Debuffed Farmer

Clara and I made our way back to the guild hall.

“So, Clara, I was thinking that we take this job since it’s level three.”

“I’m not level three. We’re taking this level five job.”

“Huh? What level are you?”

“High enough.”

Okay, this was definitely going to be quite problematic. There was a rule against choosing missions more than one level above, right?

“But I can’t do that job.”

“Sure you can. If I’m the one who starts it, you just come along.”

Ah… well, even if the specifics weren’t in the way of this date, I fear that there would be a high chance of me passing away. Especially since Clara wasn’t exactly inclined to back me up in a serious situation.

I looked around for a moment. There was a breeze of cold air.

“Can I come along too~?”

It was the mysterious boy from earlier. Clara quickly turned around.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“I’m just one of Rin’s friends, that’s all. I recently became an adventurer too~.”

“We don’t need any more newbies.”

“Hey now, I won’t get in the way of your little date, I just want to help.”

“We don’t need you. Find your own job.”

“I promise you I can do quite a lot. A level five job is a bit more than even you can chew, isn’t that right?”

Clara crossed her arms. Her expression darkened a little as she looked at Cal. I could see her slightly heavier breathing as she stared at him.

The boy didn’t say anything, simply looking down and smiling.

“What are you trying to say?” she asked.

“I mean, your level is 4.2, isn’t it? You’re going for a level five mission.”

“So? That’s within the rules.”

“I know it’s within the rules, but it’s dangerous. Even if you’re just trying to have a laugh by throwing Rin into a job way above his skill range, you’re also throwing yourself into that.”

“I can handle perfectly fine.”

It seemed that Clara acted more diplomatically around other people. There were no constant insults nor wit, but her tone was just as patronising. Still, I wasn’t sure exactly what Cal could do specifically. Also, their names are really similar and it’s already getting confusing in my head. I might have to make up a nickname for one of them.

Wait, wasn’t ‘Cal’ already a nickname? That’s what it sounded like when he was introducing himself to me. In that case, I’d have to give Clara a nickname—granted she probably wouldn’t like that very much.

What a hassle.

I clapped my hands together and cleared my throat.

“Hey, I’ve got a suggestion,” I said.

They both turned to me.

“You guys both have similar names. Can one of you change your names, thanks.”

Cal laughed a little.

Clara just looked at me with a disgusted expression.

“Aha, that’s a weird request. What’s the girl’s name anyways.”

“I’m Clara. Also, I’m not going to participate in this idiocy.”

“Aha. Alright then Rin, you can call me by my actual name then.”

Actual name?

“What’s your actual name?” I asked.

“It’s Hyocal. People usually call me by my nickname, but if it makes it easier for you.”

“Ah, that’d definitely make my internal monologues easier.”

“Haha, alright.”

Anywho, now we’ve got Clara and Hyocal. We were still standing awkwardly in front of the job board, blocking out the people who were waiting behind us. I wasn’t sure if the two of them were going to get along (probably not), but I really wanted to get out of the terrible situation.

I quickly walked up to the board and grabbed the slab.

Clara likely wasn’t going to join me if I chose something of a lower level, but maybe having Hyocal with us would make it easier. I wasn’t sure just how strong he was, but he seemed pretty smart at least. Worst case scenario, more people means more fodder.

I’m surprised that there wasn’t more pushback to my suggestion of changing names. Regardless, I took a quick look at the slab.

–

Level 5 Task

Retrieve the Life Bulb from a Revenger

Reward: 9 gold coins

–

I had no idea what either of those things were, but it sounded straightforward enough. There was only a single level five job on the board anyway.

Handing it to Clara, I gestured for Hyocal to come along.

“All three of us will go. We might as well try this out.”

She glared at me but eventually sighed and looked away. It was like a parent begrudgingly letting their child buy the two-pack of caramel chocolate for full price because the store decided not to mark it down for the first time in like 6 months and you end up having to pay the fake price that they set it so it seems like the markdown actually means something.

She snatched it out of my hand and began making her way over to the reception counter, with Hyocal and I following behind.

“She’s pretty icy, isn’t she?”

He was now talking to me like we were good buddies from high school. I didn’t even know him.

“How strong even are you? Are you going to be much help?” I asked him.

“Eh. I can do a little. I’m not really the same type as Clara.”

“Do you guys know each other?”

“No. She doesn’t know me. She’s well-known around here, you know? They call her the Sword Princess.”

“What?”

I don’t exactly see her carrying a sword around her hip at all times.

“Also, you haven’t even answered my question. How strong are you?” I asked again.

“I’m decently strong. I’d say I’m on par with her at least—although not in the same way.”

Another convoluted answer as usual.

Clara eventually turned back around and walked between the two of us.

“Alright, let’s go. Just follow behind me,” she said.

“Do you even know where it is?”

“Of course I do. It’s common knowledge where it is.”