NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 50 - Episode 050: Headhunter, Taking The Newbie Adventurers Back Home
Episode 050: Headhunter, Taking The Newbie Adventurers Back Home
The young boys and girls, mistaking Ack for a monster, trembled in fear, holding their weapons in readiness. Seeing they weren’t about to attack, Ack and Rim waited until they calmed down without taking any action. After a while, the adventurers began to regain their composure, realizing Ack and Rim weren’t going to attack them. Understanding that Ack and Rim had helped them, they exchanged glances and bowed deeply.
“We’re really sorry!!”
“No, don’t worry about it.”
“Hmph, even though we helped them, they treat me, the noble Fenrir, as a monster. Humans these days.”
Ack, being used to it, didn’t particularly care, but Rim turned away dissatisfied.
“Why were you guys here?”
“We accepted a request.”
“This area seems dangerous for you guys…”
“Yes, we learned that the hard way this time…”
Although Ack quickly assessed their abilities, he learned they had come here by overestimating themselves. It made sense that they were almost dying. While it might be normal to lecture them as one of the senior adventurers, given they almost died this time, it seems they understood that impatience is not allowed for adventurers living on. Ack knows the way of mercenaries, but as adventurers, they’re like rookies.
He didn’t intend to say anything more.
“I see. I’m Ack. This is Rim.”
“Oh, yeah. Nice to meet you. I’m Cain. These are Hale, Corti, and Iari.”
Representing them in conversation since earlier was Cain, a boy with tousled hair who seemed mischievous. When Ack introduced himself, he was introduced to Cain, and the three of them, Hale, Corti, and Iari, bowed lightly in greeting.
“Hmph.”
Rim, displeased with being treated like a monster, didn’t intend to be friendly.
“Is the request to subjugate these guys?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Rim, melt a bit for them.”
“Sigh… Fine.”
Reluctantly, Rim melted the ice near the Forest Wolves’ mouth to take the fangs, which were the subjugation targets, and handed them over.
“Take them.”
“I-Is it okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you!!”
Cain and the others were surprised to hear Ack’s words. For Cain and the others, their lives were saved, which was a huge gain. The most important reward they gained from this request was realizing that they had been overconfident. So, they thought it was natural for the request to fail.
It took a little time to digest Ack’s unexpected words, but when they understood, they started working on taking the fangs with a happy smile.
During that time, Ack continued to keep an eye on their surroundings with a smile.
“We’re done!!”
“Let’s escort you back to town.”
“N-No, we’re fine on our own.”
It was also a good time for Rim’s walk, so it was just as well.
Ignoring their reluctance, Ack forcefully escorted them back to town. They were able to return safely to the front gate without any trouble on the way back.
It was thanks to Ack and Rim, but they didn’t know that.
“Thank you so much for today. We’re really grateful.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t worry about it. Just take care of yourselves from now on.”
“Yes!!”
As Ack turned his back on them, he suddenly remembered something and turned around.
“Oh, right. I run a café on the outskirts of town.”
That was an advertisement for his own shop.
“A c-café?”
Although they thought he was either a fellow business owner or a mercenary, Cain and the others were astonished to hear an unexpected noun.
“Yeah. It’s called the Fluffy Café. Drop by if you feel like it.”
“Is that s-so… Alright. We’ll definitely visit!! Right?”
“Y-Yes, of course.”
“I-I’ll go too.”
“S-So will I!!”
While Cain and the others still couldn’t digest Ack’s words, they intended to visit without fail if their benefactor ran the shop. Although they didn’t know it, Ack had become quite popular among them.
“Tina must be worried by now. Let’s hurry back.”
“Yeah. Make me some Napolitan spaghetti quickly.”
“We’re not having Napolitan spaghetti today, are we?”
Although Rim had come to like Ack’s Napolitan spaghetti, unfortunately, they couldn’t have it every day.
Tina’s health is their top priority.
For Tina’s health, they need to make a balanced meal and various dishes so she doesn’t get bored.
“What did you say!? W-What’s on the menu then!?”
“We’re having hamburg steak.”
“Hmm, it’s the first time I’ve heard of it, but it sounds delicious in its own way. Oh well, let’s endure it for today. Tomorrow will be Napolitan spaghetti!!”
With a casual response to Rim, Ack headed back to the café.
“From now on, it’s hamburg steak every day!!”
As a side note, upon returning home and eating hamburg steak made from meat, Rim, being a wolf-type monster, ended up liking it even more than Napolitan spaghetti.