Elfaria Chapter 5

005. Choices and Decisions

　Despite the unexpected mishap, I recovered some strength after a good night's sleep.

　I bought a sandwich from a stall and after satisfying my hunger, I headed for the guild's reception desk. And,...

「Hannah-san. I have a question――I wonder if "exterminating demonic beasts" is profitable after all?」

　When I said this with a serious face, Hannah-san looked a little surprised.

「It depends on the degree―but if it goes well, there is no doubt that you can make a lot of money. Even if they are pests like "normal slimes" or "big rats".」

　Hannah says that even if the beasts are generally regarded as "pests," the fact remains that they are dangerous creatures that can harm people, and in some cases, they can cause irreparable damage.

「We, as a guild, would like you to be proactive in exterminating demonic beasts if possible. Because of the danger to their lives, "Busters" are the most popular members of the guild, and some guilds and military forces formally request Busters to take down monsters. Also, most of the guild members go out without being commissioned and bring back a crystal stone to prove it.」

「Crystal stone?」

　I suddenly heard an unfamiliar word. I asked for an explanation.

「Crystal stone is a general term for a "Crystalline body of Force". It is sometimes mined from mines like gemstones, but most of them are produced from inside the body of a demonic beast. It is also a vital point. And crystal stones vary in color, shape, size, and force―If you run them through an appraisal machine, you can tell to some extent which demonic beast they were taken from and calculate their prices, etc.」 [TLN: Force is equivalent to magic power]

　Crystal stones are used to make new kinds of crystal products that have recently started to be distributed, and they also have a wide range of other uses, including research, synthesis, and as materials.

「However, as Yuuto-san said yesterday, exterminating demonic beasts is very dangerous. You are always next to death, and if you are seriously injured, your life will end there. Besides, there are only a few people who do nothing but exterminate demonic beasts. Most people collect medicinal herbs and fruits along the way to supplement their earnings.」

　With luck and ability, there is a "possibility" of making more money than if you work safely in the city― I was suddenly motivated, but...

「I'm going to give it a try for now, but do you have any advice?」

「There is some advice, but.....Yuuto-san, who is level 1, are you going to exterminate the magic beast alone?」

「Murh.」

　I couldn't help but let out a groan when she said that.

「Is it really suicide, after all?」

「Let me be clear. But we respect the individual will and freedom. If Yuuto-san says, "I want to do it no matter what!", we can't stop you, and whatever happens, will ultimately be "your responsibility".」

　It's a good argument, a very good argument.

　There is not even a millimeter of room for rebuttal.

「Isn't there something like a "trial request"? A request to make a reckless person like me understand a little bit about reality?」

「There's no such thing as a convenient request―though, I would like to say that」

「Oh?」

　I raised my voice at the obviously unexpected response.

「In fact, there is a request that the guild issues regularly to "exterminate vermin" in the underground waterways. As you may know, there are many underground waterways in Hanaria, and it is said that some of them are connected to the outside world, such as Hanaria Bay.」

「Naturally, slimes and big rats and other demonic beasts also appear, so you clean up them regularly?」

「Yes. But it is a very unpopular request, and if I may give my personal opinion, I think it is 'not worth' it. There is some risk of death, and since there are few patrolmen or guards coming and going, criminals and others may be hiding. In the unlikely event of an emergency......」

「Mumumumu....」

　It's a pretty troubling situation.

　If I were to do some honest luggage carrying without rushing, I would be able to save money without any danger.

　But that won't help me achieve my goal anytime soon, and I don't know if I'll ever become strong...... like raising my level.

(I was ― even though I was forcibly transferred to another world, Elfaria, do I still intend to lead the same life here as "before"?)

　I wake up in the morning, go to school, have a chat with my friends, go to my part-time job, go home and go to bed.

　It's an unchanging, boring life.

　I don't mean to say that this is "wrong" or "bad", but was I born to do such things?

「Am I trying my best to live in this "now" moment?」

　After a long struggle,

「...... Hannah-san. Please let me take the "Exterminating Vermin in the Underground Waterways" course. Please.」

　I said with strong determination and Hannah-san stared at me.......Eventually, after a loud sigh, she said, 

「Now let me tell you about the details and so on, so please listen to me properly.」

　I replied with a loud "Okay!" and then listened to Hannah's explanation.

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