Chapter 25 – Resolution

[You have leveled up.]

Beneath the carcass of the severed demon snake, Velloc felt an elation welling up within him.

He never grew tired of experiencing it, no matter how many times. It was a pleasure like a drug.

Whether the blood flowing from the demon snake soaked his body or was washed away again by the rain, Velloc did not care.

He simply sat down on the spot and entered his inner world. Although various stats including Strength, Stamina, Agility, and Dexterity were visible, Velloc invested in Strength this time as well.

Then, his body, which had been as heavy as a thousand pounds due to the battle just now, became much lighter.

It was not that his fatigue was relieved. Rather, as his muscle strength increased, the weight of the sword and armor decreased.

‘Now I can swing faster and harder.’

It was the moment Velloc, smiling slightly, was about to leave the inner world. Hmm? He saw something that caught his attention.

Below [Unquenchable Fighting Spirit] where he had just invested points, a new power was shining.

[Sixth Sense]

It was a skill he had never seen before. Unkindly, there was no explanation whatsoever.

‘This… I don’t really know.’ Velloc shook his head. He was not a veteran of this game. There were more things he did not know.

Since in his previous playthrough and the one before that, he had practically only invested in combat-focused skills. However, since the skill was already created, there was nothing bad about it.

Velloc opened his eyes slightly. Under the pouring rain, Velloc was still sitting, and the carcass of the demon he had hunted lay limp without disappearing.

Velloc’s gaze turned toward the severed head of Botis.

Now, when he looked at a head, for some reason, a certain person came to mind.

‘Would she like it if I cut off the neck and took it?’

She might jump up and down, calling it a great achievement. Or maybe she would make a fuss first, asking if he was hurt anywhere.

In her head, there was always only consistent concern and loyalty.

‘Was I too indifferent?’

Velloc, tilting his head, tried to swing his sword to cut off the demon snake’s head. Then he soon sheathed his sword again.

No matter how much he thought about it, a demon’s head felt uncomfortable. Couldn’t it have some bad influence?

It would be better to have a human or monster head. But where would he get those?

Velloc, who was having crazy thoughts before he knew it, turned around and left the ruins.

It was an exceptionally long night.

The days when a demon appeared were always like this. He was fucking tired, but his mood was infinitely refreshing.

Leveling up and a new skill. A life-or-death struggle with a monster several times his size. The victory and thrill obtained at the end of it.

It was a day when he had gained many things.

The collapsed castle, flames soaring into the air, and a giant snake. Finally, the knight who dealt with it.

Perhaps a few people with exceptionally good eyesight had observed the situation?

When Velloc returned to the village, a passionate welcoming ceremony was in full swing.

“Oh. The hero has returned!”

“The one who defeated the evil lord!”

“The knight who subjugated the demon!”

Of course, because of the bad weather, the people looked a mess.

Since their hair was soaked and muddy water splashed all over their clothes. However, their gazes were alive.

In the eyes of those who had lost family members, the joy of achieving revenge could be seen.

In the eyes of those who trembled with fear, oppressed by terror, relief and a sense of liberation could be seen.

Velloc observed the achievement he had accomplished with his own eyes. The two of them alone had saved a village of hundreds of residents.

There was no particular cause or justification like justice. He had simply been curious.

Curious about the new demon and the experience points it would yield. But this feeling wasn’t so bad either.

Velloc waved his hand slightly to the cheering villagers.

The cheers grew even louder. Even as they coughed from the rain entering their mouths, the people shouted.

“Get out of the way, you ignoramuses!”

At that moment, along with familiar swearing, he saw a woman approaching while pushing through the crowd. Upturned eyes and sharp, short hair.

It was his faithful squire.

“Master Velloc! Are you alright!”

Finally, Adel approached after breaking through the people. As expected, her eyes were full of worry.

She even made a fuss, checking here and there on his body.

This was somehow a familiar development. Recalling his past experiences for a moment, Velloc smiled slightly this time too.

“I am a bit tired.”

“…Thank goodness.”

At that calm tone, Adel closed her mouth for a moment as if she had much to say, then let out a sigh.

There were many things she was curious about. Such as her master’s physical power, which had suddenly grown strong over the past few months,

Or his relentless actions as if he knew the future. But now was not the time.

He had just finished a battle. Rather than welcoming him, questioning him was not a squire’s duty.

Adel, burying the questions that popped up back in her chest, spoke.

“First of all, it is late at night. I will prepare a place for you to rest.”

Adel, who backed away with a bow, soon went into action.

“You! You! Follow me!”

She pointed at several villagers gathered in the square and had them clean up the messy inn.

Although they could have felt bad at her coercive tone, it was a request from the hero who had saved the village.

The people removed the corpses without hesitation and swept and wiped the blood-soaked building.

After a while, the two were able to step into the building, which had become clean as new.

Perhaps brought from somewhere, the broken tables were also replaced with new ones.

They said there was nothing that couldn’t be done when many people gathered.

“The innkeeper would have liked it if he knew.”

Velloc muttered, thinking of the person who had already passed away.

“Are you sure you are alright with this place? It would be better to stay at my house instead…”

“It’s fine. If we stay at the chief’s house, wouldn’t the chief have to go somewhere else?”

“Not at all. For the heroes, we can endure that much.”

The chief looked ready to give up even his liver and lungs. Velloc watched him for a moment and shook his head.

“No, this place is just right. It is spacious and familiar. Just bring us some food.”

“If you insist… Understood. Please wait a moment.”

The chief, nodding deeply, hurriedly went outside and brought back bundles filled with bread, cheese, and meat one after another.

His speed was extremely fast. He was even gasping for breath.

“Pant, pant. If you need anything, please call us anytime. I will station a few villagers at the entrance of the inn.”

Velloc, who was removing his armor along with Adel, smiled at the hospitable attitude.

He thought he understood why people clung to power or strength so much.

The sense of superiority from keeping others beneath one’s feet and ordering them around with a single gesture. This was highly addictive.

However, Velloc shook his head. Right now, he just wanted to be alone with his squire.

There was also an urgent discussion about future plans.

“No, I want to rest comfortably, so send the people away. I will tell you later if we need anything.”

“Understood. Then, please rest comfortably.”

The chief bowed deeply and withdrew. Soon, only Velloc and Adel remained in the quiet inn.

The falling raindrops tapped against the wooden building. The unique scent of old wood filled the surroundings.

Some rotten floorboards squeaked, letting out cries. The squire seemed to have a lot to think about.

“You are unusually quiet today,” Velloc said.

“Adel.”

“Yes, yes. Master Velloc.”

“Let’s wash up first.”

“…Understood.”

The two of them lit the fireplace and heated water. ‘Damn it. Had I known it would be like this, I shouldn’t have sent the people away.’

Having finished the preparations with the help of the busily moving Adel, Velloc poured the moderately warmed water in the bathroom.

The flesh of the bandits, the flesh of the demon minions, and the flesh and blood of the real demon trickled down to the floor.

The heat warming his body felt good. Velloc smiled.

“I miss showers.”

However, what came out of his mouth were words full of complaints. It was unfamiliar. This wooden bucket in his hand, and this muscle-bound body reflected in the clear water.

The only resemblance was black hair and black eyes. How long would he wander this world?

Currently, it was a journey for survival. But what about after that? Once he filled his experience points, continued to level up, and became stronger?

Suppose his survival was guaranteed. What if he used that strength to defeat all the demons and monsters in the world?

He would have to go home. No, could he even find a clue to return home in the first place?

The stranger’s agonies and thoughts only ended when the heated water turned cold.

Velloc chuckled. Usually, when a person was full, idle thoughts increased.

That meant he was somewhat satisfied with his current life here.

“My goodness.”

Shaking his head, Velloc finished his shower and came out. Wearing well-dried new clothes and drying his hair, he went downstairs, where Adel had already prepared the meal.

Under the candle lights lit here and there, white wheat bread, meat, and fruit glowed reddishly.

“Have you come?”

“Oh.”

Velloc sat down with an exclamation. The atmosphere alone was not inferior to a 21st-century restaurant.

To the extent that various modifiers like antique, Gothic, or long-standing could be attached.

“Thank you for your hard work, Master Velloc.”

Adel portioned the extra food onto a plate and set it before Velloc.

She also opened a bottle of wine the innkeeper had hidden and poured it into a tin cup. Watching the wine fall like blood, his hunger grew.

“You worked hard, Adel. Let’s eat.”

“Yes.”

The two began their meal.

They tore bread and brought it to their mouths, bit into fruit, and cut meat with knives.

Having focused only on eating for a long time, Adel swept her hair back and spoke.

“Um… Master Velloc.”

“Speak.”

“Pardon my intrusion, but I have one, no… some questions.”

Setting down the food he was eating, Velloc raised his cup, took a sip of wine, and looked at Adel.

Hands that lost their place, trembling eyes, and the questions within them. ‘Right. Probably. The battle with the snake demon earlier was decisive.’

Noticing this, Velloc spoke first.

“Are you curious about how I became this strong… and why I occasionally say and do things you can’t understand?”

“That is…”

As Adel hesitated, Velloc could tell his guess was mostly correct.

Indeed, it was natural for a person with a normal mindset to have questions.

Especially if they had been together for several years. Velloc pondered.

‘How… should I explain this? I’m not originally from here.’

‘I woke up in a game world? Ah, what is a game…’

Velloc shook his head. Then he drank the wine straight from the bottle. No matter how much he thought, he couldn’t figure it out.

So he decided to just blather whatever came to mind.

“That night. When the demon appeared in Loben. I heard a voice.”

“A voice?”

Adel’s cat-like eyes widened. Velloc nodded and continued in a low, serious voice.

“It echoed in my head. Defeat the demon before your eyes. Then you will become strong.”

“Become strong?”

“Yes. When I killed the goat-headed demon according to that voice’s instructions, an unbelievable strength welled up inside my body.”

“Such a thing…”

Velloc pointed to Butcher leaning in the corner.

“It is also the power that allowed me to lift that sword. I consider this a blessing from God.”

It wasn’t an entirely nonsensical story. After all, the existence that brought him into this world was clearly some supernatural force.

“A blessing… By any chance, is the blessing what you muttered about, like ‘experience points’ or ‘level up’?”

‘So you were listening to that seriously.’

Velloc was slightly surprised, but soon laughed naturally.

“Yes, that’s it. Thanks to that power, I was also able to kill the snake guy here.”

Adel asked again.

“Then… did you become a Paladin, Master Velloc?”

An agent who devoted themselves to a god and carried out their will. They were usually called Paladins.

Since the holy power they used was a force that defied the laws of physics just like a wizard’s spells. If so, everything made sense.

“I’m not a Paladin… but it is certain that I received a special power.”

“Power from an unknown god… I see. I understand.”

It was a hastily made excuse. However, Adel nodded with a relieved face. On the contrary, Velloc was dumbfounded by her reaction.

He had thought she would ask at least a few more times.

‘She believes it this easily?’

Although it was a scene hard to understand for the modern person Velloc, the world of Adria’s advent was a place where divine power existed in reality.

The nobles only guarded against the church for their own interests; they acknowledged and believed in the existence of God.

So to speak, it was a difference in values. Watching Adel nodding her head in agreement on her own, Velloc thought it didn’t really matter.

‘Anyway, this is good. I won’t have to explain in detail in the future.’

If things went awry, he could just explain that it was God’s will.

Velloc finished the remaining wine in the bottle and said,

“Well, anyway, that’s how it is.”

“I’m sorry. I showed you a shameful side.”

Adel rose from her seat and bowed deeply. It was an apology for daring to doubt her master’s actions and thoughts.

Velloc shook his head. Somehow, he felt like he was teasing an innocent young lady.

“No, it’s my fault for not telling you in advance. You should have at least known the situation. I’m sorry, Adel.”

“Master Velloc…”

Moved, Adel’s eyes welled up with tears again, and Velloc smiled slightly.

It was around the time the meal was nearly finished along with the passing cups. Adel wiped her mouth with a napkin and asked.

“By the way, Master Velloc. Where are we going now?”

Since the work in this village was all finished, they had to head toward a new place.

Velloc spoke, leaning his chin on the table.

“Adel. I told you before, didn’t I? That I would help you become stronger.”

“That’s correct.”

Adel’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

She was also a warrior possessing competitiveness and a fighting spirit. She wanted to help her master and land a blow on a demon.

Velloc pondered.

The promise made before dealing with the snake demon.

There were several ways to enable a human to fight transcendent existences.

One could receive divinity, or alter their weapon. To do that, first…

Having finished his contemplation, Velloc casually muttered.

“First, let’s find a mage.”

“Pardon?”

“There is one near here. They will be a quite useful companion.”