A Bottom-Tier Adventurer Devoted to Supporting Their Idol Activities: Every Time, They Offer Rare Materials and Stir Up the Elites - Episode 14: Rumors of the Western Forest

Episode 14: Rumors of the Western Forest

“Yo, Tomage. I heard you’re doing pretty well lately.”

At a tavern in the royal capital’s central district where adventurers gather, Tomage and his two companions were having dinner while drinking. It was when a red-faced veteran adventurer came over holding a mug in one hand.

He sat down at the empty fourth chair without asking and kept talking. He breathed out a stench of alcohol.

“I hear the big shots at the Adventurers’ Guild are already saying, ‘The next A-rank adventurer is Tomage’!”

Tomage scratched his red hair with an embarrassed look.

“That again? Geez, those old guys sure love gossip.”

“Hey! Don’t get cocky! Look happier about it! You’re not cute at all!”

The veteran adventurer grumbled. He then chugged down some ale. His face turned even redder.

“Well, I’ll be promoted to A-rank soon enough. The title of youngest A-rank adventurer doesn’t sound bad.”

“Man, youth sure is nice! So full of dreams! I’ve been stuck at C-rank forever!”

“That’s ‘cause you’re weak, old man!”

“You little…! You said it! Now buy me a drink!”

Tomage and his two companions drank cheerfully with the veteran adventurer.

“By the way, are you guys joining the Western Forest investigation team?”

“Ah, the one that’s a joint request from the Adventurers’ Guild and the Kingdom? Yeah, I plan to join. The Western Forest has definitely been acting weird lately. It’s about time we figure out the cause.”

Tomage answered the veteran adventurer’s question with a serious expression.

“There’s a rumor that a Demon King has been born, you know?”

“Well, then that’s perfect. I don’t know what kind of monster it’s based on, but I’ll take it down and jump straight to A-rank.”

“Oh, you said it! I’m counting on you, alright? If that really happens, I’m telling everyone ‘I trained Tomage’!”

After draining his mug again, the veteran adventurer ordered a refill.

“Old man, you’re drinking too much. Seriously… that’s why you’re stuck at C-rank.”

“You bastard! There are things you can and can’t say!”

“Well, that one’s kind of fair, though.”

“True!”

They all laughed happily.

In the end, the four of them made a ruckus until the tavern closed.

#

“…Yo, Roger. Got any meat on you? I’m seriously low on stock. I’ll take anything, just sell me something?”

While I was walking down Central Avenue, a rough-looking guy suddenly slid up to me, grabbed my arm, and whispered in my ear. It looked exactly like some shady deal going down.

“…Hey. Don’t whisper. It’s gross.”

“…Don’t say that, come on… Sell me some… You’ve got it, right…”

He looked like some addict going through withdrawal. Passersby were starting to avoid us.

“…This isn’t the place. Let’s go somewhere with fewer people.”

“…Got it.”

I took the meat bun shop owner into a back alley. No one was around.

“What kind of meat do you want?”

“Something people won’t die from eating.”

“That’s a messed-up standard. Don’t you have any pride as a cook?”

“None. I’m a meat bun seller, you know?”

He acted weirdly self-important.

“Alright, gimme the meat.”

“Don’t rush.”

I swung the backpack I was carrying to the front. And while imagining a certain monster, I took out some meat.

“Ohh! That’s some nice lean red meat. What is it?”

“No idea. I don’t know either.”

“Eh, whatever. Just sell me as much as’ll fit in this bag.”

Saying that, the shop owner pulled out a big black bag. I shoved the monster meat into the bag and received some cash.

He slung the black bag over his shoulder, said “You saved me.” And he ran back to his store.

“That guy’s always in a hurry.”

“I saw that.”

Suddenly, a man’s voice came from behind me. I turned around, clenching my fists.

“Wah! Don’t hit me!”

“Oh, it’s you. Boomer.”

The one who called out to me was the huge adventurer Boomer. He was wearing a tight tank top and black leather pants. He looked like a total pervert. Definitely the type who’d work at a gay escort service.

“Roger, what kind of meat did you give the meat bun guy?”

“Centaur.”

“Huh!? Is Centaur meat even edible? I mean, there’s no way you can eat that!”

Boomer squirmed at the thought.

“I thought so too. So I never ate it and just kept it in my bag. But the meat bun guy really wanted it, so I sold it.”

“Ugh. I’m not eating any more of his meat buns for a while…”

Boomer covered his mouth, looking sick. Seeing that made me feel nauseous too. I should head home.

“Hey, Roger! Don’t make such a disgusted face and just walk away silently!”

“Boomer, your face is gross. I’m going home.”

“Don’t insult people so openly!”

What a demanding guy.

“So, what did you want?”

“It’s not a big deal. But since I saw you, I thought I’d tell you something.”

Boomer gave a suspicious-looking smile.

“Roger. You haven’t been to the Western Forest lately, right? Something interesting is going on there.”

Something interesting?

“Like if you step into the forest, your junk splits in two?”

“What’s funny about that!? Your way of thinking is scary!”

“That’s the kind of stuff you usually find funny, right?”

“What kind of image do you have of me!? Geez!”

Boomer puffed up in anger. He’s gross even when he’s mad.

“So, what’s going on?”

“Actually… There’s a possibility that a Demon King has appeared deep in the Western Forest.”

“Hoo…”

A Demon King. That’s the final form of a monster blessed by the Evil God. Depending on the base monster, it can be extremely dangerous for humans.

“That’s… interesting.”

“Right?”

Boomer grinned proudly.

“The Kingdom and the Adventurers’ Guild have apparently issued a joint investigation request. They’re gathering some pretty strong people. So if the Demon King was just born, it might get defeated easily.”

“I see…”

A Demon King is undoubtedly a rare monster. Rare monster materials often have special effects. In other words, perfect for a gift to give my idol!

“Roger, you’ve always gathered rare monster info, right? So I thought I’d tell you.”

“That helps.”

“Don’t mention it. We’re from the same cohort, after all.”

Saying “Ah, I’m late for work,” Boomer left. Apparently, he was on his way to his job.

I was left alone in the alley.

“Guess the next gift’ll be the Demon King.”

Leaving behind a muttered whisper too quiet for anyone to hear, I started moving toward my target.