In the dim yellow dusk, four figures walked step by step toward the village.
Behind them, massive wing membranes trailed like black banners fluttering in the wind.
The wing membranes of the giant-winged bat!
The high-altitude shadow that had hung over Creek Village, the terror that had chilled the hearts of every villager, now lay before them as nothing more than a trophy of war.
A few seconds of dead silence passed, and then—
"We won! The adventurer team won!"
No one knew who shouted first, but an earth-shattering roar of cheers instantly erupted across the village entrance.
"Thank the Adventurers' Association! We're saved!"
"Heroes! They're our village's heroes!"
Before Zelier and the others could even reach the entrance, they were swarmed by an excited throng of villagers.
The threat of death that had weighed down on them for days had finally dispersed, bringing tears of relief and excitement to many eyes.
At long last, they no longer had to live in constant fear of being torn apart by a swooping giant-winged bat.
"Brave adventurers, on behalf of the whole village... on behalf of everyone, thank you!"
Old Village Chief Bart was just as emotional. "You are the heroes of Creek Village!"
Marcus was made a little bashful by such grand fanfare. He scratched his head. "We only did what the quest required, Chief."
"You must be exhausted and hungry! Hey, someone... Renel! Go slaughter some chickens and ducks right now!"
Chief Bart immediately began shouting orders. "Old Henry, bring out the fine wine hidden in your cellar! We're going to throw a feast for our heroes! You must rest in our village tonight!"
"Ah, no, no, no... that won't be necessary."
Marcus quickly waved his hands in refusal. "You're being far too kind, Chief, really. There's no need for anything so extravagant. We appreciate the thought, but we can't stay."
Only after repeated polite demurrers did Marcus finally convince Chief Bart to drop the idea.
Even so, Chief Bart insisted on helping the team. He had the village's only hay cart brought over and arranged for the driver to escort them back to Blackstone Town personally.
Marcus could hardly refuse that. After a fierce battle, walking all the way back really would have been exhausting, so he accepted Chief Bart's kindness.
The wagon rumbled along the dirt country road.
Zelier sat in the cart.
Looking back, he could see the villagers of Creek Village still standing at the village entrance, waving farewell from afar with sincere gratitude written across their faces.
Seeing this, Zelier couldn't help but be touched by their sentiment, feeling a pang of emotion in his chest.
Life in this other world really wasn't easy for ordinary folk...
A single monster rated [Hard] was an existential catastrophe capable of destroying an entire home.
If there hadn't been an Adventurers' Association nearby, how could they have survived the giant-winged bat's attacks?
It was hard to imagine...
Without sufficient strength to change one's fate, one was like duckweed tossed helplessly on the waves, in constant danger of being swallowed whole.
It truly inspired a sigh.
Zelier quietly clenched his fist, his resolve growing a little firmer.
Tearing his gaze away, he noticed Gray gazing out at the parting crowd as well.
The setting sun cast long, slanted shadows, and the pine forest swayed like an ocean of green.
In those blue eyes of Gray's, which were usually so frivolous, there seemed to be a flicker of complicated emotion.
Zelier spoke up in a soft voice.
"You think life is rough for ordinary folk too, don't you?"
"Huh?"
Zelier's question snapped Gray back to reality. With a look of genuine regret, he shook his head.
"I was just thinking about how pretty that girl in the linen dress was. A shame I'll never see her again... don't you think?"
Zelier turned his head away in silence, completely disinclined to indulge him.
In the wagon, only Vallis let out a snort of laughter, clearly having expected nothing less.
***
The cart delivered the party smoothly back to Blackstone Town. Although the driver vehemently refused, Marcus still pressed a silver coin into his hand for the fare.
After reporting in at the Adventurers' Association, Marcus collected the reward for the commission.
Giant-winged bat bounty: four gold coins.
Five giant-winged bat pups: two gold and fifty silver.
Giant-winged bat wing membranes: three gold coins.
Giant-winged bat magic core: five gold coins.
Five pup magic cores: two gold coins.
Total: fourteen gold and fifty silver coins.
Zelier and Marcus each received four gold and thirty-five silver, while Vallis and Gray took two gold and ninety silver each.
All in all, it was another handsome payout.
Zelier's personal funds now totaled five gold and sixty silver.
"Let's get dinner together!" Gray proposed eagerly. "We have to celebrate properly after finishing a quest!"
"Sure, pick a spot," Marcus agreed without hesitation.
He rolled his neck to loosen his stiff muscles, clearly wanting to unwind as well.
Zelier didn't mind either. Going back to the Nightflower Inn would just mean his usual dinner of beef shank in red wine sauce followed by sleeping like a log; tagging along with Gray for a night out sounded fine.
A refusal was on the tip of Vallis's tongue—he had zero interest in such gatherings.
Yet considering that Gray had saved him earlier today, he tacitly agreed after all.
"Do I even need to pick a spot? The Drunken Boar, of course!"
Gray's eyes sparkled. "Let's go! My treat tonight!"
The Drunken Boar—the tavern's name was rowdy, and the scene inside was rowdier still.
The moment they pushed open the creaking wooden doors, a wave of heat thick with the scents of ale, roasted meat, and pipe tobacco washed over them.
The tavern was buzzing with noise. The excited shouts of drunks and gamblers were loud enough to drown out even the bard's spirited singing.
Every corner of the room was teeming with life. Miners practically stood atop tables to clink their mugs.
Around a gambling table encircled by a dozen men, dice flew within the cup; the moment it slammed down, every pair of eyes went wide in anticipation of the result.
There were plenty of casual patrons chatting away, bolstered by alcohol to talk far bigger than usual, spouting boastful declarations that left listeners clicking their tongues in amazement.
This was the Drunken Boar, the most popular tavern among local adventurers and miners!
Zelier sneezed from the pungent odors, while Vallis's brow pinched into a tight knot.
Gray, on the other hand, was entirely in his element, sauntering in as if returning to his own home.
After letting out a sharp whistle, a plump waitress in a snug miniskirt promptly hurried over to greet him.
"Well, well, isn't it Gray? You finally remembered to come see me?"
With a coy pout, the waitress playfully thumped Gray on the chest, only for him to pull her right into his arms.
"Haha! My dear Marian."
Gray planted a hearty kiss on her cheek. "You have no idea—just to see you, I risked life and limb clawing my way back from the jaws of a monster."
"Smooth talker!"
"Whether my tongue is smooth or not, Marian, you know better than anyone." Gray gave a subtle, knowing grin.
*Brother, do you have to be so wild? We're all listening, you know.* Zelier watched, dumbfounded.
"I can't take this. I'm leaving."
Vallis spun on his heel toward the door.
"Wait, wait, wait... we're already here..." Zelier hastily grabbed hold of Vallis.
Despite Gray's brazen flirting, Marian showed little sign of genuine anger. She shot him a sidelong glare, a bright smile gradually spreading across her face.
Chapter 34