Chapter 16:

Light In The Dark

Kei In Isekai

11 Months After Being Isekai’d

Kei approached the adventurer’s guild with freshly healed wounds. Upon stepping in, Trent and his group had been waiting for him.

“Good day. Thanks for waiting for me to heal. I hope I’m not taking a spot that you could have filled in the last two and a half months.”

Trent grinned.

“Nonsense. We offered you a spot. You saved Hiori here, and I’m a man of my word. Have a seat.”

Kei pulled out a chair and took a seat.

“Let me formally introduce you to the group. I am Trent, as you know. The leader of this group. Hiori, who you also know, is our healer. Don’t let that fool you—she knows a few offensive spells too.”

Trent pointed at a tall man with silver hair. He didn’t show any expression.

“This is Kevin, our group's archer. He’s also our group’s scout.”

A woman with bunny ears, blonde hair, and a voluptuous body spoke next with a soft, angelic yet energetic voice.

“Hi, I’m Angellica. Nice to finally meet you formally, Keisuke. I look forward to working with you. I’m the group’s fighter.”

Next, a human woman on the shorter side spoke. She had short auburn hair. A piercing glare emanated off her at all times.

“Valaria. I’m the rogue. I pick all the locks and stab assholes in the back.”

Trent cleared his throat.

“Why don’t you tell us about yourself, Keisuke?”

Kei scratched the back of his head.

“Well, I’m Keisuke. I’m a magician with twenty-one affinities.”

The group paused. Valaria stood up.

“I’m calling bullshit on that. No one has twenty-one magic affinities.”

Kei raised his hands.

“I’m telling the truth. Ask Hanako at the front. I really do have twenty-one magic affinities.”

Valaria huffed.

“Alright, tough guy. We’ll see if you’re lying or not.”

She stormed up to the front and slammed her hands on the counter. She spoke with Hanako, then yelled.

“I don’t believe you! That’s bullshit!”

She stormed back to the table and sat down with a pout.

“Er, continue, Keisuke,” said Trent, trying to get past the awkwardness.

“Umm… I come from the North. I escaped the war. Oh, I’m also Satori’s apprentice. Though he doesn’t really teach me anything—he just lets me use his library.”

Everyone’s mouths were slightly agape.

“Do… I have something on my face?”

Trent laughed.

“Well, it seems I was right to wait for you to recover. You’re quite the man, Keisuke. Twenty-one affinities and you kind of, sort of apprentice under Satori. I’m sure you’ll make a fine addition to the team.”

“Right, thanks.”

Trent put a piece of parchment on the table.

“We shall begin immediately. We have a quest to clear some Gnolls out of a nobleman’s cave. For one, Keisuke, do not use fire magic in a cave. That’s a recipe for disaster.”

“I’ll stick to Earth, Water, and Ice then.”

Trent and the rest of the group slowly rose to their feet.

“Let’s get going then. It’s an hour and a half hike through the forest.”

Kei gulped, but followed regardless. Trent led the group to the front gate, and out into the forest. As they traversed, the forest grew thicker and denser. Trent cut down any obstacles in the way, like branches or vines.

Hiori squeaked.

“I hate caves.”

Kei glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.

“Claustrophobic?”

Hiori shook her head side to side.

“No. I just don’t like the low visibility. It’s the same with dungeons. You never know what's around the next corner. There are often hidden spaces where enemies can ambush you too. I hate it.”

Kei hummed.

“Glad I learned an illumination spell since I can’t use fire.”

A slight grin crossed Kei’s face.

If it comes down to it, I’ll protect you like I did with the bandit, he thought to himself.

Soon, they reached a clearing in the forest. A massive black entrance stood at the end of the clearing. The darkness inside clung to the walls and to the outer layer. Though it was a clearing, due to the position of the sun there was no light.

“Illumination.”

A ball of light appeared out of Keisuke’s hand. The group oh’d and ah’d.

“Good thinking, Keisuke,” said Trent.

The ball of light floated above the group as they entered the cave. The rocks below were jagged—one misstep could result in a sprained ankle. As they traversed through the cave, a small entrance and a tiny light appeared.

Low grunts could be heard from the entrance. Suddenly, a shrill shriek rang out through the entire cave. More shrieks rang out with it. Small figures poured out of the entrance.

“Fighting formations!” bellowed Trent.

Trent and Angellica rushed toward the front. Kevin knocked an arrow. Valaria was nowhere to be seen. Keisuke prepared a spell, while Hiori chanted quietly.

The kobolds rushed toward the group. Trent raised his shield as they poured toward him. Valaria sliced and stabbed any who tried to break through the formation. Arrows whizzed past Trent and Valaria and found their mark.

Suddenly, Hiori yelled.

“Protection!”

A massive white bubble wrapped around each member of the group. Spikes of earth shot out of the ground as kobolds continued to pour out of the entrance. Each kobold caught was violently impaled. Kobolds slipped in the blood of their comrades, making easy targets for Valaria.

She ran across the entrance, her daggers slicing into any kobold who fell to the ground. She didn’t slip on the blood. Soon, half a dozen remained. She closed the distance, creating a flank. Trent, Valaria, and Angellica soon finished the remaining kobolds.

Everyone looked down at the pile of bodies. Kobold limbs and guts decorated the spikes, floor, and walls. However, a low shriek was heard from behind. A lone kobold charged Hiori. Keisuke aimed his staff at the creature. An ice lance soon ripped through its body, bisecting it.

Hiori stomped her foot.

“And this is why I hate caves.”

Kei couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got your back, Hiori.”

She let out a sigh of relief.

“I’m glad you’re back here, Keisuke. It’s hard for the others to watch my back when they’re up front.”

“No problem, Hiori.”

Trent and some of the others were already investigating the entrance where the kobolds came from. Soon, Valaria came out with a small locked chest.

“We got ourselves some loot.”

She made quick work of the lock. Inside, there were a few shimmering jewels.

“Jackpot!”

She looked at Keisuke and scrunched her face a little.

“Good work, newbie. Don’t get cocky after one haul.”

Kei couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Valaria’s brow furrowed. Her lips curled downwards into a frown. She approached Keisuke and kicked his shin.

“Don’t laugh at me, asshole!”

Kei jumped and gripped his shin but continued to laugh.

“What the hell is so funny!?”

Kei winced, and grinned.

“You’re such a Tsundere, Valaria.”

Valaria’s face scrunched further.

“The fuck is a Tsundere?”

Kei continued to laugh. She launched her foot into his other shin. Hiori giggled at the exchange.

“You’re so hostile, Valaria,” said Trent. His lips turned upwards into a grin as he snickered.

“Shut the hell up, Trent! Hmph!” She grabbed the small box and stomped out of the cave.

After an hour and a half walk back to town, Trent told them to meet up later after freshening up. As Kei walked into the guild two hours later, he saw them sitting around a table with a sack in the middle.

“The contents of the box?”

Trent nodded. “Angellica sold it for us.”

Trent pulled one piece of gold out at a time, and handed one to every member of the group as he did so. After fifteen minutes, the sack was empty. Kei’s eyes bulged out as he carefully counted the gold he obtained.

“Forty-three gold. This is more than I could make in four years working on the farm.”

Hiori raised an eyebrow. “You used to work on a farm?”

Kei rubbed the back of his head. His eyes looked down.

“For a time.”

Trent grinned.

“This is what adventuring is all about. This isn’t even the biggest haul we’ve had. There are going to be plenty more if you stick with us, Keisuke.”

Trent reached into his pocket and pulled out a small sack of coins. He placed it on Keisuke’s gold pile.

“What’s this for?” he asked, an eyebrow raised.

“The bandits. You helped us clean them out. It’s only fair if you get a cut.”

Kei’s lips turned upwards into a warm smile. “Thank you, Trent. I appreciate it.”

This is way too much. I guess this is how Satori got so rich though. That was only a C-Ranked quest too.

As they put their gold away, Hanako approached the table. She looked at Keisuke, her cheeks flushed up a little, then she looked away.