-The Blazing Heart Inn
"I'm sorry about not telling you before, Ryuji..." (Melodia)
She let out a sigh before returning to her pork ribs.
"No, no that's okay... I just never thought about the possibility of you being a noble lady. Not to mention you are a Scavenger, ah sorry- I should address you as Ojou-sama..." (Ryuji)
"S-Stop it! It's embarrassing! Good grief... And you Clovea! We will talk about this later..." (Melodia)
"Ara-ara... Fufu~" (Clovea)
Clovea couldn't help but giggle as she took a delightful sip of her wine, relishing each bite of her delicious fruit salad. Apparently Elves in this world cannot digest meat, so it turns out she's a vegetarian.
(She really said 'Ara-ara'!)
Everyone including myself on the table found Melodia's frustration cute. Meanwhile, I enjoyed the flavor of the beer I was served.
While it may not have been the exact Japanese beer I once relished, I found the gentle notes of this particular brew to be rather pleasant. It complemented the succulent pork ribs we indulged in flawlessly.
Though, the beer wasn't really cold. They clearly did not have refrigerators in this world.
The inn was bustling with energy, as a stunningly beautiful bard captivated the crowd with her enchanting harp melody and celestial voice.
The cozy inn was filled with the resonating sound of every accurately struck note. A diverse range of guests reveled in their meals, chasing away the burdens of their daily lives by indulging in the finest beer and wine.
"Puaaah! That hits the spot!" (Milgard)
Milgard aggressively placed his wooden mug on the table, using his arm to wipe off the foam.
"Omnomnomnom... Delishioushh...~" (Melodia)
As expected, Melodia had a bottomless appetite.
"So who exactly are these Red Cloak guys?" (Ryuji)
Erneis sighed before he raised his steel-clad hand to call for the waitress.
"They are a famous mercenary company hired by Prince Rodolf, who is currently his Majesty King Albert's regent. He is also getting ready to ascend to the throne in the near future. Gods save us, because those guys are very shady." (Erneis)
He muttered the final words in a hushed tone, while a lovely girl with chestnut braids made her way to our table, carrying a towering stack of large beer mugs. Compared to her brothers, she had a small build, however the resemblance in their features told me that she was Emma Tetsugo, sister of Milgard and Erneis.
"Hoho— Thank you Emma!" (Milgard)
"You are welcome, Aniki. Are you not going to introduce me to your friend?" (Emma)
A gentle smile formed across her lips as she held the other orders. It was surprising that she was able to hold that many beer mugs in her tiny hands with such ease.
"Ah, how rude of me. This is Shinobu Ryuji, we met him on our way to Catago while he saved us from bandits. Ryuji, this is my little sister Emma. Don't let her cute appearance fool you, she is as strong as me and my Buraza." (Milgard)
Emma playfully giggled. She seemed very young. I assumed she was about 16 years old.
(Wait, did he say strong as these muscle-man? Scary.)
"Haha, you are complimenting me... It was nothing you guys couldn't handle. I just stepped in. Nice to meet you Emma." (Ryuji)
A modest laughter came out of me as I scratched my headband.
"Nice to meet you too Ryuji, I'll go back to work before Okaa-san scolds me. You guys try not to break anything or Okaa-san will be mad! You know she almost destroyed the inn last time..." (Emma)
(Is she a Dragon or something?!)
Emma carried on with her orders, it seemed to me that all the customers loved and respected her.
As a massive arm was slammed onto the table, a few drops of the beverages inside the mugs splashed out. Clovea and Melodia sighed as they pulled their meals away from the table as if they knew what was going to happen next.
"How about going for a little match with me, Ryuji?" (Milgard)
(You just got told not to break anything!)
"Hahah! As expected from my Buraza! You thought ahead of me!" (Erneis)
"Just don't get your arm broken like that last time with M, it's bothersome to heal bones..." (Melodia)
M? Who is that?
"T-That was different! I am sure she cheated with magic!" (Milgard)
(Who are they talking about?)
"I guess I have no choice..." (Ryuji)
I never shied away from a challenge, so I firmly clasped Milgard's larger hand. Erneis got up from his seat and set our hands in position.
"Oooh! Milgard is going at it with someone!"
"Go Milgard aniki!"
"That other guy seems strong!"
People in the inn began gathering around our table. It was a crowd of Scavengers and City Watch soldiers.
(Good grief...)
"Ready?" (Erneis)
We both nodded. Milgard was smirking, so was I for some reason.
"GO!" (Erneis)
"Hnngh—" (Milgard)
"Hmnnhf! (Ryuji)
None of us moved.
"Oooh! They are evenly matched!"
"Amazing! Only Erneis aniki was able to go toe-to-toe with Milgard aniki!"
I began pushing Milgard back a little. Sweat was already beading our faces. I noticed that I was smirking. Was I having fun?
(What strength! This is fun!)
As he forcefully pushed me back, the thick veins on his scarred arm started to bulge. I decided to give every ounce of strength I had.
"Hnnngh!" (Ryuji)
"Grrh—" (Milgard)
Everyone cheered during our strength contest, even the usually calm Clovea couldn't resist making a comment.
"Oooh, I haven't seen anyone aside from M get Milgard to struggle like this before." (Clovea)
(That name again... Who is M?)
The table under us began to creak and crack.
"Go Milgard aniki!"
"Beat him!"
Milgard's face twisted as he exerted every last ounce of his remaining strength, the veins on his forehead were visible as he gritted his teeth. I also gave everything I got. I was determined not to be defeated in front of such a large audience.
The veins on my bicep also bulged, both of us were back to our starting position, and my palm began to sweat. None of us gave in, however the table was the one who gave up first.
-KRRRT...BUMM!-
As dust billowed with a loud crack resounded from the table, I suddenly found myself sprawled on the ground. The crowd erupted in cheers as I glanced up and saw Milgard and me lying on the ground, engulfed by the crowd.
A laughter among cheers ensued.
"OOOOOHHHHHH!" (Customers)
"What?! It's a draw?!" (Erneis)
"Hahaha! Amazing Ryuji! I haven't had this much fun in a while!" (Milgard)
He laughed boisterously as we got up. He offered me a hand with a wide grin drawn across his face.
"From now on, you are my Buraza too, Ryuji!" (Milgard)
"Hahah, thank you Milgard. I look forward to another match in future." (Ryuji)
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
We shook hands like they did in Shonen Manga. Our bond of muscles was official now.
"OI MILGARD!!"
A woman's thunderous voice rumbled throughout the inn.
"Uh-oh! It's Ofukuro!" (Milgard)
A woman with striking resemblance to Emma caught the crowd's attention, but her physique resembled that of a female bodybuilder from my world.
(Uh-oh, here comes the mother...)
"THAT'S THE SECOND TABLE YOU BROKE! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THEY COST TO MAKE!"
Erneis nonchalantly turned his gaze towards us.
"You guys better run... She used to be a Gold rank Scavenger before she met my dad." (Erneis)
(Gold rank? Isn't that very strong?)
"She was called Kledice the Amazon... She was a legend in the Scavenger Guild! We can't win! LET'S RUN GUYS!" (Milgard)
"Haha... Now I remembered, my break time is already over... I gotta return the keep... Hahaha..." (Erneis)
With a nonchalant whistle, he made a slow and deliberate exit from the inn.
(You ungrateful brute! You are also in this!)
"KORRAAAA! GET BACK HERE!" (Kledice)
I was already out of the inn, but I was surprised Milgard was running as fast as me. Perhaps it was the adrenaline? Meanwhile, Clovea was chasing after us, followed by Melodia, who was carrying a hefty platter of pork ribs with a bone protruding from her mouth.
"Nomnomnomnom...~" (Melodia)
(How can you eat in this situation?!)
----------------------------------------
After we managed to escape from the Amazon Mother, we were on our way towards the Scavenger Guild to turn in the brown wolf loot we had while I was going to take the entrance test to the guild. It seems that handing in the wolf extermination quest was going to grant them a promotion to the Silver rank.
"I can't believe we are finally going to rank up... Especially after what we have been through during that last quest with M..." (Clovea)
Melodia had a sullen expression as Clovea mentioned that M person they have been talking about for a while.
"Yeah... I wonder what she's up to now... We never had a chance to talk to her after that... catastrophe." (Melodia)
"I never expected her to be that strong." (Milgard)
"Who is this M person you guys kept mentioning earlier?" (Ryuji)
I couldn't resist my curiosity and ended up asking.
"She was the mage of our party back then... We were sent for a mission to the free city of Adan five months ago. She was a Silver ranked magic caster who was wearing a mask all the time." (Clovea)
(That's before I got reincarnated...)
She continued,
"She was... Extremely strong. I've never seen anyone that powerful in my life before. Do you know what happened to the City of Adan five months ago?" (Clovea)
I wonder what happened.
"No, I am not aware of the events." (Ryuji)
"Wow, have you been living under a rock? five months ago we were sent there to investigate a shady group that has been experimenting with Necromancy." (Melodia)
(Necromancy? That sounds like bad news. I still can't believe magic exists in this world even after seeing it myself.)
"When I used my [Elven Eyes] on her, I sensed no mana from her. Yet when she did that..." (Clovea)
The look on her face brought back memories of when she confronted me.
"So what happened to this City of Adan?" (Ryuji)
"Ryuji, what was the biggest explosion you have ever seen in your life?" (Milgard)
Milgard's tone was unusually serious.
That was a good question. Most likely a nuclear bomb explosion I saw in a documentary about the nuclear war that happened before I was born. But of course I can't say that...
"I'm not sure... I can use fire techniques, but I don't think it's that powerful." (Ryuji)
"I remember M casting a barrier around us as things got really nasty when we got surrounded by an entire city of undead... Then she began floating towards the sky and everything became white. Everything was gone when we woke up in a crater—Adan was wiped from the surface of Shandria." (Melodia)
(I have a good guess who that M might be... Could it be that she's also here?)
"I think the scariest thing is that when we came back to Guiria after 2 weeks, people were still repairing their buildings. To think that explosion was felt and seen from here..." (Milgard)
She must've nuked the city to prevent the undead from spreading around. Like a zombie outbreak in a movie. But why? Why would she interfere?
"What's wrong Ryuji? Your face is all pale." (Clovea)
Clovea's hand on my shoulder brought me crashing back to reality, her face filled with concern. I guess we got closer in no time. I felt blood rush back to my face.
"I am f-fine! Just... Thinking about somebody who could destroy a city kind of terrifies me..." (Ryuji)
(That's right. This isn't my world. And probably monsters beyond comprehension lurked here somewhere in Shandria.)
"Next time I see M, I'll get my revenge! Hahaha!" (Milgard)
Milgard's boisterous laughter lightened up the mood as he put a hand on his flexed bicep.
"Hahaha—you can do that after beating me!" (Ryuji)
"Oi-oi, it's not like I lost to you! Ugh... Ofukuro will beat my ass at home..." (Milgard)
Everybody laughed. I felt a certain warmth in my chest as I felt like I actually belonged to Ivorystand. This could be the missing piece from my past life.
Friendship and comradery.
"Oh, we have arrived! The Scavenger Guild!" (Milgard)
The towering structure stood above the neighboring buildings, resembling a prestigious corporate headquarters. The arrangement of bricks on its five-story frame evoked a sense of familiarity, reminding me of my previous world.
Compared to the most buildings in Guiria, this was more blocky and it was replete with windows as it created a contrast between itself and the other buildings around. It looked like it was something from the 1960's back in my world.
Foreign letters morphed into Japanese as I read the sign hanging above the big double door.
[Scavenger Guild - Guiria Branch]
(Guiria branch? Does that mean other cities have their own branches too?)
The dark brown door opened silently, a testament to the meticulous care it received.
Upon entering the large building, we were warmly welcomed into a cozy interior bustling with numerous Scavengers. As I glanced at the bulletin board, my eyes widened at the sight of a duo of mighty Lizardmen perusing the quests, their impressive physiques and equipment captivating my attention.
(Hoo—just like in animes and games!)
The interior was beautifully decorated with a touch of modesty. As we approached, a grand reception awaited us, boasting a pair of elegantly attired and poised young women stationed behind the sleek, lacquered dark wood counter. They sat there graciously, warmly welcoming guests or bestowing well-deserved rewards.
Though nobody greeted us as the guild staff abruptly turned towards their left with worried expressions.
"Hey don't you know who I am! I said I am taking this quest!"
My gaze shifted to the source of that voice, just like everybody else in the main entrance. It was a group of five Scavengers glaring down at a girl with... Cat ears?!
(THERE IT IS! A CAT GIRL!)
I felt an abrupt urge to interfere. I am not letting anyone bully a cat girl!
Never!
I hurriedly made my way to the counter where the cat girl was, hearing Melodia's worried voice from behind, though that wasn't enough to stop me.
"Ryuji!" (Melodia)
"I guess he is that kind of a person..." (Clovea)
In a striking suit of armor, the man forcefully slammed his hand against the counter, causing the cat girl in uniform to flinch and drawing the attention of the other Scavengers.
"Don't bullshit me!"
"Oi! Stop causing people trouble!" (Ryuji)
The flamboyantly dressed man turned to confront me, his henchmen trailing behind him.
He was one of your snotty rich kid types with gear that came out of daddy's pockets. I sensed no threat from him even though he came pretty close to my face with an expression a delinquent would have.
"Hoo—? Who the fuck do you think you are? Do you even know who my fathe-"
I infused my bloodlust into the glare I sent his way. They swiftly reached for their weapons, ready to act. However, I was confident in my speed. I could cut them down like butter even before they can pull their blades out.
"Shut up. I don't care who you are. I will just say this once. Leave the poor girl alone." (Ryuji)
"Buraza!" (Milgard)
Milgard was about to step in, however my words halted him in his tracks.
"Don't worry, Milgard. These guys are weak." (Ryuji)
"What did you say?!"
The snobby rich boy pulled out his expensive looking glittery sword from his scabbard while I heard the remarks of some Scavengers commentating about the guy I was about to beat the crap out of.
"Ooh? Isn't he Kin Notama? The Silver rank?"
"Eh-" (Ryuji)
(WHAT?! GOLDEN BALLS?! YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!)
Laughter resonated through the entire building as tears streamed down my face. Laughing that hard made me feel lightheaded.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA GOLDEN BALLS! HIS NAME IS ACTUALLY GOLDEN BALLS! GAHAHAHAHA!" (Ryuji)
-Kin Notama = Kin no Tama, which literally translates to Golden Egg, however Tama can be used as "balls" too.-
"What's going on?" (Melodia)
"I have no idea... I think he found the name Kin Notamago funny..." (Clovea)
"G-GUYS STOP I CAN'T- PFFT- AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" (Ryuji)
"OI WHAT IS SO FUNNY YOU BASTARD!" (Gold Testicles)
Gold Testicles winded up with his sword, ready to hit me. I was still laughing my guts out.
"Watch out!" (Melodia)
"Buraza!" (Milgard)
"Don't worry guys, just watch him..." (Clovea)
I opened my teary eyes to see the sword that was about to slash me, though I have to admit it was so slow that I almost fell asleep. I guess I will hit back.
-Clang!-
Suddenly, a mysterious figure appeared in front of me, swiftly blocking the Gold Testicle's fierce assault with a massive hammer in one hand. At the same time, he effortlessly halted my punch with his other hand, freezing the motion in midair.
I found out who it is from the other Scavengers.
"Oooh! That's the Guild Master! Saull Nastriark!"
Gold Testicle was pushed back as Saull nudged him back gently, making him fall on his butt in a funny way.
"Ow..." (Golden Testicles)
The man standing before me was tall and muscular—though not as much as Milgard—and I immediately understood that he was no joke. With an exotic appearance, he boasted light green skin and a bundle of braided white hair atop his shaved scalp.
He towered over Golden Testicles, adorned in a captivating red-black ensemble that appeared to possess a mythical and shamanic aura. What truly caught my attention was the great black wolf pelt draped gracefully across his back, and the impressive pauldrons crafted from a mysterious crimson metal, clearly hailing from distant lands.
(An Orc Shaman as a Guild Master? I thought the Orcs were usually the bad guys in fantasy settings.)
The Guild Master put his big, bulky hammer on his waist. The hammer looked like Mjolnir from Norse Mythology with intricate runes carved across its surface.
"Kin." (Saull)
A deep, raspy voice made Kin and his goons tremble.
"Y-Yes sir?!" (Golden Testicles)
"If you bother my employees again, I'm going to send you to a Dragon's lair. Understood?" (Saull)
"Y-Yes sir!" (Golden Testicles)
"Now scram, all of you." (Saull)
"Y-Yes sir!!" (Golden Testicles)
(Woah, he is so scared that even his vocabulary changed.)
Kin and his goons meekly excused themselves out of the building, muttering to themselves while glaring at me.
"Oi kid!" (Saull)
The formidable Guild Master towered above me now, the jangling of his bone necklace crafted from exotic creatures, his height surpassing mine by a full head. I noticed one of his tusks were broken. His long, white, braided beard perfectly complemented the white tribal tattoos that adorned his face and arms, creating a striking rapport.
His large hand blurred abruptly as I felt a sharp pain on my scalp.
-Tok!-
(He punched me! I couldn't see it coming!)
It was more like the punch that you'd give your younger brother when he did something stupid. I couldn't react because it had no killing intent behind it.
"OWW! Why did you do that!?" (Ryuji)
I massaged the spot which began to swell.
"Dumbass. I felt your bloodlust from a mile away. Were you about to kill them?" (Saull)
(Did he notice my bloodlust? This guy isn't ordinary for sure. As expected from a Guild Master...)
"No. I wasn't going to kill them. Was just going to teach them a lesson for bullying that girl with cat ears over there." (Ryuji)
"Hoho— How cute. Do you think you are a Hero? You're not even a guild member yet." (Saull)
I found his comments rather annoying. Then he turned towards the cat girl that was just getting bullied. She was already back to her work, appraising the loot we got from the brown wolves.
"Arabella, are you okay? Go take a break." (Saull)
Her response was accompanied by a pair of perked-up, black cat ears.
"I'm okay-nyan. Thank you Boss-nyan." (Arabella)
"Hmh." (Saull)
Saull nodded in agreement before turning back to me. I was glaring at him unknowingly. How rude of me.
"Hoo—what's that look? Are you going to teach me a lesson too?" (Saull)
I glimpsed a faint trace of his aura emanating from him. His golden pupils gazed through me as he squinted his eyes.
This guy was the strongest person I've met so far ever since coming here, that's for sure.
"Come to the training grounds behind the building after you register. I will handle the initiation on my own." (Saull)
A sly smile spread across my face before I even realized. Finally someone I can test all the jutsus I can do without holding back.
"Just what I wanted." (Ryuji)
Saull carried his massive frame towards the door which led to the training grounds behind the building. It was evident from his stride and his confident demeanor that this individual possessed an impressive level of strength.
"Oi-oi, talk about a first impression..." (Milgard)
Milgard mockingly smiled at me as he put his hand on my shoulder.
"I haven't seen Saull personally do the entrance exam before." (Clovea)
Clovea said with her arms crossed under her big bosom. Damn these distracting boobs!
"Is he strong?" (Ryuji)
"He is an Adamantine Scavenger with 200 years on his belt. He is also known as Saull the Lightning Emperor." (Clovea)
(Adamantine!? Isn't that the highest rank!? Good grief...)
"Just as we thought that we found a new member for our party..." (Melodia)
Melodia began offering a prayer to her Goddess as she clasped her hands together in a religious fashion.
"Why are you talking like I'm dead?!" (Ryuji)
"I'll pray for you, Ryuji." (Clovea)
"Buraza..." (Milgard)
Milgard sobbed.
"Oi!" (Ryuji)
-End of Chapter 4-