「Companionship and Allies│Certain NPCs can travel with you: you can take them as companions or allies.
Companion NPCs will stick with you until a specific goal is achieved. Depending on their favorability, they might part ways early or become allies.
Ally NPCs won't leave until the player says goodbye, and you can check their info, track their location, and more.
Companion and ally NPCs act on their own judgment but will follow specific orders based on favorability.」
「Favorability│NPCs react differently based on their favorability. You can't check the exact numbers.」
I scanned the info window and made my judgment. No chance of getting allies. Same goes for checking those two's levels.
But the second wasn't a big deal, and the first wasn't serious either. Worst case, I could solo it no problem.
"Abandon any thoughts of treating me like an ally. If it weren't for killing Satan, I wouldn't share the same space as scum like you."
As I said before, I'd cleared the game multiple times without ever using companion characters, obsessed with my concept.
"Got it?"
No lingering attachment to their already ruined favorability. I spat my lines with a savage attitude.
Their response?
"Yes!"
...I drew a line saying no allies, and they reply all bright and sunny? Are you really a kimchi dumpling? You're so cute it's driving me nuts.
Separately, no clue why their eyes are sparkling like that. Doesn't look like low favorability at all.
What the hell did I do to get positive favorability?
Sure, I glued their head back on their tongue, which could be seen as mercy. But would that raise favorability? A hundred out of a hundred would shake their heads no.
Or maybe, as blank slates with zero experience, that first stimulus hit too hard. Like the suspension bridge effect.
Or perhaps it's just forced for story progression. No matter what chaos the player causes before the main path, it smooths out afterward.
Yeah, that makes the most sense.
"..."
So now what? Even ignoring NPC favorability, I need to deal with this situation fast.
Breakfast was out, but touching it felt iffy, so should I just chat as the quest says? But how to start without breaking concept—.
"Found you!"
I gripped the sword hilt tighter, which I'd been holding to look intimidating. Pure reflex.
"Adventurer!"
I glanced up to see the Adventurer's Guild errand boy. The kid who'd guided me to another inn yesterday.
"What."
I had to talk anyway, but this smelled like another quest.
The moment I decided, I turned. Still glaring fiercely with those two in mind, which made the kid flinch.
"...Th-the person you're looking for..."
The kid crept closer, then spotted the two beside him and let out a squeak.
The Inquisitor's knight-like armor and the Archmage's race must've spooked him. Outside the usual humanoids—called 'Midle' here—other races are rare unless it's their habitat.
Assuming the lore I remember holds.
"Um..."
The kid looked tense, but the Inquisitor nodded lightly, and the Archmage smiled kindly. The kid's face relaxed.
"Adventurer, the clerk's looking for you..."
...The clerk here is Izren. I checked the side quest under the main one.
「❖ Danger Lurking in the Northwest Forest
∯ Talk to Clerk Izren」
Talk, my foot—just pick up the reward. It hung around even after the rescue quest until payout.
"P-please wait just until I fetch him..."
"Lead the way."
"Huh?"
Normally I'd say come here, but given the situation.
I'd accepted companionship, but my concept and those two's relationship was still a mess, and with the chat timing missed, they probably didn't want to stick around. That's how I read it, so I decided to go myself.
"I said lead the way."
Of course, if I left, those two would probably follow. Games usually keep parties together.
But the 'Hero Legend' remake might differ, so worth a shot. Either way, no loss for me.
"Mind if we tag along? We have business there too."
But nope, games are games.
I didn't even glance at the two standing up and urged the boy on. The flustered kid looked between us, then yelled.
"Follow me!"
The kid trotted ahead, almost at a run, but with our stride difference, a casual walk would catch up easy.
"We can come along?"
"I didn't refuse."
"If no refusal means approval?"
"That... depends on the timing."
More than that, Inquisitor, studying social norms? Good boy.
"Clerk!"
Near the Adventurer's Guild, the kid bolted ahead. I saw the target, so no need to hurry.
"Found the adventurer— Oh!"
Clerk Izren beamed at the kid, then locked eyes with me. His face stiffened a bit.
"First off, sorry."
I'd been about to ask for pay, but this curveball made my eyes twitch. No way he's stiffing me on the reward...
"Handed the thief to the guards. It wasn't that kind of place usually..."
Phew, not that. Just felt bad an incident hit the spot he recommended.
"Th-the innkeeper said one more chance..."
"No need."
Extra rewards are always welcome, but concept-wise, pass. I brushed off the regret and focused.
"That all?"
"...Uh, any injuries? Heard there was a fight."
"You think I'd lose to weaklings like that?"
Pride pricked, time to bare teeth.
The prickly attitude made the clerk shrink back.
"But, the Magic Tower sage and heresy inquisitor...?"
The clerk's gaze drifted. God-game eye-tracking let me spot the reason for the pause instantly.
He'd finally noticed the two behind me.
"Y-you two..."
"Ho ho, a week already."
Oh, they knew each other.
"The request..."
The clerk started glancing around more. Wondering why, it clicked.
As middleman, he couldn't stop that grumpy old coot from double-booking.
"Yeah, yeah. That friend caught it."
Still, he mentioned penalties, so no need to squirm this much. Face-saving? Funny for an NPC.
"We caught it late, so no pay needed. Advance was enough."
"No, the penalty will be paid too. Protecting adventurers' rights is our guild's job."
Despite the double-book, the mage's generosity got a firm headshake from the clerk. No wonder they charge fees.
"Uh, but you three..."
"Misunderstanding yesterday led to a spat, but as of today, we're cleared up and teaming up."
"Ah, got it."
Whatever, not my business.
"No more business with me? Then one question from us."
"What?"
"When's payout?"
Thought he called for reward, but no mention? Hand it over. Reward.
"Ah, sent an investigator yesterday, results tomorrow. Just a bit longer, Adventurer."
But the clerk smiled and dropped a bombshell. From a gamer's view, it felt like a brick to the back of the head.
"Tomorrow."
I replied darkly on reflex, thinking.
This is... awkward. Games where quest rewards take two days—in real time, over 16 hours?
"Yes. Need to confirm the forest's threats are truly gone... Any issue?"
The clerk acted like what's wrong? Fair enough, really. Procedurally, verify and close out.
But that's reality—this is a game, so... disorienting. Realism's fine, but overkill.
"Ah, that. We'll vouch, so can you pay early?"
Luckily, before my annoyance turned to rage, the Archmage stepped in.
"From what we saw, the forest's only threat was the medusa. This young man killed it, and we purified besides—no issues."
"I can vouch too."
Around the same time, kimchi dumpling declared. The clerk looked troubled.
"Uh... if you two say so..."
"If problems arise, tell the Magic Tower or temple. We'll send people."
"If you're doing that much, yes. Request complete, reward now."
The clerk nodded hard, eyeing me—reward incoming for sure. Good, but still off.
...Get the realism, dragging it out like this, but what to say. Feels like those two are required to speed it up. Weird vibe.
What about other classes?
"This way."
No reason not to take it. 1 million gal's rightfully mine.
I followed the clerk.
"So, your business in this city done? Or more? Any next destination?"
The Archmage sidled up slyly. Question felt familiar.
Y'know, sync schedules.
"If none, and you're okay, I'd like to leave today. Possible?"
Straight to next village fine, just need prep time.
Leaving starting city Tatara already? Minor moves for hunting like northwest forest okay, but changing base too soon?
"If devils are there."
I'd answer anyway. Awkward to initiate, but he did—thanks.
"Oh, then 9 o'clock departure work? Caravan overlapping partway leaves at 9 sharp."
Time limit now?
"Too sudden? Sorry. Decided without knowing if you'd join or even exist. Can cancel if you want. No need for caravan to leave city."
I twitched an eyebrow. Postponable if desired, but time limit itself unfamiliar.
Plus cancellation mentioned—can't casually delay.
If I had plans, concept'd say you cancel first, but no. Not a whiny troublemaker. If pressed, I'd do it for pride.
So, accept the deadline...
Not 9 PM, so 9 AM. Not much time left— what time is it?
I glanced for a clock. Lucky, one on the front wall inside the new building.
Roughly 7:10. Gotta hustle.
Flutter.
I calculated busily in my head, flapping my coat to signal agreement as I sped up.
The Archmage and kimchi dumpling trailed eagerly behind. Felt like ducklings following mama duck.
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