you right there. Understand?”

He didn’t answer, He has lost consciousness.

“At least try to hear me before losing consciousness, will you. You’re rude.”

I suddenly felt a presence somewhere at my back.

“Who’s there!”

I readied my shotgun and aimed for the way where I felt the presence. What emerged from the dark is Eri.

“Oh, Eri, why are you here.”

“To escort you towards the inn.”

“How nice of you.”

“No, I just followed you hoping I could join the fun. But you obliterated them all quickly so nothing’s left for me. Besides, seeing you laughing maniacally really is uncomfortable to watch.”

“Hehehe, thanks for the compliment.”

“I’m not complimenting you, I’m just stating the facts.”

After confirming with Eri, I called out to the one that’s hiding in the fountain ever since the start of my fight.

“You can also come out now. Stop hiding in the fountain.”

What showed up is a Female with Elf-like features and is wearing a Robe that magicians usually wear.

“A Larean.”

“Oh, so that’s what a Larean looks like. She looks like an elf from my world.”

“What’s an elf?”

“Nothing. For now-”

I looked at the Larean in front of me.

“-What’s your business here. Wait… You’re in the meeting earlier too, right? You’re also a high-rank party leader.”

“Yes, that’s right. I am Luluca Canaria from Carata Tribe. I am the leader of Moonlight Party, and a fellow magician like you.”

“Um, hate to break it to you but I am not a magician. In fact, I have zero affinity in magic.”

“But, I thought you used magic of some kind to defeat those thugs.”

“Better not dig deeper to my ability. More importantly, why are you here.”

“I followed William here because I had a feeling that he will attack you here. I thought I could stop the fight if something goes awry. But I guess I don’t have anything to do in here at all.”

“I appreciate the thought. But I am more than enough to handle him.”

“Yeah, that’s what I saw too. I initially thought that you are just all barks and no bite, but you are more than capable. I’m sorry for doubting you earlier. And I hope we don’t end up as enemies, I wouldn’t want that considering you are undoubtedly strong.”

“Thank you. I just don’t want to be popular. I just want to explore. On that note, I want you to promise me one thing.”

“What is that?”

“I want you to keep my ability a secret from anyone. You will not tell them what you see here and what I used to defeat them. If you were questioned, just say that you were the ones that defeated them all before they can harm a unarmed civilian.”

“I promise. But why hide it? You are powerful and if you show it, you will be respected.”

“It will just became a huge pain in the ass if they knew that I am just level 1. I don’t want to deal with those people.”

“Okay then. I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

“Thank you very much. And for the little squirrel hiding behind the trees, I hope you would keep this a secret too.”

I directed that to the person that has been observing me from the start, Derek the Guild Master.

“Well then, this is where we part ways. See you tomorrow Luluca. And I’m holding on to that promise.”

“Yeah, trust me. Goodnight.”

“Let’s go, Eri.”

“Ok.”

Eri and I went back to the inn, but the doors were already closed so we went towards the windows and enter there. We went to our rooms and I lay down to the bed. My eyes became heavy not too long after laying down and a few seconds later, I was sound asleep.