Zara's Bonus
“Hey, Sarah, do you have a boyfriend?”
As he said that, the jutting-jaw man Jarkul took Sarah’s hand.
“No, I don’t.”
Sarah gently pulled her hand away as she replied.
“For real!? Even though you’re this cute? Are the people in Lampail blind or what?”
As he reached for her shoulder since the hand didn’t work—clang! There was a loud noise, and when everyone looked toward the sound, Ben was standing up. Arthur and Mike, sitting on either side of him, said:
“Hey now, calm down. It’s fine, it’s fine. Later, okay?”
“Haha, man, you’re freaking out too much.”
They called out to Ben.
Huh? What’s wrong with Ben?
Is he drunk?
“Then, what kind of guy do you like, Sarah?”
“Let’s see~ Someone kind, funny, and stronger than me, I guess. Like an S-Ranker in this guild.”
“Then that’s perfect for me, right? I’m about to be an S-Ranker.”
Huh? Is Jut-Jaw drunk too?
Sarah clearly said “an S-Ranker in Lampail’s guild.” What makes a B-Ranker from the capital guild think he’s “about to be” S-Rank? Besides, the capital’s S-Rank is about the same as A-Rank here.
You’re the one who’s deaf.
“Sarah, want to come to the capital with me? I’ll show you around~”
“But I’ve got work…”
“Come on, you can make more money in the capital than in this backwater. You became an adventurer because the jobs here pay so poorly, right?”
“No, that’s not it. I became an adventurer to relieve stress or rather, to get some exercise.”
“Stress relief? Hmm, so you’ve been under stress, huh. That kind of invitation’s not bad either~”
Hey, Jut-Jaw! Quit smirking!!
Sarah relieves stress because she doesn’t usually get to go wild!! Don’t look at our combat maid with those lewd eyes!!
“Jarkul, that’s enough already. You’ve had too much to drink!!”
Kinuta, the raccoon-man who hadn’t joined in much and had just been drinking quietly, said with a menacing tone.
“M-my bad, Kinuta.”
Jarkul scratched his head and pulled his body away from Sarah.
“Sorry about that~ He gets really persistent when he drinks.”
He apologized with a cheerful smile, a total change from earlier.
“We should probably head home soon. Right, Sarah?”
“Y-yeah. You’re right.”
“It’s dark out, so I’ll walk you home.”
Saying that, Kinuta quickly called over the waiter and paid the bill. Looking around, more than half the seats had emptied out without them noticing.
“Okay, bill’s settled. Let’s go.”
“Okay. Thanks for the meal~”
By the time they stepped outside, it was past the seventh bell, and the surroundings had grown dark.
“Which way is your house?”
“That way.”
She pointed in the opposite direction from the mansion. The way she pointed led toward the marketplace and shops, and beyond that, a residential area where commoners lived. Of course, in that direction were dim backstreets and, according to testimony from previous victims—thankfully all only attempts—an abandoned house they were dragged into.
As the six of us walked together, a voice called out.
“Hey there, young lady. How about some flowers? Your mom will love a souvenir.”
It was Zara, the old granny who ran the flower shop, and the wife of Old Tom.
“Oh, I’ll buy some~ … Then I’ll take that mini-bouquet, please?”
“Thanks for your purchase~”
Along with the bouquet, she slipped something into Sarah’s hand. Making sure no one noticed, Sarah peeked at it—it was a cutely wrapped piece of candy.
“A little bonus for a sweet young lady like you. Don’t drop it, alright? This is my husband’s special ‘Picker’—so bright and delicious it’ll dazzle you.”
Zara said with a wink.
“Thank you. I’ll eat it later.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting~”
“Glad you got a souvenir. Let’s get going.”
After a bit more walking, Sharl said:
“If you’re heading to that residential area, there’s a shortcut this way~”
“Oh really? I’m surprised you know that, even though you’re from the capital.”
“I love wandering around unknown towns and looking for shortcuts~”
Guided by Sharl, we entered a back alley. Up ahead was that very same abandoned house.
“Hm? Didn’t you hear something?”
Sharl said, and everyone stopped and strained their ears—but heard nothing.
“I don’t hear anything.”
“No, no, I totally heard something~ Maybe from that abandoned house? Let’s go check it out.”
“Eh, that’s scary…”
Sarah clung to me and handed me one of the candies from Zara.
“It’s okay. I’ll protect you.”
“We’re here too. Don’t worry, don’t worry.”
Saying that, Sharl led the way into the abandoned house.
After a moment, from inside:
“Waaah!”
They heard Sharl scream.
“‘Eh?’” ““Sharl!?””
“Alright! Let’s go save Sharl. Joan, Sarah, help us out.”
Jarkul said, and Baird and Kinuta pushed us from behind with a loud “yeah!” As we entered the pitch-dark house, something like a handkerchief was pressed over our mouths and noses from behind.
This is bad, I thought, and tried to throw Zara’s candy with what little strength I had left. I couldn’t manage it, so instead I dropped it at my feet and, stumbling, stepped on it.
Then, a dazzling light burst forth, illuminating the abandoned house. The assailants in the darkness were blinded by the sudden light.
“Ugh, it’s so bright…!”
“What the hell did this brat do!?”
“Damn it, I can’t see a thing!”
“Ugh… my eyes, my eyes…!”
As the attackers let go of us but Sarah and I collapsed. As my body fell in slow motion, I thought, This is going to hurt, but I landed on something fluffy and bouncy—wait, no, that’s Pearl.
—Thanks, Pearl. What about Sarah?
—She’s fine. She’s just pretending, she’s still conscious. Also, Nancy just opened the door, so Ben and the others are coming in now.
—Okay, good… I’m sorry… I can’t… anymore…
I exchanged thoughts with Pearl… and lost consciousness.
What do you think about this chapter?
