Volume 3 - CH 44

Volume 3

Chapter 44-Dreams and Pretenses

(TL:By Rafael,valhallatls.blogspot.com)

We proceeded through the bar of the Adventurers' Guild, which was strangely nostalgic even though we were in the middle of a labyrinth.

Drinking and eating meat, the adventurers are chatting about their adventures and not paying us any attention.

It's hard to believe that they are all shadow stalkers.

Some of the adventurers have already retreated.

Wilson, the greeter.

Big Rod, the big lug.

Mazaara with his "overflowing magical power."

All of them are familiar faces that I will never see again.

We slowly make our way through the bar, trying not to stand out.

"..You there!"(??)

In the midst of all this, someone calls out to me as I walk at the end of the line.

Simon Barkley.

My childhood friend, former party member, enemy, and ...... man I killed.

I stop, suppressing the feeling that this is more than I can do.

My friends stop, too, but eye contact urges them to move on.

I can do whatever I want on my own.

"What is it?"(Yuki)

I could have ignored him. No, in fact, I should have.

However, I stopped.

Even I don't know the reason why.

'That outfit, it belongs to the Red Mage, doesn't it? I saw that it is a masterpiece of magic tool artifact. Can you tell me where you got it? I thought it would look good on our Red Mage ...... Yuki."(Simon)

Simon.

It's bad manners to ask where someone's loot comes from.

You're a total ...... jerk, you know that?

Just as I was about to let my usual snide remark slip out of my mouth, a voice identical to mine chided Simon.

"Simon. It's bad manners to ask where the loot came from. I'm sorry. Simon has a habit of getting lost in the shadows sometimes."(Yuki<Shadow>)

"Let me apologize for that. The red mage's attire is so unusual that I just had to ......"(Simon)

"No, it's okay. Don't worry about it."(Yuki)

"Thunder Pike" was a little flustered by my answer.

"I got this on the tenth floor of the labyrinth in the 'Ruins of King Aurius' castle."(Yuki)

"Oh, that's just what we were  going to. We might be able to get it in the next attack."(Yuki<Shadow>)

"Oh, Thanks for the useful information... uh..."(Simon)

"Just a passing Red Mage"(Yuki)

"I'm Simon, and I'm just starting out, but ...... I'm a guy who's going to be an A rank someday."(Simon)

Simon's introduction a burst of laughter from the Thunder Pike crew.

"Not that again hahaha!"(Barry)

"Simon is always doing that. But I don't mind."(Jamie)

"But it's embarrassing, isn't it?"(Camilla)

Barry laughed heartily, holding his stomach, while Jamie and Camilla smiled modestly.

"Don't laugh so much. We have to rank A if we want to go to the Abyss Gate with Yuki."(Simon)

"We can do it. ......, right?"(Yuki<Shadow>)

The "Thunder Pike" members all nodded their heads as I said this with a somewhat confident look in my eyes.

"I hope you can make it to the Abyssal Gate."(Yuki)

"It's our dream. We'll get there, I promise!"(Yuki<Shadow>)

Simon smiles with the former friends of "Thunder Pike".

I can't help but raise the corners of my mouth at the possibility of what might have been.

A scene that will never come to pass. A past that has been selected and pruned.

I am nostalgic, envious, and sad.

Noticing the tears rolling down my cheeks, I make a small self-mockery.

I wonder what I am getting sentimental about this mere farce performed by shadowy shadow stalkers.

But still, this scene is a little dazzling.

Because "I" sitting there looked so happy.

(TL: Why are you readers guys )

'See you later, Simon."(Yuki)

"Ah! See you again, Passing Red Mage."(Simon)

We exchange a few words of reunion, and I quickly follow my companions.

Evne though I knew I would never see them again, but my heart was still somewhat refreshed.

I had always had a little bit of regret.

Even though we were enemies, we were still childhood friends from the same hometown and dreamed of becoming adventurers.

We started as adventurers together, spent our early years together, and overcame many dangers.

That day we unleashed the ...... curse, but hatred was not all that we had in common.

So it meant a lot to me to be able to say goodbye to Simon, even if he is here playing the  Shadow Stalker.

Simon, who had become "one gold," didn't answer me.

"Thanks for waiting."(Yuki)

I catch up with my friends, who look at me with concern.

I know that Simon has been a great trauma for me.

"How was it? How was Thunder Pike?"(Marina)

"Yeah... they were a good bunch of guys."(Yuki)

I let out a small gasp, even though I said it myself.

I never thought that the day would come when I would be able to call Thunderpike a "good-natured bunch."

Even if it is in an impossible dream that the edge of the world presents.

"You look like you were having a good time over here,"(Jamie)

"Jamie's image hasn't changed though."(Yuki)

"What? But, yah......"(Jamie)

We both have bitter memories of Thunder Pike.

However, the envy about this possibility faded away when I saw the faces of my friends.

We are now conquering the labyrinth dungeon with our best friends toward the "Abyss Gate" of our dreams. There is no time to dwell on the past.

" Let's go. ...... Well, are there any guards in the basement?"(Yuki)

Nene's face turned a little sour at my words.

The entrance to the ...... "Great Underground Hollow" is located in a small room past the guild counter.

In the real Finis, Mamaru, the receptionist, would be there.

"Worst case scenario, we'll have to force our way in, but if ...... possible, I'd like to sneak in peacefully as it is."(Nene

"Let's be careful. Nene, please keep your hood up."(Yuki)

"I'll do that."(Nene)

Nene, with her hood up, sneaks stealthily to the front of the line.

However, her efforts were ...... undone the next moment.

TL Note- A good end to the whole Simon and ThunderPike matter, Hope Yuki will be able to move on from now .This chapter was little emo though and possible boss in next chapter lol.