Volume 4 Chapter 1-2 Rotten Disease
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”The Cloudburst disease is a terrifying illness that keeps taking lives until it’s lost──so I understand the family’s feelings, trying again and again, even when they know it’s reckless.”
It’s probably better to do something, anything, than to just watch helplessly as loved ones die.
In manga, life-and-death challenges often end with a miracle, a dungeon cleared.
But this world… It’s like a game, sure, but unfortunately, games are bound by rules.
In a game, ignoring the proper level and making a reckless challenge over and over?
No miracles there. Just a dog’s death.
If you’re going to hope for a miracle, at least you’d need a full party of level thirties to stand a chance… but even then, according to Ms. Claire, 30 might still not cut it.
If only there was a level 40 tank on the team, it might be different.
But even then, it’s still a reckless challenge.
It’s not worth the risk of losing someone. In the end, trying to tackle this dungeon at a low level is just inefficient.
Sure, if it’s a game you’ve already cleared, you could grind through at a lower level. But for a first-timer, sticking to the proper level is the smarter move.
Which means… power leveling.
Power leveling is typically a party affair, and you need high-level friends to leech off.
You’ve got to switch up your hunting grounds depending on the level bracket.
If I had Ms. Ant’s help, I could probably boost my level by 20 in a different dungeon. But that’s a one-time deal.
I’ve got to level up 3 others too…
Wait, hold on.
My battle style is solo, plain and simple.
I’m not even a combat class, so trying to fit into a team is out of the question.
Can’t go straight at it, and there’s no cheating either.
But what about a trick that plays by the rules?
Sure, there’s a limit to how much I can level up in a short time… but what if I’m not entirely out of luck?
Ani-Ani got bitten by a swamp leech because they went into the bushes to pick up the vial of anointing oil I gave them.
They threw it into the forbidden bush, the one we’re not supposed to go near, after taking it from Ani-Ani.
There’s a limit to how much mischief kids should get into.
Still… if I hadn’t given her that perfume, none of this would’ve happened.
She’s a sassy, rough-around-the-edges girl, but she knows how to say thank you.
”So, Ms. Claire, you know the location of the Valley of Trials?”
”Yes, I think it’s less than half a day’s ride from here.”
”You’re not actually going, are you? That’s reckless, pointless… Absolutely not!”
Ms. Nina is right, you know?
But I’ve glimpsed a tiny, fragile thread of possibility…
It’s probably impossible, 9 times out of ten, but I’ll regret it if I don’t go.
”I know it’s a long shot. I’m just going to check things out.”
Yeah, just a quick look, that’s all.
No time to waste, so I’ll figure out if I’m really going through with this while we’re moving.
Even steeling my resolve takes time, after all.
I hastily packed food and water into a bag and strapped it to Ms. Joa’s saddle.
I hop onto Ms. Claire’s saddle.
I’m going to try a variation of a forced march, using a change of horses.
”You’re not going alone, are you? If you absolutely insist, I’ll go with you.”
Ms. Nina looks genuinely angry.
She’s trying to stop my cheap, dime-store heroism, no matter what.
Am I loved?
At the very least, I’m cared for.
But with my plan, I can’t take Ms. Nina along.
”It’s not like I don’t have a plan. Trust me. Ms. Nina and Ms. Ant, prepare for a night in the field and wait in the village. Wait for my orders.”
I meet Ms. Nina’s eyes.
I can see how worried she is. For some reason, it reminds me of the mother I left behind in Japan.
”Understood. Don’t you dare come back without a scratch.”
Time is precious. Ms. Nina hesitated for a moment, but then quickly followed my instructions.
She’s the best, truly.
As we were about to leave the village gate and pick up the pace, a boy who had been standing idly on the side of the road suddenly leaped out in front of us.
Ms. Claire slammed to a halt, and I almost fell off the horse.
”You idiot, are you trying to die?!”
He’s that boy who just keeps sticking around Ani-Ani.
And he’s the one who threw Ani-Ani’s precious perfume into the bush, causing all this mess.
What, is he seriously feeling guilty enough to think about… killing himself?
”You’re heading to the Valley of Trials, right? Take me with you! I want to save Anita!”
His foolish words ignited a raging fury inside me.
”I’m in a hurry──get out of my way!”
”It’s my fault Anita’s suffering! I’m the one who’s gonna save her!”
The boy was already trying to climb up Ms. Joa.
”You’re such an idiot, and you’re wasting precious time to help Anita. How foolish can you be?”
Anger surged through me, but strangely, it helped me think more clearly.
My mind was racing, faster than I’d ever experienced.
I could tell this boy meant no harm.
His desire to save Anita was genuine.
He must’ve been scolded by the adults plenty, yet staying in the village must feel like sitting on a bed of nails.
He probably can’t sit still, trying to escape his guilt.
I could understand that feeling, even if I didn’t agree.
”Anita won’t die! I’ll save her even if it costs me my life!”
Is he trying to atone for his sins?
Or does he really think he’s a prince saving the princess?
No matter the reason, his self-sacrifice is… admirable, I guess.
But let’s be real: no matter how many lives you throw away, it won’t reach the dragon.
Not even Ms. Ant could do it, which is why I left her behind.
I wouldn’t be risking my life if I knew it was a hundred percent pointless.
But now that I’ve glimpsed a sliver of hope, I have no choice but to take the chance.
Otherwise, I’ll end up drowning in regret every single day.
Damn it, why should I be the one feeling regret?
It’s all this damn kid’s fault.
A reckless adventure isn’t my style──it’d be smarter to just return to the smithy, forget all this, and get some sleep.
If I lose out before Ms. Nina does, I’d only end up causing her more pain. I ought to be worrying about those close to me instead.
Cut it out, Ani-Ani, I know it’s not cool, but this was just (fate) luck, alright?
Every year, hundreds catch the Kusare disease. You think I can save ’em all, huh?
Maybe it was me who had the hero complex, not this kid.
I’m the quail’s Hero, not some dragon-slaying hero.
So what? Screw that!
”You big dummy! Stop dreaming and just do what you can with all your might!”
I grabbed the kid by the collar and threw him to the ground.
Ignoring the boy who started bawling on all 4s, I took off for the Valley of Trials.
I’m the one who wants to cry, dammit. Leaving Ms. Nina wasn’t some noble sacrifice──I just ran away.
And just like that, I wasted precious time.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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