Surviving as a Trash Bard in a Game

The boy mage and the girl bard sat across from each other at the table, deep in conversation.

Most of their conversation revolved around the request, but for some reason, she felt many eyes and ears around them.

The boy mage felt a sense of doubt, but he figured it must be the gazes toward the uncommonly beautiful bard, and he ignored most of them.

With the general schedule set, the boy mage was about to get up from his seat.

“Alright. Let’s depart tomorrow morning.”

“Okay.”

“Do you have any questions?”

“…What’s your name?”

“It’s polite to introduce yourself before asking for someone else’s name. Even if they are a child.”

“Ah, sorry! I’m not really used to that kind of etiquette.”

“…Skyler.”

“Huh?”

“Skyler. That’s my name.”

“That’s a unique name.”

“I hear that a lot. What about you?”

“Uh?”

“Your name. You’re not just going to take my name and not tell me yours, are you?”

“My name is Selina. Nice to meet you!”

…A bright and cheerful personality.

I hate it.

Mages, in general, were often individuals with flawed personalities or characters. To put it mildly, they were a bit unique; to put it bluntly, they were socially awkward misfits.

Magical talent is inversely proportional to social skills.

I don’t know why, but introverted or socially inept individuals tended to have superior magical talent. As if the world had decreed it that way.

There were always exceptions to the rule, and many mages didn’t fit this mold, but unfortunately, Skyler was one of those who did.

A bard who acted bright and cheerful on the outside, and seemingly empty-headed on the inside. On top of that, a woman of beautiful appearance.

For him, lacking social skills and having only superficial relationships, she was too much stimulation.

Eventually, Skyler simply massaged his throbbing head with his fingers, watching Selina’s retreating figure as she returned to her room.

Thinking to himself that he should quickly resolve this request and never get involved with her again.

Tap tap.

Someone tapped Skyler on the shoulder as he held his complicated head.

It was definitely one of the adventurers he had met before. His name was… Haroon, was it? Despite his intimidating appearance, he was a man of principle.

Aside from the mistake he made last time because of the eyes Selina possessed, he was a man of good reputation.

“What is it?”

“…Take good care of her.”

“You’re not usually the type to say things like this. Besides, there’s no such thing as a free lunch among adventurers.”

“No, it’s just that recently—”

Skyler listened to Haroon’s explanation.

About the rumors surrounding Selina recently, what she had gone through, and why they suspected she had gone through such things. Everything.

It wasn’t exactly a shock.

Wasn’t it common enough for such a crude joke to circulate among adventurers that female adventurers had two lives?

What surprised Skyler was her mental state, being able to smile and treat others kindly the very next day after experiencing such a thing.

…Could it be that she had experienced something even worse, to the point where she could laugh off such an incident?

***

Dragging my weary body, I entered my room.

Honestly, I never expected to get involved with that kid mage again.

‘Even if we’re in the same guild… most people are wanderers, anyway. Adventurers.’

Should I consider myself lucky? It was better to be with someone I at least knew than with a completely new adventurer.

His personality isn’t too bad, and considering the large sack he brought and how other adventurers don’t treat him lightly… he must be a mage who can pull his weight, at least one serving.

Considering I’m a fragile human who can’t even do one serving, the presence of an adventurer who can do more than one serving is crucial in this request.

I didn’t like having to rely on others for almost everything, but I had no choice.

So, my role in this request is…

‘To be thoroughly carried.’

If I can’t pull my weight, at least I shouldn’t be a hindrance. That’s enough.

He’s a kind enough mage to help a stranger who suddenly collapses in front of him without hesitation. He won’t abandon me in the forest even if he realizes I’m useless.

‘If we resolve the request, I can get from 5 coppers to 1 denarion. Even if we split it in half with the kid… or if he takes more for himself, it’s still a decent profit.’

It’s much more profitable than gathering herbs in the mountains.

If push comes to shove, there were plenty of ways to obtain items without directly exploring dungeons. Money was always important. Long live capitalism.

Auction houses, for example. Blacksmiths in large cities. Shady merchants in back alleys.

When there was really no other option left, I would do whatever it took to remove my status penalty. I was determined.

Plan A was to find an item in a dungeon myself, but honestly, the chances were slim.

Plan B, C, and if necessary, even D should be prepared.

When my head is clear, and my intelligence is high, it’s best to make as many plans as possible.

I don’t know what I might do when I’m in a state of low intelligence. I still haven’t found a way to deal with ‘Clumsiness’ and ‘Narcolepsy’, either.

Paper… and a pen.

Let’s write it down.

‘I might forget. And… since we’re leaving tomorrow morning, if I’m unlucky, ‘Clumsiness’ or ‘Narcolepsy’ might activate during reconnaissance. Let’s prepare for that, too.’

I become not me.

That sensation was extremely unpleasant.

After roughly organizing my thoughts and plans, I stayed in my room, waiting for tomorrow.

In the end, nothing was practically resolved.

‘…It hasn’t even been a week since I arrived in this world. Just take it slow, one step at a time. That’s what I’m best at.’

I comforted myself with these words, lay down on the bed, and closed my eyes. But sleep wouldn’t come.

When the narcolepsy penalty hit, I fell asleep instantly. But now that I’m trying to sleep, wrapped in a blanket, sleep just won’t come.

Eventually, I decided it was better than doing nothing and got up from the bed.

I gathered the countermeasures and plans I had written down in case my intelligence dropped tomorrow and reviewed them again.

I checked my equipment—a dagger and a lute I didn’t even know how to use.

I made sure the bread and drinking water I bought from the adventurer’s guild were properly packed in my bag, and I counted the remaining coins. It was the same as what was written in the ledger.

‘This is fine… that’s fine, too. Everything’s checked, right?’

I started to feel tired.

Come to think of it, I don’t think ‘Narcolepsy’ or ‘Clumsiness’ activated today.

Nothing will happen, right…?

It felt similar to when I fall into narcolepsy. My eyes are gradually closing on their own.

I want to sleep on the bed at least… ugh…

***

I hear chirping sounds from outside the window. Birds are singing. Leaves rustle in the wind, and the scent of grass fills the room.

I opened my eyes groggily. The morning sunlight was shining on me.

‘…I fell asleep on the floor.’

My joints and bones were screaming. My stamina and health were low; even though it was a young body, it felt like suffering from chronic diseases.

The thought of experiencing the same fatigue I had already experienced enough in my past life in this other world made me feel awful.

I hurriedly packed the things I had prepared last night without sleeping and slung the bag over my back.

It felt heavy even though there wasn’t much inside, pressing down on my shoulders. My brow furrowed from the pain, but it was bearable.

I was hungry. Come to think of it, I think I only ate one meal yesterday. I hope I don’t run out of stamina midway…

‘I’ll ask for a break along the way. It’s not a time-limited request, anyway.’

The fact that he accepted a request with me in the first place must mean he implicitly agreed to take care of this burden, right? No? What am I supposed to do?

There’s no other way.

Alright. Let’s be thick-skinned. Being dignified and having a bruised ego won’t help at all.

It’s the shameless ones who survive in times like these!

‘…Hmm, am I early?’

I looked around the first-floor stairs, but I couldn’t see the kid mage, Skyler, anywhere.

He emphasized so much that we should meet tomorrow morning… and he’s late! I thought mages were supposed to be punctual, but I guess there are exceptions?

“If you’re looking for your companion, he’s waiting outside.”

“Pardon?”

“You’re the one who took the eastern observation request here yesterday, aren’t you?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right.”

“The mage is waiting outside.”

“Thank you.”

I bowed my head slightly in thanks and went outside.

…I feel a bit embarrassed.