Volume 1 Chapter 16 The Weakest Adventurer
Some time after the defeat of the Shadow Chimera, inside the adventurer's guild.
Among them were numerous adventurers and the bustling figures of guild staff, busily making preparations.
It was said that in gratitude for saving the town, a modest celebration would be held.
I didn't have any particular reason to attend, but Fatina insisted that I should show up, so I decided to go along.
Finally, when all the preparations were complete, the staff lined up in front of the counter, took a breath, and...
"To all the adventurers who saved Voltana's town, cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Suddenly, the quiet guild was filled with various voices.
This building didn't have a tavern attached, it was simply a facility for the guild's business.
Normally, it would be unthinkable to eat and drink in this room.
However, it seems that the guild staff themselves decided to hold the event voluntarily, making it a special exception.
The usual place where request papers and books are kept, or the counter where the receptionist is usually present, is now lined with various barrels of food and alcohol, and adventurers are eagerly competing to grab them.
"Ah, the victory drink is something else!"
"The barrel is empty! Quick, bring more!"
"Hey, that's my meat!"
As I stood at the edge of the room, observing the free-spirited adventurers who were not bound by anything, a familiar face, the receptionist of this guild, walked over to me and paused.
She seemed restless for a while and didn't try to meet my eyes, but eventually she bowed deeply.
"Ark-san, I'm really sorry. I laughed at your appraisal results back then."
This was quite surprising compared to her previous attitude.
After all, she was the one who burst out laughing when she heard about my Level Cap and skills. I never expected to be apologized to like this.
"No, I don't really care. So, just lift your head up"
"But..."
"It's okay. It's all in the past now."
Ever since I defeated Killing Bear and my skill level increased, I no longer feel anything about the past.
In fact, I guess I should say I don't get stirred up emotionally much anymore.
The receptionist seemed like she had something else to say, but she didn't speak further.
"Thank you. Well then, please enjoy your day."
And with just that, she turned on her heel and returned to the counter.
"Phew, we both made it out alive again."
The voice that called out from the side belonged to the armored man, Gaston.
He was leaning against the wall, holding a glass of liquor in his hand.
Looking at his face, I remembered there was something I wanted to ask.
"Why did the adventurers go outside the town back then?"
Fatina and I were fighting together when adventurers came to our aid.
At first, it didn't feel like that, but I wonder what happened.
When I asked, Gaston drank his glass of wine in one gulp.
"Mmm... Ahh... Well, I just gave them a little encouragement. While the two of you were facing the monster head-on, I couldn't help but wonder if we should be doing more."
As expected, it seems Gaston brought the adventurers along.
He said he was a newly promoted C-Rank adventurer, but he has given me various advice so far. And once again, he saved me this time.
"...Well, you know, before I became an adventurer, I was a soldier with a few subordinates."
"Oh, is that so? But why become an adventurer?"
"Well, to put it simply... It's because my Level Cap was 30. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't change that."
Gaston answered my question with a wry smile.
Level 30 was considered quite high among ordinary people.
However, it also meant that he couldn't break out of the realm of ordinary people.
Whether commanding a large or small army, one was required to possess strength surpassing that. If someone with greater abilities appeared, they would quickly be replaced.
"But, I don't regret quitting being a soldier now."
Gaston said, loosening his mouth as he glanced near the counter.
His gaze fell upon his party members, a thief and a priestess, engaging in cheerful conversation with other adventurers.
"I see..."
I gazed at the scene with Gaston.
"Hey, what's the star of the party doing here?!"
Suddenly, another adventurer grabbed my arm and led me to the center of the guild.
At that moment, adventurers gathered around.
"I'm sorry for speaking ill of you!"
"I've never apologized before! You really took down that damn chimera! You're my lifesaver!"
"I saw your moves! I can't believe you're only Level 1! Do you have some secret to getting stronger?"
"Hey! I heard that [Instant Death Magic] is a useless skill, but is it actually strong?"
I was completely overwhelmed by the approaching adventurers, unable to move.
"Ark-sama, you're quite popular!"
Before I knew it, Fatina had also joined the circle.
"Well, it's not like I saved you all or anything──"
I was about to say that when it happened.
"It's quite lively today. What's all the commotion about?"
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed through the guild.
A man with golden hair wearing pure white armor.
There stood S-Rank adventurer, Allen, and his party members.
And next to him was Leanne, dressed in a beautiful white robe that looked much more expensive than my or Fatina's equipment, specifically designed for priestess.
As soon as they entered the adventurers' field of view, the building fell into silence.
"Allen-san, this Ark-san here managed to defeat the chimera that attacked this town!"
When the receptionist came out and explained, Allen smiled.
"I see. So that's what happened. You defeated that black monster, huh..."
Allen approached me and stared at my face intently.
"Huh? Ark did...? But, that's..."
Behind him, Leanne seemed extremely surprised and muttered something to herself.
At that moment, Allen placed his hand on his chin and seemed lost in thought.
"Ah! So, you're the weakest adventurer rumored to be Leanne-san's childhood friend and at Level Cap 1! Does that mean you saved this town from the threat of the monster with that infamous [Instant Death Magic] skill?"
Allen spoke grandiosely. Perhaps they only thought that my Instant Death Magic had only grazed the chimera.
"Hahaha. No, this is a masterpiece."
"You bastard, what's so funny about it since earlier?"
"...What?"
The one who raised his voice was a thief from Gaston's party.
"That guy, he risked his life to save us. I won't forgive anyone who laughs at that."
As he glared at him, Allen approached slowly with the same smile as always.
"There seems to be a big misunderstanding. I am an S-Rank adventurer with a Level Cap of 90. If you seriously think you can win, there's nothing I can do to help you. Whether I forgive or not is up to me. Yes, if he was to use that [Instant Death Magic] you mentioned, you might win."
"You're kidding!"
"──Please refrain from further insulting Ark-sama."
As if interrupting their conversation, Fatina stepped in front of Allen.
"You said your Level Cap is 90, right?"
"Yes, that's right. It's probably the highest limit among adventurers."
"My Level Cap is actually higher than yours, it's 100. I can prove it, it's not a lie."
"A Level Cap of 100...?"
Fatina's words visibly unsettled Allen and his party members.
Perhaps they had never encountered someone with a higher limit than Allen, the party leader, before.
"Even so, I will continue to follow Ark-sama. Because he saved my life. He carried me from the forest to a warm bed, and defeated the monsters that wreaked havoc on the village."
"Is that so?"
Upon hearing Fatina's story, Allen responded with a look of disbelief.
"Is it possible to throw away your life for such a trivial matter? Are you joking? It's Level Cap 1, you know? To think that you'll die from just a few hits from a goblin and still stick around with someone like that?"
"For you, it may be just a trivial matter, but for me, it's different."
Fatina stated clearly.
"I want to help the person who helped me this time. No matter how difficult the journey may be, and even if it means an unrewarding life, I will accept it."
"I can't understand at all."
"The reason you can't understand is because you've never chosen that path and have always done things your way."
Gaston retorted.
"Ark, no matter how much he is ridiculed, never abandoned or looked down on anyone like you did. In fact, he helped many people. Everyone realized that. It's not about the high Level Cap or Rank, that makes one great."
Everyone present was watching Allen.
But no one was looking at him with the same envy as before.
Instead of his usual smile, Allen's face was filled with frustration.
"You can only express yourself by showing off the power you were born with. How sad."
"Y-you bastard...!"
And in the next moment, Allen threw a punch at Fatina—
I grabbed it from the side to stop him.
"What!?"
Allen's face twisted as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
He probably hadn't considered this turn of events at all.
"Stop it."
"W-why...!? Why should trash at level 1...!"
Confusion and urgency appeared on Allen's face as he desperately tried to shake off my hand.
It seemed like he was putting in effort, but his arm was barely trembling.
Maybe my status had already surpassed Allen's. Allen, who couldn't even shake off my hand, suddenly felt weak.
As Allen released his arm, he flipped his cloak and headed towards the entrance of the guild.
Then, he turned back and gave me a resentful glare──
"... Worthless trash with no power."
With just those words, he left the guild.
"A-Allen-san!?"
Leanne glanced at me with a resentful look and chased after Allen. I had definitely become disliked.
After they were gone, the hustle and bustle returned to the guild.
"Well then, let's have another drink."
Gaston went to the front of the barrel with the thief party members.
Only Fatina and I were left behind.
"From now on, forever... Well, maybe it was a bit too much to say that."
"W-Well, I mean, that's just the scale of it, or how should I put it..."
Fatina tried to explain, but I couldn't quite catch it.
In the end, the feast at the guild continued throughout the night.
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