Jane and I sat down at a table where we received dinner. While eating leisurely, we discussed what we were going to do tomorrow. Jane suggested we continue to do C-rank requests, which I obliged with. The monsters gave good experience due to our real level being lower than theirs. Our effective level was a different story though. After finishing our meal, we headed upstairs for a bath and some sleep.

When we woke up, Jane and I put on our combat clothing and headed over to Marlin's place first. We were going to pick up Jane's armor first then pick up mine. The weather outside was clear and the walk to the leatherworking shop was uneventful. When we arrived, Marlin sitting at the counter asleep. We looked around for places to sit and waited until he woke up.

"Agh, my neck." Marlin felt the back of his neck as he sat up in his chair.

"That's gotta suck, I hate it when I fall asleep like that." I sympathized with him as I remembered the number of times I fell asleep like that back on Earth.

"What the? Oh, it's you guys." Marlin looked at us with a smile on his face. "I'll go get the armor." Marlin headed into the shop and came back out with a grey armor set which he placed on the table. The shoulder pads and vambraces had engravings on them while the immobile parts like the chest plate were leather with segmented scales. Overall, a sturdy armor with good looks. The engravings made the armor eye-catching and its grey color scheme would match with the plate armor I wore.

Basilisk Scaled Armor Set Defense: 145 Durability: 92/92 An armor set made from the hide and scales of a Greater Basilisk. The armor provides a large amount of protection for its light weight.

There were no bonuses when I inspected it, but I bet Jane's perspective was different. Jane had an expression of joy as she picked up the armor. She inspected every nook and cranny of the Basilisk armor. When Jane was done, she equipped the armor and walked around in it.

"This armor is really comfortable. I feel like I'm wearing my casual clothes." Jane said joyfully.

"That's great." I looked over at Marlin. "Your skills are top notch." Marlin awkwardly scratched his scruff after the compliment I gave him.

"Alright, it's time to go pick up your armor now, Michael." Jane then pulled me out the door while Marlin returned to lazily sitting at his counter.

Lisa's Forge wasn't too far away, actually. We made it there within 10 minutes. I poked my head through the doorway to see if Lisa was there at her counter. She was sitting there lazily as usual, with my armor set sitting on the table. I entered the blacksmith and Lisa sat up as soon as I appeared.

"Is it ok for the gauntlet to be removed? I'd like to be able to wear this ring." I raised my hand to show the ring on my finger.

"Hm, alright. Just wrap your hand in cloth or bandages." Lisa placed the gauntlet included with the half plate armor away and allowed me to inspect the rest. The chest-plate was brand new, its sheen was bright, unlike the dull color I'd been used to. All the damage marks on the armor were gone. Lisa had done a great job in restoring the armor back to its original state.

Lisa pulled out a set of pitch black cloth. She explained to me that the cloth was produced by a monster and processed by humans. It had basically the same defense as leather armor, but comfortable as clothing. Normally, only nobles could afford it. This was just a small portion of Lisa's stash, but she still charged me extra for it. Lisa wrapped the cloth around my palm and wrist. I tried grabbing my sword after she finished. I noticed that I had more freedom of movement for my hand. The gauntlet usually would restrict my movements. This was much more comfortable for my hand.

I gave my thanks to Lisa and Jane helped me put the armor on. I was sure that I could fight much more easily now. Now that the repairs for my armor were done, Jane and I left while promising to Lisa we would come to her for our needs. We then walked towards the Guild to go get some requests.

At the Guild, we encountered the same group from last night.

"Hey there, Michael!" Fukasawa shouted out.

"Hey there..." Jane and I stood there awkwardly as the harem approached us, along with the rest of the summoned heroes. I assumed they were, considering none of them looked any older than the harem or Kudo. Fukasawa turned around and told the others about me and Jane.

"I witnessed these two take down a group of seven ogres by himself. So did Miya, Mary, and Kudo. They can all testify to this." Fukasawa proudly stated to the group.

"Really? This geezer can kill ogres? If that wasn't the biggest fuckin' lie I've ever heard, I don't know what is!" A rich looking kid walked up to me with his arms crossed. He wore leather armor and had two shortswords sheathed on his belt. His clothing was a noticeably higher quality uniform than the other students'. "Someone like you killed some ogres? I bet they were just bigger goblins or something. Hey pretty lady, don't stick around with some cripple like this guy. I'll keep you safe." The rich kid tried hitting on Jane.

"Huh? What the fuck did you just say?" I instantly released my intimidation aura around me. Jane was unaffected, but all the students were caught in it. I quickly drew my greatsword and held it a mere centimeter away from his head. "I'll split you in half right here if you don't shut the fuck up. Got it, you little fucking cunt?" I was extremely angry when he insulted me, but he went far enough as to hit on Jane. My anger soared when he tried it and I couldn't hold back anymore.

"H-huh? W-what did y-you just say t-to me? I-I'll h-have you know I'm the s-strongest out of our g-group." The kid was trembling all over. He tried keeping up his tough guy impression, but there was a wet stain on the groin area of his pants. I sheathed my sword which caused him to sigh in relief. He then put on a vicious expression and charged at me with his shortswords drawn. "Take this you bas-" Before he could finish, I grabbed his face and slammed him headfirst into the ground. This knocked him out instantly and he started bleeding profusely from the back of his head. His shortswords fell to the ground beside him. I turned around to look at Jane. He embarrassed himself enough already, but now this...

"Good riddance. He disgusts me, hitting on me like that. Can't he understand how much better you are compared to him?" Jane shook her head as she said this.

"He's not dead, Jane. And no, he's a type of kid that's common in a lot of schools back home. Their arrogance knows no bounds." I sighed and looked back at the students. They were all scared shitless. Even the harem was quaking in their boots. Whether it was the aura I released or the lack of hesitation I had, I didn't care much. If these kids were going to act all high and mighty with people stronger than them, they needed to be taught otherwise. I did exactly that.

"Let's go do some requests now, Jane." I walked past the group of kids with Jane following me. We walked over to the C-rank board, where I searched for requests that seemed difficult. When I couldn't find any, Jane brought one to me that involved guarding a merchant that was on his way to a city 50 kilometers away. The trip to the city would take about a month and the trip back would take the same amount of time. The destination was a trade city by the name of Krell and it was a very prosperous city.

"It seems like a good request to do. Maybe there'll be strong monsters on the way?" I said while taking the request from Jane's hands.

"Maybe. I just hope they're strong enough so we can level up." Jane said while stretching. I just shrugged and we headed to Adaline's booth. She filed the request and told us that the merchant was waiting at the West Gate. We were the last people to travel with his caravan.

I left the Guild building with Jane and headed to the Western gate, which wasn't that far away. When we arrived, I spotted a caravan with a familiar person directing everyone.

"Oh, hey there Ethan. I didn't think you would be here." I walked over to him.

"Hey there, Michael. You saw my request?" Ethan was pretty happy to have me here.

"Nah, Jane spotted it. Anyway, you're heading to Krell? Maybe we'll find some interesting items there." I had a conversation with him as he ordered people around.

"Your girlfriend found my request? She's got sharp eyes. I could've sworn mine was buried under a pile of other requests."

"Of course, she's a pretty good archer herself." Enough to get the Sniper title. As we continued our conversation, the caravan was getting ready to set out. It was late afternoon when they finished preparing. The non-combatants of the caravan climbed into the carriages while the adventurers walked alongside them.

A week later.

The smell of blood was prevalent. Some adventurers lay dead beside me. I stood, my only thought was to kill. Kill until they were gone. Kill those THINGS until we were safe. Jane was behind me rapidly landing fatal arrows and casting deadly spells. I swung and swung. I was tired, but I had to keep going. The one thought that would keep me going was Jane. To keep her safe. To live and see her beautiful smile. I had to keep killing. Killing to keep the both of us and the rest of the caravan alive...