Grrr
Swish
"It's on your way."
"Got it."
Roar!
Slush.
Grraa.
"Good! That one's done."
"Are the others finished?"
"Yeah, they're about done."
"What the heck is happening? Why are the monsters so close to the city's vicinity?"
"Yeah, it's been two weeks already."
"That's what the beast tamers are trying to know."
"And the reason why we are here scouting the place."
A group of high-ranking adventurers were talking as they took a quick break from hunting.
Then, all of a sudden, a commotion arises.
"This is?"
"What is it?"
They were surprised and curious about the sudden commotion.
What's happening there?
"Maybe they found some clues?"
"Let's go."
"Alright then."
The group then quickly arrived before the area of commotion, and when they arrived, they too were surprised.
"Hey, isn't that an A-rank monster? A Salamander."
"Yeah, it is."
"Not to mention that it is still fresh."
"But it's buried here. What do you mean it's fresh?"
"It only means someone must have intentionally buried it here."
"I know genius. But why?!"
"This is bad; we've got to go back."
"What do you mean by "go back" when we are still not done covering the whole area?"
"Hey, look back at the corpses."
"Huh?"
As they viewed the buried corpse, they noticed that it wasn't just a salamander that they had found. Because inside there was another one.
"That's another A-rank monster, the thunder drake."
"Look, there's more."
"What are these piles of monsters?"
"Oh no, they found my stock."
Suddenly, they heard a voice from behind.
"That's why I told you to hide it properly. Look, they found them."
"Sorry about that, but what's the matter? We just have to kill them, and then it's done."
"Haaa, you really are hopeless. Anyway, since most of the top ranking individuals in the city left. I guess the boss won't have any trouble if we just take them out of the picture."
"See, I'm right."
"Let's do this."
Hearing that those two were talking, they suddenly felt fearful.
"Everyone, don't be scared; there are only two of them."
"That's right, so don't be afraid."
"Everyone! Attack!"
"Heh, what a useless struggle."
A battle then ensued between the two parties.
~~~~~~~~~
The exams this month are over, and many are thinking about what to do after.
As for me, I was just thinking about expanding my business.
Ever since my rank, a good amount of reputation filled my store, and it became so popular that it would always run out of stock before the end of the week.
And the effects are causing my workers to be overloaded with work.
Which I think is over the top. I mean, why would they do this?
'Was raising my rank a month after my birthday really that surprising?'
And when I asked Ms. Janet when I visited the faculty for counseling.
She was surprised. And she told me the reason.
It seems that forming a core is very taxing for every individual.
Forming it within the month of birth just shows how monstrous your talent is. And those who are able to do it after a month or three are considered geniuses.
Which made me understand my mistake.
'Really, what can I say? I am so stupid not to do some review on it.'
Feeling down, I talked to my workers about what to do.
And with a unanimous decision, they all want to expand the business.
Well, I do have the funds. But I was just doing this until all my patents were recognized for me to live by.
So giving up, I am planning my next move for expansion.
"Hey, is that the ice princess and the saint?"
"Yeah, what are they doing?"
"I don't know, but it looks interesting."
I was studying in the library for some references for my business expansion.
A group of students around me saw the saint and the ice princess outside from the window.
And seemingly intrigued, they left the place to see what was happening up close.
But since I don't want to be a bother after all the potions are still in effect, I quietly left the place far from them.
~~~~~~~~~~
'Huh? The feeling is gone, was he around here somewhere.'
"So what I'm trying to say is–."
'To think my feelings for him would be so strong that I would know he was near me.'
"Hey."
'Then there is no denying it; this might be–.'
"Alicia Lakewood!"
"Huh, what is it?"
"Were you even listening to me?"
"Oh, sorry about that. What was it again?"
"Haaa, you're really getting on my nerves. What I'm trying to say is that our group would like to have you work with us."
"Um, you do know my duties after graduation, right?"
"Yes, you will be going to the Holy City of Sakrid and will serve there as a pious holy maiden."
"Yes, that's right, so I don't think being associated as an adventurer would really be allowed."
"Don't worry about that, I already had permission to ask you about it from the church itself."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, as long as you agree. Then we won't have any problems."
"I don't know."
"Have you heard about our group?"
"Yes, I heard about how amazing your achievements were."
"So you must have known our goals, right?"
"I see, it really doesn't go against my beliefs."
"So what do you say?"
"I'll have to think about it with Alissa."
"Her, huh? Can you also ask your sister if she would like to join?
Sure thing. Let's go, Masha."
"Yes, my lady."
The conversation then ended there, as the two went their separate ways.
And as for the peanut gallery, in no way is she really inviting the saint to join their group.
"That's going to be amazing."
"Their leader is her, right?"
"Yeah, she is also an instructor here at the academy."
"I never thought the newly formed group by Lightning Gale would be so amazing."
"Yeah, they were able to gain a lot of reputation ever since climbing the tower."
"And the lightning gale wasn't with them at that time."
"That means their group consists of amazingly talented individuals."
"Not just talented."
"Yup, not just talented, indeed."
"You guys, please keep it in moderation."
"Don't tell me those boys are thinking something stupid."
"Yeah, what a bunch of idiots with their minds in their lower half."
As the conversation between the two individuals ended, people started speculating about what would happen next.
And are happily discussing what the outcome will be.
~~~~~~~~
It was the weekend, and I was doing my work as an adventurer.
Ever since two weeks ago, monsters have started coming from outside the city.
And seeing this, adventurers were busier than ever before.
So here I am, turning in my spoils.
Then, all of a sudden, a loud sound came from the door.
Bam!
"Make way!"
"Move!"
A group of people came in carrying a stretcher as an injured person came in.
"What's going on here? Shouldn't they be at the clinic?"
"Yeah, how come they're here?"
"Call the guild master fast!"
"O-okay." A receptionist then complied and called for the guild master.
"What's all the commotion?"
Then came a chubby old man who seemed to be the guild master.
"Wow, I didn't know the guild master would be such a big person."
"Yeah, and look how nimble he is with his movements."
'I second that he is quite fast, and the floor isn't shaking at all.'
As the people around me commented about the guild master, I was also shocked. I was really amazed by who this person is.
"What happened?"
"….."
"Hmm?"
The person was quiet after the guild master's sudden entrance.
Maybe he is surprised by the guild master's appearance.
"Are you deaf or what? I believe I asked you what was happening."
"Oh, sorry, so it's like this."
They then explained what happened.
Apparently the guy they brought was part of the scout team sent to investigate the situation in a forest, but they were also ambushed.
And he luckily survived and escaped the place.
"I see. Leave him to us. We will take care of this from here on out."
"Yes, of course, we will be going now."
The group then left the vicinity of the guild, and the man was left for the guild to take care of.
"Call a healer, because right now we need to tend to his injuries."
"Right away, guild master."
As things were going, all of us were confused.
But one thing is for sure: something happened in the forest, and that something is going to be something we will have to face.
"Is there really going to be a stampede?"
"A person then spoke out loud about our hidden concern."
"Shut up, you bastard!"
Then someone admonished him after hearing this. We all turned quiet and acted as if we didn't hear anything.
Still, that comment definitely didn't leave others' minds and might still be the concern of all the people here.
Only time will tell if our concern is on target or not.