"Okay, only one herb is left." I sat on a stone.
"It was quite tiring, wasn't it?" Even with Ash's help, looking for the herbs was very tiring.
The receptionist said that the last herb was found generally near water sources. I asked other adventurers, and they told me the location of a water stream.
For the last half an hour, I had been searching for the water stream but couldn't find it.
After a short rest, I continued to look for the stream. Suddenly, the communication device started ringing. I picked it up to hear Sherry's panicked voice.
"Zack...I...problem..." It disconnected before I could hear what she was saying.
I had heard noises in the background. It sounded like a hard enemy had appeared before her. I panicked. I started sprinting in the direction where I had left her. While running, I spread mana in all directions, acting as a detector. I converted Ash into the sword form to strike at the enemy as soon as I get there.
I felt some presence when I was reaching the spot where I had left Sherry. I reached the scene to see a heap of monsters kept at one side. Amongst the monsters, there was a Shelled bear. The shelled bear was a C rank monster. They were big and fierce monsters. Unlike the common bear, they had patches of shell plates on their body. The shells resembled that of a turtle. Only a pro who knew the blind spots of the monster could take it down.
I looked at Sherry to see a man and a woman standing beside her. She was drenched in blood. She didn't look injured. Even if she was, it had been healed.
The man who was standing near her looked crude. His face had scars and bruises. His hair was unkept. On the other hand, the women looked cunning. She didn't look like an adventurer at all. Her hair was not tied, the face was full of makeup, and she looked weak. Their equipment was old and rusty. To me, they appeared suspicious.
I jumped from the tree branch and landed in front of them. Sherry was glad to see me and hugged me tightly.
"I was very scared, Zack." She started crying. I rubbed her back to cool her down. After she had stopped crying, I asked her what happened.
"When I was hunting the bulls, a shelled bear appeared out of nowhere. I tried to fight it, but it was too much for me. I tried contacting you, but before I could, the bear smashed the dimension. I cried for help. On hearing me, Rick-san and Sana-san rushed here and helped me."
We introduced ourselves. I thanked them for helping Sherry.
The man's name was Rick and the woman's name was Sana. Rick was a D-rank swordsman and Sana was a C-rank thief. They had been adventurers for quite a long time.
"Zack, were you able to find the herbs?" Sherry asked me.
"Yeah, only one is left."
"Which herb are you looking for?" Sana asked me.
"The blooming Chillon."
"Isn't that found near water?"
"yes, but I can't find the water stream."
"Oh, I know where the stream is, I will lead you there," Rick said.
We started dismantling the monsters. Rick and Sana helped us too. After that, Rick led us to the stream, and I was able to collect the herbs.
It was dark by the time we reached the guild we submitted the herbs. Rick and Sana didn't enter the guild and decided to wait outside. The guild was about to close, so we decided to submit the monster materials the next day. The reward for the quests would also be given the next day after evaluating the quality.
It was about time for dinner, so we went to the tavern. Sherry decided to treat Rick and Sana. I did not object as it was thanks for saving her. Once dinner was done, we departed our ways. We returned to the inn all tired. When we entered the room I jumped onto the bed and lied down. Sherry too got onto her bed and lied, facing the other side.
"I am sorry. I left you alone." I felt bad. It was my wrong decision to leave her alone.
"It's fine. I was the weak one. I couldn't even take care of myself, How can I fight alongside you."
"No, you are already strong enough. Didn't I say earlier what I want is a companion? I don't care if you are strong or weak, you just have to stay with me."
"Hmm. I am happy to be with you, Zack. But I can't bear you looking at the weak me. I will get stronger." She looked at me. She looked determined. I knew that she would grow stronger.