When I arrived at the adventurer’s guild, I immediately gave them the herbs I had collected.
“I’ve received it. Please wait a moment.”
The receptionist retreated behind the counter to prepare the reward.
Even though I knew I would have to wait, I was still bored. As I looked around, somewhat bored, I noticed a large man making a lot of noise in the back seat.
He seemed to have much better equipment than Termito’s. Perhaps that’s why he earns so much money.
He could hear their commotion in his ears.
“Did you really defeat that King Grizzly!?”
“Obviously. Look.”
A large man put the head of a monster that looked like a King Grizzly on the desk. Then the adventurers around him went wild.
“Amazing, you really hunted this thing!”
“Only Garde could hunt something like this!”
“Yeah!”
The large man called Garde had a smile on his face.
“I got a big one, too, thanks to you!”
Garde shows his head, which has a prominent receding hairline. There were fresh scars that could have cost him his life if he made a mistake. That was how fiercely Garde had fought.
Termite watched from a distance as the adventurers around him listened to Garde’s story with excitement.
I envy him. That man, Garde, had fought powerful monsters with his own strength and was still here alive.
And he’s sharing his heroic story with the adventurers, earning the envy of everyone around him.
He’s the very adventurer I’ve always wanted to be.
What about me, on the other hand? Who am I that can’t give up on my dream and miserably cling to being an adventurer?
The more I thought about it, the more miserable I felt.
Right now, I’m living a lukewarm life in Elena’s mansion. In the midst of all this, the other adventurers are steadily making achievements and are out of my reach.
I wonder if they are not afraid of fighting. Aren’t they afraid of demons?
I can’t get to know their inner world if I just keep stepping on the spot.
Perhaps Elena would warmly accept such a Termito.
Life with Elena is comfortable. However, a sense of frustration that seems to scorch my feet follows me around.
I don’t really know if this is really what I want.
Termite shook his head exaggeratedly.
Let’s not think about this any more. Termito turned his attention away from Garde and the others’ seats.
Eventually, the receptionist returned.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. Here is the reward.”
The money she handed over was two silver coins. It was not a lot for an adventurer to earn.
I wondered how much Garde had earned. I’m sure he’s earned more than Termito.
Dragging the shadow that grew from his feet, Termite left the guild.
Then he went to a store that sold accessories.
Not for himself, of course, but as a souvenir for Elena.
It was the first time for him to visit such a store and he couldn’t help but look around.
I picked up a pendant with a red stone in it. The stone is the same scarlet color as Elena’s eyes, and would look beautiful on her, with her scarlet-like elegance and beauty.
I imagine Elena, wearing it.
—Un, it’s beautiful. Very nice.
I thought about going with this one, but I was also curious about the black stone pendant next to it. The black color, as if to cut out the darkness of the night, matched Elena’s mysteriousness, and it would go well with her.
I like this one. No, no, this is it. I’m confused, I don’t know what to choose.
As I was browsing aimlessly, a man who seemed to be the owner of the store spoke to me.
“Are you giving it to your girlfriend?”
“Well, something like that.”
She wasn’t exactly my girlfriend, but I didn’t feel bad about her being called my girlfriend. I decided to go along with it.
“I recommend this one.”
The shopkeeper offered me a necklace with a cross on it.
There is no ornate decoration, but the simple design is not a bad gift.
I imagined Elena wearing it. It emphasized Elena’s innocence and nobility, and was very attractive.
“It’s nice.”
I tried my best to hold back the grin on my face.
“It’s the best gift you can give to someone you care about.”
“Why is that?”
“I heard there was a vampire outbreak around here once.”
“Eh, really?”
I looked around.
“It was a long time ago. It’s an old story, there are legends about it.”
“What, it’s just an old story huh.”
Termito was relieved. For a moment he worried about what would happen if a vampire attacked him.
“That’s why it’s still customary to give a cross to your loved ones, to protect them from vampires.”
As I had thought before leaving the house, Elena seemed to believe in superstitions and rituals.
If that’s the case, then it might not be a bad idea to give her a crucifix. 1
“Then, give me one of those.”
“Sure.”
As I left the store and passed through an alley, I saw a familiar face. It was the man from the adventurer’s guild, Garde. He seemed to be arguing with a woman of a strange age.
“Hey, you! You still don’t have enough money for this month’s living expenses! When are you going to come up with the money!?”
“Shut up! I’ve already hunted a King Grizzly!”
“You’ve hunted a King Grizzly…. The rewards are too small for that, right? Are you sure you weren’t just following some other adventurer around?!”
“S, shut up! I did what I had to do, you know! Anyway, if you need money, I’ll take another job right away and get you the money you need! Don’t say anything to the other adventurers!”
“I don’t need you to tell me what to do!”
As Garde was about to leave the scene after a brief discussion, he caught sight of Termito.
When he noticed Termito, he held his receding head and gave him a look that said “I failed.”
“….Were you watching?”
“I’m sorry. Um, excuse me, but who was that lady just now?”
Garde let out a sigh of resignation.
“…..It’s my wife.”
Garde took Termito to a tavern that he was familiar with.
He tried to refuse because he didn’t have much money, but Garde pushed him to take a seat.
He ordered a bottle of wine for two and some snacks.
Elena might be waiting for me with a meal when I return. I’ll try not to eat as much as possible.
Garde picked at the smoke meat that had been brought to him.
“You know, my wife….Doesn’t have the slightest idea what it’s like to be an adventurer. The only thing she says is money, money…!”
Apparently, Garde wanted someone to listen to his wife’s complaints, so he continued to chatter on and on with a glass of wine in his hand.
Termite wanted to go home to Elena as soon as possible, but he couldn’t seem to get out of his seat.
He could only hope in his heart that it would end soon.
“She used to be a pretty girl when she was younger….Now she’s just a nagging old woman.”
“Haa.”
I chimed in appropriately.
“When she gets angry, she throws everything and anything at me… That’s what got us into this mess.”
Garde pointed to the wound on his head in a self-mocking manner.
“Hey, didn’t you say that was put on by the King Grizzly?”
I couldn’t help but interject on a topic that sounded familiar.
Garde frowned and stammered.
“That’s…..True, but….I don’t want to get into the whole ‘my wife gave me a scar’ thing. That’s why I talked with you about it. …Keep it a secret from the others, okay?”
Termito nodded his head.
Garde stood up from his seat, feeling uncomfortable because he had unintentionally shown weakness.
“I’m getting out of here. However, you don’t owe me anything!”
With that, Garde left the tavern.
Termito sipped the remaining wine from his cup.
In the guild, Garde had always told other adventurers about his heroics, but he had never been able to get his head around his wife, and the scars he had so proudly displayed had been given to him by her.
In addition, the King Grizzly that he had talked about in the guild as if he had haunted alone was actually one that he haunted with other adventurers.
I felt as if a thread that had been taut inside me had been severed.
I had always thought of adventurers who shared their tales of heroism with other adventurers as beings above the clouds, but that was not the case.
They have their own lives, their own vanity and pride, and they have to live with it.
They are no different from me.
With a feeling of lightness, Termito left the tavern.
I’ve stayed in town too long today. The sun was already going down, and it might be dangerous to run around the mountains to get back to Elena now.
But even so, he didn’t hesitate as he made his way to Elena.
Elena was waiting for him. That alone was more than enough to push Termito’s back.
No, that’s a bad idea………….
When I arrived at the adventurer’s guild, I immediately gave them the herbs I had collected.
“I’ve received it. Please wait a moment.”
The receptionist retreated behind the counter to prepare the reward.
Even though I knew I would have to wait, I was still bored. As I looked around, somewhat bored, I noticed a large man making a lot of noise in the back seat.
He seemed to have much better equipment than Termito’s. Perhaps that’s why he earns so much money.
He could hear their commotion in his ears.
“Did you really defeat that King Grizzly!?”
“Obviously. Look.”
A large man put the head of a monster that looked like a King Grizzly on the desk. Then the adventurers around him went wild.
“Amazing, you really hunted this thing!”
“Only Garde could hunt something like this!”
“Yeah!”
The large man called Garde had a smile on his face.
“I got a big one, too, thanks to you!”
Garde shows his head, which has a prominent receding hairline. There were fresh scars that could have cost him his life if he made a mistake. That was how fiercely Garde had fought.
Termite watched from a distance as the adventurers around him listened to Garde’s story with excitement.
I envy him. That man, Garde, had fought powerful monsters with his own strength and was still here alive.
And he’s sharing his heroic story with the adventurers, earning the envy of everyone around him.
He’s the very adventurer I’ve always wanted to be.
What about me, on the other hand? Who am I that can’t give up on my dream and miserably cling to being an adventurer?
The more I thought about it, the more miserable I felt.
Right now, I’m living a lukewarm life in Elena’s mansion. In the midst of all this, the other adventurers are steadily making achievements and are out of my reach.
I wonder if they are not afraid of fighting. Aren’t they afraid of demons?
I can’t get to know their inner world if I just keep stepping on the spot.
Perhaps Elena would warmly accept such a Termito.
Life with Elena is comfortable. However, a sense of frustration that seems to scorch my feet follows me around.
I don’t really know if this is really what I want.
Termite shook his head exaggeratedly.
Let’s not think about this any more. Termito turned his attention away from Garde and the others’ seats.
Eventually, the receptionist returned.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. Here is the reward.”
The money she handed over was two silver coins. It was not a lot for an adventurer to earn.
I wondered how much Garde had earned. I’m sure he’s earned more than Termito.
Dragging the shadow that grew from his feet, Termite left the guild.
Then he went to a store that sold accessories.
Not for himself, of course, but as a souvenir for Elena.
It was the first time for him to visit such a store and he couldn’t help but look around.
I picked up a pendant with a red stone in it. The stone is the same scarlet color as Elena’s eyes, and would look beautiful on her, with her scarlet-like elegance and beauty.
I imagine Elena, wearing it.
—Un, it’s beautiful. Very nice.
I thought about going with this one, but I was also curious about the black stone pendant next to it. The black color, as if to cut out the darkness of the night, matched Elena’s mysteriousness, and it would go well with her.
I like this one. No, no, this is it. I’m confused, I don’t know what to choose.
As I was browsing aimlessly, a man who seemed to be the owner of the store spoke to me.
“Are you giving it to your girlfriend?”
“Well, something like that.”
She wasn’t exactly my girlfriend, but I didn’t feel bad about her being called my girlfriend. I decided to go along with it.
“I recommend this one.”
The shopkeeper offered me a necklace with a cross on it.
There is no ornate decoration, but the simple design is not a bad gift.
I imagined Elena wearing it. It emphasized Elena’s innocence and nobility, and was very attractive.
“It’s nice.”
I tried my best to hold back the grin on my face.
“It’s the best gift you can give to someone you care about.”
“Why is that?”
“I heard there was a vampire outbreak around here once.”
“Eh, really?”
I looked around.
“It was a long time ago. It’s an old story, there are legends about it.”
“What, it’s just an old story huh.”
Termito was relieved. For a moment he worried about what would happen if a vampire attacked him.
“That’s why it’s still customary to give a cross to your loved ones, to protect them from vampires.”
As I had thought before leaving the house, Elena seemed to believe in superstitions and rituals.
If that’s the case, then it might not be a bad idea to give her a crucifix. 1
“Then, give me one of those.”
“Sure.”
As I left the store and passed through an alley, I saw a familiar face. It was the man from the adventurer’s guild, Garde. He seemed to be arguing with a woman of a strange age.
“Hey, you! You still don’t have enough money for this month’s living expenses! When are you going to come up with the money!?”
“Shut up! I’ve already hunted a King Grizzly!”
“You’ve hunted a King Grizzly…. The rewards are too small for that, right? Are you sure you weren’t just following some other adventurer around?!”
“S, shut up! I did what I had to do, you know! Anyway, if you need money, I’ll take another job right away and get you the money you need! Don’t say anything to the other adventurers!”
“I don’t need you to tell me what to do!”
As Garde was about to leave the scene after a brief discussion, he caught sight of Termito.
When he noticed Termito, he held his receding head and gave him a look that said “I failed.”
“….Were you watching?”
“I’m sorry. Um, excuse me, but who was that lady just now?”
Garde let out a sigh of resignation.
“…..It’s my wife.”
Garde took Termito to a tavern that he was familiar with.
He tried to refuse because he didn’t have much money, but Garde pushed him to take a seat.
He ordered a bottle of wine for two and some snacks.
Elena might be waiting for me with a meal when I return. I’ll try not to eat as much as possible.
Garde picked at the smoke meat that had been brought to him.
“You know, my wife….Doesn’t have the slightest idea what it’s like to be an adventurer. The only thing she says is money, money…!”
Apparently, Garde wanted someone to listen to his wife’s complaints, so he continued to chatter on and on with a glass of wine in his hand.
Termite wanted to go home to Elena as soon as possible, but he couldn’t seem to get out of his seat.
He could only hope in his heart that it would end soon.
“She used to be a pretty girl when she was younger….Now she’s just a nagging old woman.”
“Haa.”
I chimed in appropriately.
“When she gets angry, she throws everything and anything at me… That’s what got us into this mess.”
Garde pointed to the wound on his head in a self-mocking manner.
“Hey, didn’t you say that was put on by the King Grizzly?”
I couldn’t help but interject on a topic that sounded familiar.
Garde frowned and stammered.
“That’s…..True, but….I don’t want to get into the whole ‘my wife gave me a scar’ thing. That’s why I talked with you about it. …Keep it a secret from the others, okay?”
Termito nodded his head.
Garde stood up from his seat, feeling uncomfortable because he had unintentionally shown weakness.
“I’m getting out of here. However, you don’t owe me anything!”
With that, Garde left the tavern.
Termito sipped the remaining wine from his cup.
In the guild, Garde had always told other adventurers about his heroics, but he had never been able to get his head around his wife, and the scars he had so proudly displayed had been given to him by her.
In addition, the King Grizzly that he had talked about in the guild as if he had haunted alone was actually one that he haunted with other adventurers.
I felt as if a thread that had been taut inside me had been severed.
I had always thought of adventurers who shared their tales of heroism with other adventurers as beings above the clouds, but that was not the case.
They have their own lives, their own vanity and pride, and they have to live with it.
They are no different from me.
With a feeling of lightness, Termito left the tavern.
I’ve stayed in town too long today. The sun was already going down, and it might be dangerous to run around the mountains to get back to Elena now.
But even so, he didn’t hesitate as he made his way to Elena.
Elena was waiting for him. That alone was more than enough to push Termito’s back.
No, that’s a bad idea………….