* * *
“Well, it’s not like I’m on bad terms with my family or anything. They acted that way because they were worried about me. They run a general store near the port, so they’re more open-minded than most.”
I quickly shifted the topic.
“The port?”
Even though it was obvious I wanted to change the subject, Zerbin didn’t call me out.
He just followed along, which I appreciated.
“Yeah. Lots of people come and go, so even commoners like us pick up bits and pieces of interesting news.”
Honestly, if my family had been more closed-minded, they might’ve disowned me instead of reluctantly accepting me.
“Especially since I’m from Herren. Adventurers frequent the place.”
I’m not sure what makes it special, but Herren does have some unique monsters.
Their byproducts sell for a fortune, so Herren is always bustling with adventurers looking to strike it rich.
I loved Herren.
The constant influx of new goods, the people from faraway places—it all made the world feel bigger.
A city full of outsiders was always lively.
I grew up hearing more exaggerated adventure tales than my parents’ old stories.
In a place like that, it’s only natural I ended up idolizing adventurers.
“You managed to get their permission?”
Zerbin’s offhand comment was easy to interpret, even without a subject.
Most families don’t want their kids becoming adventurers.
Who’d be happy about their child risking their life?
It’s a dangerous job where one mistake could mean death.
My parents, too, were vehemently against it when I said I didn’t want to take over the store and wanted to become an adventurer.
They never reacted that strongly when I said I liked men, but they told me to leave if I insisted on adventuring.
If I was going to die anyway, they’d rather treat me as dead already.
That was a shock.
“It wasn’t easy.”
Figuring out how to persuade them felt impossible.
“So I didn’t. I just left.”
I couldn’t think of a better solution, so I just packed my things as instructed and left.
I wasn’t planning to get married or inherit the general store, so staying at home only seemed like a waste of my parents’ money.
At my age, I should at least be able to live independently…
“Ah!”
A sharp smack landed on my back, leaving a burning sensation that could only come from the hero himself.
“Is that supposed to be impressive?”
Well, honestly, it wasn’t something to boast about.
Technically, I’d “moved out,” but in reality, it was more like running away because my parents opposed the idea.
“Hey, people make impulsive decisions when they’re young.”
Even though my back stung, I couldn’t help but laugh.
The fact that I only felt this much pain meant Zerbin had seriously held back.
He was considerate of my much weaker physique.
The thought that he cared enough to adjust his strength for me made me genuinely happy.
In truth, just walking alongside Zerbin, chatting about trivial things, was a joy in itself.
I didn’t have to worry about being ambushed or constantly prepare for the next battle.
We could simply follow the map, walk the path, and kill time with meaningless conversation.
These quiet moments felt sweet, almost nostalgic.
“Did you reconcile?”
It was a little embarrassing to have Zerbin listen so attentively to my story.
As he said, it wasn’t exactly something to be proud of.
But what could I do?
Right now, all we had to do was walk, so he probably wanted to hear something.
Once we reached the temple, this trivial conversation would be forgotten in no time.
“Of course. I didn’t leave without any kind of plan.”
If I hadn’t had the help of some friendly adventurers, I wouldn’t have recklessly thrown myself into such a dangerous world.
Thanks to my friends, I quickly adapted to the life of an adventurer.
Fortunately, I had some talent for combat.
My agility and stealth were good enough that I rarely lost to anyone.
Once my skills blossomed, I was able to earn a fortune far faster than most people.
I earned in a few months what my parents would’ve had to struggle for years running their general store to make.
The money came so easily, it didn’t even feel like I was risking my life.
‘Back then, I really thought I was strong and got full of myself…’
Standing in front of Zerbin now, I felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment.
With such mediocre talents, how had I ever been so arrogant?
I might be competent enough not to starve as an adventurer, but I was far from “truly strong.”
I couldn’t use magic like Carmen or possess raw strength like Naike.
I was just somewhere in the middle.
“When I went back home a year later with the money I’d saved, my parents cried their eyes out.”
“Of course they did.”
Zerbin’s response was blunt but honest.
Still, wasn’t I a decent son for bringing back enough money to let them retire from the store?
Not that they did—they insisted they needed something to do in their old age.
“Anyway, when I gave them the money and proved I could take care of myself, they stopped opposing me.”
Looking back, they probably just gave up.
“They did, however, keep emphasizing that no matter how short-lived this profession might be, I shouldn’t slack on saving. So, I’ve been careful about that.”
I’d never been particularly interested in luxuries, so aside from giving my parents money, I saved diligently.
Every time I mentioned my savings, they’d feel reassured that I wouldn’t starve, even if my body gave out.
Now, though, we faced a disaster far worse than the typical dangers of an adventurer’s life.
Though it felt like a waste, I’d decided to spend the money I’d saved to prepare for the war.
“And yet, you almost blew it all on a cancellation fee?”
His straightforward words stung.
“Why bring up old mistakes? Money can always be earned again.”
I tried to laugh it off, but Zerbin’s gaze was sharp, as if he found my answer pathetic.
To someone as frugal as Zerbin, my attitude probably sounded reckless.
But for adventurers, our bodies were our true assets.
As long as I stayed healthy, I could always bounce back financially.
In any case, it was cheaper to spend my money than to let Vasco get torn to pieces.
“Besides, I didn’t actually lose the money in the end. Isn’t that what matters?”
“I understand why people worry about you now.”
Was that necessary?
“You… need someone to look after you.”
Me? I was nearly thirty!
“Who would ask for help at my age? That’d be pathetic!”
I quickly waved my hands in denial.
I didn’t want Zerbin thinking I was someone who constantly needed babysitting.
If he saw me as a burden, he wouldn’t want to keep me around.
“I’ve been living just fine on my own, you know. It’s been over five years since I became an adventurer.”
Zerbin’s sharply arched brow made me pause.
Was he offended, thinking I was downplaying his judgment?
“Fine.”
Phew.
That was close.
‘…Huh?’
I relaxed too soon.
From the undergrowth came the rustle of something moving swiftly.
My skin prickled with unease.
Whatever it was, it wasn’t human—or even a mere beast.
My instincts screamed danger.
My mind blanked.
‘There shouldn’t be any ambushes here.’
No demons to be wary of, no imminent threat.
The forest was green and serene, and everything was supposed to be peaceful…
A massive skull, alight with blue flames, burst from the undergrowth, hurtling straight toward Zerbin.
My blood ran cold.
Move. I had to move.
Without thinking, I darted behind Zerbin.
‘He’ll get hurt.’
I remembered.
Back when I couldn’t let go of my pride, I insisted on fighting and caused a disaster.
‘The hero…’
There was no point in me stepping in.
The enemy moved faster than the dagger I threw could fly.
In an instant, it struck, and the force sent me hurtling backward.
I slammed into Zerbin’s back.
‘Ugh!’
Ordinarily, Zerbin could’ve easily handled my weight, but this was no ordinary situation.
Against a demon, even a slight disruption was critical.
The enemy exploited the opening without hesitation.
“Zerbin!”
Our party members’ shouts echoed in my mind, hauntingly vivid.
The demon’s cursed spear pierced Zerbin’s shoulder.
No. No. No…
My mind raced to fix the situation I’d ruined, but my body wouldn’t respond.
The demon’s curse weighed on me like a mountain.
So I could only watch.
Watch as Zerbin, despite the pain, wielded his sword with his left hand to fight.
And I was utterly useless.
* * *
