Happy easter!!

Friend : the heck?! You are really late!

Yeah... U-um! Congratulation for  being released from the hospital!

Friend : Thanks

...........

Friend : so? Why are you late beyond forgiveness? Depend on your answer, it might or might not be your last words

GEH?! Are you trying to kill me here??

Friend : maybe and maybe not. I do know you become lazy since I can't keep my eye on you

Yes...b-but it also because the new semester! It is pile of report and chaos of presentation. You do know our school is merciless, they even prepared insurance for any accident or injury for student that had caused by school activity. I myself have a severe gastric acid because of stress.

Friend : but aren't you at least tell the reader?

U-ugh.....I am very sorry....[orz]

I was thinking to realease two chapter at once but I haven't finish it yet cause of school's crazy work. You know how horrifying that are!

Friend : ah...yeah...then I will forgive you on this one

R-really?! Thank you! Thank you so much! I'm sure that you would beat me up before, but now I thank you!

Friend : I am not that mean....

Of course I know that you aren't a mean person!......just a sadist

Friend : I can read that

R-read what?! Hahahaha! W-well! Here is chapter 31! Thanks to this chapter editor, Naoki! Please enjoy!

=======================================

Two weeks after journeying to the dwarf kingdom, I just realized something important. I had made a very grave mistake!

The ring that I gave to Kiel is a pure black ring. I chose that ring because it it has a positive effect toward dark magic, which is being learned by Kiel right now. I do think that the plain black ring might be not well suited to Kiel. So, I tried to change the design a little bit by sculpting a single golden line on the ring.

I am quite proud with my crafting skill and send the ring right in the morning since I hoped to be the first one to give a present to her. But now I regret that hasty decision. Apparently in high society social gatherings, the flashier their accessories are the better they are welcomed in society, that is an unspoken rule between the noble girls, or so said Lila.

Doesn’t that mean my gift wouldn’t be used after all !? W-well, I did chose the gift based on the practical use, so it is still useful for her right?

That is what Kiel said.

She didn’t wear them... She DIDN’T wear them!

UGH?! I-is it because the design too plain?

GUAACK! T-the fatal blow...as I thought, she didn’t like it... Aah, how stupid of me... I should do more than engrave a single golden line!

Because of the design isn’t flashy enough, so Kiel can’t wear it! She’s living in a high society environment now, look does matter for her to maintain her reputation.

Or maybe because of the color is black?! I should have plated it with gold or silver...

Then add more gems to it, like ruby or sapphire...

Even if the gems are expensive, I should have decorated one or two gems to the ring...

Or maybe I should put a lot of gems in it....

Ugh...I am such a failure as a man... I should apologize to Kiel for my insensitivity

Kiel is so kind...

She is so mad to the point where she wants to talk with me personally?!

<...I-I understand>

I will accept any kind of punishment she’ll give me once we meet.

She can’t wait to meet me so she can beat me?! she must be furious...

The fact that she studied under William guidance worried me...

William is an incarnation of demon... um, I mean a real demon in personality sense, not demon race or anything. But a sadistic, merciless demon in a human body! What if he turns Kiel into a demon too?! Um... not demonic demon where demon is her actual race, but evil demon!

“That is why I am worried if Kiel get influenced because of him!”(Crev/Rune)

“...Rather than being influenced...”(Lila)

“Isn’t that kid have always been black-hearted since the start ?”(Kena)

Said Lila and Kena after hearing my worries.

“Huh? What are you two saying? Kiel is a good girl!”(Crev/Rune)

“Well, from the start, that kid easily gets jealous. Not wanting any guys near you.”(Kena)

“Or girls”(Lila)

“No, she isn’t. Kiel is just prone on getting lonely. That’s all.”(Crev/Rune)

“...’Just lonely’ isn’t the right words”(Lila)

“You wouldn’t send spies just because you’re lonely.”(Kena)

Kena is whispering something but I didn’t hear her clearly. At this moment, we are sitting at the back of a cart. The three of us are discussing my problem.

“Hey, you three! Don’t slack!”(???)

Said the man near the carriage. We weren’t the only adventurer that the merchant hire, there are another group of adventurer beside us, a five men from another group of adventurer. Four human and one beastman, I think he is from the tiger clan. The beastman called Kulak, the other four are Josha, Kalan, Morty, and Herald.

In front of me, there are two human males from that other adventurer group, Morty and Kalan. They are riding horse. Yes, turns out horses exist in this world. I haven’t seen much decent animal around this fantasy world. I know that horse exist in this world because back when I was playing the game, one of the main character rides one.

Still, I really miss looking at an animal species that I know. Kinda reminds me of the old world I used to know. Those horses in the horse farm that I visited with my family back in my 5th grade were so cool. Although some of them tried to eat my sister’s hair which traumatized her after that, I still think that horses are cool.

“Yeah, stop talking and watch out our surrounding.”(Kalan)

Kalan warns us while I am in the middle of reminiscing my past. I actually have my 「Detector」skill active all the time, as well as the「Auto-Mapping」skill. These two skills are the ones that I mostly used. I even have maxed out the 「Detector」that I can pin-point friends or people that I want to follow with different coloured dots. I could expand the area in my 「Auto-Mapping」, big enough to fit a single kingdom map in it and still spare some space, like a big screen in those super heroes’ headquarter.

“Tsk!...they didn’t pay me to babysit!”(Morty)

Morty scowls at me with his annoyed face.

Is it just me or both of them looking at me with glare? Also, why does I feel that they were hating me? They both are definitely glaring at me, but once Kena and Lila looks at them with cold eyes, they averts their eyes. Aside from this uncomfortable air, the journey went smoothly. We encounter some small monsters which we easily take care of it, mostly they are goblin, rock goblin, mountain cyclops or orc. I must say, the front group were really enthusiastic, especially the twins and Mark. Those three leave nothing from their enemies, not even the bones which is kinda scary on its own.

It seems the other three men doesn’t like me very much. At first they didn’t like me and Mark, but after being lured by Mark’s cooking, they became kind towards him. Isn’t that what they said ‘Win a man’s heart through their stomach’?

Sometimes I heard them saying things like ‘Even though he is just a brat’ or ‘Why are those two beauties being with brat like him’ or ‘Weakling’. And they start abusing me with word like calling me midget, shrimp, weakling or sometimes kobold. I don’t understand the last one though, but when I laugh it off to Kena, she actually exploded with anger and almost deals with them personally. It is really hard to convince her that I am not bothered with those people’s harassment.

“Calling a wolfman clan a ‘kobold’, those men have death wish!”(Kena)

Apparently, calling a wolfman ‘kobold’ is a great insult, the same as calling birdman a ‘harpy’, said Kena. I still don’t understand the insult, might be because I used to be human from another world. I don’t really get it. But I will keep this information in mind. You won’t want Kena to be angry, if she goes rampage it won’t be pretty. Last time that happened is when Allan is trying to flirt with some women using Arin as the bait.

“What are you trying to pull here using your daughter!”(Kena)

Shouts her followed by flying kick. The rest of the tragedy happened while Lila is covering Arin’s eyes and I’m covering her ears. It is a bloody slaughter, I didn’t know that human can bend that way and still alive.

After that, Kena and Lila start to looking at them coldly every time, which makes them to hate me more. Kulak and Josha are neutral, it seems those two didn’t know that the other three are harassing me. But they still fall into Kena’s and Lila’s cold stares’s victims.

We take a break three times a day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

At first we take care each of our own groups, but because Mark’s cooking have a very alluring smell, somehow he end up cooking for everyone, including our employer, Mr. Rado. He even proposed Mark into his personal chef, but of course Mark rejects him. But Mr. Rado is pretty persistent, that is why Mark is guarding the very front to avoid him. Mark said that he is very loud and annoying.

“Everyone, let’s take a break!”(Herald)

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

Shouts the other adventurer from the front and everyone starts to prepare the cooking equipments. They are pretty fired up to eat. Today, we hunt some orcs and Mark decided to make sweet and sour pork. The orcs have similar look as a pig, and taste similar too, but in term of tenderness, the sea pigs won. That is why Mark told me to get one before, he want to compare which ingredients that is better, the orcs that is easy to find or vicious seapigs which can only be found in some sea.

The sauces are made by mixing honey with a sour liquid such as rice vinegar, soy sauce, and spices such as ginger and cloves. How did Mark have those ingredients? He stock all of them from Shena in exchange of his payment. The pork meat are lightly coated in cornstarch and seasoned before being fried along with some vegetables, then it is served in a sweet and sour sauce. When it is finished, the sweet smell makes the twins drool uncontrollably.

I take my food share and eat it a few meters from the other.

...I kinda miss eating rice with this...

While eating, I could hear the other three man bad mouthing me on purpose when they are walking pass me.

... I am not angry or anything, I’m not even feeling annoyed by their words. But their stare or should I say more like glares are pretty uncomfortable, it is making me tired mentally.

After we finish eating, it is time to decide the night guard shift with the same pair as always. The first shift would be the beastman and one of his man, the second shift are me and Mark while the last shift is the other three.

At first, Lila and and Kena are strongly against it because I’m a child, or because I’m actually a girl or Kiel might be sad, etc, etc. Although I don’t understand the last part, but the truth that I am a girl is a secret, even if I am a child, my mind is an adult. Also, I am a C rank adventurer and with my skill, it would be logical for me to be one doing the night guard duty.

“... You know, Kena and Lila are acting strange lately.”(Mark)

Mark is looking around as he start conversation with me.

“What do you mean by ‘strange’ exactly?”(Rune/Crev)

“Like, they have those cold glare toward the other groups or something.”(Mark)

“...Maybe that is just your imagination?”(Rune/crev)

“No, I was actually pretty sure tha-“(Mark)

“Never meddle with them Mark, you don’t want to anger them”(Runa/Crev)

At my last words, Mark seem to be imagining what would those two do to him, which makes him shudder in pale.

“...Women are scary”(Mark)

“...”(Rune/Crev)

...I don’t know that I can agree with that, but I don’t disagree either. I mean, some are scary, but that doesn’t mean all of them are like that right?

Since we drop the topic, Mark starts asking miscellaneous questions, which is all about food and cooking.

“...”(Mark)

And here we go again, Mark is looking at something behind me.

... It isn’t a ghost, isn’t it?! Now I don’t want to see what’s behind me! I mean, my 「Detector」 skill didn’t pick any presence behind me!

It seems Mark noticed my troubled face and he quickly averted his eyes to another direction. There is silence after that. Doing such thing actually makes me more afraid than before! WHAT’S WITH THIS HORROR MOVIE ATMOSPHERE?!

.....

.....

.....

Um, please say something!

As if my prayer has been answered, Mark suddenly starts the conversation again.

“...Crev, what do you think about me?”(Mark)

That actually not something that I expect.

“Why the sudden question?”(Rune/Crev)

Mark didn’t answer me. he actually waiting for my answer with the serious eyes.

“To be blunt, you are a weirdo”(Rune/Crev)

“........................Huh?”(Mark)

It seems Mark doesn’t quite catch my unexpected answer and he end up having a face that has dots for eyes and a gaping hole for mouth.

“You are really good at cleaning and taking care of others, even though you said that you ‘Didn’t care’ ”(Rune/Crev)

“T-that’s because I used to help at the orphanage, my body moves by itself”(Mark)

“Often forgot what should be the top priority and tend to ignore others especially if it has ingredients or food involved”(Rune/Crev)

Mark is actually showing a guilty face once I mention this part. Might be because he remembers the seapigs incident, he realize that my face was really pale once he cook the seapigs. His cooking is good might be because he is really passionate and focus to it, that is why he only realize when he finished cooking. It is the same thing as the twins. But my next words seems to give the most damage, it made him very depressed

“You also have habits of looking at empty spaces which makes me scared.”(Rune/Crev)

“!!!”(Mark)

“Well, you might be a little bit weird. But hey, that’s what makes you interesting!”(Rune/Crev)

I put a smile after I said that. He might not be able to see it since I’m wearing a mask, but I think he knows that I am smiling

“No one is the same and there is only one Mark which is you, my friend!”(Rune/Crev)

Mark looks at me in silent. Now that makes me feel embarrassed after saying such cheesy line! After that, he smile

“*Chuckles* you are similar to Johan but somewhat different.....Yes, you two are different.”(Mark)

Mark repeat his own words as if confirming something. But he is smiling happily so I smile back.

Still, there is something that is bothering me.

“So, why are you often looking at empty spaces or looking at something behind me more exactly?”(Rune/Crev)

“Hm, that is...”(Mark)

Mark seems to be hesitating with my question.

“....I-it wasn’t ghost isn’t it?”(Rune/Crev)

“.....................................................................Eh?”(Mark)

Mark once again give me those dumb looking face with dot eyes and gaping mouth.

“...Uh...Ghost?”(Mark)

“I-if you said that there was one behind me right now, I will punch you, I will really, really punch you!”(Rune/Crev)

“Why are you suddenly threatening me?! Besides, you are serious aren’t you? I haven’t said anything yet so put down your hand!”(Mark)

“Y-yet?! S-s-s-so there will be something behind me isn’t it?!”(Rune/Crev)

“C-calm down Crev! There’s no such thing as ghost!”(Mark)

“N-no, you don’t know about that! You can’t be sure of that!”(Rune/Crev)

But, if Mark doesn’t believe in ghosts, doesn’t that mean he looking at empty spaces wasn’t because he’s looking at them? Maybe at something else?

“...Crev, are you scared of ghosts?”(Mark)

“.......................................nope”(Rune/Crev)

Although I said so, my face is actually having a cold sweat. Looking at me like this, Mark suddenly burst out laughing.

“So, you really are just a child after all”(Mark)

“Hey! What does that mean?!”(Rune/Crev)

Just because I am afraid of ghosts, doesn’t mean I am childish! There are many other adults that are afraid of ghosts too!

“It was just... all this time, whenever I talk to you, I felt like I am talking with someone that is older than me. Even sometimes that I forgot that you are actually still a child”(Mark)

That is because I am an adult mentally! I’m a reincarnated person.

....Though there is no way I would say that if he’s not also a reincarnated one like Shena....

As I’m thinking about that, Mark strokes my head.

“There,there...ghost does not exist”(Mark)

........Right now I am actually being treated as a child by a guy that is much younger than me..... I have a very complex feeling about this....

*Stroke*Stroke*Stroke*Stroke*Stroke*Stroke*Stroke*Stroke*Stroke*

“......”(Rune/Crev)

*Stroke*Stroke*Stroke*Stroke*Stroke*Stroke*Stroke*

“........”(Mark)

Mark keeps stroking my head without any indication to stop. Somehow I feel that if I didn’t do something right now, it will be a danger for me in the future. He needs to be stopped.

“....Mark, could you please stop?”(Rune/Crev)

“Ah! Sorry, your fur actually feels nice in my hand so I lost in thought”(Mark)

Mark, it’s my hair, not fur.

“Your fur is actually so soft”(Mark)

It is hair Mark! HAIR! Not fur!

“....I want to have a dog”(Mark)

....Is he comparing me with a domesticated pets?

“....Can I stroke your tail too?”(Mark)

“Can I land my fist into your face?”(Rune/Crev)

I can endure my ears to be played, but tail is different. My tail is very sensitive, maybe that is why my mom always said that only a family member can touch your tail. That night, I spend all my shift to guard my tail and head from being strokes by Mark. I told him that it is my hair and not fur. It is HAIR! So, stop treating me like a pet!

We both finished our shift without problem and we go to sleep after guard changing time with the other group. They didn’t say anything when we pass each other,it might be because I am with Mark at the moment.

...............I’m not thinking bad about them or anything since I’m a proper adult and gentleman. I’m not holding grudge on them either, I just wish that they would stop doing that glaring thing and tell me the reason as to why do those to me?

Using my magic skill always makes me sleepy, even if I have 「Mana Circulation Control」 skill, sleeping is the most comfortable way to gather all my lost mana. Using 「Mana Circulation Control」 would always make my head dizzy and a pain as if my head are splitting because it’s forcing my body to regain the lost mana in my body.

The fogs are pretty thick at dawn, as I feel cold air reaching my feet, I curl up inside my blanket while holding my doll. A happy moment for me....

“WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!”

.............Is ruined.

========================================

Friend : well, when will the next chapter?

I think it will be around 9th of april.

Friend : I will make sure that you finish it then. Or you will eat a thousand needles

WAIT?! WHAT?! WHY?!

Friend : in is a common thing to do toward promised breaker isn't it?

No! That is an intirely no!