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(Derisha Teigitan)

Recently, I no longer have to worry about weapons as I am now financially comfortable.

There is a 15-year-old boy who runs a restaurant called [Dog House],also known as the Hero's Restaurant.

Although he's only 15 years old, I heard that the owner is quite skilled in a lot of things.

After getting to know the owner, I discovered that running the restaurant is just a hobby for him. That's what he told me.

He possesses not only excellent culinary skills but also the craftsmanship of a skilled artisan.

I have been using the [Black Fang Spear] he crafted for me for the past three weeks without the spear showing any sign of deterioration.

This is already an exceptional duration as under normal circumstances, this spear would suffer significant damage within two or three days.

When I took it to various craftsmen to assess the damage after 3 days of continued usage, they all advised me to buy a new one rather than repairing it.

However, this young man named Walson casually repaired it without charging any fees.

The repair was also exceptionally quick. By the time I finished bathing, the weapon was already restored to its brand-new state.

Now I have become accustomed to entrusting him with the matter of weapon repairs. Although I feel bad for using his services without paying, he doesn't seem to mind it.

He said that the act of repairing my weapon is merely a way for him to pass the time, as it poses no difficulty for him to do so at all.

Furthermore, he also brews incredibly delicious alcohol.

Now I willingly spend two silver coins every evening to buy a barrel of his brew.

In the past, I wouldn't have been able to spend money like this, but now that I no longer need to gather expenses for repairing my weapon, I finally feel the sensation of being a "S-class adventurer with money."

Ever since I stayed in [Dog House], I no longer feel the need to stay in an inn. Once I've stayed here, I don't want to go anywhere else.

There is a place here where I can bathe called the "bathroom," which is very different from the public baths I'm familiar with.

Although it's a small bathroom, it has its own hot water supply system, and its structure is completely unique, different from anything I have ever seen before.

The sleeping area consists of a soft sofa and a warm blanket.

Before going to sleep, I can enjoy a cup of warm wine. In the days leading up to winter, this kind of luxury rivals the comforts of the royal palace.

In addition to all this, I can deduce from the conversations of the heroes who saved the capital that Walson is also capable of brewing potions and other items.

However, I'm not allowed to enter the rooms on the second floor and above, so I haven't seen them myself.

I'm delighted to be able to stay here free of charge, and I don't want to do anything that may break Walson's trust.

I also frequently see those heroes coming to this place.

There's Melon, who practices an excellent [Fighter] , Grace, an elemental mage, and Aure, the elven archer whom Walson tend to refers to as "Barella"

But what surprises me the most is the relationship between these heroes and Walson.

All of these heroes, without exception, deeply respect Walson... No, that's not right.

Vaguely, I can sense that all of them... kneel before him.

These heroes, centered around Walson, genuinely submit to him and trust him.

If Walson were an enemy of Teigitan... I can't even imagine the outcome.

Fortunately, this person is lazy but kind-hearted.

I didn't see the hero who wore the mask, but based on their physique... I think it's Walson, since it matches his image.

This inference is far from common sense, yet it makes the most sense.

It's unbelievable that this hero is only fifteen years old, or even just a [Villager]

When my sister, who is now the Crown Princess, was fifteen, she was still a fool with nothing but flowers in her head.

Although I'm also quite foolish.

...Because of this, I'm very interested in him.

"Say, why did you invite me to come with you?" I'm currently walking on the market road with Walson.

"It's because I wanted to ask you to appraise the quality of some metal for me. I'm considering making a weapon." Despite saying this, I also have another plan concerning him.

"Appraise metal? How can you be so certain that I can do that?"

"Haha, it's just a gut feeling of mine."

"I see, but first of all, I won't make any weapons for you." Damn it, In the end, my intentions were still seen through.

If it's a skilled craftsman like him who excels in repairs, the quality of the equipment he manufactures will undoubtedly be excellent.

To create a weapon that I can use without it getting damaged, I thought that maybe if it's Walson who did it, perhaps he...

"Eh? Even if I pay?"

"...Yes, even if you paid for it, there's a reason behind that. Anyway, I won't make a weapon for you."

"What a shame... Damn it, I won't give up. For now, let's just pick out the metal."

Money might not be able to entice him.

Based on the information I heard, this person is also involved in business, so perhaps him being very wealthy is a possibility.

...I've heard that fifteen-year-old boys are particularly susceptible to women's charms, and I'm quite confident in my physique...

Deviating from the original topic, the reason I bought these materials today is that I need to quickly make a spare weapon.

News came last night that the royal treasury was robbed, but it's still unclear what was stolen due to the severe damage.

I went to the crime scene early this morning.

Many soldiers died, and their deaths were gruesome. The crime scene was filled with broken armor and body parts, the soldier corpse showed no signs of them struggling against their attacker...

From what has been gathered, it comes to the conclusion that the attacker is a single individual rather than a group attack.

This matter hasn't been leaked to the public yet because the presence of that thing in the city would cause panic.

I must protect the citizens, so I need to be prepared for the possibility of engaging in combat with the attacker.

...That person should also come looking for me since I personally raided his house and issued a wanted order after the last incident.

But that idiot... I don't want to admit it, but he is far from ordinary, especially considering the water golem that destroyed the capital city a month ago. Who provided that guy with the means?

What force is behind all this? I've gone through all the information in the Rex family's records and haven't found any suspicious leads related to this incident...

However, soon enough, I'll know that I don't need to search for that guy.

The crowd in the market is in a commotion, fleeing in fear because someone is rampaging around the market, no, rather than a person, it's a monster that is rampaging.

Soon, only Walson, myself, and the monster remain in the entire market... the rampaging creature is a monster engulfed in flames, emitting thick smoke.

The thing that committed the crime last night seems to have come knocking on our door.

In broad daylight, in the market, the monster seems brazenly lost his sanity. I would think deeper about what kind of scheme is going around with this thing after this.

"...It's the Wither debuff... damn it, what are the soldiers doing? Why would something like this appear here?" Walson gazes at the figure ahead.

The monster suddenly blocked our path in the crowded market.

I, on the other hand, drew my [Black Fang Spear]

"Skullflame... burning... found... it's... all because of you... I was... rejected... by my... Master..." I can recognize that voice, it's him... and yet, it's not him.

Because... At the very least, I know that idiot is a human, not an undead.

An unpleasant, pungent smell stimulates our senses.

This voice, tainted and chaotic, is filled with an uncomfortable madness.

Raising his head, I saw his face. Not only me, but Walson also gasped in shock.

His body was burning, with only half of his face remaining... the other half... we are greeted with empty eye sockets, this creature has no face, it's just a charred skull engulfed in flames.

"Pain... burning... Skullflame..."