The Paper User: Exiled for a ‘Trash Skill,’ Awakens True Power and Rises with Two Unique Skills ,Volume 2 - Chapter 4

Chapter : Solo Job

The next day, I accepted a solo job from the Adventurers’ Guild.

Even outside of party work, I needed to earn as much money as I could.

I picked up a few gathering requests and headed for Gahon Forest—a rugged woodland riddled with cliffs and steep slopes. A wide river cut through its center, its banks teeming with life.

Following a narrow game trail draped with hanging vines, I made my way toward the river. In the dimness beneath the canopy, pale-blue forest jellyfish drifted lazily, their glow casting eerie patches of light.

"Pretty, but useless for materials," I muttered with a sigh, scanning my surroundings.

First things first: find Moonlight Grass, Azure Chillstone, and Seven-Color Beetles—all part of today’s request. While I’m at it, I’ll hunt for monster parts too. A single Silver Wolf pelt sells for more than two gold coins.

Pushing through a thicket, I emerged at the edge of a cliff. Peering down, I saw nothing but a tumble of jagged rocks far below.

"One slip and that’s instant death."

Focusing my mind, I conjured a paper bridge across the gap. Fifty centimeters wide, it spanned the ravine to the other side. I crossed quickly, my boots thudding softly against the paper surface.

The [Paperweaver] skill never fails to impress me. Without it, getting across would’ve taken over an hour.

A glimmer caught my eye near the cliff’s edge—a cluster of pale-gold blades swaying in the breeze.

"Ah, Moonlight Grass."

I dropped to one knee and carefully uprooted the plant.

Lucky find. Being so close to a drop-off probably kept other adventurers from spotting it.

At this pace, I’ll clear my quota in no time. Earn as much as possible—that’s the goal.

I stashed the herbs in my magic pocket and pressed deeper into the forest.

Hours later, I found myself among towering trees, shafts of sunlight filtering down through their interwoven branches.

Not a bad day. I’d collected every requested material, and as a bonus, unearthed an Ancient Lizard Fossil. That alone would fetch three large silver coins.

Looks like I’ll be camping out here tonight—

Then, something in the underbrush caught my eye. A face.

"…Huh?"

Gripping my Magic-Eater Dagger, I crept closer.

What lay ahead made my stomach twist—a middle-aged man sprawled on his back, his chest drenched in crimson. Blood clung to the grass in sticky clots.

"H-Hey, are you—"

I rushed over, but…

"A…"

He was dead. His half-lidded eyes were dull and dry. Three triangular marks had been carved into his forehead. His chest wound was deep, the surrounding flesh scorched. A fire-enchanted blade must’ve pierced him.

"That symbol… Dolls’ cult."

My mouth went dry.

The Dolls’ cult worshipped the ancient evil god Dolls—the one who once tried to annihilate the world. Their doctrine justified any atrocity in the name of desire, even murder. Outlawed across the Leste Kingdom, yet still boasting over ten thousand followers in secret.

The symbol carved into his brow… an offering mark. He must’ve been sacrificed.

Maybe he was like me—here on a gathering job.

My gaze fell to the blue plate fixed to his belt—a C-rank adventurer’s insignia, numbers engraved along the bottom.

If I take this to the Guild, they’ll identify him. For now, I should secure it—

"Don’t move!"

The voice snapped like a whip behind me.

I spun around to see a girl standing there, dagger drawn. Brown hair tied back, a scarlet leather cuirass hugging her frame, a green plate gleaming on her belt. She was probably in her late teens, a little shorter than me.

"You killed him, didn’t you?"

Her eyes blazed with accusation.

"Wha—No! I didn’t!"

I threw my hands up in a panic.

"I just found the body!"

"Just found it?"

"Yes! I’m telling you, a Dolls’ cultist did this."

"Dolls’ cult?"

"He’s got their mark carved into his forehead! I swear, it wasn’t me!"

"Or maybe you’re the cultist," she said, lowering her voice, dagger angling toward me.

"I’m not falling for any tricks."

"Ugh…"

I flinched, twitching as I instinctively backed away.

This is bad. How do I clear myself—ah!

"The blood! Look at the blood!"

"What about it?"

"It’s dry."

I pointed at the wound.

"See? The blood on the grass is dry too. Which means he’s been dead for hours."

"And?"

"If he’s been dead for hours, the killer wouldn’t just stick around, would they?"

Her lips parted slightly.

"That’s… true, but… huh?"

Her gaze flicked down to my belt.

"Your plate… you’re E-rank?"

"Yeah. Just ranked up recently."

"…I see."

She glanced between me and the corpse.

"Doesn’t look like you did it after all. He’s C-rank—and I doubt you could’ve taken him head-on."

"So… I’m cleared?"

"For now."

She sheathed her dagger with a soft click.

"I’m Liza. D-rank adventurer. You?"

"Yakumo. I’m here gathering materials."

"Solo, huh?"

Liza frowned at me like I’d just said something reckless.

"You should join a party or a guild squad. It’s safer."

"I’m in a party. Just… no group jobs today, so I figured I’d earn a little solo."

"Money trouble, huh?"

She scratched her head.

"Well, solo does mean keeping all the reward for yourself… but it’s dangerous. Be careful."

"I will."

"Anyway, this corpse is the real issue."

She knelt beside it, inspecting the wounds.

"…Yeah. Dead for hours. There’s another stab wound on the arm—looks like he fought back."

"So the cultist was stronger than a C-rank adventurer."

"Seems that way. Which means—ah…"

Her eyes widened in alarm.

"What is it?"

"My partner. She’s still out there… and she’s only F-rank. If they find her—"

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