Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 20: Promotion
Once they were able to maintain an appropriate distance as a party, the goblin extermination progressed even more smoothly.
The minimum requirement for the request was 20 creatures, but they had already reached 60 goblins slain.
Around the time the leather pouch containing the mana stones was bulging, Helene spoke up.
“I think it’s about time.”
“Yes, let’s head back.”
“Actually, since this was Shou’s first request, I was planning to wrap things up early… but I ended up going a bit overboard.”
Helene spoke with a cheerful smile.
Returning to the guild hall, Hyde and the others reported the request at the reception.
Since the mana stones themselves served as proof of the extermination, Hyde handed over 30 mana stones.
“Huh? Helene, don’t you need to hand in 30 as well?”
Helene must have 30 mana stones as well, but she only handed over 10.
“Yeah. I don’t hand over more than what’s required for the request.”
“But the rank increases with the number of mana stones you deliver, right?”
They would even buy them at a decent price, so there should be no disadvantage to submitting them.
(That’s right… I think she mentioned something about just needing to gather mana stones or something like that.)
Hyde recalled the conversation they had while progressing through the underground waterway that led to the goblin’s lair.
Then, Helene spoke in a hushed voice.
“I keep a portion for myself, for my skill.”
“…Ah, sorry, I was being a bit forward.”
“Don’t worry about it. Besides, thanks to Shou, we gathered plenty today.”
Mana stones themselves are imbued with mana.
They are usually processed into items like lighting fixtures or weapons, but in Helene’s case, she likely uses them as resources to prevent absorbing others’ mana through her [Absorption] skill.
“…Ah, that reminds me.”
Suddenly, Hyde remembered that he had the mana stone from the monster he defeated while saving Enju.
It was larger than the goblin’s mana stone, and he took it out from his pocket, handing it to Helene.
“Here, if you’d like.”
“…What is this? It’s really big, and the mana density is quite high. This must be from a much higher-level monster, right?”
“Well, I’m not sure.”
He tried to recall, but he had killed it almost in one strike, so he didn’t have much memory of it.
“I’ve received a lot of help today, so I’d like to give it to you, Helene. If you don’t want it, feel free to just deliver it.”
Interestingly, the rank would still increase if a mana stone from someone else was submitted.
It seems to be rare for adventurers to give away mana stones that represent their own achievements, and they’re quite expensive to purchase in the market.
Well, gaining a rank beyond one’s abilities would only tighten the noose around your neck anyway.
(Just like in any world, unearned power can lead to one’s downfall.)
Hyde gave a self-deprecating smile.
“I guess I can’t accept it after all. I didn’t do anything that impressive, and if anything, I was more of a hindrance…”
Helene hesitated to accept, but Hyde grabbed her hand and placed the mana stone on top of it.
“It’s a token of my gratitude. You’ve taught me a lot.”
“…Ah, thank you…”
She stared intently at the mana stone resting on both of her hands, then tightly clenched it to her chest.
While this was happening, the receptionist, who had finished the assessment, returned and handed the reward to Hyde and the others.
The amount was somewhat unsatisfactory, but considering their F rank and the difficulty of the task, it was probably reasonable.
“Thank you so much for today.”
“No, no, I should be thanking you. I meant to help the newcomer, but in the end, I was the one who was helped… Also, you’re the first person to go into a dungeon with me and still be full of energy.”
“I’m honored. –Well then.”
As Hyde turned his back to leave the guild hall, it happened.
“Ah, wait!”
“Yes…?”
He turned around, stopped by Helene’s call.
She was still holding the mana stone Hyde had given her, tightly in her hands, staring at the floor and mumbling to herself.
“Um… that is… I-I… with me…”
She started to speak in a voice so faint it seemed like it might disappear, then closed her mouth again. After repeating this a few times, she suddenly raised her head with determination.
“Th-thank you so much for today.”
“Yes. Thank you as well.”
Hyde thought to himself how thoughtful she was to stop him just to say that.
At the same time, he felt uncomfortable knowing that she was likely feared by others because of her skill.
Returning to the mansion while it was still dark outside, Hyde collapsed onto his bed and absentmindedly stared at his guild card.
(So many things happened today.)
It was his first time out in the town, but even just today, he had met so many people.
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When it came to Helene, he almost felt like they had known each other for years, as he had spent such a meaningful time with her.
“…It was fun.”
A pleasant sense of fatigue and drowsiness began to take over him.
Given that today’s dungeon was nearby and low in difficulty, even after so much exploration, there was still time left to sleep.
Since it was a rare opportunity, Hyde decided to let himself drift into a nap without using his skill.
◆ ◆ ◆
“An E-rank promotion, huh?”
The next day, just like yesterday, Hyde went to the guild hall, where the receptionist informed him that his rank had been upgraded.
“Yes. The mana stones you submitted, Shou-sama, have reached the required amount for a promotion.”
“But I’ve only gone into the dungeon once.”
“Being able to defeat so many monsters in a single day in an F-rank dungeon shows that you are no longer within the scope of an F-rank adventurer.”
The receptionist stated this calmly.
(I guess ranks go up more easily at the beginning.)
Following the instructions, Hyde handed over his guild card. The receptionist stepped away briefly and returned after a while.
When he received his guild card back, the rank section indeed showed that it had changed from F to E.
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“Congratulations, Shou-sama. With this promotion, you are now able to accept F-rank dungeon requests solo.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Hearing this, Hyde suddenly realized.
(I see, I can go solo now.)
Heading toward the bulletin board, Hyde began searching for F-rank dungeon requests.
He had been granted four powerful skills.
He wondered just how far he could push his abilities if he made the most of them.
Solo dungeon exploration was the perfect opportunity to test his limits.
“Alright, let’s do this.”
With determination, Hyde selected a request and proceeded to accept it.