Chapter 10
Even as the morning light still felt blinding.
I was utterly exhausted from yesterday’s feast and had decided that “sleeping in is true bliss” when, unfeelingly, a knock echoed in my room.
“Lord Yuma, the lord wishes to see you.”
…Here we go. These kinds of summons events are never for anything good.
With no choice but to head towards the executive office, I found the lord sitting at a luxurious desk, looking at me with a serious expression.
“Lord Yuma. I have something to ask of you.”
At that moment, cold sweat streamed down my back.
I’d seen countless examples of these “requests” being less than pleasant in my past life, from games and anime, of course.
“Well… I’m just a commoner, you know.”
“No need for false modesty. You are the hero who repelled a pack of wolves in the forest.”
“That’s what I’ve been telling you, it’s a misunderstanding!”
But the lord, deaf to my cries, spread an old map on his desk.
“To the north of the town, there is a place called the ‘Cave of Trials.’ It leads to an ancient temple, and adventurers have always avoided it… Recently, there’s been some unrest. I’d like you to investigate.”
“…Why me!?”
“You can do it. Everyone believes so.”
No, don’t believe it. Please stop.
While I was sinking into despair, Lisa, standing beside me, suddenly lit up.
“Yes! Leave it to us!”
“Lisaaa! Don’t accept so rashly!”
Following her, Serena nodded gravely.
“This is fate’s guidance… Lord Yuma has been chosen.”
“I’m not being guided! If anything, I want to run away!”
Lastly, Miria added plainly.
“…If he is here, we can break through.”
“You tooooo!”
My protests were completely ignored, and the lord nodded with satisfaction.
“Very well. I entrust it to you all.”
—And so, I was once again thrown into an adventure I never desired.
The next day, as I was preparing for departure, people from all over town started approaching me one after another.
“Big brother, they say you’re challenging the trials!”
“Amazing! You’re a real hero!”
“Please stay safe!”
“No, no, no! That’s not it! I was just dragged into it!”
Even though I shouted, no one listened. Instead, they misinterpreted it as “How humble,” or “As expected of a hero.”
Even the innkeeper told me, “When you get back, you can eat as much as you want.”
…Am I becoming more and more cornered?
In the early afternoon, we arrived in front of the cave in question.
The massive entrance carved into the rocky surface looked like a black mouth waiting to swallow us.
An eerie wind blew through, sending shivers down my spine.
“It feels… unpleasant.” (Miria)
“I sense ancient magic.” (Serena)
“I-I’m scared…” (Lisa)
I’m scared too. I want to go home with all my might.
“W-well then, I’ll stay here and keep watch—”
“Lord Yuma, let’s go together!” (Lisa)
“The trial cannot be overcome without the one who has been guided.” (Serena)
“…I won’t let you escape.” (Miria)
My escape route was completely cut off as both my arms were firmly grasped.
As we stepped into the cave, the air was chilly and moist.
On the walls illuminated by the torchlight, there were carvings resembling ancient scripts.
And as we proceeded deeper—
—Clank.
A floorboard sank, and spears fell from the ceiling.
“Trap!?”
I hastily jumped back. In the process, my foot slipped and I kicked a stone.
The rolling stone pressed a hidden switch on the wall, and the spears stopped their movement with a click.
“…Huh?”
“As expected, it’s okay when Lord Yuma handles it!” (Lisa)
“This is also guidance…” (Serena)
“Too coincidental to be just chance.” (Miria)
No, no, no! I just tripped!
When we reached the deepest part of the cave.
A giant doll clad in pitch-black armor—a guardian—stood blocking our path.
*Gogogogo…*
Its eyes glowed red as it approached, its heavy footsteps echoing.
“This must be… the guardian of the trial!” (Serena)
Miria swung her sword, and Serena unleashed magic.
However, the armor was hard, and it barely sustained any damage.
“Damn…!”
“Lord Yuma, step back!” (Lisa)
No need to be told. I desperately retreated and, grabbing a stone at my feet, threw it without thinking.
—Clang!
The stone, unfortunately… or fortunately, directly struck the red core on the guardian’s chest.
Sparks crackled, and the enormous body staggered.
“Guaaaaaa…!”
The guardian lost its balance and collapsed after smashing its head against the altar behind it.
…I just threw a stone.
“Lord Yuma… defeated it…!” (Lisa)
“The deciding blow was delivered by your hand.” (Serena)
“As expected… he was necessary.” (Miria)
“No, no, no, no!!”
As silence descended, particles of light floated up from the altar in the back.
In its center, a golden, shining crest appeared.
“This is… the ‘Hero’s Mark’ passed down from ancient times…!” (Serena)
“No, no! I don’t need it! I’m fine being a supporting character!”
While I desperately refused, Lisa embraced the crest with both hands.
“Lord Yuma’s mark… I’ll cherish it!”
“Wait a minuteeee!”
…In the end, my will was once again trampled upon.
Upon returning to town, the rumors had already preceded us.
“He’s the hero who cleared the trial!”
“As expected, Lord Yuma!”
“There will be a grand feast tonight!”
…Why does it have to be like this?
I just want to live peacefully.
Returning to my room, I collapsed onto the bed and glared at the ceiling.
“…I’m a supporting character… I’m a supporting character…”
However, outside the window, the cheers of the townspeople echoed.
—And so, I sank one step further into the swamp of “heroic bonus.”
