Branch
After the two went through the cave and reached the end, it seemed to be the end of a cliff on a side of a mountain.
Sunlight that they were deprived of for more than a month hit their eyes, causing them to squint.
Air that was different from the dungeons musty air was literally a breath of fresh air.
Lana was busy opening and closing her eyes because she could not believe that they actually managed to conquer it.
She thought of stuff like, ‘Me, a foxkin actually conquered a dungeon!’ and ‘If my family hears about it’
They could have went the other way but maybe because of the chance that they would encounter Haruna, Kenshin told Lana that it would have been troublesome and awkward if they met.
It seemed to Lana at the start that Kenshin was lying about how he was feeling, but due to knowing more about him in their time together, she thought that he actually thought that doing so was bothersome.
That or he just didn’t want to be involved with Haruna or the other students anymore.
Kenshin smiled at her who was busy with the fact that she had really got out.
A moment later, they started to assess their situation.
At the bottom, they could see a stream of water flowing through the ravine.
If they continued walking, a plunge downwards of 2000 metres would meet them.
Kenshin told Lana that they were somewhere in the north of Palami by using a compass and the Sun as a guide.
As they were from a high point they could see the surrounding area well.
Kenshin told Lana that there was a human town just beyond the forest behind the ravine and discuss what to do there.
"Hya!"
Out of nowhere Kenshin began doing something that could be mistaken for ‘touching her up’.
Lana who was the victim for his groping was shocked.
But she wasn’t terrified.
“Ke-Kenshin……. I-I didn’t know you fe-felt this way for me……. A-although you never showed me signs of being attracted to me……… I-its my first time but I will do my bes- ……….Eh?”
To that, Kenshin who didn’t hear any of that added,
“Lana, have you ever heard of bungee jumping?”
To that Lana shuddered.
Though she had no knowledge of the word ‘bungee’ she did know of jumping.
When she began to realise what his words meant, she showed Kenshin a ‘you don’t mean…..’ expression.
That’s because she saw that her foot was tied to a elastic bungee cord made with spider silk.
She thought she saw Kenshin smile when turning her face to look at him.
----
5 hours since her ordeal, all 2000 metres of it, the two finally saw the first human settlement they have encountered since.
The appearance of the town was one that was closed off with walls of about 2 metres, made of cobble and wooden posts. From a higher view, you could see the farm land just beyond it that stretched to the town buildings. Two rivers went through both the town and farmlands from outside its walls. It bent its way into the town beyond where the two could see.
Most likely, it went through the town and exited its walls, was what they thought.
That was the case.
When they went further towards it, there were two guards stationed in the only entrance and exit of this wall.
Of course the two could just jump it to sneak in but it would only lead to trouble if found out later on.
They wore hard leather armour with a spear.
Both were in their thirties.
One was black skinned, the other was light skinned.
Lowe’s black skin humans did not have afros; their hair was just like any other humans of this world.
Straight or curly brown, black or blond.
When the two finally got to the point where there plans were obviously something about asking them to allow him and her to pass or probably exchange info, the two guards without their facial expressions appearing to change from the bored one they wore, they signalled both to stop.
“Hold it. State your business.” (Guard 2)
Stopping, Kenshin spoke.
“I’m here to sell some monster loot at the town” (Kenshin)
The guard saw the cart that contained some loot like hide, teeth, swords etc.
His gaze went to the person behind the human pulled cart.
As the guard thought ‘that must be why he only addressed himself….’ He glanced at the person.
He saw from the clothes that it was a girl. She was wearing a hood that prompted that its purpose was for concealing something and he knew why.
“That must be your slave right? Don’t worry about others harming her due to her race, the security at the town enforces the slave ownership rights so though some are prejudice, they wouldn’t be hostile.” (Guard 2)
It seemed that the two were worried for naught.
Kenshin gestured her that it was okay to take off her hood.
When she did, the two guards were wide eyed as they saw her face.
That was because even though the two were expecting that she had non-human traits, her face was that of a beauteous cutie that was emphasised by her blond hair with two blond fox ears that had a dark brown tip.
The two were mesmerised for a while but came back from their state after they saw the boy waiting without a word.
After, the two gained entrance into the town.
“I don’t think that it would be her race that would start trouble……” (Guard 2)
He whispered.
Without hearing what he said, the two carried on walking with their cart to the other side.
The guard who was previously inspecting the wares said to the other guard,
“That guy must be rich to be able to afford a beauty like that” (Guard 1)
“Took the words right out of my mouth……” (Guard 2)
They talked as they were looking at him in jealousy.
In actuality, she avoided being a ‘toy’ for her buyers due to her being found in a beggar like appearance when she was captured.
She was extremely malnourished like a skeleton, her hair was nearly all gone, her scent wasn't very pleasant, her feminine appearance was non-existent making her undesirable to be used for pleasure.
That made her price lower.
After she was revitalised by the treant, she, more than ever even before her enslavement, had her appearances enhanced as if she was a gem that was left to collect dust after years and years.
If she had been in a richer household where her figure was being taken care of, there would be no doubt that men would be in front of her door to propose to her.
----
On their way to the town, they saw farmers that were working on crops that looked like wheat.
They were using cow like livestock to plough the field.
Though some still used that type of method on earth, it still gave Kenshin a reminder that he was in another world.
A head of them was what he expected, a town like in RPG’s.
Bakeries, Blacksmith, Alchemy, Adventurers guild, Inns.
Their goal was to sell their loot to afford a room at the inn.
They stopped in front of what looked like a building with 3 stories.
Different from the other town buildings, it had tiled and arched roof like those of army barracks.
It was holding a sign that showed a long sword pointing down, the sign of the adventurer’s guild.
A place where people would put up requests of sorts like gathering herbs, monster subjugation, finding missing person’s etc.
"Wait here with our loot” (Kenshin)
He informed Lana who answered ‘un!’.
----
The adventurers guild was three floors.
When you enter, you would be in the reception.
It had the receptionists at the back where you would inquire about quest, loot etc.
On the right wall, there was a huge requests board that was littered with different types of requests.
When you look to your left, there was a restaurant there where only adventurers plus their companions were allowed.
There were all sorts of adventurers wearing different armours in good to bad conditions.
If they had to be rated they were so-so.
That was because their ranks were lower.
The people with higher ranks were at the second floor that also had a reception and restaurant but with better furnishing and requests that higher ranking people were allowed to do.
In the third floor was the guild head that managed the guild.
When Kenshin entered through the doors that made nearly no sound, there was no one who was giving him a curious glance like those in movies on earth.
Normally that would have actually happened but because of his nature of just having a presence that would have been lost when in a crowd, that didn’t happen.
He tried not to stick out as much in the crowd as possible when in earth as well.
Seeing that there was no line to the receptionists, he threaded forward without making a sound.
The receptionists he was going to was behind a windowless counter made of wood.
A woman by the age of thirty with brown eyes and short brown hair, she was wearing a white T-shirt with a dark grey vest over it.
As she had no customers, she was occupying herself with her quill, writing down logs for the adventurers she managed.
It seemed she didn’t notice the customer in front of her.
Normally, she would have noticed a customer by now even if she was preoccupied with writing.
Not being able to wait any longer, Kenshin did a ‘ahem’.
Finally she noticed that there was a customer waiting for her.
She unintentionally shouted ‘Ahh!?’ that resounded in the room.
She covered her mouth that had already gained the attention of the adventurers.
When the adventurers looked at the source of the shout, they saw the receptionist’s girl bowing up and down many times to a boy clad in a black cloak.
As his features were of Japanese, some were surprised in addition to being startled by the shout earlier.
Some were also surprised by the fact that they hadn’t noticed him at all entering, especially someone who came here for the first time.
After the receptionist was stopped by Kenshin before she over did it, they carried on with their business but some were also curious as to what kind of person this newbie was.
He didn’t have a big presence so most thought he was weak, but just for the sake of finding out more about the person who was actually able to surprise a receptionist, a job that required one to be fully aware to their surroundings as to avoid mistakes like what had just happened, they were giving the two their ears and eyes.
“My name is Erica, please forgive me for my earlier blunder Mr customer.” (Erica)
In a professional tone that was different from the shout earlier, she stated her name and asked for forgiveness.
“Ah, don’t worry about that, you must be tired after a long day. Also, please call me Kenshin” (Kenshin)
He said as he smiled wryly at her.
“Thank you very much. What could I do for you today Mr Kenshin?” (Erica)
“Please, just call me Kenshin. I’m here to apply for a membership with the guild and also to sell monster loot.” (Kenshin)
“As you request, I will call you Kenshin. To apply for a membership with a guild, first I need to see your status. I only need to know your basic information.”
He did as he was told.
Status Window NameKenshin Hashimoto GenderMale ClassEngineer RaceHuman Level12
While looking at his status, she made notes.
It was for what would be displayed in his guild plate.
“Now, while were waiting for your info to be logged and your guild plate to be finished, I will tell about how the guild works. Come with me please” (Erica)
Kenshin was guided to an empty space where customers and the staff talked.
The summary of the talk was:
The ranks were from lowest to highest; copper, tin, bronze, iron, silver, gold, platinum.
Requests were only available that corresponds with the rank of the adventurer.
For example, a silver ranked adventurer can do silver or below ranked quest.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
No interfering with other adventurer’s quest with the exception of the requests holders’ approval or due to a special situation.
If this is violated, the one interfering would be charged or possibly demoted.
Aid from others who are not adventurers, such as slaves are allowed to participate but the awards go to the request holder.
Only adventurers and their companions are allowed to use the guilds facilities.
Adventurers who rank below Gold are not allowed to use the facilities up stairs.
Also, they have a ten percent discount from using facilities and services affiliated with the guild.
Only adventurers are allowed to sell loot here.
They could sell it to merchants but it was more profitable by five percent here.
“That’s basically the gist of it” (Erica)
She said as she concluded their talk.
Coming back to the reception area, Erica gave Kenshin a grey metal plate with a size of 7cm by 12cm.
It was his guild plate.
Etched on it was,
Guild Plate NameKenshin Hashimoto GenderMale RankCopper
It was basically a dog tag in this world, except adventurers only had them rather than soldiers.
After putting it in his pocket he asked,
“If I could bother you a bit more, I’d like to sell some loot” (Kenshin)
“That’s no problem; please bring them directly to me, I will categorise them.” (Erica)
With that, Kenshin went out of the guild to ask Lana to come in with their loot.
When the two of them had gone in with 1/10 of their loot that occupied a 2 meter radius, they received looks from all the adventurers due to that amount of loot but some didn’t look at them due to that, they were looking at the foxkin besides him.
Just like the two guards earlier, the adventurers were captivated by her beauty that was joined by her two fox ears that added to her cuteness .
Some were thinking the same as the two guards earlier as well who thought that he might have been rich.
Some were,
'Ah shit, my software immediately went into hardware'
'..........Haha, my friends don't know it but I'm pitching a tent.....'
'Please become my waifu'
While being ignorant from all the gazes from the adventurers, the two came up front to Erica who had an expression with two dotted eyes.
She was also surprised at Kenshin’s slave but mostly was flabbergasted at what they were carrying.
While putting down the wares, Kenshin and Lana immediately went back out to get more of their loot.
Erica who thought, ‘there’s more?!’ immediately called more of her colleagues to assist her in categorising the stuff in front of her.
After nearly an hour or so of categorizing loot, the ten man team that consisted of Erica’s colleagues who were all female, were breathing sighs of relief.
Erica, who was the representative, came up to Kenshin and Lana.
“All in all, the total amount equals to 1 platinum and 751 gold coins or 1,751 gold” (Erica)
When she said that, the adventurers in the room were either spitting out there food and drinks or unable to move.
That was a lot, something that would allow him to start a mid-size company or live in the capital city without working.
Gaining the courage to ask,
“Is it alright if I ask you if you had gotten aid in getting all of this?” (Erica)
As if he were waiting for something like this, he answered,
“Ah, that, yeah of course. Otherwise it would have been impossible for me and Lana” (Kenshin)
He told her with carefully chosen words and with a sound of his voice to seem as if he didn’t recite it beforehand.
If he had told them he did it by himself or Lana did it all by herself, some would get curious about his origins and investigate his origins that would connect him to the summoned heroes as his physical traits were similar to the summoned heroes.
If he said that it was all of her doing, the authorities might become wary of her and be ordered to kill her due to her strength as she would have been a danger due to being a foxkin.
When he told her, the adventurers in the surroundings were,
'Thought so…….'
Or
'Of course that’s the case; no way would he be able to get that high tier loot like that blaze berserker sword or that giant black wolf pelt without aid. Most likely he's just some strong groups lackey'
for various reasons.
Mainly due to some judging him by his looks or class.
“I see. If that is all, please enjoy your stay in Frontlake town, it’s not a big town but it’s got lots of shops and inns that have all sorts of products and services.” (Erica)
“For now, I will be in your care. Ah that’s right, just to make sure, is it okay for Lana to dine with me here?” (Kenshin)
“That’s right but just you will be given discounts.” (Erica)
“Okay. Lana could you secure us a table in the restaurant, order whatever you want. I’ll be in the outhouse.” (Kenshin)
With a smile and a nod to Kenshin, she did what he told.
----
Looking at the girl who was alone in a chair with ten bags full of gold coin, a man who was being attended by two females, whose looks were good but was below Lana's, began to make his move after seeing that her owner was gone.
He was clad in high quality shining plate armour that had a logo on the right of his arm
It showed a eagle like bird.
It seemed to display his family crest.
His guild plate that was hung at his neck by a chain showed that he was an adventurer ranked platinum.
“Hey, you, why don’t you leave that guy and come with me, I will give you a better time compared to him.”
Seeing a man of 25 whose appearance was that of a noble upbringing with good looks and two females beside him who wore a tag that stated they were gold rank, she heard him saying that he ‘wanted’ her.
It was an opportunity that most would take upfront if they were a woman because of his good looks as well.
Also, if they were beside him, who was of the highest rank, it would allow them to piggyback on him that would make it easier for them to get a high rank, something that would gain them status and a big amount of wealth.
But Lana, in a tiny and shaking voice said,
“I'm honoured by your proposal but I would have to say no. Forgive me” (Lana)
She was trembling and trying not to look him in the face by looking at the ground during that.
She was scared because his manner of conduct was like that of those adventurers that used her as bait.
The room went silent.
The waiter passing by thought ‘Ah, she’s going to be asked by Sir Graham, the son of the Hester family head to be ‘his’, I feel sorry for that boy’.
He was the son of an influential family who had connections with big shots.
Big shots with authority that allows Graham to use as if he were his own.
But contrary to her expectations, he was rejected.
It was something that made her go ‘ara……ah?’
He who was rejected for the first time showed big veins popping out his head.
He thought,’ ah that must be it, it’s because she’s a slave, she’s not able to defy him because of her seal right
He would not let her go until she was his.
“Don’t worry about your owner not letting you go, I’ll take care of him” (Graham)
Without hearing what he said, the person herself was looking down with her ears following and also shaking like a scared animal.
She muttered an 'I'm sorry' and turned away to face the table.
“You! Who do you think you are ignoring?! I am a platinum rank and also the successor to the Hester family! You think you can hide behind the slave ownership rights ahh?! So you're fond of that owner you got? Is that it?! Ohoho…… Even if your owner refuses to leave you with me, he aint got a choice, its either that or me killing him! Oh please refuse. I wanna see your face when I kill him in front of you! If you think anyone will stop me, no one will because I've got the backing of my family! If you even think of stopping me you'll have to go against my family! I'm sure everyone here knows what happens to others who defy me, right?! Their family either gets killed or if I like them, they become slaves!” (Graham)
Approaching to forcefully take her as she trembled,
"Ah?!" (Graham)
he failed as he was interrupted.
“Excuse me; my companion seems to have no interests in becoming your plaything. Could you please stop bothering her? Don’t hope that I intend to sell her to you. If you go any further…. I advise you to do so otherwise” (Kenshin)
Kenshin who came back from the outhouse told him very politely in a high mannered way that he is not going to give her up.
After passing by him, he got on the chair, smiled at Lana as if saying ‘hey, im back’, something that gave her relief.
Graham who was politely refused, said,
“Ha! It seems I have to do it the hard way. Everyone, if you’ve been listening, do not interfere, you know what will happen right?” (Graham)
They had no intentions to do so.
They got the memo that if they interfered, bad stuff would happen to them.
Taking out his sword on his back with the right, he took out a sword in an expensive looking metal scabbard and took a swing at Kenshin who was on his chair with his back facing him.
It was a precise and fast swing, worthy of being platinum ranked but,
“Huh?” (Graham)
Just two inches of the sword hitting Kenshin’s head, unexpectedly it stopped.
The surrounding people who were a mix of both adventurers and staff were the same as Graham, going 'huh?'
To inexperienced eyes, it would look he intended to stop his swing before it hit him to make him scared but to the adventurers who were experienced, they all knew that he was going for the kill.
They thought,
‘He was always like that, if he can’t get it by negotiation he would get it by force. Now that new kid is going to die….poor kid’
or something like that but as he was still alive, they were giving off faces of relief and surprise.
Graham who tried to swing it again from another angle to a different place was stopped again.
He thought
‘there’s no impact so there is no invisible thing blocking it. Is it magic? If there was, it wasn’t this guy that used it as magic needs optical confirmation and I didn’t hear him chant. Is it a third party?!’
When he turned his head to look for the caster, he accidentally took sight of what impeded his attack.
On his handle was a string of 0.008 gauge.
It lead to his back, going around to his left flank and towards Kenshin left hand.
Kenshin seemed to have tied it around Grahams sword when it was sheathed without others knowing as he did it with minute finger movement.
Kenshin who was keeping an eye out for Graham without looking back at him was using the reflections from the eyes of the people in front.
Kenshin, who slowly stood up from his chair and turned his head to look behind his shoulder was,
“.......................................................................” (Kenshin)
No words cam from him.
His eyelids were just enough to expose his two pupils entirely.
It was not a glare where his eyes were wide nor was it a bored look as if looking at small fry.
Those eyes were those of undivided attention and 100% focus on Graham.
That, with the eerie silence from Kenshin made Graham and those around became wary, as if they had to expect the unexpected.
It made even his companion Lana, surprised he could become like that.
Everyone in the room gave their attention at Kenshin.
Graham and the girls with him were hesitating to move.
They backed away unknowingly.
When he saw that he moved back unknowingly due to kenshins change, he became angry and said,
“You two! Kill him!” (Graham)
The two hesitated a little but they moved to attack formation.
Biggest mistake he ever made……