Chapter 12

I walked into the guild's doors, looking around in the crowds. After some time of viewing the area I had a sigh of relief.

Maybe she didn't come in today? Good, maybe I can get some work done for once.

"Zach! I'm here!"

Tch...Spoke too soon…

A carefree girl entered the guild behind me, inspecting the lobby. Once she saw me she went straight for me.

"Zach are you trying to hide from me?"

"Now, why would I do that?"

"So, What's on today's list?"

Annoying troublesome little girl. Why did you have to come in today?

It's approaching the end of the month, and it's been a few days since I've partied up with Lilith, work for me seems to have gotten… difficult, not just because I'm in a party now meaning I have to protect her as the vanguard, but even more annoying is that Lilith is a handicap!

The last few days I've been analyzing her weaknesses in order to advise them, there's a lot I'm telling you, but here are some of her most common mistakes...

Easily frightened. We were going to face of against a rodent like creature almost like a giant rat. I was about to advise her how she should deal with this, but….

"Okay, remember that-"

"Screeech!"

"GAAH!"

She screamed and ran…. Because of a measly screech… it wasn't even that loud either...

The rat made a jumping lunge at me...

"Screeeech!"

"Ahh!"

I had to deal with it on my own…

Easily Distracted. We were in a 5 versus 2 situation, we managed to kill 4 of our targets and the last two didn't focus on me. Which was bad enough, however in the middle of a fight…

"Hey! What's that?"

She was literally looking into space, I don't even know what she was looking at. Which made me infuriated.

"What are you looking at! Behind you!"

"Eh?"

She only noticed until it was right in front of her...

"AAAAHHH!"

I had to protect her…

Indecisive….

Two enemies were charging right for me...

"W-Wh-What should I do?!"

"Shoot them with your magic!"

"Which one?!"

"Any one of them!"

She chants her spell and immediately shoots it eyes closed. I jumped out of the way of its path and once it reached it exploded leaving the beasts running all over the place covered in flames.

"Phew."

It took me a few seconds to smell something burning and hot from my back. The sound of crackling and my shirt turning even furthur to black.

Huh? It seems I'm on fire… Wait…!

"I'm on FIRE!"

"I-I'm sorry!"

Oh, did I forget to mention uncontrollable magic?

God, it is a pain to work with her. We were walking on our usual path to the forest. None of us said a word to each other. Until Lilith's voice broke through the silence.

"Um, Zach?

"Yes?"

"May I ask if you could introduce yourself?"

"Did, I not do that?"

"I mean, who are you?"

"I'm not telling you that."

"Why not?! I thought were in a party now!"

"It's a temporary agreement, not for long-term. Even if it was, I still wouldn't tell you. In this world it pays to have a sense of trust first before you ask personal questions like that."

"Then fine! I'll tell you about my past and you tell me about yours!"

"Go ahead, but I'm telling you it's futile."

Determined she took a breath and was about to speak. But before she can speak another word, a familiar voice broke through the atmosphere.

"Hey Zach!"

We both turned heads to the voice. A woman with gray hair wearing the same outfit I first met her with her bow and arrows equipped, Alice. It's been about just over two and a half weeks since I first met her. I would see her every once in a while, and ever since our first meeting, her personality has proved to be quite likeable and dependable. Every time we would meet we'd have some small talk, ask how each other was doing, she'd give me some advice if I asked, so on so forth. I felt relieved to see another face that I know, especially after what I've been through the last few days with Lilith.

"Oh, hey Alice. Surprised to see you so early in the morning. Looking like your usual self"

"Oh? What is that?"

"Confident, and fine I guess."

"Really? Thanks, you kinda look the opposite. Anything been going on?"

"I rather not talk about it. Only you today?"

"Yeah, I was about to do a couple of errands and left her to play in the city."

We continued our chat for another minute or two, then her eyes moved towards to Lilith just behind me.

"By the way, who's the new the face?"

"Oh, right. Let me introduce you. Lilith, this is Alice, I met her on my way when I first came to this city. I've only met her a couple of times, but I can say that she's smart and dependable."

Alice blushed slightly and giggled covering her smile.

"Alice, this is Lilith, my temporary partner. She's a newbie adventurer who recently came to the city just like me. She's um…. Well…"

I paused, the two waited for my answer.

"Good enough… I guess…"

Lilith, immediately reacted violently to my comment.

"What is that supposed to mean!"

"Anyway…. We should probably get going… See you next time"

"Hey! Don't ignore me! I-I'm sorry, it seems we have to go."

I was about to get a move on with Lilith, Alice stopped us again.

"Are you by any chance going to the forest to hunt?"

"Um, yeah."

"Can I join you for this one? I usually go with my group, but they're currently not available at the moment, and were pretty low on cash, so if it's not too much to ask can I join you for this one?"

"Yes! Please!"

I bursted out. She stared at me surprised for a few seconds before I could regain my composure.

"I mean, sure, it would be nice to have an extra hand around."

If this was before I partied with Lilith, I would have refused, but seeing my current situation… I need help here!

"Thanks! I promise I'll pull my weight"

I sure hope this works out…

We continued to trail the road and reached the forest entrance and began to venture in it.

I have to admit it feels nice to have someone I can actually talk to comfortably. It's not that I don't like Lilith as a person, it's just that I have a hard time liking her as an adventurer. She's just like your newbie coworker that comes into the office on their first day who can't seem to get anything right. The reason we can't really talk to each other is because I'm fed up with trying to teach her and despite how she tries to keep her positive attitude she knows that and is unable to respond to me. Sure she's annoying, but she'll learn, I hope. Right now, I'm glad that Alice is here to act as a medium to balance it out.

She then turned to me.

"I thought you said you were a solo Zach, what happened?"

"I remember Sam asking me the same question along with being jealous when I first came to the gate with her."

"Well you can't deny that she's quite cute and with a body like hers it's a perfect combo. Wait, don't tell me you-"

"No, I did not let her join because of her looks. To answer your earlier question, it's a story I don't want to talk about. Trust me, better you don't know."

"Well, fine. Though I've been hearing some interesting rumours about a fresh copper adventurer approaching Iron soon, know anything about it?"

"Those bastards at the guild… I hate this attention, I hope it dies out soon."

"So you are! That's quite amazing considering since you've just came to the city!"

"What's up with everyone thinking that it's so amazing? Seriously, are people just weak or is the ranking system in need of a rework?"

"Don't get too cocky, you haven't seen anything yet. It's a fact that every major ranking as an adventurer has dangers far more worse than the last."

"Sigh… I know... "

"Though, I am curious, you approached that rank solo right? What's your secret?"

"You already know my answer to questions like that."

"Still not willing to tell me?"

"You've helped me a ton, but I can't easily trust anyone as of now. Not even Sam who appears as a blockhead at times can I trust so easily, though I do admit he is the one I have the most trust in at this point along with Lilith who's practically clueless about most things."

"HEY! I heard that!"

"That's good, it pays well to have a certain amount of trust towards other people."

She then diverted her attention to Lilith and began to question her.

"So Lilith, how long have you been partnering with Zach?"

"Um, we started adventuring a few days ago."

"How is Zach by the way, I don't usually see him a lot so I was wondering if you could fill me in."

"Zach has been very kind to me and is a good teacher. He can be strict at times but is very helpful."

"I see. Well that's good then."

"Why the long face? Tell me did Zach do anything indecent to you?"

"ALICE!" I raised my voice agitated

"Okay okay, I'm just teasing you."

"N-No, Zach hasn't done anything bad to me more so making any advances on me. It's just that, I always keep getting saved by him, so it makes me feel like I'm dead weight."

"Hm, well. You can't do anything about that, but get stronger right? I'm sure you'll do a whole lot better this time around, besides you're a mage! You'll be fine."

"Thanks."

I glanced at the both of them chatting and a slight smile appeared as I watched them especially Lilith smiling. I turned my gaze back and saw a group of figures in the distance.

"Both of you get down!"

Both of them did as they were told and slowly followed me through the vegetation.

In front of us was a herd of deer feeding of the foliage. They're appearance was what you would expect a deer would look like in the real world, though among them was one that had 4 horns protruding from its head with a much larger build at that.

"Alice, do you see that?"

"S-See what? The deer?"

"Yeah, that's an Elk amongst the herd."

Elks back in the real world are a species of large deer, but here they are used to describe the leaders of the herd or an alpha. They are a special breed, though not common, not rare either. Their bodies are able to take quite a lot of punishment and their four antlers hard and sturdy along with medicinal properties greater than average deers. It will make a profit if we were able to bring it back and sell it!

"Well, it would be great, if we could get it. But they'd bolt into a stampede the second we do anything hasty-"

"Lets get it."

I said abruptly interrupting her.

"What?!"

"You have got to be joking me Zach! You can't be serious!"

They both exclaimed.

"None of the quests today were interesting nor were there any easy ones for Lilith and I to make a quick payday, also aren't you going to sell whatever you were going to kill anyway? This deer is quite an opportunity don't you think?"

"You're not wrong, but even if we're only going for one, considering their numbers and ours don't you think it's dangerous for us to engage them?"

"I've got a plan. Don't worry, if this plays out right we'll all get a good amount of coin from this."

"Hrrmm, alright then, this is our first time working together so I'm curious to see how you do on the playing field."

"Same goes for you, this plan will be much easier with you and your bow around."

As we both exchanged small banter. Lilith raised her hand nervously to grab our attention.

"T-Then, what will I do?"

"Lilith, I'll have you- On second thought nevermind…"

"What?! Zach you can't be serious! I'm getting the feeling there is some tension around you two, but have some faith in her! She can't be that bad!"

Hahahaha, you have no idea Alice… But she's right, I have to have some faith even for her skill. There's no way she of all people can mess up this.

"Alright, fine. For all that it's worth not even Lilith can mess this up. Lilith please don't."

"I won't!"

Okay then. After a few minutes of watching and planning, we initiated it into action. In the center of the deer landed an arrow of flame accompanied with a small explosion upon its landing. The deer turned heads and were startled, soon more flaming arrows descended them sending them into disarray. Frightened by this sudden ambush they hightailed and scattered in all directions.

All of them ran at full speed leaving the area desolate, well almost desolate. Staying behind them were a few males and the Elk standing tall and brave.

The plan worked perfectly. Now all we have to do is pick of these guys.

"Zach your plan worked!"

Lilith's rejoice signaled the deer and alerted them even more now knowing our presence they began to pose their defensive stance while making threatening sounds in our direction.

Well, almost perfectly…

"Dammit Lilith."

"I-Im sorry!"

"Its okay, you did great with that pre-fire, plus it doesn't really interfere with our plan anyway."

She's right, lets keep going then...

"We're all ready I suppose? Alice on your mark."

"Mm! Here I go!"

Alice quickly grabs an arrow out of her shed and fires it at one of the males on the breast. The others began to charge in our direction with their horns facing front. However in quick succession, more arrows came flying out from her bow puncturing different vital parts from their knees to their heads, stopping them in their tracks and fell to the ground. Mine and Lilith's eyes widened in astonishment. The deer aren't dead but she took them all down with only an arrow each, I mean I knew she was good with her bow from the first time we met, but I didn't think she would be this good!

The Elk however though continued its merciless charge in high speed towards us.

"Everyone out of the way!"

All of us immediately ran out of our position and avoided the four piercing horns of the Elk.

When the Elk stopped its movements to turn around. Only Lilith was standing there. Her expression confused wondering what to do next. We were supposed to spread out and hide, but it seems Lilith didn't catch on to that detail. The Elk then locked on to Lilith and quickly instigated its charge.

"Lilith! Get out of there!"

"Eh?"

Alice shouted, but it was a bit too late. She was as always paralyzed in the face of the slightest danger. As the elk continues to charge she stands without a clue in the world what to do next, but managed to utter her most common chant.

"F-Flame magic Arrow!"

Her burning arrow forms in the air and is launched, but doesn't carry the usual speed it has when she is more focused and misses the elk by a small margin.

Alice watched her worried, her eyes then pointed to me. Though I didn't notice what she was trying to tell me, all my thoughts were focused on the Elk charging at Lilith. When it was close enough, I bursted out of the foliage and tossed one of my bolases at its hind legs making it fall on its underside in a streamlined position.

"Lilith! Dodge it now!"

She jumps to the right just avoiding the deer's body. Upon seeing this chance, Alice took it upon herself to add a few extra arrows into the elk to prevent it from moving. The elk gave an outburst of pain and still struggling lost some of its strength.

"Lilith are you alright?!"

"Y-Yes I am fine."

"Zach what was that?! You didn't seem like the slightest bit worried about her!"

It took me a few seconds before I responded with a narrow gaze.

"It was her fault for not listening, predicting this might happen especially in a time like this, I merely compensated for her incompetence of the situation."

I said walking towards the downed Elk while trying to keep up the conversation.

"But you should at least have told her to move! What if she could've gotten hurt?!"

"She wouldn't."

"Why's that?!"

"Because I'm here. I make it a point that when I'm partnering up with someone that I would do my best to have all who I am with including myself leave alive. Believe me when I say this."

Once I said that as my sword pierced into the Elk's neck.

"I get the feeling you have seen this numerous times, is she really always like this?"

"Since I've been with her, yes."

"I can see now why you're so troubled whenever I'm asking about her, but she can't be that bad."

"Those are some famous last words you are reciting. I said the same thing."

"Hmph, Don't worry Lilith, I believe you'll do better!"

"I-I promise I will!"

More famous last words huh? Well it shouldn't be too much of a bother for today.

As the day went by we continued to go through our everyday motions along with us hunting more beasts. And as I suspected I had an easier time today with Alice around. Her dependable side is really brimming here together with her bow. Though after today I doubt I could have a break such as this not after a long while. Speaking of Alice, she's catching onto Lilith's skills and though noticing them and trying to give her some tips, it seems that she is holding back her frustrations with her…

"Lilith, a girl as cute as you might not be cut out for this…"

"Ah! Alice! Please don't lose hope yet!"

"I warned you."

"Yeah, thanks for reminding me… I didn't think she would actually be this bad. You on the other hand, I gotta say though, you're really experienced handling a sword, along with being smart and resourceful. I'm starting to get really curious now for a person I stumbled across in these woods."

Is that so? I'm sure I only have Level 3 swordsmanship. Well maybe I need to check again, I got pretty annoyed with the popups and found a switch in the options to turn them off.

"My mouth is sealed. I have to say the same for you, you use a bow quite well."

"Thanks, I practice using it a lot since I was a kid."

She abruptly changed the subject.

"So, for all that you're worth, why are you with this girl ?"

"Well…"

"Don't tell me you actually…"

"Can you stop with those! I swear on my dear life that I did not let her join because of her body!"

"Fufufu...Then why?"

"Its well…"

Before I could speak, Lilith spotted something out of the ordinary in the distance.

"Hey what's that?"

She said pointing to it. We got a closer look, it was a deer slowly bleeding.

"A deer, probably from the ones that ran away earlier."

"Its dying though, what could have done this?"

"There's no saving it, not in this state. I think the best we could do put it out of its misery."

"I'll be the one then."

I then came closer to it and plunged it in its flesh giving a swift mercy kill. I looked and examined to wounds further.

That's weird. These wounds are of many varieties, some are slashes, a couple of bruises and other open wounds and each different in their own way. What's more these wounds are slightly clean… too clean for any beast in this area. So what could have…

Wait-! This is!

Out of nowhere a group of goblins appeared surrounding us. It seems we were being stalked, but, this is the safe zone. Why would they be here?! It doesn't matter, let's just get out of this first.

"A trap!"

"What the! Goblins?!"

"Eek!"

They must have been using the deer as a bait for an easy kill. I scanned the group and saw 3 with better equipment than the rest. No wonder, 3 platoon leaders, that's why they were so smart. So how should we deal with them?

"There's 15 of them. 3 platoon leaders. That's my headcount, there may be more hiding though."

"No there's only 3 of us, if there were more of them than the current number, they wouldn't be afraid to show them."

"You're right. So any plans?"

"W-What should we do?!"

"I'll of course be the vanguard, both of you please clear away the ones in front of you first especially the ones with better gear, I'll draw all the ones on this side to give you some time. Alice, please support Lilith, Lilith stay in between us and keep shooting out spells, try to control your magic. Once you're finished please support me and follow my lead."

"Got it!"

"Y-Yes!

I stretched out my arm and made a hand gesture with the message come at me, along with my sharp gaze, even they should be able to understand. In the next second their shouts retaliated in response and soon all of them were running with weapons raised.

"GRAAH!"

"GROAEAA!

Yup they got the message alright. There were

The two behind me began attacking as well, arrows came flying from Alice's bow and the sound of small fiery explosions erupted from Lilith's staff.

I placed my backpack down and began taking aim using my bolases. I was only able to throw two at best before they reached me. Cutting down the first one that came at me with a single strike and a second with continuous momentum, but was sword locked by the third. It had better equipment…

Platoon leader, shit!

It issued orders to the ones behind it. And quickly went to untying their allies from my bolases. I looked again at my opponent. Both of us waiting to get the upper hand somehow. In that moment, I kicked the foot he put in front of him causing it to lose balance. It looked back up at me as I slit his throat with my sword.

Making my way towards them, their mouths twisted into a smile and swiftly past me. Confused of their movements I widen my eyes.

"ZACH! They're going for Lilith!"

I turned my head behind me. Alice was fending of just fine while keeping her distance, but looking at Lilith behind her was on her knees breathing heavily. She's fatigued! Now I understood what they were going for, Lilith!

As expected goblins really are more organized with a leader around, but this is no time for me to be impressed!

Dammit I have to save her again in a time like this!

Alice begins shooting down a few of them, but only slowing them down. But that gave me enough time to catch up to them. Once I was near enough I jumped twisting my body so that I would end up facing them.

Tsk! Dammit why do I have to keep saving you!

"Alice! Run!"

"What?! But what about-!"

I pointed a sharp gaze at her and said no other word and ran. Lilith, still fatigued and tired from her magic exhaustion looked to me with a frightened look.

"Lilith duck!"

They then came at me, starting from the nearest to us, I parry its sword and kick it away to address two others. I parry one of their weapons, but another goblin's thrust brushed against my torso creating a cut, feeling the pain I swing my sword in exchange slicing its face. They came at me almost like in waves each of them slowly withering away my stamina points and a good chunk of my hit points, probably commands from their leaders, all the while keeping them away from Lilith and me.

I was breathing heavily with my sword barely holding it up. I had lacerations all over my torso, well my bad for not wearing a breastplate or a tunic, I've got save up for a full suit soon, but that can come later if I can survive this.

Seeing my exhausted state along with Lilith still in hers, they smiled and sneered before long taking their opportunity.

I looked at Lilith, magic levels unfocused making her unable to cast magic. She could only hope close her eyes shivering in fear.

"Tsk!" I clicked my tongue, before looking back at my enemy. I'm not done yet!

I wrapped my hands around my sword, adjusting my timing of my strike and when they met the minimum reach of my sword I executed [Round Accel] with my sword swinging in a full arc like a baseball bat.

Depending on where they were the goblins were hit in different places, but what appeared on each of them was a red horizontal line on their bodies. Many of them were knocked back while others fell down due to slice, but some were still coming at me!

One of the goblins made an aerial attack out of my line of sight to Lilith. I quickly turned my body and stopped its blade with my leather vanguard using it like shield. Luckily the weapon wasn't made of metal, otherwise it would have had a higher chance of cutting through the leather. I whacked it away and landing on his feet. At that point I felt their eyes all focused on me, seems I was successful on taking away the agrro from Lilith.

There's still 4 of them 2 of them were platoon leaders and other two were normal goblins, with 2 incapacitated members caught by my bolases, 9 of them dead or heavily injured with us with one downed member, without Alice in sight, and me with about 80% of my SP gone from that overexerted arc along with 30% of my HP gone. It seemed that it was inevitable for the goblins to take the victory.

However…

"GRAAAH!"

"GRRAAACOA!"

"GRAAHAAAC!"

As they all shouted in preparation for their attack. Arrows came flying just seconds later out of the bushes. Alice then came out of the bushes with arrows cocked into her bow. I smiled in satisfaction, the strategy came out perfectly.

As the few straggling members of the troupe struggled to get away me and Alice made the final blows on each one of them.

The three of us then grouped up in the middle amongst the corpses of the dead goblins.

"That was a hard fought battle…"

"Well it would have been worse, if you weren't around though."

"The look on your face didn't match the command so I knew it had to mean "ambush" them right?"

"You understood completely, I really have to upgrade my understanding of reliability when it comes to you."

"Hahaha, any time Zach"

Alice then turned to Lilith.

"Hey, Lilith. Are you alright? Do you need some water?"

"Ah, um, no. I'm alright."

She sighs...

Then returns to me.

"Zach…. I think I understand now why you looked like you've ran through a mill, it really is because of Lilith right?"

I sighed…

"Yeah, she's practically useless…

"So why are you even still with her?"

I forced the words out of my mouth now being put in a corner.

"I made a deal with her to teach her way around the forest until she could at least sustain herself, but I can't tell anymore if I can continue trying to teach her."

"I see, so that's the situation. Why are you still trying then? In fact why'd you accept her request in the first place."

"If I didn't it would be abandoning her right? Her eyes, were different from all those who asked me at the start, she was desperate too, so I thought I'd take a shot. "Shouldn't be too hard" I say to myself at times, but it is for her."

She paused and watched as I sighed and took one more glance at Lilith.

"In my opinion, I think you should stop. I know its a bit shameless that you'd back out of your own deal and your purposes for letting her join are noble, but just about anyone can see it. You're skilled Zach, you are only being held back because of her, and you shouldn't pursue a task you know is fruitless, you have to understand your limit. Lilith isn't a bad person, but how far are you willing to go as an adventurer? Otherwise, you could die a lot sooner than you think, trust me on this, I know how it feels."

Some time later we were back at the city.

"Thanks for partnering up with us today."

"No, I had a good time being able to talk to the two of you, and got a great payday! The others are going to be so surprised when they know how much I'm bringing back!

"Hahahaha"

"Thanks for taking care of me today, think about what I said Zach. I'll leave it up to you to make your decision."

"I'm sorry, I got in the way again. I-I promise! I-I'll do better!"

"It's alright."

"Okay! I-I'll be going now, s-see you tomorrow!"

Both of us waved as we separated paths. Then a dark cloud rested atop my head...

What Alice said is right… but can I really just give up on her?

END OF UPDATE