Published: July 31, 2025
Today, six episodes were updated simultaneously.
This story is the first episode.
"That should do it."
After taking sufficient measures to prevent the unruly adventurers from escaping, I was about to go call for help when I heard two sets of footsteps approaching. I was slightly on guard, thinking they might be new enemies, but it quickly became clear that was a needless worry.
"It seems you've already taken care of things, huh?"
"Asagi! And Reipin, what are you doing here?"
"A young adventurer who seemed flustered earlier came seeking help. He was tangled up with some troublesome adventurers, and one of them stayed behind to hold them off."
So, it was that group of six who called for help.
"I heard you brought slimes, so I had a hunch it was Ryoma. I'm glad you're safe. By the way, what's going on in there?"
"It seems the others aren't dead... but they haven't moved a muscle."
The two of them looked at the unruly adventurers I had restrained and spoke.
The unruly adventurers were secured so they wouldn't run off if I left. For their treatment, I had immobilized their limbs with splints wrapped with weeds and hardened sticky slime, kind of like casts, then gagged them with stone muzzles that had holes for breathing, and sealed their movement further using paralysis poison from poison slimes.
Finally, to prevent any magical beast attacks, the slimes surrounded them tightly without any gaps... though perhaps there were a few too many.
"They are pretty much buried under all that..."
"Hmm... I'll keep watch here. I won't let any escape, so Ryoma, move the slimes aside and head back to the receptionist once."
"Ah! Right, I have to hurry!"
"I'll go report as well. I'll take you along with magic."
Taking Reipin's offer, I let them teleport me away.
Somewhat surprised by the two, I quickly returned the slimes to the dimension home.
I'm already late in real-time.
Returning to the receptionist, I explained the situation and was told to get back to work.
It seems I just missed the Guild Master, who had come to hear about the incident. I was told they would notify me later about any penalties.
So, the first thing I needed to do was
"I'm sorry I'm late."
Apologize to the five members of my party who had been waiting.
Though Mr. Jeff and the others were not angry once they heard the story; they only teased me a little.
Then, after work.
As adventurers started returning in horse-drawn carriages, I was summoned by the Guild Master.
"You came... well, sit down."
The Guild Master sat in a chair at the temporary reception, looking a bit exhausted.
Whatever punishment I might face would be the result of my actions... but would it be something serious?
"...Let me say this first: you won't be punished. So don't make that determined face."
"You're saying I'm acquitted?"
"You couldn't call for help earlier out of concern for the safety of those involved, right? And in fact, because you were there, the six who were helped remained unharmed. The accounts from you and those six at the reception match. As for Satch and the others... well, they had some elaborate methods, but it counts as safe restraint. Your tardiness is excused as a justified reason for helping others.
So no punishment this time! You probably don't want to be punished anyway."
That's true, but then why did the Guild Master look so drained?
"Oh, that... it's about Satch and his group. It's one reason why I decided not to punish you—they weren't exactly trustworthy."
"They contradicted your statements?"
"Before all that, they were a group of troublemakers until last year."
"Until last year?"
That odd way of putting it hinted at something.
"Satch, who led them, is a shadow of his former self now, but he used to be a serious and skilled adventurer."
I couldn't quite believe it, but I listened quietly as he explained that Satch began acting badly after reaching c rank.
"Moving from c to b rank is a big hurdle for adventurers. Many give up aiming higher once they hit c. Satch kept stagnating and his attitude soured."
As demands on his comrades rose to reach b rank, and with fights and drinking, he became quite unruly for a while.