At this point farming levels was all a blur. I ran around as fast as I could, clearing every part of the sewers, killing every slime in sight for just a little bit more experience points. I couldn't think about anything but my goal, to level up. I didn’t even know if I was conscious anymore, doing the same thing, the same routine over and over again.

  “...hey, you!”

  I feel like that more and more often nowadays.

  “Hey, Rein!”

  “Huh?”

  Mel was in front of my eyes, waving at me.

  “Reeein? Are you awake??”

  My hands were still grasping onto my sword, but no enemy was in front, only a puddle of slime and a damaged crown.

  “REIN!”

  A drop of slime fell from the ceiling into my face as I flinched.

  “Yeah! I’m awake…”

  “Have you finally lost it?”

  I held my head with my left hand for a moment while regaining footing.

  “No, just a little tired is all… I haven’t gotten a moment to rest all day.”

  “Really? Actually yeah, I guess you haven’t. You should probably get some…”

  I took another energy bun and bit into its warm goodness, providing instant relief.

  “Can’t.”

  “You know you can’t keep that up forever…”

  “I have to.”

  Closing my eyes and taking a breath I checked the screen below me.

  Level up! 53 -> 54!

  Skill points: 37 -> 38

  Minor increase to all stats!

  Achieved title: Slime Slaughterer

  Minor increase to HP!

  “That Max-Level Exp boost bonus skill really works wonders, especially when you were pushing yourself that hard!”

  “Yeah…”

  I closed it and reached down to grab the wet crown, I placed it in storage and turned around to leave.

  “Rein…”

  I started climbing one of the ladders and popped my head out and onto the street. It was morning out.

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  “...Are you actually okay?”

  While looking straight ahead, I said-

  “Yeah.”

  With a pause I peered over my shoulder to Mel.

  “I think so.”

  “Well that’s… good then!”

  I climbed out fully and put the grate back. The guild was on the next street over, which is where I went. I walked through an alleyway and into the front entrance. There were noticeably less drunks than last time.

  “Morning Rein, welcome back to the guild!”

  Sherry was working and seemed happy to see me.

  “Hey.”

  I walked over to the quest board and picked up another quest with a drawing of an odd looking slime on it, bringing it to the counter.

  “Would you like to accept this quest?”

  “I'd like to finish it, actually.”

  I took the crown and placed it next to the quest.

  “I’m not even surprised anymore.”

  Sherry took one look at it before saying-

  “Slime king kill confirmed, let me get your reward.”

  This time she took the crown with her when exiting. As I stood there a certain figure passed me before walking upstairs.

  “Meet me in room 2-C”

  It was clearly the same demon girl from yesterday.

  “Are you gonna go? She’s probably still mad from yesterday.”

  “I’m sure it’s fine.”

  “Here you are sir! 60 gold for clearing that slime dungeon!”

  I took the gold into storage and took off upstairs.

  “A… B… C! Here it is!”

  “True.”

  The door was unlocked. I pulled it open and closed it behind me. Along a sizable table the demon girl sat with her hood down. I went to the other side.

  “What did you do last night?”

  “...”

  “...You’re the only one I even mentioned the slave traders to.”

  She stood up.

  “But I never even mentioned where they were, but they were all passed out when I went to raid the place.”

  “Well, I did pass by.”

  She bowed on the spot.

  “Thank you. I am indebted to you.”

  “It was just a wrong place, wrong time type of thing. I can’t get involved with that.”

  “No, I was prepared to die or worse trying to get my people out.”

  She sat back down.

  “I never even told you my name, it’s Liz, well technically Elizabeth.”

  “And I’m Melphelia! The gre-!”

  I put my hand over her mouth.

  “Hi, Liz.”

  She reached out her hand but I refused to shake it.

  “Let me just thank you again, please, is there anything I can personally help you with?”

  I spoke to myself-

  “Personally, ay…”

  “I know this is presumptuous of me, but I noticed you were taking many high-paying jobs, and through my connections I heard about one for only rank S adventurers.”

  “I’ll take it.”

  I didn’t hesitate in my response.

  “It’s to guard the princess while she comes to this town, she can’t walk around under cover with a group of knights, so they decided to hire rank S adventurers. The pay is 500 gold for three days.”

  The fairy butted in with a question I wasn’t going to ask.

  “And how do you know all that, huh??”

  “Well, only the guild master knows, but I’m the other rank S.”

  “Ah, to be honest I don’t know who the guild master is either. I guess we're even!”

  “Thanks, Melphelia. I better go. Meet me at the north gate at noon.”

  Liz put her hood on and left the room in an instant. I kept seated for a moment and looked down at my hands.

  “When you didn’t shake her hand… Wow… That was so awkward.”

  “I just… I know she hasn’t done anything yet, but I can’t trust her.”

  “Is it because she’s… a demon?”

  I stood up off my chair and left the room.

  “I don’t want to lie to you.”

  “Hmm.”