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Defiled Hero Chapter 004

Defiled Hero

Guild Rank Promotion

The sound of the 9 o'clock morning bell rang clear.

The examination was set for 10 in the morning, but by dealing with the thief attack, the exam became unnecessary.

Though it was no longer necessary to go to the guild for the examination, the need to go to the guild still existed. There was the reward to collect.

On the way to the guild from the inn, I felt the people looking at me differently compared to the day before.

『Hey Izayoi. I said nothing was going to happen, and nothing happened, right?』 (Astrea)

(...Wrong.) (Izayoi)

『So why are you here?』 (Astrea)

I could hear Astrea's delighted voice coming from somewhere. Dealing with Astrea, I arrived at the guild. There were adventurers carrying weapons scattered about inside the guild.

There were normally few people in the guild, but the fight with the thieves last night resulted in many people being injured, and the few people with t.i.tles had gathered.

I could feel the gazes of the adventurers, but I ignored them and headed to the information counter. At the counter was the receptionist from before with the highly revealing pajamas, this time in a perfectly-fitting guild uniform.

Realizing that, I made a slightly dissatisfied expression.

「Good morning. Did you rest well at the inn?」 (Receptionist)

How not-friendly. I wonder why she's being cold to me.

『Rest at the inn!? Hold on, Izayoi, what did you do with that woman last night? Wait, don't say it. You really enjoyed yourself last night, right?』 (Astrea)

(You, shut up for a while.) (Izayoi)

I returned the cold att.i.tude, only saying what was necessary.

「...My t.i.tle and the reward.」 (Izayoi)

「Understood. You are now a 【Tier 1】 swordmaster, as promised. Taking into account the fact that you protected the town from the thieves, your guild rank has been raised from F to C. Is that acceptable?」 (Receptionist)

I couldn't feel any respect considering what I did, but whatever. There's no problem. I place my hand on the pedestal with the form I filled out previously.

With a *pish* sound, the paper disappeared, and my t.i.tle and guild rank were updated.

「With regards to the reward, how would you like to receive it? Would you like a payment to your guild bank?」 (Receptionist)

「No, I want it in coin now.」 (Izayoi)

「C-coin? Now? That's 100 gold coins you know! Is that alright?」 (Receptionist)

「It's fine... Is there a problem?」 (Izayoi)

100 coins isn't that particularly bulky.

「...Everything that comes out of your mouth is foul, isn't it.」 (Receptionist)

That'll come back around to you, you know.

I want to say something, but I'll control myself.

「...What about me don't you like?」 (Izayoi)

「Your personality.」 (Receptionist)

「...More specifically?」 (Izayoi)

「Like how you only care about losses and gains.」 (Receptionist)

「That's what it means to work together. Nothing more, nothing less.」 (Izayoi)

「While you say that like there's no merit to acting otherwise, why did you act on my last request?」 (Receptionist)

「That is...」 (Izayoi)

『”—For your smile, that's why,” would be a good answer I think.』 (Astrea)

(I would never say that, and it's not like that.) (Izayoi)

It's not like there was a reason. There is no reason. I killed some enemies. That's all it is.

「...Having money isn't a problem. I thought I should get some if possible, that's all.」 (Izayoi)

She didn't appear to accept my reason. Really... I saved you and instead of receiving thanks, I get a cold att.i.tude and a lecture... Your character's the rotten one, woman.

「You're a man with a terrible att.i.tude!」 (Receptionist)

「...Then turn a blind eye.」 (Izayoi)

Receiving the gold coins in a bulging sack, I began to leave the information desk, only to be called out to.

「I forgot to say this: An A-rank monster, Aspis, has been sighted a short distance from the mountain range. Other guilds have sent adventurers to suppress it, so please refrain from leaving the town until they are done.」 (Receptionist)

「Ah, got it.」 (Izayoi)

Aspis. The large snake with the deadly poison, huh? I've heard about them but haven't actually fought them.

『What will you do, Izayoi? Will you stay in town?』 (Astrea)

(No, I'll leave town in the middle of the night, and head to the water fairy.) (Izayoi)

『Is that okay? Even though you told the receptionist, 「Ah, got it」?』 (Astrea)

(I didn't say I wouldn't leave, she should understand that much.) (Izayoi)

Heading straight past the bar, I had a meal. I paid, and as I stood to leave, someone called out to me.

「Hey, you! Fight me!」 (Kid)

It came from a kid barely in his teens. Seems I've become involved with a troublesome fellow, but I guess it's better that it's a kid.

「A fight? Fine by me.」 (Izayoi)

Looking back, I swung the sack full of gold coins and hit him in the face.

「Ow! What was that for!」, the kid who had been knocked back said incomprehensibly.

「”What” you say, it's a fight. Did you mean something else? Like a game of tag?」 (Izayoi)