1 Your Guide Is...

"I-I-I-I did it! I finally beat my first dungeon! Yayyyyyyy!"

I saw how ecstatic the archer girl was to get the first victory in her journey to be a hero. Bear in mind, I was the one who took away 75% of the boss's life and shot the last arrow to end the creature's existence…

But guess who felt all the joy from the kill?! I wasn't the one jumping up and down, that's for sure.

But that was my life for the past several months: helping out so many people who came through town, aspiring to be heroes in the world. Being a dungeon guide had its ups and downs, but lately, the people I'd helped weren't very competent, forcing me to be more proactive in the dungeon trips.

Regardless of how much effort I'd put into helping others out, I enjoyed seeing the smiles I'd see on the completion of a mission. From a very young age, I was addicted to the happiness from those I'd perform a good deed for in town. I loved the joy that came with being there for others. And I was glad I was in the right environment to cultivate that sentiment.

Yet, there had been a long string of unimpressive amateur heroes visiting the dungeon shop in recent months. Regardless of the warrior class (monk, swordsperson, wizard, priest, archer, lancer, bard, etc.), not one had the skills to be a true hero. And considering the state of the world at the moment, I couldn't help but be genuinely worried by what I witnessed in front of me as the archer and I headed back to the shop.

The girl skipping back sure had it easy, what with me also doing most of the work defeating all those monsters on the way to the boss's lair.

Sure… maybe the girl should be happy she finally grasped victory for the first time… And maybe… she had worked hard enough to get to this point…

I'd seen so many others like this girl in my line of work throughout the years. Aspirations to become a hero in this world: helping out those less fortunate, dealing out justice to the unlawful, wanting to make a name for themselves, earning some extra money on the side, and so on and so on.

Yet, it seemed like a single thread connected all the people I'd helped: to toughen up for a goal loftier than themselves. To find their mission and purpose that defined what value life had for them. I didn't want to believe I didn't fantasize as significantly, but I felt I already fulfilled my calling. For the most part, I enjoyed contributing to so many dreams, with all the work I put into the shop.

Lately, I'd heard how the world was starting to become more of a violent place, and the call for heroes had never been more necessary. Rebellions and civil strife were on the rise, and monsters somehow escaped from the dungeons and ran rampant around the world. The situations were being handled effectively, but it was only a matter of time before the number of incidents overwhelmed what the entire coalition of heroes could manage.

Fortunately, my hometown had been spared so far from any uprising in violent activity. The people of the town truly supported one other and ensured that peace and kindness prevailed over any squabble. I was immensely proud to have been raised in this town and inherited its gentle spirit.

The townspeople were consistently polite and acknowledged whenever there was an act of kindness. I'd feel a constant sense of validation whenever I walked through town, but the support was always earned, never demanded.

That's why I couldn't help but be slightly annoyed… not even a single word of gratitude for all the effort I put into guiding this archer girl through the dungeon. As we continued walking, she kept blabbing on and on about her future as a hero, I wasn't sure if she knew I kept my mouth shut the whole time on the way back.

When I opened the door to the shop, the one who shined the brightest in the town sat the front counter. Akane, the girl I'd known for so long, the girl by my side for all this time. Even in those moments when I felt despondent like right now, she was very understanding and knew perfectly how to deal with me. It was no wonder to me or anyone else how she was my closest friend, my best friend.

"Sighhh…give her the victory certificate for the dungeon, Akane," I waved as I addressed Akane. I didn't even bother giving her a glance as I walked past her, thinking she knew what to do.

"Congrats! I'm sure Haru was such a huge help," Akane said to the archer girl.

The archer girl giggled. "Yeah, he sure was! I definitely wouldn't have survived on my own."

Then she took a deep breath and hesitated. "B-b-but, umm… he's not much of a talker…is he?"

I heard Akane chuckle and almost choke. "Hahahaha…Don't sweat it! He's just going through a phase. He still helped you through the dungeon, so that's all that matters!"

I squeezed my hands hard into fists and slammed myself into the chair at my desk. Damn, excellent way to destroy the vibe I had going, Akane! Now I'd need 2-3 more trips back to that same dungeon to make myself look that cool again…

I regained enough composure and saw Akane hand the archer girl her dungeon certificate. It then felt like a tornado blew away all of the debris once the girl left the shop.

"Sighhh…Some peace and quiet again…" It felt so good I didn't have to hear all that illogical conversation again. "How many of these amateurs in a row has it been now, Akane?"

"Oh, Haru…" She wagged both her index fingers at me. "I guess I know how you feel, but shouldn't you feel glad that you helped another hero in training in her first dungeon?!"

That smile that Akane had on her face when she wanted to put me on a guilt trip… It was hard enough; she made a good point, but I guess that's one of her exceptional charms.

Akane really knew how to push my buttons, having been friends with her since we were toddlers. She lived right next door to me while growing up, so we were practically inseparable. Being in all the same classes at school, playing the same outdoor games as kids, learning our battle skills at the same time as teenagers. We'd celebrate each other's birthdays together, and we were there for each other through the joyful days and the trying times.

Akane was like the little sister I never had and truly the embodiment of our hometown: serene and lively. I was fortunate to live a peaceful life here, and Akane was a large part, if not the main reason, keeping me grounded. Even as a little girl, she wanted to help out as many people as she could. But being as grounded as she was, she was also practical and kept focused on perfecting what she was capable of. Her passion kept motivating me to want to be there as best I can for as many people as possible.

It just felt natural then, I'd want to have her as a business partner. I had proficient archer skills at the time, and Akane was a pretty skilled priest herself. We wanted others to feel the same joy we felt whenever we beat the boss of the dungeon we regularly trained at. Somehow, the difficulty of the monsters and boss would ramp up whenever Akane and I grew our skills. But our joy never went away, so it felt natural when we turned 16 to open up a guide shop in front of the dungeon to share that thrill with others.

Our dungeon was geared more towards amateur heroes, so we helped out adventurers whose skills weren't as polished. Being an archer, I went with those mostly focused on magic. Akane accompanied those who trained in some sort of physical ability.

We were happy with how the shop went. Business remained steady for the 4 years since the launch. The operation ran quite smoothly, but like any other venture, we survived our fair share of rough spots.

"Hmm…" And just like she was doing now, Akane would tilt her head and stare at me with a pitiful look. "I know that your last several customers don't seem to really have what it takes to be heroes. Even I could see that just from the girl today. Are you that worried for her sake?"

That Akane… she always could see right through me…

Sure, I felt frustrated that I did most of the work for the last 9-10 customers, but I did have some concern for their well-being.

With the continual rise of violent activity, more volunteers took the mantle to become heroes and defend those who weren't able to do likewise. So, guide shops like the one Akane and I ran gained substantial business.

Yet, there were more and more stories about unprepared heroes very much like the girl from today, and it seemed that the hero's life for them was short-lived. I knew I only could do so much, with all the skills I had as a dungeon guide, so I tried not to be weighed down too much by the unfortunate circumstances out of my control.

The concern still lingered over me, but I felt it unnecessary to keep discussing about it.

"Sighhh…enough about that." I waved a hand in the air, stopping the conversation immediately. "Are there any more customers for me today?"

Akane looked through her notebook. "Hmm…I see a 'Maya Shinomori' left for today. Doesn't look like you'll be needed. I have this 'Maya' listed as a sword wielder, so I guess I'm up next. Looks like you get to look after the shop when I'm gone, hehe!"

Every time she saw a sword wielder in that notebook, I bore witness to that eerie grin. Her job was pretty much easier whenever she had one of those customers. I envied her sometimes, she getting all the warrior types. Share the wealth, why don'tcha?

But… "Maya Shinomori"? Where had I heard that name before?

"H-hey, Akane… What time is this 'Maya Shinomori' supposed to be here?"

"Hmm…Should be about now, maybe in the next 5 minutes. Maybe she's just running a little late?"

It wasn't uncommon for an amateur hero to be late to an appointment, so neither of us felt bothered by the delay.

Right when I was getting up from my desk, I heard the bell at the front door of the shop ring. I almost fell back onto my desk, but luckily, I recovered quickly enough.

I didn't believe my eyes: Maya Shinomori, not just a "sword wielder," but a "swordswoman." I had seen her name a few times in the papers, praising her latent abilities and potential to grow as a warrior. But never once did I find a photo of her.

No wonder she was so vague in her job description. She didn't want to make it that obvious that such a talented amateur was coming to our dungeon.

But it wasn't just witnessing the Maya Shinomori right in our shop that amazed me. She was a real beauty: luscious red hair down to her lower back, a perfectly formed figure with curves in the right places, and a face that just glistened in the sun. I could tell even then that she carried herself like a refined princess. She looked young, probably still 18-19, so within my desired range.

I wanted to know more about her, and I wondered if she would be the one to get me out of the vibe I had been setting for myself with the last customers who didn't even keep up with me.

"Ahem…I have a reservation at the moment for the dungeon outside. Who is to be my guide for this excursion?" Maya asked.

As if her beauty wasn't enough, her voice, and the way she presented herself while speaking, captivated me.

Akane began to stand up and was about to raise her hand. "I guess that would be…"

"MEEE!!" I screamed. "Umm…I-I-I-I meant to say…your guide today is going to be me… Haru Kurotaka!"