Volume 1 Chapter 70 Flashback - Allen And Ellis, Part Three
It has been five years since Allen and Ellis became adventurers.
Allen is now clad in a white suit of armor specifically made for Swordsman, a reward given to him by the king of a certain country for defeating monsters. With his originally handsome appearance, he now attracts even more attention.
On the other hand, Ellis wears a sturdy plate armor that balances lightness and durability, and wields a large shield. As a Holy Knight, Ellis has become very skilled in her occupation.
With their levels maxed out, the two of them can easily defeat powerful monsters like Minotaurs and Dragons, which would make other adventurer parties run away in fear.
Naturally, these two adventurers were recognized as S-Rank adventurers, a rank that only a handful of adventurers possess.
Allen's party has become so famous among adventurers that everyone knows about them now.
One day, something like this happened.
"Allen-san, thank you so much for everything!"
"Oh no, I'm the one who really appreciated your help. Please take care."
"Yes! Well then, goodbye! Everyone, do your best!"
The magician woman, who was not much older than Ellis and the others, waved her hand energetically as she said her farewell and walked down the streets of the town. Eventually, she disappeared into the crowd.
--Ellis watched her disappear with a cold gaze, thinking to herself, "Again..."
On that day, Allen removed a level 60 female magician from the party.
Standing silently next to him was Dorothea, a level 70 magician who had joined as a new member.
Dorothea used to belong to a different party of adventurers, but Allen convinced her to join. The same was true for Fiione, a level 80 thief who had joined before her.
In this world, besides leveling up, there's almost no way to increase your abilities (stats) unless you have a special skill like Iria's [Dragon Tamer].
Although there are powerful equipment that can be obtained from dungeons, they are very expensive and not something you can easily get your hands on.
hat's why, for adventurers, the height of the Level Cap is crucial.
"Well then, shall we go?"
"..."
Allen said in his usual tone and started walking leisurely through the town.
Ellis followed him silently, glancing at Fiione and Dorothea's faces one by one.
(With this, everyone is above Level Cap 70...)
According to the Guild staff, the Level Cap for registered S-Rank adventurers is said to be 80 at the highest. Allen exceeds that with 90, and he even possesses three skills. Furthermore, thanks to the bonus skills, his attack power becomes even higher if he has good weapons.
Allen is an amazing leader. He has never failed in any of the requests from the Adventurer's Guild or in battles with sudden monsters. He has a great reputation among the clients and other adventurers.
Being invited to join his party is a great honor for adventurer. However, Ellis couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, thinking, "Is it really that easy to leave their original party?"
From previous experiences, Ellis had a vague sense that his idea of "comrades" and her idea of "comrades" were different.
And every time a member exchange like earlier happens, Ellis decides to forcefully believe that only her way of thinking is strange, and that Allen is right.
--When Allen became an adventurer, he first gathered three new members who were similar to himself.
It was clear to everyone that their abilities were about Level Cap 30, and there was a difference in skills between the two.
Allen formed a party and immediately began leveling up while completing guild requests. He often received ample equipment and potions from the large merchant guild, so he had no worries at all.
As for Ellis, she didn't have much dissatisfaction with the life of an adventurer.
The role of a Holy Knight is to be the shield of the party, so there were many painful experiences, but with three suitable skills and thanks to Allen's skillful tactics, she never faced any danger.
She got along well with her companions and never complained.
When they went to a town or village for a request, they were welcomed by everyone, and defeating monsters brought joy, so she felt a sense of satisfaction for their efforts.
However, as they continued to complete requests one after another, the members began to look extremely awkward. When Ellis asked what was wrong, they evasively avoided the question.
A few days later, they left the party and another adventurer joined instead.
Those who had reached the Level Cap voluntarily left Allen's party.
What surprised Ellis the most was that Allen had already found new party members. And they were all higher level than the previous members.
The adventurers who brought the two to town mentioned that "Ability Appraisal determines how one should live." Ellis finally understood the meaning of those words.
Since then, it had become a tradition for similar replacements to happen about once a year.
Those who left said things like, "It was lucky to have been able to team up with the two," or "I'm proud," and left. Ellis didn't understand what that meant at all, and Allen's reputation didn't decline, but rather improved.
"What is friendship, I wonder."
Ellis murmured in a voice so small that no one could hear.
Previously, Ellis had asked Allen about this question.
And Allen, perhaps understanding what Ellis truly wanted to say, responded with a laugh.
"Well, it can't be helped. Their worlds are different from us with a high Level Cap."
That response didn't sound like the Allen that Ellis knew so well; he seemed like a completely different person.
And Ellis realized that Allen didn't see their party members as friends, but rather as expendable items or something of the sort.
(But really, what is a 'Level Cap'?)
Why does something like that even exist in this world?
Among the people who saw Allen and Ellis, there were quite a few who claimed that they were chosen by the god.
If that were true, why did the god create such an unfair system?
Ellis pondered, knowing that it was as pointless as fretting over differences in birth or appearance.
Among adventurers, there's a rumor spreading that somewhere in this world, there exists an item that can raise the Level Cap.
But no one has actually seen it. Ellis thinks it might just be a lie made up by someone in a difficult situation, hoping for a glimmer of hope.
Ellis looks at Allen, who is leading the way.
Allen surely doesn't intend to just end up as an ordinary adventurer.
Ellis still wants to support him with the same feeling.
But, if he continues like this, Ellis always feels like he might step into an unexpected situation eventually.
"Are you the S-Rank adventurer, Allen?"
In a deserted narrow path, someone suddenly appears in front of them, wearing a pitch-black cloak. It seems like a man from the voice, but his face is mostly covered by the hood and a cloth over his mouth.
"That's true, but what about you?"
Without hesitation, Allen responded and the man handed over a letter sealed with wax.
"Take this. If you read the contents, burn it immediately."
Allen took the letter and started reading it right then and there.
Then, he let out a small sound of amazement, "Oh."
"Please give my regards to your Lord."
After receiving Allen's response, the man disappeared down another path in a hurry.
"The next mission has been decided. Now, shall we go?"
"Allen, where are you going?"
"Our destination is the Cretia Kingdom. There, a special client is waiting for us."
With a calm expression, Allen resumed walking.
And after heading to the Cretia Kingdom, Ellis's premonition would prove to be spot on.
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