Volume 3 Chapter 10 Overflowing Stories, But...
After encountering the young lady for the second time, I felt a bit down for the first two or three days. But it's about time I let go of my lingering attachment.
Besides, I have Kyunei and Mikage by my side. It wouldn't be fair to keep dragging them along.
Even though I try to maintain my usual demeanor on the surface, Kyunei used to be a pr**titute. She can easily sense the subtle nuances of others. Even without saying a word, she must have noticed that I was feeling down.
Kyunei didn't pry into my troubles and treated me with kindness. While I feel sorry for her, I also realized once again that she is truly a good person. I vow to make Kyunei, who cherishes someone like me, happy once again.
As for Mikage, about a week and a few days later, she safely returned to me. She is more experienced as a mercenary and more skilled than me. Although I knew it was unnecessary worry, I couldn't help but be concerned.
I was really surprised when I heard the story about Mikage running into Relix in the town they went to for a mission. It turns out that the rumored "expedition destination" was the same place Mikage ended up.
Mikage told me that they were invited by Relix to temporarily form a party and take on some quests.
"So, how was Relix? Was he doing well?"
"Yeah, he said to pass on his regards to Yukina-sama."
Sometimes, I wonder what it really means to "pass on regards." It's not just a simple greeting, right?
It seems like Relix is still working hard, traveling with his companions. According to Mikage, he's already managed to break into the upper ranks of the 3rd-ranked mercenaries in terms of skill.
Can you believe it? Just a while ago, he was just an ordinary person doing some vigilante work in the village. And now, he's become a skilled fighter who can join the upper ranks of the country. Compared to me, who's working as a 4th-ranked mercenary every day, his growth rate is just too abnormal.
"Usually, the ones chosen as Brave are pretty messed up in terms of their growth. They say 'hear one, know ten' and actually pull off that kind of stunt."
Gram seems to carry himself with a certain air of wisdom.
But man, his knowledge about 'Brave' goes beyond what's commonly known. It's intriguing, but I can't help but wonder where he got that knowledge. Did the person who created Gram teach him?
I can't help but feel a difference in position between Relix and me. We're from the same hometown and our ages aren't that far apart. But seeing someone I knew always walking ahead, it's hard not to feel a twinge of envy.
"Well, he's him, and I'm me."
Relix is a Brave. Eventually, he'll have to throw himself into a battle that carries the fate of the world. I can't possibly survive if I try to keep up with someone of his caliber. We're not particularly close, but I can still call him a 'friend'. If anything, I want him to live and complete the journey to defeat the Demon King.
And, if that guy doesn't defeat the Demon King, it'll have a big impact on my future happy life.
My current goal is to become a man who can match Kyunei and Mikage, and work hard as a mercenary. Once I've saved up some money, I plan to spend my retirement peacefully with them.
'Hah, there's no way you can have a laid-back life, partner. Are you an idiot?'
Gram laughed at me disdainfully. Well, if I retire, I'll throw him into a furnace, so he better be prepared.
--I always felt the existence of the "Demon King" and the "Brave" somewhere far away. Someday, Relix will defeat the Demon King. I held onto such vague thoughts.
Since Mikage returned from her trip, I've been busy with mercenary activities with her again. It's the same old, ordinary daily life.
--But one day, something strange happened in the midst of my ordinary daily life.
It all started with a certain request.
"Ugh, seriously?"
As I was searching for jobs on the request board, I frowned deeply. It felt like I had drawn the short end of the stick.
"Yukina-sama, what happened?"
Mikage, who was standing next to me, tilted her head in confusion. I pointed to the request that I had stumbled upon.
--There's a goblin living in a cave near the village, and we need to get rid of its nest.
Goblins are a type of monster that has a human-like form. However, they are far from resembling humans, with their ugly and short stature.
While they may be weaker than Kobolds in terms of individual strength, goblins are smarter and capable of wielding weapons and wearing armor to some extent. But even so, they are considered to be the weakest of the weakest among mercenaries, often referred to as "the bottom of the barrel".
This is only true amongt "mercenaries."
"'Goblin extermination'... huh. But isn't it just goblins? They're no match for Yukina-sama now, are they?"
As expected, Mikage had no idea what I was concerned about. Her reaction wasn't anything special for a mercenary.
But I'm a mercenary from a farming background.
"Don't underestimate goblins!"
"Y-yes!?"
Mikage was surprised by my stern tone. The nearby mercenaries were also startled by my sudden outburst, but I continued without hesitation.
"Listen up. Goblins are indeed weak. Even a slightly skilled farmer can take them down. But unlike Kobolds or Big Rats, there's hardly any material to be gained from hunting them. Frankly, they're just a waste of time for mercenaries, aren't they?"
Kobolds provide fur. Big Rats provide meat. Both are the lowest-ranked rewards for mercenaries. Still, they're enough for some extra income.
However, there is nothing to gain from goblins. Only inedible meat and unusable bones can be obtained from their corpses. That's why the rewards for goblin extermination are the lowest among many requests.
Goblin extermination is an "unprofitable job" for mercenaries. It can be said to be the number one request that no one wants to take.
That's why their nature is bad.
"Goblins have an incredible breeding power, so if you leave them alone, they will multiply quickly. And since no one takes the job, they can multiply without limit. Before you know it, a splendid nest is already built. Once it gets to this point, it's already dangerous."
"Is it really a big deal to just get rid of a goblin nest?"
"For mercenaries, it might be easy to exterminate a nest, but for amateurs, it's not something to be taken lightly."
Mikage's reaction is still dull.
I peel off the request form and take it to the reception desk to gather information.
"Hey, when did the guild take on this request?"
"...? It was just the other day."
"Be more specific."
With a reaction similar to Mikage's, I ask again with determination in my eyes. Overwhelmed by my gaze, the receptionist let out a sound that was almost a scream from the depths of her throat.
"I-It was about a week ago, if I remember correctly. I was in charge of it."
"A week... There might already be casualties if we're not careful."
Even for the guild, goblin extermination is a lower priority compared to other requests. It's understandable to put it off for later.
Even I wouldn't be so anxious if it were just a few goblins to deal with. Goblins are nothing more than weak monsters, no matter how you look at it.
But if they've built a 'nest,' that's a different story. And if there's a village nearby, then we really need to hurry.
"By the way, why does the Mercenary Guild neglect these kinds of requests? Is it the downside of city living?"
I quickly left the guild after accepting the request.
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