The Natural Disaster

Progress was smooth after that. We've gotten used to moving around in the desert, using certain quality of life skills to keep us from getting heat stroke and other ailments. It was mostly Fina doing the spell casting, but I managed to pick them up somehow so she wouldn't have to spend what little mana stones she had left.

("The skills I learned so far are…") [Solace]

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Skill Name: |Heat Resistance|

Description: A skill developed by a renowned mage who found difficulty living in a stuffy room.

Effects: Creates a veil around the target that prevents heat from entering.

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Skill Name: |Preservation|

Description: A skill developed by a renowned mage after finding that their weeks worth of food spoiled.

Effects: Slows the decomposition rate of the target. Cannot work on living objects.

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Skill Name: |Remove Odor|

Description: A skill developed by a renowned mage after not being allowed to bathe for weeks during travel.

Effects: Removes foul odors and replaces it with one of three scents: Filgar, Wicknid, and Eledid. Odor replacement is random.

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Just from the descriptions, I can assume that they were made by the same person.

("They're just like me for real for real.") [Solace]

If I were a mage, I'd probably make spells to deal with inconveniences too. 

"Hey guys, we should stop here for a bit." [Wilharrow]

"Huh? What's wrong?" [Solace]

"Yeah, we're almost to the nearest town." [Raon]

Wilharrow wagged a finger side to side.

"Tsk tsk tsk. That's exactly the reason why we're stopping. You do realize we entered demon territory after crossing the bridge, right?" [Wilharrow]

"...I'm not following." [Solace]

"Disguises. If a random demon like Zyril knows the hero is headed here, then what about its citizens?" [Wilharrow]

"Ah." [Solace]

"That said, can you take out Fina's bag from your |Item Box|?" [Wilharrow]

I did as said. I took out a large sack and allowed Wilharrow to rummage through it.

"Found it." [Wilharrow]

"...You're kidding." [Solace]

He had four sets of… fake cat ears?

"This'll fool them. Here, take one." [Wilharrow]

I reluctantly took one and stared at it.

"Seriously?" [Solace]

"Of course. It's foolproof." [Wilharrow]

I glanced at my allies, who apparently didn't see any problem with putting them on.

("...Damn.") [Solace]

I bit the bullet and put it on.

"Huh?" [Solace]

Suddenly my senses heightened. I could feel the ears and move them at will. A tail even appeared from behind, in which I could also control. I couldn't feel that one though.

"What… is this?" [Solace]

"A disguise designed by the Holy Temple. From now on, we're going to roleplay as a bunch of beastmen siblings." [Wilharrow]

"Do we use our real names?" [Solace]

"Sure. Why not? Every hero has done it." [Wilharrow]

I'm honestly surprised that many heroes got away with it.

"Well… You are the leader…" [Solace]

After we got used to our disguises, we approached the nearest town. Surprisingly, there weren't many people on the road. Though I did see a few horned individuals, they didn't look that different from regular people. Some had leathery wings, some just had horns, and others had both with an additional tail.

"Remember guys, we're just going to stock up on supplies and move on." [Wilharrow]

We entered the town thinking that it would be bustling with demons. It was true, to an extent. However, most of them were corpses that littered the ground.

"What the hell…?" [Solace]

It was a gruesome sight. Purple blood stained the town, and only a few living demons were there trying to clean up.

"Ah, travelers?" [???]

A male blue demon took notice of us and approached Wilharrow.

"Sorry for the terrible sight. If you're looking for an inn, there's only one available at the moment. If you're an adventurer, please visit the guild first. They may also have lodgings for you." [Blue Demon]

Wilharrow put up a hand.

"Excuse me, but what happened here?" [Wilharrow]

The blue demon clenched his fists.

"...The Unseeing Sword passed through." [Blue Demon]

He then sighed.

"Nothing we can do about something like a natural disaster. For now, we're cleaning up. If you'd like to help, please take a commission from the Adventurer's guild." [Blue Demon]

My allies weren't lying about the Unseeing Sword. He really was a psychopath. I could tell from the cut marks on the corpses that it wasn't even a struggle.

("I have to admit, he's very skilled.") [Solace]

The Unseeing Sword was able to cut through shields, weapons, and armor. The only thing I found strange was that there wasn't any damage to the surroundings.

("...So he cut them down before they could react.") [Solace]

It was a horrendous sight, but it wasn't something that should delay our party.

"Let's head to the adventurer's guild." [Wilharrow]

"We are?" [Solace]

"The Holy Temple also gave me an Adventurer's license so I can use it wherever. Let's help clean up." [Wilharrow]

That was surprising. The Hero helps his enemies. I've heard of it in novels, but seeing it in person was a different experience.

"Plus we can get money for our trip." [Wilharrow]

"Bet." [Solace]

That was all he needed to say.

"...Bet? Bet what?" [Raon]

"Don't worry about it." [Solace]

We entered the adventurer's guild, which was filled with activity. Several races were rushing to move crates of potions and several others were bringing coffins with them. The inside of the guild was a copy of the one in Metus, I guess only the people inside were different.

"Move out of the way!" [???]

I stepped aside as others rushed past. It really seemed like an emergency. I didn't see many people outside, so where were they going?

"Let's just get to the commissions board." [Wilharrow]

We took a look at the quests, which was dominated by requests to gather herbs, collect bodies, and organize the deceased belongings.

"Which one should we take?" [Raon]

"Let's split up and choose whatever we like. We'll return here at the end of the day." [Wilharrow]

Going our separate ways was agreed upon. Even so, I purposely took a bit longer to decide so I can follow Fina. I can't have her getting hurt now can I? Gods that sounded creepy. Let me rephrase it to the spirit should follow their summoner.

"Oh, you also picked this one?" [Solace]

"I think it's a meaningful job." [Fina]

We took on the quest to collect bodies and decided to follow everyone else. There were carts supplied to us to carry the deceased, so I took one.

"You're not going to use your |Item Box|?" [Fina]

"It's a bit conspicuous. We want to blend in don't we?" [Solace]

I carried the cart and walked alongside Fina through the town. Due to my curiosity, I followed the other adventurers carrying carts.

"What the…?" [Solace]

As we went further into the town, I truly realized what the blue demon meant by natural disaster. I began to gag as my nose recognized the smell of rotting flesh and my eyes widened from the sight of piles of dismembered limbs mixed into each other. The town was painted purple from the blood, and I saw the sight of loved ones trying to piece their family together.

("The Unseeing Sword did this…?") [Solace]

It was like he treated living beings as dicing ingredients on a knife board.

"We should help." [Fina]

I helped the nearby families pick out their beloved, but it was difficult for some. Questions I never thought I'd ask exited my mouth like:

"Who's hand is this?" [Solace]

Or

"Does anyone recognize this torso?" [Solace]

My hands grew bloody and a slimy sensation was all that was left. It was one of the worst experiences I've ever had.

"Alt. We should finish up for the day." [Fina]

As much as I usually pay attention to her, I was too focused. My mind was filled with disgust and confusion.

"Alt? Can you hear me?" [Fina]

("What is the criteria for the Unseeing Sword? How could he kill so many people?") [Solace]

"Alt?" [Fina]

("Pieces of armor and weapons are mixed in here. A locket? Someone's lover?") [Solace]

"Alt!" [Fina]

I snapped back to reality when Fina shouted in my ear.

"Ah! What?!" [Solace]

"Let's head back. It's getting late." [Fina]

"Oh." [Solace]

She was right. The sun was setting.

"..." [Solace]

I stared at the piles of flesh and wondered if the deceased would be accurately identified. Then again, it was just me being a bit sympathetic. It's not like I actually know them.

"Fina, you go on ahead." [Solace]

"..." [Fina]

Strangely, she didn't reply. Instead, she knelt down next to me and began to help me with my work.

"What are you doing?" [Solace]

"If you're not going back, neither am I." [Fina]

I was speechless. I don't grow tired since I'm a spirit, but Fina decided to stay behind even when she must be hungry. In the end, I gave in.

"Fine. I'll stop here." [Solace]

"Already?" [Fina]

"Already." [Solace]

I just can't win against her.

"What do you want for dinner? I'll pay." [Solace]

"Really? I'll drain your wallet dry." [Fina]

I was about to mention how Leon would be more likely. However, I learned from my mistake to not mention her when I'm alone with Fina.

"You're welcome to." [Solace]