Chapter XLVI - Blue Mantis (part 2)

After a little bit of argument, Cony just went silent. The rest of the trip was just me, Barett, and Valey talking about food. Apparently it was a team plan that if anyone gets a heavy wound from a mission, they will be treated to eat some nice food once they return.

I didn't know that was a thing, but it's not a bad idea. However, they quickly turned the tables to me.

"But, since we did you a favor and helped you heal your sickness, you'll be the one paying us!"

Valey... Valey, Valey, Valey.

"I'm broke!! I haven't done any missions in weeks!!"

"Then, you can borrow from Hod! He may not look like it, but he's pretty damn rich."

Barett so easily commented about his own friend and team leader, and I let out a sigh. They are still right, though. They did help out massively to help me get the materials for the cure.

Plus, it's a worthy moment for celebration.

"Fine, then. Let's eat some good food!"

I shouted to the carriage, and we all turned excited about what to eat.

But, good food isn't what will welcome us first after returning to the capital.

After arriving at the kingdom, we headed straight to the Office to grab our rewards. Frankly, Klane was there, waiting for me. She glared at me with sinister eyes and demeaning pressure. 

Wow, the ceiling looks nice today.

"Next time you somehow get cured from an incurable sickness, please inform me... I can't keep on having heart attacks, Rize!"

She yelled after we arrived in the back arena. She pulled me away to the back arena as soon as I entered the Office, while the others did the business with Keila.

"I... I wasn't sure that I was healed-"

"Then, why did you go!?"

"W-We picked a Green ranked mission... We thought it was okay-"

"You thought a Green ranked mission, a middle rank that has taken countless lives away, was okay!??"

Mommy, help.

She let out a sigh and put her palms in her face. She wiped her face using her hand and looked back at me.

"How about this?"

She turned around and walked to the door. From the looks of it, she is turning her brain around to find a middle ground.

"If you really prove to me that you are strong, I will stop yelling... or perhaps worrying about you. Deal?"

"... Huh?"

How do I... prove that I am strong? Haven't I proven enough?

But, that's the least of the concern here. I realized that she really wanted to stop worrying about me, and as much as I don't like that, I don't want it to stop.

"Klane..."

"I'm getting sick of it. You keep on endangering yourself endlessly and pointlessly. At this rate, I might just turn fifty when I'm twenty eight."

"Klane, I was only trying to activate--"

"I get it. You had an idea, and you wanted to do it. I completely get it. And as an adventurer, you had to go out there and put yourself in danger. I get it."

"Klane..."

It seems... that no matter how much I try, she is already quite firm with her choice. It was my fault for not informing her about my progress, and it was mainly because I didn't want to give her false hopes.

"All right. Then, at what point can I convince you?"

I accepted her view regarding all of this, and she turned her concerned face to me. I only smiled at her softly, and she realized she was being too stern.

"I'm sorry, Rize. It's just... being an adventurer was very difficult. It's dangerous, and it's highly risky. I know that, and yet..."

"It's okay, Klane. I'm glad that you are very worried about me. However, it is just as you said. It was wrong for me to keep you so worried all the time, so why don't we make it clear?

How can I prove to you that you never have to worry about me? How can I make it so that you'll put your faith in me no matter what?"

I asked her after understanding her point of view, and Klane let out a sigh. She began to ponder about the answer by herself, but she seemed to be quite confused regarding it.

"If you get a higher rank, perhaps..."

Eh? Is it that simple?

"I just ranked up, though... You sure that's possible?"

"That's..."

She puts her hand on her chin, and I guess she forgot that. It was indeed something quite easy to miss, considering I ranked up forcefully after clearing a higher Yellow dungeon with just a team of three.

Klane ended up pondering for a while, and she seemed to be having quite the hard time figuring it out. I patiently waited for her to think of an answer, but then my gaze landed on the door.

... Someone is behind it. Waiting... right behind that door. Who is it?

The person behind the door quickly realized that he was found by me, which was something surprising. The ability to realize that they have been detected by me is a high level skill, and it wasn't something any of my friends should be capable of.

Who... the hell is behind that door?

"Ah... I got found."

The voice of a guy was heard from behind the door, and the door was slowly opened. I saw his face right after the door was opened, and I sharpened my gaze instantly.

"How about I recommend her?"

The guy came in from the door, entering the back arena without anyone ever telling him to. I only watched as his bright red hair touched the orange sunlight that is shining from the afternoon skies above us, and his calm smile caught both of our eyes.

"Jonus...? You're here?"

Klane asked after seeing the bright red haired guy, and he only stood still after entering the back arena. His calm and confident eyes are locked with my cold and judging glare, and Klane realized the tension in the air.

"Damn. Your hair is really red."

"I'm not related to you. You don't have to worry about me being blood related to you."

I replied quite coldly, and he only laughed hearing such an answer.

"That confuses me even more. When I heard there's a red haired girl who came from my family, I thought for sure they're a runaway brat from Xyphon.

Turns out... you're different. Very different. I like it."

The Flame King, Jonus Brocker, explained his perspective to me. I only listened to his words while processing the new information I learned.

Is that so...? He's from Xyphon, huh?

"We haven't met yet. My name is Jonus. Jonus Brocker. The Flame King."

Jonus said while lifting his hand to his chest, and he bowed slightly at me and introduced himself. I only nodded at his introduction, realizing that he seems to have taken an interest in me.

"Rize Violet. Just an adventurer."

"So, I have heard... not just Klane, but many others. You're quite the troublemaker, aren't you?"

Not just from Klane... he says? Interesting. I'd like to know who else told you about me.

"Depends on how you define 'Troublemaker'."

"Exactly how it sounds. Wherever you go... trouble happens. But, at the same time, that trouble solves itself. One way... or the other.

The Gray ranked goblin dungeon. The anomaly Yellow ranked orc dungeon. Can I mention the events that happened today as well?"

...

"A stalker. I see. If I recall correctly, the Office rule states that killing another adventurer equals to... ten years of imprisonment?"

I said coldly while taking my swords out of my magic ring, but he only laughs while waving his hand around.

"Hey, hey... I'm just saying things--"

"Ekhem."

The two of us quickly realized that there was another person here with us, and we both turned to the receptionist lady folding her arms.

"Why is it that strong adventurers tend to not mix properly with each other...?"

Klane mumbled while shaking her head, and we both realized our mistake.

"Sorry, Klane! I didn't realize my words were offending her..."

Jonus quickly said while cupping both his hands to beg for forgiveness, but Klane only turned to me.

"I... have considered your suggestion. I think I know how I can fully place my trust in you."

Klane suddenly said, and I opened my eyes wide. She was thinking about it this entire time, and I'm wondering what it is she wants to say.

"Let's put you on a test, to see if you're really worthy of being a trusted adventurer.

We'll do that by having Jonus test your abilities."

Klane then turned to Jonus, who only look so surprised by that answer. And sure enough, that is exactly what he wanted.

"Is that so...? Well, if you're asking me to do it, then for sure I have to do it." 

Jonus said with a wide smile on his face as he turned to me, and I only tilted my head to the side.

"Fine by me as well. The way the test goes is without question."

"Agreed. There's only one way the test can go."

The two of us proceeded to stare at each other quite coldly, which made the air even more tense. The aura from him does make me admit that he is a very experienced warrior, which made me realize that he is very strong.

"Ekhem."

Klane cleared her throat once more to catch our attention, but the decision is already set in stone.

"Tomorrow, at the arena. Somewhere around... After the second bell. Can you be there? Rize Violet?"

Jonus asked me with such a taunting tone, and I only shook my shoulder.

"I wonder. If it's not worth my time, I might not even show up."

"That's quite cowardly of you--"

"I'm joking. I'll come and beat you up. No questions needed."

Jonus chuckled to that sudden turn, and he only turned around for the exit.

"Then, see you tomorrow. Hope you don't get cold feet."

After bidding farewell, Jonus headed for the exit and closed the door behind him. Klane let out an annoyed sigh as she turned to me, but I only realized now that this battle might have side effects towards me.

"Hold on... the arena? Then, does it mean other people will be watching as well?"

I turned to Klane, and she nodded.

"It's the only place for adventurers to spar. Every adventurer's physical activities outside of missions are there."

Ah... crap. Should I bring my mask there?

"Whatever is the result tomorrow... I just want you to know that I will still believe in you."

Klane then walked up to me and patted me in the shoulder, and I only nodded softly to her.

"Thank you. I won't let you down."

She nodded firmly to me as well, and she left for the exit. I was left alone at the back arena, wondering if it was truly the time for me to reveal myself to the world.

Fighting Jonus... It's not gonna be a problem. However, the problem is the people who will watch it.

For sure... I am not ready for it.