(Pov- Daniel.)
I feel God's confidence in me. Don't worry, God, I won't let you down! I'll pass this test!
I look at the people behind me, following us. So many adventurers who seem powerful… Has no one really been able to defeat him?
… No, Daniel, don't be afraid. It's just a test from God. A little extra help. You can do this, Daniel, have more confidence!
… More confidence… Yes… I need to have more confidence in myself.
I can do it… I can do it.
"Fufu. Nervous, kid?"
"Honestly, yeah, Mr. Demon. Any advice for a newbie like me?"
"… You don't lie… Are you really a newbie?"
"I've fought a few times in the past, but this is on another level. It's my first time in such a dangerous fight."
"Hahahahahaha! I see, I see. I'll be your first time, huh?"
"Ugh. Sorry for my reaction, but that sounded gross."
"Don't worry. All that nervousness will soon disappear."
"Thank you very much."
"Because I'll kill you!"
"… Oh… Wow, wow… Thanks?"
That was a very weird conversation.
We leave the village, and I move quite far from the Black Demon.
Alright… I think this distance will be enough. I feel like a cowboy facing another in a duel.
Well, it's almost the same. In both situations, one of them ends up dead.
"Are you ready to die?!" he said confidently.
"… Ready to die?"
Am I ready? Yes, I was. I was about to kill myself… But now I have a very important mission. I mustn't die… I won't let God down.
I'm mentally prepared to die at any moment, but that doesn't mean I'll die so easily.
"Not long ago, I was…"
I see many adventurers watching us. There are about 200 adventurers, though I suppose there are regular people among them too.
I can't look bad… I won't fail you, God.
"But for now, I don't plan on dying. Espada Dex!"
I feel a tingle in my fingers, and white, shiny dust comes out of my hands… My magic.
The dust quickly took the shape of… a sword.
A sword appeared in my hands. The sword is white, shiny, with a black hilt.
Simple design, but that doesn't mean it's not powerful. It's a weapon made by God, perfect for slaying demons.
Now for the next spell.
"Muslar Asio!"
… Wow… This tingling all over my body… I feel… incredible.
I feel my strength increase, and I take a deep breath.
Daniel, this is incredibly unfair, but awesome! Not only do I feel stronger, I feel lighter.
This tingling sensation doesn't go away, but I guess it'll stay as long as I'm using the spell.
Magic is… simply amazing.
"I feel my strength increasing… Awesome!"
"Fufu. You're one of the few who dare to challenge me; you have my respect!" the demon said.
Hmm… He's not taking me seriously; I can feel it. I don't feel truly in danger.
The Black Demon seems confident, laughing nonstop… I have a plan. A simple plan, but it'll work, I'm sure.
I run toward him, and the demon keeps laughing.
"Hahahahahaha! Die!"
The Black Demon tries to hit me with his sword, but… I can see his attack as if it's in slow motion and manage to dodge it.
My new strength allowed me to push off with my feet and move away from his attack.
Incredible… Magic is incredible.
The spell let me see his attack in slow motion… Too unfair, but I don't care!
His sword hit the ground. I have the advantage.
I look up and smile. I'm beneath him. The angle is perfect.
The plan worked.
Now. Don't hesitate and attack, Daniel!
"I'm sorry!!" I shouted, as I'm about to take someone's life.
I'm so sorry, but God is counting on me.
Without hesitation, I attack the Black Demon with my sword and cut him in half… Y-yes, my sword definitely cut him in half; I saw it and felt it. I cut him in half without any difficulty!
My sword is very powerful… Awesome! God, thank you for giving me such an advantage!
I quickly move away from him… I can't believe it worked. I won… I definitely won… I won!!
"I did it!"
Now I need to go get my reward! I hope it's enough to buy a lot of food.
"Fufu. Not bad, not bad."
Huh? I-impossible, I felt it cut him.
I turn and see he's still standing… Isn't he dead?! B-but I cut him in half! Did he regenerate?!
"Did I do nothing to him?!" I said, scared.
The demon keeps laughing, mocking me.
S-shit. I think now I need to use the flying spell and escape.
"Hahahahahaha! You're pathe…!"
… Huh?
"W-what?"
"Is he… dead?"
"Did he defeat him?"
Not only am I confused, but the adventurers are too. Did the demon not notice the cut?
The upper part of his body falls to the ground, and black blood pours out of him.
The Black Demon is… dead.
I'm a little scared; I had killed someone, but since it was a demon, I calmed down.
I have to endure it… It was him or me… I had no other choice.
I'm a killer, but I have to do it. God is counting on me… I mustn't hesitate… I mustn't feel guilty… Don't think about it, Daniel… Don't think about it.
"Wow, wow… That fast?"
"H-he did it… He did it!!"
Everyone shouts excitedly.
Wow, I feel like a singer at a concert, with everyone staring at me while they celebrate.
"Did he defeat the Black Demon that fast?!"
… Yes, it's true, it was too fast.
I look at the body, confused… That was a bit disappointing… Well, it was expected. He didn't attack me with all his strength… Being a coward has its advantages. He thought I was weak and got too confident.
"Are all demons this weak? I thought they'd have regeneration powers."
Alright… I'm done. Now I'll go back to the guild for my reward. Will they raise my rank? I think I'm rank E or F. Will they bump me to rank D? I'll find out.
I enter the village, and everyone treats me like a hero… I'm a bit embarrassed to be treated like this… But I like it.
I achieved my goal: becoming famous. Now my next goal is to find someone to teach me new spells.
I wonder if there's a school around here. I could ask a teacher if they could teach me spells. Just knowing the spell's name and what it does will let me use it.
Too unfair, but I think it's necessary since my enemies will be much more powerful than me.
"Wow, wow… It feels good," I said, full of embarrassment but also happy.
… Oh… I feel weird.
The sword disappears, and I feel my strength fade.
I don't feel the tingling anymore.
"Huh…? I guess the spells disappear when I feel I don't need them anymore."
I did it… My first day in this world is going wonderfully… My first mission was completed successfully!
I need to celebrate!
… Wow… Two hours ago, my heart was full of sadness, and I wanted to die, but now I feel so full of happiness… Thank you for this new life, God. Thank you so much.
I'll enjoy my new life as much as possible. Thank you for everything.
Grandma, your grandson is happy again… But I still miss you.
It'll take me time to get over your death… Ugh, I'd better stop thinking about that.
"Mr. Hero, why don't you celebrate your victory with us?"
Huh?
I turned to my right… Uwaaaah! Are those women showing me their bare breasts?! Is that a brothel?! Prostitutes?! No, no, no! Daniel, don't look; your grandma would be mad at you if you did!
I covered my eyes.
"I'm not interested!! G-goodbye!!"
I ran away as fast as I could.
How indecent! Why are they offering their services to a minor like me?! I'll report them…! Though I don't know what the age of majority is in this world.
Ahhhhhhhh! Prostitution is legal! It's a monarchy! Slaves! Ahhhhhhhh! Surely many enslaved women are forced to be prostitutes! This world is disgusting! I'll completely avoid coming into contact with brothels!
Ugh… I think I'll die a virgin… And I don't care!
I don't trust women, so I don't think I'll fall in love again. And I won't have sex without feeling love. Besides, my grandma told me sex is only after marriage. I'll die a virgin, but at least I won't disappoint my grandma… Uwaaaah!
I crashed into something and fell to the ground. Why did I keep running with my eyes closed?! I'm an idiot!
I opened my eyes… Ugh, I crashed into a guild wall. Well, that hurt, but at least I didn't hurt a person.
After dusting myself off, I enter the guild and head to Grey.
I wonder if I'll have enough to buy new clothes and armor. I need new clothes. In fact, I'm a homeless guy in this world; what I'm wearing is all I have.
I also stink, or so I thought. I haven't bathed in days, but I think God cleaned me when he gave me new clothes. The dirt stains are gone.
"Done, I defeated him. What do I do now? Do I need to fill out a document or something?"
"Huh…? You defeated the Black Demon?! Show me your card!"
My card? I guess she needs it to confirm my identity as an adventurer or something. She just gave it to me, but I think she's following her work routine.
I take out my card and show it to her. The face Grey makes is hilarious; her mouth is open, and her eyes are wide.
Wow, wow. She's more surprised than I imagined.
"You really defeated him!"
All the adventurers there are amazed. How do I know? Because they started talking about me. It's awkward, but I was mentally prepared for this situation. My legs trembling doesn't mean I'm nervous, okay?
Ahhhhhhhh! Who am I trying to fool?! I'm super nervous! It's awkward that they're talking about me!
I'd better change the subject… Hmm… Oh… Oh, right. Why did she look at my card?
How did she confirm what I said?
"You knew by looking at my card? How?"
She shows me my card.
"The numbers I wrote disappear when you complete a mission, die, or we remove them."
Magical numbers, huh? That's weird. Well, this world is weird, so I need to get used to it.
"Those symbols were numbers? How strange."
She hands me my card, and I put it away.
Alright… Ugh, everyone's still talking about me. I need to get used to this.
Grandma, your grandson saved a village… Well, though the demon was a test from God, so it's not that valuable, I guess.
"In a few minutes, I'll give you the reward."
"Thanks. I appreciate it."
What will I buy with my first salary? Clothes, food… Hmm… I guess I also need to find a place to sleep. Ugh, I have a lot to do.
A few minutes pass, and Grey returns with two bags of coins. Wow. Couldn't they at least give me a check or bills? How do I know they're coins? From the sound they make when moved.
"We've already deducted the registration fee. It's 50,000 gold coins, minus 100 coins for the registration."
"… Oh… Wow, wow…"
It's more money than I thought.
I don't think gold is worth much in this world, but that doesn't mean it's little money. Awesome, it'll be enough for a lot of food and clothes!
"I guess that's a lot. Thanks."
My stomach growls, and I get nervous because it growled too loudly. I remembered I haven't eaten in days.
Alright, alright, tummy, you'll have food soon. Don't start eating yourself.
"I haven't eaten in days… Do they sell food here?"
"Of course."
"How much do the dishes cost?"
"One gold coin."
Gold really isn't worth much.
Hmm… Let's say a dish costs about… 5 dollars? No… Hmm… 10. Yes, 10 dollars, depending on the dish.
… Uwaaaah! 50 x 10 equals 500! 500,000 dollars for a single mission?! Oh, my heart, my poor heart! Did I really earn that much money?! Ahhhhhhhh! What will I do…?! No… I mustn't let the money consume me.
I'll donate it. I only need the basics to survive; I don't need that much. I wonder if there's an orphanage or a poor place.
"Could you bring me two plates of food?"
"What kind of food?"
Hmm… Well, I don't know the food in this world, so I'm fine with anything, as long as it's not human meat.
"Anything, please."
I give her the two gold coins and sit at a table.
Alright… Wow… I never imagined I'd earn so much money.
But I won't let it go to my head.
"Wow, wow… Awesome, it's a lot of money. Now I need to find companions to teach me more spells."
… Oh, visitors.
Two men in armor approach me.
"Hey, did you really defeat the Black Demon by yourself?"
Come here, friends, I'll tell you the story of how the great Daniel defeated him.
Ugh, that sounded rude. Good thing I only thought it.
"Yes, I…"
Oh, my order. Sorry, but my food takes priority. I'm starving.
A waitress arrives with my food and hands it to me. The food is just meat… And it smells delicious! For a poor, starving guy like me, this is enough to cry with joy… But I have to hold it in.
It smells delicious! I can't stop salivating! Oh, my stomach hurts! Hold on a little longer, we're about to eat!
"Thanks! I really appreciate it!"
I take a handful of gold coins from the bag and give them to her.
"Here, a tip."
"So much?!" she said, amazed.
Honestly, I don't know what to do with so much money. What could I do? Help others, financially speaking.
"Yes, don't worry."
"Thank you!" she said with a big smile, excited.
It feels so good to help others.
The waitress leaves very happy, and I turn to the two men.
"Yes, I did it alone."
"Amazing! I heard he was as powerful as 'the great Sandro.'"
That name sounds so… weird.
"The great Sandro?" I said, confused.
He sounds like a boastful, lustful, and annoying guy.
"He's the most powerful adventurer in the guild… Well, he was until you arrived."
…
…
…
Oh… Uh… I think he'll hate me if he finds out about this. I hope I'm wrong and he turns out to be a nice person.
"Wow, wow. I see… Where is he?"
I'd like to ask him if he could teach me spells. Such a powerful adventurer must know hundreds of spells.
"He's on a mission with his companions. I envy him; he's very boastful about his magical power, but the girls are crazy about him."
… Harem?
Yeah, I figured… He's a boastful and lustful guy. Only lustful people would have a harem.
"Wow, wow. I see… Want something to eat?"
I think I could get more information out of them.
"No, we already ate."
"Alright."
"So… you have all types of magic. That's amazing. I thought it was impossible for someone to achieve that. How did you do it?"
I think for a few seconds about what to say… Hmm… Got it!
"Training."
The two look confused… I think I messed up.
"But you're born with a type of magical power; it doesn't develop through training."
I look down… Shit, I should've guessed.
I'd better not say anything else; I could ruin everything.
"Sorry, it's a secret."
"Are you a noble?"
"No, I'm not."
"Well, you look like one with those clothes."
"I'm not."
No need to lie; I'm really not. I have nothing to hide about that.
I start eating, and I was about to enjoy my food a lot, but some shouts interrupt me.
I'll enjoy my food, but that doesn't mean those shouts don't bother me.
"The best adventurer in the guild has arrived! I defeated a demon that was tormenting a village!"
… Well, that introduction already made it clear who he is… For a boastful guy, he's capable of defeating a demon… I mustn't underestimate his skills.
I turn to look at him. Sandro is a guy about 20 years old, with short green hair, green eyes, very handsome, and apparently very strong. He's wearing a green shirt and green pants. He really likes green. Next to him are five very beautiful girls. Are they his girlfriends? Considering two of them are hugging his arms, definitely girlfriends.
Ugh. Harem. I hate it, and it disgusts me.
A harem is like permitted cheating. Gross.
"Hey, was he here when the Black Demon was around?" I asked one of the men.
"Yeah, he fought him, but it ended in a draw. That's why they say they were evenly matched in power."
He managed a draw, huh?
"Wow, wow. I see."
Hmm… He disgusts me; I'll talk to him later when the disgust wears off.
I keep eating and hear him still boasting about his victory.
"With that fight, I'm ready to face the Black Demon again!" he said, full of confidence.
Ugh, that smells like trouble.
"Hey, don't you know yet? He was just defeated," a man said.
Please don't tell him it was me.
"He was defeated?!" he said, shocked.
"Yeah, by him."
Ugh. Thanks for ruining my meal even more.
The man points at me with his index finger, and I feel uncomfortable with the stares. I-I don't want trouble; I just got out of one.
"By that shrimp?"
Huh? I'm not a shrimp; I'm 1.76 meters tall. And I'm still growing.
He starts laughing, not believing the demon was really defeated.
Even I still can't believe it, but it really happened.
"It's a joke, right?!"
"No, he defeated him with a single blow."
Ugh, I want to enjoy my food.
I ignore them and keep eating. I'd rather avoid unnecessary trouble.
"Do you guys know spells?" I asked the men.
"About five."
"I know about seven."
There are thousands of spells… That's few… I guess it's hard for regular people to learn spells.
God gave me a ridiculously unfair power. Thanks, God.
"I guess that's few… Do you know someone who knows a lot of spells?"
"Hmm… A lot of spells…? Well, I only know Professor Sara."
Oh, what I need. A professor. Will she charge a lot?
"Yeah, Sara is popular because she knows hundreds of spells. From what I've heard, she has notebooks where she writes down the spells she knows."
Wow, wow. That information is very important to me.
"Thanks to her knowledge, many adventurers become stronger. She writes down the spell names, how they work, tips for learning and controlling them, and so on… She's an excellent researcher and professor."
She's perfect… I need to get her help.
"Where is she? Where can I find her?"
"She's one of the girls with Sandro."
… Is she part of his harem?
Ugh… I wanted to avoid getting involved with him, directly or indirectly, at least for now.
He points with his index finger at a girl with white glasses, long blue hair, and very pretty. She's wearing a short red skirt and a red blouse. She looks intellectual.
She looks young. I thought she'd be an old lady or an older woman.
"Thanks."
I get up and head to Sara… I hope she's kind and helps me. I'm willing to pay whatever it takes.
"Excuse me, could I talk to you for a moment?"
Sandro pushes Sara away from me and stands in front of me… I sense I'll have trouble with him… Ugh, I wanted to avoid this.
Jealousy.
"Are you trying to talk to me, shrimp?!"
… Wasn't it obvious I wanted to talk to Sara?
"No, with her," I say, pointing at Sara with my index finger.
She's staring at me too much, quite confused about it. Yeah, I know it's weird for a stranger to want to talk to you. Don't worry, I don't have ulterior motives.
"You dare ignore me?!"
… Is he angry?
He's annoying… He's the typical boastful and irritating character… Ugh, I really wanted to avoid trouble with him.
"Can you shut up, please? I don't want trouble."
My words make him even angrier… He's way too angry.
Ugh, yeah, I admit I got a bit frustrated and was a little rude. It was my fault, I admit it.
"You're telling me to shut up?!" he said, furious.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude with…"
"Silence!!"
Sandro draws his sword and glares at me with fury… Shit. Does he really want to kill me?! Isn't he overreacting?!
"I can't tolerate that!"
Shit, I have to defend myself!
"Muslar Asio!"
I feel my strength increase, and Sandro tries to attack me with his sword. I duck and dodge his attack thanks to seeing it in slow motion. I take advantage of my position and land a hard punch to his stomach with my right fist.
"Ahhhhhhhh!" he said, groaning in pain.
He's complaining about the pain… A lot… Shit, I didn't measure my strength well.
I knocked the wind out of him with my punch… He even vomited blood… I-I'm sorry, but it was your fault. I was just defending myself. It was that or die. Sorry.
Sandro falls to the ground unconscious, and the girls scream, scared.
Sorry for hurting your boyfriend, but he brought it on himself.
I prefer to resolve problems with dialogue, but he attacked me to kill me. I had no other choice.
"Sandro!"
"He's so annoying," I said, looking at Sandro.
Sara looks at me, surprised, and I turn to her. That expression isn't fear, at least. I hope she helps me.
"Can I talk to you?"
"C-clearly," she said, surprised and nervous.
From her tone and expression, I can tell she's amazed… If she considers me stronger than Sandro, I might be able to convince her to help me quickly.