Adventurer

"Knock. Knock. Knock"

At that moment, a hoarse voice rang out from behind the door.

"Anderson are you in there?"

Noir instinctively turned his head towards the door, recognizing the voice.

Victor Karman!

Noir felt some emotions stir within him due to Anderson's memorises. Victor was like father figure to Anderson, causing Noir to feel as though Victor really was his father.

I already have a father though... Noir instantly corrected himself.

Victor was an experienced adventurer who was close friends with Anderson's father. However after his death, Victor did not dare to show his face to Anderson, due to feeling guilty about not being able to save his father.

For the first three years he did not attempt contact Anderson, however after hearing of this upcoming nineteen year old rookie adventurer, he could not bare to hide any longer and decided to reach out to anderson providing him support.

For the following six years, he served as Anderson's mentor, refining his combat skills and teaching him how to decipher ancient texts and artifacts.

What should I do? Noir was flustered by Victor's sudden appearence.

"Oi, is there really no one home?"

Eh, now that i think about it, the bell only started to ring after I talked to Amy... Could it be that interacting with others will cause it?

If I dont answer the door he will just assume that Anderson is not home right?

Yea I can just wait it out...

"Anderson if your home you should open the door now, if not I will break down this door to check!"

Bullsh*t, who breaks down the door just to check! Noir complained inwardly.

The pounding at the door was getting increasingly stronger, almost to the point of caving in the door.

If someone doesn't answer the door it means they don't want to see you or they are not home! Take a hint old man!

"Ok I am breaking in, 5, 4, 3-"

Click. The door opened allowing the outside light to illuminate the small one-bedroom apartment.

"Ha! I knew you were home!" Victor grabbed at his messy beard, looking past Noir to inspect his room.

Noir looked at the unkempt forty year old man who was slightly taller than him. Although Victor was dressed like a hobo, he still exuded a sense of superiority, one that can only be achieved by years of adventuring.

Sensing Victor's gaze wandering across his room, Noir stepped forward past his door, closing it behind him.

"Stop prying into my life old man." He looked up at Victor giving a cold stare.

Noir was responding like how Anderson would, hoping that Victor would not notice that he wasn't really Anderson.

Anderson's normal speech pattern was sharp and direct, sort of a tsundere. Maybe due to being alone during his teenage years or becoming an adventure, he started acting cold on the outside, but deep down he had a warm heart, caring deeply for Victor.

What a complicated fellow... Noir complained silently.

"Cut to the chase what do you want?"

"Seems like you are all grown up now aren't you." Victor replied wearing a smile, looking at Noir expecting a retort.

"..." They both stood there for a couple seconds in silence, Noir still glaring at Victor.

Come on old man out with it! Noir shouted inwardly.

Victor let out a sigh, crossing his arms.

"Later at three, the bravehearts will be having a meeting at Cheerwood bar about an upcoming expedition, you have been invited to come."

"Ok." Noir turned around entering his one bedroom flat.

"Tsk, where does he get that from? He was much cuter when he was a child..." Sighing, Victor turned to leave.

Behind the door, Noir breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Victor's footstep disapear down the hallway.

Noir sat down on the floor by the door, pondering about why he did not hear the bell.

I did not hear the bell and Victor did not attack me... Maybe the cause of it is something other than interacting with others?

But what could it be? Maybe a one off? Or maybe telling Amy that i did not know her caused it...

Noir sat down there for ten minutes, thinking about the cause of the bell. In the end he came up with three possibilities.

One, the reason for why I was killed last loop was because I exposed that I was not Benron. Me slapping Amy's hand and saying I did not know her could have indirectly suggest that I was not from that world, but instead an imposter who took over Benron's body. This is the most likely possibility.

Second could be that other people where next to me while I was gaining the memories of the body I am in. However this is not that likely, as if I am unlucky and keep transmigrating into people who are on the streets or with their family at that moment, I would instantly die again! Well it is not like there is any logic to transmigrating...

Third, is that I am on a random time limit, causing me to be killed when ever the bell rings. This is the most unlikely, or I hope is the most unlikely, I dont want to just randomly be killed!

These are the three most likely causes for the bell, however none of them explains how I even transmigrated. It seems like i won't get the answer for a long time...

"Argh!" He pulled his hair in frustration.

Noir leaned back against the door, looking at the stained ceiling.

Sigh...

What do I do now?

...

In Aria's Central Hospital, a building that looked slightly run down but still acceptable.

Victor Karman stood next to a hospital bed, laying on it was a middle aged woman who was in deep slumber.

Her body was unaturally thin, skin all shriveled up, taking shallow breaths. Her once brown hair was now mixed with strips of white, she was definatly a beauty when she was younger.

"Jane... Anderson is all grown up now..." Victor placed down a bouquet of flower on the side table.

"He even has the guts to talk back to me now...

"I guess that is natural after all he is yours and Derrick's son...

"Later today there will be a gathering of adventures, they are planing to form a expedition team to explore the dark fog of the Far Lands.

"Knowing your son's personality he won't back down. I plan to accompany him... To protect him...

"Well he proberly does not need much protection, he has already become a strong Adventurer...

"I will be visiting Derrick's grave later to ask for his blessing, I hope you can give us yours too."

Victor turned around walking towards the hospital room door, opening it.

"Wake up soon..." He walked out the room, closing the door behind him.

...

Back at Noir's deteriorating one bed room flat. On the single mattress that laid on the floor.

Noir had just woken up.

Yawn... Nothing beats sleeping after using one's brain.

About few hours ago, Noir who had reached a mental block decided to take a nap, recharging himself.

He had slept from morning to the afternoon. Occasionaly walking up due to the uncomfortable mattress.

What time is it now... Noir got up to walk towards his desk which had both the ancient book and a sliver pocket watch.

Click. Picking the watch up, it opened showing the hands which pointed towards 2.15pm.

The meeting is in less than an hour, should I go or not...

If I don't go, they might discover that I am not Anderson. If I were to assume the first reason is the correct one, this will cause me to hear the bell and die once again.

After making up his mind, Noir stood up from his bed and went to the toilet to wash up. After finishing, he dressed up in another one of the identical outfits, this time wearing his adventuring coat.

He skillfully picked up and played with his guns and knifes before concealing them in his coat.

Using kinfes and guns feels so natural...

After exiting his flat and locking the door, he made his way towards Cherwood bar.