SWNOVELXO Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Encounter
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After stepping out of the Guild with the armguard Eina had given him, Yoru suddenly remembered the most crucial part of his plan.
He was supposed to find a supporter, but the problem was—he had absolutely no idea how or where to look.
Do I just… randomly approach someone on the street?
Looking up at the sky dyed in a deep red hue, he realized it was already dusk.
Forget it… I'll just ask Eina tomorrow. She probably knows way more about this stuff than I do.
With that thought, Yoru turned onto West Main Street, then made his way into a tangle of narrow alleyways that crisscrossed behind it.
Just then—
A sudden rush of footsteps echoed from deep within the alley.
Before Yoru could make sense of what was happening, a small figure came hurtling around the corner and slammed directly into him.
"Eek!"
A tiny yelp followed, and the figure bounced off his chest and crashed to the ground.
A Pallum?
Yoru blinked down at the small girl who had just fallen. Her childlike frame and delicate limbs looked like they'd snap at the slightest touch. Her body was tiny in every way, making it easy to identify her race.
Not only that—her appearance, plus the large backpack she wore, felt oddly familiar.
Wait… isn't she that girl I always see near the dungeon entrance?
Is she… a supporter?
Well, I've been struggling to figure out where to find one, and here one just fell right into my lap?
"Sorry. Are you alright?"
He reached out a hand to help her up. The girl stirred slightly, then sat up, her messy chestnut hair falling over her shoulders.
Her features were young and small—especially those big, round eyes, which left a strong impression.
"There you are, you damn Pallum!"
A furious roar rang out from the end of the alley, startling the girl. A rough-looking man stepped forward, fury etched across his face.
Clearly an adventurer—he looked to be around twenty, with a large sword strapped to his back.
"You're not getting away this time…!"
The man snarled, completely ignoring Yoru as he stomped forward. Yoru, on the other hand, kept his full attention on the trembling girl at his feet.
"Are you… a supporter?"
"Ah… y-yes…"
She was clearly shaken, but managed to nod and reply.
"Perfect. Can I hire you?"
"Eh?"
The girl stared up at him in shock, unable to process how things had turned so suddenly.
What's with this guy? Just randomly appears and offers to hire me out of nowhere? Is he… slow in the head?
As she sat there confused, the furious adventurer finally lost his patience.
"Where the hell did you come from, bastard?! Stop getting in the way and piss off!"
"Hmm… is he bothering you?"
Yoru glanced casually at the man, then looked back to the girl.
"Uh… he… well…"
She stammered, unsure how to respond. Yoru, however, nodded thoughtfully to himself.
"If I get rid of him for you… can I get a discount on your fee?"
"You little shit! You think I'm someone you can just dismiss?! Get lost, or I'll cut down both of you!"
"I'm not sure what this is all about, but I'd really prefer to hire this supporter. So if you don't mind… could you disappear for a while?"
Yoru's voice was polite—but the words were anything but friendly.
"You're dead meat! I'm gonna kill you right here and now—!"
The man roared, drawing his sword.
Yoru narrowed his eyes. That wasn't just anger—it was murderous intent.
Both Hestia and Eina had warned him before:
No matter how bad things get, never take another adventurer's life.
Killing someone from another familia was an unforgivable crime.
But this guy… he wasn't bluffing. He would kill Yoru if given the chance.
In the very next moment, the man lunged forward.
No one noticed the thin layer of white frost spreading across the cobblestones at Yoru's feet.
"Stop."
A cold, firm voice cut through the tension. The air—previously plummeting in temperature—snapped back to normal. Yoru blinked in surprise. Even the attacker halted.
A girl stood there, holding a large paper bag in one hand.
Her beauty was precise and elegant, not unlike Eina's, but her features were even sharper—made distinct by her pointed ears.
Sky-blue almond-shaped eyes glared sharply at the hostile man.
Yoru recognized her instantly.
That's… one of Syr's coworkers from the Hostess of Fertility. If I remember correctly, her name is Ryuu?
"First this guy, and now you?! What the hell is going on here?!"
"The man you just tried to harm… he's destined to become a very important person to someone I care about. I won't allow you to touch him."
…What is she even saying?
"All of you… spouting nonsense…! You think I'm scared of you?!"
"Silence."
The atmosphere froze over.
The man's rage vanished, his mouth clamping shut under the sheer pressure of Ryuu's gaze. Her narrowed eyes radiated a chilling force.
Yoru could feel it too—that terrifying presence.
So she's not just an ordinary waitress after all…
"I don't want to use force. I tend to overdo it."
Her voice was calm, backed by the soft twilight shining from the main street behind her.
Everything about her said: If I strike, you will not walk away.
The man's mouth moved as if trying to protest… but Ryuu calmly drew a short blade from her hip with a soft metallic ring.
"Tch… damn it all!"
His face pale, the man turned and fled.
"Are you alright?"
"You really saved me."
Yoru smiled politely at Ryuu's concerned voice.
To be honest, he wasn't sure what level that man had been. But considering his own power had once almost killed a Level 5 by accident, he doubted the guy would've survived.
If he had died, it would've caused a whole mess…
Hestia would've had her hands full dealing with the fallout.
"It was nothing. Besides, I'm sure you would've handled it yourself."
Ryuu bowed slightly, her sharp eyes locking onto Yoru's with uncanny clarity.
It felt like she could see right through me.
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