Chapter 6 – The Beginning of the Scenario
Chapter 6 – The Beginning of the Scenario
–That day, I visited Feint, wandered around the Village, and then entered the only Tavern. Perhaps because there were many Adventurers, it was quite lively, and even though it was before noon, some Humans were already drunk.
I sat at a window seat and ordered water and a light meal from the woman who came to take my order… Come to think of it, Ruon was in a Tavern at eighteen. Well, the age of adulthood seems to be different here, and it’s not forbidden by law, so it’s probably fine to drink.
I slowly breathed as I looked around the interior of the shop–yes, today the Book Arc was finally about to begin.
According to Familiar’s information, the other Protagonists haven’t started moving yet, so it seems that here… the Protagonist I last played in the game is the first. In addition, characters I could make allies with in the game are also present in the Tavern… I wanted to talk to them a bit, but I was afraid something bad might happen if I interfered carelessly, so I decided against it.
“Um… this Protagonist’s scenario is…”
I recalled it again. His scenario could be called a classic hero’s journey. It’s the kind where this Village is burned, he fights the Demon Race, meets various people–and so on.
It was a scenario that valued its foreshadowing, with characters from the beginning appearing again later, and I, too, felt a little excited when the acquaintances who hadn’t joined the party gathered together in the final stages.
Drinking water, I pondered while waiting for the Protagonist… There are definitely people in this world who could become Protagonists in the game. The biggest problem is whose scenario will lead to the defeat of the Demon King. This is particularly important, and if a Protagonist who challenges the Five Great Demons appears, I should go and check on them.
I thought, “If they can defeat them without my intervention, that’s fine…” when the Tavern door opened.
What appeared was a young man with black hair and a lingering innocence. The man, wearing a leather breastplate and Boots, with a crude Longsword at his waist, went straight to the back of the Tavern where the Shopkeeper was, without looking aside.
He’s here–he is one of the Protagonists, Fili Akureisu. He looked like a fledgling Adventurer, but his presence was clearly outstanding compared to the other customers.
He had a brief conversation with the Shopkeeper… If the scenario proceeds as planned, he should have accepted a Monster Subjugation request in the Ancient Ruins. Although experienced Adventurers have repeatedly ventured there and there should be nothing noteworthy left… due to an event, he discovers a Secret Passage and obtains an item.
After reporting it, the Tavern’s Shopkeeper becomes interested in him and gives him another request… After repeating that several times, the Raid Event occurs, which leads to my death.
After a brief conversation with the Shopkeeper, he looked around the Tavern. He spoke to one of the men he was observing. After a few words, the man stood up.
The man spoke to Phili and then left. He probably recruited him. Next, he spoke to a female Warrior.
She also agreed and went outside the shop–suddenly, I wondered what criteria he was using for recruitment. In the game, I was the player, and the act of talking wasn’t particularly noteworthy, but in reality, I wanted to know his judgment criteria.
As I continued to observe, he spoke to other Humans… and there, he spoke to the drunken men. I didn’t think he was recruiting them, so I assumed he was asking for information.
He walked around the Tavern several times… and eventually, approached me.
Yeah, I’m getting nervous. No, there’s no reason to be nervous–
“Excuse me.”
A slightly high-pitched voice. I reacted to it and turned my head. Phili was standing there.
“I’m planning to go to the Ancient Ruins east of the Village… if you wouldn’t mind, I was hoping you could tell me something.”
–Exchanging information like this among Adventurers is a very normal occurrence. Basically, Adventurers become casual acquaintances by toasting and chatting at the Tavern, and it’s unpleasant to wake up to news of such people dying, and it makes both alcohol and food taste bad. Therefore, they exchange various information to increase their chances of survival.
“…You’re going to those Ancient Ruins?”
I replied to Phili… Normally, I should be able to follow the game’s words exactly… but it would be bad if I gave him wrong information and he died.
“Yes.”
I replied to Phili’s “Yes” with “I understand.” I’ve simulated how to respond countless times in my head. Now, the lines I’ve carefully thought out are about to be spoken to the Protagonist in front of me—
“Right, how about I give you a piece of advice?”
My voice cracked from nervousness.
Phili frowned at my reply. Did she mishear me, perhaps? She didn’t interject, just waited for me to speak.
…Damn, I’m so nervous. And if I keep this up, I’ll turn into a Joke Character even in this real world. I must avoid that. Alright, I’ll pull myself together and continue—
“In the Ancient Ruins, there are… well, monsters that drop… medicine herbs…”
I was stuttering terribly. Phili’s eyes immediately widened.
Oh no, this is the worst. A cold sweat broke out on my back.
Actually, it’s that. I’m incredibly nervous inside because this is an event with the Game Protagonist. I thought I was calm, and it’s not like I’m not used to conversations from living in this world, but… the very first time. And interacting with the Protagonist, my head is completely spinning.
This is bad. I need to recover quickly, or I’ll become a Joke Character in a different sense.
“…Excuse me?”
Phili tilted her head and asked. I cleared my throat once,
“Ah, my apologies.”
I apologized for now. Phili gave an indifferent “Huh” in response, still waiting for me to speak.
Alright, this is my only chance… In my nervousness, I somehow managed to gather my thoughts and form words.
“Um, so… in the Ancient Ruins, medicinal herbs are often dro-d-dropped…”
I stumbled. I stumbled so badly there was no defending it.
Finally, Phili, with a complex expression, said “Alright” and walked away. The people around us weren’t listening to our conversation, so only the sound of their chatter reached my ears… and I collapsed onto the table.
“…I… messed up.”
Not only did I fail to convey the information, but it was as if I was announcing, “I am a Joke Character.” Ugh, no matter how strong I become, does this mean I can’t escape this kind of role?
I remained slumped for a while, letting the voices of the people conversing in the Tavern register as mere noise. The damage was unexpectedly severe.
Well, first, let’s go back to the inn and calm down. I decided that in my head, stood up, and left the Tavern.
On my way to the entrance, I suddenly saw Phili and her companions deep in conversation in front of the Item Shop… I glanced at them, then sighed deeply, and trudged back to the inn.
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went from decent to trash really quick, hope the next chapters make up, and this isnt a “game scenario slave MC´´