For the first time since arriving in this world, I committed the act of murder, PK.

Its meaning is entirely different from PK in a game, though they may seem similar.

Those three were neither PC who could revive after death, nor NPCs (Non-Player Characters).

They were human beings living in this world.

Once they died, they could not respawn in a town like in a game.

And regardless of having a justifiable reason for the situation, the fact that I took someone else’s life has not changed.

I don’t intend to debate the ethicalness of murder.

I’m the one who committed it, so I’m in no position to affirm it.

Similarly, there’s no reason for others to deny it.

Only those who are prepared to stand in the same position as me can judge it.

However, if they stand in the same position and still deny PK, then they probably won’t last long.

As for this PK, I’m pleased that I didn’t feel repulsed by the act itself.

In the future, as an adventurer, I will take thousands, tens of thousands of lives.

Of course, that will include lives other than monsters.

People, or monsters with intelligence equivalent to humans.

Depending on the quest, I might be asked to subjugate thieves or criminals.

Those are tasks I want to take proactively, from rewards and the achievements I can earn.

However, taking lives comes with risks.

Due to a moment’s hesitation, you might turn from the one taking life to the one whose life is taken.

There’s also the risk of retaliation from related parties.

But, to put it extremely, even that is not a concern.

Knowing how to PK means knowing how to handle being PK’d.

The possibility of me being killed is almost nil.

I have that confidence.

Therefore, the problem is that “PK” may become established as a means of resolving issues for me.

–Kill because they’re in the way

–Kill because I don’t like them

–Kill for no particular reason

If it comes to that, it’s over.

If I stop thinking of a life as a life, I’m sure that someday, I will destroy something precious with my own hands.

I’m still okay.

But, I can’t say for sure that I’ll always be okay.

“――Arata-san?”

“What is it, Aya-san?”

“No, you just seemed to be thinking about something.”

Aya-san, who had completed the request process, looked at me with a worried expression.

“Your guild card renewal procedure is finished. Please check.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

I receive a new guild card from Aya-san.

The color of the C-rank guild card is blue.

I wonder what the metallic material is, and I’m slightly curious.

“……Are you really okay?”

“Thank you for your concern. I might be a little tired.”

Of course, I can’t honestly say “I was thinking about PK.”

I give her a harmless response.

“Please take care. Fatigue can impair your judgment at critical times.”

“Indeed, if my concentration breaks during battle, it could be life-threatening.”

“Arata-san, you’ve been going out hunting for the past few days. Maybe you should take a break?”

According to Aya-san, adventurers take rest days every few days, sometimes every other day.

That makes sense.

Unlike in a game, the job of an adventurer accumulates mental and physical fatigue at the same time.

It’s a profession that requires dealing with life and death against monsters.

To maintain perfect condition and reduce risks, plenty of rest is inevitably required.

Just as Aya-san said, it might be time to take a break.

“That’s true…… I’ll take a break tomorrow.”

“In that case, would you like me to show you around the town?”

“That is……”

I was slow to respond to the unexpected proposal.

“…Aya-san, you mean?”

“Yes. I have a day off tomorrow as well, if Arata-san doesn’t mind.”

This could be a good opportunity.

The town of Loine is a town from the early stages of the game, and I’m not very familiar with it.

I know where the weapon shop and the inn are, but I don’t know much about other facilities and places.

“May I ask for your guidance?”

“! Yes!”

I’ve been indebted to Aya-san on a daily basis.

I’ll treat her to lunch on this occasion.

At that time, I was looking forward to Aya-san’s guide around Loine and went back to the inn.

The next day, unbeknownst to me, my ordinary daily life was about to abruptly end――