“We were a group driven by the unending desire to kill the monsters that had slaughtered our families and friends. Everyone felt that way.”
Monsters were enemies of humanity. There were no exceptions. They burned, cursed, and killed humans with overwhelming violence. Many people harbored hatred towards monsters.
“We could have given up on revenge. We could have been satisfied and deceived ourselves at some point. But we didn’t. That’s why we could kill the ‘worst fiend’ in the depths of Greed, even at the cost of all our comrades and families.”
“…You mean I need to be ready to sacrifice my family?”
“No. Sacrifice is just the outcome. I told you, the important thing is determination.”
Glen pounded the table with his fist as he spoke.
“No matter what others say, no matter what society says, decide to achieve your own goal. It’s the determination to jump off a cliff without a bridge, knowing you might lose everything.”
Silver adventurers don’t become gold because they avoid making decisions and compromise on their goals. They avoid sacrificing everything. Ur was beginning to understand what Glen was saying.
“This determination can’t come from considering others as your motivation. You have to draw out your own voice from the depths of your soul. That’s the second thing.”
“…”
Protecting Akane had been Ur’s greatest goal until now. He had gone through many hardships and walked dangerous paths for it.
But he had never faced that motive as an inner source of energy. He had stopped thinking because she was his sister and he had to protect her. He had never had the time to reflect on himself. Now it was time to confront that.
“Reflecting on yourself will have to happen alongside labyrinth exploration. Think about it as if your life depends on it.”
Glen kicked Ur, saying, “Five monsters as today’s quota.” Ur, dragging his exhausted body, started running. It was extremely tough, but it was what Ur had wished for.
“Ur-sama.”
As Ur adjusted his equipment outside the training ground, Shizuku called out to him. Ur, wearing an old leather armor, nodded lightly to her.
“Shizuku, thanks for your help earlier. I’m heading off now.”
Thanking her for helping persuade Glen, Ur stood up. He was about to drag his heavy body back to the labyrinth when Shizuku grabbed his arm.
“I’m coming with you.”
She was also wearing labyrinth exploration gear.
“No, seriously… this is my problem.”
Ur was already at his limit, and so was Shizuku. She might have more talent, but talent couldn’t replace stamina. However, Shizuku shook her head.
“I was the one who suggested the Gem Golem to Glen-sama.”
“But…”
“I want to aim for gold rank, just like you, Ur-sama. And I want to do it as quickly as possible.”
There was a strong will in Shizuku’s eyes, an unwavering determination. But Ur didn’t understand.
“What do you plan to do once you reach gold rank? Why do you want it so badly?”
What Ur is trying to do is reckless. He knows that. He is trying to get Diz to go along with his unreasonable demands and force Glenn to accept his unreasonable requests. No matter how high Shizuku aims, there is no point in going along with Ur’s outrageous actions—or so I thought.
“I must slay the [Dragon].”
The [Dragon]
It is the greatest evil in this world. The root cause that created countless labyrinths in this once idyllic world and unleashed all kinds of monsters onto the land. It is the collective term for the [Great Sins] and their subordinates. Glenn was recognized as Gold-rank because he defeated this greatest evil.
She says she wants to slay the monster whose very name strikes fear.
“I heard that to be recognized as a Gold-rank adventurer, you need to slay a Dragon. I realized that Ur-sama’s aim to become Gold-rank would be convenient for me as well.”
So, Shizuku took Ur’s hand.
“You don’t need to feel guilty or grateful, Ur-sama.”
Saying that, she pressed Ur’s hand against her chest and smiled. That smile seemed utterly devoted, but:
“Please, use me however you like. I’ll do anything for you.”
It was so alluring that it seemed almost evil itself.
“…That’s quite a roundabout and wicked way of putting it.”
Just as Ur was about to nod at her prompting, he restrained himself at the last moment and spoke these words. Something within Ur—something firmly rooted at his very core—rejected her allure.
“Is that so?”
“We’re just going to cooperate for our mutual goals, right? I don’t mind. But then don’t use words like ‘use’ me.”
Saying that, Ur held out his hand to her. Shizuku tilted her head, not understanding his intent, but Ur didn’t withdraw his hand.
“We’re cooperators, comrades. Isn’t that enough?”
Perhaps it was a contract they should have made earlier. But it wasn’t too late now. Though Shizuku looked perplexed by Ur’s words, in the end, she took his hand.
“I’m in your care, Ur-sama.”
“I’m counting on you too, Shizuku.”
Thus, Ur and Shizuku formally became comrades.
At the time, he had no idea that this simple promise, this contract made with just these words, would become the most crucial turning point in his long journey ahead.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
Adventurer’s Guild Archive Room
While adventurers are often seen by the world as a rough bunch, there were still some among them who had the noble thought of recording the knowledge and experiences they gained to pass on to future generations. The archive room was a manifestation of their efforts.
“Ugh, what a pain.”
In the center of that room, buried under a mountain of documents, a man let out an exasperated sigh. It was Glenn, the head instructor, for some reason facing a huge pile of paperwork and groaning in annoyance.
“How rare for you to have such an unusual guest. I wonder if lightning will strike tomorrow.”
Even for Rodz, the receptionist who knew him reasonably well, it was rare to see him buried in documents in the archive room. Unless there was a serious reason, the shirker Glenn would never willingly come to such a place.
“Receptionist, bring me the documents on [Gem Golems].”
Glenn ordered Rodz with obvious reluctance.
“What a rude attitude.”
“You have them, don’t you? They’ve had a bounty placed on them these past few days.”
“…Well, I suppose it’s fine since you’re actually working for once.”
The moment she pointed that out, Glenn’s scowl deepened even further. With a look that seemed to say, “How humiliating,” Rodz found herself feeling slightly amused.
“It’s because those troublesome folks showed up.”
“Is that what Beera was talking about?”
“Yeah. Tell him not to bring people with messy circumstances like that.”
Rodz didn’t know the circumstances of “those people,” nor did she intend to pry. But considering the documents Glenn was asking for, she could guess what he was trying to do.
“[Gem Golems]…Can those kids handle that?”
“Of course not—that’s what I want to say.”
But the answer that came back was different from what Rodz had expected. She thought he would say it was impossible.
“The silver-haired one still has potential.”
“I’ve heard she’s a talented child, but that much?”
“Among all the amateurs I’ve seen so far, she’s at the top.”
Rodz was even more surprised. Glenn had seen a considerable number of adventurers. Even for a moment, he never misjudged the abilities of the novices who came to the training grounds.
“If you say so, then she must be truly remarkable…But what about the other child?”
She also asked about Ur, the gray-haired boy. To which Glenn immediately replied:
“Average.”
“How cruel…”
It was a truly cruel answer. Rodz knew that Shizuku and Ur were teamed up, which made it seem even more cruel. She had seen countless parties split up because of disparities in talent.
“I’ll admit he has an unusual tenacity, but that’s about it.”
“Tenacity…I heard he has some trouble with his sister.”
“His sister, huh…”
“What is it?”
When she questioned him, Glenn just shrugged.
“Anyway, the kid has no sense. He’s already being overwhelmed by the enhancement of his body’s magic power.”
By defeating monsters and absorbing magic power, one’s physical body becomes enhanced. The body becomes superhuman, but then the senses can no longer keep up with the increased physical abilities. Trying to move the body the same way as before and causing accidents was a common problem for adventurers.
“And the worst part is, he’s a little too sensible.”
“The worst part?”
“For living a proper life, that is. That’s probably why he’s restraining himself…”
Muttering those words, Glenn furrowed his brow in a troubled way. But in the end, he shouted “Arghhhh!” and stood up, scratching his head furiously.
“Forget it, who cares. I can’t look after them that much. All I can do is pray.”
“Pray for what?”
Just as he was about to leave the room, Glenn turned back and gave a mischievous smile.
“That some devil will appear to shove that brat off the cliff as he tries to cling to his common sense.”
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