Black Haired King - Chapter 6

Now then, lets go. Shall we? The woman said that with a smile.
Now that I think about it, I havent asked her for her name.

Yes, please treat me well. My name is Redius.

Redius-kun, huh. Im Bene, that big guy over there is Domos, and the thin one is

Im Kalk, please look after me too.

Yes, please look after me as well.

Uwaa, somehow, this sort of thing is pretty good. Even if its only temporary, it seems like Ive made some friends. Its my first request, I was a little nervous, but Im excited now.

Then, I had Bene and Kalk teach me about being an adventurer. The amount of medicinal plants that you need to pick and how much you need to leave behind. They taught him how to decide when to leave, kill prey, and various other things.

Since I only had the knowledge I learned from books, learning from another persons stories was refreshing to me. I dont know if Domos-san is normally the silent type, but hes been silently looking at the surroundings with caution for awhile now. When hes looking around like that

Ive found one.

Domos-san pointed his bow at something. When I looked where he was pointing, there was a pair of white ears poking out of the brush. Is it possible thats.? (TL Note: Yesyes it is.)

Ara, a white rabbit. Thats a good sign isnt it? Redius-kun, lets go.

Bene-san moved toward the white rabbit, slowly but surely. The others were slowly advancing while not making a sound. I tried to emulate them, but when I move, my shoes rustle the grass. This is hard.

Fufu, Ill show you how its done this time Redius-kun. Watch me, ok?

The three of them began to surround and move in on the white rabbit. Alright, Ill take you up on your offer and observe you this time.

The white rabbit lifted its head while it was eating grass, and look around restlessly because it might have noticed their presence.

Die!

Bene-san moved in quickly to cut the white rabbits throat. Oohh! Before I knew it, weve already defeated one. If it was me, it would have noticed me rather quickly and ran away.

Alright, its done. Here you go Redius-kun.

After they killed it, they drained its blood, and Bene-san handed the white rabbits carcass to me.

Eh? The one who defeated it was Bene-san though, wasnt it?

Were fine. Even if we hunt a single white rabbit, its only 1 copper coin anyways. Our target is a wolf, and its worth 1 small silver coin each. So, its fine.

She said that while smiling at me.

Ah, but, I guess itll be heavy if you carry it now, so just have Domos carry it. Domos, please.

Ah.

Sorry to have you help me for everything.

Fufu, its alright. Adventurers should help each other out after all.

Theyre truly good people. Its almost like people avoiding my black hair has been a lie I cant just rely on these people forever, I have to help them in some way.

Is there anything I can do then? Ill help you with anything!

Haha, in that case.well have you help us out with our hunt.

When I said that, Kalk-san replied from behind me. Hunting a wolf huh, I wonder if theres anything I can do. Alright!

I understand, Ill do my best!

While I tried to motivate myself, everyone around me began to chuckle to themselves. W-what?

When that time comes, please.

Bene-san walked away after that. Everyone else followed behind her. Alright, Ill try my best to help, even if its just a little bit.

Weve travelled in pretty deep huh.

An hour after I followed Bene-san, we came across white rabbits and some goblins too. Goblins are something that Ive never before, but Bene-san and her group took care of most of them.

Each goblin was about as tall as me; they were 130 centimeters, hairless, and wearing loincloths.

They were wielding clubs, but Bene-sans group quickly and easily took care of them.

It was my turn when a white rabbit appeared, but I wasnt very skillful at erasing the sound of my own footsteps, so it noticed me half-way through.

As a result, it tried to run, but Kalk-san managed to kill it, so it couldnt get away. I really thought that Id be able to take care of something like this, but it didnt go too well.

I kept following Bene-sans group until we reached the center of the forest. The trees in this area grew so well that sunlight couldnt pass through their thick leaves to reach us.

It was quite scary being in such a gloomy forest, but having Bene-sans group around somewhat put me at ease. I probably wouldnt have made it this far on my own.

This area should be good, yeah?

Yeah

Im also ready

While I was thinking about such things, Bene-sans group suddenly stopped walking. Is this where the wolves appear?

Alright Redius-kun, theres something I want you to do.

Bene-san said that while turning toward me. Right, lets do whatever I can to help.

Yes! What should I do?

About that

Bene-san approached me and
(ED: No! Run man!)

Zupa!

Eh?

The moment she swung her right hand, I lost the vision from my left eye. Gradually, I could feel some kind of heat rising.
Hot! hot! hot! hot! hot!

What is this?! I started to quickly feel pain attack the left side of my face. When I pressed my hand against my throbbing face, I felt something muddy.

Ahhhhhhhhh!

I screamed out in pain and collapsed to the ground on my behind. Whys there blood on my face! How!? Why!? The questions swirled around in my mind, but the answer didnt come.

Ah? I swung the short sword with the intention to slice your face, but only the left side was cut, huh. Dont tell me this brat tried to dodge it?

Kuku, didnt your skills get rusty because youve been relying on your charm to lure in men?

Shut up Domos. You, shut up too.

Bene-san kicked me in the belly and sent me flying. I wasnt prepared, so I was blown backward, and crashed into a tree.

Gaha!

The shock made me cough up all the air in my lungs, but I couldnt even notice it because of the intense pain on my face. My mind finally caught up with the situation. I now understood that Bene-san slashed me.

Guu Wh Why are you doing this?

I asked, enduring the pain caused by moving my mouth. In response to my question, Bene-san had a surprised look on her face.

Fufu, you seem to view us as helpful senpai from the guild. Too bad though. Were bad people who target newbies. We either sell greenhorns like you to slave traders or use you as bait to lure in monsters. Whats wrong, boy?, My acting was good, right?

You were magnificently tricked, boy.

There are a lot of reckless newbies who die really early, so the guild wont really investigate your death you see. Even if youre the child of a noble. Well, the guild has recently begun to provide training to such silly kids to decrease the amount of deaths, but

I see. So, I was tricked.

Besides, who would actually approach a disgusting kid with black hair like you? Even though Im talking to you in a forest where nobody can see, I cant stop getting goosebumps, thats how disgusted I am right now.

Right. Its always been like this, hasnt it? Ive always been ignored, despised, and attacked because of my hair color. Back home; only my mom, sister, and Mia would talk to me despite my hair color.

Even then, I shouldve known that a person who would talk to me without minding my hair color didnt exist. Yet, I immediately trusted these people when theyd only shown me their kindness just once. I was too foolish

Furthermore, youre well dressed even though your hair is black. We targeted you thinking that youre a sheltered kid from somewhere. That sword too.

I got startled at Bene-s, no, at Benes words.

Thats true. Ive seen black hair people a few times, but usually, theyre either being traded as slaves and are dying, or theyre living in the back alleys and are dying, thats why

Maa, that doesnt matter. Now, if you hand over all the money you have, and that sword too, well at least leave you with your life.

If you can safely leave this forest that is. Said Bene-san, while the rest started laughing.
But No

Ah? What did you say?

I got up, ignoring the pain in my eye. Then, I drew the sword that was hanging on my waist. The hilt was wet with blood, but more importantly

Are you saying you wanna go at it?

Hes looking down on us, huh.

Their expressions that were previously laughing, changed. They released such an amount of killing intent that even an amateur like me could recognize it. It was so scary that my body started shaking, but

Ill never hand over this sword.

Never, at least not the sword my mom left me.

Shut up! Domos.

Mm

But, I didnt have the strength I needed to protect it..
Following Benes orders, Domos wielded the axe that was hanging from his hip, then he swung it at me. I somehow managed to deflect it with my sword, but it was immediately knocked away.

Gaha! I was cut diagonally.
An endless amount of blood started to flow out, and I couldnt move my body anymore, so I fell forward. My body had a cold, yet hot sensation going through me right now.

Ah? It was shallower than I thought. Why?

See, its strange isnt it? He probably cant move anymore because of that though, so lets take what we wan.

Thats true.

Domos felt around my body and took away my coin purse that had a gold coin inside. S***, I want to move my body, but it just wont budge.

Ooh! This kid had a gold coin on him. Ill be able to drink a lot of sake with this.

It was exactly as I thought, huh. Well then, the sword too.

Bene bent down and grabbed the sword near me. But, just this..

Tch, this kid wont let go. Let go!

Bene got angry over the fact that I wouldnt let go, so she stomped on my right arm over and over again. Normally, I would be in so much pain that I would scream, but, at this point in time, the feeling of pain started to fade.
Then, He finally let go. Jeez, stop wasting my time.

She kicked me in the stomach, but, even compared than that, having my sword stolen hurts more. S***, S***, S***. If only I was stronger. I never thought Id be as frustrated as I was today. Damn it.

Now, lets quickly kill this kid and leave.

Thats true, with the smell of blood being this thick..Damn, we were too slow, huh.

Were leaving this area quickly! If were surrounded by wolves, itll be really hard to get away.

Ah, if we use this kid as bait, well be able to escape. Lets get out of here, now!

Bene-san and them left after that At the same time, from the forest, I could hear a massive amount of footsteps and growling. .Wolves, huh. Will I be killed by being eaten by wolves? Im sorry mom, I wasnt able to keep my promise. Elder sister, Mia, Im also sorry. I even promised to meet with them again.

While the consciousness inside of me faded, regret whirled inside of me.