"Um... who are you, mister?"
"Hahaha! I'm Hugo Clay—the vagabond you see before you!"
"But you're from Luminous Academy, aren't you? You're wearing the uniform."
"Don't let the details trip you up. Just call me the Vagabond of Luminous Academy. I'm here on a request."
"What is that even supposed to mean...?"
At that moment, Yugo was visiting a village located a short distance from Luminous Academy.
Dressed in a jacket and a fedora with a harmonica in hand, he would have looked like a total creep if it weren't for the Luminous Academy uniform he wore underneath.
After greeting the girl playing at the village entrance, he changed back into his standard attire. The girl watched him with a weary, judgmental gaze.
"You look like you're going through a lot," she said. "There was all that trouble at the academy recently... is this some kind of stress thing?"
"No, I'm just trying out different personas to reconnect with my origins. Think of this one as: 'I'm borrowing the power of the heroes!' By the way, my second choice was to carry a pair of underwear on a stick, but I figured that would make me look like a genuine predator, so I passed on it."
"Smart move. If you'd done that, I would've called for help immediately."
Yugo might have looked like he was losing his mind, but he was perfectly serious.
He felt that whenever he lost his way, he should start by adopting the right outward appearance. He had spent the morning imitating a wandering vagabond and a youth who traveled the world with the catchphrase, "All I need is a bit of spare change and tomorrow's underwear." Dropping the act for a moment, he spoke to the girl again.
"Sorry to bother you, but could you lead me to the village chief's house? I can't seem to find it."
"Sure. But mister, what kind of request did you take?"
"Hm? Oh, an Arachlaw extermination. They've been spotted nearby lately, right?"
"Yeah. Things have been so chaotic lately, and the monsters have been getting more active because of it..."
"I see... It really has been hard on everyone."
Listening to the girl's story, Yugo was reminded of the scars Dogma's Group had left behind.
His chest tightened at the thought of innocent people suffering from the fallout of the Reincarnation Game. Just as he swore to himself that he would do everything in his power to help these children, he realized something.
"Come to think of it, I haven't asked your name. What is it?"
"Me? I'm—"
The girl, who looked to be about the same age as Fee, started to answer, but a loud voice cut her off.
"Jasmine! What are you doing?!"
"Ah! Big brother!"
A young man came running over in a panic and stood protectively by his sister's side. He glared at Yugo with naked hostility.
"Why are you talking to a stranger?" he snapped. "You don't know who this guy is. You're being way too friendly!"
"There you go again...!" Jasmine sighed. "Grandpa and Dad both told you not to be so mean to outsiders. Besides, this mister is from Luminous Academy. He's here for the Arachlaw request."
"What...?!"
The brother's hostility only intensified when he heard Hugo Clay's identity and purpose. Though slightly taken aback by the intensity of the gaze, Yugo offered a polite greeting.
"Ah, hello. I'm Hugo Clay from Luminous Academy. I asked your sister for directions to the village chief's house, but I suppose I was being a bit too familiar. My apologies."
"Tsk... He's barely older than I am," the man muttered under his breath. "And a guy like this is supposed to handle Arachlaws?"
"Um... is something wrong?"
When Yugo called out to him, the man snapped out of his trance and glared even harder. Yugo was baffled by the sheer amount of spite directed his way.
"The chief's house is straight down this road," the man spat. "It has a conspicuous roof. You can't miss it."
"Oh, I see. Thank you."
"Now you don't need my sister to guide you. Let's go, Jasmine."
"Hey! Big brother, don't pull me!"
Without another word, the young man grabbed his sister's hand and dragged her away. Jasmine waved her free hand back at Yugo and called out cheerfully.
"Good luck with the hunt, Mr. Vagabond! I'm rooting for you!"
"Ahaha... Thanks!"
The brother was a bit of a concern, but being cheered on by a child always provided a much-needed boost.
Determined to wipe out the dangerous Magic Armor Beasts for the sake of Jasmine and her family, Yugo steeled his resolve and headed down the road toward the village chief's house.