Seeker 97

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Chapter 97. The Village And The Special Mission

Guided by the villagers, we walked along the peaceful road for about four hours. 

Finally, we arrived at our destination, Walz Village.

The journey was filled with refreshing scenery.

We saw grasslands, forests, wheat fields, farmers tending to their cows and horses, rivers and bridges, and so on. 

And the village of Wals that we reached was a picturesque settlement surrounded by fields of wheat and pasture.

There were around 50 residences within the wooden-fenced area. 

We arrived just as the sun was setting and were led directly to the village chief's house.

We were escorted into a spacious reception room and offered seats, in the village chief's house. 

They prepared tea for the three of us. 

Sitting across from us was the village chief himself.

He was about to reach old age and seemed to have a gentle personality.

"Welcome, esteemed adventurers. I'd like to request your assistance subduing Goblins that have taken residence in a nearby cave."

He proceeded to provide us with the location of the cave. 

The cave was about an hour's walk into the forest, departing from the village. 

One of the villagers would guide us to the cave.

Then, with a somewhat bitter expression, the village chief added.

"One of this village's hunters was killed by the goblins. If we let them roam free, more villagers may become victims. Please, adventurers, I implore you to eliminate Goblins."

"Understood. We will do our best."

I replied nervously.

In our world of dungeons, it was rare to hear about people killed by monsters. 

Next to me, both Kazane-san and Yumizuki were solemnly holding their breaths. 

In this world, monsters seemed to roam not only in dungeons but outside.

In our world, there were incidents of monsters appearing in the past.

But currently, it was unlikely for monsters to appear in places where ordinary citizens could witness them. 

Seeing monsters and being exposed to their threat was exclusive to seekers.

In that regard, this different world and our world were significantly different. 

Or rather, in this world, what we referred to as "dungeons" didn't exist at all.

In any case, after hearing all the details, we decided to head to the goblin extermination immediately. 

However, an incident occurred at that moment.

As we were about to leave the village chief's house, there was a loud knock on the door. 

When the village chief went to answer, a man who seemed to be a villager urgently conveyed the following information.

"Chief, it's an emergency! Chelsea went alone to the goblin cave!"

"What!? That foolish girl! I explicitly told her not to act selfishly and to leave it to the adventurers." 

"Um... what does this mean?"

I asked, and the village chief bitterly explained the situation.

"Chelsea is the daughter of one of the hunters who was killed by the goblins. And she is also an [Awakened One]."

"An [Awakened One]?"

"Yes. Chelsea was determined to leave the village and become an adventurer. But just before she could do that. Goblins mercilessly killed her father."

It seemed that [Awakened One] referred to individuals who possessed powers similar to us seekers. 

They were like level 1 Seekers with no combat experience.

"Even if she is an [Awakened One] going alone to defeat a group of goblins without practical experience is too reckless. Adventurers, please understand the situation and save Chelsea from Goblins' clutches. We will provide additional rewards as well. Please, I beg you.

The village chief said so and bowed to us. 

The villager who came to inform us also bowed their head. 

Furthermore, there was no penalty even if we couldn't rescue her. 

They promised an additional reward of 3 gold coins if we could rescue her. 

Now, what should we do?

When I looked at Kazane-san and Yuzuki, they looked straight at me and nodded. 

Well, that's right.

I conveyed this to the village chief.

"Understood. We will do everything we can. We will depart immediately, so please guide us to the cave."

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" 

The village chief and others thanked us repeatedly.

Even though they were residents of an unfamiliar world I had never met before. It didn't feel good knowing that people were dying in places related to me. 

If possible, I wanted to help them.

And then, at that moment.

I heard a beep sound, and a message box appeared in my field of view.

───────────────────────

Special Mission: "Rescue the Village Girl Who Headed to Goblin's Cave"

Experience Points Earned Upon Mission Completion... 2000 points

───────────────────────

I was surprised. 

Kazane-san and Yuzuki also widened their eyes.

"I-I'm surprised..."

"Wow, I didn't expect something like this."

It was an unexpected bonus mission. 

So, this is a "special mission.".

But more importantly, time was important now.

Guided by the villagers, we hurried to the cave where the goblins were said to reside.

I hope we're not too late.

I could only pray that the hunter's daughter named Chelsea would stay safe until we arrived.