Chapter 272

Genocide Online ~Playtime Diary of an Evil Young Girl~

Frontline Arrival RTA [2] #

If the bike is no good, then riding a horse should be fine.

“While you’re at it, why not borrow a horse?”

With those words, guided by Mr. Hannes, we head towards a town near the border.

In the “Former Mephy Commercial State,” it was one of the satellite cities of the three central cities.

“Where do we borrow them?”

“At the Adventurer’s Guild.”

“… The Adventurer’s Guild?”

“Yeah, you’ve never used it before?”

While looking into the distance, Mr. Hannes explained that it’s a large in-game organization almost everyone registers with. By registering, players can take on various quests for rewards, or they can submit requests to collect materials in exchange for in-game currency and time. The benefits are substantial.

Due to the existence of a massive organization that spans the continent, at higher ranks, players can even borrow horses freely or receive preferential treatment. Given the clear advantages, it’s understandable that the majority of players are registered.

“By the way, what rank is Mr. Hannes?”

“The second-highest, A-rank.”

“Even though it should be a different language, the ‘A’ comes out?”

“Since it’s a game made by Japanese people, it’s probably easier for Japanese people to understand. Don’t worry about the details.”

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

In the enjoyment of creative works like games, worrying about such details would be boring. Focusing on the nitty-gritty of language could eventually lead to something like “making injera by removing the teff” in the corner of language complexities. Rather, it’s smarter to quickly make the user understand and move on to the main topic to entertain them.

“The Adventurer’s Guild is usually located in the center of town or near the entrance—right here.”

“… It’s a typical stone building.”

Except for the wooden swing door and the sign indicating it’s the Adventurer’s Guild, there aren’t any particularly remarkable features.

If you didn’t know, you might overlook it amidst the surrounding buildings.

“Ah, you might get hassled once you go in, so be careful.”

“Huh? Is that so?”

“Well, experiencing it firsthand is faster.”

For some reason, I don’t really understand, but I follow Mr. Hannes, who wears a slightly ambiguous expression, and enter the Adventurer’s Guild. At the same time, a multitude of gazes turn towards me.

It’s not like there was a particularly loud noise, and the rowdy drinking sounds leaking from inside were likely more annoying. Yet, the rough-looking individuals inside all turn their attention towards me.

As I continue through the building following Mr. Hannes, the gazes don’t leave me… Are they looking for a fight or something?

“Sorry to bother you, I’d like to register as a new member.”

“You’re here for a new registration. Please come this way.”

Despite the multiple gazes, Mr. Hannes signals me to go, so I proceed to the counter where a staff member is present.

Looking at the format of the documents placed in front of me, it feels somewhat modern, resembling a government office. Well, the paper isn’t made from plants; it’s parchment, and the pen is a quill pen.

“If you write here…”

“Hey, wait a minute, miss! Did you come to the wrong place? The gate you should be knocking on is the brothel’s, ain’t it?”

Just as I was about to pick up the pen and start writing, at that very moment—a crude insult followed, and a man stepped forward.

As for the people around, there were those with wide-open mouths laughing, those cheering the man, and others showering me with inappropriate comments. Even the guild staff, while looking troubled, didn’t seem inclined to intervene.

I briefly glance at Mr. Hannes, who only wears an annoyed frown on his face… Why is it that Mr. Hannes seems irritated, not me, even though I’m the one being targeted with insults?

“With arms as thin as yours, you might be able to grasp a man’s rod, but you can’t grasp a sword!”

“No way! Hahaha!”

“That’s right!”

“Hey, miss! Pay attention to me too! Huh? Not here for soliciting? My bad! Ahhahaha!”

I had planned to register at the Adventurer’s Guild and borrow a horse… so why am I subjected to such insults? I can’t understand about 80% of what’s being said, so I have no idea how to respond.

“Now then, what kind of event is this…”

I tilt my head while placing my hand on my cheek, pondering how to get through this situation. However, I can’t come up with any good ideas.

Silencing them would be easy, but if I were to cause a scene now and get banned from registering, I wouldn’t be able to achieve my goal.

“Hey, hey, if you stay quiet, we won’t get what you’re saying, you know?”

“Your face is too scary, and that’s why we’re afraid!”

“Oops, that wasn’t right! Isn’t it still too early for you here? Once you learn your lesson, go back and suck on your mama’s breasts—”

In an instant, I grab the man’s neck in front of me, twisting and slamming him onto the floor.

“…What?”

In an instant, the annoying insults vanish, and the guild falls silent. As the man lies on the floor, foaming at the mouth, I place my knee on his neck and peer into his face.

Using the hand opposite the one that held his neck, I draw a short dagger and raise it to strike the final blow—only to have Mr. Hannes grab my wrist, stopping me.

“…Hold on, that’s far enough.”

“…Let go, please.”

“You’re the one who needs to let go, idiot.”

Still holding onto the man’s neck, which I haven’t released, I give Mr. Hannes a puzzled look.

“You didn’t stop halfway, did you?”

“Until the results are out, other players can’t intervene… that’s the nature of this event.”

“I don’t understand…”

While healing the man who fainted, I glare at Mr. Hannes, who still hasn’t let go of my hand.

Despite Inoue-san’s assistance, it seems simple brute strength isn’t enough to match him.

And just as this futile exchange continues, hurried footsteps can be heard, sounding like they’re coming from the stairs leading to the second floor.

“Guildmaster!”

“What’s going on here?”

Guildmaster… Is that an abbreviation for Guild Master?

The fact that the person who seems to be the leader here has shown up indicates that this is truly an in-game event.

In other words, the man who’s currently sleeping so carelessly might be an NPC assigned a role to spice up the event.

“Well, it doesn’t matter anyway.”

“Hey, wait—”

Disregarding Mr. Hannes’ protest, I crushed the man’s neck with the help of Inoue-san’s assistance.

“…You killed him right in front of me.”

“This person mocked my mother.”

As one would expect from a Guild Master, he seems quite powerful.

If this person were to attack me… What would I do? Judging solely from his class names, he seems to be a pure warrior who doesn’t use tricks.

He appears to have no apparent weaknesses, so before he subdues me with brute force, I’ll need to employ some clever tactics.

“So, are you going to kill me?”

“…Let’s not. If you and I were to seriously fight here, it would cause trouble for everyone around.”

I see, so when I leave the town, I should be cautious. Come to think of it, there was a bounty on me.

I usually disguise myself when entering populated areas to engage in schemes, and I’ve mostly been at “Starting Town,” so I forgot about it.

As the head of a large organization like the Adventurer’s Guild, it’s not surprising that he’s aware of it.

“Ah, Guild Master, it’s me, Hannes… Can you lend me two horses for now?”

…Curiosity got the better of me, so I checked my own title, and the bounty was over a billion.

Well, let’s just pretend I didn’t see that.

“Hmm? …Are you the ‘Earth Paladin’ Hannes?”

“…Earth Paladin?”

While confirming the bounty on me, I unconsciously utter unfamiliar words as I hear them.

“Drop that nickname!”

“Mr. Hannes, you were an Earth Paladin?”

“Quit it, it’s not true!”

An extravagant nickname? Class? Like “Earth Paladin?” I didn’t know.

“An Earth Paladin?!”

“Why is an Earth Paladin here?”

“Is this the real Earth Paladin?”

Moreover, he seems to be quite famous. Even though the body of the man I just killed is right here, so no one’s coming close, the majority of people appear astonished.

I’ve also been called by strange names by players, but I’ve never been called anything by NPCs.

Thinking about it that way, Mr. Hannes might be quite unusual.

“Hey! We’ll deal with the compensation for this woman’s actions later. For now, lend me two horses! And don’t call me by that name again!! It’s embarrassing, dammit!!”

“Earth Paladin, is it embarrassing?”

“You, just shut up for a moment!”

While asking Inoue-san to take care of the man’s body and conceal it in the shadows, I ask Earth Paladin-san (formerly known as Mr. Hannes) again, but I’m met with a shout.

“Wait a moment! What are you trying to hide as evidence?”

“Huh? Oh, no? Since I have the assistance of my familiars, I was planning to use him as food for them.”

“More evil, you idiot!”

I guess that’s a no. Too bad… Well, since Mr. Hannes scolded me as promised, I’ll let it slide this time.

Although Shadowyama seems to be hesitating, this isn’t the time to be stubborn.

“Haah, Earth Paladin――Hannes-kun, I don’t mind lending you horses since you asked, but I can’t allow that woman to register.”

“Well, I guess so.”

“It’s fine if you can borrow horses. I never really needed them until now anyway.”

I kick the man’s body, which I stopped concealing in the shadows, toward the Guild Master and then turn to the entrance and head that way.

My frustration hasn’t subsided, but it doesn’t matter. After leaving the town, bounty hunters will likely be sent after me, so I’ll just let it be.

I’ll take out my frustrations on the bounty hunters… Mr. Hannes probably won’t confront them directly.

“Dealing with others is quite complicated.”

I acted as I felt without restraint and ended up ruining what Mr. Hannes had prepared for me.

I can’t help but worry about the troubled expression he had when I left the guild.

It’s not like I intended to inconvenience my friend or waste his kindness.

“What are you moping about? Let’s go.”

“Can I use the horses too?”

“I just negotiated with the Guild Master, so it’s fine. Feel free to ride.”

“Then I won’t hesitate.”

I put my foot in the stirrup and swing my leg over the saddle, giving it momentum.

I grip the reins and twist my upper body while maintaining my sideways position to face forward.

When I’m ready, I give the horse a command in that position and start galloping.

“…That’s an unusual way to ride.”

“Ladies don’t straddle.”

“I see.”

Hannes-san, with a surprised expression as if he’s seeing something rare, rides alongside me, leading his horse, as we leave the town.

After running a little, when the town is a bit further away, I ask Hannes-san.

“What was that earlier?”

“…Well, how should I put it.”

I wait patiently for Hannes-san to find the right words… I wonder why it’s so hard for him to answer.

“It’s kind of like the developers’ playful idea, or something typical for the Adventurer’s Guild…?”

“Is it like a cliché?”

“Yeah, sort of… Like a cliché. It’s something like that. Your response to those senior adventurers who get involved with you determines the branching route.”

“It even goes as far as branching routes?”

“I know, right? It’s an Adventurer’s Guild-specific sub-event… I didn’t know that killing them would lead to being banned from registration, though.”

Hannes-san mutters with a troubled expression, saying things like, “I wonder if the events continue on other routes like usual, or if it ends here…” I gaze at his profile intently.

“…What’s up?”

“Well, you really love games.”

“…Shut up and look ahead.”

Hannes-san might have been looking down and not ahead, just like I was… Well, that’s okay.

“――But more importantly, they’re here.”

“Seems like it.”

A quick glance backward confirms that the assassins dispatched by the Guild Master of that town are indeed chasing after me.

Their black attire and concealed faces make them quite conspicuous… It’s probably their intention, though it’s the middle of the day and they’re really standing out.

Instead of trying to catch our attention, they’re likely signaling to the people on the road and those leaving the town that “something is happening,” prompting them to be cautious and avoiding getting caught up in the fight.

“We need to reach the front lines as quickly as possible――”

Hannes-san, who also seems to have checked behind, looks at me provocatively.

“――Don’t get scared and stop, okay?”

Given such an obvious taunt, I can’t help but respond in kind.

“――And I’m counting on you too. Earth Paladin.”

While chuckling at Hannes-san’s momentarily wrinkled expression, I begin to prepare for battle while on horseback.