(4) 'My Gift "Additional Bonus" That Was Treated as the Weakest, Was Actually the Strongest Skill That Could Obtain Allies, Weapons, and Rewards' - Chapter 5 -

Chapter 5: Reunion with Betrayal

Recap of the Previous Chapter

Having successfully defeated a goblin, Asura obtained weapons, allies, and a spirit through his "Additional Bonus," drawing attention at the guild.
The gazes of the adventurers who had mocked him as the weakest turned to astonishment, and he also had a reunion with Gareth and the others who had once used him as a decoy.
"I am no longer a decoy," Asura had quietly declared.

The buzz in the hall had turned into a tension that felt like sparks flying.
Gareth swayed his large body as he approached, looking down at Asura as if breathing his alcohol-scented breath onto him.

"...Don't get carried away, Asura. Are you acting like a hero just because you managed to defeat one measly goblin?"

Serna sneered.
"A luggage carrier just happened to pick up a spirit by luck... that's all it is. The guild will realize soon enough that you're just bluffing."

Doran shouldered his axe and laughed lowly.
"You'll probably tuck your tail and run away on the next request. We're witnesses. That's the kind of guy he's always been."

The memory of that day resurfaced in Asura's chest.
The moment those three, whom he thought were his allies, used him as a decoy and ran away.
The blood drained from his face, and his whole body felt like it was freezing over.

However, Lyuca at his feet gave a small bark, and Phil on his shoulder flickered with flame.
The presence of Milia standing behind him became a solid warmth that pushed him forward.

"...I have changed."
Asura's voice did not tremble.



The surrounding adventurers who were watching the exchange whispered to each other, but they looked at Asura with serious expressions.
Had the man called the weakest truly obtained power? Everyone wanted to know.

Then, Lina the receptionist approached with a nervous look on her face.
"Asura-san... will you take the next request? We have a subjugation request that just came in."

Looking at the card she held out, Asura narrowed his eyes.
The request was for "Subjugation of a Forest Goblin Pack."
A high-risk mission where they appear in groups of several.
The reward is large, but failure means losing your life.

Gareth grinned.
"Good opportunity. Show us that you're not just all talk."
Serna whispered provocatively.
"You're just going to die next time anyway."
Doran shrugged openly.

The air in the hall felt heavy and oppressive.
But Asura firmly took the card, looked at Lina, and nodded.
"...I'll take it."



At the entrance to the forest.
In the cold air before dawn, Asura drew his black-silver dagger.
Lyuca trod on the grass as if running alongside him, Phil lit a small fire on his shoulder, and Milia spread her wings, emitting a faint light.

"Master... is your heart set?"
Milia's voice was gentle.
Asura answered briefly.
"It's not to prove them wrong. It's so that I can be myself."

Before long, multiple presences approached from deep within the forest.
Muffled laughter, the sound of rusted weapons.
The pack of goblins appeared, baring their fangs.

Lyuca barked.
Phil scattered sparks.
Asura readied his dagger and stepped firmly onto the ground.

"Now... come!"

The curtain of battle had risen once again.

Afterword (Chapter 5)

Thank you for reading!

In Chapter 5, Asura reunited with his former treacherous allies.
Their words cut into his past wounds, but even so, Asura did not waver and prepared to take on the subjugation, believing in his own power and his allies.

It was the moment he, who was called the weakest, began to walk toward becoming "someone who truly possesses power."
However—the enemy is not one, but a pack.
Even more intense battles await in the next chapter.

Next time, Chapter 6: "Death Struggle with the Pack."
Please look forward to the full-scale battle he takes on with his allies, and the new possibilities that the "Additional Bonus" will reveal beyond that.