I shove another horn into my pouch. Despite having a similar level and the same rank, these Kemoths were much easier to kill than the Supreme Kemoth.
Maybe species also plays a part in assessing danger level?
Rank C ant or rank C dragon?
...Well, it doesn't change the fact that these Kemoths are super wimpy. They die too fast.
At this rate, I'll have no room to store the horns.
Only forty minutes have passed, but my second pouch is almost full already.
I only have one pouch left to spare. Despite there still being a lot of time left, the quantity of Kemoths have certainly dropped.
Everyone has being running around killing them, you know?
I want to kill more to satisfy myself, but I have to spend a long time searching just to find another Kemoth.
I'm pretty sure they respawn or something passively, but I don't feel like that's going to happen anytime soon.
I scout the maze.
After a few brief minutes, I stumble across one of the 'injured' adventurers.
I look at him. His battered body, and the boils forming on his skin. The damage is light, but...
Urp
I push the thought of Harwel’s death to the furthest corner of my mind, forcing myself to stay emotionless.
If a single waver in my conviction appears, it'll crumble down, like a mansion built on sand.
My emotions - the fortress - might look grand and powerful, but if the winds blow a bit too harsh, or if the waves get slightly rough, it'll get washed away, swept into a constant abyss of waves.
"Thank you for finding me," he says. "Can you please protect me till the timer runs out?"
I don't want to be liable for another death, although a quick [Appraisal] shows that he's certainly strong enough to fight for himself.
I'd say roughly a high Silver-badge, with stats averaging at 500.
"Fend for yourself"
His smile dissipates, and it turns into a dark frown. "What did you say? Do you want me to report you to Guild Master Koya?"
This guy ticks me off. Really, hiding behind an authority figure?
"I said, go fight for yourself. You're barely injured. A healing potion can easily close up your bruises."
He asks for my name. Reluctantly, I answer.
"Rena"
He scribbles it onto a notepad.
"I'll see you later, Rena..."
With that, he walks away.
What was the point of that interaction? All it did was sour my mood.
I scour every nook and cranny, searching for something to vent my stress on.
Finally, after a long search, I come across another Kemoth.
It roars at me.
Compared to the Supreme Kemoth, these Kemoths look far more tame.
They look like four legged chickens.
It charges at me mindlessly.
"...Go away."
I fire a black bullet with my new increased mana capacity, entirely obliterating the foul monster in a single hit.
Its horn drops onto the ground with a light clink.
I pick it up and try stuffing it into my second pouch, only to fail. Eventually, I give up and put it in my final pouch.
I was feeling conservative, but now... I really couldn't care less.
I sigh and start aimlessly wondering again.
The only sound I hear are my footsteps, echoing on the dungeon walls. Actually, I think I heard something else. A yell?
Straining my ears and ceasing any movement, I stay quiet, listening. Seconds later, I hear it again.
The faint cry of battle. As I keep on walking, the distinct smell of blood and the moaning of fear only grow louder.
A real fight, then. Not a 'rescue' mission.
I quickly pick up the pace, rushing to the site, and see a trio of adventurers attempt to obviate off seven or so Kemoths.
If I don't step in, they'll probably die.
And I refuse for that to happen in my presence.
I coat both my daggers in condensed blackness, before warping behind one of the Kemoths.
I cut it down with relative ease, before warping onto the next one. It notices me and slashes with its chicken claws.
I parry the attack, and jam a dagger up its throat, before slicing downwards, exposing its cervical nerves.
The squad of adventurers follow my prompt, and gang up on a Kemoth.
The Kemoth tries to bite one of them, but gets attacked by a fierce slash from behind. The Kemoth roars in pain, and staggers around, attempting to defend itself from the flank.
Three on one, they should be fine.
If the adventurers still struggle, I can pop in and help them.
I summersault, dodging a poison attack, before hurling one of my daggers at another Kemoth, and following up with an array of dark bullets.
All basic attributes increased. Level-up proficiency acquired. Proficiency has reached required level. Skill [Pain Resistance Lv5] has become [Pain Resistance Lv6] Proficiency has reached required level. Skill [Rationality Lv3] has become [Rationality Lv4] Skill points acquired. Combat points acquired. 50% of max health recovered.> Retrieving my dagger from the corpse, I turn to face yet another Kemoth Afterwards, I allocate 5 CP to mana.. I handle five of them, and wait for the squad to kill their final Kemoth. Once they finish it off, the group rejoices. I pick up my five horns, but get interrupted halfway through the act. "T-Thank you so much, Rena!" "Yeah, thanks! We wouldn't have made it out if you didn't come!" "I'll treat you to a drink sometime! Not beer, but the guilds specialty: Rum spirits!" Their praising makes me happy, but a dark though begins creeping into my mind again. If only Harwel was there to thank you too... I push the thought away again. I don't want to - no, I can't deal with that right now. I won't be able to handle it. I exchange a few words with them, before continuing my pointless adventure. The timer ends in 17 minutes anyway. There won't be much to do in such a restricted time frame. So, I pile down my horns, and count them. 37 Kemoth horns. 1 Supreme Kemoth horn. Okay. That was a lot more than I expected. I suppose I did level up two times in total, did I not? I lie down, trying to keep on thinking about pointless things. Because if I don't avert my attention, I'll end up... ...Overthinking everything that happened. So far, I've already gotten 4,800 points, so I'm guaranteed top dog on the podium. These horns should score quite a decent number of points. Hopefully the examiner guy I left to fend for himself doesn't deduct too many points from me. But I did ditch him, did I not? Oh well. That's fine. Lying down on the cold surface, I stare at the rocky ceiling covered with limestone. I stay like that for a while, before feeling something wet trickle down my eye, tickling my ears. I wipe the droplet away. I’m not crying I'll be the last to admit I need a hand to hold. I can't show my weakness to to others. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. I stand up, and shove the monster horns into my pouches. As I stumble around, I find another Kemoth, before apathetically killing it. I don't even bother grabbing its horn. The timer reaches 90 minutes, and I get teleported out of the dungeon. Guild Master Koya stands there, greeting us. I quickly scan the room, hoping to find Harwel among the crowd, miraculously, unharmed. But, of course, I don't see her anywhere. A red notification pops up, showing that i have some unread notifications. T-that can't be right. I force my nerves to calm down. I can't get my hopes up. It must be a notification for getting Silver-badge or something. With shaking fingers, I tap on the message icon with trembling fingers. <[Harwel]: Rena, how did your trial go?> Wha? H-harwel is alive? <[Harwel]: Rena, how did your trial go? [Rena]: Where are you? How did you survive that?> Did I miss something important? How did Harwel survive? These must be timed messages set to go off after a certain time period, right? <[Harwel]: Rena, how did your trial go? [Rena]: Where are you? How did you survive that? [Harwel]: Duh, the bracelet...> ... I feel an uncontrollable smile scale my lips. ... ... Oh. Riight. I totally forgot. Well... What an anticlamatic plot twist. I really am stupid. So... I guess I'll be right off, then. Remove that from your memory log. Never happened. Nothing at all... ... Guild Master Koya points to a set of tables, where some underpaid looking guys count the number of horns each person collected. I'd say it averages at six or seven per person? And most of them formed parties, so really, it's more like two or three horns per person. Sure, the horns were evenly distributed between the parties, so it's more like they killed twenty or so in total, but each one took, say, a third of the effort. And squadding up significantly reduces risks, so a group of three would have it roughly nine times easier than a solo adventurer. I think only the top adventurers would want to go solo, since everybody just holds them down. However, after this experience, I think I should remain solo. I can't drag other people into my reckless antics. <[Harwel]: I'm in the guild hospital. Meet up afterwards, yeah? [Rena]: Sure. Sorry, about... you know [Harwel]: No, really! I was probably holding you back> I'll meet Harwel afterwards. Maybe Guild Master Koya will still make an exception and let Harwel move up to Silver-badge because she came second in two assessments. If push comes to shove, I can simply secretly give Harwel some of my horns. I have more than enough to share. I wait in line, and stand idly. Finally, I reach the desk. A young boy looks up me, and asks to count the number of horns I collected. I dump the horns onto his table, and his eyes bulge, his mouth hanging open. The people behind me turn their heads to see the commotion, but they look stunned as well. Once again, Guild Master Koya takes notice, and comes to check up on me. He gives an approving nod, but then his eyes narrow. He stares intently at something... The Supreme Kemoth horn. With its vibrant swirls and larger size, it certainly stands out. He walks up to the desk, and tells the boy that he'll take over. "Yes sir," the boy responds, before quickly excusing himself. Guild Master Koya examines the horns with immense accuracy. "Thirty-seven Kemoth horns, and... A Supreme Kemoth horn? Where in the world did you find that, Rena?" "It was in a small passageway to the left of the main route. To be honest, that monster was way too strong." "If me and Harwel didn't fight it, and it got out, the Supreme Kemoth would have caused a lot of trouble. It shouldn't be in a Silver-badge examination," I evaluate, complaining to Guild Master Koya. That thing was stupid strong! Guild Master Koya nods. "You're right. It shouldn't be in that dungeon. We made sure no Kemoth's were close to evolving." What? A hundred questions rush to my head, but I ask the most predominant one. "...Are you saying the Supreme Kemoth was planted?" "Precisely," responds Guild Master Koya. A gear shifts into place, as I remember a certain someone say a certain something. It would be a shame if something happened during your practical examination Misaki. I mean, the puzzle pieces clicked together instantly! She whispered something she clearly didn't want me to hear. Her obnoxious, over-confident attitude. The sneers I got from her simps. However, as much as I hate to admit it, I have no way of proving she's the culprit. It might be personal bias, but I don't think anyone else would have any gains from planting an overpowered monster in a low-ranked dungeon. But...Monsters can evolve? That's also something new. Were the King, Queen, soldier and guard roaches all just evolutions of a baby roach? I just shrug it off. Should I tell Guild Master Koya my suspicions? I look around. There are too many people. Too many of her followers. "I think I know who planted the Supreme Kemoth," I quietly whisper. As if catching on, Guild Master Koya drops his tone to a barely audible mutter. "If there's too many people here, come meet me in my office afterwards." I nod along. Guild Master Koya leaves, and waits for everyone's number of horns to be counted, before announcing the final results. "During the practical examination, most people have passed with excellent marks. I congratulate everyone for your achievements today. Nonetheless, some people have gone beyond expectations, and have completed the test with flying marks!" He inhales, taking a deep breath before continuing. "It may not come as a surprise anymore, but we have Rena in first place, with an undeniable accomplishment of forty-seven Kemoth horns!" 47? Not 37? Maybe he converted the Supreme Kemoth horn to ten normal Kemoth horns? I mean - the Supreme Kemoth shouldn't have even existed. "Rena has also shown excelling judicial abilities! Correctly assessing the situation, she left one of the 'injured" adventurers to fend for himself after deciding he only had minor wounds, and was therefore, a minor priority rescue subject." Uhm, that wasn't the reason I ditched that guy, but I guess it all worked out in the end? "Instead, she focused on saving three other adventurers, who were in a much larger crisis!" Wait, what? Those guys were actors? I didn't bother using [Appraisal] on them because they seemed weak, but I guess they were going incognito or something. I'm sorry for doubting you, [Appraisal]!!! "For these reasons, I award Rena the highest honour I can bestow, a high Silver-badge! 3,000 points on the practical!" A silence ushers the room. Did he just say HIGH SILVER-BADGE?? Those are for guys with 600-700 in stats, right? The ones that are a single step off Gold-badge. Hoo boy. This is overwhelming. I was expecting to slowly progress and complete missions for one or two months before I got even a middle Silver-badge. But instead, I jumped directly from low Bronze to high Silver! All eyes turn to me. Most of them are cheering and vehemently clapping, but I see a few jealous, scornful glares. Haha! Sucks to suck! Guild Master mentions that we will be able to collect our badges and permits after all the administration is finished. "In about an hour or so," he says. Finally, he calls out the top three scorers overall. Obviously, I come first. I get a grand prize of 25 gold coins! Piole comes second. Huh. He didn't even do the magic test. He gets 10 gold coins. To my surprise, Harwel comes third. Despite getting zero on the practical. She totally could have beaten Piole! Well, she gets 5 gold coins for her effort. Better than nothing, I guess. Guild Master Koya uses [Earth Manipulation], and quickly alters the podium chart thingy, putting me in first, with a total of 7,800 points - nearly double that of Feirune’s 4,000! Guild Master Koya dismisses us, and most adventurers walk away. Instead of leaving, I march towards Guild Master Koya. "First off, do you know where the sick bay is?" Guild Master Koya gives a nod. "By 'sick bay', I presume you refer to the guilds hospital? Your friend Harwel is located in ward C. I understand your worries. Shall we discuss the issue afterwards?" "Okay," I respond. I ask for some general directions, before heading to the private, guild owned hospital. Well, its more like a big infirmary. I walk through some corridors, and some nurses glance at me. I haven't really paid attention to it, but the Adventurer's Guild seems to be the centre of Windport. It's the largest building, and also one of the biggest economic powers. They have their own private hospital for adventurers! And even better, the medical expenses are all free! I skim the signs, before finding ward C. As I stumble in, I see Harwel lying on a wooden bed. She's bandaged up, but for the most part, she seems fine. Harwel notices me, and smiles. "Heheh, did I get you worried?" she asks sheepishly. "You big idiot." "Aw, I knew you were worried about me, Rena!" Yeah, I am in relief, but don't taunt me! I was genuinely worried, you know? Next time, I'm going to stage my death in front of you, record your reaction with [Appraisal], and broadcast it worldwide! Bwahahaha! ...Except...No way in hell will I reveal [Appraisal] to anyone. And I don't think [Appraisal] can broadcast recordings anyway... "So, did you make the cut?" I question. "Well, I came third place, right?" "Yeah. You're also getting 5 gold coins as reward money." Personally, I think Harwel definitely deserves that Silver-badge! The Supreme Kemoth wasn't even a mob that should have been there! If it weren't for that bum, me and Harwel would have totally owned the dungeon. Well... I still owned the dungeon solo, but you know what I mean. "You should get Silver. Your achievements certainly fared well." "You think so? Well, all we can really do is cross my fingers and hope for the best." We chat for a while before I take my leave. Never mind about the stalker vibes. Once you break through that outer layer, Harwel really is a good person. As I walk downstairs, I realise something. Ugh. Guild Master Koya's office is near the receptionist's desk. And right now, the person taking the shift is none other than my prime suspect, Misaki. Heh. This time, I'll be the one making her a fool! I go to the receptionists' desk, and Misaki gives an impish smile. "Oh, hello, Rena! I see lots of blood on your armour!" Oh right. I forgot to give that a wipe. Was that why the nurses gave me disapproving, or maybe worried looks? Misaki continues her taunting. "Were you hurt during the practical exam? Oh, such a shame! You certainly had potential to rank up. It's so unfortunate that you failed-" "I'm a high Silver." Misaki stops her sentence midway, and narrows her eyes onto me. "What did you say?" she hisses, her tone and expression changing drastically. "I said, I killed the Supreme Kemoth someone planted-" "It wasn't me! I have no idea what you're talking about!" stammers Misaki, before I even finish my sentence. I just grin. She's totally stupid, right? Who would act like that if they were innocent? "Well, if you'll excuse me, I have to discuss the matter with Guild Master Koya," I say, practically beaming in satisfaction. "H-he's not here right now! H-he's busy with... He's busy with work!" I put my hand over my mouth in an exaggerated manner. "Oh, really? Then that man in the room labelled Guild Masters office must be a look alike. You should kick him out then! I'm sure you wouldn't lie to me. Imagine the trouble you would get in!" Misaki gets all flustered, and wabbles her hands in denial. "O-oh? He must have arrived earlier than expected! Right t-this way, Madam." As she lets me in, I walk to Guild Master Koya's office door, before knocking. He opens it, and lets me in. Misaki watches hopelessly from her desk. I stick my tongue out at her and give her the finger. She looks at me pleadingly. Now I want to get her in trouble even more! "Hello, Rena. I was expecting your presence. How did your meeting with Harwel go?" Since he's asking about Harwel, I might as well clarify some things with him. "It went well. Is Harwel getting promoted?" "Certainly! What a potent young lady!" I guess she made the cut. I quickly message Harwel, notifying her, and get an excited response a few seconds later. "Well, what was it you wished to discuss with me beforehand? It was regarding the culprit, no?" he asks, looking puzzled. "Yeah. I think I know who did it," I respond, almost automatically. "Who has raised your suspicion?" "Misaki." Guild Master raises an eyebrow. "I understand there is tension amongst you and her, but do you have any solid proof?" What should I say? I can't just say she acted suspiciously. I'll need some actual evidence. I quickly do some [Appraisal] searches before finding a reasonable explanation. Something that would align with what really happened. I stumble across a file, and scan it quickly. Now, I know what to say. "The Supreme Kemoth didn't see me. No, if sniffed me out," I explain in a dead-serious voice. "Sniffed, you say? Are you sure it smelled you? Did it track you down?" "Yeah." Guild Master Koya sits down, and thinks for a moment, before starting, "I assume Harwel can vouch for this claim?" I nod. You see, Supreme Kemoths, or Kemoths in general usually have a bad sense of smell. However, after sniffing the blood of someone, they'll hunt that person to the depths of hell. They're actually used as assassin monsters in some parts of the world. Thank you, [Appraisal]! And Guild Master Koya just thinks I'm well versed in monster behaviour ... "Well..." he continues, "How does this link to Misaki?" Good thing I thought of an explanation for this question! "The blood signature." Guild Master Koya tilts his head. "Whatever could you mean by that?" "My blood signature. I signed some documents, and the only people who have access to them are you, Misaki and Charles." Guild Master Koya seems to understand where I'm getting at. Out of those three people, it obviously wasn't Guild Master Koya. Charles might be toxic, but he wouldn't go as far as trying to kill me. In fact, he would lose more than he would gain from doing something like that. I am under his supervision, after all. Misaki on the other hand... already dislikes me. And out of the tree, she's the only one who profits from my death. "You make good points," mutters Guild Master Koya. "I will investigate this matter further." And with that, I leave the office. Misaki silently watches me depart. As I walk past her, she whispers something into my ear. "I'll get you for this..." Aw shucks. A declaration of war on me? Right back at you! I quickly drop off at Gyras' shop, giving him 5 gold coins and an extra one as a thanks. "Thank 'yer, Rena! Come back anytime!" With that, I take my leave. During the practical, I killed a lot of monsters. I wonder how much I grew. Name: Rena Shinohara Level: 24 Rank: F Class (primary): None Class (secondary): None Health: 301 Damage: 343 Mana: 256 Defence: 302 Speed: 356 Titles: [Underdog], [Monster Hunter], [Monster Slayer], [Dungeon Master], [Demon Lord] Sills: [Absorption], [Appraisal], [Melee Lv10], [Reparation Lv8], [Dark Magic Lv10], [Run Lv5], [Resentment Lv4], [Rationality Lv4], [Concentration Lv4], [Pain Resistance Lv6]> Guh-Wha-Er-HUUHH?!?!!? My stats grew a bunch! My health didn't increase that much, but my mana took a massive jump forward, followed by speed and damage! Stat-wise, I'm already easily a lower Silver-badge! So, high Silver really does suit me! In no time flat, I can surpass Yache! I can't believe a week ago, or three weeks if you include time in my sub-space, my stats were a measly three! This is a hundredfold, no, with skills included, at least two hundredfold better than when I first came into this world! At this rate, I'll become a bona fide [Demon Lord]! ---------------------------------------- Back then, I had no idea the significance of those words. "Mistress Greed, the troops are ready. Shall we advance?" "Go for it"