The Exiled Knight Takes Up Life as an Adventurer — A Former Captain's Secret Power and His Carefree Days in a Distant Land - Chapter 21

It had been a week since I received the new Thread Spool Raphil.

And I’d spent every day since in non-stop training.

Today, I was back in the Kaen Forest from early morning, continuing my practice.

“It really does look just like a gauntlet, huh.”

I glanced down at the Thread Spool Raphil mounted on my right arm.

According to Leashe, this version was designed to be operated with finger movements, which is why she made it in gauntlet form.

It even offered decent protection as armor.

“The controls were easier than I expected.”

To fire the Threadfil, I clenched my fist.

While doing that, I rotated my wrist inward while tucking in my thumb—this activated the firing mechanism.

Since no one normally clenches their thumb like that, it’s safe from accidental activation.

To retract the thread, I flicked my thumb outward and turned my wrist the opposite way.

The movements were a bit unusual, but the automatic firing and retraction were surprisingly convenient.

I had already mastered aiming and shooting the Threadfil at a target.

But I wasn’t stopping there—I’d also discovered and practiced new ways to use it.

I fired the Threadfil overhead, wrapping it around a branch.

Once the thread latched on, I activated the retraction.

The ultra-strong Threadfil, made from the silk of the fanged spider Denefis, easily hoisted my adult body into the air.

Using that momentum, I landed smoothly on the branch.

“I used to only think of this thread as a tool for binding enemies… but now, it’s also a way to move around.”

I fired again toward a different branch and moved from one to another, almost like swinging.

“Oh, hey. A white pomelo Toruhi tree.”

I spotted a Toruhi tree a little ways ahead, its branches heavy with large fruit.

I fired the Threadfil at one of the fruits and pulled it toward me.

“It’s not just for restraining enemies. I can use it to move, collect things… Leashe really made something incredible.”

I wrapped the Threadfil around a lower branch and lowered myself down from the tree.

“Alright, time to try this next.”

I pulled a wooden case from my bag.

Inside were various metal attachments—hooks, harpoons, weights, iron balls—all neatly stored.

The tip of the Threadfil had a small ring, and the attachments connected via a small clasp.

I chose a tiny iron ball, about the size of a candy, and connected it to the Threadfil.

I fired it at a nearby tree trunk.

A sharp cracking sound echoed as the iron ball slammed into the trunk, embedding itself into the wood.

“This kind of power is insane… Leashe said it could take someone’s head off, and she wasn’t joking. I’d better be careful.”

I sat down on a nearby rock to take a break.

I peeled the pomelo fruit I had collected and took a bite.

Its sweet and tangy balance was perfect—refreshing and appetite-boosting.

“Toruhi pomelo in this season is just the best.”

That fruit served as my lunch, and I kept training until sundown.

—

“Phew… I’ve got full control now.”

I packed up my gear and left the Kaen Forest.

On the way home, I stopped by the market to buy dinner ingredients.

“Time to make dinner, I guess.”

Not that I could actually cook.

I just cut the meat and vegetables I bought and threw them into a pot.

Seasoned it with salt and pepper—nothing fancy.

Calling it “cooking” was a stretch.

“Now, where’s the salt… oh, over there.”

I reached for the salt jar a bit further away and, out of habit, clenched my fist and turned my wrist.

“Oops. It’s become muscle memory. Hahaha.”

Without thinking, I had performed the Threadfil’s firing motion.

A full week of daily training from morning till night had burned it into my body.

“Guess that means I’m good to go. Maybe I’ll take on a quest tomorrow.”

I grabbed the salt by hand and finished my improvised meat-and-veggie soup.

—

The next morning, I dropped by the Adventurers’ Guild.

I stood in front of the quest board, browsing for something suitable.

“I want to test out the new Thread Spool Raphil. A simple quest would be ideal…”

I muttered to myself as I scanned the D-rank section.

“Sigh… Mardin, you’re checking out the low-rank quests again?”

A tired, exasperated voice called from behind me.

It was Palma, one of the Guild staff.

“Hey, Palma.”
“Where the hell have you been this past week?”
“Had some things to take care of.”
“Uh-huh. Well, fine. Actually, I’ve got a quest I want you to take.”
“For me?”
“Yeah, it’s a gathering quest.”
“Gathering, huh?”

Out of all the quest types, gathering quests are considered the easiest.

That’s why they’re usually ranked D or below.

As a C-rank adventurer, I’m allowed to accept lower-ranked quests, but it tends to raise eyebrows.

“Aren’t people gonna complain if a C-rank like me takes a D-rank quest?”
“Normally, yeah. But this one’s actually a C-rank gathering quest.”
“A gathering quest at C-rank? What’s the catch?”
“It’s for a mushroom that only grows this time of year.”
“Mushroom? You mean… mushrooms?”
“Do you know any other kind of mushroom?”
“Well, no… but still, a mushroom hunt that’s C-rank?”
“Here. Take a look at this.”

Palma pulled out a sheet of paper.