53 - 五十一话 ヒール

A predatory receptionist enters the training hall accompanied by her uncle. The adventurers around us are surprised to see Guilmas.

Wow. So that's the guildmaster. But it's getting a bit exaggerated to call the guildmaster for a duel. But he's a muscular guy. According to the template, he's a former high-ranked adventurer, so he's probably strong. The carnivorous receptionist beckons me over.

"So you're the new necromancer. Adventurers who don't know their own abilities will die young. Well, if I lose this time I'm retiring. Maybe it's for the best. I'll try not to kill you. Go ahead and lose.

Oh, no. This Gilmouth guy is one of those prejudiced against necromancers. The guildmaster is discriminating. We are completely away from home. They hate us so much it's refreshing.

How many reasons does it take to make someone you just met hate you so much?　It makes me wonder what kind of behavior an ordinary genie magician has had in the past. But that doesn't give me any reason to just go along with it.

"That being said, I was made a laughingstock in Manza. If I run away, I'll get into trouble every time I come here. That's no way to make it as an adventurer. If you are the guildmaster, I hope you will scold those who bully newcomers instead of getting angry at me.

"You're cocky. Are you so sure of yourself?"

What?　I made a good argument, didn't I?　Why are you being cocky?　Funny, how the word was perfectly clear to Sylphy and the others, but not to the humans?

"Let's see. I wonder why everyone thinks I'm going to lose in the first place. Doesn't anyone think I can win?"

"Hmm. Useful necromancers are not adventurers but royalty and aristocrats.

That's right. That's why they all got involved with the useless genie wizards who came here to become adventurers. I think it's not surprising that there are spiritists who want to be adventurers. .......

"I don't think that's a good idea.　The Adventurer's Guild seems to have a hard time dealing with the spiritists, and even those who can use them refuse to become adventurers. Oh, and please take care of the money there. If I win, it's all mine, but they don't seem to have the best of intentions. ......"

It doesn't make any sense, but I tried to stir things up. Adventurers participating in the betting shouted abuse at me. I'm having a lot of fun.

Is this what it feels like to be a heel?　Sylphy is a bit puzzled, but in this atmosphere I have no choice but to be a heel, I guess. But I didn't expect to be a heel on my first day as an adventurer.

"Guilmas. Let's get started. I'm going to crush this guy as fast as I can.

"Ha-ha-ha. Carl is so scared that he's going to come at me with five men, even though he's talking about a duel. You shouldn't be so tough. You'll be embarrassed if you lose.

Oh, no. I couldn't help it. I was talking like a baby. This air is making my character worse. I'm supposed to be a good girl.

You're going to get yourself killed.

Even Guilmouth looked at me with dismay. Carl's eyes are definitely gone. If it weren't for the cheat, I'd have run away as soon as I could. His eyes are thinking about how to beat me to death.

"Right. I don't have much more to say to you, so let's get started.

We're facing each other in the middle of the training ground. I'm still pretty scared, my eyes are still f*cked up.

"Start!"

Gilmouth gives the signal, and Sylphy hangs the wind wall at the same time. Karl and the others come running in. They're grinning, their faces contorted into ugly grimaces. I've definitely overreacted.

I take out my magic hammer at maximum size and swing it with a boom. The curls rush to move away from me, either from the pressure of the wind or from surprise.

"Hey! What is that? You're a necromancer, aren't you? Why do you have that thing in your hand?

Carl seems to come to his senses in surprise.

"Because it's my weapon. Can't a necromancer have a weapon?"

I'll swing my hammer around like a buzzard. Guilmouth, the receptionist, and the drunken adventurers in the audience are startled. I feel good.

Hey, Yuta! Don't I have to fight?　Aren't you going to make me rethink the genie surgeon?"

（No. That's what I thought. Even if Sylphy wins with his power, it's just a matter of time before a good spiritist comes along. Then threatening them with a hammer would be a bigger shock to them.)

"Yuta. Is your personality getting worse?"

(I admit I'm having fun, but I'm just playing the villain so I don't get licked. Ah. If my bluff doesn't work, I'll ask Sylphy to knock you out.)　

I don't have the guts to make minced human flesh out of the blue. There may come a time when I will kill humans, but it will not be now. Maybe I need to learn how to beat the crap out of people. Carl and the others have not attacked yet even though I've been talking secretly with Sylphy.

"What's the matter, Carl? I thought you were going to kill me."

I twisted his face with a smirk and tried to tease him.

"You're a coward, you know that? You tricked me into believing you were a genie.

Hmm?　I didn't trick you. I'm a genie. My spiritual arts are much more powerful than this hammer.

Sylphy's attack power will be stronger than the hammer. I've never seen him before, but he's a great spirit, that's for sure.

You've got to be kidding me!

"I'm not kidding. If I can't beat you with this hammer, I'll fight you with my spirit magic, so get your ass over here. But this hammer will kill you if it hits you, so try your best to avoid it.

He swings the hammer around and finally hits it hard on the ground of the training ground. A loud thud is heard, and a crater is formed in the ground. The ground is bouncing against the wind wall.

Well, I was thinking that swords and spears are cool, but hammers are also great in such a situation. The power it gives to the opponent is different. If you hit them, you're flattened.

"Hmph!"

Oh, no. I couldn't help but let out a funny laugh. At this rate, my personality is seriously going to take a turn for the worse. Let's calm down a little. I'm a good girl. I'm a good girl. All right, all right.

Uh, yeah. I hope she freaks out and gives up. If he doesn't give up, then Sylphy's in. When the dust clears, Carl and the others are on their asses.

"What's wrong?　If you won't come at us, we'll come at you.

I approach slowly, swinging my hammer around. Carl and the others are shaking their heads side to side, struggling to get away from me. Their mouths are agape and I wonder if they are too startled to speak.

"Guilmas. What happens in this case?　Since he doesn't seem to be surrendering, it's okay to crush him, right?"

"Wait, wait. Will you guys give up?　If you can't speak up, shake your head."

Karl and the others shake their heads. I call their bluff. Maybe a hammer's a good idea. I could get into the habit.

"Then I win. Gilmas. Please cancel their membership."

"Uh-huh."

He answered reluctantly. They were willing to let me go. I can't help but feel discriminated.

"Wait a minute. We don't want to quit. Can't you make some other deal?"

"Uh. How can you try to force someone to quit as an adventurer, and then when you lose, you don't want to quit yourself?"

It doesn't matter whether you quit or not, but if you allow it easily, you will be licked again. If we are discriminated and licked, I'm worried about our future.

"That's ......"

"Guilmas. I signed some kind of pledge, but is that pledge something that I don't have to keep if I say I don't want to?"

"No. Unless both parties agree, the pledge was made through the Adventurers' Guild. If only one of you refuses, there is nothing we can do. The Adventurers' Guild will be responsible for fulfilling it.

Guilmouth replies in disgust. I'm not looking for a friendly smile, but at least give me a normal face.

"That's what they say, Mr. Karl.

You look very desperate. I'm not a S person by nature, so I don't get any enjoyment out of picking on ...... guys.

"Guilmouth. What's the price of being a retired adventurer?　If it's something that makes sense to me, I'd be happy to do it that way too.

"Hmm. That being said, money is a fair price to pay for being an adventurer, ...... or what?"

What's so difficult about what to do?　I've kept Belle and the others waiting, and I'm not sure how much longer it's going to take.

"Well, it's a hassle. I understand. You can use all their money. Sell off everything, equipment and all, and bring us the cash, including your savings.

"Oh no ......, I can't live like that."

"Why don't you borrow money?　You can retire if you don't like it, so take your pick. Don't play the victim when you're the one who got involved."

I'm getting some kind of a kickback from people around me. Is it my fault?

"Okay. I'll pay you everything. I'll give you a break."

Carl and the others look tragically determined. I feel like telling everyone that I don't have the guts to put a hammer to someone right now. I wonder what their faces will look like when they find out that I'm bluffing about all of this.

Oh, man. I want to tell. My mouth is watering. I thought I was playing the heel, but maybe I'm more of a bad person. No, I'm a very nice girl. My reputation is about to take a serious hit, so I'll just have to put up with it.

I understand. "Okay, Guillermas, that's what I'm asking."

"Okay. I'll make arrangements to have it cashed in today and ready for you tomorrow. This is your wager."

I get the money I asked you to take care of. Into the magic bag I put sixty-two silver coins. Thirteen large copper coins. Since there were about twenty adventurers betting, each adventurer lost about three silver coins. In Japan, you can lose that much in pachinko games, so I guess it's acceptable.

The income was about 630,000 yen. When I smiled and bowed to the drunken adventurers, they turned their eyes away from me with a very unpleasant look on their faces. The adventurer's life is pleasant and convivial. I may have stumbled from the very first step. I feel a bit awkward, so I decide to leave the exchange of the magic stone for cash for tomorrow and quickly find a place to stay.

"Uh, ah, receptionist?　I would like to be introduced to a lodge, if that's all right.　I've got some extra income, so if you could introduce me to a place with a slightly better rank, that would be great."　

"......Please call me Eltina. Would you mind if I stay at a mid-range inn?"

Receptionist ...... Eltina's expression is drawn. If this is a love game, her likability is in a negative state.

"Yes. Please find me a place that serves good food.

As I was leaving the training hall with Ertina's guidance, Guillmas came to talk to me.

"Wait! I want to ask you a few questions."

A story. I didn't think it would cause this much trouble. I'd like to calm down at the inn and get the information straight. Otherwise, I'm gonna tell you something I shouldn't have.

"What do you want to talk about when I was clearly trying to get rid of you?"

With a little sarcasm mixed in. This level of sarcasm should be allowed.

"Well, ...... I'd like to hear all about you, your abilities, your goals."

"I'm not going to reveal my cards, so this is just a surface story, okay?　If that is all right with you, we can discuss it tomorrow. I just arrived at the labyrinth city and I want to rest at the inn."

"Okay. I'll make sure to show you when you come to the Adventurers' Guild tomorrow."

I leave Guilmouth, get a map of the inn from Eltina, and leave the Adventurers' Guild. The way Guilmas and the others were looking at me, I had a feeling that there would be more trouble to come.

Maybe I should have asked Sylphy to give me a traumatizingly loud attack instead of threatening me with a hammer.　But I have to admit that I had a lot of fun when I threatened him with the hammer.

You take a break from the stares. It was fun from the beginning, but I was tired. I've been sarcastic and arrogant, but maybe I've gone too far.