Apostle of the Void

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]

Chapter 6 - When Five Adventurers Gather, There Is Bound To Be…

The next day.

Holding the mission contract received from the wonderful receptionist at the guild, Arzen arrived at the sewer entrance at the appointed time, but no one was there.

‘Are the lowest-level adventurers just society’s trash who can’t even keep an appointment…?’

As he thought this, someone waved from a distance.

“Ah, hello!”

A man waved with a friendly smile.

Arzen had mentally labeled him as a ‘bastard’ since he had been chatting warmly with a woman on a bench since morning, but decided to reconsider.

He might just be a kind person after all.

“So you’re the healer recommended by James, huh?”

“Yes.”

“Sorry, I didn’t see you right away because I was discussing the plan. Oh, by the way, I’m Brick. As you can see, I’m a warrior. I’ll be in charge of the front line.”

Steel-ranked warriors usually wear chainmail armor or even just padded armor because they struggle with the cost of plate or medium armor and its maintenance.

But this guy is in light armor.

He’s either supported by a wealthy family or exceptionally skilled, and it’s more likely the former.

‘Basic warrior equipment… A one-handed sword and a round shield.’

Brick then pointed to the woman next to him.

“This is Dini. She’s a mage. She’s working this job to save up money and gain experience for her apprentice witch exam.”

What is this, a bastard?

Why is he going on about such unnecessary background details?

‘I don’t get the point at all. What’s with this jerk?’

Is he trying to say his girlfriend is different from us lowlifes who aim to make a living by the sword?

This is a complete load of crap.

“Hmph… Unnecessary information.”

Just then, a voice from above, on the roof beside the sewer entrance, seemed to reflect Arzen’s thoughts.

What’s going on!

A woman was skillfully carving bamboo into arrows.

By the way, it’s a trait of poor archers that they can’t afford metal arrowheads.

“We’re just a collective group of interests for this mission. I don’t understand why you’re explaining all this.”

So much for trying to look impressive, but not managing it at all.

The lowest-level steel-ranked adventurers really are pitiable in many ways.

The archer gathered the bamboo arrows into her quiver and jumped down with flair.

But she seemed to twist her ankle upon landing, causing her body to jolt.

“……”

“……”

“……”

Seeing the archer limping away and trying to hide it, Arzen spoke up.

“Need healing?”

“No, it’s not necessary. It’s equivalent to a mosquito bite.”

“Okay, so you really don’t need any help?”

Then the archer rolled up her pants to reveal an already swelling ankle.

‘What insane honesty…!’

This woman, who uses wooden arrows, is definitely meticulous about her economic calculations!

“That’s a pretty big mosquito bite. It was so fast that you didn’t even see it leave.”

“Yeah, I got bitten by a mosquito while jumping down. You’re more observant than I thought.”

“Are you mocking me, you fool? ‘Only love is the first commandment. Follow this commandment, so that the light of creation within your soul may be seen by the world…’”

Healing light radiated from Arzen’s hands, enveloping the archer’s ankle.

“Oh, oh! You’re really amazing! Now I understand why James, who has such high standards for people, recommended you even at night!”

The warrior, Brick, was full of praise.

‘Yes, praise me. Applaud me!’

For you lowlifes, this noble Arzen is fundamentally different from you!

“Hmph, is that so.”

As Arzen shrugged his shoulders while pretending to be indifferent, the mage Dini’s eyes narrowed.

‘What’s up with her…? Did she just recite a shortened version of the liturgy?’

With her sun-tanned skin, she seemed like a shepherd type, but using a liturgy instead of a spell means she’s a cleric type.

‘But a shortened chant?’

Even though it’s basic healing magic, that was incredibly fast.

‘Her healing power must be exceptionally quick.’

At that moment, a public official from the city hall appeared, scratching his disheveled hair.

“Ah, everyone’s gathered.”

Arzen narrowed his eyes.

‘A stench of corruption… or maybe he just sees steel-ranked adventurers as nothing but trash.’

It was infuriating.

When he was with the <Divine Guillotine>, public officials were always groveling.

But this guy now had an arrogant air, as if his shoulders were breaking through the sky.

‘Steel-ranked adventurers are pitiful… society is cold.’

The public official pulled something out of his pocket and started chewing.

It was a famous slime jelly made from slime essence.

“As you know, after slaying a slime, its mucus spreads everywhere, and the byproducts are sold at high prices.”

“!”

“This one can’t be used for food since it’s from the sewers, but you can collect as much as you want after exterminating them.”

“!!”

“Once the extermination is complete, report back to the guild. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the guild as well.”

He completely shifted all responsibility for the process and results onto the guild.

This guy was a high-level piece of trash.

‘Quite impressive. Even though your level of trashiness is high in a different industry, I’ll acknowledge it.’

Brick, bowing deeply to this piece of trash of a public official.

“Thank you in advance!”

Low-level adventurers are truly unfortunate.

“Alright, don’t overdo it. I have some business to attend to, so I’ll be off.”

Brick bowed energetically once more and then looked back at everyone.

“Let’s set up the formation. I’ll naturally take the front, and since the sewer is dark, archer, please stay on the side and keep an eye out for any signs.”

“Hmph……”

“Also, we’ll place the healer in the safest central position, and Dini… you’ll take charge of fire support from the rear. Now, let’s go!”

While these instructions were exchanged, a light appeared on Arzen’s palm as he recited the miracle's incantation.

“《Lamp of Prayer》.”

This was even before the warrior had a chance to light the torch.

Everyone looked at Arzen with confusion.

To Arzen, their expressions were equally perplexing, and he tilted his head.

“Why? Don’t you need this? The inside of the sewer is dark, you know.”

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]