Chapter 37

Zich and Hans pushed their way down the mountain road. Hans dragged a sledbehind him,and because the sled kept getting tangled into bushes and trees, he had to liftitup most of the time. The sled was heavy withorc corpses, and Hans muscles screamedathim to stop.His manawas also atrock bottom, but Hans was happyto be done with his training.

How was it today?Zich asked as he sliced a small tree blocking their path. The usual self-reflection time began. It wasdifficultto drag the sled while thinking about the days ordeals simultaneously, but Hans was used to it now.

I think I did pretty well today.

Then, are you saying you passed?

N-No, sir!

When I fought the first orc, I didnt properly swing my ax.My wrist ached for a while from that shock and messed up my swings later on. And when I fought that fourthorc, I didnt properly spacethedistance betweenmy attacks. I took an unnecessary extra half-step, so my ax almost split in half.

And?

Hans tried to recallmore mistakesinhis battles, but he couldnt think of anythingelse.

I-I dont know, sir,Hans answeredwith discouragement. Zich didnt talk for a moment, and Hansmadefurtive glances at Zich.

Well, there are some more things, but you passed. I think you noticed the big things.

Hans breathed a big sigh of relief.

Then, is there no additional training today?

Man, why do you hate training so much? Its not even hard.

Hans bit his lips hardto try to notsay anything.

Your generous master is simply trying to grant your wish. I thought you wanted to be like thoseheroes in storybooks. If thats the case, the quickest andbestway to achieve that goal is toreceive training fromme.

Hans sighed that he had accidentally confessedhisdreamto Zichunder the influence of alcohol.

If you want to be a hero, you have to have power first. Then you can beat up bad guys and laugh in your glory.

Zich explained his version of a hero to Hans. Hans expression showed that heseemed to disagree with Zich, but Zich continued,You have to get power foremost. You can think about becoming a hero or a villain afterward. If you go through my training, you will at least beone of thetop five strongest in the world.

Hans thought Zich was exaggerating. He knew that Zich was strong and amazing, but he didnt think that Zich was strong enough to be thestrongestin the world. Thus, he didnt realize how Zichs words were based on experience and had great credibility.

Of course, no matter how much you work, you will never be able to beat a mega-genius like me.

As usual, the day ended withZichcomplimenting himself, and Hans pouted. They walked while conversing some more, and soon, the trees and bushes that blocked their path disappeared. An ashy, gray-colored floor without a single grass patch greeted them.

We have already come this far?Zich murmured.

Although they couldnt see trees and grass anymore, Zich and Hans were still on a high altitudebedrock of a tall mountain.It wasa siteinthe center of the city of Suolcalled theIruceMine.

They heard anoisenearby.The sun was slowly setting, and they saw a trail of people comingdown. Thepeoplewere miners who seemed to have finished their days work.

Huh? Isnt that Zich?

One of the miners, a young man, covered from head to toe in dirt, acted like he knew Zich. He was a man who hadnoticeableveinspopping out ofhis forearms.

Hey, Sam!

Zich waved his arms, and the man named Sam trudged towards Zich with a pickaxe on his shoulders. Sams eyes immediatelymovedto the sled with a pile oforcs.

You guys must have worked hard today. Sodiligent.

I betnot as much as a miner.

The two snickered at each other, and Hans watched them in astonishment. From what he knew, Zich had befriended Sam recently. This was surprising since Zich was of noble birth and had been a successor to a high-status family. Even if many had protested against his succession, Zich was still a noble; thus, there was a vast difference in status between miners like Sam and a noble like Zich. Yet, Zich didnt seem to avoid befriending someone like Sam at all.

He is mysterious in many ways.

Hans stared at Zichs back as the two conversed happily.

You caught a lot today. Where did you catch them?

Its a three-hour walk from here.

Sams face stiffened. Other miners also perked their ears.

Three hours?

Yeah. But since we can use mana, we walk faster than you and move well even on a rough road. With your speed, it will probably take you at least six to nine hours.

Damn it!These monsters arestill too close.

Sam looked at the sled again.

And its also anorc! I dont know about goblins, butorcs are too much!

Its too much for me too.

How can we beat anorc?

With Sams words, the miners eachaddedin their comments. Their workplace, the IruceMine, was close to the area, but Zich said that he found monsterswithin a nine-hour walking distance. Furthermore, it wasnt even a weak monster like a goblin but anorc.

When is the nextMonster Sweep?

Next month.

Cant they move the date forward?

How can we decide on that? The higher-ups decide the date, and its not something that we have a sayin.

But there must be something that we cando. Its a serious problem that there are alreadymonsters near thisarea.

How did they take care of problems like this before?

The miners began to have a serious debate, and Sam also scratched his head roughly.

Damn it! The mine is already in a mess even without this to worry about!

Is there something going on? Zich asked.

When wewentto the minesthismorning, our stored goodsweremissing orwere ina mess.

Maybe you imagined it, or a beast got to it.

No, its really notourimagination. We checked many times, and we also thought it was a beast at first, but people are worried that monsters arecoming closer to usat a fasterratethan usual.

Even if monsters appeared here, I dont think they would loiter near the mines.

If thats the case,I would be happy. Maybe its really theworkof a beast. Or the works of a Mine Monster.

A Mine Monster?

Its an old story that has been passed down in Suol since a long time ago.

Sam looked behind him. His colleagues were still talking to each other with serious expressions on their faces.

Lets talk about that later. This is a quite serious matter, so I must participate in this debate. And ah, thank you for the information.

Then buy me a drink later.

If its not too expensive.

Sam joined his colleagues in a hurry.

It must be a pretty serious matter.

Hans didnt realize that theorcs that he caught by merely following Zichs orders would escalate into such a serious and important issue. To Hans, whowas justbeginningto gain battleexperiencebyfightingorcs, it was difficult to think that far ahead.

Everyone has their own troubles. We just have to take care of ourtroubles. Letscontinuemoving.

At Zichs words, Hans grabbed the sled handle again.

Um

Zich and Hans heard a hesitant and shy voice, and they turned their heads toward the noise. There were three miners who didnt look much different from Sam; they were covered in a cloud of dirt and looked relatively young.One of the menlooked a couple of years younger than Zich.

Are you adventurers?

Adventurerthe young mans voice was full ofromanticismat this word, as if he was describing the main character of a storybook who explored dungeons in unknown places, subjugated dragons, and saved beautiful princesses. However, that was just a fairytale.

In reality, most adventurersteetered ona thin line between a gambler and a thug; they wandered around, dreaming of strikingrichfrom one journey. They werent full of justice like the way storybooks portrayed them to be, and most of them became bandits due to financial problems. Thus, many people didnt look at adventurers favorably. However, the miner who asked Zich and Hans if they were adventurers seemed likehestill believed in storybooks.

No, we are not.

Although they wandered around the world without any plans, Zich and Hans were still far from adventurers.

I heard that you guys are traveling the world

The young man glanced at the miners who were still debating. His eyes were on Sam, and it seemedas if theyoung man had heard this news from him.

That is true, but who are you?

Ah! I forgot to introduce myself. I am Snoc.

I am Zich.

Could Iperhaps hearabout your travels? the young man asked with eyes full of admirationsincehe couldnt achieve his goals.

Hey, Snoc! What are you doing? We have to go now!

I have to ask this person something!

Stop talking nonsense! Those people also have to get on with their work! Why are you bothering them when the sun is almost setting?Sam shouted. Perhaps Snoc also thought he was acting like a nuisance,andhe backed off while looking regretful.

If I meet you next time, I would really like to hear about your travels. Please, I beg you.

Then Snoc hurriedly joined the rest of the miners and walked down the mountain. Zich stared at the distant group of miners and struck Hans shoulders.

Lets go too.

Hans grabbed the sleds handle.

* * *

Zich and Hans stayed in Suol for a while and trained. Hans skills improved at a pace that would shockanyone; however, his development speed was nothing compared to Zichs.

Ziiing!

The mana circulated smoothlyin Zichs body. His body, which used to creak whenever the manaoverflowed, had no problems now. ThenZich tried to halt his mana and dramatically increase it to its maximum.

Twitch!

Zichs body trembled slightly, and he stopped the flow of mana.

I need a bit more time.

It wouldnt take him too long.

I wont be too late.

The day that a great catastrophe wouldbefallSuol was drawing closer. Zich felt like he could finish preparations before then.

Push!

While Zich was thinking this, Hans, who was hunting monsters like usual, chopped up anorc. Like how Zich was almost used to his power, Hans was getting used to his monster hunting. Thesunwas starting to set, and Zich shouted while Hans loaded someorc corpses onto the sled,Lets go!

They went down the mountain and went to the Monster Exterminatorbranch store. It was located a bit far away from the city because they couldnt have built a store, where monster corpses went in and out, near where people lived.

Hey, you are here today too.

A rough, bandit-looking middle-aged man welcomed them. He was the branch manager named Paul Chenu.

How many did you catch today?

Sixorcs andthreegoblins.

Zich answered, and Paul Chenu scowled.

Damn it! They are increasing. Where did you find them?

Around a six-hour walk by a normal persons standards.

That was almost rightaroundthe corner, and Paul Chenu nodded.

Urgh! I am so glad I called those guys.

Those guys?

Yeah. I called some skilled adventurers and mercenaries this time. Themonster sweepis going to be next month even though the monsters are coming close. Since we cant close the mine down, we have to solve this problem independently.

At that moment, someone came inside the store.

He is one of them.

Paul Chenu pointed sideways with his chin.

A heavily armored man stood in front of the stores entrance. His crooked posture and mannerismslookedunfriendly.

Hey Drew! You finally came?

Paul Chenu welcomed him with his arm raised, but the man, Uljon Drew, nodded his head slightly.The manwas obviously rude, but Paul Chenu just shrugged his shoulders. In his field of work, there were many guys with terrible personalities.

Well, that guy is among the worst though.

Of course, Paul Chenu didnt say this thought out loud.

Did you catch many today?

Drew took out something from his clutches; it was a small box the size of his palm.The boxseemed like it was made from wooden material, and strange symbols decorated its surface. He opened the box. Something jumped out and fell to the ground.

Drop!

It was heavy.Considering the box's size, the sound was loud, butonlookers could understand why when theyrealizedwhat the object was. The thing seemed way too big to have come out of the small box.

Its an artifact.

Zich told Hans whose eyeswidened in surprise.

That thing is?

By the looks of it, its an item that can store goods no matter the volume or weight. Among artifacts, its a pretty common type. Of course, that doesnt make it less rare.

Hans looked back and forth between the box and the thing that fell out of it.

Does that count as an item?

What came out of the box weremonster corpses. Most of the bodies wereorcs and goblins, but corpses of medium-level monsters like trolls were mixed in. Therewerea considerable number of corpses.

A corpse can be totally counted as an item. Its only a living creature whenthe creature isalive. When its dead, whatisitmorethan a piece of meat? Its the same for a human corpse.

Hans scowled with intense disgust.

He is amazing as ever.

Paul Chenu examined the monster's corpses and expressed his awe. However, hedidntend it with just admiration.

But where were these monsters? Especially the trolls. Do you think they will appear near the city or the mines in a months time?

This was very important. The difference betweenlow-level monsters like goblins andorcs and mid-level monsters liketrolls werehuge. For the citys safety, he had to identify the situation clearly. However, like he couldnt be bothered, Drew glanced at Paul Chenu once and turned his head.

Figure out the sum and prepare it by evening.

And then he strutted out of the store.

Uh, huh? Hey! Hey, Drew!Paul Chenu called the man urgently, but Drew left without even turning back.

How can there be a person like that?

Why?

In comparison to Hans who was astounded, Zich looked indifferent.

I mean, isnt his attitude too rude, sir?

Why are you overreacting? That much is cute.

In comparison topeoplewho pulled out a persons spine for not concentrating on what they said,orgougeda persons eye for glaring at them, or slicedoff a persons head for not liking the way they looked, Drews behavior wassimilartoa childs tantrum.

Moreover, youre not even the one affected by his behavior. I dont think he committed a sin big enough for me to kill him in the name of doing a good deed.

Sir,if that person showed the same attitude to you, howwouldyou react?

Hans askedthis since Zich said, Youre not even the one whosaffected.

Idcrack his skull open. Isnt that obvious?

As expected, Zich was Zich.

Or is that not living a kind life? No, you should at least be prepared to have your head cracked if you pick a fight with someone.Um, then that will definitely make me faultlesssince its self-defense. I guessI wont have any problems then.

Yes, that was right. Hans gave up on understanding Zichs way of thinking and quietly acceptedhis fate.