Ten days had passed since I helped out with the quests at [Grand Bahamut].
I was completely worn out. No matter how hard I worked, the jobs never seemed to decrease.
This was strange. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I was clearing a large number of quests at a considerable speed, but the pace at which new jobs came in was much faster.
All the incoming jobs were food-related. We had already gathered most of the nearby food supplies, so lately, we had to go to distant places to complete the quests.
I looked at the [Grand Bahamut] bulletin board, feeling disheartened.
“Ah… I wonder when I’ll be able to return to my shut-in lifestyle…” (Wilhelm)
It was starting to feel like I might never be able to go back, as work kept coming in at an overwhelming pace.
“Wil-kun, let’s go on a quest together! Let’s give it our all today too!” (Sofia)
“You’re so energetic, Sofia-san…” (Wilhelm)
“Well, because work is fun!” (Sofia)
Sofia-san’s smile radiated with dazzling brightness.
“Whoa, so bright! For a shut-in like me, Sofia-san, you’re really something else!” (Wilhelm)
“Ahaha! Wil-kun, let’s stay positive. By the time we’ve finished all this work, summer vacation will be here. Fun holidays are waiting for us, so just hang in there a little longer!” (Sofia)
Sofia-san cheerfully pushed me forward, guiding me outside.
“Summer vacation is still a month away. Isn’t it a bit too far off to get excited about?” (Wilhelm)
“Time flies when you’re engrossed in work~!” (Sofia)
“Wow, that’s definitely from a non-shut-in’s perspective…” (Wilhelm)
For me, a month of work feels way too long.
“Today we’re heading to the coast! We’ve got 40 high-difficulty quests, so let’s give it our all!” (Sofia)
“F-Forty… We tackled about that many just yesterday…” (Wilhelm)
“Let’s sing together as we go, shall we?” (Sofia)
“Uh… it’s quite a distance to the coast from here…” (Wilhelm)
Sofia-san really sang all the way to the coast. This is the kind of energy someone who isn’t a shut-in has. I could never manage it.
After that, I managed to complete forty quests. The difficulty ranged from C to A, and they were all tough challenges.
Two days passed in no time.
I was getting more and more exhausted. When I met Eva’s grandfather, Frankie-san, after a long time, he asked, “Hey, have you lost some weight?” I definitely felt skinnier. My belt was a bit looser.
Today, I decided to be a shut-in and take a break. No matter what anyone said, I was going to shut myself in. After eating the breakfast and lunch that Anya had prepared for me, I dived into my bed.
If I take it easy today, I should be able to tackle the quests with renewed energy tomorrow. Rest is important. I’ll make sure to rest well.
… Anya was standing next to my bed. She was looking at me with eyes full of expectation. I had a bad feeling about this.
“Wh-What’s wrong, Anya? Weren’t you supposed to be off on a quest somewhere far away?” (Wilhelm)
“Actually, an urgent quest has come up. Wil-sama, could you please accompany me?” (Anya)
“W-What kind of quest?” (Wilhelm)
“An A-rank magical beast is rampaging in a nearby village.” (Anya)
“Ugh…” (Wilhelm)
“Moreover, it’s a dragon species. The soldiers have been completely wiped out.” (Anya)
“Ughh…” (Wilhelm)
“And I’d like you to help me with the quests in that area while we’re there.” (Anya)
“H-How many are we talking about?” (Wilhelm)
“Fifty quests! For the exceptional Wil-sama, it should be a piece of cake, right?” (Anya)
“Ughhh…” (Wilhelm)
Anya’s innocent expectations pierce through my heart. Ouch, ouch, ouch. It hurts. It hurts so much. It’s painful to be looked at with such hopeful eyes. I can’t just say no and call it a day today.
Ughhh… I guess I have to get up… right…?
“I-I’ll do my best…” (Wilhelm)
“As expected of you, Wil-sama! You’re the coolest person in the world!” (Anya)
“I-I am?” (Wilhelm)
Anya’s smile is so radiant. I couldn’t help but feel weak in front of this smile.
Two more days passed from there. I was getting even more exhausted. In the end, I didn’t get any rest at all. Every single day, it’s just work, work, work… Ugh, even my mental state is deteriorating.
My eyes are open, but my body just won’t get out of bed.
Somehow, a fluffy white creature walks into my room. Someone looks happy.
“Rise and shine neet!” (Mew-chan)
“As expected… You’re relentless, Mew-chan!” (Wilhelm)
I was flipped over along with the bed. I squirmed out and looked up at Mew-chan. He gave me a sly grin.
“We’re going on a quest together today mew.” (Mew-chan)
“Huh, no way.” (Wilhelm)
“You’ve got serious bags under your eyes mew. Despite sleeping like a log every day, are you secretly not getting any rest?” (Mew-chan)
“Even if I sleep, I still feel tired. I think it might be overwork…” (Wilhelm)
“Hah, calling it overwork after just a little effort is just being weak mew.” (Mew-chan)
“That’s harsh. Do you have no heart, Mew-chan?” (Wilhelm)
“Sodane! I’m a magical beast, after all.” (Mew-chan)
“That’s right…” (Wilhelm)
I knew it. This fluffy creature may speak human language fluently, but it’s still a magical beast. It doesn’t have human emotions.
“Actually, you’re starting to look like a decent worker mew.” (Mew-chan)
“I don’t think this is just being decent, Mew-chan. Wait, are you seriously going on a quest with me?” (Wilhelm)
“Sodane! We got a job to shear for a Sodane Mew’s fur mew.” (Mew-chan)
“Oh, really? I got all pumped up for nothing. Isn’t that quite easy? Bring me the scissors.” (Wilhelm)
“Sodane… Not!!” (Mew-chan)
“What? You didn’t bring scissors yourself? Well, then, um, scissors, scissors…” (Wilhelm)(Wilhelm)
I slowly got up and grabbed the scissors in the room. With these, I’m going to cut all of Mew’s white fur. Looks like Mew-chan is turning pale for some reason.
“Don’t come near me with those scissors mew. Scary mew!” (Mew-chan)
“Hehe…” (Wilhelm)
“If all my fur disappears, Ojou will cry mew!” (Mew-chan)
“Well, she probably will. Hehe…” (Wilhelm)
“That’s why we’re supposed to shear a wild Sodane Mew’s fur instead mew!” (Mew-chan)
“Huh? So, Mew-chan, you’re selling out your comrades’ fur?” (Wilhelm)
“Sodane! And don’t say it as if I’m a heartless person mew.” (Mew-chan)
“But Mew-chan isn’t a human.” (Wilhelm)
You’re a magical beast after all.
“So, I’ll negotiate with the wild Sodane Mew and ask if it’s okay to shave its fur mew. Sodane Mews can’t stand the heat during this season, Mew. Trimming its fur is just right for the summer, Mew.” (Mew-chan)
“So you do feel hot in it.” (Wilhelm)
They’re quite the species. Well, just looking at them makes me feel hot. Seriously, if it’s okay to shave Mew-chan’s fur, I’d be eager to do it.
“So, I’ll go negotiate with the wild Sodane Mew. Once they agree, We’ll shave their fur and accomplish the quest mew.” (Mew-chan)
“I see. Well, it can’t be helped, I’ll join you. After that, I’ll come back straight and take it easy for the rest of today.” (Wilhelm)
“Unfortunately…” (Mew-chan)
“Uh…” (Wilhelm)
“There are also about sixty quests in the same direction mew.” (Mew-chan)
“Ugh…” (Wilhelm)
“Let’s tackle them together mew~” (Mew-chan)
“Ughhh…” (Wilhelm)
Damn it all! I thought today would be a day off!
This guy looks like a cute mascot, but he’s a total sadist in everything he says and does. Sixty quests… Sixty quests… I’ll never finish them unless I work until night.
However, even though I feel sluggish, as the talented, diligent, and cool guy that I am, I managed to complete all sixty quests.
And so, I continued to wear myself out more and more…
Ah… Ahh… Ahhh…
No matter how much I sleep, the fatigue doesn’t go away. Even Anya’s pressure point massages don’t work anymore.
I think we really need to increase the number of people in the guild.
I stumbled to my feet, washed my face, and made my way to the kitchen.
There was Eva, warming up a meal for me. Oh right, Eva’s here. Eva’s good at magic, and she’s the granddaughter of the owner of the magic item shop, so she’s a professional at gathering materials in the mountains. I think she’ll be the ultimate asset.
“Hey, Wil-onii-san. Eva-chan was thinking of helping out with quests today, too.” (Eva)
An unexpected proposal from her! Talk about a stroke of luck!
“Thank you! You’re a huge help. With Eva around, it’s like having a hundred people!” (Wilhelm)
“So, Wil-onii-san, will you go on quests with Eva-chan from now on?” (Eva)
“Huh…? You mean we’re doing it together?” (Wilhelm)
“By the way, there are 70 quests along the way. Will you help me clear them too?” (Eva)
“Eeeh…? 70 quests…? Do we have to finish that many in one day…?” (Wilhelm)
My mind went blank. Eva’s voice sounded distant.
In the end, I can’t take a break.
All the quests coming in are just about food supply. The clients are mostly food retailers, and processed food companies. There are a lot coming from the government too.
There’s likely a food shortage happening somewhere. I haven’t had time to read the newspaper lately, so it’s just speculation. Unless something like that is happening, there wouldn’t be such a sudden spike in quests for food.
Ah, I really need some serious help. At this rate, I’ll hit my limit eventually. If my performance drops due to exhaustion, work will grind to a halt. If that happens, even though the popularity of [Grand Bahamut] has risen, trust will plummet. I want to avoid that at all costs.
Is there anyone good who can help? At this point, it doesn’t matter if they’re from another guild. Someone experienced…
No, the first person that comes to mind is my brother, Tony.
He’s excellent. Having him as reinforcement would be more than helpful. But Tony is still a student. It’s nearing the time for his end-of-term exams. I didn’t want to do anything that would interfere with my brother’s studies.
TL Notes:
Thanks for reading!
Overworking at it’s finest. Hopefully, they at least get paid enough for this shit. But it’s also kinda weird that they aren’t getting any new members in their guild. Maybe they are and it just wasn’t stated.
Footnote:
- None