Chatter Chatter Chatter

  It was early in the m and the Adventurer's guild was already bustling. From adveaking up quests to receptionists eaining them, there wasn't a single person who wasn't busy.

  It is now the third day since Grey had departed for a solo mission, and currently, Yuna is ihe guild to pick a quest to take at her leisure time.

  The day before, Yuna had taken a couple of k and D-rank quests on her own and earned some points for both her and Grey. While they may not be much, it was still fruitful progress.

  Unfortunately, Yuna 't repeat what she did yesterday. The k and D-rank quest boards which she usually picked quests from were y. As for the E-rank quests and below, there was barely anything worth it.

  And like usual, when she was choosing her quests, none of the adventurers dared to approach her. The terrrey induced were still engraved on the depths of their hearts. Never again will they cross either Yuna rey. It was an oath they have unanimously sworn to.

  "I'm really sorry! We're short on Kalkia grass right now so we 't fulfill your quest. I really apologize!" ［Tilda］

  A familiar voice reached Yuna's ears as she was carefully thinking which quest to pick. The owner of the voice was Tilda and she looked like was having some trouble with a t.

  "Is something wrong, Miss Tilda?" ［Yuna］

  "Ah, Miss Yuna!" ［Tilda］

  Nontly, Yuna joined in on Tilda's versation, successfully surprising the tter. Not only Tilda, the other adventurers in line were also shocked as cold sweat traveled down their spines.

  "Well, you see... The Alchemist's Guild needs Kalkia grass to brew potions, but due to the ck of adveaking the herb gathering quests, we're in a she right now." ［Tilda］

  "Hmm... Should I do it?" ［Yuna］

  "R-Really?!" ［Tilda］

  "Un. I might not look it, but I'm quite familiar with herbs." ［Yuna］

  Hearing Yuna's ailda's face which was once full of troubles was now shining with happiness and relief.

  During their time in the forest, Grey and Yuna didn't just train in magid battles, but also traihemselves in other works which are reted to the other 3 of the 5 main occupations. The 5 main occupations being a mage, a warrior, an alchemist, a bcksmith, and an enter.

  Grey trained himself in bcksmithing and enting, while Yuna trained herself in alchemy. With The knowledge Grey possessed, learning those produ jobs was not that much of a problem to them.

  With her skills and knowledge, Yuna be sidered one of the prodigies of the younger geion. She could easily coct potions which heal lethal injuries in just a couple of minutes.

  "T-Then, I'll leave it in your care, Miss Yuna!" ［Tilda］

  "So, how much will I o gather?" ［Yuna］

  "You gather as much as you ! I'm really really grateful!" ［Tilda］

  "Un! Then, I'll be going now!" ［Yuna］

  Although it was just a ce, Yuna now had a quest to fulfill, and with it, she quickly headed to the nearby forest north of Galderia.

  The moment she arrived, Yuna quickly wore a golden ste ring Grey had given her when he departed in case she o store something. It was one of the items Grey crafted in his leisure time at the forest.

  While it may not be infi being on the pinnacle of high-grade items, it store up until 50 cubic meters of spad slow down the passage of time about 3 times slower.

  It was an item worth a few hundred million kiels as it was crafted from high-rank minerals God has given to Grey. But the one earing it knows nothing of its true value. She was just happy that Grey had given her something.

  Green trees, thriving shrubs and vines, and tall grasses. Those were the first things that greeted Yuna when she arrived at the forest. And the deeper one goes, the mreenery one will find.

  "Ah!" ［Yuna］

  With a happy face, Yuna collected Kalkia grass oer another. Even when she didn't have enhanced vision like Grey, she was easily able to collect quite a handful of Kalkia grass in a few minutes.

  She hummed cheerfully as she tio collect the Kalkia grass, and while she was doing her quest, she was also colleg other herbs and pnts in the forest. Some be used for potions while some are simply food.

  Her eyes glistened with joy every time she entered a new patch of herbs. If oo describe her, she was like a child who just got outside for the first time and poked everything with curiosity.

  Thankfully, pnts behave somewhat differently in Merusia. They have much more vitality and grow up at a much quicker rate than ba Earth, which is because of the presenana imosphere.

  There wouldn't even be a problem if Yuna gathers every herb she sees. They would just regrow in a few weeks from the seeds germinated in the ground as if nothing even happened.

  "Larren, did you find some yet?" ［???］

  "No... I'm having no luck either." ［Larren］

  As Yuna tio harvest herbs and fruits to her heart's tent, two voices traveled through the forest's air. They were from two young people who were searg for something, one was a boy and the other was a woman.

  From their attires alone, one could easily ihat they were adventurers. Rookies who were trying to make a living by pleting easy quests located in the nearby forests.

  "Still not here..." ［???］

  "Ugh, such bad luck!" ［Larren］

  They searched and searched but all their efforts were for nothing. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't find the thing they were looking for. It was as if that thing was evading them iionally.

  Yuna, who was them from afar, didn't dare to approach them. Even if she has an easy time talking to her acquaintahe same couldn't be said ters. After all, her personality was still meeker than average. Not to mention that Grey told her to stay away from strangers.

  She could muster her ce when it es to buying things or when she is on a quest si was a y, but iing with strangers for no reason was something she had never done before. She was like a small animal ary of everything.

  "Ah!" ［???］

  Yuna tried to stealthily get away from the two youths, but before she could even activate her ability, the girl spotted her, making her flin surprise.

  Following the girl, the boy also turned his head to the dire of Yuna and also spotted her. There was no way that she could escape in her current situation as two pairs of eyes were now fixated on her.

  "Ah, I'm sorry for surprising you, I just want to ask the questionー" ［???］

  After she apologized, the girl then approached Yuna to ask a question. Behihe boy was following closely as if he was some kind of bodyguard.

  The moment they saw Yuna, the young adventurers were taken aback by her beauty. Evehey had seen elves before, Yuna was on another level. She was so beautiful that they couldn't help but stare.

  Especially when they saw Yuna's eyes. Its deep blue color was simir to that of frozen blue ice which emanates a cold aura. It looked cold but strangely entig to the eyes of the two youths.

  "W-What is it?" ［Yuna］

  "Ah! Sorry for staring, but have you seen Sunweeds around here?" ［???］

  "Sunweeds?" ［Yuna］

  "Yes. We have been searg for quite some time but we haven't found anythi. We're hoping that you know of spots where we find it." ［???］

  When the girl finished her words, Yuna quickly uood why they were searg with rge frowns evident in their faces.

  Even if they spent the whole day searg for sunweeds, they would still not find anything. After all, Yuna had already gathered them along with the Kalkia grass without leaving anything behind.

  Yuna had totally fotten that there were also other adventurers who went on herb gathering quests. She had pletely disregarded it and fed everything she saw to her heart's tent.

  "I'm sorry... I've already collected them all, that's why you wouldn't find them here. I'm really sorry!" ［Yuna］

  Yuna furiously bowed her head in apology, surprising the two young adventurers. Someohey thought was a cold beauty now looked like a clumsy girl who was their age.

  "I-If you want, I give you all the sunweeds I have." ［Yuna］

  "Ah, no, no! We 't accept that. After all, you worked so hard to gather it!" ［???］

  "T-That's right, Miss. We just searother area of the forest." ［Larren］

  Yuna hurriedly pulled out all the sunweeds ie ring whewo youths stopped her. Thankfully, they were quite good-natured or else she might have gotten robbed of her hard earned herbs.

  While she was almost uable in a fight, it seems that iing with other people was her weakness. But well, pared to before, at least she ow hold versations.

  "Then..., As apology, should I guide you to the pces I haven't searched yet? There should still be some suhere." ［Yuna］

  "R-Really!? Then we'll be in you care, Miss..." ［???］

  "Yuna. My name's Yuna. o meet you." ［Yuna］

  "o meet you too, Miss Yuna! I'm Nonna and beside me is my friend and partner, Larren." ［Nonna］

  "Yo. I'll be in your care." ［Larren］

  The three quickly got acquainted with one another and they quickly headed to the parts of the forest where Yuna hadn't fed yet.

  Apparently, the two had just arrived in Galderia a few days ago and immediately registered themselves as adventurers. But with their inexperiehey only passed as Apprentice-rank adventurers. heless, the two were still happy that they could now earn money.

  This was also the reason why the young adventurers didn't reize Yuna. If they had arrived two weeks ago, they would have witnessed Grey's terror and would have avoided Yuna at all cost.

  When they arrived, an abundance of herbs and edible fruits weled them. There were juicy fruits hanging from the trees and a variety of herbs in the ground. It was a treasure trove for alchemists.

  "Whoa~ there's so many!" ［Nonna］

  "There really are sunweeds here!" ［Larren］

  "Thank you, Miss Yuna! We promise we're going to repay you!" ［Nonna］

  "You don't have to. I was the reason why you have to go this far in the forest, after all." ［Yuna］

  Like little children, the three fed everything they could get a hand on in the forest. There were enough herbs for the two youths to plete their quests more than 5 times over.

  And since herb colle is a perma quest, they will be able to exge any amount of herbs indefinitely a both points and money iurn. They might even be able to take the H-rank promotion exam soohan pnned.

  They even found rare herbs as a bonus. It was a herb which be sold at the cost equivalent to pleting a handful of apprentice-rank quests. With it, they will be able to pay a few days for the inn they are staying at.

  Of course, it wasn't only them. Yuna also enjoyed herself as she hoarded even more herbs and ingredients. It made her pletely fet she was with strangers and was able to gain new acquaintances.

  "Woah～! So delicious!" ［Nonna］

  "This is amazing, Miss Yuna!" ［Larren］

  "I'm gd you like it." ［Yuna］

  It was already lunch time and so the three decided to take a break from the herb colle and have a meal first.

  When Yuna saw that the two were only going to eat meat jerky, she immediately offered to share her lunch with them. After all, a banutrition is important if they want to keep going as adventurers.

  The lunch was posed of a banced amount of meat, vegetables, dairy, and fruits which Grey had taught her how to cook while they were still in the forest. And being the genius that she was, Yuna learned how to make them perfectly.

  Over lunch, the three talked over many topics such as the reason why the two went adventuring, their favorite foods, and even small talks about romance.

  During which, Yuna noticed Larren's face getting red when asked by Nonna if she liked someone. She had realized that Larren might have feelings for Nonna, but the girl iion was still oblivious to it.

  The situation reminded Yuna of her situation with Grey. So close yet so far. She wondered when she would finally be able to close that distance.

  After lunch, the three tiheir herb colle and even collected more herbs. Yuna especially, has already gathered enough that there is only a quarter of avaible ste in her ring.

  "Miss Yuna, thank you very much. We could finally plete our quests." ［Nonna］

  "If you need something, just say it, we'll definitely be there." ［Larren］

  "Un. Then, I'll t on you wheime es." ［Yuna］

  The three were about to head home together with joy evident on their faces, but such joy didn't st long.

  Ggrrriiiikkkk Gruuukkkkk

  As they were about to exit the forest, they were blocked by a group of goblins. Although they were only H-rahey numbered more than a dozen. It was enough to pletely eliminate a bunch of rookie adventurers.

  The feelings of joy were quickly repced by terror in the hearts of Larren and Nonna. Their whole bodies were trembling as they thought of a way to escape the unfortuuation.

  "Nonna, Miss Yuna, stay behind me. I'll make sure to protect you two." ［Larren］

  Even when his whole body was trembling untrolbly, Larren still mao uhe his sword from its scabbard. He had a face which was determio let the two girls escape even if it cost him his life.

  Seeing his ce reminded Yuna of her days in the forest when she was still o training. Every time she fell and was about to be hit by the enemies, Grey would always stop them without fail even when he had to be harmed to do so. It was one of the reasons she fell in love with Grey.

  'That's right... I also o be stronger...' ［Yuna］

  Larren's ceous act became a wake up call to Yuna. If she wao be able to stand by Grey's side, she o bee stronger. Not just physically but also mentally.

  She could still remember Grey's expression wheried to protect her. It was an expression she didn't want to see again. She didn't want to burden Grey with her fws once again.

  "Mister Larren, I'll take everything from here. Just focus on proteg Miss Nonna, alright?" ［Yuna］

  "Wait, Miss Yunー" ［Larren］

  Oblivious to Yuna's strength, Larren tried to stop Yuna but was uo do so. Before he could even finish his sentence, Yuna had already vanished from his sight.

  ?[Fatal Stream?? ［Yuna］

  As those two words resounded in the air, Yuna suddenly appeared behind the goblins. Soon after, the goblins' heads were sent flying as they were decapitated from their bodies.

  The events took pce so quickly that her Larren nor Nonna were able to prehend what just happened. All they knew was that they were now safe from harm.

  The slightly meek Yuna which they have had lunch with was o be seen. The one in front of them was a cold-looking woman who t in killing monsters. She was a pletely different person.

  "Are you two ok?" ［Yuna］

  As if nothing happened, Yuna rushed back to where the two were and checked up on their dition. She had already gone back to her former self.

  "Umm... Miss Yuna, who really are you...?" ［Larren］

  Baffled, Larren couldn't help himself from asking Yuna a question. Nonna behind him was also curious about Yuna's identity.

  "Right.., I suppose I really haven't fully introduced myself. I am Yuna, a k adventurer!" ［Yuna］

  ""Ehhh?!"" ［Larren and Nonna］

  Shod admiration, that's what Larren and Non as their screams echoed throughout the whole forest.

  After the shog revetion, Nonna and Larren had a lot of questions which they asked of Yuna, and Yuna answered it to the best of her abilities. It reminded her of what happened when Gerd's and family learnt about their ranks.

  Just like that, the three returo Galderia with the 6 o'clock bell ringing, and they were able to gain a lot of points and money from the herbs they had brought.

  Tilda was especially thankful when Yuna arrived with a mountain of Kalkia grass. With it, they could finally fulfill the request of the Alchemist's guild with a few stocks left over.

  The three parted when they went out of the adventurer's guild as they headed to the dire of their respective inns. It was then that Yuna realized how lonely it was again to not have anyone by your side.

  "I'm back～." ［Yuna］

  Yuna said as she ehe "Rabbit's Den", but unlike usual, Helen didn't greet her. In fact, she wasn't even at the reception desk.

  g Ctter Chatter

  Instead, there was a loud otion in the dire of the kit, and amongst the noise ing from there, there was one familiar sound that she had loo hear.

  As she ehe kit, there she saw Selia and Gerd cooking as usual. There was also Helen who was bantering with her father. And stly, there was one figure she had missed.

  "Oh, Yuna, wele back...? Or should I say I'm back...? Either way, I'm happy to see you again." ［Grey］

  There, she saw the figure of the man she holds the dearest in her heart. Seeing his face, she hought she would be so overwhelmed by happihat she had trouble finding the right words to reply.

  It was only two and a half days, yet those mere two and a half days felt like ay to a longi. It didn't matter what time it was, she had always thought of seeing him again.

  "Un... Wele back, and... I'm home!" ［Yuna］

  CHAPTER 24 END