Chapter 103 Is This City For Real?

'Shit! Shit!! Shit!!!'

That was close! Too close for comfort!

I really thought I'd die.

Even though I thought I had won the battle of words and took my leave—hoping he wouldn't do anything more—the guy actually threatened me with his power.

'He's stronger than me, no doubt! I thought I'd shit my pants!'

My body was on the verge of breaking down under that Miasma, and it took everything in me to keep moving forward. To be honest... if he had struck me from behind, it would be over already.

'So risky! I think I might have PTSD!' Tears nearly fell from my eyes.

As for my location, I already got into the Adventurer's City. Yeah, it was quite simple too.

When that absurdly powerful Demon—Hogun, I think—seemed distracted, I used my Camouflage cloak to blend in with the surroundings and sneak into the City. Fortunately, everyone had also made it, so I didn't have to worry about much else.

Except—

"L-legendary Dragon Slayer—no, I mean, Hero—welcome!"

—As except, Sarah and the others must have blabbed of my identity yo everyone while I was away.

And so, as I got snuck into Dulum, I was met with the bow—like, the one where they kneel and worship someone—from every single member of the Adventurers City.

Old and young. Citizen and Adventurers. Male and Female.

All of them were bowing in my presence.

"Welcome back, Hero!" Their voices echoed into the air, almost causing me to wince.

I was overwhelmed by the sight, almost to the point of running away from the absurdity. This was TOO MUCH!

"That's enough. You may all rise." My voice was calm, but it contained enough authority yo tell them to cease their shamelessness instantly.

'These guys make me feel like the bad guy.'

I was deceiving them a little, yes. But, I never wanted worship and stuff from them. Simple cooperation would have sufficed.

As I commanded, they all rose to their feet. Their reverent eyes remained, however. It had the vibes of a cult, to be honest.

'It's not your fault, Sam. It's these crazy people.' Appeasing my conscience with this, I looked around me.

Zabdel, the Vice Guildmaster was at the forefront of the crowd—then folks like Asa, Liebert, and Gu were behind him. The other Adventurers and citizens were spread about, all giving the same look of awe and reverence.

"Why are you all overreacting..." A whisper accidentally leaked from my lips as I sighed in exasperation.

"We saw and heard all of it! The way you killed all those Demons and the way you spared that General of theirs. We know your power is supreme and exceeds anything within our imagination." Zabdel bowed his head deeply

The citizens and Adventurers followed suit, adding to my discomfort.

'These guys were spying on me? Motherfuckers!'

They just have used the Binoculars I borrowed Asa to use fit reconnaissance, since she was a ranger.

How could she have used my precious tool against me?

'The Demon Army is just about five hundred meters—maybe more—away from this place. These spies...'

The explosion of my Mana Bomb, and the bluff stuff I used must have inspired them. Sigh...

"That's enough. We need to get down to business. We have no idea when next they'll strike. Preparations need to be made."

"U-understood!"

I glanced to the edge of the City's walls and saw my Golems on standby—providing primary security for the city.

The Demons were also within the constructs—a decision I made to ensure the citizens of Dulum didn't freak out until I explained the whole thing.

"They won't be attacking anytime soon. I'd advise you all to retreat to your homes and have a night of rest... at least until tomorrow." I smiled at the audience.

Their faces contained relief. Surprisingly, they believed me so easily. After thanking me, they left for their homes.

'These guys... unbelievable!'

I couldn't exactly complain, though, so I simply watched as they left.

"Our top Adventurers are already preparing a residence for you, Hero." Zabdel approached me with the most respectful tone.

"That can wait. Gather all the top Adventurers. We need to have a conference. I don't have enough information on the opponents, so I'll need you all to give your comments and opinions."

"U-understood." Zabdel nodded.

"Alright. I'll be sorting out some things with my entourage, so just return when everything is set."

"Y-yes! I'll do so right away!"

The Video Guildmaster scurried off—both with excitement and nervousness. I truly couldn't get the middle-aged man.

"Go assist him and make sure everything is in order." I glanced at Asa, Gu, and Liebert, who were apparently still waiting by my side.

I appreciated their newfound attachment to me, but I didn't want it to look like I was already poaching them.

Besides, they also needed rest.

"U-understood! We'll do that."

I sensed disappointment in Asa's voice as she led the three away. It made me feel bad, but at the same time, I was relieved that no one was present anymore—except my townspeople, I mean.

"H-Hero!" A voice sharply interrupted my fee seconds of thoughtful bliss.

"Hm?"

​ I didn't see anyone from my line of sight, yet a voice clearly addressed me.

"H-Hero, over here!" The voice sounded again, but this time I realized it was coming a little lower than expected.

"Oh. Hello, there..." I smiled, looking at a cute little girl who was jumping and waving her hand to get my attention.

She had brown hair tied into two pigtails, and freckles spread all over her face. Her brown eyes sparkled ad her rough cloth bounced with every jump she made.

'A kid? What's a kid doing here?!' My calm front remained intact.

"You'll save all of us, right? Mama and Papa keep saying that the Demons are coming to kill us. You'll save us, won't you?"

'The fuck? What kind of development is this?'

Why would parents tell a kid something so gory? And why was she looking at me like that?