pdf-ebookys Chapter 72: Do You Remember Me?
Chapter 72: Do You Remember Me?
Chapter 72: Do You Remember Me?
Typically, adventurers engage in dungeon exploration, monster subjugation, or defensive operations for the sake of humanitys security and resource collection.
Ignoring such conventional tasks and focusing on purging fallen heroes for three months was due to the notoriety hindering their activities as adventurers.
In my case, I was infamous as the Hero Killer.
For Ga-ram, being labeled as a fallen hero made it difficult to find companions for adventures.
Is that him? The adventurer who has been hunting fallen heroes and has risen to silver rank lately.
Having captured over ten fallen heroes in about three months, waiting for the guild staff to bring the bounty, I could feel the fruits of my efforts shining through as I listened to the murmurs around me.
Hes been an official adventurer for less than four months, and hes already reached silver rank.
Considering gold rank is usually for heroes, doesnt that make him practically the most capable among us?
Ah, but how can someone whos not a hero catch one? I heard hes paired with a hero, probably just riding on the heros coattails while the hero does all the work.
Actually, that hero was severely defeated by him and became his subordinate.
Aah, I heard that too. That time, the hero got so scared that she even had a heart attack
The crowd, combining rumors and eyewitness accounts about me, freely formulated their evaluation of me.
However, I could tell that the overall negative perception of me had significantly subsided.
Anyway, I was unforgettable in their memories.
Rather than painstakingly convincing them, it was better to naturally guide the improvement of my evaluation.
But that guy, his name was Woo Hyo-sung, right?
In the midst of paying attention to the evaluations, I caught a snippet of conversation.
As soon as I heard it, I immediately focused all my attention there.
It was natural to be concerned.
Despite my ability to remember names, those who met me always oddly misremembered mine.
All the guys from other worlds have such unique names.
So, what should we call that guy?
Its Woo Hyo-sung.
Woo Hyo-sung with the characters for echo and sound.
Hey, dummy. Are you really asking because you dont know?
If you take sung out of Woo Hyo-sung, its obviously Woo Hyo!
Damn it, why are they making a fuss and removing that part of my name?
Hey, Adventurer Woo Hyo-sung~ Your bounty is ready!
Just as I was about to burst into an outburst, a guild staff member arrived.
Seeing the hefty bag of money on the counter, I felt my previous irritation dissipate.
Yes, financial therapy was the best for irritation.
Lets forget the fools for now and focus on the money.
Haha, Adventurer Woo Hyo-sung, youve only been an adventurer for less than half a year, and youve already become a silver-ranked adventurer.
Yeah, well, each hero I caught had a high bounty on them, so I guess that sped up my promotion.
Though I played it off casually, such rapid advancement was objectively impressive.
The empire, having appointed these now-dangerous heroes, understood their threat level best.
Of course, I faced several near-death situations, but I successfully managed to survive and achieve results by making the most of what I had.
Equipment, experience, revenue earned, various means prepared by investing in them, and the full support of Ga-ram
And also, her advice, now considered indispensable in my daily life.
Being promoted to gold rank requires national merit and royal certification, so it might be difficult for non-heroes, but with such achievements, you might soon be requested for major assignments!
Haha, Ill count on you then.
Surviving dangers seemed to bring people who shared joy in my growth.
Thinking that it was proof that I was doing well, I was leaving the guild with the bounty when Ga-ram, who had just finished putting the wanted criminal in jail, ran up to me.
Brother, did you get the payment well?
Of course I did. Here, take this.
The hefty money bag in my hand exceeded the average income of not only adventurers but even most heroes.
Ga-rams eyes sparkled with admiration as she checked the amount.
Wow, the payment is quite a bit more than usual this time~!
We should receive a lot. I heard that guy was infamous enough to have defeated several heroes already.
Indeed, he seemed obsessed. Even before going to jail, he kept yelling, Hyo-sung boy~! Ill devour you one day~!
Heh, let me know when that guys execution date is set. Ill sit in the VIP seat and watch it live.
Though said in jest, the fallen heroes Id captured were unlikely to face execution.
Really, you and Airi are not in any kind of relationship?
Yes. At least, not in the way youre thinking.
Feeling a bit guilty, I gazed beyond the alleyway we were passing and continued in a quiet voice.
Not yet.
Though it might be too soon, I hoped that one day it would be so.
I let this modest hope slip quietly.
Heh~ Not yet, huh?
Hey, if you tease me again, Ill get angry!
Hehe, sorry, but youre just too cute when youre flustered.
Ga-ram teased me and stepped back.
Then, at a fork in the road, she waved goodbye to me.
I have a dinner appointment with a sponsor today, so Ill take my leave. Have a good time with Airi!
Sure, see you at the guild tomorrow.
I wanted to chase after her and give her a piece of my mind, but I guessed it was better than being down all the time.
After all, Garam didnt tease me out of malice but rather supported Airi and my relationship.
I was content with our living arrangement, so I accepted her feelings positively and headed back to the house where she was waiting.
I wonder if Airi has prepared dinner by the time I get back.
The small sense of happiness I felt on my way back must be because everything is going well for me right now.
Work was dangerous, but the earnings were good. I had quickly risen to places not even heroes could reach, and someone was waiting for me back home.
Although luck played a part, it wasnt solely luck that got me here, and I felt proud of my achievements.
Yes, Im definitely doing well right now.
Its not enough.
Yet, was this smooth sailing guaranteed to continue?
In a world where even those called heroes could die in the blink of an eye, could anyone guarantee that being content now meant everything would remain fine?
Its not enough. I need more
The whisper that had started to echo in my mind grew louder, overwhelming my rational thoughts as my breathing hastened and my vision blurred.
I suddenly heard music, along with feeling breathless and my vision blurring.
Ding-a-ling~
It was a clear melody.
Adjusting the rhythm and pitch, plucking the strings of a lute
The moment it filled the streets, it was unmistakably music.
Ding-a-ling, ding
I felt a rising urge within me at the sound, but a greater sense of familiarity subdued it and drew my steps towards the source of the sound.
Yes, it was something I had heard before.
So much time had passed, and I thought I would never hear it again, almost forgetting it.
But someone who could bring it back to my memory was leading me nearby.
Ding-a-ling~ Ding~
The sound led me to a fountain in the middle of the street.
And there, capturing the attention of passersby, was a minstrel in a black cloak.
Clap, clap, clap.
As the performance ended, applause sounded, and the minstrel, receiving the crowds cheers, bowed in thanks.
And when the minstrel raised her head, she focused her gaze on someone standing in the center of the crowd, recognizing her.
Oh my?
It was me.
Just as I thought of her, it seemed she also thought of me
No, thanks to my abilities, she wouldnt have forgotten me. Surely, she would respond when we faced each other.
Its been a long time, Hyo-sung. Have you been well?
Just like the last letter she left, which mentioned how we should greet each other if we ever met againnot with overwhelming joy, but with a simple greeting.
Eh~ Have you perhaps forgotten me because its been too long?
Because I thought we would never see each other again.
This modest reunion felt all the more special.