NOVEL WEB Chapter 56
56. Because You’re Someone I Recognize
The request I received was to explore a dungeon near Mills City.
As usual, I used my defense skills to navigate through the dangerous areas full of traps and monsters with ease and speed.
My skills had improved since before, so I could proceed without any danger.
After completing the exploration, I returned to the guild branch in Mills City.
“Already done?”
The receptionist looked surprised to see me back after just a few hours.
“Even rank A and B adventurers struggled with that dungeon…”
Indeed, there were more traps and monsters compared to previous dungeons.
But with my skills, I could move forward without any issues. Regular adventurers would have to carefully disarm traps, avoid them, fight or flee from monsters… it must be tough.
“Exploration is my specialty.”
I smiled and handed over my guild card.
This card serves as an ID for adventurers and a record of achievements.
Each time we complete a request, it gets recorded by a magic device at the reception.
“Well then, I’ll add this achievement to your record, Harutp-san.”
The receptionist inserted my guild card into the slot of the recording device on the counter.
“In just a little over a month… twenty-seven dungeon explorations!? That’s amazing…”
The receptionist handed back my card with wide eyes.
I’ve certainly done a lot of explorations.
All of those are recorded as achievements.
It might not be long before I level up to the next rank.
“Haruto…?”
Just as I left the reception counter, someone called out to me.
Turning around, I saw a girl about fifteen years old in knight armor standing there.
Short blue hair, mysterious purple eyes.
Her expressionless face gave her a transcendental beauty.
Luca Avesta, the ‘Ice Blade.’
She is an S-rank adventurer, the strongest among adventurers.
“Luca, it’s been a while.”
The last time we met was about a month ago when we celebrated my passing the guild exam with Lilith and others.
“I heard you moved up to rank D. I’ve been following your achievements.”
Luca said calmly with her usual expressionless face.
“Sister,”
A girl with Luca grabbed her hand.
With crimson hair like flames cut semi-long, she looked younger than Luca, probably around twelve or thirteen.
She was a beautiful girl with a stubborn and cocky expression.
Her metal armor mainly protected her chest and waist, resembling a bikini.
Though with her height only reaching my chest and a flat body, she had no sex appeal at all.
“Do you know each other? It’s the first time I’ve seen my sister being friendly with a man. With a man…!”
She said in an overly grumpy tone.
“Haruto Riva. A defensive magic user who became an adventurer about a month ago. He made significant contributions in the recent battle against the Demon General.”
“Contributions?”
The girl frowned.
“That was my sister’s achievement. It was her power that defeated the Demon General.”
“Officially, that’s how it’s recorded. But actually—”
“No, my sister defeated the Demon General. I believe in that.”
The girl interrupted Luca’s words, shaking her head vehemently.
“Sister… you’re Luca’s sister?”
“Foster sister,”
The girl got closer, glaring at me with sharp eyes.
“She’s Ivy Larsworth. Thirteen years old. Class: Fighter. Rank A adventurer.”
Luca introduced her.
“Why are you here, Luca?”
“The guild’s void radar detected something. In about two days, demons will appear near Mills City.”
Luca said.
“The threat level is class A. I happened to be free, so I’m going on the subjugation mission with her.”
“This isn’t an opponent that requires your involvement. Please leave it to me.”
Ivy clung tightly to Luca’s waist.
She behaved like a doting younger sister.
“In battles with demons, anything can happen. I’d like Haruto’s help too, but he’s not ranked high enough yet.”
“Sister, we don’t need to rely on a rank D adventurer.”
Ivy said sharply.
“Haruto Riva, was it? Please stay out of the way during the subjugation mission.”
“You’re going too far, Ivy.”
“I’m sorry, sister.”
Ivy apologized, bowing her head.
She seemed to obey Luca’s words.
“But he’s rank D… I can’t believe my sister would recognize someone like him… and a man, no less. A man…”
She muttered discontentedly.
“An adventurer’s strength isn’t determined by rank alone. He’s someone I recognize.”
Luca said calmly.
“In the mock battle during the guild entrance exam, I used my ultimate move but couldn’t defeat him.”
“My sister…?”
Ivy gasped.
“But he’s not needed for this battle.”
She glared at me.
“Remember this. One day, I’ll be the one recognized by my sister. As her unique partner.”
I felt like sparks flew from her eyes.
Isn’t she treating me like some weird rival?
“By the way, Haruto, can we talk later? There’s something I’d like to ask you.”
“Me?”
“Could you come to Bitta Forest on the outskirts of town in an hour?”
I agreed to Luca’s request.
I wonder what she needs to talk about.
I had no time to answer the flustered Lilith as I ran.
The figure disappeared into an alley.
I followed and—,
“Hey there.”
It was the man from earlier.
“You’ve got it too, that power.”
He smirked.
Because of his handsome features, his smile looked unnervingly frivolous.
“I saw it when you blew away the adventurers. The Crest of God.”
Was he talking about the angelic pattern that appears when I activate my skill?
“You’ve been silent for a while now. Are you not much of a talker? Or do you think you can’t openly discuss your skills? Don’t worry.”
He kept grinning,
“It’s just you and me here. I guess that if we’re both skill users, talking won’t harm us.”
“So, you also have a godly skill…”
I swallowed hard.
I just mentioned the godly skill, but I didn’t feel any discomfort like before.
“I knew it… So, we can talk freely.”
His smile widened.
The same red pattern glowed in his right eye.
“Since we met, let’s get to know each other. I’m Gregorio Lava. Just arrived in the capital looking for a job.”
“I’m Hart Leever. I’m an adventurer.”
Since he introduced himself, I did the same.
My voice was tense with nervousness.
“Ah, I figured out your profession from the earlier scene. I’m envious of a popular adventurer. I came all the way from Miles City to the capital for work. Had some trouble over there, haha.”
Gregorio kept grinning for some reason.
“Well, since we met, let’s get along, Hart.”
To be honest, I felt a primal aversion.
“From today, we’re friends.”
Friends, he said.
But after killing those adventurers so casually, Gregorio seemed unfazed.
Not someone I could easily befriend.
“—[Reload]”
“What…?”
The red pattern appeared in Gregorio’s eye again.
The suddenness made my mind go blank.
What’s he doing—.
[I heard there have been many stabbing incidents in the capital recently]
[Not long ago, there were also many disappearances near Miles City]
I recalled my conversation with Lilith and the others.
At the same time, Gregorio’s words.
[I came all the way from Miles City to the capital for work. Had some trouble over there, haha]
Connecting the two conversations, I reached one conclusion.
Could he be—.
“[Bullet]”
A red light sphere appeared in front of me.
The ‘death’ skill that killed the adventurers with a touch.
“Sorry to say goodbye just after becoming friends.”
Gregorio laughed joyfully.
So casually.
So naturally.
So coldly.
So mercilessly.
So freely.
Could he really kill people like this—.
“Repel!”
I shouted reflexively.
A burst of multicolored light appeared and deflected the red sphere.