Sorry for the long-ass intermission, need to make some sick ass covers. Covers don't matter? Correct, but I just like to visualize the things I write, even if it was bad... uhh...

Anyway-

Yes, this is an Author's Note.

By the way, imagine typing 'Alex' instead of 'Axel' pfft-

Chapter 4

"Intermediates."

"-t the?"

…Oh, it's just a ripped tree.

Staring at the culprit, which was a considerably massive black feline, he merely pulls out his short-sword and throws it at the said culprit.

And it went through its head.

This tells a lot about how strong those skeletons were. Instead of their skulls, his hand was the one who received the impact…

It trembled because of it! Specifically that cheetah-looking skeleton...

Striding to the dead feline, he pulls out his short sword from the corpse and jerks it to shake off the blood.

An unexpected target, but not a bad one. The tails of Rookie Killers sell a considerable amount of coins. It required him to cut off its limbs before finishing it off, it was like its appearance, agile like a feline.

But now? The weapon went swoosh and it penetrated its head. What a significant effect.

He shook his head, it was brutal, seeing the red, deep and thick blood spluttering as the knife punctured its head. But he didn't even flinch.

Perhaps this is the result of that blessing?

As expected of a blessing that affects the state of his mind and heart, really helpful.

Anyway-

Cutting the tail off, he squeezed the blood out and skinned the leather and the fur.

This is exactly why they sell well. Their tails are soft! Wealthy ones often used it as scarves, hats… uh…

He didn't follow the trend of fashion here, so…

"OIINK!"

"OINK OINK!"

"OINK!"

He groaned.

"Come on!"

Screw these Wild Boars! Didn't they know he was tired because of that creepy region?!

And his main weapon is a freaking short-sword! This kind of weapon is like a stick when it is used to fight a group of entities.

In the first place, a close-combat adventurer like him wasn't fit to fight a horde of monsters. Nor an archer.

The most fitting role for such a task is…

A mage.

That, if he was your everyday adventurer. There's a reason he could accomplish his recent achievements, you know?

Ironically, that goddess who stated that this world was similar to a game is accurate. Well, not 'precisely' accurate but it still could be considered as that.

And why is that?

"L-Look! A-A group of g-giant frogs!!"

"W-what are we supposed to d-do!?"

"R-Run!"

"Wait!"

...yeah.

Just run, damn it. There's no need to scream it out while standing still. Run!

A stereotype he often witnessed.

Funnily enough, he could take advantage of it. Even the monsters! They would growl at first before pounced on him. Low-level monsters, specifically.

It's not strange that the North hasn't been conquered yet…

"#!!"

Let's sweep these first.

Level 29. Nice.

Previously, he was a mere level 25, but now? 29!

As expected of the region, the death forest within it gave off a phenomenal amount of exp. Well, people often straight-up cower when they hear the name of this region. So it's reasonable that it gave off a nice amount of Exp.

Though he prefers the Outer Area…

He shuddered, reminiscing of the organisms within the Inner Area. They wouldn't give him a chance to even relax!

The nerves!

Looking ahead, the gate of town Axel is close. Finally…

"Just left her there. Instead of a helper, she's more of a burden…"

"Isn't she a cute one?"

"Shush, scatter! Don't do something unnecessary. Besides, Luna-chan would hate me if I do such a deed…"

"Hmph! Hypocrisy, you wanted to do it too, right?"

"At least I'm not shameless enough to outright admit it."

"Whatever…"

A group of people were huddling around a wooden wagon. Six people, three arguing about something while simultaneously paying their attention to a… 'person'(?) In the wagon. While the other three were on guard, watching their surroundings intensely.

From their exterior, he could conclude that they are some sort of adventurers. He never saw them in the Guildhall though.

Getting his brain pounded by the knowledge of geography he received from the blacksmith, he was once told by him that the nearest town from Axel, the beginner town is what gamers would expect.

Of course, it was the intermediate area. He forgets the name of the town though so let's just call it IA.

People there are… psychopaths. No, not the general, the general is normal. The psychopaths were the adventurers.

Perhaps advancing towards intermediaries grows their head, creating this point of view where they think they're superiors and whatnot.

Pointless, really.

They think they are at the top of the world by just surpassing the beginners. What disappointments they are. Well, he didn't have any ominous feelings towards them because of personal reasons-

"You lowly beginner! Dare to be in our presence?!"

"What?! Who?!"

On a side note, the front of Axel is a considerably big greenfield. There are a few tiny hills, and sometimes giant frogs would occupy this place.

Yeah, he gets it that he was like a sore thumb standing in such an area. But he was just passing by!

And before he could say anything-

"Wait-"

"A lowly beginner, eh? Hey, how about using him to be the scapegoat? So we could… you know…"

"To think you came up with such a brilliant idea…"

"Heheheh…"

They're whispering alright. But did they know that most of his skills are related to a thief? Probably not. With a dry stare, he directed his gazes at their giggling forms.

The first time he saw this kind of person, he was genuinely shocked. He thought they only existed out of a person's imaginations. He never considered them as real beings.

And yet, here they are, looking down on him just because of his 'beginner title'.

To think he breathes the same air as these people, who don't even hesitate to look down upon their kin.

He's not a saint, but what humans would stand such attitudes?

No one could. He doubts the holiest priest could.

They stopped giggling and turned their attention to him, who was still comprehending the fact that these people exist.

And they did something that truly blew his mind.

"YOU! TO THINK YOU MOLESTED A LITTLE GIRL!"

"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!'

"HOW COULD YOU?!"

"YOU PIECE OF SHIT! YOU SHOULD JUST DIE!"

"GO TO HELL, YOU HEARTLESS FUCKER!"

"YOUR WHOLE TREE FAMILY MUST BE DISAPPOINTED JUST BY SEEING YOUR PRESENCE!!"

Why would they scream nonsense things?

Six of them gathered around the wooden wagon and placed their hands into it.

Huh-

Their hands moved slowly, and-

"W-What are you doing?! S-Stop! No-Hfmfhfmfhm!"

A squeaky shriek rang.

In a split second, no, not even a second, his eyes widened.

"YOU SHITTY THING!"

"RAPIST!"

"WASTE OF SPACE!"

...

As if the wind was halved, something was launched. And before the hurdling 'intermediates' could even react-

"Wha- ARGH?!"

'They-'

"YOU- UKHKH!"

'-are-'

"AAAAH!"

'-worst-'

"AARRRKGH?!!".

'-than-'

"UKHRKHRK!"

'-I-'

"AR-"

'-thought.'

-death has greeted them.

It's terrifying, really. They didn't even have the time to move their limbs before death greeted them. Even if it's mediocre, their plan could be executed perfectly, easily even.

If they met a typical beginner, that's it.

Unfortunately though, they met him.

Looking at the corpses of worthless beings littering around him, he just sighed in disappointment. Disappointed by the fact that these humans existed.

He shook his head. The fact that they looked down upon the lower ones is bad enough. But to think they wanted to make themselves look even worse by molesting this girl... and they almost calumny him!

'Adios, hope you gather once again and be comrades in hell.'

Oh well.

'Suffer basta-'

"Hmfhfhphf!'

He glanced at the source and blankly stared at the figure in the wagon.

Black hair, crimson eyes, fair skin, small figure, an eyepatch, a big funky looking hat, a brown gold-trimmed cloak, a red gold-trimmed dress, a pair of bright-coloured boots, and a collar… Oh, and black pa-

Ehem.

The description of a figure whose hands and feet are currently bound with ropes, oh, and mouth blocked by a fabric. Cloak not properly worn and her dress? Don't even ask.

He feels bad. But wait-

"I swear I saw you once."

"HMFH!"

"Alright, don't worry, I'll unbind you."

Pulling out his short-sword, he skillfully cut the ropes on her hands and feet. And when his hand neared her 'certain parts'-

"HMF-"

-He pulled down the dress and continued.

"-Fh…?"

He gives her a dry stare before cutting off the fabric on her mouth. Huh, she looks so flustered. Didn't realize it because of the fabric blocking her face off.

She sat and breathed a couple of times. And he just stood there. Even if he's not a professional when it comes to psychology, he understands that she needs time to recollect herself.

Because he probably never understood the current feeling she felt, how much trauma she currently felt, how much pain... You know, those things?

Haah, conscience, it's always there for him.

A few minutes passed by, and he could see a couple of tears coming out of her crimson eyes. They are glassy, trembling even. Unfortunately, he could only stare at her with soft gazes.

A stranger he might be to her, but as a person who mostly follows his heart, the conscience within him could not see such a predicament. No matter how hard he tries to ignore it.

While he didn't have a reason to do it, does he need to…?

Her small form started to tremble, and he just sighed. Let's try a couple of things…

"...You're fine, alright?"

...

"They're gone."

...

"On the bright side, you're safe now! Right?"

"Y-Yeah…"

She nodded at him.

Once again, a couple of minutes have passed. And she finally stood up.

And saw the corpses-

She puked.

Looking at the stuff the corpses carried, he sorted them out and picked up the bag filled with water.

"Here."

"Y-You… you gave me the water from the reason why I puked?"

"Well... it's better than nothing."

She accepted it regardless.

Now that he paid attention to it, he thought these 'intermediates' would have some good stuff on them. But as expected, the reality wouldn't follow expectations.

These are some poor weapons… and only iron coins?

Disappointments. Utter disgraces.

'Intermediates my ass.'

"Can you do me a favour and go with me to the town?"

"Sure."

It seems like she was so worn out, that the couple steps she did to puke managed to make her collapse.

"...do me another one and please carry me."

"Of course."

He decided to piggyback her.

Not gonna lie, he really pities this girl.

"And please, do me another one and get my staff from that forest."

She pointed at the forest he entered when he was just a level 4 adventurer.

"...yes."

He really pities her. Really, really pities her.

"...a-and please, do me a-another one and rent me a room in an inn for me to sleep t-tonight."

"No problem."

...yeah.