Volume 2 Chapter 13 I'm Taking A Test, But...
After a week of prep, the big day for the 4th rank promotion test has finally arrived. During that time, I got my gear ready, pumped myself up, and learned some new ways to use Gram.
Last night, I thoroughly enjoyed Kyunei's breasts, and I'm all fired up.
'Wow, you're really going all out. Aren't you supposed to conserve your energy, like at 80% or something?'
No, I'm totally pumped up! I'll just power through any fatigue with sheer willpower!
'Sure, sure. They say Heroes are playboy, but you're pretty good as a playboy too, partner. You're already at a Hero level in that department.'
Could you stop calling me a playboy? It sounds so bad. Well, not that anyone can hear it anyway.
'I was just trying to lighten your mood, partner. It was just a little joke. Don't take it too seriously... Well, actually, I kind of do."
What did you say?
'It's not much. But hey, if you keep acting all serious with your weapons, people are gonna give you weird looks.'
Who do you think is to blame?
I hold my spear, Gram, close to me and give it a glare before shifting my gaze to my surroundings.
Right now, I'm inside a carriage that departed from the royal capital.
Along for the ride are other 5th rank mercenaries like me, who are about to take the promotion test for 4th rank.
Some people are tense with rigid expressions, while others are fast asleep. Some are busy inspecting their equipment. Everyone's in a different state. However, everyone, regardless of size, is armed with a 'sword,' except for me, who has something other than a sword as my main weapon.
Spear seems to be unpopular as always, compared to the Hero's weapon.
'Just leave it alone.'
As I throw glances around, I notice that others are also sneakily looking at me.
So, the news about defeating the Kobold King didn't really spread. But, there's a rumor going around that a Monster Rampage (Stampede) was about to happen, and that I was involved in solving it. That's probably the reason.
Using a 'spear' is quite a remarkable achievement for a 5th rank mercenary. The combination of these two things has attracted even more suspicious and wary looks than before.
'Being a "Hero" means attracting curious looks, both good and bad, during the early days of rising up. But just wait a while, they'll probably turn into envy.'
I'm not really aiming for that kind of rapid success. I just want to make enough money to live comfortably with Kyunei. You agreed with that too, didn't you?
'Helping out my partner's wish is my job. Well, who knows what tomorrow will bring. Everything depends on that, you know.'
With a quick glance at Gram's vague words, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a snack. It was a special blend prepared by Kyunei, packed with all the nutrients my body needed and easy to absorb.
As I popped it into my mouth, a slight bitterness spread, but I could feel Kyunei's intentions even more. It fueled my determination. Though Gram's words bothered me, I needed to focus on the exam right in front of me.
There was another carriage ahead of us. It carried officials dispatched by the guild and a supervisor, a second-ranked mercenary.
The exam consisted of hunting a monster designated by the guild. The carriage we were on was heading towards the area where that monster inhabited.
Now, the designated monster had not yet been revealed.
The main purpose of this exam was to assess our ability to handle unforeseen situations. It's common for mercenary activities to encounter monsters other than the intended target, leading to battles. That's why the mercenaries taking the exam were not informed of the target until they arrived at the location.
But, the information about the place we are heading to has already been announced when the exam was announced, so everyone should have prepared for the monsters that live there. Of course, I also made some preparations.
And after leaving the royal capital for a while, we arrived at our destination.
After arriving at the destination, the examinees, including me, who got off the carriage, were gathered by the supervising 2nd rank mercenaries and given an explanation.
"Now, we will conduct the promotion exam to 4th rank. The content of this exam is to exterminate Kobolds."
As soon as they heard the name of the target, the 5th rank mercenaries frowned.
Originally, the appropriate rank for exterminating Kobolds is 5th rank. It is clearly insufficient for the promotion exam to 4th rank. Well, I usually hunt Kobolds (along with Big Rats) in the forest near the royal capital. It feels a bit late now.
However, one condition was added to this test.
"Each person has to take down thirty monsters as their goal."
I was really surprised this time.
There were eight mercenaries taking the test, including me. If you just think about it, that's thirty times eight, which is a total of two hundred and forty monsters. No matter how you look at it, we definitely have to defeat at least a hundred monsters among us.
"Because the numbers are important, it's okay to make a team with multiple people. Of course, each person in the team has to defeat their share of monsters. When you exceed the goal, come back here and report to the guild about the monsters you've defeated. Also, it's totally fine to defeat more than thirty monsters. Those who achieve the goal will receive rewards from the guild based on the number of monsters they defeat."
Gram, could it be?
'Well, this is related to the cleanup after the Monster Rampage (Stampede)? In terms of efficiency, it doesn't seem that bad, right? And, the rewards for defeating Kobolds individually aren't that high. Probably, not many mercenaries will be eager to help with the Kobold sweep.'
In Karan's story, not only the Mercenary Guild but also the army is sent to reduce the increasing number of Kobolds in the Monster Rampage (Stampede), but they are not keeping up. It seems like the main force for Kobold extermination is the mercenaries, but even they are not enthusiastic. Maybe that's why they are using the promotion exam as an excuse.
Certainly, as a promotion exam to 4th rank, this is enough. Considering the strength of 5th rank, defeating thirty Kobolds will be a long battle. It's not just about fighting without a plan.
And now, the expressions of the 5th rank mercenaries change. Did they feel ashamed for thinking it would be an easy win for a moment, or did their morale rise instead? Everyone has a determined look on their faces.
Still, I feel somewhat relieved compared to the others.
'The other day, you were, like, surrounded by, maybe, like, thirty times more Kobolds than usual. But, don't let your guard down, okay, partner? I mean, with your current power, you can handle it no problem, but that doesn't mean you can just relax, right?'
I didn't need Gram to tell me that, but, my partner's words made me switch gears.
So, first, I have to pass this test. If I don't, I can't achieve my goal of becoming a 3rd rank mercenary, and that means I won't have a stable life with Kyunei.
But, there was something that was bothering me as I faced this test.
"Each of you should have been given magic tools by the guild in advance."
I took out a small sphere from the pouch on my waist where I keep my stuff.
"If something happens that makes it impossible to continue the test or if there's an unforeseen situation that you can't handle, throw this thing on the ground. It will break and send up a colored smoke signal into the sky and, it will make a loud noise at the same time. As the supervisors, we'll hurry to the scene as soon as we see the smoke and hear the sound."
He said that and looked at the 2nd rank mercenary standing next to him.
The silver-haired, fox-eared mercenary took a step forward and opened her mouth.
"I'm Mikage, a 2nd rank mercenary. It would be better to call me "Silver Flash"."
After saying that, Mikage turned to me and smiled.
"If something happens, I'll be there. Please do your best to avoid being under my care."
"Why are you here?" I said to myself.
'Nine times out of ten, she is chasing you, partner.'
Gram, don't go out of your way to butt in.
"Of course, if you use an emergency magic tool, you will be disqualified from the exam, but don't hesitate because of that. If you're alive, you can take the exam again, but if you die trying to show off, that's all."
Knowing when to close is a golden rule for mercenaries. Everyone nodded at the words of the 2nd rank mercenary.
"And, for this test, we have special helpers joining us."
Now, I looked towards a carriage that was a little further away. It was the carriage that the 2nd rank mercenary and Mikage were riding in.
"──Huh!?"
I let out a surprised voice. But the other mercenaries didn't even glance at me, their attention completely captured by the arrival of that person.
The person who opened the carriage door and came down was──Kyunei, dressed in a white coat.
"She is Kyunei. She is a skilled doctor. She is also well-versed in healing magic, so she can handle any injuries you might have. Make sure to be cautious, but also give your all in the test. Oh, and try not to get intentionally injured and rely on her for help."
As I stood there dumbfounded, Kyunei smiled and waved at me.
While I found her cute, my head was filled with the question of why?
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