Chapter 7 – Rookie Crusher

Merely one week has passed since I came to this world.

If someone asked me what I was doing in that time span, the answer would be subjugation & subjugation.

The next day after the blue slime subjugation, I accepted yet another Rank F subjugation request. Since the request was far too easy I simply breezed through it.

From then on I only accepted Rank E subjugation requests.

“Congratulations, Kelvin-san! By successfully completing this request, your adventurer rank has risen to Rank E!” (Angie)

Angie gave her blessing.

In all honesty, there was no sense of accomplishment though.

The subjugation target monsters for Rank E were Orcs, Kobolds and their likes. Basically monsters priding themselves in group tactics trying to crush their opponents with numbers.

However they weren’t overly intelligent after all.

For the [Status Up] Clotho and me they were no enemies due to our mutual understanding.

“At the time while processing the Rank E request, I was wondering how it would work out for you. Kelvin-san hasn’t formed a party after all ~mon1 ” (Angie)

I can’t join one even if I want to.

In the case I joined a party, my summoner class would immediately be exposed.

But, even though I can’t join one, I got a reliable partner anyway.

『A follower who was materialized by casting [Summon] will automatically be added to your party, Master. Substantially they always are part of your party though.』 (Merufina)

Substantially, huh?

Looking at it from the view of other guys, an adventurer group consisting of only one rookie magician was finishing requests one rank above their own one after the other. For that reason …. it was quite conspicuous.

『Did you plan to act while not standing out?』 (Merufina)

It is tedious.

Forgive me.

While talking to Merufina within my mind, Angie-san leaned across the counter and drew close to me.

Too close!

“Kelvin-san, did you serve in any country as court magician? For a rookie-san you are far too strong.” (Angie)

“Eh, eto, I cannot disclose any details. I’m sorry.” (Kelvin)

“Ah, no, I am sorry as well! It is strictly forbidden to inquire about such matters from adventurers, you know …” (Angie)

Please, forgive me for making up such a thing.

I apologized once more within my mind.

“But please be careful. Because it is Kelvin-san, you want to receive a Rank D request next, isn’t that right?” (Angie)

“Yes, that was my intention.” (Kelvin)

If I tell a lie while receiving a request, it will also be exposed.2

Therefore I replied honestly here.

“If I think it is really dangerous, I will run away. I am confident in my escape skills.” (Kelvin)

“Please properly prepare your equipment at least! You haven’t changed your equipment for a week, have you, Kelvin-san?!” (Angie)

Oh, now that she mentioned it, I haven’t bought anything new.

Excessive pride is no good either.

I can gradually change my equipment with the reward money I have received so far.

“Hahaha, I understand. I will get some brand new equipment … that being said, I would like to receive a Rank D request now, please.” (Kelvin)

“Mu~ , did you really understand it? Eeto, Rank D request, it is …” (Angie)

While Angie was confirming the request, a man standing close by called out to me.

“Talking about Rank D, how about a Black Soulknight3 subjugation?” (-)

“Black Soulknight?” (Kelvin)

“Ca-Cashel-san (T/N: >> Kasheru <<), you are back already …!” (Angie)

By the way, who is this guy? Although I have turned up at the guild several times already, I never saw this guy.

Going by the impression of his appearance, he is a blond-haired ikemen with a refreshing air around him. Yet I somehow sense an unpleasant aura emitting from him.

“Yaa, Angie-chan, I’m back.4 I just got back now.” (Cashel)

“… Thanks for your hard work. How did it go with your request?” (Angie)

“Of course, safely resolved. It was a slightly tough fight in the lizardmen’s den though. Hahaha.” (Cashel)

Although Angie had a smile plastered across her whole face, her expression was cramped.

Somehow the mood of the surrounding adventurers became gloomy as well.

“By the way, the buddy over there, didn’t you raise to Rank E just now? Congratulations! Your adventurer-senpai is happy for you!” (Cashel)

“Eeto, who are you?” (Kelvin)

“Otto, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I am Cashel. A Rank D adventurer.” (Cashel)

He was a man acting out a drama in every little way.

The surrounding adventurers started to whispering among themselves. I tried to listen in a bit.

<Haa, unfortunately there is no one who is stronger than Cashel in this guild. It might be best to pretend to not have seen anything.>

The adventurers, who drank inside the bar, talked in low voices.

There ought to be Rank D adventurers among them.

As they weren’t meddling in this situation although they had the same rank, it seems the things they said were true.

“My party has talked about subjugating Black Soulknights next. Do you want to come with us? Judging by your appearance, Rank E requests are starting to be no challenge for you any more.” (Cashel)

“P-Pl-Please wait! Certainly that request is Rank D, but those Black Soulknights are a lot stronger than the others! Most likely they are an evolved subspecies. That request is far too dangerous for Kelvin-san!” (Angie)

“Hahaha, Angie-chan, it’s all right. Considering what you talked about a while ago, he cleared the Rank E request by himself, isn’t that so? If he cooperates with us, it will be no problem at all.” (Cashel)

“That is …” (Angie)

Angie ended up holding her tongue back.

“Thanks for the offer, but I won’t join your party. There would be no gain in forming a party with me either.” (Kelvin)

“You don’t have to hold back. You can consider this as a part of life experience, too.” (Cashel)

This guy, he is quite persistent.

I don’t have any interest in him coming over here.

Incidentally, Angie had stopped interfering not too long ago. Seeing this opportunity, I will use [Eyes of Identification] to see just how dangerous this Cashel guy really is.

Cashel – 25 years old – Human – Magic Swordsman

Level: 34

Title: Murderer

HP: 315/315

MP: 104/104

STR: 156 <+20>

STA: 131

AGI: 126

MATK: 102

LUK: 89

Skill: Sword Mastery (Grade B)

Herculean Strength (Grade E)

White Magic (Grade E)

Spy (Grade E)

Hide (Grade F)

Art of Conversation (Grade E)

Skill points: 0

The status level can’t be compared to Clotho.

He possesses some disturbing skills as well. And above all else, that title … However it is extremely unlikely for Cashel to be caught, too.

He made me his target quite obviously.

That’s right, we will settle it here.

“That’s so, isn’t it? Well, how about a match then?” (Kelvin)

“Match?” (Cashel)

“Yes, how about a match who will defeat that monster Black Soulknight, we talked about earlier, first? Of course I will challenge it solo.” (Kelvin)

“Oi oi, it isn’t an enemy you can defeat by yourself. As planned I will receive the request and go with my party, is that fine with you?” (Cashel)

“I don’t mind.” (Kelvin)

Am I not walking into the trap that guy set up for me this way?

Cashel is completely aiming for me. Probably he will attack me while I am fighting that Black Soulknight. Or he might attack me while on the journey to the destination, I guess.

I don’t know whether it is because of his pleasure in murdering or to snatch the reward, he is a worthy opponent either way.

More than anything else, I want to show the results of my leveling and training.

Besides, I am quite sure that I want to try it.

『Master, this way of thinking is peculiar to battle maniacs.』 (Merufina)

Shut up.

“Fufu, you seem to be full of yourself. I am fine with the match.” (Cashel)

“Then let’s begin the match. Angie-san, the request, please.” (Kelvin)

“K-Ke-Kelvin-san …” (Angie)

Angie-san, who had turned her sight this way, had a facial expression that seemed to break out into tears any time soon. However I couldn’t afford to pull back here.

Let’s just say that I am finally allowed to test my own strength.

Translation Notes

1 Not sure yet if it is one of those special kinds of sentence endings in Japanese or if it should be translated by its meaning. I am leaving it as such for now.

2 Don’t remember it, but I think it might be one of the adventurer rules in regards to requests.

3 黒霊騎士 … Kuro rei kishi … for those wondering about it.

4 Tadaima … well, usually known as “I’m home.”