Chapter 87 – Master’s Setup
Chapter 87 – Master's Setup
Today, once again, Ted and I stared up at the Adventurer Guild’s bulletin board, racking our brains together.
“Um…”
Lately, we’ve been handling all sorts of B-rank quests, long-term ones included…
But things have gone too smoothly up to now. There’s no real sense of accomplishment.
In short, our rank doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere.
“To raise our rank, we probably need to take down an S-rank monster, right?”
“That’d be a two-step jump straight to S-rank.”
That’s it!
“Marie, you’ve got a naughty look on your face.”
Ted peeked into my face.
“Ehehe. But I never want to deal with something like that snake ever again.”
“That really was a nightmare.”
An S-rank without a known strategy is impossible.
Even if we knew one, that one…
“An A-rank monster sounds more reasonable, huh?”
“I think so too. Can’t risk our lives just yet.”
A-rank, huh…
“Speaking of A-rank, that’d be the Silver Wolf, right?”
“Those hunt in packs. A lone A-rank would be even tougher.”
I see.
My sense of scale’s all warped because I keep comparing to Gain and the others.
“Yo, you two.”
As we discussed where to head next, someone gave my shoulder a pat.
“Master!”
“Sid-san!”
I turned around to find Master wearing an even shadier grin than mine from earlier.
Bad vibes.
“Got your plans sorted yet?”
“Not yet, but we’ve got a direction in mind, sort of…”
I answered carefully.
Better to play it vague and leave an escape route.
“Oh? What direction’s that?”
“Thinking of going after an A-rank monster.”
Ted-san! Don’t answer so straight—that’s dangerous!
Master flashed a wicked grin.
Oh no.
“Got it. In that case, pass through the eastern forest and head to the cliffs below. Tons of monsters perfect for you two swarming around.”
Tons…
Nothing but bad feelings here.
“Uh, Master? What exactly do you mean by…”
“No worries. Here, take this too.”
Master shoved a quest sheet at me and booted us out of the Adventurer Guild.
“…Super suspicious, right?”
“Yes. Very suspicious.”
I unfolded the quest sheet in my hand as we walked.
“F-rank escort?”
Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop.
Ted gripped the reins of the cart heading east, slowly navigating through the forest.
Of course, this was one of Master’s setups.
Something’s definitely up.
Too perfectly convenient.
For now, hassle or not, I threw up a barrier.
Master’s assignments always bank on us using magic.
“Adventurer-san, this forest has B-rank Red-Eye Tigers, right?”
“Heard there were sightings, but a subjugation team headed out last week.”
Huh. Subjugation team already…
So not the monster Master mentioned?
“Good. We’re coming back through here too, so I was terrified. Thanks for taking it on the cheap.”
The client merchant broke into a warm, kindly smile.
Such a nice-looking guy.
“Nah, sorry it’s just to the forest edge.”
“No issue. The scary part’s inside anyway. No valuable cargo to worry about.”
Master sure finds the perfect quests.
Would’ve done it for free with a ride.
BOOM.
What? Major impact on the barrier.
“Ted-san, something slammed the barrier. I’ll check it out. Evac the cart.”
“Got it.”
I handed the reins to Ted and dashed to the rear.
A tiger monster was there, staggering from smashing its head on the barrier earlier.
I circled around, copied Master by slapping a hand on its neck, and unleashed water magic.
“Eh?”
One shot. Neck clean off.
The follow-up water blades whistled through the air, mowing down nearby trees.
“Ah! Overdid it…”
Looked around—no sign of others. Lone hunter type?
Hurried back and waved at the cart.
“Ted-saaan! All safe now!”
“Quick work!”
I pulled the monster from my space magic.
“This guy.”
Ted’s face turned grim.
“…Red-Eye Tiger.”
“Eh? Then the subjugation team…”
Ted shook his head, looking troubled.
No, they might still be kicking.
“Searching.”
Where… Closed my eyes and scanned around.
As long as they’re alive…
“You two, wanna sell this? Cool?”
“Yeah, sure.”
Ted and the merchant got to dismantling.
Found ’em! Eight signatures.
Walking normal, no injuries.
“Got ’em! Eight at the rear. Look fine. Heading our way.”
“Phew, good.”
Ted looked up with a happy nod.
He’s really into the dismantling. Right, his hobby.
Still, Red-Eye but the eyes are junk.
That soft pelt makes killer shoes and luxury bags, though.
Soon the subjugation team showed up. Pointed at the monster mid-dismantle and explained.
They were stunned, thanked us to bits, and headed out.
All accounted for safe—I patted my chest in relief.
Whew. Subjugation volunteers have it rough.
“Quest complete—signature here…”
“Whoa, all the materials too? Thanks a ton!”
“Nah, we hitched a ride—thanks to you.”
“Safe travels!”
I waved big until the merchant vanished from sight.
Thank you for reading.
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thanks for the chapter