The Forsaken Hero - Volume 1 Chapter 16

Guide Us, Hero Part 1

So youre the guy whos supposed to be guarding us this time huh? Yuuji or something?

The person who spoke was the sole male in the party I was tasked to guard.

A person I remembered well.

One of Samejimas entourage, Mahara Keito.

He hadnt changed at all. With his average build, he was a Japanese male through and through. Actually, he was looking a bit fat.

It was proof that he was skipping his daily practice drills. Looks like Maharas pretty much just lazy.

Mahara! You shouldnt talk to him like that! Sorry about him, youre here to help us.

The girlnamed Tamaki Yuireprimanded Mahara after misunderstanding my lack of a response for being offended.

She was the class chairman, basically someone who would act as the facilitator. To put it another way, she supported my classmates bullying me as well, helping me in a bad way.

Id always think something along the lines of should a class chairman be doing this whenever it happened. But then Id remember that she was always treating people well, so she was popular among both the teachers and the underclassmen.

Huh?

Wait, then doesnt that mean that she wasnt treating me as a human?

Lets stop there. I feel like Im sinker deeper and deeper.

Its alright, dont worry. Im Yuuji, an adventurer. Itll just be for a little while, but I look forward to working with you all.

Saying that, I held out my hand.

The girls introduced themselves one by one and shook my hand.

M-My name is Hayase Fuuko. P-Pleased to meet you.

Minamoto Kureha.

Tamaki Yui here! Good to meet you!

Hayases presence was a bit weak even back in the class, so now Im finally able to match a face to her name.

She was one hundred percent an observer. She never once acted violent against me. In other words, shes not one of my targets.

Really, killing her feels like itd be a bit overboard.

Lets have her play that role.

On the other hand, this fake blonde, Minamoto, looks like a straight up bitch. Shes a leading figure in the group that hangs out with Samejima. I cant even count how many times her foots trampled me.

Therefore, capital punishment for her.

Yeah, thanks for the introductions. Its probably rushing things a bit, but were going to be heading out to Trance Labyrinth, so could you tell me about the party composition and who the leader is? Id like to get a good grasp on how you all work.

Minamoto and I are the vanguard with Mahara and Hayase following up the rear. Im the one who gives out instructions.

I see. It was a typical composition. Hayase was set to be on standby along with me and Mahara wasnt so good at doing risky stuff in the front lines.

Pretty good composition you have there. You mustve thought on it well.

Yeah, thanks!

Ill also be defending you all, so dont worry about surviving. How about we head out now? To the dungeon, that is.

Yeah! Everyone, lets do it!

Should I show you my strength?

O-Okay

Tch.

My former classmates all left the room in succession.

Yeah, lets all go together. Itll be your execution site, though.

Smirking to myself, I followed after them.

Nothing happened on the road at all. Everyone just talked with one another with the exact same lack of tension as when they headed into Rigal Den.

Looks like they didnt learn their lesson

Id watched over them on the way in near shock at their nonchalance, but I also came to know more about them.

First of all, their special abilities.

Mahara had Replicate. He could use any magic hed seen before. In doing so, the magics mana consumption and the like would be modified to be within his limits.

Minamoto had Variate Sword. She could change her swords hardness and its length up to eight meters.

Hayase had Grand Library. A non-combat type of ability. Once she learned something, she would remember it for eternity. Moreover, it could do something like retrieving things whenever she wanted.

Tamaki had Frost Witch. It would increase the effectiveness of her ice magic by one level. However, it could not surpass divine rank.

Every one of them had an overpowered ability, but I felt Tamakis ability was the most frightening. Spirit rank would become soul rank, soul rank magic rank, and so on.

Im glad I learned about it before I did anything. Even if shes way below me in levels, she mightve been able to injure us a bit. Shuri can only use soul rank magic, after all.

I told them about Heart of Steel as it was the least impressive of my abilities. Hayase was there and I didnt want to risk giving any false information that could damage her trust in me, so I didnt lie about it.

Their statuses were as bad as Id expected, but I did find out a few other interesting things.

Mahara Keito obviously has a thing for Tamaki. He hadnt left Tamakis side at all since we set out.

Unfortunately, this girl hed set his mind on talked to me so that she could avoid Mahara.

With this girl asking me to help her out, it looks like she isnt on too great of terms with the other girls on the team.

I should probably think of this team as one that was put together haphazardly.

Excuse me, Yuuji?

What is it?

Why are we going to Trance Labyrinth? Wouldnt Rigal Den have been a better choice?

This girl, asking that even though she already knows why

Even with Tamaki knowing full well why, she asked while pretending to not know. She did it so that there wouldnt be a pause in our conversation.

She really, really didnt want to talk with Mahara Well, its obvious how much the idiot loves to run his mouth and brag just by listening to him the moment he opens his mouth.

Rigal Den is chock full of adventurers right now, so itd be a bit awkward to get through. That being the case, it will be quicker for you all to raise your levels in Trance Labyrinth, a dungeon that people dont tend to like.

Oooh? So that was the reason. Then then!

Geh. Shes still going to continue?

It started to make me feel fed up, so I stopped the conversation in its tracks and called out to everyone.

Alright, well be exploring the dungeon from now on. Everyone, ready your weapons and focus. Get in formation.

Tamaki and Hayase listened to what I said and took out their short swords. The other two, well, yeah.

They wore expressions that screamed how little they gave a f*ck about what I said.

Hey, youre a guard hired to protect us yeah?

Yeah, thats right.

Then dont tell us what to do.

Huh?

The hecks this guy going on about? Does he not remember how close they all came to dying because of their pride?

Wed be fine even without you here. We wouldve been fine that last time, its just that they swarmed us all at once. We wouldnt have lost if they didnt.

Itd be better for you to stop being so arrogant. Youll live longer.

If it gets dangerous for us, well just have you protect us. Youll protect us even if it costs your life, you are our guard, after all.

Mahara grinned in ridicule and strutted inside as he brandished his rod.

Since thats how it is, be sure not to mess up.

Minamoto followed Mahara inside.

Those two

Sorry about them, Yuuji. They are too overconfident in themselves

Wed been left behind. Hayase was flustered and Tamaki bowed her head in apology.

I just laughed dryly and tapped them both on the shoulder.

I dont mind, so dont worry about it. More importantly, we should follow them in. The monsters that appear here are stronger than those in Rigal Den.

O-Okay.

I played the role of a gentleman to get them to lower their guard. It looks like it worked, as they both seemed to relax.

You dont need to be so respectful to me either, you know. Im the same age as you both.

Really? But you seem older

I get that a lot. Its all good though, Ill make sure to protect you two as your senior in dungeon exploring. Just stick close to me.

I gave as reassuring a smile I could. It was hard to smile so much in a single day, my cheeks felt like they were going to fall off. Im definitely not used to doing this.

Alright

Thank you for escorting us so properly, Yuuji.

Yeah, of course.

I pulled on the two girls hands and lead them inside.