After my unexpected meeting with Elianna, the saintess of [The Radiant Church]— I quickly excused myself from Geremie and Albert.
The two of them didn’t really mind me leaving so suddenly, and so with that settled; I immediately headed straight back to the safety of my room at the inn.
I really couldn’t believe that I had just run into one of the strongest people in this entire world. Not only that— she was my natural enemy as well. The weight of the whole situation had not fully sunk into my head yet, to be perfectly honest.
’I mean, this is only the second place I have visited since coming to this world, and I still barely know anything about how things work here... I feel like a newbie player accidentally bumping into a high-level boss.’
I thought to myself. I was now back in the privacy of my room.
"She surely is not going to hunt me down now, right? I mean, I basically managed to prove to her that I’m not a vampire through that weird test of hers."
I mumbled quietly, still frowning deeply as I remembered my encounter with Elianna.
It was exactly the kind of meeting I never wanted to have in a million years.
"Haaaaa..."
I let out a long, tired sigh. Then, looking up at the plain wooden ceiling—
’There are probably a lot more incredibly strong people like her scattered throughout this world.’
I thought about that possibility for a moment.
Elianna was clearly strong. I don’t know exactly how powerful she is, but I can instinctively tell that I currently stand no chance of winning in a fight against her.
If she had been the type of person who does not use her head and just attacks on sight, or if she had actually proven that I was a vampire—
"I would probably be dead by now."
My brows furrowed tightly just as I stated that fact out loud. The realization of how close I came to death hit me as hard as a falling rock.
It’s a good thing that Elianna is a rational and calm type of person; it would have been a huge trouble if she were a reckless one.
"..."
I thought I was getting strong... but it turns out that I am just a frog in a well, ignorant of the vast world outside.
"Though, that won’t last for very long."
I declared that with a resolute and determined look on my face. Then, immediately after saying that, I went over and grabbed my sword.
’I will focus on training my skills until they are perfected. I am going to master them and become significantly stronger than I am right now.’
I thought that as I slowly unsheathed the blade, and immediately after—
SWISH!
I started swinging the sword and training with everything I had.
I am still weak for now, but just like I said; it’s not going to stay that way for long. I have the unique ability to copy the skills of any other creatures just by drinking their blood.
"I would be damn incompetent if I couldn’t become strong even with a power like that."
I declared that to the empty room.
I know exactly how strong this innate ability of mine is, and that is why I am going to use it well... I will get strong very fast by using this method.
SLASH!
*****
I did not step a single foot out of my room for the rest of the day. After my dangerous encounter with Elianna, I decided it was best to just stay hidden in here and spend all of my time focused on my training.
I did not want to risk the chance of accidentally meeting her on the street again, after all.
Miguel and the others did come by to visit me after they finished buying everything they needed to bring back to their village. They were inviting me to come down and eat a big meal with them— but I refused the offer, telling them that I would be busy meditating as part of my intense training.
They left after hearing that and wished me the best of luck with my progress.
And just like that... the sun eventually set... and then it rose into the sky again.
Another brand new day had arrived while I was still busy training with my sword.
... ... ...
"Ugh... Cold..."
I grumbled under my breath as I dried my whole body off with a towel. I had just finished taking a quick, cold bath after finally ending my training session.
After that, I made sure to dress up nicely in my new clothes once again. I really do like the new outfits that I bought.
I looked out the window of my room. It was still a bit dark outside, but it was undeniably morning now.
Then, at that exact moment—
Tok- Tok- Tok-
Someone knocked firmly on my door.
"Sir Verc, are you awake in there? We will be leaving the city shortly."
I heard Miguel’s familiar voice say that from the other side of the door. I walked over to the door, and as I opened it up—
"I am ready to depart at any time."
I stated that clearly. Miguel was standing there, looking me up and down with wide eyes.
"You really do wake up early."
He whispered that under his breath. If he only knew that I had not actually gotten a single wink of sleep last night, he would probably be in total shock.
Anyway... I started packing up all of my personal belongings after that. I only have a few items with me, so it only took me a couple of minutes to get everything ready.
... ... ...
By the time I walked out of the inn, Miguel and the others had just finished their final preparations for the departure. And quite unexpectedly—
"Hah, were you really going to leave the city without even telling us?"
"That’s pretty cold of you."
Albert and Geremie were also standing there by the horses.
"Huh? Why are you two here?"
I asked them, feeling quite surprised. I was actually regretting the fact that I wouldn’t be able to say a proper goodbye to them because I had to leave so suddenly, which is why I did not expect to see them here at all.
"Miguel decided to hire us again for the return trip."
Geremie said that with a friendly smile on his face. I turned my head to look at Miguel for an explanation.
"We will be passing through that dangerous forest again, so we definitely need proper protection for the goods."
Then he told me that.
"Is it just going to be you two again?"
I asked Albert and Geremie. It’s not that I am underestimating their combat skills; in fact— I know the two of them are quite strong. But no matter how skilled they were, they could not fully protect Miguel and the others all by themselves if a large group attacked.
Though, it seems like my worry was completely needless—
"It is not just the two of us this time."
Albert said with a confident tone.
"Thanks to the gold coins you gave us, we were able to hire three more mercenaries from the guild to help out. They are probably waiting for us at the gate right now."
Then Miguel cut in and declared that.
I was honestly relieved to hear that we would have more hands on deck.
I looked at Albert and Geremie, and then with a smile on my face—
"Haha, well then... I guess I will be travelling along with all of you for a little while longer."
I said that, happy to see them again.