The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

Following his normal routines every day and occupying himself with training...

Raye was able to quickly pass the time.

And before he even knew it...

It was already Saturday, the day before he leaves for dungeon exploring.

...

*****

(Raye’s POV)

Saturday night...

I’m currently in the northern forest, meditating.

"..."

I have my eyes closed, and my breathing is rhythmic.

Though, even with all of that...

"Ugh..."

I can’t focus at all.

Why?

Well...

"Your face is too close."

It’s because Jerusha won’t leave me alone for some reason!

"Oh, my bad!"

Jerusha said after hearing my words.

Then, she slightly backed off.

Looking at her...

"Do you have something to say?"

I asked.

And at that question, her eyes twinkled with joy.

And excitedly...

"Where are you going?"

Jerusha asked me.

’So that’s what she’s curious about, huh.’

I thought to myself.

"Haaah..."

And then I sighed.

Looking back at Jerusha...

"I’ll be dungeon exploring."

I casually gave my answer to her question.

"What?!"

She exclaimed, shock was apparent on her face.

"Dungeons are rare. How would you even find one in a week?"

Jerusha asked.

And hearing her question, I scoffed...

’That’s total bullshit.’

I thought.

They believe that dungeons are rare, but there are a bunch of them in the game.

Even when I was just traveling from one city to another, I would occasionally bump into one!

’And I remember all their locations, fortunately.’

So I won’t have any problem finding one.

Anyway, shrugging my shoulders with a smirk on my face...

"I already have everything prepared."

I confidently said that to Jerusha.

And with that, I went back to my training.

"Huh..."

Jerusha stopped pestering me too. She’s just looking at me weirdly now while playing with Pyro.

...

...

...

At about 9 P.M.

"I’ll be going now."

Jerusha said that and started walking away.

But before she could get far...

Tap—

She stopped in her tracks and looked back at me.

Then, with a sweet smile on her face...

"Be careful in the dungeon. Let’s continue your lessons after you come back safely."

She said that.

FWOOSH—

And then, she flew away.

’I want to fly too.’

I thought, seeing her hovering away in the air.

Anyway, I looked at my right shoulder...

And there, I saw Pyro, deflated like a balloon.

He was tired after playing with some spirits that seemed like pixies—Jerusha called for them.

"Fuuu..."

I’m pretty beat too.

So without further ado...

"That’s enough for today."

I headed back to the cabin and rested.

*****

The next day...

"All done."

I finished my preparations.

-Meep!

Pyro jumped on my right shoulder excitedly.

Then, I put everything that I would be bringing in the spatial bag.

At about 7 A.M...

Creak—

I walked out of my room.

And immediately after opening the door...

"You’re all good?"

The old man greeted me.

Looking at him...

"Yep."

I simply replied and nodded with a smile.

And then...

"Here."

He handed me something. It looked like some kind of cloth.

"Huh?"

I was surprised, I didn’t expect him to give me something.

"..."

I quietly took it from him.

And upon unfolding it...

"..."

I realized that it was a black cape.

"I used that before when I was traveling or hunting. It will shield you from dirt and give you stealth in the dark."

The old man said.

And without even replying to him...

Fwish—

I put it on.

’It fits.’

I thought, seeing the cape cover me from my shoulders to my ankles.

Looking back at Old Man Rey, I smiled and finally responded to him.

"Thanks, I like it a lot."

I said, and I really meant it.

"..."

I saw a slight change in the old man’s grumpy face, he looked slightly embarrassed and happy.

Then after a while...

"Meh."

He went back to his usual self.

He turned his back to me...

"I’m going back to sleep."

And then he said that.

Before entering his room though...

"I packed you some food for your travel. It’s on the table."

He added that.

"Thank you, really."

I responded.

"Be careful, you two."

Old Man Rey said, taking a look at me and Pyro one more time.

And then...

Thud—

He entered his room.

"..."

Watching his door in silence...

"Take care too. I’ll bring back a gift for you."

I mumbled that to myself.

-Meep!

Pyro said his farewell too.

And after that...

Tap- tap- tap—

I left the cabin with Pyro.

*****

I’m now nearing the gate of Zion Academy.

Devin already knew about my departure and wished me luck on my journey.

Kyle did the same thing. I also told him to send food to the old man daily while I was gone.

So without any more hesitation...

Tap- tap- tap—

I marched toward the gate with confidence.

Though...

"Raye?"

I bumped into someone.

"..."

It was Lena.

"You’re leaving?"

She asked me.

"Yep."

And I simply replied.

"How long?"

She followed with another question.

"A week."

And I answered immediately.

After that, she nodded her head...

"Hmm, take care."

Then she said that to me.

"Thanks."

I replied.

And after our brief and weird exchange...

"See you later."

"Yeah, see you."

-Meep!

We parted ways, and I left the academy.

*****

Outside the academy, someone was waiting for me...

"Oh, just right on time."

He said after seeing me.

"..."

I just nodded my head at him.

This fatso is a merchant who is going to another city.

He has a carriage, and his destination is near mine...

So I decided to escort him. He immediately accepted after knowing that I’m a student from Zion Academy.

As a matter of fact, he even went and adjusted his schedule to mine.

Anyway...

"Sir, we’re leaving."

The merchant approached me and said that.

Looking at him...

"Okay."

I replied.

-Meep!

And Pyro followed suit.

I went into one of the carriages carrying his merchandise...

And with that...

"Let’s depart!"

The merchant declared.

-Neiiighh!!!

Tak- tak- tak- tak—

And we started moving.