I enter the town feeling a bit down. My first day in this world and I already have an entry for my black history... Well that guard seemed nice and he politely answered me. I just hope he forgets what happened.
I decide to forget it since I can't do anything now that's done, and move on.
I walk in the main street as I was told, looking around. The buildings are made mostly of stone, and wood. I gives the vibe of old europeean cities. There are also more peoples than I thought.
'I usually dislike crowded areas' I remember about myself.
It's still alright since there aren't as many peoples as at a festival.
The peoples here mostly have blond hair in various shades, but there are also those with fantasy-like colours such as dark green, red, blue etc, though they are a minority. About eyes colour, I am not sure since I can't just get close to someone and stare at their face, but I think I saw a guy with purple eyes.
I pull my own hair to look at it. It's black. My eyes are - Umm~ black. I think. I can't know without a mirror but I seem to remember this fact.
I don't see anyone with these features here.
(I hope I don't attract too much attention.) (Sakuta)
I unconciously shrink myself.
I didn't try appraising the status of the guards earlier. I try it on the peoples in come across.
Most of the adults are between level 5 and level 8. I am quite disappointed when I compare with my own level 3 …
(I am actually super weak am I not ?) (Sakuta)
I sigh inwarldy.
(For now I have to go to the guild.) (Sakuta)
I walk a bit more and find a big building made of bricks on my left. There is a signboard with a drawing of a sword and axe intersecting over a shield. There is also another worn out sign with words on it.
('Adventurer Guild'. Huh ? I can read it ? Even though these letters are definitely not something I know of. Come to think of it, the words on my adventurer card are the same language. I didn't notice.) (Sakuta)
I take a deep breath and decide to enter the guild.
…
The inside of the guild was better illuminated than I thought it would be. And not as dusty as I though it would be from the rough exterior appearence. Though there are a lot of peoples here, it's still less crowded than outside. Most are sitting around tables talking loudly between themselves, and the others are standing in lines in front of a counter with receptionists behind.
(Just what you would expect ! A template adventurer guild !) (Sakuta)
When I enter though, some peoples turn to look in the direction of the door and the noise lessen a bit.
Eh ? They are not looking at the door but me right ?! Please don't let it be the template where a muscle head comes seeking trouble ! I have no cheat ability so I will probably get hurt !
Okay. Let's act as if there is nothing wrong and walk straight to a counter to avoid trouble. Keep a poker face.
(I am a normal adventurer. There is nothing wrong with me being here, so you should stop looking at me. You don't greet anyone who comes in do you ?) (Sakuta)
As if listening to my prayers, people stop paying attention to me and return to their discussions.
I sigh of relief in my mind and look at the counter. There is a free receptionist. Somehow, no one is waiting in front when there are 3~4 adventurer in line before all the others counters.
I take a look to check if there are any differences, if the counter is reserved or something, but don't notice anything peculiar aside from the lack of customers.
(Strange ... But the less I wait, the quicker I get out of here.) (Sakuta)
Thinking so, I stop thinking about it and move toward that unpopular counter.
There is a female receptionist with short blue hair in a bob cut and golden coloured eyes. She is expressionless as she watches me coming over.
"Excuse me, is this counter open?" (Sakuta)
I ask in a small voice.
"As you can see" (Receptionist)
She said that looking sharply at me like she was looking at an idiot wasting her time.
(Um ... I just came to this world and don't know anything. Please forgive me ?) (Sakuta)
I felt like crying a bit, but I have to move on if I want to get out of there faster.
"I would like to sell these." (Sakuta)
I take out the monster stones on the counter.
"Yes, please wait a bit." (Receptionist)
She fiddles with something under the counter.
"Two goblins's magic stones and thirteen slimes's ones. This will be 46 Lys. Please, lend me your adventurer card." (Receptionist)
She exchanges the stones for 6 copper coins, and 4 bigger copper coins. And I give her my card.
The receptionist puts the card against some kind of tool and give it back to me.
"The procedure is finished." (Receptionist)
(Phew~ I am relieved it ended without a problem. If there was a deeper identity check, I might not be able to answer where I come from. Now, I just have one things to ask)
"Say, I just came in this town, could you recommend me an inn ?" (Sakuta)
The receptionist stare at me with an even sharper look, as if I was not only a trash not worth her time, but one that went out of its way to bother her. I feel like the room got a little colder all of sudden, but it's probably my imagination. 'Like this, I might even get something like a [Intimidation Resistance] skill', is what I though.
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She doesn't answer, and a silence occur as I find myself unable to break eye contact.
"..." (Sakuta)
"..." (Receptionist)
She is the first to look away. Taking out a sheet of paper, the receptionist quickly scribble some things on it before handing the paper to me. Taking a quick glance at it, I understand that it's a map of the town. Moreover, it's quite detailed for something drawn on the fly.
"Thank you very much." (Sakuta)
I thank her and turn back to exit the guild, thinking that although she is scary, the receptionist still helped me.
But I then notice that the adventurers are looking over here and had stopped talking before I knew it. No. They are whispering among themselves.
"Hey, did'ya see that brat ? He went to talk with 'that' receptionist"
"He must be new here."
"He even bothered her to draw a map !"
"He didn't even flinch in front of that glare ! Actually he expressionlessly walked over."
"This boy have guts. Even I avoid the 'Frost Glare" 's counter."
"Oi, don't use that nickname, she will hear ya."
(Eh ? What's up with these reactions ?) (Sakuta)
I supress the urge to look back at the receptionist and walk out of the guild.
(Hah~ I ended up gathering too much attention. Let's hope it doesn't turn troublesome.) (Sakuta)
...
-Receptionist's POV-
I am Seria. A receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild of Iskia Town.
Our main job is to deal with advnturers, appraise the spoils they get from defeating monsters, handing them rewards, and advise them ... When they are listening though, since most of them are only doing as they please.
Most of them take up the adventurer job because they have no other altenative. Being third son or more, they can't succeed the job of their father. Without particular talent or connection, the only other choices beside becoming an adventurer are to either become a mercenary, or a bandit.
Being a mercenary is a lot harsher than being adventurer. Although the work you do is mostly the same, you have to make a name for yourself if you want to get hired, unlike adventurers who have the guild's backing them to find requests.
Requests can be any legal job as long as there is demand. From escort, monsters and magic beast subjugation, collect of ressources in dangerous places, to delivery, construction work and any odd job. Though these odd jobs are particularly unpopular, and these tasks are only taken when an adventurer is broke and doesn't find anything else.
There are also ex-nobles who becomes adventurer if they don't succeed a title. They could become merchants since they have a better education than commoners, or other nobles' retainers and live safely without ever stepping in this place.
The reason is that it's possible to attain nobility by obtaining a great achievement like slaying a True dragon, or becoming a A-rank adventurer and higher.
I seldom saw an ex-noble adventurer. Much less talked to one. That's right, today again, I stand behind the counter waiting for an adventurer to show up. And yet. And yet !
(No one ! There is no one !) (Seria)
I don't mean that the guild is deserted, on the contrary, it's only a little less filled than usual. Because of the Hero Tournament, the highest ranker went to the capital. What I mean is that no adventurer are lining up before my counter !
If you look at the other receptionists, there is almost never a time when they are left alone. What's with this difference in treatment ?!
... But I actually know why I am not as popular.
The reason is that I scare away the adventurers. Yes, even these guys who hunt monsters are afraid of me. In particular, of my eyes. I have a sharp gaze that is very intimidating. I also show very little facial expression beside frowning, on top of being bad with my word which cause me to be rude when I am nervous. From the various gossips I hear, adventurers feel a chill in their back when talking to me ... Because of all this, I got the nickname of 'Frost Glare' from the adventurers when I am not even an adventurer or a knight.
(I am not happy at all about this ! Why do I have to get such a scary nickname ?) (Seria)
I was always like this from as far as I remember. Other children were afraid of me so I didn't have friends ... Actually I had only a single friend who also works as a receptionist and recommended me for the job. I only got the job thanks to her, so I am very grateful to her. I am always grateful to her for everything.
Still. What should I do if even adventurers are scared of me ? Before I knew it, my [Intimidation] skill raised to ... level 24. I can't even control it. It's seriously depressing.
Thankfully, because the guildmaster have a high [Fear Resistance] level, and mediation from my friend, I can keep the job.
(But today is another day without me being able to do anything again...) (Seria)
As I though that, someone enter the guild. He is a young boy who seems to have just reached adulthood. He has unusual black hair.
(I have never seen him before. Is he here to make a request ? But seeing his equipment, he must be a new adventurer. Did he register when I was off duty ?) (Seria)
He looks around then walks to the counters.
(Eh ? He is coming over here ? Really ? Ah I see, since he is new here, he doesn't know about me.) (Seria)
Alright ! I have to do my best ! Smile, smile. H-how is it ?
"Excuse me, is this counter open?" (Sakuta)
He asks.
"As you can see" (Seria)
(Oh no, why did I answer like this when I could simply answer "Yes" ?! It sound like I am being hostile !) (Seria)
"I would like to sell these." (Sakuta)
He calmly takes out monsters cores on the counter without changing his expression. Is he actually fine ?
"Yes, please wait a bit" (Seria)
I appraise the cores with a magic tool under the counter and calculate the reward.
"Two goblins' magic stones and thirteen slimes' cores. This will be 46 Lys. Please, lend me your adventurer card." (Seria)
He gives me his adventurer card and I press it against the magic tool. This tool is used both for appraising items and recording adventurers' reward and achievements.
"The procedure is finished." (Seria)
(Phew~ I'm glad it ended without problem.) (Seria)
"Say, I just came in this town, could you recommend me an inn ?" (Sakuta)
Eh ? Did I misheard ? he saids it's his first time being in this town ? That means he traveled here right after registering as an adventurer, but why would you do that instead of raising your rank first at the place you registered ? He is rank F and his record was blank. Ah! I have to answer him !
It will be more convenient if I draw him a map instead of explaining. I will also avoid saying rude things, and I am quite confident in my drawing abilities.
I quickly draw something and hand it over. He looks at it for a while.
(I-Is there something wrong with my map ?) (Seria)
"Thank you very much." (Sakuta)
But contrary to my worries, he thanks me before turning around. My eyes follow his back as he exit the guild.
"Good work Seria-chan. You did well !"
I hear someone praising me from my side, smiling as if something good happened to herself. She is Amy, my friend. She is also the most popular receptionist of this guild.
"Un." (Seria)
I make a small nod. I am really happy that I managed to do my work properly.
"Do your best ! Maybe he will become your regular !" (Amy)
I nod again and she smiles more brightly.
(It would be nice ... I have to work hard !) (Seria)
I take a look at the appraising magic tool.
(Sakuta-san is it ? The registering place field is blank. I wonder where does he comes from.) (Seria)
----------------------------------------
Summary of Sakuta's current status :
Sakuta - Human
Level 3
Swordmanship
Lv3
Dodging
Lv1
Intimidation
Lv1
Enhanced Eyesight
Lv1
Enhanced Hearing
Lv1
Pain Resistance
Lv1
Thoughts Acceleration
Lv1
Parallel Thoughts
Lv1
Concentration
Lv1
Status Appraisal
Lv3
Self Status
Lv4
Item Appraisal
Lv4
Note : Changed [Dodging] to [Evasion]. Sounds better in my opinion.