A dull longsword and a heartbroken villager

"They're just working, stop complaining," Bray said helplessly, patting Levy on the shoulder and nodding.

The "clattering" sounds Levy made were from battles with various monsters at the edge of the safe zone.

Those who are alive now face not only Silver-ranked enemies, but also a large number of monsters.

Monsters also live in the shadow of the Silver race, and they are already frustrated enough by being constantly attacked by the Iron race.

The arrival of these so-called "silver species" is simply squeezing their living space.

Therefore, the safe zones that silver-level monsters rarely set foot in are also highly coveted by monsters.

Several safe zones in Kapras were overwhelmed and completely occupied by the relentless attacks of monsters.

The monsters that appeared were not only the F to S-class monsters defined by the original Black Iron type, but even super-limit monsters from the Abyss, Heaven, and the Deep Sea emerged.

Even with a safe zone for bronze-grade items, one cannot say that they can rest easy.

Over the course of two years, walls were gradually erected around the border of the Imperial Capital Security Zone, and guards were stationed to defend it.

It was completely different from the cold and deserted scene when Bray first returned two years ago.

It seems people can finally breathe again; back then, they couldn't even spare the manpower for defense, and everyone was living in fear.

Although there are walls and guards, it is actually not difficult for normal people to enter and leave the safe zone.

Bray easily led Levy out of the safe zone through the narrow exit.

One step is the difference between heaven and hell.

Not only are there Silver-ranked creatures that might pass by at any time, but there are also some monsters that have been repelled by the guards wandering around.

"Captain, what is that guy doing! Is he looking for death?!" A new recruit stared in shock as an adventurer led an underage child out the door.

“Even if you die, he might not.” A guard who had been working there for over a year said casually, then glanced at Bray below the wall.

The guards on the wall, who had just finished fighting monsters, all cast complicated glances at the one-eyed man who was leading a teenage girl away from the safe zone.

A little admiration? A little resentment too?

Many of the guards who had been fighting on the walls for a long time had seen this man leave the safe zone and then return before.

Not everyone knows about the adventurer Bray.

Carrasco is clearly more famous than Bre.

However, all the guards knew that this adventurer must be very strong.

The ease with which he enters and exits the safe zone is something not everyone can do. In addition, it must be said that he brought back a lot of resources from the city.

Therefore, apart from the newly arrived guards, almost everyone holds Bray in high esteem.

But they were unwilling to accept this, because... they also wanted to enter and exit the safe zone in this way, instead of being confined within this walled enclosure.

Regardless... all they can do is wish that this person can return as usual, in an ordinary way.

Outside the safe zone, the surrounding scenery was as desolate as a city destroyed after the war.

No, it's even more desolate than that. All traces of civilization have been erased, and there are very few resources to be found.

Because of the war, at least some of the buildings could be preserved.

Now it is empty, leaving only ruins.

If it weren't for Beatrix's cottage and the priest in the suburbs, Bray could describe it as "completely deserted."

"Finding a complete bed seems unrealistic," he remarked, his hands in his pockets.

Bray has unconsciously developed the habit of putting his hands in his pockets, but he hasn't started smoking yet...

If you have a smoking addiction, this time of day can be really tough.

You can't find cigarettes anywhere now, and even if you do, they're incredibly expensive.

"Gurgle!!!!" A monster resembling a lynx pounced from the shadows, making a strange cry.

Bray glanced at it, but before he could even draw his sword, the monster was sent flying by Levy's tail as she jumped up.

The chilling aura rising from its tail froze the monster solid in a mere second.

Bray scratched the back of his head, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

"Well done," Bray finally said to Levy.

"Hehe~" Levy was so happy to hear the praise that she melted.

Bray found a ruin and began sorting through the rubble and scrap metal around him, trying to find something of value.

Of course, the gravel and scrap metal would actually be useful if brought back, but Bray was too lazy to take them.

Although my waist bag has a four-dimensional pocket, the space is limited and I can't fit too many things in it.

Besides, Bray was also planning to make room to fit a bed in there.

How do you think you can fit a bed into a fanny pack? Use your imagination.

"This kettle is so badly deformed... I wonder if it's even usable." Bray picked up a kettle with a deep dent in its body and muttered to himself.

“There’s a kettle at home,” Levy added from the side.

"Really? Well..." Bray was about to say no, but after hesitating for a moment, he stuffed it into his fanny pack.

This thing might even sell for a copper coin.

Oh dear, this is so tragic! I feel like I've become a scavenger.

However, many people now gather together to use the same stove for heating, and many things are still in short supply.

Many seemingly ordinary items and resources are actually the most needed.

It's because it's used so often that it seems "ordinary".

"The lamp that was activated by the magic crystal... is broken like this." Bray walked around, stopping frequently, then picked up something and started complaining.

You can only take a few things each time, so you still need to pick and choose.

Incidentally, many of the strange things on the market were brought there by this guy, Bray.

For example, alarm clocks, and printers...

Of course, they were all severely damaged, and basically none of them were usable.

But some people will still buy them, probably to repair them or for some other purpose.

Although many people venture out of the safe zone to find resources, the most frequent one is definitely laying mines.

Many people, after venturing out once, don't have the courage to do it a second time.

Let alone the silver-tier monsters, the sheer number of monsters roaming outside the safe zone is enough to terrify anyone.

Before the demigod invasion, those S-class monsters that were hunted at high prices could be seen from time to time in the wilderness.

Saying it's all over the mountains and fields is an exaggeration, but seeing it from time to time is enough to terrify anyone.

Among the Black Iron race, there aren't many people who can handle S-rank monsters.

If you encounter monsters from the Abyss or Heaven, you basically won't make it back to the safe zone alive.

"Levy, don't step on those purple patches," Bray said to Levy, glancing around at the path.

"Oh!" Levy responded, avoiding the purple crystallized ground.

It's unclear which types of silver residue caused these phenomena, leading to the crystallization of some road surfaces.

If you accidentally step on it, you might encounter something terrible.

It's better to be safe than sorry; it's always good to be a little careful.

“Bray, Bray, it’s a strange book.” Levy suddenly tugged at Bray’s sleeve, her face slightly flushed as she spoke.

"A strange book?" Bray rarely saw Levy blush, and he became alert.

He frowned and followed Levy's gaze. He wished he hadn't looked, because what he saw was alarming.

What kind of person keeps such explicit books at home?! Shouldn't these kinds of books be hidden away so no one can find them?!

The cover of the book that Levy mentioned was completely burned, but the contents were still about 80% clear.

And this thing is incredibly sturdy! Even the places trampled by the demigods remain relatively intact.

It seems... the content is quite good...

In a sense, this is a treasure of a lower species. What a pity, what a pity, it shouldn't have been seen by Levy.

It's one thing for Bray to see it, but for Levy to see it is a mistake in itself.

“Kids, don’t look,” Bray said expressionlessly, then drew his sword.

"Why can't Levy see?" Levy's face was still a little red, but she was no longer that little girl.

Although she is still as innocent and cute as ever, she has begun to understand the basics.

"You're still..." Bray's words, "You're still young," stuck in his throat, and he couldn't bring himself to say them.

Come to think of it, Levy isn't young anymore, so that's not a proper statement.

Bray drew his sword, but neither could he draw it out nor retract it; he was caught in a dilemma.

Should he say something like "This is bad stuff"? I can't bring myself to say it.

“This thing has been corrupted by the concept of demigods.” Bray’s eyes were solemn and his tone was very serious.

And so, that earthly treasure was torn to shreds by Bray's own hands.

Levy maintained a blank expression throughout, unsure how to comment on the matter, and even forgot to wag her tail.

"Levy, let's go find a bed." Bray's deadpan expression was flat, but his heart was bleeding. He began to change the subject.

He hasn't bought this kind of book since he got married... I miss it so much...

No matter how much I miss it, I still have to destroy it.

But then again, would this thing be particularly valuable in the market?

"Mmm." Levy immediately forgot about what had just happened and skipped after Bray.

Only Bray himself is still grappling with what just happened.

"Bray, Bray~" Levy called out a few times beside Bray.

"What's wrong?" Bray asked, looking at the excited Levy with a puzzled expression.

"Why do we have to find a complete bed?"

“…” Bray paused, his steps halting.

A bed is made up of several parts.

So all he needs to do is find a few good parts of the bed... like a soft mattress and a sturdy bed frame.

If the mattress is dirty, just wash it thoroughly.

"Levy, are you a genius!?" Bray was the kind of guy who often praised others, mostly in his mind, and occasionally in words.

Even though Levy had been with Bray for so long, she knew this principle.

But you know, I still feel really happy when Bray praises me.

"0V0" Levy's tail wagged rapidly, almost like a puppy.

I'm so happy to be praised. It would be even better if I could get a pat on the head.

Unfortunately, Bray didn't grasp the deeper meaning of Levy's emoticon and instead turned his head to think about the bed.

"Ugh..." Levy waited for a full minute before being greatly disappointed QAQ.

In the end, I couldn't get the head pat, what a pity.

The head pat after being praised is different, Lei said.

Of course, this only applies to laying mines.

"Found it, the bed frame." Bray kicked aside the thick rubble and found a bed with springs sticking out.

Of course, Bray doesn't need that mattress with springs bulging out; he only needs that sturdy bed frame.

So, right under Levy's nose, the entire bed was stuffed into that inconspicuous fanny pack with a "glug".

This process is like squeezing something made of clay into a small fanny pack.