DanMachi: Cheat? What's a Cheat?

Chapter 42 – Paranoia

Every night, when Goddess Hestia was already asleep, I'd lie in bed staring at the ceiling like an idiot, waiting for my breathing to stabilize so I could sleep.

But only I knew that in my heart I had anger.

That anger never went away.

It actually got bigger every day.

I was angry at the little kid who stole my money.

I was angry at Ryuu Lion who beat me up without giving me a chance to explain.

Every time I let my guard down, the image of Ryuu Lion beating me mercilessly would come back.

I was angry, of course.

I wanted revenge, of course.

But I'm not that stupid.

Complain to the Guild?

A Level 1 adventurer accusing a Level 4 hero?

Even though Ryuu Lion is a fugitive, if she got caught there's a good chance Freya Familia would cause problems.

God Ouranos who cares about stability would definitely step in and free Ryuu so Orario wouldn't get chaotic.

And I'd just become a laughingstock before getting kicked out of Orario.

Brave? A hundred times brave wouldn't be enough if the opponent is Freya Familia.

I know Ryuu is Syr's friend.

If I touch Ryuu, I'll attract Freya Familia's attention.

No, thank you.

I'm just Level 1. If they attack, I can't even do anything.

So, I'll keep this grudge. Wrap it up tight, and store it in the darkest corner of my heart.

Someday, if I'm strong enough to stand before her as an equal opponent, I'll unwrap this package again.

If not... let it rot there forever.

Forget revenge.

A week full of paranoia and buried anger.

You could say being close to death made me experience some mental issues because that beating incident made me always dream that I was going to die.

If it wasn't for Goddess Hestia hugging me I'd probably have trouble sleeping.

Right now I'm walking toward the Guild with steps that... well, let's just call it "maximum alert level."

My hand's never far from my sword handle.

Every time someone moves too fast beside me, all my muscles immediately tense up like springs ready to jump.

I walk along the edge of the road, avoiding crowds as much as possible.

My eyes keep moving, scanning every corner, every alley, every suspicious shadow.

Every few steps, I look back, making sure no one's following me.

"Paranoid? Me? No, this is called being careful," I mutter while continuing to walk in an unpredictable zigzag pattern.

If someone observed my behavior, they'd probably think I'm crazy or a former spy on a secret mission.

The reality is, I'm just a Level 1 adventurer traumatized from getting beaten half to death.

Reaching the Guild, I immediately head to the exchange counter with quick steps.

No time for casual chat or enjoying the atmosphere.

Quick business, get money, go home.

"Magic stones from floor 6," I tell the cashier while taking out yesterday's hunting results.

The cashier counts carefully while my eyes keep scanning the surrounding area.

Who knows if there are suspicious little kids lurking around with bad intentions.

"Total 32,000 Valis," the cashier says while handing over the money pouch.

I accept that pouch with both hands like I'm holding the most precious treasure in the world, then immediately put it in my bag with overly protective movements.

"Thank you," I say quickly, then hurry away before anyone notices I'm carrying money.

Luckily, Misha and Eina are busy with their own business.

No one's teasing me or wondering why I look like someone being chased by debt collectors.

The journey home begins. I feel like everyone's looking at me with greedy eyes even though I know it's just my feeling.

But still...

My heart's beating a bit fast.

Not because I'm tired, but because for me now, the streets of Orario aren't a friendly and pleasant place anymore.

This is a minefield full of potential dangers.

Little kids? Potential thieves.

Adventurers walking fast? Possible enemies.

Narrow alleys? Places to avoid at all costs.

"Focus. Don't let your guard down. Last time happened because I was careless," I whisper while continuing to walk with alert eyes.

"It won't happen again. What if next time it's not a thief, but someone with a knife?"

My mind is filled with worst-case scenarios that could happen.

This week you could say I'm experiencing mental issues. Usually people are careful in the dungeon.

But I'm an anomaly, the dungeon is the most comfortable place while the city is the dangerous place.

At least that's how I see it.

From simple robbery to ambushes by unknown familias.

I walk in an irregular pattern, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, occasionally stopping to pretend to look at merchandise while making sure the situation around me is safe.

"Maybe I really am too paranoid," I mutter while sighing.

"But better paranoid than having bad things happen again."

While I'm drowning in cautious thoughts and careful steps, suddenly—

crash!

Someone crashes into me from the side pretty hard.

Not like the little kid that time, this collision makes my whole body stagger to the right.

Sure enough this city is dangerous, I can't let my guard down.

In a split second, all my training with Gob, all the trauma from the incident a week ago, and all the paranoia that's been building up in my head for a week, exploded into one reflexive action.

I don't think.

I don't weigh options.

I just move.

"THIEF! AGAIN!" That's the only thought that crosses my mind.

My body spins with speed that surprises even me.

I feel even a bit stronger, does emotion affect my strength?

My right hand shoots forward with precision I've never felt before. I feel like I've been injected with chicken blood.

grab!

With a grip that feels like steel pliers, I grab the neck of the person who crashed into me, pushing them against the nearest alley wall with full force.

thud!

Her back hits the stone wall with a pretty loud sound.

This is a move to disable and intimidate, not to kill, but still very aggressive.

Way more aggressive than I've ever been to anyone.

"Give back the money—"

My words are cut off.

The adrenaline that was blazing earlier subsides as fast as it came.

My eyes that were wild with anger now focus on the figure I'm choking.

Soft gray hair.

Very familiar grayish-blue eyes.

A surprised and slightly pained face.

Syr Flova.

My entire body feels frozen instantly.

My blood feels like it turns to ice in the blink of an eye.

All the courage, aggression, and paranoia that made me move like an experienced fighter just now, evaporates just like that.

Replaced by the purest terror.

"No. No, no, no, NO!" my mind screams hysterically.

"Of all the people in Orario... why does it have to be her?"

"I... I just choked Syr. I attacked the one person who's most dangerous to make an enemy of."

My head spins quickly, looking for a way out of this situation.

But all I can do is stare at Syr's face that I'm choking with my expression that probably looks like someone who just realized they pressed a nuclear bomb button.

I know I can't show my real fear.

I have to fix this situation, right now, or I'll become dust within hours.

However all Freya Familia members are crazy, if they find out I attacked their Goddess.

I'm done for.

My grip on her neck loosens immediately, like all strength evaporated from my arm. I step back, my hands trembling violently as I raise them in the air like I'm completely surrendering.

I try to smile, but what comes out is a stiff grin that probably looks terrifying.

"M-miss! Oh my god, forgive me!" my voice shakes like leaves in strong wind.

"I'm really sorry! Really!"

Syr coughs softly "Khft... khm." while rubbing her neck with one hand.

"Did... his eyes just flash for a moment?" she murmurs quietly, almost like talking to herself.

Or is it just my imagination?

"I didn't mean to! That... that was just a reflex!" I continue with a voice getting higher from panic.

"I thought you were... someone else. A thief! Yesterday I got robbed, so now I'm... uh... overly alert?"

My explanation sounds like the rambling of a crazy person.

Syr's still coughing, her eyes not leaving my face.

Seconds pass feeling like hours.

I wait for the verdict.

Wait for her to scream, or call for help, or do something that'll end my life as a free adventurer in Orario.

But what happens next...