Chapter 4 - Why me?

My thoughts whirled endlessly as I tried to find a way to get to the Garden of the Hesperides.

Should I ask for help from a group of adventurers? Offer myself as cargo in exchange for passage?

I was so desperate that I ran off without thinking hard about a plan.

After two hours of thinking, I decided that my best option was to find a group of adventurers to go up to the 10th floor and offer myself as cargo. But how high would they be willing to go?

I needed to make sure they could take me at least up to level 8, and from there I could go solo where the golden apples of the Garden of the Hesperides could level me up.

No matter how hard I trained, I could not level up. I struggled day after day, but nothing seemed to work.

Kato-san had told me that some people could only level up under certain conditions, but I had never managed to find out what those conditions were.

Why was this happening to me?

Frustrated, I hit the floor helplessly, shedding a tear of sadness.

I had spent my whole life focused on surviving, and it seemed that everything I tried failed.

Perhaps it would be best to get some sleep to clear my mind.

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

We have to go! -Lachesis exclaimed. We could go up to level 8 if we find those golden apples.

But what if it's a trap? -Tiana asked with concern.

That's true," admitted Ethylin, "Don't you think it's too easy to eat an apple and level up?

Very true," answered Lachesis.

How can it be that this little girl is level 4, one level higher than me? said Ethylin.

I do make an effort," said Lachesis.

Somewhere inside the tower

Leonard, you should prepare us for the sacrifice. Think of something, Alice."

"I don't know, Leonard. The issue should be someone defenseless, at least that can't give us a fight. What do you think, Alex?", Alice replied.

"We should do something, but remember, he'll have to be killed," Alex added.

"Don't be like that, Alex. You're scary.

It'll be easy, Leonard."

I'm waiting 6 hours, Wednesday, because no one wants to take me. I have at least one pretty face I'm sure of that.

Suddenly, someone spoke up and interrupted me.

Young man, I hear you're looking for a group to take you up to the 10th floor," the big, mysterious man said.

"Are you talking to me?", I asked in surprise.

"Yes, to you," he replied.

What luck at last someone would take me at last my luck is working.

If I wanted to get there, I really need to find the garden to eat those golden apples they talk so much about," he said.

So do we. So, if you want, you come along. We could use someone," said the man.

Really, I was so happy. Finally something was working out for me," I thought to myself.

Thank you. Excuse me, what's your name?

My name is Leonard, or my name is also ..........

Set

My name is Yuzuru Kaito, nice to meet you.

So Set, that name... I feel like I've heard it somewhere before.