Chapter 100

Today, I pluck the herbs with a rustling sound.

Ever since then, I have been receiving nothing but herb gathering requests every day.

Money has been accumulating smoothly, and my daily life is not lacking in anything.

But I am now troubled.

To be honest, I am getting tired of this life.

Just picking herbs every day, repelling the monsters I encounter, and cashing in the materials I obtain.

This is no different from when I was in the slums, and even in the forest.

The only difference is that my trading partner has changed from the stone shop to the guild.

Herb juice sticks to my hands, but I continue plucking without stopping.

I collect until the bag in my hand is full, and when I stand up, a cracking sound comes from my back. It’s been less than an hour, so what’s wrong with me?

I can’t help but smile wryly.

I want to do something new.

In the past, I got tired of living in the slums and added monster hunting to my livelihood.

But hunting monsters or new materials no longer feels as fresh as it used to.

I need to do something.

It’s been just over a week, but I’m already bored.

It’s time to take action to change these stifling days.

“By the way, do you have any recommended requests?”

At the reception counter, I ask the receptionist, and for a moment, I think her smile twists.

“Recommended... requests?”

“Yes. The requests I take now are mainly gathering requests, but are there any different ones?”

Maybe doing a different request will change my mood.

At this point, I’ll take any request, whether it’s a hunting request or anything else. I want to try what is recommended.

Or rather, what can be recommended...

“By the way, I don’t remember being assigned any requests from the guild.”

“Oh, about that...”

The receptionist flips through the stack of documents in front of her. Then, she stops at a certain paper and looks up.

“The training of the magpies used for communication has not been completed yet, so please wait a little longer.”

“...I understand.”

If it takes time, there’s nothing I can do. But even without a specific request, the guild should be able to introduce me to something.

“Then, if the magpies’ training is completed, please give me the requests that would have been assigned to me.”

Magpies are only used for summoning and communication, not for requests.

Thinking this, I request it, and the receptionist murmurs in thought.

“Yes, normally, those with colored badges would be given a variety of requests in order... but there are no issues with gathering and exploration...”

“What else is there?”

“Hunting is almost no problem... and maybe escort...”

“Escort, huh.”

It’s probably bodyguarding or facility security.

“Occasionally, merchants make requests... but they are very rare, and there are none currently.”

“Merchant escorts are usually handled by guides.”

“Yes. Most people request guides, so explorers don’t get them. Only small guilds without private armies or the means to hire guides have to wait for such requests.”

“I see.”

Without a target, there’s nothing to protect. Besides, if it’s an escort request, explorers who look strong are preferred. No one would choose a small guy like me.

Even if I want a new request, it won’t come as easily as it did for Gustav.

In the end, I might have to continue taking requests as usual.

In the end, I took another gathering request today.

I hope something new comes up...

The next day is the same.

At the guild, I search for new requests. However, since the surrounding area of this town is already well-known, only the usual herb gathering and monster extermination requests are available.

...There’s nothing I can do.

There are no new requests. There’s nothing else to do. So, I decide.

I’ll take as many requests as I can.

Even if they’re not new, they’re all requests I haven’t taken before. Maybe something will happen while I’m taking them. If not, I’ll think of something again.

With this in mind, I look for hunting and gathering requests in relatively nearby areas.

Of course, I choose hunting requests with small parts for proof of kill and gathering requests that don’t take up much space. This way, I should be able to take about three of each.

The only issue is the deadline for completing the requests, which I’ll pay attention to.

And just as I peel the request slips off the wall, a surprised voice rises in the guild.

It’s not directed at me. It comes from the counter, away from the bulletin board.

“Hey, sorry, did we do something?”

The two boys at the center of the voices, after looking confused, smile faintly and say this.

The cause of the surprise is clear.

On top of the guild registration counter, there is a pile of what looks like the remains of monsters.

“Please take the materials to the purchasing department over there.”

The receptionist coldly dismisses them, but one of the boys is not discouraged.

“Oh, over there! Got it, I’ll move them.”

“What are you doing, Levin? Don’t waste time here.”

When the other boy scolds him, he smiles and waves his hand over the pile.

“!?”

This is the first time I’m surprised.

The pile of monsters disappears in an instant, leaving no trace.

Watching, he approaches the purchasing counter and asks the staff, “Is this okay?”

After getting approval, he makes the bloodied corpses reappear on the counter.

Then, the evaluation of the purchases begins.

The staff frowns at the bloodied corpses for a moment but then resumes their work expressionlessly and methodically.

Watching this, I think.

What was that?

It’s not an illusion or a mistake. In fact, the boy called Levin showed the dead bodies of the monsters.

But not in the usual way.

He made them disappear somewhere with a wave of his hand.

There was no incantation. So, was it magic?

If so, he is a mage. A mage, of which there are supposed to be fewer than fifty in this country.

The third mage I’ve seen in my life. His magic seems to affect space.

It’s a mystery.

But it’s a new event.

Out of curiosity, I feel a bit excited. Until I hear the next words.

“So, about that Full Seal thing!”

“That matter has been refused multiple times already...”

“Can’t you follow my orders?”

Full Seal. It must be the fox I hunted.

The other boy has apparently been giving orders to the guild about it.

Then, Levin taps the other boy’s shoulder.

“I’ve told you multiple times to stop that. You shouldn’t use it now.”

“Oh, right.”

And with those admonishing words, the boy falls silent.

Ah, this is no good. Even if it’s a new event, it’s a troublesome one.

A sigh escapes my lips.

I don’t want the excitement to go in that direction.