User blog:KB025/Gareth the Warrior - Chapter 1

'''Hey guys, this is KB025 here to write you my first ever fanfiction on this site. All monsters belong to Kenkou Cross and all that, I only own the plot. Thanks for taking your time reading this short message and have a good time.'''

Month 2, Day 20.

''It has been one year since I have been named as a hero, and one-half to get kicked out of the job. The Divine Blessing that the Chief God has given me is still mysteriously with me even though I have rejected the Order and lived upon my own free will. I am now currently on my way to a small town named Lescatie (Which was named after the infamous kingdom that fell to monster control) because of an increase of monster attacks due to mating season.''

''I kindly asked (read terrified) a female merchant who was coincidentally also on her way to another town which goes past my destination. After a day or so, we were already on the way. Thank Chief God for invention of carts.''

''I think this is a good place to end my diary log, since I am almost at the town. It was only a few minutes away and the path was forked; one path towards the town, and the other going to the other direction which was the way the merchant is going.''

Gareth the Warrior.

"I'll be taking my leave here now, let me just get my money," I said, digging my backpack for the payment.

"I don't need payment, just never go into my life again!" she said, already going away before I finally dug out my money pouch. After seeing the merchant running off, I sighed.

'''Why are they always terrified? I'm not that scary at all except when I want to,' ''I thought to myself before shaking my head. If I have time to have idle thoughts, I have time to rush on to the town. I took off running at a normal speed towards the other way the merchant went.

The feeling of the early morning wind against my body feels great, and I recall the time when I got kicked out of the Order. They said that I "think too much for a soldier" and "your beliefs and ideals do not match the Order's". Bunch of corrupt assholes, that's what they are. I can still remember the time when I killed innocent monsters and people just for their view of "divine retribution". Even now I couldn't get their screams out of my dreams, but I guess even turned heroes still get visions of their sins from time to time.

I left the Order when my first partner turned. He got defeated in battle by a dragon and came to tell me about the monster's side of the story. Sure, there were extremists here and there, but most of the Order's victims were innocent and living peacefully. Optimistic I may be, naive I am not, so I didn't believe him at first, but the seed of doubt has been planted. Over time the niggling doubt in my head grew and grew until I asked a monster if they truly are not expanding their territory while we were invading their land. When she said no, I finally snapped. She was a Lizardman, so I knocked her out and stole her sword which was made of Demon Realm Silver and went into a frenzy, turning the footmen into incubi and succubi. My new partner was apparently a spy sent to observe me because the higher ups were suspicious of me. I turned him too and from that day on, I became a mercenary called "The Monster's Hidden Blade" for unexpectedly going against the Order.

The sword that I took was still with me, and it was what I used in my jobs with monster clients until I requested a cyclops to build me an assorted amount of weapons infused with Spirit Energy and made with Demon Realm Silver along with different sets of armor. That caused confusion at first, but she accepted anyways and I got a melee party's worth of weapons. Two war axes, two claymores, two short swords, three daggers; one for parrying and gauntlets with retractable claws. I admit that it cost me a fortune (and time, lots and lots of precious time), but I have been stocked up even before I left the Order.

I finally arrived at my destination which was a small town. It had a pub, an inn and everything that I need on my stay here. Before anything else though, I went to the city hall to confirm the job. After doing so, I went to the hotel to book a three day stay. After paying up front, I went and left all my backpack on the floor and sat on the bed. It was nice and comfy.

Money isn't much of a problem these days even though I am a defector. I even have enough money to last me a lifetime of normal food, but it would be a waste considering that I trained my body, mind and abilities for years. So I took jobs that are both from monsters and from humans.

"Time to kick back, relax, and sleep," I said to myself before lying down on the bed. I sighed, thinking on what to do before the next wave of monsters attack. I could eat, but I'm still not hungry. I could train, but there appears to be no space where I can.

Ah, right. I haven't explored the place yet. I can find some places where I can unwind and maybe find some holes on the village wall where monsters can go in and out and which areas the monsters would more likely attack.

''"Yeah, I think I will do just that." ''With that set on my mind, I rose from my bed, took my money pouch and left the inn. After a healthy breakfast of bread, meat, eggs and water of course.

(POV Switch)

It's been a half-year since the fateful day that he spared my life and saved the rest of our village by turning the invaders into monsters. And since then, I trained and left the village in order to find him. Try as I might, I can't find him. Only the results of his work.

Since I am always on the move, I offer my sword to monsters in order to find myself money to pay for food and shelter during my jobs. It's usually "defend this outpost" or "help us take over this village" or "guard these goods on their way". I also forged myself a new sword because he took mine. He was also a mercenary, so the chances of us meeting each other was quite moderate, although no such luck has occured to me.

Until now.

I was drinking on the bar when I saw him. Light brown messy hair, heterochromic eyes; purple and dark blue and tanned skin. He carried an aura that spoke of confidence and casuality.

The Monster's Hidden Blade.

He was wearing an open, red coat with black edges and a high collar which appears to be made of steel. It has a button on top of the collarbone area with an adjustable strap on the other side. Under it is a buttoned black shirt which has a right chest pocket. Black pants with two belts on his waist, the scabbards mysteriously absent. What does he use to defend himself?

And more importantly, where is my sword that he took?

He was currently inspecting the board to check for jobs. I took glances every now and then, something the barman and the other patrons noticed.

"Who's ye lookin' at, lassy?" the barman said, refilling a mug with ale.

"Who is that man?" I nodded my head toward his direction. The barman looked at where I was gesturing and saw. His eyes widened a fraction.

"Ah, good eye ye 'ave lassy. The name's Gareth, but I'm sure ye know him as The Monster's Hidden Blade. Quite the powerful mercenary, that man. Heard 'e was former hero, but turned after his friend died or some other reason. Ye wanna be his partner?"

"W-what? Th-that notion is ridiculous!" I nearly shouted, fighting down her blush. After a few more moments of denying it, I just gave up while the barman continued to laugh. I looked back, noticing that he's gone. Her eyes widened in panic, her quarry had disappeared! I stood up in a panic, trying to see where he had gone. A quick look-around showed that he was applying a job that he took from the job board. I quickly downed my fruit drink and the paid the barman and left to the register where his job was approved.

"Um, excuse me, but what was the quest that guy took? Messy, hair, tanned skin about six foot three," I told the registrar.

"Oh, Gareth? He went on a village protection job. Lescatie Village, I think?" she said.

"Lescatie Village? Okay, thanks, bye!" I said, running out of the building.

Gareth, I will fight you. After your job is finished, I will take back my pride and my sword. I swear it upon my pride as a lizardman and a warrior!