Chapter 11: Mysterious Comfort

On a silent, dark night, I'm heading back to the inn where I'm currently staying. I stand at the door in my room. Recalling the memory, I clenched my fist, failing to accept my failure.

It didn't only happen once; it happened twice! I couldn't bring myself to open the door to my room. I slowly sat down on the floor.

I lean my head against the wall, looking above and staring at the ceiling. I heard noises coming from Neerial's room.

Noises of a slowly loud breathing can be heard. Out of curiosity, I head towards the door of her room and put my ear right to it.

I focused and heard Neerial breathing slowly. Not sure what was happening, I quickly opened the door.

"Neerial, are you okay?!" I said out of worry.

What awaited me inside was the sight of Neerial in her bed, covered in her white blanket. Full of sweat and has the face of someone in pain.

I hurriedly went close to her and touched her forehead. It's extremely hot. Her face is also red, similar to that of a tomato.

"You're sick," I said with my hands on her forehead.

"I'll take you to the nearest clinic," I added.

I attempted to take off the blanket covering her, but she immediately grabbed it. Stopping me from pulling the blanket out of her. She let out a scream so loud that it almost broke my ears.

"KYA!!!" She screamed.

Surprised at her reaction, I let the blanket go and took a step back. She sat on her bed, still holding the blanket tightly, and looked at me with clear anger and a blushing face.

"I'M NOT WEARING ANY CLOTHES!" She yelled.

I stared blankly, trying to take things my way. I made another mistake.

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I grabbed a bucket filled with water and a clean towel to put on her forehead. She's still breathing very heavily.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Nothing; when I got home, I suddenly realized I have a fever. Sorry for causing you trouble," Neerial said, trying her best to give her answer.

"Alright, don't talk anymore. Just focus on resting," I said.

"Thank you." She smiled and closed her eyes.

After I helped Neerial, I sat on the wooden chair and stayed by the right side of her bed.

I was thinking about my mistake today and thinking of countermeasures against the werewolf.

Nothing but negative thoughts have fallen into my head; I couldn't help it. I'm tired, and nothing is going my way.

Remembering the faces of Merry and her brothers, I clenched my hands.

I also looked at Neerial, who has a sick-looking expression on her face.

I remember the comrades that I lost at the class gifting ceremony. A tear fell through my eyes, and I immediately wiped it away. Without noticing, I realized that Neerial was looking at me with a worried look on her face.

"Are you all right?" She asked me.

"Yes, yes, I'm okay," I immediately answered.

Maybe it's a mistake for me to be with someone; people might die again because of me. Maybe it's best for everyone if I'm all alone. Deep in my thoughts, Neerial suddenly held my hand.

"I'm sure you're remembering something awful. But please remember, you gave me food and shelter. Just doing those things can give you something to be proud of," she said.

I couldn't help myself and lightly let out a laugh.

"What are you even talking about? That's so unrelated to what I'm thinking right now," I said with laughter.

She gave me a smile and closed her eyes.

"At least you're laughing now." Neerial said these words and then fell asleep.

I feel grateful that I got to meet Neerial. Even though I'm still not trusting her completely, she still found a way to make me laugh.

I stayed up all night and looked after her.

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Next morning, I moved the curtains from her window. Giving sunlight and an atmosphere that it's a brand new day.

I went to the bed where Neerial is sleeping and touched her forehead. Her fever disappeared quickly, and it looks like she'll be okay today.

While my palm was still on her head, she slowly opened her eyes.

"Good morning, Christ," she said to me with a smile on her face.

"Good morning, Neerial. Do you think you can go to the guild hall today? We won't do any quests; just go there for that promotion," I asked her with a grin on my face.

I couldn't help but feel excited about my promotion. Adept Rank gives me a lot of quests to do that will sure increase my level.

"I can, no problem. But would you please wait for me outside? I want to change first."

Neerial said this while covering her mouth with the blanket.

"Sure, take your time."

Doing what Neerial asked, I stepped outside of her room and waited for her to get ready.

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Our current location is the guild hall, where Reni is waiting for us. She has the badge for Adept Rank, which is green, and the badge for Journeyman, which is silver.

I gratefully accepted the badge, and Neerial also accepted hers.

We went to a diner and celebrated our promotion. With glorious food on the table, Neerial and I ate without holding ourselves back. Enjoying the moment of our feast and the taste of success.

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Three days later, the quest for the unknown cause of missing cases has become a huge problem. Adept adventurers until seasoned rank have been gathered to take this quest.

Including us, me and Neerial have also been recommended to join the search tonight. Around 50 adventurers have gathered to take on the quest. 250 gold as a reward to whoever slays the monster.

We're now in the guild hall, talking to the adventurers that are going to take the quest with us.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Kleigh! A fighter class. Nice to meet you!" A bulky guy with tough armor shaked my hand.

"Likewise, I'm Christ Skylar, a mage class."

I said it with extreme confidence in my face.

I also talked to the other adventurers, but I couldn't have any long conversations. Karma mostly does this stuff for me. But now I have to, because I'm the leader now.

"You seem nervous." Neerial came up and talked to me.

I stretched my arms forward and bent my knees, getting my body ready for the quest.

"Yep, I've been hunting this werewolf for days. It's nice to get some help," I said to Neerial.

I looked at the sun slowly falling down, giving us a beautiful sunset scene. I completed my stretching and looked at Neerial.

Neerial, left speechless and with a face of shock, is staring right in my direction.

"Neerial? What's wrong?" I asked her.

"Th—the poster didn't say anything about werewolves. You've been trying to hunt it down all by yourself? Every single night?" Neerial, with a sad tone in her voice, let out her worries for me.

I put my finger on my lips, giving a sign to keep it down, or else the adventurers might hear her.

"That thing is for me to kill, do you understand?" I said to Neerial.

Unsatisfactory is all over her face. Neerial turned around and walked to the formation of the adventurers.

I put my palm in my head, realizing another one of my mistakes. I should've given any details about the creature to the guild anonymously.

However, I looked into the adventurers and concluded that their strength is nothing to be underestimated.

I'll just go with the flow and strike the final blow on the chest of that monster.

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We made our way to the dark forest, where the light of the sun could still be seen.

The formation of our march is amazing; we have each other guarding each other's backs.

All of us are watching for movements and giving information through sign language.

"Over there!" Behind me was Neerial, who shouted.

She pointed in the right direction and ran straight through it. I signaled her to wait, but to no avail.

All of us decided to follow her, running to the tall grasses and reaching a cliff with Neerial standing through it.

"Where is it?!"

"Did it jump?!"

"What kind of figure did you see?!"

Several questions have been asked by the adventurers; even I can't help but wonder what went through her, so she immediately ran away.

The sun has fallen, and the moon has arisen. Neerial turned around, facing all of us. Her hair is being blown by the strong, chilly wind, with her beautiful face staring right through us.

However, her expression is full of nothing but sadness.

"Sorry, Christ. I didn't expect it that it was you," Neerial has said.

Slowly, hairs have begun growing through her body. Her face changed into something different, transforming it into something similar to the nose of a dog.

She has big fangs and a huge furry tail behind her.

Neerial transformed into a werewolf.