Chapter Six: The Hunting Festival
Day 25 of Training
On a bright, sunny day, the Great Sin City-State of Greed was bustling with activity. The streets were more crowded than usual, the number of stalls had increased, and money was changing hands at a rapid pace.
The reason for all this excitement was clear: today was the day of the Hunting Festival.
The target of the hunt, the Gem Golem, was not a notorious monster. It ranked at Level Ten, nowhere near the ferocity of monsters like the Evil-Eyed Serpent or the Chaos Beast.
However, this made it an ideal spectacle for onlookers. People could enjoy the event without fear, watching rookie adventurers like Ur and Shizuku struggle and scramble in a chaotic battle.
But for the participants, this was no mere entertainment. Many saw it as a significant challenge, and some had been meticulously preparing for this day.
Among them were Ur and Shizuku, who had endured thirty days of grueling training at the training camp.
“It’s definitely a spectacle,”
“There are so many stalls,”
The people walking around seemed carefree and happy. Ur, feeling the weight of the upcoming battle, stopped looking outside and focused on what was in front of him.
“…We made it in time.”
“Thanks to Magica and the Golden Hammer,”
Lying before them was a single spear, the Dragon Fang Spear, which Ur had requested to be repaired.
“I thought she might break her promise,”
“It was close,”
The blade had been finished early, but the magical core was completed at the last minute. Ur never expected to have to collect it from Magica’s house himself. The experience of waiting anxiously for the core, while dealing with an irate silver-ranked mage, was not one he wished to repeat.
“We hardly had any time to practice with the Dragon Fang Spear,”
“I don’t know why I stuck with the Dragon Fang Spear, I swear. …… “
Ur sighed, lifting the spear.
The blade, which had been worn down to resemble a club, was now a faded white. Made from a Labyrinth mineral known as pseudo-silver, it was cheap and sturdy, but its dull color gave it a reputation as a material for novice or poor adventurers. Ur didn’t care about appearances; he prioritized performance and cost, and the Golden Hammer had met his needs perfectly.
He hoped the blade wouldn’t chip easily against the Gem Golem.
“Ha…!”
He swung it lightly, finding no discomfort. Despite not having used it for a while, his senses were intact. He then twisted a mechanism on the spear, causing the blade to split in two, like a beast opening its maw.
Inside the “jaws” lay a gem with geometric patterns, the new magical core from Magica’s workshop, now the spear’s heart.
This explained the spear’s name, Dragon Fang.
“We managed to get the magical core,”
“We did,”
“We haggled, didn’t we?”
“We did our best!”
Shizuku clenched her fists in triumph. Indeed, she had haggled fiercely, enough to leave Magica exhausted and slumped over her desk.
Thanks to their efforts, the Dragon Fang Spear was restored for the price of three gold coins.
Moreover, they had upgraded their equipment. They no longer wore old training gear but new armor.
“Pseudo-silver armor and gauntlets… Shizuku, are you okay with yours?”
“Yes, the Young Grass Mage Robe is very comfortable.”
In addition, they had five healing potions, five offensive magic-sealed orbs, and a disposable anti-impact amulet each. And then—
“This too,”
Shizuku handed Ur a small bag tied with string. It made a gravelly sound as he shook it and slipped it into his pocket with a slightly bitter expression.
“It was all we could afford.”
“It’s our trump card… So, we’re ready.”
Their total expenses amounted to three gold coins, fifteen silver coins, and twenty-five copper coins, leaving them with almost nothing.
“…What a hand-to-mouth existence,”
Risking their lives to earn money to buy equipment, then risking their lives again to earn more money. Ur realized how unfit this job was for him. He wanted to quit as soon as possible.
“Oho, that’s quite the impressive gear. Did you spend all your money?”
Glenn asked, observing them with an amused look.
“Glenn, if there’s any money left, give it to me. I need to buy more healing potions.”
“No, you idiot,”
Glenn retorted, smacking him. They had indeed spent all their money, leaving them at the edge of a financial cliff. Confirming this was somewhat reassuring.
“…We’ve steeled ourselves for this,”
“Hmm?” .
“Nothing. We’ll be right behind you. Don’t get left behind and screw up, like some others do every time.”
“Got it,” Ur nodded.
As Glenn left the room, he paused and turned back to Ur with a slightly annoyed expression.
“Oh, and you have a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
Looking outside the room, Ur saw—
“Hey, you’re looking well!”
“Nii-tan!”
—The cause of all his recent troubles and his beloved sister.
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“What are you doing here?”
“I thought you’d like to see your sister one last time, in case it’s the end.”
“Thanks, damn it,”
Ur grumbled, though he genuinely appreciated it. No matter how festive the event was, for Ur and Shizuku, it was a life-or-death battle. Seeing his sister before the fight was a comforting thought.
“Wow, Shizuku’s staff is so cool!”
“Thank you, Akane-sama. Would you like to touch it?” Shizuku offered.
Ur’s sister, Akane, was as carefree as ever.
“…Thank you for taking care of her,”
“You’re welcome. But don’t get the wrong idea,”
Diz brings her face close to Ur and squints at him. It was not her usual aloof smile, but a sharp, cold one. Then she whispered in a low voice so that Akane would not hear.
“If you fail to become a Bronze rank, as per our contract, Akane will be mine. And I have the means and connections to ensure she remains valuable, even if it means… disassembling her.”
“Quite the threat,”
“Just a push. I’m cheering for you, from the bottom of my heart,”
Diz said, her usual playful smile returning. Her words were effective, crushing any lingering hopes Ur had unconsciously harbored.
“Guess I have no choice but to succeed,”
“Nii-tan?” Akane looked up at him.
“It’s okay. Wait for me,”
Ur said, hugging her.
“Un,”
Akane nodded contentedly as Ur patted her head, reflecting on the past month. It had been a painful journey, but each hardship had made him stronger. His hand, now thicker and sturdier, was proof of that.
“Ur-sama,”
Shizuku called.
He looked at her, recalling all they had been through. Trusting someone so implicitly had been a winding road, but he now had no doubts about entrusting his life to her. Their bond, formed in these chaotic days, was Ur’s greatest asset.
One month—
a short yet intense period.
There are many people more talented. There are many who have worked hard as adventurers. But for this month, no one was more determined than them.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes.”
With that certainty, they stood and headed towards their battleground: the Sin Labyrinth of Greed.
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