The cloud of dust was still charging towards us while Jin and I lay on the ground, unable to do anything. I hated it, not just the mud seeping through my clothes and armor, but the feeling of helplessness.

It was pretty infuriating but at the same time I felt a little relaxed since it's just some boars. I'm sure teh three of them can handle-

"[Lightning Strike]"

The spell called down a large lightning bolt from the sky and it struck the charging beasts with such force that some of them were sent flying in pieces.

"There's still a lot of them charging this way. For a high level spell, that didn't faze them that much."

"It's their thick hide. It has high resistance towards physical and magical attacks."

Maria frowned at the thought of her spells not doing their job properly.

Jin and I watched from the sidelines while the three of them deliberated on what to do about the oncoming threat. Apparently, we can't outrun them since the two of us can't move and fighting them would be tough since I can't move. I let out a sigh as I struggled to move my arm to a more comfortable position, it's getting pretty numb after all.

"Oi, what're you planning on doing?"

"I want to see if I can use some skills even when paralyzed. But I don't think I can."

"Yeah, me neither. What you want to do?"

"Rest, I guess?"

The two of us chuckled while Zel reeadied herself to meet the charge head on. The Giant Boars still need to get through at least 5 layers of barriers before their tusks can meet with a buffed Zel, so I'm not really worried.

i watched from the ground as the sound of hooves trampling on the ground neared us. The very ground itself seemed to rumble while boars larger than a full-grown man snorted in their approach. Some dust and dirt got flung onto my eyes due to the ground shaking, so I instinctively rubbed my eyes.

"Hey! You can move!"

"Huh? Oh! It- Nevermind, it's only my right hand."

I moved my right arm around and it still felt numb, but at least I can move it now. The three didn't seem to notice this, their focus was entirely on the boars just a few hundred meters away from us and closing in. Fast.

"Zel! Move out of the way!"

I yelled out, pointing at the direction of the boars. Zel nodded and took a few steps to the right while I readied one of my skills.

They were closing the gap between us, but that's good. I'm still not sure if this skill has a long range but I think now is a good time to test it out. I took a deep breath while I stuck out my hand in front of me.

"[Wither]!"

Everyone's eyes widened as a blackk ball shot out from my hand and towards the large herd.

It didn't really do much, but it did slow them down. Some of them even dropped to the ground, wheezing and writhing while a few tried to charge at us. But it did the trick. Olivia casted some [Ice Spikes] towards them and the handful that survived scattered to the winds.

Everyone let out a sigh of relief before their attentions turned back at the two of us.

"L-Let's go back to the guild for now."

Zel shook her head before she walked over towards me. She said nothing as she carried me behind her back.

"I hope the guild gives us a bonus for those boars."

Maria sighed out, her voice sounding tired as she spoke.

"I'm sure they will! That's perfectly good boar meat lying in the fields!"

At least Archpriest still sounded like usual. Her bubbly personality and energy a stark contrast to the four people walking behind her.

"Arthur, please stop smelling my hair."

"Sorry."

I could feel Zel frowning as I tried my best not to sniff her hair so much.

In my defense, it's hard not to sniff something that smelled like lavender.

"Say-"

"Don't you dare!"

Maria chuckled while she tried to feed Jin some soup. I myself was laying my head face donw on the table, not because of laziness but because I can't fucking move most of my body.

"15 silver for each of us. A good haul, if I do say so myself."

Zel nodded with a proud smile on her face. It disappeared quickly when Olivia dragged three kegs of strong alcohol onto the table.

"What? It's my money and I get to choose what I spend with it!"

"No one- Nevermind. Arthur, are you doing alright?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Thanks for asking."

I was stil lying face down on the table, but at least I managed to turn my head to the side to look at Zel. 

The feeling of the small pile of coins in my hand was great, but I still didn't like the feeling of being immobile. The fact that the two of us had to be carried into the town by wagons made me feel even more deflated. I could still remember Freir's laugh as we passed by his store.

Honestly, I just wanted to sit in my room all day. I wanted to sleep, dream some more about things, and think about what's happening in my world. Is Re:Zero season 2 finally out yet? Will there ever be a No Game No Life season 3? Did my order of 6 light novels arrive yet and who paid for them?

All these thoughts I shoved to the back of my mind while I sulked on the table. There was another thing that was bothering me, and it didn't involve any anime or games but rather a person.

"I wonder if she's alright."

"Hmm? Did you say something, Arthur? Are you referring to an old lover of yours?"

Of course she would hear me. She always heard me, it was one of her many great qualities after all. Annoying at times, but it was good to be attentive to the needs of your team.

"N-No... Sort of. Why do you care, Zel?"

"Just curious. In the span of a month, the most we heard about your life before coming here is that you have a pretty cute older sister."

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She chuckled before sipping her drink. 

"That's none of your business. Besides, it's not important."

The others were looking at me with intrigued eyes while I tried to move my other arm.

"Ehh? Come on, come on, tell us some more about your life! I'm pretty interested about how ya' ended up here in Lorren."

Jin flashed a grin, only to scowl as the Archmage beside her tried once more to feed her a bowl of soup. 

I sighed as I tried to adjust myself into a more comfortable position. Olivia was kind enough to help and she sat me up against the chair. All eyes at the table were on me, waiting for the answer I didn't want to give. Even Zel looked at me with an amused expression while I debated on whether or not to humor them.

"Look, it's not interesting. Really."

I tried to brush off the unwanted conversation and change the topic, but they were persistant.

"Look, it's not interesting. Anyways, I still want to quit being an adventurer."

I didn't have any subject I could casually think of, but this was fine. Everyone just shrugged at my words and nodded.

"Well, w-we're not in a position to impose your leave... but..."

Maria glanced around the table while I raised a brow at her. At the same time, I finally regained control of some of the fingers on my left hand.

"What she's trying to say is do you have any jobs in mind?"

"Jobs? Well, I could try to be a Co-"

No, wait. How the hell could I be a Cook? The only things I know how to cook are things from my world. In fact, most of it probably won't do in taverns and I don't think I could work in a busy tavern. I could barely cook a meal for myself on good days, let alone a few dozen people!

Zel had a smug grin on her face. One that resembles a chess player who has checked her opponent.

"Oh?Not used to a fast-paced work environment? Perhaps you could be a smith's assistant instead."

This woman is pretty fucking annoying at the worst of times. Still, it was a pretty good offer.

I could learn how to forge swords and armor from a Dwarf. Maybe Freir needs another assistant in his forge. But knowing him, I'd probably stuck casting nails or making some ingots for him. I grumbled for a moment, then I sighed and just sulked in my seat. Zel continued to smile in sastisfaction while I came to the conclusion that I have no life skills.

I'm sorry Mom and Dad. I guess you guys were right about what I did in life. I'm sorry for doubting you. I guess I should've at least learned how to cook properly while I was still alive or at least learned some work skills. 

To think that in a fantasy world like this, the only skills I could bring from my world is shit that couldn't even be used here like programming and the skills and knowledge in games.

"Arthur, are you okay?"

I glanced at Olivia while she continued to tap me on my shoulder. She looked sad.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just realized how useless I am."

I laugh. It was a shallow, self-deprecating laugh that made even Jin concerned.

"At this point, I can't even be a damn janitor. Am I gonna live my life again without doing anything productive?"

God, this is the worst.

Here I am, thinking I could just go and live life in a fantasy world but I guess not all things are as simple as in the games. Maybe with the right person it is as easy to adjust but not for me. I've basically got no social skills, I'm pretty slow at most things, and I don't even have special skills with me or anything like that.

Once more, I groaned and slumped back into my chair.

Zel placed a ginger hand on my shoulder while she smiled at me.

"Well, I believe you're doing just fine as our party's frontliner."

"...Thanks. I guess."

To be honest, I didn't want to waste my second... Is it the second? No, third actually. I don't want to waste my third chance of life fighting monsters for a meager amount of coins.

I want more. More money, more glory...

Possibly a chance of getting a harem or at least one good romantic experience.

But how the hell could I do that in this damn town?!

I clenched my hand into a fist as I thought about my current problems. The monsters here don't give that much levels, if there are monsters. Monsters here are uncommon but not rare although their levels are pretty low. But I can't start adventuring or grinding levels in other areas since my level is low so I'm stuck here.

But I can't grind levels since most of the monsters we encounter get mopped up by Maria.

The solution to that would be money. I just need money to buy gear for myself and head out to hunt monsters. But that's the problem, the money I earn barely covers my expenses as well as the maintenance of my current gear. It was a pain in the ass to be honest, and I feel stuck.

Stuck in a level that has no easy solution.

"M-Miss Zel... This letter arrived for you."

I was dragged out of my sulking by a soft voice near us. It was one of the receptionists holding an important looking letter in her hands.

The gold seal on the parchment was what grabbed our attention.

"Oh? Must be from the Capital. Thank you."

Zel nodded curtly before quickly opening the letter. The receptionist immediately ran back towards her desk while we watched the Knight silently read the letter.

Her smile slowly disappeared while she held the letter tighter. She frowned before folding the letter and tucking it away in her pocket. 

"I must attend to some business at the local garrison. I'll be gone for a week, at most. Possibly even more."

Her usual calm and serious tone was still there, but it was colder than usual. And more tense.

"What is it? Trouble at the main roads?"

"I don't know. I am to report at once yet they do not want to tell me what's the matter. Damn-"

Zel finished her drink quickly before slamming it back down on to the table. Everyone around us was startled, but Zel didn't give a damn about their startled and angry looks. In fact, she was unusually agitated today.

"Don't go on any dangerous quests while I'm not here. Maria, Arthur, I trust your judgement while I am absent."

She stormed off after that and the four of us just looked at each other as the sound of doors being kicked open rang out in the now silent guild.

"Something bad, I think. She won't get angry just because of a letter."

Jin spoke up, breaking the silence and the tense air in our table as she pulled herself up.

It seems the paralysis effect is finally wearing off. But why do I still feel so tense?

"A-Are you sure you could walk?"

"Yeah, don't worry."

I said as I stumbled to my feet. I still felt weak but unlike earlier I could walk now. Although some parts of my body still tingled or felt numb.

Jin wanted to run around outside and stretch out her arms. Knowing that damn girl, she'd probably be going around stealing some coins from a few unlucky drunkards. Maria chased after her while I decided to take a look at the other quests on the notice board.

Right now, our party needs money. That was apparent when you take a look at our gear. The only one with decent gear in our party is Zel, and she's away doing who knows what. I tapped my foot as I ran through the current problems we have in my mind.

I didn't level up from that fight earlier, but at least Maria's a few levels higher than yesterday. Which is good, yes, but if this keeps up then we would all be left behind by Maria in terms of combat ability. Right now, our tank is missing so I'm the only frontliner in our team which is horrible since I have average stats in that area.

"This sucks ass."

I grumble to myself as I ignore the tempting offers of gold posted at the top of the notice board. The higher up in the notice board, the more dangerous but rewarding the quest or bounty is until you reach the very top. It was the bounties that no adventurer wants to complete despite the mind boggling amounts of money being offered as a reward.

I ignored those ones since I can't even imagine myself slaying some Demon General or whatever. I'll just leave those quests for the other people that got isekai'd.

Slaying some Giant Frogs, kill some Slimes, take out the Goblins infesting the hills, all of these are out of the question. The pay maybe good but I am in no mood to get revived again. Besides, our party doesn't have the firepower to take out these things cleanly.

No. The best course of action would be to go on delivery quests or simple ones instead of going for the more dangerous ones. But the reward... 

"Looking for quests, Arthur?"

A familiar voice piped up from behind me. I simply nodded and the green haired Elf walked over to my side.

"Well, I still have five minutes before my break is over. Why don't I help you pick?"

"Sure."

The Elf looked around the notice board, her gaze straying away from any extermination quests or those that went through dangerous areas. Then her ears perked up and she pointed at a recent posting.

"I would recommend the quest regarding the graveyard since you have a rather powerful Archpriest in your party."

Ehlri nodded at her own words while I continued to stare at the bounty she pointed at. It had a good reward as well as an easy difficulty.

It was a tempting offer.

"Although the spirits there might be a bit violent."

Ehlri smiled at me, glad that she found a suitable quest for our party. I didn't have the guts to tell her that I'm not in the mood for quests like that.

I was about to give up on picking a quest when I heard the sound of something being torn from the board. I looked back at the spot where that quest was posted and found Olivia staring at it with wide eyes.

Fuck me.

"Oh! I can do this."

She beamed at me while I let out a dissatisfied groan. 

"And it has a high reward too! This could be a few thousand Weis if we finish this quickly."

"Well, if you could do it, fine. Should we go now or later?"

I grumbled as I took a look at some of the other quests on the board. A few of them caught my eye, mostly ones about delivering something. Those were simple quests that gave good money for such an easy task.

"W-Well... Quests like these..."

I didn't like the sound of those words.

"Should be done during the night."

I hated those words. Ehlri sneaked away back into the kitchen while I just stared at the Archpriest.

The four of us walked through the empty and silent cemetary. Nothing made a sound that night, not even our footsteps. Olivia warned us of that, the Dead are attracted to the living after all. I didn't like the thought of that and neither did the other two.

Only Olivia was excited about this quest.

Why we accepted this, it still bothers s me. Why I even agreed to show up, that's what bothers me even more. But what bothers me the most...

Is the Zombie standing in front of us.