第六章：一日だけのシルバーランク
私は日本出身ではなく、西洋から来ました。翻訳がうまくできないため、英語で投稿しています。私の物語を楽しんでいただけると嬉しいです！
By some kind of miracle, blessing of the gods, or sheer luck; Grog and Tull were saved. Their savior was a human with dirty black hair, wearing all black and draped in what looks like a military jacket with its collar popped. The silver buttons and stitching add a strike of color to what would normally be a boring black outfit. His belt is a striking silver color topped with a buckle depicting an upside down heart made of metal. Their eyes are a fiery orange portraying an ego that exudes from his expression alone. He slowly approaches the two, black boots breaking off the burnt and dead grass that was engulfed in flames not a moment ago. One hand in his jacket pocket, carrying a swagger with each step letting everyone who sees him know he is confidant and full of themselves.
Before any words are spoken, another voice calls out from a distance. Another human runs towards the group, the gleam from his round glasses hiding his eyes, messy orange hair bouncing with each step. He's wearing what appears to be an average explorer's uniform; a brown vest, long-sleeve white shirt, and green cargo pants, each pocket filled with something inside. Along his belt are health potions, and his large black backpack carries supplies and topped with a bedroll. A glimmer of silver shines on his vest; a silver Guild badge.
"Blaze! Did you drive them off?" the orange-haired Adventurer calls out to the one in black, apparently named Blaze. He reaches Blaze and begins to lean on his knees, catching his breath before looking up at Tull and Grog, adjusting his glasses to reveal soft green eyes and a pasty freckled face.
"Oh? Rosa told us there were new Adventurers around. I'm glad we made it in time! Those wargs could cause quite a problem...I wonder why they've wandered so far from their usual territory near the cave?"
"Tch!"Blaze scoffs, "You bronzies are lucky we were in the area. I'm surprised you survived as long as you did!" he throws his hands into the air as if to taunt them, then looks over at the other Adventurer who is giving a disapproving look before putting his hands back into his jacket and walking off.
"Sorry about him! He means well, he just isn't good at expressing it." the orange-haired Adventurer laughs nervously before noticing the cuts on Tull's arm.
"Oh! You're hurt! Here, let Vexx help you."
Suddenly, a little red creature in a green hood pops out from behind his backpack. It has no facial features other than a large jaw, it walks on all fours with it's deer-like legs and small clawed hands before standing up, the tip of its head coming up to Grog's eyes. It reaches out its clawed hands towards Tull and a light begins to shine, letting out a soft hum. After a few seconds pass, the cuts on Tull's arm begin to vanish and his energy comes back to him. This was healing magic! A rare skill that only few are able to learn. He's only ever heard about it in books and stories, but to witness it firsthand filled him with a sense of awe as warmth washed over his body.
Soon after, the light fades and Tull looked good as new.
"Thanks!" Tull smiles down at Vexx.
"You're welcome!" Vexx replies in an extremely deep voice. Suddenly, both Grog and Tull freeze at the surprise.
"That thing talks?!" Grog lets his thoughts slip out before catching himself. Vexx looks back towards Grog with a frown and then lets out a huff of air before laughing.
"That's not a thing, that's Vexx. He's my companion and fellow Adventurer." Vexx nods in agreement before pulling out a silver Guild badge from his hood and flashing it towards Grog.
"Bet you've never seen a demon Adventurer before, huh?!" Vexx smirks at Grog, who looks back at him with a sense of unease.
"I'm Lucas, by the way," the orange-haired Adventurer states, reaching his hand out towards Tull, "And if you haven't already guessed, that's Blaze."
Tull shakes Lucas's hand and smiles, "Tull. And this here is Grog." Tull gestures to Grog, who looks towards Lucas and says nothing, only taking recognition to his introduction.
"Those wargs are still roaming about, so it would be pretty reckless to let you two walk back to the village by yourselves. How about you join us in looking into what's caused them to wander from their territory?" Lucas readies up his backpack and begins walking towards Blaze, who has already started moving towards the next objective.
"Are you sure?" Tull and Grog begin walking with him. Vexx leaping back on top of Lucas's backpack.
"Of course! There's a cave nearby that's a part of their territory. If something is driving them away, it's best to look into it before they put anyone else in danger," He adjusts his glasses upwards with his finger, "The local wargs don't often move close to the roads or where people travel. If we take care of what's in the cave, the wargs will move back and nobody else will get hurt."
Tull stares at Lucas in wonder, "Wow, you know a lot about wargs, huh?"
Lucas nods his head, "I actually research a lot of creatures! You could say it's a passion of mine." he smiles and grabs the straps of his backpack as they continue to move.
"Are you sure you're okay with us tagging along?" Tull questions.
"Yep! I promise you, if anything comes around, Blaze could probably take care of it by himself!"
Blaze, upon hearing this, stops and turns around in annoyance, his brow furrowed and eyes locked onto Lucas.
"Eh? Why are you wantingme to babysit a pair of bronzies? They'll do nothing but slow us down."
Lucas scratches the back of his head and looks towards Tull, chuckling with slight nervousness.
"Don't mind him, we'll make sure you're safe the entire time! Plus, you can probably get a good look at what Silver-Rank Adventurers do!"
Blaze scoffs and turns back around to continue walking. From how the two talk, it's obvious they've been adventuring together for a good while now. Blaze's rude tone and cocky nature has no effect on Lucas's timid and kind demeanor. It's anyone's guess as to how anyone else could put up with him.
Tull looks down at Grog, who's facing forward and not recognizing anyone or anything throughout the conversation. They've only known each other for a few days, and to Tull, it feels like they haven't grown any closer at all. Somewhere deep down, Tull is surprised the goblin hasn't left him yet. He doesn't know if it's out of obligation, sympathy, or if he's just staying as a means of easy living.
Grog's mind, however, is still recovering from the fear of almost dying. Why should he stay any longer if it means risking his life again like earlier? He has no reason to stay besides a free place to rest and easy food. He could just as easily walk away and look for a new place to live, or continue to wander the road like he has been for weeks before. Grog had grown used to the peaceful life of a low-tier Adventurer. Moving on now could mean struggling to find even scraps for food, or worse, risking his life to another attack with nobody else to back him up. But if things get worse, and if they begin to fight monsters, maybe he should consider leaving?
Grog looks towards Tull through the corner of his eye, taking a heavy, nervous swallow, before looking forward again.
As the group approaches a small clearing, they see large cave opening embedded onto a hill. A cool breeze blows towards them, with an eerie, quiet darkness emanating from inside. The birds are silent, and the blowing leaves trail an omen of danger. They all pause at the entrance, the opening towering over them. This cave is unnaturally large for a hill this size. Could this be a dungeon?
Blaze rests his arms behind his head, looking the cave up and down before scoffing and walking inside. His grassy steps becoming cold and hard echoes with each movement.
Lucas takes his time to analyze the cave before noticing Blaze walking forward, which causes him to panic and immediately start moving to catch up to him.
"H-hey! Wait up! We don't know what's inside yet!" he talks with force, trying not to yell and alert what might be inside. Vexx is thrown back at Lucas's sudden movements, holding onto the handle of the backpack as to prevent getting thrown off. Grog and Tull take a moment to look at each other in silence, then they both look forward and follow the other three.
