The First Rule of Adventuring

Happy times always passed quickly. After Havent had played all kinds of games with the five or six genuine seventeen- and eighteen-year-olds on the team,

the group had grown so close they practically wanted to become sworn brothers on the spot. It probably was not a popular custom in this world, though. Young people's friendships always came swiftly and fiercely.

"Will, do you really not need Kaka and me to help you move your things? You can move in with me today. I still have lots of fun stuff here."

Havent patted Paimon on the shoulder and said with a smile,

"It's fine, no need. I can pack up and come over myself tomorrow. Besides, I've already paid my room fee. The owner won't refund me anyway."

After saying goodbye to his newly made friends at the tavern entrance, he turned and headed for the inn where he was staying.

It was nearly three in the morning, and there was barely anyone left on the streets. Havent, worn out from playing, kept yawning.

"Hey, Koko, are you sure that kid really went to the Adventurer's Guild? We've been waiting for ages. It's already the middle of the night—if he was scared, he should've crawled back by now. Could that little mistress of yours be lying to you?"

Koko, dressed in battered leather armor, was starting to have doubts as well. Linda had personally told him after they finished for the night that a rich, foolish kid had arrived at the inn today. He was incredibly generous, casually giving her a whole Silver Grol just for washing his clothes. He had even asked whether there were any caravans heading to the Imperial Capital.

After Koko pressed her for details, he learned that Bru, the inn attendant who had been constantly harassing her, was the one who had told her. Bru had also said that everything about that foolish kid screamed wealthy, and that he was probably some rich young master who had sneaked out to experience life.

That got Koko thinking. He had lost every last coin in a rat den a few days ago. Though he was technically an adventurer himself, he did not mind making some quick money now and then.

"Impossible. Linda said that kid's clothes are still hanging at the inn. Let's wait a little longer. If he doesn't show up, we'll leave. I'll check the inn again tomorrow."

"Then explain this—there hasn't even been a shadow of him until now. What the hell is going on? If you don't pay for my bath today, I'll—"

"Shh! He's here, he's here!"

Hearing Koko's voice, everyone quickly crouched down. At the far end of the road, a thin figure appeared.

Havent had drunk a little too much dark beer that night and had even taken a wrong turn while walking. If he had not spotted a patrolling guard and asked for directions, he probably would not have realized his mistake until dawn.

He tossed the dice Paimon had given him in his hand. Aside from losing a few rounds at the start because he had not understood the rules, Havent had won almost every one of the next dozen rounds. Seeing his new friend perform so fiercely, Paimon had gotten excited and wanted to take Havent somewhere good.

"Hey, little brother, hold it right there."

Lost in thought, Havent looked up and found three people standing in front of him. When he turned around, he found two more behind him. The leader wore leather armor and carried a spiked mace in his hand, watching Havent with a sinister grin.

"Sorry to bother you so late, but the boys and I have been a little short on cash lately. We'd like to borrow some money from you."

Havent stopped and looked over the situation before him. He scratched his head, unable to make sense of it. This was Streamwood Town. Were these people really this brave? Robbing someone in broad daylight... no, in the dead of night?

"No, dumbass. Get lost already, or I'll call for help."

Koko's expression darkened further when he saw how uncooperative Havent was.

"Kid, since you refuse to appreciate kindness, don't blame me for what happens next."

"Wait a second."

Seeing the other side about to make a move, Havent quickly raised a hand to stop them.

Koko paused at Havent's gesture, a grim smile appearing on his face.

"Kid, what? Changed your mind? Good.

That'll save you some pain. Money is just something outside the body, after all. Leave it behind, and the boys and I will spare your life."

"No, I just wanted to ask—if I kill all of you, would that count as getting rid of evil for the people?"

After hearing Havent's words, Koko's temple visibly twitched under the moonlight. Then, humiliated and enraged, he snapped. How dared this little brat!

"Get him! Cripple him!"

As Koko charged forward swinging his spiked mace, Havent once again struck a dramatic pose and covered his left eye with one hand.

"Apologize to death, Scuyumi~"

Facing an axe chopping at him from behind, Havent bent forward as if he had eyes in the back of his head, easily dodging the blow. He followed through with a backward kick that sent the attacker flying.

Clang!

With a crisp ring, Havent drew the longsword at his waist and blocked the hunting knife coming at him from the left.

He twisted around to counterattack, driving an elbow heavily into Koko's nose. Tears and snot immediately streamed down Koko's face.

With one of their number temporarily taken out, the fight instantly became one against three. Havent quickly scanned the battlefield and smiled confidently.

He swung his longsword and delivered two heavy slashes in rapid succession at the short man with the hunting knife on his left. Unable to withstand the stacked force, the short man fell flat on his butt.

Then Havent leaped back two steps to dodge a club smashing toward him. He stomped on its end with his right foot, and a flash of white light swept past. The burly man holding the club clutched his throat and dropped helplessly to his knees.

Blood sprayed out. The gaunt man standing behind them, intending to flank Havent, was frozen in place with terror.

"Ah!!!! My nose! My nose is broken! Kill him!"

Koko's miserable screams rang through the deserted street.

Having finished his slash, Havent turned to look at the two men behind him. The man he had kicked away at the beginning had gotten back up, and both men watched as Havent, with specks of blood on his face, slowly approached with his sword in hand.

Unable to bear the pressure, the two men shouted and charged at him with their weapons raised.

Havent spun his sword, shifting it into a reverse grip. He leaned slightly forward, his legs rapidly building power. A flash of sword shadow passed, and Havent was already behind the two men.

Two dull thuds sounded. By the time Havent turned around, the pair had collapsed to the ground, blood pouring from their necks and soaking a large patch of earth.

"Kid, even if you beg for mercy now, I still...

Ah!!!!"

Koko had finally stopped crying. When he opened his eyes, he thought he was seeing things and rubbed them again in disbelief.

Only he and the short man, who had already wet himself, remained standing. Their other three companions had all fallen in pools of blood.

The clouds in the night sky parted, revealing the moon that had been hidden moments earlier. Moonlight fell upon Havent, making him look like a warrior of the goddess of night.

Koko's hand around the spiked mace had begun to tremble.

"I'm sorry, I was wrong. Please let me go. Just pretend you've never seen me. This is Streamwood Town—the guards will be here soon. Killing people is against the law."

But Havent ignored Koko's words. His longsword dragged against the ground as he slowly approached the two men, its tip carving a long line through the dirt. When he stopped before Koko, he shook his head. Ignoring the pleading in the man's eyes, he said coldly,

"That won't do. Dad said everyone has to take responsibility for their actions. I just happen to be stronger than you today, but if it had been someone who couldn't beat you, they would've been the ones in trouble."