Chapter 179 – The adventures of a lower class former hero [Part 4]

I left the forest to find some information. 

As expected, this is another continent beyond the open sea.
The people who live here seem to have high levels, something I can tell with only a small glance. 

In addition, humans are being treated as slaves.

Is not a good sight as a human, but thinking about it better, it’s strange that they aren’t dominated by another superior race.
In that way, it’s kinda “relaxing”.

It was more a matter of mood than anything else, and it didn’t matter to me.

“Hey, you’re that Aide fellow I heard about, aren’t you?”

I was having a drink in a bar when a stranger called out to me.

This is common these days.
I was now a bit of a celebrity as a solo adventurer. 

“What is it?”

“Would you like to work for us for a while?”

“…How many members?”

“There they are.”

I turned from the counter and looked at the table.
There were four men and four women. 

They are at level 200 but they don’t seem very skilled. 

Just some small fry. 

Well, I would have been stunned a little while ago, but now I’m quite used to it.
Although getting used to it is a bit scary.

“I’m not interested in…”

“You better not turn me down like that.
I know the secret of your sword, you know.”

The man looks down at my sword.

It’s covered in bandages to hide it’s identity, but it looks like these guys still took interest in it.
But I can’t let my guard down.
I still don’t know the implications of the existence of this magic sword.  

It’s an unknown land after all, it’s best to be cautious. 

“Well, you have my interest now.
Maybe we can chat a little.”

“That sword is a special magic one, isn’t it? You’ve come from the center? ”

“Center?”

“I’ll keep the magic sword thing a secret.”

The man seemed to have guessed right from my reaction.
Judging by his words, it seems that magicians are admired quite a bit.

What a hassle. 

So, it’ll be hard to make a move here, more so now that this guy knows about it.
But it’s also bad to just disappear. 

I don’t like it but… should I accept?

While I was thinking about it, a well-dressed young swordsman cut in.

“Hey, I know you.
You are the one who is always defrauding people with his companions.
If you don’t want to get dragged off by the guards, just leave.”

“Ugh! Hero Zig… Ahaha… I just remembered that I need to do something.
Seeya!”

The man stops talking and runs away from the bar with his companions.

This man, called Zig, sat beside me after the other guy left. 

“I should thank you…”

“Forget about it.
I just got rid of him because he was in my way.
You are a solitary adventurer, right?”

“And what if I am?”

“I’m thinking about recruiting you.
But I’ll have to see how good you are.”

That’s a good way to get to know the people in your area.

A level 500 Hero.
His skills stand out… no, actually there are two good ones.

‘Awareness Induction’ and ‘Seal Breaking’

Awareness Induction is only an instant ability, but it can change the subject’s superficial consciousness.
It’s basically an illusion.
It is generally recognized as a rare skill that can be used reasonably well. 

On the other hand, Seal Breaking is a skill that just does that.
The thing with it is that it can break skill seals, but it doesn’t work on the wielder.
It’s a very valuable skill and it’s very rare to find someone with it. 

I can remove the seal on my Demonic Eye of Seduction with that skill. 

Also, is this guy a beast master?

I can see the name of three beasts with my appraisal skill.

Well, that’s interesting, isn’t it? I’d love to see if I can absorb any of them.

I grinned beneath my full face helmet.

“I’m not cheap, you know.”

“Who do you think I am? I’ll pay you what you’re worth.”

That’s a lot of confidence.
I wonder if he’s an aristocrat. 

He’s very well-dressed, and although his speech and manners are rude, his every move shows his upbringing.

I don’t like him to be honest.
He got the looks, he got the ability, and he’s a Hero.
In addition to that, is a nobleman’s son allowed to do this? That’s the position I’m supposed to be in.
That’s something I deserve.
I don’t like things this way.

I’ll take everything from him.

“Please treat me well.”

“Yeah.”

We shook hands.

In one moment, I got inside the enemy defences and ran my blade through them.
The enemy was weakened enough, so Zig just hit him and it was over.

The demon bear fell.

“This Aide guy is good ☆ It’s good to cooperate and sparkle together ☆”

“That’s right.
You can understand the party’s movements.
Were you a part of a famous party in the past or something?”

“I was… a while ago.”

Seltina and Zig praised me.

I was the leader of an S-ranked party, so I knew exactly what Zig was looking for.

Also, I’m older and more experienced.

I know how to fight demons better than them. 

“Cheers for Aide ☆!”

“You’re being too loud, Seltina.”

“It’s better to be noisy, it’s a celebration ☆!”

“Thanks…”

The three of us sat around a table in the tavern.
It had been a few days since I joined the «Holy Forest Ensemble». 

I laughed at the celebration.

“You’re smiling, Aide!”

Seltina’s words surprised me.

Normally, you can’t see through me.
This woman has a good eye, huh.

 Moreover, she’s my kind of girl. 

She reminds me of Lisa, with her shining eyes and deep darkness behind them. 

I like both her appearance and style.
If I can use the Demon Eye of Seduction, I’ll make that woman mine.

“Hey, Zig, is Aide an elf☆?”

“He’s in this country, so I think he is.”

“Is that right, Aide☆?”

Damn it, you’re asking a lot of questions, you fool.

“Is that information important…?”

“Not really, to be honest.
I don’t care if you are an elf or a beast.
It’ll be better if you were an elf, but if you don’t want to show your face, I don’t care.”

“That’s true☆! Aide is Aide☆”

I’m relieved.
It’ll be bad if they kick me out now.

I need Zig to break the seal on my skills. 

But, I need to be careful with Seltina.
She seems to have a lot to say. 

I pull back my mouthpiece so I can eat my food.

The helmet has a mechanism that allows me to open my mouth while covering my eyes, so I don’t have to worry about exposing my face.
It’s a technology we don’t have over there.

“………”

“What?”

“It’s nothing.”

They were staring at me, so I shot them a glare.

Hmph! Are you that interested in my face? It’s a shame then, I won’t show you. 

I put a piece of spiced red meat in my mouth.

“Mnnghh!?”

“Ehhh~ so Aide is not good with spicy food? ☆ ”

“That’s probably the dish that Seltina ordered.
I always tell people not to order without telling me, but you’re out of luck.”

What is this!? Is spicy!!

My tongue and lips are tingling!

“Zig doesn’t like spicy food either☆~”

“I’m telling you, I’m not good at that level.
You don’t have to sweat to eat.
That’s why the lower classes eat so much.”

The two of them are having an unimportant conversation.

Water! Water! I can’t believe it, I can’t even get rid of the sting!

“I’m trying to make spicy food more popular☆! I hope Aide will be the first one to join in☆!”

Seltina offered me a dish that is slightly red.
It looks good, but I can smell the spices in the air.

This is impossible.

“I think Aide is a good comrade ☆! Try it!”

“I’ll do my best…”

There are a number of barriers that must be overcome in order to gain trust.
This will be one of them.

Hang in there, Sain.
You can do it!!

“Higiiiiiiiii!! My butt is burning!!”

The next day, I screamed in the bathroom.