Chapter 354: Scum of Trouble

———Lerim———

<3: 02 pm>

“Hmm…” I mumbled to myself while looking at the sky.

“What is it? It’s odd for you to be standing around like that.” Boss said as he approached me.

“The same could be said about you, but I guess you really need some fresh air.” I said in response. “Anyway, I was just thinking about a few things. You know how a lot of things have been happening lately.”

“Indeed it has. Not in this town, thankfully, but with all the news you might seriously think we’re on the brink of war.” He remarked.

“It really does. The war on territories and such has been messy, there are people using more crazy rhetoric, and there seems to be more monsters going about.” It certainly doesn’t feel like it’s going to get better, not for a long while, at least. “Thankfully our place is rather secure at the moment, we don’t need to focus on whatever is happening outside at the moment. I know that you are very glad to hear that.”

“Anything that wouldn’t cause any more stress is obviously good. I find myself feeling a lot better as of late. I would like it to stay that way.” He said with a tired expression. Can’t say he’s selfish to think that, he has been doing a boring desk job for a while, it’s ruining his face.

“We are basically stuck gossiping about it and looking down on them while they burn. Sounds cruel, but it’s not as if they haven’t done something similar in the past. Everyone has looked at turmoil with apathy for plenty of reasons.” I remarked. Just another case of something that isn’t really my problem. If it was about a small trouble in a nearby town or something I’d go in and intervene, but it’s way bigger than that isn’t it?

As much as I would like to say I have more than enough strength to fight off whatever is happening… It’s not exactly all about brute strength, there is some sort of discussion going on, more complicated than what I usually dealt with. I’m definitely not qualified for it.

This is also not mentioning all the surprise factors. A lot could go wrong. Maybe one of those crazy strong guys in the mix. I could accidentally earn the ire of one for varying unpredictable reasons. I would just rather not gamble on that.

“It does sound rather immoral, but we also don’t want to risk anything either. We have a good thing going right now.” He pointed out.

“Indeed. Let’s not try to be ambitious in a tumultuous moment like this… Hmm…” I said before a few thoughts came into mind.

“What is it?” He asked, somewhat alarmed at my pondering.

“Just something about demons. Remember that disaster a few months back?” It’s a topic that certainly felt like it hasn’t been discussed as much as it should.

“Hmm… I have heard of it. The corruption that spreads hatred through the land…” He muttered, sounding more serious. “Do you think something like that will happen again?”

“Not necessarily. It’s just that conflicts tend to draw them out, and they are nasty pieces of work from what I have heard. A single one could ruin a nation, they said.” Now I don’t know how true that actually is, but I doubt it’s that much of an exaggeration, which means I probably couldn’t take on one of those in a fight.

“You have said that they are from a different realm, right?” He asked, trying to confirm something we only talked about a long time ago.

“Yeah, it’s a different dimension or something. I don’t really know how it’s separated from where we live. They can come here but we can’t go to theirs.” Not that I mind, I would probably get jumped if I dared to set foot in there.

“I see… How would we even know if they showed up?” He asked. He can’t possibly be on the lookout for them already? That’s being way too paranoid.

“Just like with anything else, just sense them. They give off a different vibe, but then again they can also disguise as a regular human, but certain types don’t bother.” Some can even disguise themselves as someone else almost perfectly, but a demon's mindset means that they can’t match someone’s mannerism perfectly. Something about them having traits that are easy to pick up on, they need to exploit their victim’s flaw to make sure their disguise remains intact.

“Hmm… That’s scary to think about.” He muttered.

“It’s why you shouldn’t think too much about it. You are already quite an overworked and paranoid guy as is.” He really needs more time to relax, otherwise we’ll be losing someone quite important to managing this place and keeping the peace.

Maybe I should ask Idea to get me another one of those if this keeps up… Nah, for now, let’s not try to curry more favors than I already am doing.

“I guess that’s not a very flattering description.” He remarked.

“Yeah.” I said before thinking about what to do next. Nothing too committal, just in case I need to go rescue more reckless folks.

———Meesi———

<3: 32 pm>

*Slash*

“Gurgh!?” He let out a scream before he collapsed and fell into a pool of blood.

“Ugh. This is really bad for the stomach.” I complained while looking around just to make sure no one else was around to attack us. “Just how many of them are gonna come? Of all the days as well…”

“I told you to stay back since you slept in late.” James said, looking at me with disapproval like some kind of parent.

“I’m still fine. Come on. It’s not like I was forced to wake up early.” I argued. “Admittedly, you alone should be enough to repel them.”

“Perhaps, but one person alone can only do so much, having you here will make sure there is no room for error.” He said before putting the sword back.

“You think Alsam is going to be fine?” I asked, since we have completely cleared this side. The others don’t have a powerhouse with them.

“He is a reliable one. I believe he will be. Today’s invasion is on the smaller side as well.” He speculated before the phone in his pocket rang out, leading to him taking the call. “Hello? Oh, so it’s all done for today? I see… Very well, see you back there.”

“Sounds like everything goes smoothly.” I remarked as he turned around to look at me.

“Yeah. Let’s go back to the guild, we’ll go there and share information with the others.” He explained.

“Alright then. Let’s leave this depressing place.” I said before getting the last look at the pile of corpses before both of us begin heading back. “It’s good that today’s invasion is quite light on the bodies, but what were they expecting coming here?”

“It’s the same reason as always, submit or die. Ridiculously over the top, their egos are certainly unmatched.” James said, finding them absolutely unimpressive. He hasn’t taken even a smidge of damage any time those loons come knocking, so it’s no surprise that he finds them to be something akin to annoying pests.

“Even I am stronger than them. They certainly are overconfident.” It’s one thing to be weaker than this guy, but even I don’t have a hard time beating a few of them at a time. What is going on with these goons?

“I’d imagine that the lack of incidents in this town led to them feeling like nothing dangerous is lurking nearby, but still, we should head back quickly in case they have learned something.” He said like we aren’t walking directly back. We’re at the edge of town so it’s going to take a while.

“Still can’t believe we’re seriously reaching this point. Did they forget how hellish the First Few Weeks was? Even locking ourselves in our home felt like we’re waiting for the hydraulic press to squish us.” I said with frustration clear in my voice. I would rather none of this be happening in the first place.

“Who can say? One would think the most reckless and insane of us would have been culled during that time, but that is simply not how it goes.” He said in a calmer tone than mine, but it still has a sense of annoyance to it. No one here likes the bullshit coming our way. I think Nowcat and a few others also got harassed like this, but of course the three big ones seem completely unbothered in the group chat.

“Really sucks how we seriously can’t ignore this at all. Just have to come all the way over here, certainly such a mess.” I complain some more as we continue our trip back to the guild.

“It’ll probably get worse. Thankfully we’re not lacking in funds right now and a few people contribute some money to the cause. As in, let you live day by day to keep fighting.” He said, almost sounding like he’s about to scoff. Considering the kind of danger we could be in, it does feel like we’re being short-changed, but it’s not as if this place is known for being full of rich people or something, they’re donating in good faith so none of us could really complain.

“Better than nothing, at least.” It’s not like we have that much option for cash either. We also can’t just ignore them just because we weren’t being paid. We can’t just… leave. “Why haven’t you gone to their place and wreck it up like that other time?”

“Are you kidding me? You and the rest were almost completely overwhelmed if it wasn’t for that kid you still didn’t find, and this time we are attacked from multiple territories.” He explained in annoyance.

“Yeesh, sorry for not being built different.” I sarcastically replied. The large gap between us is more of his problem than mine. “It’s crazy to think that you can snap Alsam like a twig even though it should be another way around.”

“Just a result of good training and discipline. Nothing more than that.” He dismissively replied. It’s crazy to think that is all there is to it. That sounds like some off-hand explanation why a mere human is capable of fighting a superpowered individual… Though I guess in this case there isn’t exactly a line separating the two camps like in those comic books. Everyone can use magic, there is no barrier there like some idiots still believe.

“Something was probably done differently…” I remarked, even if I probably won’t walk down that path even if I did know. We still can’t be sure if he is simply more talented than I am. That seems likely to me, even before all of this he has always been seen as a capable and charismatic guy. It’s just that the gap in those areas widened with the higher skill ceiling. “...Anyway, I hope there is a feast for us or something.”

“Tough chance. Maybe after everything has settled down, but as it stands I don’t think anyone is letting their guard down.” He replied.

“Then at least you pay for something for us to eat. I could use a nice cup of coffee.” My eyelids are still quite heavy and maybe a good cup of joe can help me perk up.

“Hey, you can’t just leech off me like that!” He protested. “But I was thinking about doing the same thing, let’s go see if the others want to hang out at the coffee place later too.”

“Can’t we just hang out and discuss it there in that case? Coffee aroma can help anyone relax.” I suggested.

“Don’t just decide on those things on your own now. You’re far from the first person anyone is going to take seriously.” Hey! Surely he can use better wording than that. That sounds way too uncompromising!

“Ugh, whatever.” I said while stretching my neck. We have better things to focus on than this banter that isn’t going my way anyway.