Past and Future

"…Erghh."

She was well aware she couldn't outright say this was boring, but she couldn't stop herself from letting out a sigh. It was almost evening and there weren't many adventurers at the Adventurers Guild. You could say that it was quiestest part of the day. And yet Guild Girl couldn't let herself enjoy that moment. Guild Girl's sharp-eared colleague was quick to interrogate the receptionist where she lay stretched out on the front desk.

"Hey… It's something going on?"

Nothing's going on." Guild Girl replied as she turned pointedly away.

The other woman's eyes seemed awfully eager, for a follower of the Supreme God.

Guild Girl didn't want to be part of these games.

"Oh it's about that guy who thought you're married?"

"Ergh…" Guild Girl quickly widened her eyes and looked at her collegue.

She was so on target that Guild Girl seriously wondered whether she might have used the Inspiration miracle. She was fairly sure that gift came from the God of Knowledge, but still…

"W-well I still need to know why he has participated in a quest without being registered or if something happened to him when he was in Capital City!" She said as

'Oh so it's about him…' The Inspector thought giggling.

"There is nothing wrong in taking a quest without being an adventurer. You just don't take any money for completing it. And we both know that Capital City doesn't have many quest there, But maybe the real reason that you are like that is the fact that he is taking a goblin slayer quest all alone?"

Her friend's grin got a little wider, and Guild Girl mentally jumped to take back what she had said.

Surely this shouldn't have been so worrisome. Adventurers took all kinds of jobs and had their preferred quests. But it was just, you know… How could she put it?

'I'm worried that something happens to him…'

As Assassin started to feel his body being lifted by the hobgoblin, he couldn't stop thinking that he acted overconfident.

'Shouldn't have rushed, my master would be disappointed if he saw me acting like that, he always keep telling me to not abuse my gift and never think that battles is over until is actually over… Still I'm not dead yet…'

"GOROOBB! GORB!" The hobgoblin screamed at his face… probably mocking the young adventurer.

"Fool…" The lone, calm word of a man who stuck with his hidden blade the throat of the hobgoblin.

"GGG-"

The hobgoblin released the young assassin and put his hands in the throat trying desperately to stop the bleeding. As the hobgoblin chocked in his own blood, Assassin, quickly, found the healing potion in his bag, popped the stopper and drank down. He tossed the bottle aside; they left new scores on the blackened stone floor as they shattered.

Unlike a miracle of the gods, potions like these had relatively minor effects. Goblin Slayer's pain eased a little, but his body still felt like it was made of lead. But he could move. Fine.

"Here we go." He said as he charged against the remaining enemies with all he had.

Assassin threw one of knives aim at the caster, hitting at his hand. The caster hissed and looked at the man with white hood who was killing his remaining goblins. The goblins attacked with everything they could but the man, parried, dodged, attacked before they could do anything to prevent. It was massacre and it didn't take long for the only one to be standing be the young man.

"That makes twenty…" He said as he let go the goblin weapon in his hand.

"This can't be!" The caster screamed in fear.

He started to crawl in a pathetic way trying to escape. He was in too much in pain to cast another spell and even if he could he didn't think that it would in that monster. He started to hear footsteps coming in his direction. He turned his head and saw the eyes of a demon. Assassin stepped forward, and – snick – his blade sprang out and penetrated his throat.

"Be at peace," said Assassin, gently.

"You'll pay for this, adventurer," rasped the caster. A fine line of blood ran from his nose.

"It seems you're the one who pays now, my friend. What could you possibly gain in attacking a small farm?"

The caster gave a harsh, shallow laugh. "You think me some petty thief? A treasure has being kept by one of people…"

"You would make an alliance with goblins just for some treasure?" asked Assassin.

"Oh, but I have my reasons, I am serving a far nobler cause than mere profit. We will change the world…"

"We?"

Again the caster chuckled weakly. "Ah… you thinks I act alone. I am but a piece. A man with a part to play. You'll come to know the others soon enough. They won't take kindly to what you've done."

"Good. I look forward to ending their lives as well."

"We'll see... I look forward to see you being destroyed, child," said the caster. And he passed.

As the adrenaline started to wear off he started to feel his body weak again. He fell to his knee feeling that he would pass away at any second. But he knew that he couldn't, he need to warm the farmer that the goblins were dealt.

He looked down and saw his arm, the one that took the lighting strike. He tried to move it, but it didn't quite respond the way he expected, almost as if it were badly swollen. He sighed and started to walk in the direction of the farm.

'It's going to be a long walk…'

The night has finally come even though normally they would be already sleeping, the two couldn't be more awakened. Every minute on that barn it was like an eternity. The anxiety was almost killing them and when they heard a knock on the wooden floor they almost had a heart attack.

The Farmer, who was carrying a fork, neared the door and heard the knocking sound came again.

"Who…? Who is it? Can we…help you…?"

There was a beat, and then a very low voice came from the other side of the wooden portal.

"My work is finished. I've come to report."

Immediately, the girl's face shone, and she ran to the door. She and the farmer braced themselves against the well-oiled bar, and with a "Hmph!" they managed to slide it open. The girl for the first looked at the adventurer that just saved them and she froze. His entire body was covered in grime and bruises. One of his arms hung limply. He looked so tired. To anyone it looked like another novice who had bitten off more than he could chew and wound up dragging himself. But what caught her attention were his eyes. Those red eyes…

She couldn't explain it—she just had a feeling. A foolish feeling. But on reflection, maybe no other explanation was necessary.

'If. Just if. If he had survived, I'm sure he would have—become an adventurer…!'

The man suddenly collapsed. Acting fast, she caught him before he reached the floor. As she held him she could feel her eyes getting filled with tears… She couldn't identify the emotion that flared up in her heart. She didn't know whether she was joyful or sad, but tears streamed down her face. She was certain…

"I-It's him!" She screamed as she held him tight.

"Wake up boy it's time to train,"

The boy got up and saw the empty camp and his master standing there. He stood up and walked to his master.

"Master… you told me you were an adventurer before turning into an assassin… Why did left your life as adventurer?" The boy asked curious, "They both fight against non-prayers right? Why did you start working exclusively for the Brotherhood?"

"… There are things that the adventurers can't do…" Master replied as he looked at his young pupil, "Adventurers serve their guilds, their kings… which limits them. Many atrocities can be happening within the city and they do nothing. I believe I'm making more of a difference like this…

"I see…"

The master smiled and turned to him, but this is what I think. "You must find your way ... Have you ever thought what you will want to do?"

...

...

...

"I…"

His eyes shot open. He was breathing heavily and unevenly. He look around and didn't recognize the place… he did however noticed that he was on a bed. He sat up on the bed and made a quick check up on his body. Bandages wrapped in his arm, he felt his body lighter… But there is still one mystery… Where was him?

"You are in my room…" Assassin looked at right and saw a young girl sitting next to him.

"Don't worry my uncle won't do anything because you are in my room… it was actually his idea in putting you in a bed," She said a bit embarrassed since there was a man in her room.

"I see…" He said calmly.

"You remember me?" Her voice shook.

He tilted his head and looked at her… He was sure that color of hair he saw before, although it was longer then he remembered. He started to look at her face… It remind him… someone from the past… but… could it be?

He widened his eyes, "It's you! You're the girl from my village!"

Cow Girl couldn't identify the emotion that flared up in her heart. She didn't know whether she was joyful or sad, but tears streamed down her face. She moved close to him and hugged him. His eyes widened again, not expecting this sort of reaction. He looked down and heard her sobbing.

Five years. It had been five years. What could they talk about?

She calmed down and moved away from him.

"Where have you being?" She said a bit embarrassed after realizing what she had done.

"Training…" He said trying to avoid the fact where and with whom.

"So… I guess you are an adventurer now…" She had giving a weak smile.

"Yeah," He said nodding with his head.

She took in one deep breath, her chest expanding, then let it out. She didn't know what was best, but she knew what she could do. At least, she thought she did.

"Where… where are you staying?"

"I…" it was that moment that he realized that he still didn't have a place to live. "I don't have a place yet…"

She gulped, trying to gain some courage, "If… you want… I can talk to my uncle… and you can live here."

He was surprised by the offer. He started to ponder her offer. Cow girl felt her chest tight, she could not look at him as much as she was ashamed. She knew she was being very direct with the proposal but she would know what she would do if...

"Hmmm… I'm sorry… I can't live with you guys…" he said as he got up from the bed.

'Living with her can't be dangerous… For now I can't let her know that I am an assassin… I can't put her at risk…' he thought with great regret.

"Oh I understand…" She replied feeling so hurt. She felt tears welling up in her eyes. She stood up looked away from him, hiding her crying face. She tried to leave but Assassin caught her wrist.

"Wait!" He said desperately.

"Why?" She asked still not looking at his face.

"I don't want you want to leave…" He said softly. "After all these years I don't want to have argument with you… I don't want to lose you… again…"

"Then… why!?" She asked turning to him and hit him in the chest, "Why can't you stay here with us… with me?"

He turned his face, knowing that he couldn't say. But he didn't let her go. He expected her to shout again or hit him but instead she hugged him.

"I understand… I guess it's something about you being an adventurer, right?" She said as she wiped tears off her cheeks. "Can you at least visit us? I still want know more what happened to you…"

"Yeah…" He said softly releasing her wrist. She let go of him and smiled.

"And if you can… can you train me a bit?"

He raised one eyebrow, "Why?"

"Well, if something happen… I don't want to feel so useless like this time." She said in a cheerful voice.

"Yeah… I can do that," He said folding his arms.

"Thanks!" She said smiling to him.

Seeing her smile made him feel happy, so he smiled back.

The Adventurers Guild was already cloaked in silence by the time he got there.

The lamplight was kept to a minimum to conserve fuel, casting the hall in a clinging dimness.

At the reception desk, the night staff member—Guild Girl—sat in her chair, her head bobbing as she dreamed.

Despite the smells of rust and mud that accompanied him, Assassin walked without making a sound. With the quill pen that sat ready on the reception desk, he wrote a simple report on some sheepskin paper, set it down gently, then put a paperweight on top of it.

"…? Oh… Er, oh…!"

At that moment, Guild Girl came to with a small squeak, shivering as she looked up. When she looked at those red eyes, she flinched backward, but then hurriedly straightened up so she was sitting properly.

"You're back!" She said surprise and somehow happy.

"Sorry didn't want to wake you,"

"Not a problem," She said as she stretched a bit, "I was actually waiting for you…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…!"She finally realized what she just said and her cheeks turned red.

"I-I-It's because there is something really important that I have to ask you!" She stammered and said a bit loud to him.

"Is that so?" He replied a bit lost.

"Yes… remember that you went to a quest in the Capital City?" She asked more serious.

"Yeah, I remember that…"

"Well, excuse me, but…" She pasted her usual smile on her face and tapped the counter with a finger.

"Yes?"

"Did you take an adventurer without a registration?" There was a small hit of annoyance.

Assassin gulped, not sure what to do. Technically speaking he did take a quest without a registration but he was working for the Assassins, he didn't think he needed. Seeing that he wasn't going to answer and that she was right, Guild Girl a slammed her fist upon the desk.

"Listen here, mister!" Guild Girl said smiling, she leaned over until her face was inches from his. "You can't go in adventurers without a tag what if something happens to you? Not only no one of your familiars would know if something happened to you but also it would be really bad for the guild, do you understand that? If you do something reckless like that you can be expelled from the Guild did you hear me? Don't pull this stunt!"

Assassin widened his eyes, "Okay, I'm sorry."

'Ha! How about that?' Guild Girl sat up a little straighter, feeling the flush of triumph. 'Maybe I'll cut him a break now.'

"Now be careful, okay? I don't you causing any trouble or getting hurt." She winked at him.

He didn't answer. Instead he, now, leaned forward staying a few inches away from her. He started to look at her and she started to feel embarrassed. She could feel her cheeks getting hot and somehow couldn't take her eyes of his eyes. It was memorizing for her.

"W-what?" It was all that she was able to say.

"Oh sorry," He said backing away from her, "You remind me of someone. She was always looking out for me, always worried when something bad could happen to me."

That statement that she was worried about him made her blush even more and made her look away.

"Thank you. I will be more careful." He said honestly and calm.

She sighed and looked at him, "I'm glad that you understood, I'm leaving. I will give your reward tomorrow, okay?"

Assassin nodded and then she left.

"Well, well, I see that you are having fun with some ladies!"

Assassin turned to his right and saw the Smith smiling and silly smile in his face.

"Didn't know that you were a ladies man, I will sure have something to poke of fun of your master," Smith said as he walked to him.

Assassin could hear him giggling but that didn't faze him, he knew how to take a provocation.

"I guess you are here for something, right?" He asked.

"Ah yes!" He said delivering a scroll, "I suggest you rest this night and then come to me in the morning, I will take care of your wounds and then… you will take care of some business… your first contract!"

A/N: Shout-out for Droopy Reader for discovering the reference in chapter 3.

There is something that I would like ask for you reader: Should Goblin Slayer have Harem in this story or not? I'm still not certain what kind route I should take in terms of romance. If you have an opinion leave a review or PM. Thanks anyway.