Bright sunlight falls down from the sky. The wind breeze is just good enough to freshen the different races under it. Some are chattering in front of countless stalls, some are preparing for their lunch while others are still occupied by their jobs.

It is the usual scene of the City of Aldebaran that can be seen from above. But the thing that is not usual there was, the two figures in high walls' walkways. 

They are neither lookouts nor soldiers that is assigned there but a man dressed in the guild's uniform and a boy at a young age that wears a flamboyant clothes that is well concealed in a cloak.

~~~ [Ryuji's POV]

“Who are you?”

Paul said while he aims his unflinching gaze towards me. It is obvious what’s the answer to his question. So I tried to play dumb and answer his question with the most common answer in order to avoid the true intention of his question.

“Me? Well, my name's Ryuji.”

“No. Not your name. I mean...ugh—Paul is very disappointed up to the point that he lay his face onto his right palm then he continue—“Okay let me rephrase that... Where did you came from?”

“From a country far far away from here.” Paul narrowed his eyes upon hearing my words.

“Like from a country that is nowhere around this planet?!”

So Paul already knows that I am not from here. He coaxed the answer from me by just observing and asking indirect questions, it this how a receptionist should do their job?

I hope my inner judgment won't betray me, because it is clearly telling me that this man standing in front of me is good person and I believe he's someone that I can trust. 

After a moment, I finally made my decision. [—I need someone I can trust here.] I also feel that if I don't take the risk now I'll gain nothing.

But before I unfold the truth, I decided to play with him a little longer, the answer to his question reminds me of an island I've seen in this planet's world map.

“...No. I'm from the island of Meissa.” I said with my usual low-pitched voice. I turned back at Paul and gaze at the beautiful scenery under the wall.

“Stop lying...I know that you already know that the summoning spell this year didn't failed....so please answer me only with honest words...”

“And now you said that after you told me that the spell had failed...” I smiled slightly while my eyes still set at the busy city.

“I told you that is second hand.” Paul noticed my smile. Of course Paul is not stupid so he already knows that smile explains everything.

He step forward beside me. 

Then, he just did the same thing that I do. After many long and cold breeze blows us, he opened his mouth once again, this time his friendly aura was back.

“Let me ask you again... Now that you know our history, what will you do?”

I let the silence to manipulate the atmosphere for a bit before I reply“...For now...” words escape my mouth bit by bit.

“...” Paul just remains silent beside me, smile never leaves his face while gazing at the city. He didn't want to interfere my resolve so he kept silent.

“For now...I'll just want learn more about this world...and once I made my decision...I will step out of the curtain.”

After trying my very best I finally forced out those words. Words that meant everything to this fellow beside me. To him, those are words that he should trust, words of his savior or rather their savior.

“I'll respect every words that comes out of your mouth.” 

Paul's gaze never leaves the city as he reply with me. A moment of silence pass by.

With the hero topic now close, he then continue the adventurer topic from before, Paul once again breaks the silence.

“So...How do you want your adventurer rank and tag be? Headdress? Necklace? Bracelet? Or ring?”

Adventurer tags, they are worn by the every adventurer that is hired by the guild. They are made of material that depends on the assigned rank of its bearer. Their main purpose are simple, for example something unfortunate happens to an adventurer while they are on a quest. That will explain the identity of their corpse only if their battle conditions prevent it from being identified. In other words it works like a 'military dogtag' from earth.

The adventurers ranking is based on this planet's own minerals.

As for the ranking, the highest rank that is especially only for summoned heroes is the Platinum and the lowest assigned to those who will just begin their adventurer’s life is Zircon. 

I learned this all from the book that I red from the guild moments ago. Now I regret for skipping some of it.

“First, I don't want the Highest rank especially for Heroes...I'll start with Zircon the lowest...and as for the tag. An Armlet will do.”

“I see. So you're the type who wants to start with zero...I'll give you an adventurer’s form later with fake status...”

After I heard Paul's answer I just reply to him with a nod and start to walk away from Paul and go straight towards to the staircase.

Halfway between the staircase and Paul who’s still smiling while enjoying the breeze from the city, I remembered something so slightly turn to face Paul once again.

“Paul.”

“Yes!” Paul immediate turn to meet my gaze.

“...Can you keep this 'Hero' matter to yourself? For now...”

“Yes. I can. If that's what you wish then I'll do it. We're partners in crime after all.”

“Thanks...”

“No worries. Comeback to guild this afternoon for your zircon armlet and form with average stats.”

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“Ah. One more thing...”

“What?”

“...I don't have a money...” I said with my serious low-pitched voice.

For almost a couple of minutes Paul stared at me with his empty gaze. Then he let out a laugh afterwards.

“Hahaha. That is to be expected you've just arrive in this world.

“Here—Paul approached me and handed over a small pouch, on its mouth gold coins are shinning. — Paul continue his offers with

“If you're finding a room for the night. You're welcome to my house! Well, my daughter would be happy...”

So he have a daughter, and here I thought he was just playing with girls and switch to another whenever he feels it. [Sorry for the harsh thoughts Paul].

“No. I don't want to cause you any further troubles. I will return these money, I promise.”

“Alright then, I need to go back to work before Mary's rage torment me, See ya.”

I nodded in reply then Paul hurriedly go downward the stairs, heading straight back to the guild.

“Wait” I shouted.

Paul stopped at the bottom of the staircase and look up at me.

I slowly slid a coin out of the pouch and toss it to the receptionist which he caught.

“What’s this for?”

“There’s a bakery stall right before the turn to the main road.”

“Oh!” Paul’s eye was shot opened. And after a short pause he smiled back at me then continued his way back.

Now, I was deserted in the top of the walkways still holding the pouch that he has lend me. A sigh has escaped my mouth as I recall the things that happened when I arrived in this world. Not even a single day have pass since then but I already encounter too much.

I made my first friend here that I can trust, be friended to the two members of the Imperial Army, to a cute dwarf girl and lastly to the extremely beautiful lass in the garment stall.

I think the currency in this world works like the ones found on RPG games. I put the gold pouch inside the pocket of my jacket and seal it with the cloak from Lily.

[Oh! That's right Lily!]

I remembered that Lily had mentioned a quest before. 

And even before I realize it my feet stride towards to the stall market.

But when I arrive at the garment stall, a lady in her mid-20's that is heavily resembling Lily is the only one in there. The only difference was that her hair ran along her back reaching her waist. 

She's organizing some of the merchandizes completely unaware of my presence.

In the end I decided to speak to her.

“Uhm. Excuse me?”

The moment I tried to speak, she flinch and twitch a little, seems to be because of surprise. 

Then she began to face me and smile. I can say Lily's face and hers really resemble each other [She must be her sister].

“Yes? Oh, Can I help you?”

“Lily...Where's Lily?” I am shy at first to meet her gaze but somehow I manage to finish my statements.

“I'm sorry but as soon as I arrive here few moments ago she immediately run towards the adventurer's guild. When I ask why she only said: I'm chasing my dream mom! That child. Always full of energy...Are you an acquaintance of her? Nice to meet you I’m her mom.”

I don't know why, but I felt a little disappointment upon hearing that she was her mom. 

[Chasing her dream? Hm, maybe she was about to register as an adventurer too. And wait mom?! She is ridiculously young to have a daughter at my original age already. Well, not my current age though…] I ignore it for now and reply to her with the low-pitched voice.

“No...It’s just, because she mentioned a quest before...”

Lily's mom put a finger to her lips and tilted her head.

She seems to be thinking of something.

Then just as Lily she smashed her left fist on her right palm when she remembered it.

“Oh right, I filed it up to the guild last week but I can't find the right chance to request them to put it on the Quest Bulletin.”

“I see. What kind of quest is it?”

“A material quest.”

Material quest it is a type of quest which requires adventurers who take it to gather the requested item. Or so, that is what I believe it is.

“Is that so?”

“Yes it is.—she get something from the pile of items in the back storage and then immediately handed it to me—“Here see it for yourself.”

Lily's mom handed over a paper with something written on it.

When I took a glance on it, I see the material requested—a giant spider's silk found on the Great Orcish Canyon—

“Hmm...The Orcish Grand Canyon...”

“Yeah, it's not much of a reward but please take the quest...” She looked down after she cast her words.

I tried my very best to remember it on the map I'd seen in the adventurers guild. 

 And after some deep recollection I manage to remember some place with that name.

Located in south of this fortress, the Orcish Grand Canyon lies. 

As of now, I don't know anything regarding that place. 

Maybe I'll take a peek again at the book back in the guild or directly ask Paul about it later. 

In the bottom of the quest paper the bounty for completing it is indicated.

“I see. So that's why you can't put it in the Quest Bulletin.”

“Yes...”

The bounty for this material quest is just wasn't enough. This is a quest for middle tier adventurers but the reward is only for lower ones.

Lily's mom still looking down and seems to be having trouble on deciding which was the proper words to say that time.

But still, I don't want to see her that way especially her daughter so I replied with my usual low-pitched voice.

“Don't worry. I'll take this.”

When she heard that her face brighten up as she look at me.

“Thank you! May the gods guide your adventure.”

“No worries Ma'am. But if I were you I will not pray to them.” The so-called gods of this world are the main reason why the holy war started. It is common that some of people including me will hold a grudge on them.

Lily's mom was surprise for a moment but then she manage to force a smile.

“Mighty Adventurer, may I know your name?”

“Ryuji. A zircon tier adventurer.”

After I bowed for my farewell I began to stride away to the garment stall.

~~~

Upon hearing the name of the red-haired boy, the woman was surprise not because of his name. But because regardless of his rank the lowest, he still chosen to accept that quest that many high tier adventurers choose to ignore.

“Ryuji...I'll remember it. He sure reminds me of my son...” she silently muttered to herself

She can't help but to smile happily while she begins to continue her interrupted actions earlier.

~~~

That afternoon I learned from Paul that the Orcish Grand Canyon is the home of no other than Orcs. He suggested that instead of my usual clothes, I switch to at least to a light armor. He also gave me the Zircon Armlet that I requested as well as the fake adventurer form.

Afterwards, with the money that Paul has lend me I bought the equipment that I might need on this adventure. A rope, a piton used for climbing, some unused sheets, a light armor, and lastly, my chosen weapon against Orcs—a spear. The unusual clothes is now nowhere to be found in me but only a black undergarments with light armor paired up with knee-high long boots and a spear hanging on my back.

When everything is set, also the sun is setting, I begin my very first quest towards the Southgate of the Aldebaran onto the Orcish Great canyon. 

“Yuuujjiii!”

 Everything is set or so I thought, halfway of the long gateway a voice echoed in my back.

That voice is unmistakably belongs to someone I knew.

I move my head to see where it came from.

And as I expected a girl appeared in my sight, but unlike from before she was now dressed in ranger outfit paired up with light leather armor. A wooden bow on her back and a quiver on her hips. Her braided brown hair swings from left and right as she runs towards me, her front bounces too.

I gently smile the moment I'd seen her.

She stopped running when she is close to me and she replied with my smile with also a smile.

The scenery is just too perfect, a beautiful young woman standing there with the fading rays of the sun on her back while we are glancing happily at each other.