The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick up Trash - Volume 2 - Chapter 106

Chapter 106:

Run!

I STROLLED THROUGH THE FOREST for the first time in a while. I was alert for any nearby auras, but it was still fun. It felt like my senses were more honed now. I could naturally sense problems before they arose. Had I grown thanks to all that had happened? It had been really stressful, but maybe a few good things had come of it.

“Doesn’t it feel nice out, Sora?”

Sora hopped and bounced all around me. It had only been able to move around in my tent for a while, so it seemed delighted to be out. Watching Sora bound around made me realize—it was really all over now.

“I hope there are lots of potions.”

We were on our way to the dump since I’d run out of potions for Sora to eat. But when we arrived, I was a little confused. There were lots of household goods thrown away, and they were all very badly broken. Had these belonged to the people we arrested? Witnessing the darkness within people cast a shadow over my buoyant mood.

“Phew… Okay. Let’s search for some potions.”

I refocused on my task and entered the dump. Since Otolwa was so big, there were plenty of potions. I didn’t really have to search. People here also tended to discard them as soon as they degraded a little, so from my perspective, they were in great shape. I was elated. Come to think of it, there were caves around this town. I’d heard that the magic stones dropped by the monsters within caves could fetch really high prices. Were there lots of rich adventurers around here?

Money, huh? Gratuities, rewards…I’ll be hugely relieved if I don’t have to worry about winter. I didn’t think I’d earn enough for an expensive slave, though.

“Oh, but I don’t know how much a slave costs.”

I was so stunned back then that I’d forgotten to ask. Though I’d probably have fainted on the spot if they told me. Come to think of it, Rattloore seemed really happy about it. He was the one who told me to buy a slave for protection if I planned to continue traveling, right? I could understand it, but…slaves? Something about it bothered me…like there was a wall in my heart. It was as if I innately recoiled at it. Why, though? Okay, I’ll just set this aside for now. I’ve got two weeks until it’s even on the table, after all.

I’d asked Bolorda to pass on to the captain that I was okay with waiting. I was in no hurry, and I was looking forward to taking things slow and hunting again. And the adventurers would probably be just as busy as the captain right now, since the guard had made a formal request for their services.

They wanted Bolorda, Seizerk, Lowcreek, and Marcreek to sort through the papers they’d found. Sifar, Rickbert, and Rattloore would help get testimony from the convicts. Gnouga’s job was to keep Sifar from doing anything at all. What did they think Sifar would do, though? Rattloore had laughed uproariously when that request came. Maybe I’ll ask Sifar… Well, no. A lot has happened.

“Ugh. My hips…” I stood up from where I’d been bent over collecting potions and stretched. I had stuffed as many as I could into the magic bag. “Sora, let’s explore a little deeper into the forest.”

We’d walked all this way without seeing the adandara. Could it have gone off somewhere? I couldn’t blame it, even if it made me sad. Sora bounced over to my side. Surprisingly, the slime hadn’t gotten itself lodged in garbage today. Had Sora matured, too?

We left the dump and walked deeper into the woods. Going too far could mean running into strong monsters, so we were cautious. I looked around the brush and up trees as I went, but I didn’t see the adandara.

“Did it decide to leave?”

“Pu, pu?”

Hm? Something about Sora’s sounds seem off.

“What’s the matter?” I picked up Sora and sensed something approaching. It felt like an adventurer, since its aura was faint. Before all this, I wouldn’t have noticed until it was much closer. “Sora, hide.”

I stashed Sora in a bag. Something about that aura felt…dangerous. Sweat trickled down my back.

“What do I do…?”

Oh! They’re not alone. There’s someone at the front, and then there’s one…no, three people behind them! Four all together. I wanted to run, but they were coming up on me so fast that there was nowhere to go. They’re really close now!

“Huh? What’s a little guy doing in a place like this? Oh, you’re that kid Ivy, aren’t you?”

Calm down! I managed to stop myself from stiffening with panic and turned toward the source of the voice. It was a man with a gentle smile. But the other three hadn’t shown themselves. I took slow breaths so my voice wouldn’t falter.

“Yes. As I recall, you were the adventurer who came to the plaza to summon Seizerk’s team?” I remembered. He was sent to get them the day after we came to town.

“Aww, you remember me? That’s right! The name’s Harrell. I’m an experienced adventurer. Nice to meetcha.”

When Harrell introduced himself, the bag hanging from my shoulder quivered slightly. Oh no! I’m all alone, and he’s got three friends with him. I sensed them circling left and right to surround me. I couldn’t escape. How could I create an opening to slip through?

“It’s my pleasure,” I responded. “What brings you out here today?”

“Hm? Ah, y’know, business.”

“Business?”

“Yeah. We got some info on a dangerous monster, so I came to check it out.”

You’re lying. If that’s the reason, why are your friends hiding? I wanted to ask. Urgh, what do I do? Should I play along until there’s an opportunity to run? Mira’s strategy was to drug me… If they do that, I won’t be able to do anything at all. Should I chance it…?

“You’re lying, aren’t you?”

“Huh?”

“You’re with the kidnappers, aren’t you? I know your three friends are here, too.”

Harrell’s eyes went wide. I felt the other three’s surprise as well. Now, where do we go from here?

“What are you—” he began, but I stopped him.

“The captain and the GM already know about your dirty business.”

God, I wish they did. Harrell was visibly flustered.

Now!

I rammed into Harrell and ran like mad.

“Ah, hold up! What are you doing? Get him! He’s worth good money!”

The other three had hidden in the forest behind me in case I slipped away from Harrell. Because of that, I figured it’d be best to take him by surprise and run toward him. I’d succeeded in getting past him, but adult legs were longer and faster than mine.

“Don’t think you can get away!”

I heard the men’s voices and footsteps close behind. Had my strategy failed? No matter what, I couldn’t give up now!

“You little…!” A rough hand grabbed my arm and slammed me against a tree. The impact knocked the wind out of me.

“Ow!”

“Hey! Don’t damage the goods!”

What goods?! Wanna say that to my face?!

“Hah! Hey, a few scratches are no biggie, right? We’re taking him to that pervert, anyway.”

“Ha ha ha! Yeah, guess so.”

He was squeezing my arm so tight it hurt from shoulder to wrist. I’m so mad. How can I…

Just then, I heard a terrified shout.

I wanted to look, but I was too focused on the pain in my chest and my arm.

“Huh? Why…”

“Wha—the hell are you doing?!”

Gggrrrrr…

I heard a low-pitched rumble. The man squeezing my arm trembled and relaxed his grip. I swiftly swung my arm out and broke away. For some reason, his hand fell away easily.

“Hm?” Puzzled, I looked back at the man. He had gone pale, and his eyes were fixed on something over my shoulder.

“Huh? What?”

Hissss! A fearsome sound came from behind me. Instantly, the man fell back.

I glanced around and saw the other men had all fainted dead away. Harrell sat on his backside, shaking like a leaf. I finally mustered strength in my own quaking body and turned around.

“Oh!” I immediately relaxed. Behind me was the adandara, fangs bared, glaring daggers at Harrell. Its eyes flicked to me as it stalked up to Harrell. Then, it opened its enormous jaws wide…and Harrell fainted. I’ve never seen someone’s eyes roll back like that!

All my strength left me as I slumped down on the spot. My bag started wriggling, and Sora peeked out.

“The adandara saved me,” I told the slime. Sora started bouncing around gleefully. The adandara padded over to me and rubbed its face against my head. The familiar sensation instantly lifted my mood—I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed it. I hugged the adandara’s neck tight.

Purrrr.

Adandara, it’s you! I finally get to see you again!