THE ADVENTURER OF EDEN
1.1 "Shiki the Strongest Adventurer"

...PROLOGS...

On that day, everything was destroyed.

When everyone saw a bright light, a light of salvation according to them. But it is not salvation, but destruction.

I stood up and saw that everything was not there. No one, nothing.

Everything disappears and becomes an emptiness.

"What's going on? I don't get it. Where is everyone?!"

But when I questioned it all, the blue lights began to gather around.

They spin around like they are dancing. Give a voice of joy and enthusiasm.

"La~ lala~ lalalala~ lala~🎵"

As soon as I enjoyed their singing and dancing, I realized that time was fast passing and that a beautiful woman full of light was in front of me.

"That's all I can give you. Is that enough? If it's not enough, you can ask for more."

No, that's enough. I don't want to trouble you more than this.

The woman chuckled. "No, no, I've never felt bothered by you."

"This is my promise. I'm glad you're here, with me every day. Everyone is happy too, you are indeed fit for this destiny."

"All right, now you can go. But it's a pity indeed, although it's not a problem because someday you'll come back here."

"Back here... To paradise where I live..."

Her two bright hands held my face, and it was very clear that I saw her beautiful face that was sad because I left it.

A few words he said at that moment while crying. I said "don't cry, you're the strongest woman" and before leaving, I promised her "i'll definitely come back again and be by your side again..."

Thereafter... Everything went dark and...

"TOW!"

"Govie! You surprised me!"

"Huh?"

I woke up and saw two women sitting in the wooden chair of the horse-drawn carriage we used to drive.

Women short black hair up to the shoulders that greet me gently.

"Good morning, Shiki-san. Was your dream beautiful?"

"Dream what and it's gonna be afternoon, you know!"

The long blonde girl who protested against him.

"Aniki took a nap, and you're noisily bothering her, Alicia."

And the brown-haired girl in two who was carrying a horse-drawn carriage.

I held my head, wondering which dream I couldn't remember, but somehow it made me feel nostalgic.

In the end it was just a dream, a sleeping flower. I looked at the three women and smiled at them.

"Of course, don't make a fuss. I'll take the wheel, Yui. Let's continue our journey."

""YES!""

This is the story of my destiny and my three heroes. Three worlds are on the verge of destruction by their own destiny.

But the story doesn't start from here, but it starts from a boring start.

💠💠💠

The sounds of footsteps rang out in a hurry. They held weapons, spears, arrows, swords, axes, their various weapons but only ordinary weapons that could be bought cheaply in the weapon shop.

Bandits, that's all of them. Lawless people who like to rob people or groups in the middle of the road. They attacked them in a brutal and inhumane manner.

But the bandits only target the weak, and when they are approached by the strong, then they will panic not play.

"Hurry and stop him!"

"He's coming here!"

"That 'Bandit Hunter!"

The number of bandits was around 20 people. The weapons they had prepared and mostly to attack from close range.

But what they were facing was their nightmare. A 20-year-old boy whom the bandits refer to as a 'bandit hunter', is feared by them because he is the cause of fear.

Shiki was the name of this young man. Black-haired ruffled with adventurer clothes a set of white and red colors, plus a black robe covering his adventurer clothes.

"I have to finish this fast."

Shiki took out two black knives from the scabbard. Two jet-black knives, which had a shiny complexion on the body of the knife.

It might not make sense to beat twenty bandits with just two knives, but what we're talking about is Shiki. 

Without Shiki getting hurt, even scratched at all. His agile movements and speed, as well as his top-tier fighting abilities. Shiki managed to overcome the bandits easily like he turned the palm of the hand.

But the next problem came, the other bandits appeared with equally complete weapons. Brought by a flashy man due to his bald head and muscular body, carrying a bazooka on his back.

"How dare you... Come here just to finish us off, Bandit Hunters!" He's the boss of the bandit "Orka".

"I'm just running a quest. And every time I hunt down bandits is like that." Shiki replied casually.

"...it's your own fault that you have become bandits. I know this is because of your difficult life, but your fate will end sooner or later."

"What a shock! Attack!" Orka gave orders to about 30 bandits around him; ".cut off each of his limbs! We'll use that for a lesson on everyone in the kingdom!"

"...don't underestimate the bandits!"

Orka's shout gave full vigor to the bandits. All of them ran over to Shiki, but both of Shiki's eyes became the color of the rainbow now.

"This is different from what you were before, your spirit to kill me is strong and clear."

Shiki also moved towards them and said. "Yet again, you're just bandits. Weak, no price and... It's boring!"

What happens next when Shiki is serious. The bandits without a fight fared like their previous comrades.

Shiki is very strong, she is very agile and fast. His instincts and his body movements, no normal human could match that and no normal human could be like that.

"It's impossible, he's really this strong!" Orka does not believe; "Bandit Hunters... No, his original nickname was 'The Strongest Adventurer in the Guild'...!!"

One last man manages to slash Shiki and turns to the bandit boss, Orka, who has already directed his bazooka at Shiki.

"Damn it!! Fucking adventurer!!!"

Orka shoots her bazooka, and Shiki unleashes a distant attack on Orka, a sickle-shaped wind cutter, a wind magic that Shiki calls "Slicing Wind" and grievously wounded Orka on her body until she was defeated.

"Yourf..." Shiki sighed, looking back at what she was doing; "Boring..."

💠💠💠

In a private room with two chairs and a wooden table, Shiki was sitting with a short red-haired woman reading the report she made.

"Very great you. Just this morning took the quest and finished this afternoon. The report was immediately completed and given to me."

The short red-haired lady named Anna, one of the Guild receptionists and Shiki was one of her adventurers.

"As expected, but it's normal for you, Shiki-kun. You are the best among all adventurers right now."

"Your compliments are normal, you always do them once I finish the quest."

Anna chuckled at hearing that. "I'm your receptionist. Other than in return, I'll reward you with praise."

Shiki smiled hearing that. It's been two years since he worked with Anna. It had been two years since Shiki was called the 'Strongest Adventurer in the Guild' for a reason.

Shiki had always been pleased with Anna's kindness and tenderness to her. An understanding adult woman, Anna is the perfect woman for Shiki. And he never denied his affection for Anna.

Then Shiki wants to talk to her about something, and this will surprise Anna or anyone who hears her.

"By the way, Anna... I've decided, I'll retire as an Adventurer."

"UH." Anna was shocked with a surprised smile.

The facial expression that Shiki had expected. With Shiki explaining the strong reason for deciding to retire as an Adventurer at a very young age.

As someone who considers fighting as fun, Shiki considers anyone he fought for two years is only a croco opponent, aka weak, like bandits of course.

But the exception for opponents who like sparing fight with Shiki, namely his strong adventurous colleagues.

Hearing that reason, Anna's reaction, which had been very surprised, accepted it. "That's it, I think it's really you. Not finding a strong opponent, as someone called the strongest in the Guild, that's what you should be looking for."

"Sorry, Anna. That must have surprised you." Shiki understood Anna's disappointment. "I've been thinking about this for a long time, but I don't dare to talk about it to you because you can't possibly agree to this."

"No, no." Anna shakes. "Whatever you decide, I have no right to prevent it."

"While we're close, I can't stop you from doing whatever you want. Our relationship is limited to co-workers... Adventurers and Receptionists only."

Shiki saw Anna smile saying that reality. Shiki smiles, says "you're right" and it's true that their relationship is just like that.

"Really... Let's go on a date, Anna. Real dating. I thought it would be nice as a farewell...!"

Shiki asks Anna out on a date. The woman's reaction chuckled upon hearing that. They often walk together and unwittingly it's like they're both dating, but when Shiki asks her out for a real date, it feels funny.

Anna also gave her answer. "Sorry, Shiki-kun. Did you forget? I already have a husband and children, so a real date can't be done."

"Well..." The original Shiki did not forget about it, just pretended to forget. "I forgot."

Anna smiled and said again. "Hmm, hmm, sorry if that excuse hurts. I also can't be selfish with this, we can have a farewell party later after everyone knows that you want to retire."

Shiki nodded in understanding. And he's getting ready to go from there. "At least I'll be here for a week, so there's still time. But I won't take any more quests."

"Yes, until the Guild Master returns. We can still meet this week."

Anna smiled and Shiki smiled, then parted from there. After the young man's black hair left, Anna could only bow to reflect on Shiki's decision which was very surprising to her.

"Shiki-kun, you surprise me too often."

***

The city is named Guildtown, referred to as the 'city of Adventurers' because since 50 years ago the city was the home of Adventurers. According to the story, it was the Adventurers Guild who built this city for many years until it could be occupied by other citizens who were not Adventurers.

This city was not guarded by the knights of the Kingdom, but by the Adventurers themselves. Even this city did not have a mayor and the Guild Master of the Adventurers Guild was the leader of this city.

The Adventurers were so admired, they mingled with the citizens and as their protectors. Shiki who is called the strongest in the Guild is called so friendly like the hero of this city.

Shiki also returned their friendly greetings because they were also good with him and often helped the Guild in case of distress.

Now, Shiki walked back to her apartment located in the southeast of the city from the Guild office that was in the middle of the city. A 20-minute walk by Shiki, but today...

"Uhh!"

Someone bumped into Shiki on purpose, and Shiki saw the person with the green cloak hood and if he was a copet, then Shiki would instantly catch him.

But Shiki's guess was wrong.

"You are Shiki-san, the Strongest Adventurer in the Guild, right? I finally found you."

Her voice was female, gentle and polite. Shiki wanted to ask back, but this woman pulled her hand and said "follow me for a second".

"What-" Shiki wants to rebel, but this woman's grip is strong enough for a woman.

It seemed that he wanted to talk privacy with Shiki, and this black-haired young man was curious as to what this woman wanted.

...

Shiki was taken to a small alley near the road earlier, and the woman opened her skull while saying. "I'm glad we finally got to meet, it's been two years, isn't it? Shiki-san."

"Huh? Who're you?" Shiki was surprised he said it was as if they had met.

That woman, she had black hair straight up to her shoulders. Her face is pretty with pretty smelly cheeks. His skin was white and both eyes were light blue.

Shiki gulped his saliva, shocked that this beautiful woman came to him. Meanwhile, the woman, hearing a reply from Shiki makes her resentful because Shiki forgot her.

"You've completely forgotten me?! Well, I'm easily forgotten anyway..." The woman felt inferior. "...but it may be my fault, I did not greet you at that time when my father spoke much with you."

"Dad...?" Shiki tried to remember who this woman meant.

This black-haired woman introduces herself to Shiki eventually and Shiki knows who she is and what her goals are.

"I'm Reina Stardust. Daughter of Duke Robert Stardust. I'm here to ask for your help, Shiki-san...!"

Ah Shiki remembered who it was now, the name 'Stardust' was not a foreign name in the ears of everyone in this kingdom.

"Help me find my missing father...!"

"I don't-"

Reina cut her words and said. "...if you manage to help find my father, I'll be your wife!"

"HUH?!" Shiki raised one eyebrow in astonishment, her face startled.

This girl knows Shiki will reject her and not let Shiki give a rejection by saying what 'reward' she will give if she manages to find her missing father.

***

Shiki returned to her apartment. Shower and rest after a fight. With a muscular body for a young man his age, he was indeed clearly physically strong and magical energy. Many things stood out from Shiki as the Strongest Adventurer in the Guild, but the most special thing was his two eyes that were extremely helpful.

Well, a lot of things happened today and Shiki had said her intentions to Anna, she was the first to know Shiki decided to retire as an Adventurer.

After that came again the unexpected, the woman named Reina Stardust asked him to help find her father who was missing since 6 months ago.

At first Shiki refused, but Reina gave an unexpected reward. A royal nobleman gave himself in return for a quest to an ordinary person like Shiki, who could have expected that?

Shiki's answer after that was rejection. Shiki immediately ran away from Reina after rejecting it and said she had retired as an Adventurer.

"I'm retired, and I refuse."

"UH! Denied?!"

Seeing Shiki run away also surprised Reina. "Wait on! Why even run away?! Shiki-san!"

...

"Well..." The sound of breathing sounds as Shiki comes out of the bathroom.

Wearing only a towel and bare chest, Shiki was surprised to see the woman in her living room.

"Why are you here?!!"

"Ah that..." Reina blushed as soon as she saw Shiki's muscular body. "....."

Shut up for a few seconds, then pick up a fork and throw it at Shiki. "Please put on your clothes, Shiki-san!!!"

"Wow?! You're gonna kill me?!"

Shiki manages to dodge with a fork stuck to a wall near Shiki, and then...

Reina told me how she was here with Shiki and the young man was wearing his clothes in the bathroom. Reina is ushered in by an adventurer and Shiki's room in the bunk house is unlocked.

"The adventurer said it's okay to come in, he won't be mad at me."

Shiki was a bit upset hearing that, she came out of the bathroom. "Who's the adventurer who said that? What's Dion called?"

"Uh, I didn't ask her name."

Shiki had guessed that answer, and the guess about the adventurer who drove Reina was also wrong, because Dion was not in town right now. And Shiki knew who drove Reina.

"Well, if you're here then you still want to seduce me into accepting your request." Shiki sat in front of Reina, they were talking at the table.

"Right, but seducing that sounds excessive."

"Not really, you're remunerating your marriage and that's beyond reason. How can it not be called seducing?"

"Ughhh!"

Shiki said he had retired, or rather had already decided to retire and not take any more quests, let alone quests that were not registered to the Guild and that were not SOP-compliant as Guild Adventurers.

Hearing that of course Reina was surprised, at a young age and still healthy body, she did not believe the reason Shiki.

"Of course if I say that, no one will believe me. But I have my own reasons and it's none of your business, right?"

Reina nodded. "You're right."

"And again, I just heard your father disappeared 6 months ago... No, I think it's only natural, because the news can't possibly be spread to the public."

Reina nodded in confirming. "Yes. That's why I can't register this quest to the Guild. Plus, I remember about you and that's why I'm looking for you."

"But the kingdom should be looking for your father, right? Did his search yield no results?"

"No, the search has stopped since a month ago. They don't have a strong clue where my father is and have done as much searching as they can."

Shiki understood, the logical reason for not meeting for 6 months.

"That's why I want you to help me, Shiki-san! I'm seriously asking for this, I think you're the only one who can find my father!"

"You trusted me too much, and I only met your father once two years ago. He's a good old man, but that doesn't mean I'm friends with him." Shiki told me that.

"Added... The royal nobility destroyed my hometown 13 years ago."

"Huh?" Reina was shocked to hear that.

"Well, I'm not vengeful. But I'm trying to stay away and not get involved with you guys because you're a very selfish and troublesome person."

Reina silently heard that, Shiki's picture of the royal nobility is quite bad and not just Shiki who thinks they are like that.

"That looks now, you're even selfish enough to ask me and give me such a big reward."

"Sorry about that..." Reina apologizes, and Shiki has every reason to reject her selfish request.

Reina decided to leave now. "I'll go then. Sorry to interrupt your time, Shiki-san."

"I'll find my own father. Besides, I can fight even if I'm a clumsy and careless person. I don't know why my father left and what's involved with him..."

"...but I can't depend on anyone else, because from the beginning, I didn't have anyone I could count on."

"If I die for my own efforts, I think it's my fate, so there's no other choice, hehe."

Reina said that resignedly, she then said goodbye to Shiki before coming out of her room. Shiki just kept quiet as she crossed her arms, closed her eyes and decided on something.

"Wait." Shiki asks Reina to stop; "...Reina."

"Huh?" Reina looked at the young man in confusion.

"I don't like it when I hear people are doing something, but their intention is to die." Shiki stood up, then said again.

"That's stupid and selfish. There's no point in you doing that."

Reina was shocked to hear that, slightly blushed due to Shiki's assertiveness about it.

"So simple, I'll help you find your father, princess. Itung-itung as the last quest for me. So tell me where to find your missing father..."

Reina was so happy to hear that, Shiki decided to help her.

This is the beginning of their destiny, Shiki originally thought of this as a small trigger, but the story will become bigger as time goes by without them being able to guess before.

...Chapter 1.1 "Shiki the Strongest Adventurer" - finished...