Surviving as a Useless Bard in a Game

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The moon and stars all faint against the gray sky.

It felt like the very edge of the north.

The moment the world, which had been golden all day, suddenly turned gray.

When the world finally told us that a short night had arrived.

I woke from a very brief slumber and picked up the sounds from outside with my ears.

Slowly, I raised my body.

‘…I can’t sleep. But I’m sleepy.’

In this contradictory sensation, I looked around.

Dim moonlight spilled through the dust-covered windows of the church. No, it would be more accurate to say it seeped in.

Just how long has it been since they cleaned the windows?

At this rate, aren’t they dirtier than the windows of London during the Industrial Revolution?

Skylar was sleeping beside me.

…She’s cute when she sleeps.

‘Since I can’t sleep, should I go outside?’

To be honest, I felt like I might just stay awake all night like this… I felt that if I didn’t do something, I would never be able to fall asleep.

If I had a phone, I could just waste my brain and time until I fell asleep.

It was a night that made me miss modern society.

I opened the creaking door of the church and headed outside. The iron bars reflected the moonlight and shone silver, and the main entrance of the church we had entered remained wide open.

Tap.

And then, I heard someone knocking on something.

‘…A tapping sound.’

I was curious.

The name “Nisha,” which Skylar mentioned, sounded like a woman’s name.

Thus, I was only naturally curious.

She was the kind of girl who remembered another woman’s name, cared about her, and even asked others where she was.

The little brat I thought Skylar to be. She called another woman’s name, asked about another woman’s whereabouts, and inquired with someone else.

So… an unfamiliar emotion boiled up within me.

Something unbearable.

I felt a strange bubbling sensation inside me.

An emotion I couldn’t define clearly, something I was experiencing for the first time.

Like a storm, it whipped around but suddenly turned cold, continuing to torment me.

And now, I was calm.

Am I angry?

I’m not sure.

I moved my feet. I headed towards the source of the sound behind the church.

Tap.

Tap.

The sound of wood meeting wood continued.

The sound quickened, becoming much faster than my walking pace.

Hiding behind the church’s wall, I peeked out to observe the situation.

My keen eyes enlarged the scene to see her clearly.

…Ah.

The moment I saw her, I understood immediately why Skylar was looking for her.

Under the moonlight, her silver hair shone beautifully, and her transparent eyes reflected all the light like a mirror. Pale yet vibrant, her skin was clear and luminous.

The nun’s attire she wore created a tremendous synergy, awakening the masculinity hidden within me.

Yeah. She was beautiful.

…Love, excitement, embarrassment.

‘…Not feeling that at all.’

The emotions expected when a man sees a beautiful woman were nonexistent. I just felt envy… Envy? Me? Am I crazy?

I collected myself.

And I peeked out again.

There was nothing.

Only the wooden doll she was hitting with a stick for practice remained in its place.

‘…Has she vanished?’

I realized the scenery had darkened a bit compared to before.

Is it time to head back?

—No, it wasn’t that time had passed and made it darker. Someone was casting a shadow behind me. That’s why my vision had grown a little dim.

“Who?”

A beautiful feminine voice rang out behind me.

I slowly turned my head.

Seeing her up close, she was indeed beautiful. But I could say she was a step below my own perfect customization. My voice was also prettier.

Yeah. Mine is better.

“I asked who you are.”

She held a spear in one hand. Moments ago, it was definitely a stick… but now it had transformed into a magnificent cross-shaped spear.

No, the shape looked odd to be called a spear.

It was an indescribable form.

Held upside down, it turned into a great sword. Properly held, it became a spear.

There was no handle.

Only a protruding blade that I could assume was the tip of the sword.

All surfaces were sharp, and it was a long cross-shaped rod with nowhere to hold.

‘…Is that even a weapon?’

Yeah. That thought crossed my mind.

“I dislike repeating the same story.”

“Uh, I’m a guest of Propertyius.”

“Hmm?”

“I just took shelter in the church with Skylar for a moment—”

“Skylar came here?!”

She spoke in a strangely excited tone.

The mysterious atmosphere I felt a moment ago shattered dramatically.

“Yes.”

I answered cautiously, and she broke into a wide smile.

Waving her hand at me, she spoke softly.

“Let’s meet again formally tomorrow.”

For some reason, I felt a sense of fear from that statement.

An unknown… deep fear.

*

With fear lingering, I went to bed, and morning came quickly.

As the sun rose, Skylar woke up and shook me awake.

“Looks like someone didn’t sleep well. Is it because you’re not in an inn but on the floor? But you slept well in the cave and the woods…”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“I’ve heard there are some who find camping more comfortable than indoors, but I never expected you to be one of them.”

“…I didn’t know either.”

“Anyway, let’s start looking around.”

“Hmm?”

“I don’t plan to stay long in this city. For starters, you have a purpose of going to Regan, and I have my own goals too.”

Skylar’s goal was probably about getting her heart back.

Considering that people with spirit bodies are drawn to one another, the reason he’s accompanying me might be… to encounter the Mad King again?

No, with Skylar’s current power, she can’t defeat Eyal. She must have another purpose.

‘…I’m needed.’

My closest guess is that my existence is necessary for his purpose. My eyes are needed.

It must be one of those.

We were planning to travel together to the capital of the Empire, so it would be right to see what actions he takes after we arrive in Regan.

For now… let’s go out.

“Let’s solve some requests in this city, stock up on scrolls, and then we’ll set out. Time is running short.”

“Okay.”

“And, I think it should be fine to perform too.”

“Uh?”

“Since you’ve been fidgeting since yesterday. I thought long and hard about where I’d seen that behavior, and I realized there was only one point that stood out. Am I right?”

How should I phrase this?

I’m not in a state to perform yet. To be more precise, I haven’t lost my mind yet.

Unknowingly, my fingers move entirely contrary to my will and thoughts, and I only had a vague desire to perform, as if I were drunk in a daze… that’s when I can perform.

When my ego and personality are suppressed and manipulated by something large.

When my instincts take precedence over my intelligence and my identity as a character becomes stronger than my original self.

“Yeah. If I get the chance.”

“Okay. Then let’s go to the Adventurer’s Guild. The guild in this area is a bit smaller, but there are still plenty of usable requests.”

“Why’s that?”

“That’s obvious… because the number of adventurers is low.”

“If there are fewer adventurers, doesn’t that mean fewer requests?”

“In a typical city, yes. Adventurers are always humans chasing money and requests. But this is the edge of the north.”

“What do you mean?”

“The edge of the north is rugged, and there are too many dangerous jobs. Even if adventurers prioritize money and requests, in the end, what comes first is their own lives.”

“So, it means there are many dangerous and rough jobs, and they pay well, but those who value their lives don’t come here?”

“That’s right.”

“…Is that okay?”

“I can ensure your safety. After all, my skills are more than just a mere Silver Badge.”

No, I can’t particularly trust a magician who can only use scrolls saying that.

She might get hurt if I say this…?

Let’s just keep my mouth shut.

Nod my head.

*

Preparation to head out was almost complete.

Food and water were already placed by the priest, near the door of the church.

My physical condition is fine.

For now, I can endure with willpower.

The influence of my status is low, my headache has disappeared, and my mind is turning quickly. My stamina and body being weak… can’t be helped.

Alright.

‘Nothing forgotten… let’s go!’

Wait a second.

I forgot something important.

What’s it about setting out?

The most important thing.

I needed to ask Skylar something.

Creeeak.

With an ominous sound, the main door of the church opened.

The silver-haired woman appeared again, holding that strange spear.

“…Nisha?”

“Hello. Long time no see.”

“Ah, did you come to greet me?”

“Yeah. But your tone is too cold.”

“I’ve always had this tone.”

“We’re like family, aren’t we?”

“Family…? That sounds a bit odd.”

Skylar and the woman named Nisha chatted like old acquaintances. However, the atmosphere was far from friendly.

It felt as if I was walking on a frozen lake, tiptoeing atop thin ice.

Considering the term “happy reunion” felt closer to “reunion with an enemy” than it should have, their mood was precarious.

“Where are you going?”

“I plan to resolve a request and then leave right after collecting travel expenses. I never intended to come here in the first place.”

“Let’s go together. If we wrap this up quickly and leave, it’s better for you too, right?”

“…”

Skylar glanced at me.

The woman named Nisha winked at me after closing one eye.

She was signaling me to accept.

Without thinking, I nodded.

…The penalty activated without permission.

Is this a clumsy habit? No, it definitely felt different from how it usually activates.

Why?

Before I could dwell on my doubts, I was pulled by her wrist, and in an instant, I was taken from the church to the Adventurer’s Guild.