"So, what now?"

Some might see it as foolish that I haven't thought past getting a class and possibly have a team, I think it's pretty obvious that I am a fool.

"Well, going rouge is an option, but let us put that at the bottom of the barrel. The adventurers guild is slightly above that, being a mercenary pays better for the same work. The knights order follows after that, since only I could join. The guild of arts is on the same height, since only you could join. Doing mercenary work is above those two, it pays well, though we will be socially frowned upon. Next is the guild of coin, manpower is always needed there. And the most dangerous option: we could jump from raid group to raid group after taking our share."

Dam she is informed, I didn't even know of the guild of arts and guild of coin.

"So, which one would you say is the best?"

"Depends, for making money or personal growth?"

That's a good question, money is important but the riches of the world won't help us if we are in a fight to the death.

"We both still have a bit of weight in our pockets, let's concentrate on growth for now."

She nodded at my words.

"Right choice."

Wait what? What does right choice mean? She walked away before I could ask questions, prompting me to follow. Which I did.

"We will be going rouge, taking whichever job pays the best and fits us along the way."

Woah woah woah woah, when did she become the leader? I mean, not like I'm gonna do something about it. It's probably for the better that she's in charge. I would get us in trouble, not sure how but I just know I would.

"First of, we will make our way to the black desert. The strong connection to Iron and culture that place has will surely be of great help to advance our classes."

"But isn't that place a months journey from here?"

"Your point?"

"... I have never been that far away from home."

"Then it will be a first for the both of us."

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"..."

She looked back at me, her remaining eye was cold and calculative. It's obvious that she has by far more experience than me and is better informed.

I guess that's the difference between someone that spend all his time playing instruments and someone who went out there gaining experience.

Though, I'm no stranger to pain.

----------------------------------------

We set off to our journey to the east.

I noticed that Rose struggles a bit to move through the forest, obviously not as used to the outdoors as I am.

Which either means that she doesn't go outside that much or she always stayed in flat terrain.

"Why are we going through the forest anyways? Couldn't we have taken a carriage or joined a caravan?"

"The prices in the capital are a blatant scam, a con without art. A foolery with no tom, a chief with no mis."

"I get it. But couldn't we have taken a road or a path?"

"Bandits and outlaws, they love to lurk around roads and paths in hopes of finding easy prey."

"..."

I feel like my mouth piece is putting my well being on the line, specifically the way I emphasize things.

I noticed that the songbirds stopped singing.

"It's getting late."

"How do you know that? We can't see the sky thanks to the tree crowns."

"The birds stopped singing but the other critters haven't gone silent. We should set up camp and rest."

After a moment of silence, probably going over my logic in her head, she nodded.

"You start the fire."

Formalities aside Rose seems to be a rather quiet woman, she never says more than she needs to except when lecturing me about something or giving her reaoning.

"Alright."

Starting a fire can be a challenge but I am prepared, a knife can make it a whole lot easier.

First, firewood. Finding firewood is easy enough, we have dry season right now after all.

Second, safety. Gotta make sure the fire won't spread, for obvious reasons.

Third, actually starting the fire. Having a knife made this worlds easier since I didn't need a bow to start the fire.

Fourth, food. Usually someone would be getting ready to roast some food about now, but I don't have anything to eat on me.

Rose seems to have some jerky and dried bread on her, but I don't want to seem dependent (which he is). Besides, judging from her size that is probably just enough for herself.

Guess it's time to put trash eater to use.

"Excuse me for a moment."

Alright, how to look like a survivalist whilst I have no idea what I'm doing?

I gathered the roots of whichever plants seem okay to eat using my knife, I gathered what seemed to be a good weight to keep my stomach full for a while.

I returned to the campfire and placed the white roots close to the fire, waiting for them to roast.

"..."

Rose glanced at my excuse of a meal, she seems content with her jerky.

I wouldn't switch with me either if I was her.

Once the roots started to blacken I took it as a sign that they're good to eat.

Trash eater really lives up to it's name, I am enjoying the texture and herbal taste of the roots. I'm sure I would be barely able to chew from disgust if I didn't have trash eater.

"I will be the second guard. You keep an eye and ear out for anything."

She promptly stood up after finishing her meal and laid down on a softer patch of dirt, close to the fire so that she's warm whilst sleeping.

She didn't even tell me how long the shifts are gonna be, eh, I'll wake her up in like four hours or something.

...

Do I just sit here until something happens?