Demon Slayer Ch. 5.5: Mistakes and A Mission
[Fighter]: {wakes out of bed then notices a hot bowl of freshly cooked porridge with a note next to it then picks it and reads}
Note:
When you wake up and read this, I'll be out for a short trip and be back in a while, take care and eat properly. D S.
[Fighter]: {blushes then puts her hands on her face} Stupid me! Did I say something I should not have!? Hummm…
Meanwhile, at a certain abandoned village by the Eastern Countryside where Orcs and Wargs now reside as their territory, Demon Slayer went to analyze the area to find what he's looking for…
[Demon Slayer]: Hmmm, this seems to be the place, now then {unsheathes muramasa then gets a pouch before jointing his blade's hand guard with a long chain on his left forearm} {dashes into the fray with Orcs coming his path then throws the pouch that contained a mixture of ash and sand before lighting a small torch and throws it into the smoke, causing the fog to explode} Well that went well, now to– woah! {he dodges a huge claw then sees a White Warg carrying a Pale Orc with a huge club held by its severed arm} Ooohhh, so you're their leader, alright then {uses a Willow Fist on front with his muramasa preparing to thrust} Haaaaaah! {dashes toward the Orc and stabs the Warg's eyes before kicking the Pale Orc off of the Warg, resulting in a one-on-one fight}.
[Pale Orc]: {with a demonic voice and rough tone} Hah! You are the first creature too best me than those pesky Dwarves and annoying Elves, now {uses an aggressive stance with his club on his shoulders then runs toward Demon Slayer} coooooome!
[Demon Slayer]: {dashes then cuts the Pale Orc's body in half, and the severed arm loose from its bleeding socket then flicks blood off the blade with tsuburi slash before sheathing it back into the scabbard, letting the Orc's body fall into pieces} That was enjoyable, I shall remember that, now {gets the ear trinkets of the Orcs then gets their valuables and the Pale Orc's severed arm wrapped in cloth before skinning the Wargs from their fur}{heads into one of the oriental cottages then checks the interiors} it's got be somewhe– {picks up an old stuffed dog toy} woah, nostalgic {puts it inside his satchel then checks the floor and stumbles upon a small trap door, then opens and sees a small chest and carries it out of the cottage and checks its contents} At least everything is in here, but all I needed was this {takes out a small steel band with a Blood Ruby and Crude Obsidian smelted on it} Alright lets go. {packs up everything and carries the chest while returning back}
Time skip: Returning back to the Town with the quest materials…
[Demon Slayer]: {enters the Guild Hall then heads to the reception desk}
[Guild Girl]: Ah! Mr. Demon Slayer, welcome back! Finished a tough one again? {with a bright smile}
[Demon Slayer]: I have {puts out the quest with the sack items needed in the quest}. Orcs and Wargs won't be around for a while.
[Guild Girl]: I see, here's your reward: 50 Gold Coins! {hands a sack of coins to Demon Slayer}
[Demon Slayer]: Thank you {turns then sees Fighter next to him} Woah! You startled me little lady, something wrong?
[Fighter]: G-good morning Teacher, and, sorry for being a nuisance last night{bows with her hands clasped in front then feels a shoulder tap, embarrassed while blushing}
[Demon Slayer]: These happen sometimes, can't be helped. Did you have a good rest?
[Fighter]: Y-yes I have, thank you Teacher
[Demon Slayer]: I also had something you might use, don't need these anymore {takes out a small chest with gold and other treasures and orientally-fashioned knives inside} Along with um {gets a small ring studded with Crude Obsidian} this, think of it as a charm.
[Fighter]: H-h-huuuh!? W-w-wait, Teacher, {the ring slips into her right ring-finger by Demon Slayer while blushing brighter} T-t-teacher, this is–!?
[Demon Slayer]: Yes? Why do you seem to be feverish?
[Fighter]: Hah, hah, haaaaah! {storms out into the Training Field while blushing in embarrassment}
[Demon Slayer]: {turns to Guild Girl} Did I mess something…
[Guild Girl]: Nope! Far from that apparently {saddens inside}
[?]: …{polishing metal kneecaps on a table near one of the windows}
[Heavy Warrior]: Hey! What happened to the girl, did you trip her up? {with his party by the window}
[Demon Slayer]: {shrugs shoulders then scratches his temple} I think it has to do with the ring…
[Heavy Warrior]: {face palm with down moods}
Meanwhile, for Fighter, struggling with her feelings in the Training Field…
[Fighter]: {hitting a wooden dummy at a fast pace while embarrassed with a slight blush} Hah! Hah! Hah!
[Druid Girl]: Ehhhh, scary…
[Half-elf Fighter]: Yeah, not even I would wanna mess with 'er
[Demon Slayer]: {enters the Training Field and heads toward Fighter while she's training}
[Half-elf Fighter]: Ummm…
[Fighter]: {still hitting the wooden dummy then felt a shoulder tap, which made her pull a reverse roundhouse, bruising Demon Slayer's right cheek} H-huh!? Teacher! {backs away then bows in shame and embarrassment} S-sorry for hitting y– {gets hugged by Demon Slayer} T-t-teacher!?
[Demon Slayer]: I believe I have done something that I shouldn't have, and, I am sorry for being insensitive, forgive this dumb man for a mentor. {gets hugged tighter} You have become, better than how I anticipated, little lady.
[Fighter]: Thank you Teacher {fixes herself then stands up}, actually, you did nothing wrong Teacher, I just, misunderstood, hehe. {heading to the Guild Hall}
[Demon Slayer]: I see, but do tell me if I did something ominous please? {follows Fighter}
[Fighter]: Teacher I– {Goblin Slayer storms into the Guild Hall} Goblin Slayer!
[Spear Warrior]: Oh, you still kickin' eh? You been out a lot lately, need something? Or–
[Goblin Slayer]: Excuse me, please listen. I have a request.
[Random Adventurers]: No way, a request from Goblin Slayer?
I thought he always fought solo.
I think he found himself a party.
Couple of cute girls too!
[Goblin Slayer]: A Goblin Horde is coming. The Farm is in danger. I expect them tonight, and I don't know how many.
[Random Adventurers]: Hmph, Goblins again, figures.
Why not take care of it yourself? I thought handling Goblin Hordes are your specialty.
[Goblin Slayer]: Judging from their number of scouts, a Goblin Lord is leading them. That means no less than a hundred Goblins.
[Random Adventurers]:A Lord!?
A hundred Goblins!?
Is he serious? Then…
No way…
[Heavy Warrior]: …
[Rookie Warrior]: A Lord…?
[Apprentice Cleric]: I guess…?
[Goblin Slayer]: A Goblin Lord is a Goblin who focuses not on combat nor magic, but on leadership. We consider them as Platinum-ranks in the Goblin World.
[Random Adventurer]: Platinum!?
[Goblin Slayer]: Our enemies are this Goblin Lord and the army he has rallied behind him. There is no time, I cannot hope to face them all in an open field. I need your help. {bows with an ominous tone} Please.
[Random Adventurers]: Seriously!?
What do you mean man…
Goblins got no pay.
Deal with 'em yourself.
You know Goblins! I'm out!
Yeah me too.
[Demon Slayer]: …{walks toward Goblin Slayer then taps his shoulder} Consider it done, my friend. I still owe everyone on that farm. Now can be the time.
[Fighter]: I'll go too! {follows}
[Spear Warrior]: Seriously, we're Adventurers, and this is an Adventurers' Guild. Want something? Skip the request and make it a quest, period. And a quest means a reward, get it?
[Fighter]: {about to strike the Spear Warrior but was restrained by Demon Slayer} Greedy excuse…
[Random Adventurers]: Yeah he's right!
We're Adventurers!
We don't risk our lives for free!
Leave some ladies for us then!
[Guild Girl]: Hmmm, ah! {runs to the Headmaster's office}
[High Elf Archer]: Grrrrgh! What the hell's wrong with them!? {restrained by Lizardman}
[Lizardman Priest]: I share the same distress as you, but please calm yourself.
[Dwarf Shaman]: You'll do more harm than good…
[Goblin Slayer]: Yes, you're right.
[Spear Warrior]: Damn straight I am! So what do we get for a hundred Goblins?
[Goblin Slayer]: Everything. Everything I have. Rewards, possessions. Everything that is within my ability.
[Demon Slayer]: {taps Spear Warrior's shoulder} If you like, I may also give a bonus of rare materials for those that kill more than a hundred Goblins.
[Random Adventurers]: Eh!?
[Spear Warrior]: {ignores} So what if I say I want your life?
[Goblin Slayer]: No, that won't be possible. There is someone who will weep if I lose it, and I promised to never make her cry. Therefore, my life is not mine to give.
[Demon Slayer]: Goblin Slayer…
[Spear Warrior]: Can't say I can't hear you, but you're serious I tell you that.
[Goblin Slayer]: Never been more so.
[Spear Warrior]: Tch! That right? Fine! {clenches fist holding his spear over his shoulder} Just treat me to a drink later! Be happy that a Silver-ranked Adventurer accepted your quest, Goblin-slaying Quest-giver!
[Goblin Slayer]: I'm sorry, thank you {bows with gratitude}
[Spear Warrior]: Whatever, save it
[Wizard]: I shall help you, for helping a friend, don't get the wrong idea {standing beside a Rifle-carrying Adventurer as her party member}
[Rifleman]: …ooook? We're still here to help anyway, don't mind her.
[Wizard]: Hey!
[Fighter]: Ahah! {runs to Wizard then hugs her tightly} It's been do long, my stingy friend, hihi!
[Wizard]: Who are you calling stingy!? {mad from the teasing but glad to see Fighter once more}
[High Elf Archer]: {jumping off the second floor} I-I'm in too Orcbolg! I'll slay those Goblins with you, but then you have to go on an adventure with me afterwards!
[Dwarf Shaman]: You owe me a barrel of booze Beard Cutter!
[Demon Slayer]: How about some Milktea instead?
[Dwarf Shaman]: Better! I'm in!
[Lizardman Priest]: A friend's request I shouldn't refuse, but if you insist on giving a reward…
[Demon Slayer]: You can have my MIlktea and his Cheese from the Farm, how 'bout that?
[Lizardman Priest]: What!? Truly!? Then my wrath upon those tiny Devils know no bounds!
[Witch]: Oh my…things have…gotten exciting, yes? Only…one more…perhaps?
[Random Adventurers]: Yeah, but…
The return of Goblin-slaying sucks so…
[Guild Girl]: {pants after returning from the Headmaster's office with quest papers} Everyone! The Guild is hereby offering a bounty of one gold coin per Goblin Head! So come and get it! {thinking} I may not be an Adventurer, but this is the least I can do now!
[Heavy Warrior]: Hmph, I see where this is going {stands up} a gold coin per Goblin is fine by me {looks at Female Paladin}, you comin'?
[Female Paladin]: Well, he did save your village, it's nice repaying a debt, no?
[Heavy Warrior]: Sh-shut up! You comin' or what!?
[Female Paladin]: Of course, this is a rare opportunity after all. {stands up}
[Heavy Warrior]: Not anything else? {with a teasing tone making the Female Paladin slightly blush with her calm composure} Grrrgh…
[Half-elf Fighter]: If they're going…right?
[Druid Girl]: Sure…?
[Rookie Warrior]: I guess I should go too, I've never hunted Goblins before.
[Apprentice Cleric]: Lets give it a shot!
[Amazonian Warrior]: Ha, weirdest Quest-giver! I'm in!
[Random Adventurers]: It'd be weird if without him saying: "Any Goblins?" every day. {stands up}
Yeah! He's like a Goblin institution in this Guild! {stands up}
I remember how much trouble that Goblins give me, we can't let 'em do whatever they want.
I bet I can climb the ranks this way! {stands up}
I do need the money.
We may not be comrades, but we're all Adventurers!
Ooooooh! {everyone cries with weapons out}
[Priestess]: And me as well! Who's gonna take care of you out there! {smiles while clutching her staff}
[Goblin Slayer]: Everyone {looks to the crowd then looks at his comrades Demon Slayer, Fighter, High Elf, Dwarf, Lizardman before turning to Priestess} Thank you.
[Demon Slayer]: So, got a plan man?
[Goblin Slayer]: Of course.
Meanwhile, in a distant forest near the farm…
[Goblin Lord]: {in Goblin Tongue} Hehehe, it is near. {faces his colony} The time is near! To conquer this land! We shall make their livestock food! Their women breed! All to form our great new Kingdom! {cries with authority, rallying the Goblins' morale}
[?]: {taps the Goblin Lord's shoulder then talks with a eerie ghastly tone} Remember our agreement, fledgling, I helped you rise, so you help me when this is done, agreed?
[Goblin Lord]: Oh yes, I promise you {kneels} your Greatness.
–To be continued–