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I Got a New Skill Every Time I Was Exiled, and After 100 Different Worlds, I Was Unmatched (Web Novel) - Chapter 359: Even When You Know You’re Right, Sticking To It Can Be Difficult
Chapter 359: Even When You Know You’re Right, Sticking To It Can Be Difficult
This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl
“…………….”Leading the way, Jinku and the others entered the Adventurers Guild. For some reason, Jinku and his friends were silent and subtly holding their butts. It was because I had explained various things to them. I absolutely didn’t do anything besides explaining.
I could have dodged the situation, but if I had, there was a chance Jinku and the others might misunderstand and tell the same thing to someone else. Most would likely take it as a joke or teasing, but if even one person took it seriously, it would have been very sad for both sides. That’s why I explained it properly.
As a result, Jinku was walking oddly… well, it was much better than ending up in a situation where the joke wouldn’t fly. They’ll probably forget about it by tomorrow anyway.
As Jinku and the others walked to the reception counter of the Adventurers Guild, they were greeted by a young receptionist with a bright smile.
“Welcome. What business do you have today?”
“Um, actually, there are various things… for now, please process the completion of this request.”
“I understand… it’s the goblin subjugation request, right? Yes, certainly.”
When they stopped by the village, the completion mark for the request was properly stamped alongside the report. So, the receptionist cheerfully accepted Jinku’s submitted request form and took out coins from the shelf behind to place them on the counter.
“Here’s your reward. Well done.”
“Ah, can you wait a moment? During the mission, there was something that needed to be reported.”
“? What is it?”
“Well, um… in the forest where the request was, we were attacked by an earth dragon.”
“……….? An earth dragon, you mean, that earth dragon? A type of dragon that, when measured from head to tail, reaches seven to eight meters in length?”
“Yes.”
“……
Upon Jinku’s words, however, the receptionist’s smile vanished, replaced by a suspicious expression.
“Um… Jinku-san, right? There have been no reports of an earth dragon near the location mentioned in the request. There have been no sightings or reports of an earth dragon moving from any nearby mountains. Are you sure it wasn’t a mistake?”
“No, it wasn’t! We definitely—”
“Sigh…”
Despite Jinku’s insistence, the receptionist audibly sighed.
“So, Jinku-san, are you claiming that a dragon of such size moved unnoticed to the forest near the village? And then what happened to this earth dragon?”
“We defeated it.”
“…….”
At that statement, the receptionist fell silent again… and her expression filled with anger and frustration.
“Listen, Jinku-san. This is an official warning as a member of the Adventurers Guild. False reports regarding powerful demonic beasts that threaten people’s lives and actions related to them are not only against the guild’s rules but also against the law. I understand that rookies like you want to make a big impression, but further claims like this won’t be taken lightly. Are you prepared to go to jail or pay fines by persisting with the claim that ‘there was an earth dragon, and we defeated it’?”
“Uh, I…”
Under the intense gaze and words, Jinku faltered. This chain of events was one of the factors that twisted the original Jinku.
A fledgling adventurer who lost his comrades claimed they were attacked by an earth dragon. But so far, there had been no reports or sightings of an earth dragon, and even after an investigation, there were no signs of a dragon of that size having moved.
As a result, Jinku received a severe warning… he wasn’t charged because it was judged that Jinku himself was caught up in delusions unable to accept reality. Yet, he still didn’t overturn the claim that ‘we were attacked by an earth dragon,’ which made him become an annoying person to deal with.
But this time was different. I patted Jinku’s shoulder and stepped forward in front of the receptionist.
“Calm down, Jinku, you didn’t explain it properly. Sorry, Mam, it wasn’t them who defeated the earth dragon, it was me.”
“Was it you?”
As I stepped forward and introduced myself, the receptionist looked at me with a puzzled gaze, though not as doubtful as she had towards Jinku. I’m twenty now, even if I am better than 15 year old novice. My worn out leather armor didn’t make me look like an expert capable of defeating an earth dragon, it was understandable.
“….Do you need the same explanation again?”
“Nah, don’t need it. Because I have this.”
Saying that, I reached into my bag at my waist and pulled out the tail of the earth dragon that I had cut off through the [Stranger Box]. In this world, there are “Magic Bags” that can hold much larger items than they appear and reduce their weight accordingly. They were sold in several levels starting from about a gold coin, so it’s not unusual for a skilled individual capable of slaying dragons to possess one.
Upon its resounding appearance, not only the receptionist but also the adventurers around fell silent, enveloping the previously bustling guild in sudden tranquility. In the past, I might have found this pleasing, but after multiple activities alongside the hero’s party, I’ve experienced this rarity a few times, so I continued speaking without minding it.
“This is the tail of the earth dragon I defeated. Still don’t believe it?”
“…..!? Th-that’s… the tail of an earth dragon!? Is it real!?”
“Why would I carry a fake tail around? I should have brought the head, but I ended up splitting it in half in the heat of the moment. It’s still left at the location of the previous request, so if you want to confirm, feel free to check there. But I just left it, so there’s a high chance it’s been scavenged by other demonic beasts or something. I can’t guarantee anything beyond that.”
“No, that’s… dealing with a demonic beast, as long as there’s no clear danger, it’s the right of the one who defeated it, but… j-just a moment, please? I’m just a receptionist, I’m not sure how to handle such a case…”
“Got it. Take your time and check with someone higher up.”
“P-Please wait a moment!”
With a wry smile, I watched the receptionist stand up as if she might jump out of the ceiling and rush towards the back of the guild. After confirming her departure, I turned back to Jinku.
“Are you feeling more composed?”
“Yes… I’m sorry. I guess I’m just no good.”
“Hahaha, the doubts and frustrations people direct at you are different from the murderous intent of beasts. I find the former much scarier.”
“Is that so? Even though you’re strong enough to defeat an earth dragon?”
“Yeah. That’s why having comrades is important. Having someone you genuinely believe in and supports you. Just now, if you had turned around and looked at Doma and Kain’s faces, wouldn’t it have been different?”
“That’s…”
As I shifted my gaze, Jinku also moved his face. There stood Doma and Kain, wearing awkward smiles.
“Sorry, Jinku-kun. Ed-san said that, but I might not be of much help… but look, Doma-kun will surely handle, right?”
“Wha-!? N-No, I can’t either! I can stop Boa’s charge, but dealing with such a scary-looking Nee-chan is impossible!”
“…Haha! You two are not reliable at all.”
“Don’t laugh! This is where the leader, you Jinku, comes in handy, right?”
“I am desperately cheering from behind! Go, Jinku-kun!”
“You guys… geez, being a leader is tough.”
Jinku’s face no longer held any fear as he laughed. Once again, with the support of his companions, he had overcome the trial. It might be a small matter of no significance to the world, but it’s an essential experience for a boy to grow into an adult.
From now on, at least, he seems unlikely to falter when making legitimate claims. Maybe he’ll wait a bit before resorting to bravado. Seeing this young man’s growth, Tia muttered softly beside me.
“Fufu, being young is nice.”
“Hey, Tia, that sounds a bit old-man-ish—”
“What is it, Ed?”
“Eek… no, nothing… really, it’s nothing.”
Immediately averting my gaze, I could feel an intense, piercing pressure from behind. Amidst enduring that soul-chilling gaze, I couldn’t help but deeply realize once again that indeed, humans were the most frightening.
