[ Diana... How is Haruto doing? ] Asked the assistant guild master, Derrick-sama, who's currently sitting in front of me on his favorite sofa.
[ *Gulp*...With his current accomplishments, we can already promote his rank, Derrick-sama...! ] I answered as I tried my best to not stutter my words.
I don't exactly know why, but I was suddenly called by Derrick-sama to his room.
At first, I thought that he was going to scold me but instead, I was only asked about Haruto-kun.
[ Is that so...? ] Derrick-sama muttered.
[ What's wrong Derrick-sama...? ]
[ Hmm... I was thinking I should give Haruto-kun this... ]
After saying those words with a cold voice, he threw a piece of paper towards me and I only barely able to catch it.
The paper he threw at me is the usual kind of paper I always see at the poster board, a paper that contains some kind of a task.
[ What is this, Derrick-sama? ]
[ Read it. ]
[ O-Okay...! ] after nervously replying, I took a look at the paper exactly just how Derrick-sama has ordered me to.
[ Thi-This is!? ]
[ Un, I'm thinking of promoting Haruto-kun's rank to D and if possible, to C. ]
With this...!?
[ But why would you give something like this to him, Derrick-sama...! This is for at least a group of B-rank adventurers! Haruto-kun might actually die if we give this to him! ]
I'm sure that his rank will definitely rose if he manages to accomplish this, but I don't think he will be able to...
[ Well, I was just thinking that it might be a good idea to not just test his limits with this particular task, but to also increase his rank and fame in the guild at the same time. ]
[ But... I still think that this task might be a little risky for Haruto-kun... ]
[ You don't need to worry about that. I'm sure you already know now that Haruto-kun is not just an ordinary person, he defeated Yugo which is one of the toughest people I know. I'm sure he will be able to complete this task. ]
[ Tha-That's right but... the information here is still not yet confirmed... what if it turns out there's more than one living in there? ]
[ Then he will need to deal with it. Anyway, just give that to him. Trust me, my bet is that he will be able to accomplish it. ] he said as he again put one of his legs to the other like he always does.
[ If he can't... well, all I can say is that bad things will happen to him... ]
He said with an evil smirk.
[ Derrick... sama... ]
***
[ This task came from a village outside the city. It just arrived here this morning and they are requesting immediate help from the adventurer who's willing to take it. Base from the report, it seems like the enemy you will need to take on is some kind of a large golem... the guild master said that it might be a good idea to send you as a scout first, but he also said that if you think you can beat it, then you finish the task yourself. ]
[ Is that so... ]
[ So, are you willing to take the task, Haruto-kun...? ] asked Diana-san.
[ This is surely risky, but... I haven't had any kinds of problems dealing with all of the tasks you gave me yet... I think that this might be a great chance to see what my limit is... ]
That's right... Plus... I feel like I actually became stronger since that time I fought with Yugo-san, this might be a good opportunity to see if my thoughts are correct.
[ Let me just warned you again, Haruto-kun, this task is very dangerous as the information given is not clear yet. ]
[ Well... if I know I can't win I just need to go back and report what I see to the guild, right? If that is so, then I might as well try. ]
[ Are you really sure...? ] Diana-san asked with a worried face.
This is actually the first time I actually get to see Diana-san's worried face again since the last time that I hunted for bunnies, so maybe she really thinks that this task is very dangerous for me.
But now that I have heard what the task is about, I don't think I will change my mind again.
Besides, I don't think I will die from doing this task as I always have the choice to escape and abandon the task.
Having these thoughts in my head, I replied to Diana-san.
[ I'm sure, Diana-san. I will take it. ]
[ Is that so...? Then, if you're going to accept it, please take this. ] Saying those words, Diana-san handed over me that piece of paper where the task is written.
[ You will need to show that to the villagers there at the village to prove that you are the adventurer the guild has sent to complete the mission. ]
[ Is that so? ]
[ Un. ] Diana-san nodded.
[ Anyway, do I need to go there now...? ]
[ Well, the request specifically requested to go there as soon as possible... ]
[ Is that so...? Well, since I'm already ready to go outside, I might as well go there now. ] I said with confidence.
Whenever I leave the inn, I always make sure that my things are packed and ready, Bretta-chan also always checks my things too before I go outside so there's no chance that I will ever go outside not ready.
[ Hmm...? You really like to take things fast, Haruto-kun? ] said Diana-san while smiling a little.
[ Well, I always like to finish things as soon as possible... I guess that's just the kind of person I am. ]
[ Is that so? Anyway, here's the map of the village. ]
Diana-san handed another piece of paper to me with a written map.
[ Un, I'll make sure to come back fast since I don't want to be late when the Royal Knights Arrives. ]
[ Un. Take care, Haruto-kun. ]
[ I will. ]
After replying to Diana-san, I finally walked outside the guild and started to walk towards my destination.
***
Walking around the streets after leaving the guild, I decided to go to the market first to buy some extra blade and arrows so that I may not run out while heading to the village.
The market is as noisy as ever, and since there's an upcoming event at the capital and the adventurers will most likely buy new and more equipment for themselves, the shop keepers had increased both the numbers and prices of their products.
While still walking, I saw one shop that's selling apples and I decided to buy some so that I can have some extra food when I start walking towards the village.
Thinking and doing all of these kinds of stuff as I look around the market, a particular crowd of people had suddenly caught my interest.
I immediately walked towards the crowd to see what going on.
[ Ano... What is going on here...? ] I asked the guy in front of me.
[ It seems like the usual thief kid again... ]
[ The usual thief...? ] I asked, confused.
[ You don't know? The kid's been stealing so much stuff here for a week now, and now, they finally caught him. ]
[ Hmm...? ]
[ I'm sure they will never let go of him now... ]
As I heard the situation, I suddenly wanted to see what the thief looks like.
SFX: SMACK!!! BAM!!!
[ You bastard kid! do you think you can just go around here stealing stuff, huh!? ]
[ You're not getting away now! We'll make sure you pay dearly! ]
I heard shouts of anger coming inside the crowd.
Interested, I walked and tried to fit my self to the gaps of the many people that are watching and I was able to get my self standing in front in no time.
And now, I can clearly see what's going on.
[ Tha-That's! ] I exclaimed in surprise.
[ You Dumb Kid!!! - ]
Dropping the apple I'm holding -
[ Wait!!! ] I immediately ran towards the kid that the guy was just about to kick and shouted that word.
[ Wh-Who are you!? ]
[ I... I will pay triple to whatever things this kid stole! ] I shouted in the middle of the crowd.
The kid who's laying on the ground full of bruises and blood... is the kid I met before at the alleyway...
It was the kid who has captivated me with her beautiful eyes...