Surviving as a Trash Bard in a Game

About a week had passed.

The training wasn’t too intense, and it was more about instilling the basics rather than sparring.

It wasn’t like I could feel how much stronger I had become, and my status in the status window hadn’t changed, but it felt like I had learned the best moves to make in certain situations.

It wasn’t that my intelligence had increased, but it was like memorizing the openings often used in chess.

If the opponent makes this move, you can respond like this—that kind of feeling.

‘The problem is… reality isn’t chess.’

If the opponent is much stronger, they can just make ten moves while I’m making one. I wish they’d follow the rules.

This is a tank. Beat chess.

This is the Colossus of Checkmate. Beat the game.

They play like this, you know?

How am I supposed to deal with that?

In the end, it only works on opponents I can barely handle… and even then, I can’t say I’d win, at best it would be a draw.

To borrow Nisha’s words.

“You can probably handle a silver-ranked adventurer, assuming they’re not a mage.”

“After all this trouble.”

“Yeah. And you have to repeat that effort for years. That’s what being an adventurer is.”

I couldn’t argue with that.

It meant that I was trying to surpass someone else’s years of effort with just a week of my own.

Sigh…

All I could do was sigh.

In the end, I hadn’t become noticeably stronger, just enough to protect myself and buy some time.

‘I wonder if this is enough.’

If I could spar with Nisha more, I might have improved a bit more, but if I kept doing that, my body wouldn’t be able to take it. My lifespan would probably be shortened.

She probably ended our sparring sessions after a few rounds because of my terrible stamina.

In the end, it’s a matter of status.

To survive, I need to head to the capital, get stronger, and turn my status from negative to positive.

My goal remains the same.

Survive. And go back.

Today, too… I survived.

And so, the sun rose on the next day.

Today was the last day of training.

“Alright. Lastly, about your eyes.”

“Yes?”

“To be honest, I think the power of your eyes is something other than charm.”

Even if she suddenly says that, I have no idea what she means.

After all, the positive trait I chose was ‘Mesmerizing eyes.’

Even when Skyler mentioned the eyes of a god, I had no clue.

‘But, it’s definitely… a bit strange.’

The power of a god’s heart is infinite magic, right? But even if not the heart, the eyes are one of the most important organs, and all they do is probabilistically seduce the opponent? And the probability depends on the opponent’s willpower?

It’s too weak.

“What kind of ability do you think it is?”

“I don’t know.”

“Yes?”

“It’s just… a guess I started because my pride was a little hurt. No matter how carelessly I swung without getting into a proper stance, it means my movements were read by an adventurer of the same rank.”

I see. It was strange that I, with negative health and strength, could read her movements.

Then, is the power of my eyes related to eyesight?

‘But, the logic doesn’t fit. I’ve already enchanted someone with my eyes before.’

Considering the physical abilities Skyler explained before, each physical attribute has only one ability. It’s hard to believe that another ability is added in addition to charm.

Then, does it enhance a function related to vision while also including charm?

‘That’s strange.’

Nothing comes to mind. If I had to guess… No, no. There’s no point in talking about something uncertain, and I don’t want to share my guesses about my own abilities.

Then, my answer is.

“I don’t know.”

“Alright. Let’s just say your eyes are good.”

“It’s easier to think that way.”

“By the way, why have you been using honorifics lately?”

“If someone could still use casual speech after going through something like that, wouldn’t they be crazy? And if I have to be precise, I’ve been using honorifics since we first met, haven’t I?”

“It reminds me of Skyler, and it’s annoying. Just speak comfortably.”

Come to think of it… I’ve never seen Skyler use casual speech with others.

Ah, if I had to choose, there was one time?

‘When we met the mad king, he definitely called him a two-brained old man.’

They were fighting fiercely.

Anyway, since Nisha said I could speak comfortably, should I? But then again… if I had to be precise, isn’t Nisha an old lady?

“Skyler told me. People with a god’s body don’t age, right?”

“Yeah. So what?”

“…Isn’t it rude to someone older?”

“Hey.”

“Th-the way you address people is also a bit…”

“Do you want to die?”

Killing intent.

Yes. Clear killing intent is directed at me.

The resolve to sever my head from my body if I utter another word is piercing me like a dagger.

I immediately started to make amends.

“I’m sorry.”

“…Honorifics?”

“Sorry! I’m sorry!”

“Good. We’re friends now, right?”

“Yes!”

“Yes?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Good. What’s your name?”

“…Didn’t Skyler tell you?”

“It’s a formal introduction between us. You already know my name, don’t you?”

Well, if we’re doing introductions… there’s something I want to ask.

Are you really a nun—I want to say.

A nun who uses a spear, lives as an adventurer, and lives alone in a church with a large priest. She has a rather foul mouth and doesn’t seem to pray.

Is she really a cleric? I haven’t even seen her use holy power.

Anyway, it’s time for introductions.

I’ve been silent for too long, and she might get angry again.

“My name is Selina, a bard.”

“Alright. My name is Nisha, a nun and also a spear-wielder. Platinum adventurer. Nice to meet you.”

“Was it really necessary to have this kind of introduction…?”

“It’s just a habit. Before going on a quest, we shake hands. We don’t trust each other until we shake hands. It’s like a jinx.”

“Ah, I see.”

I took her outstretched hand and shook it.

The handshake was over.

She said she was going to prepare for the quest and disappeared.

I should also start preparing…

The subjugation is today.

It’s time to submit a rank evaluation request to the Adventurer’s Guild.

***

Inside the Adventurer’s Guild.

Although there weren’t as many adventurers as in other guilds, there was a higher frequency of people with scars or unusual appearances compared to other guilds.

The atmosphere was quiet and subdued, like being underwater, with everyone sitting silently at the tables.

“Selina-sama.”

“Yes.”

“The Adventurer’s Guild rank evaluation request has been accepted. The temporary examiner is waiting inside.”

“…Yes.”

She opened the door of the guild. Not the front door I came in through, but an old back door.

An unfittingly large open space. The backyard of the Adventurer’s Guild.

It was surrounded by a high fence and was about the size of a small sports field.

And there were three familiar faces.

Propertius, Nisha, and Skyler.

Before I could even ask why they were here, Nisha spoke up, answering my question.

“We’re here to watch.”

“Ah.”

If it was simply to observe, perhaps they wouldn’t stop them? Or maybe Nisha used her ‘authority’ as a platinum adventurer to be here.

Looking around further, I saw various weapons.

From daggers to longswords, greatswords, spears, bows, and crossbows.

Most of the weapons I could imagine, that should be in a fantasy world, could be found here.

They didn’t seem to have any special magic or after-treatment, just ambiguous metal lumps made for training.

Next to them was a pile of scrolls. Perhaps a consideration for mages?

“First, please place your equipment aside.”

“Yes.”

“…Ah, just the weapons, not your clothes.”

“……Yes.”

I hid my embarrassment and shame with a calm demeanor, shielded my reddened face from the sunlight, and acted naturally.

I carefully placed the dagger I bought and my precious instrument behind me, and finally, my hands were empty. It felt liberating.

I had certainly felt heavy in my body and shoulders lately. It was so light now that just two items were removed.

“Please choose a weapon you like.”

Without hesitation, I picked up a suitable longsword.

My stamina and strength were definitely terrible, and it was hard to handle anything other than a dagger. But, in a short fight… maybe I could somehow manage with sheer will.

Personally, a longsword was a man’s romance, I couldn’t lift a greatsword, and a dagger was too short.

Since it was for training, it wasn’t as heavy as I expected. It felt like a suitable wooden sword… but still substantial. I wouldn’t be able to swing it for long.

What was more concerning was.

“Who is my opponent?”

“That person over there.”

The guild receptionist pointed her finger at Skyler.

…A silver-tagged adventurer, a mage who could use scrolls.

Why did I only realize this now?

I sighed.

Skyler spoke from afar.

“Get ready. And, you can use your eyes. It’s someone you know.”

“…Yeah. I guess so. But couldn’t you have told me about this beforehand?”

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I’m going to be serious. Try your best for a draw or a win. If you lose, I won’t take you on this quest.”

He placed the bag containing the scrolls on the ground and took about ten scrolls from the pile on the table.

I couldn’t see what kind they were.

I could only see magic power, and I couldn’t interpret the meaning of the patterns and symbols of magic power at all.

But more importantly, he’s serious.

He’s really going to be serious.

What should I do?