The Banished Villainous Noble Son Who Was Used as a Stepping Stone in the Original Work Awakens to Combat and Destroys the Laws of the World - Episode 8: Combat in the Name of Earning Money

Episode 8: Combat in the Name of Earning Money

Morning—I woke up in the same inn room as last night and checked the contents of my wallet again.

One silver coin and one copper coin.

Since I planned to stay here a while, I paid the innkeeper fourteen copper coins for today’s room fee—

“You’re such a good boy. Here, breakfast is included too,”

—she said with a small smile.

What was served: freshly baked black bread, a fried egg, and slightly salty soup.

While slowly eating it in the corner of the dining hall, I thought to myself again:

(—These clothes. That should come first.)

After that, I stopped by a clothing store near the inn and picked out some adventurer gear that was easy to move in: a plain gray-brown leather jacket, sturdy pants, and light boots. The total cost—65 copper coins.

(…They’re cheap. But the mobility and durability are decent. This’ll do just fine.)

I thought, shaking the now much lighter pouch with only 22 copper coins left inside.

I wasn’t about to go out adventuring still dressed like a noble. Even just walking around town, I stood out too much—and yesterday was enough of that.

So I folded my noble formalwear and left it in a corner of the inn room. I probably wouldn’t be using it again.

Wearing my new outfit, I headed for the guild. The sun was already high. And the adventurers on the street were lively and energetic.

—As I stepped through the guild’s doors, the morning’s bustle and heat clung to my skin.

Inside, long lines of adventurers had already formed at the various reception counters.

I joined the line. And after what felt like ten minutes, I finally made it to the counter—where the same receptionist from yesterday was waiting.

“Oh—good morning, Alphonse-san. You’re looking especially sharp today.”

“Ah, yes. Good morning…?”

Was she complimenting my new outfit?

Maybe so. Yesterday, I was still dressed like a walking nobleman billboard. So this outfit probably felt much more familiar to her.

“Here’s today’s quest list.”

She handed over a list of available requests. I cross-referenced it with the “knowledge” I had. I was looking for the most efficient way to earn money.

(—Ironhorn Boar. How about that?)

Ironhorn Boar. As the name suggests, it’s a boar with ridiculously hard horns—hard as iron. That also makes its attacks powerful, but… its attacks are linear.

If I stay alert, I should be able to dodge them.

Because its attacks are straight-line charges, it’s easy to evade—making it a good monster for acquiring the “Evasion Boost” skill.

Also, when it’s defeated, it drops an item called “Iron Horn”. If memory serves, you can sell one for 25 copper coins at the shop.

“If I defeat this ‘Ironhorn Boar,’ I’ll get ‘Iron Horns’… How much are they worth per piece?”

“Let’s see… It depends on the condition, but it’s usually around 25 copper coins each.”

I see—so the shop pays about the same. Then this will be my pick.

I’m lucky this one was listed under an F-rank request.

“All right, I’ll take this one.”

“Let me confirm… Yes, the location is the ‘Verdant Mist Prairie’. We received a report this morning about damage caused by an Ironhorn Boar. So please be careful and don’t push yourself.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“…Are you really going to be okay?”

Was she genuinely worried about me? I wasn’t sure, but the receptionist pressed the point.

But in the game, the Ironhorn Boar—like the Miasma Rat from yesterday—was one of the monsters that appeared early on. Practically a tutorial-level enemy.

Still, after yesterday’s Miasma Rat incident, I understood something:

This world isn’t the same as the game.

Enemies genuinely try to kill you. And there’s no such thing as player buffs or plot armor.

And yet—no, because of that—I felt drawn to the challenge.

(If there’s a “battle” waiting, then it’s worth stepping into.)

Originally, I should’ve been focused on earning money… but somehow, once I feel like I get to fight, my priorities always get swapped around. I’m not even sure why anymore.

“I’ll be fine.”

“…Is that so? Okay, then. I’ll process this now.”

Perhaps because I answered so casually, the receptionist looked off into the distance as she quickly finished the paperwork.

I remembered the Miasma Rat from yesterday—

This time, I’d be fighting something that moves.

It’s a boar, after all. Excluding status effects, its danger level was definitely higher.

Leaving the guild, I walked along the main road out of town. The wind outside was stronger than yesterday.

“Phew…”

(I may be doing this to earn money… but I’m heading out there to fight.)

Even though I thought it through calmly last night—

Breathing the morning air, feeling my body move like this—

I couldn’t help it.

A thrill bubbled up from deep inside.

Excitement.

Elation.

A blazing sense of anticipation.

(I get to fight again… I get to “fight” again.)

I almost let a smile slip out—but I held it in.

Just the thought of a real fight lit a fire in me—

How different this was from last night.

◆

By the time I arrived at the Verdant Mist Prairie, the sun was directly overhead.

In the shadows swaying faintly beyond the tall grass—

“…It’s here.”

With heavy thuds that shook the ground, the Ironhorn Boar appeared.

A solid mass of muscle.

Coarse gray fur, as hard as steel.

Two horns jutted from its forehead. They were glinting in the sunlight.

(That’s the “Iron Horn.” Just by looking at it, you can tell—getting impaled by that would be fatal. But, if its attacks are linear—)

It definitely noticed me. The boar snorted and gave a visible shudder.

—Do I take it down fast? Or do I go for the “Evasion Boost” skill first, then defeat it?

Two options lay before me.

My senses sharpened.

It was as if the boar’s movements were in slow motion.

This monster is basically a tutorial-grade enemy.

Then maybe I should treat it like a tutorial—acquire the “Evasion Boost” skill first.

I’ll dodge without drawing my sword.

That’ll polish my body movements—and more importantly, give me something to look forward to when testing my “Swordsmanship” skill later…

Sounds fun.

With that convenient justification in place, I stepped forward without readying my sword—

Straight into the Ironhorn Boar’s charging path!

――――――――――

Thank you so much for reading this far!

Lately I’ve started receiving a few comments and messages of support—it really keeps me going!

Huge thanks to all of you who are reading!

(Here’s the link if you want to support the Author: https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176303375188.)