Unwanted Undead Adventurer - Episode 38

When Sheila reads out the name I filled out on the form, her expression seems slightly sad for some reason.

Curiously, I ask her, “…Is something wrong?”

Sheila says,  “Well… Just the other day, an adventurer by the name of Rentt disappeared…”

That’s me, I think to myself, but I pretend not to notice and reply, “…I heard that adventurers are prepared for such things…”

In fact, it’s not unusual for a person to suddenly disappear one day. It’s also possible that they simply died or moved to another area. They may have quit adventuring because they were tired of it, or they may have been criminals and had to flee. But I guess they think of me as dead. There’s no other reason.

Sheila says, “You’re right, but it’s still sad when it actually happens. He was the first adventurer I ever worked with. So I was just… a little surprised to see the same name…”

“I see… By the way, are you talking about the adventurer called Rentt Faina?”

The reason why I dare to ask this is so that I will not be too suspicious. But, of course, this alone would seem strange… In fact, Sheila had a strange look on her face.

“Yes… that’s right, but you’re well informed, aren’t you?” she asks. But this is exactly the question I was hoping she’d ask.

I say, “I heard about it from Lorraine.”

After hearing this, Sheila seems to notice the name I gave her.

“Oh… Vivier, so you’re related to her?” she asks.

Since we’re related, it means that we have the same family name. The fact that I’ve been hanging around Lorraine’s house will probably become known soon. I don’t want there to be any weird misunderstandings when she finds out. I don’t mind, but Lorraine is an unmarried woman. I didn’t want to cause her any trouble, so I wanted to prepare an excuse as soon as possible. I guess it’s not a bad excuse to say that I’m a relative visiting from far away and she’s looking after me for a little while.

By the way, the name “Rentt” is the name of an old saint, and it is quite common in today’s society. No matter where you are in the world, there are always a certain number of them, so there’s nothing to be suspicious of.

“Yes… She’s been letting me stay with her while I’m in town.”

“That makes sense. I’ve heard that there are some strange people coming and going at Lorraine’s place… though Lorraine herself is quite strange.”

It seems that the rumor has already started.

I nod and reply, “I’m sure it’s about me… but there’s nothing strange about it. The girl has changed since she left home…”

I don’t know what she was actually like, but I’ll say something like that to cover it up. In terms of characterization, I am Lorraine’s uncle who came to check on her. Sheila seems to have taken it roughly that way.

“I see, good work, Rentt-san… Not you, the other one. I thought they would get together, but they didn’t… Oh, and the adventurer’s card is finished. It’s over here.”

Just as I feel as if I’ve heard something I can’t ignore, it seems that the task at hand has been completed. She hands me a dull iron card. It’s the mark of a novice adventurer – in other words, an iron-class adventurer – and is the first thing an adventurer receives when becoming an adventurer. It’s been a long time since I had one of these cards. Feeling nostalgic, I can’t help but hold it up.

Sheila smiles at me as if she’s used to seeing me like this and says, “Do you need a detailed explanation of the rules and regulations of the Adventurers Guild?”

I’m not sure how good I am, but I’ve been doing this for a long time. Therefore, I am very familiar with the rules. I’ve even used them to fend off some weirdos. I’m not much of a fighter, so I’ve had to deal with things that way.

So I say, “No, it’s not necessary. All the rules are listed in that, right?”

Sheila looks a little surprised when I point to a leather-bound booklet by the reception desk.

“You know a lot, don’t you?” she asks.

Well, it’s not often that a newcomer pays attention to that. The staff will tell you to read it if you are curious about the details. But I’ve already read it thoroughly, so I already have most of the contents in my head. Even so, I dared to point out that it’s okay to read the book if I don’t understand something.

“I’ve asked Lorraine about it and she told me about the basic rules too.”

“I see, you live together, don’t you? That’s fine. Well then, Rentt-san. Please do your best as an adventurer. Be sure to take care of your life, please.”

So I nod and leave the reception desk.

◇◆◇◆◇

Most of the requests for the Adventurers Guild are posted on the bulletin board on the wall. There are many different types of requests, ranging from menial jobs that anyone can do to rough jobs that require skill. Basically, they’re for handymen. So, ultimately, you don’t need to have any fighting skills at all to earn a living. That’s why there are sometimes hidden criminals…

During my lifetime, in addition to subduing weak monsters and collecting materials, I also accepted many requests related to chores. So I’m very familiar with them, and I’m not exactly opposed to the idea of taking a request like that now, but considering my outfit, it would be… Moderately difficult. When I was a human, I was often told that I was not good-looking, but that I had a boyish face that looked harmless. No matter where I went, I was never particularly disliked, but now, with my suspicious robes and shiny skeleton mask, I don’t think I would feel comfortable asking for one of those requests.

Even so, people make requests because they require assistance, so I’m sure it won’t be refused, but compared to requests like those, it would be more efficient and easier to defeat monsters in the usual way. It’s not that I can’t stand the thought of working with people looking at me like I’m a strange person, but it’s a little hard. I’d rather be wandering around in a dark and gloomy labyrinth.

With this in mind, I take one of the requests posted on the bulletin board that suits my current abilities and bring it to the receptionist.

“Ah, Rentt-san. Have you decided on your request?” Sheila asks. I hand her the request form, and she looks at it and says, “…Are you suddenly requesting the delivery of Orcs? If you’re just starting out, I’d recommend collecting Goblin magic stones…”

The Orc is one of the strongest monsters out there. It’s said to be roughly equivalent to the middle to high end of copper class. That’s why Sheila said what she did, but at my current level, I’m more than capable of defeating it. Of course, it’ll be a problem if I’m surrounded by them, but I can be careful about that.

“…I’ve beaten them before back home, you know.  I’m just starting out as an adventurer, but I’ve got the strength to do so.”

In fact, such people sometimes register as adventurers, so it wasn’t a strange statement. Sheila, however, looked worried. But that didn’t stop her from doing so.

“…Please don’t overdo it. You only have one life, so if you are in danger, run away. Do you understand?” Sheila says, as if she has given up.

I’m well aware of that. After all, I already died once. In the beginning, I was basically the type of person who would immediately make a move to escape if I thought I was in danger. In that sense, Sheila’s concerns do not apply. However, there’s no point in explaining it to her.

So I just say, “Yeah.”