Chapter 14: Testing 2
After leaving the capital, I returned to the same forest as the day before.
“I’ll continue targeting monsters separated from their groups.”
Monsters still frightened me. Goblins in particular were humanoid and connected to a childhood trauma.
One had attacked me in a forest, injuring my shoulder and arm before I escaped. The wounds had long since disappeared, but my body still froze whenever I saw a goblin.
“I want to overcome it someday, but this isn’t the time.”
I told myself that and entered the woods.
Even though the forest contained something I feared, I needed to act if I wanted to live. As I walked, I found a lone slime.
“Good. It looks like today will go smoothly too… No. Lowering my guard at a time like this could kill me. I need to stay focused.”
I almost relaxed, but immediately warned myself and remained vigilant.
That was when I sensed something beyond the slime.
“…That was close. Two goblins. I’ll abandon this slime.”
Once I spotted the goblins, I withdrew. I might have been able to force a fight, but I hadn’t killed anything for the request yet.
If I was injured and could no longer fight, the request would fail. That would damage the guild’s trust in me and the client’s as well. Reina might give up on me and come to dislike me.
I’d only just met her, and I didn’t want that.
“I’ll find another slime.”
I retreated slowly and, about five minutes later, found another slime separated from its group.
This time I checked my surroundings from the start, confirmed no other monsters were nearby, and killed it.
â—‡
A monster has been defeated.
1 EXP acquired.
EXP until next level: 19/100.
â—‡
I deliberately kept the panel displayed at the edge of my vision.
Most people would already have leveled up after killing nineteen slimes, but my level hadn’t moved at all.
“…I still can’t tell whether this skill is beneficial or a shackle placed upon me.”
One hundred monsters.
For now, I could only make that my goal and continue killing.
I hunted until the evening bell rang.
â—‡
A monster has been defeated.
1 EXP acquired.
EXP until next level: 48/100.
â—‡
I’d been fortunate. I repeatedly found slimes on their own, raising the number until it almost reached fifty.
Satisfied with the progress, I hurried back to the capital, stopped at the guild to complete the request, and received my payment. I’d earned enough for the day and could still add a little to my savings.
“Reina, I’d like a wooden sword for training. Do you know a shop that sells them?”
“A wooden sword? The guild has an old one. Would you like it?”
I’d only asked where to buy one, so her offer made me smile.
“A-Are you sure?”
“It’s worn out, but throwing it away would be wasteful. When a novice asks, we sometimes give one away for free. You may take it without hesitation.”
Since the guild intended to discard it, I accepted. Reina went to retrieve the wooden sword while I waited.
It was certainly old and chipped in several places, but it was made from sturdy wood and didn’t seem likely to break. It would be perfect for training in the inn’s backyard.
Holding it carefully, I left the guild and returned to the inn.
“My, is that a training sword from the guild?”
“Yes. When I asked Reina where I could buy one, she gave me an old guild sword for free.”
“She must like you quite a lot. The guild does give old wooden swords to novices, but there’s a condition.”
“A condition?”
Each receptionist could give away only one sword per month. Because Reina had given hers to me, she couldn’t give another to anyone else that month.
“I-I had no idea. Was it really all right for me to take it?”
“Reina handles very few novices, so I doubt it will cause a problem. If you want to show your gratitude, use that sword to train hard.”
“…You’re right. I’ll train with it as much as I can!”
My way of repaying Reina was to train properly with the wooden sword and become stronger.
After realizing that through my conversation with Amanda, I planned the next morning’s training while eating dinner and bathing. Dinner, of course, was excellent again.
“Mmm… Ah! I planned to begin sword training this morning.”
I woke before the first morning bell. Going to bed early and thinking about the hour before sleeping had helped, but I nearly drifted off again and hurriedly sprang upright.
It was still somewhat dark outside. Nevertheless, I’d made a decision the night before, so I carried my laundry to the backyard on unsteady feet.
“Laundry first…”
Still half asleep, I washed my clothes, returned to my room, and hung them up. Then I took the wooden sword and went back outside.
“…All right. Focus.”
I slapped both cheeks, gripped the wooden sword, and began my training.