20-20. Underground arena

I arrived in the town of Maestos.

It's a town with a strange atmosphere.

What I imagined, the town is a little different from the other world.

There are some western-style houses, but there are also strange-looking buildings that I've never seen before.

The people walking around the town are just as diverse as the elves with pointy ears, beastmen like Lenya, humans, and some who look like demons with horns.

Perhaps that's why everyone seems to be going through the motions, even Meku, the stuffed animal that's moving around, and they don't seem to think it's particularly unusual.

Anyway, we've arrived in town. It's good that we've arrived, though.

"Well, we're in town...but we don't have enough money for whatever we're doing.

I mean, I'm broke.

Yes, we didn't have any money in our possession.

Of course, without money, we wouldn't be able to eat or have a place to live.

I would need money to know about the unidentified engraving on my right hand.

Can't we eat without money?

Of course.

Unnecessary.

Raina looks at me with sad eyes.

'Hmmm, I have to make money somehow.

'What's the easiest way to make money?　Like being an adventurer?

"An adventurer...not bad, but it will take some time to get the money now. I've got to go to the dungeon and kill the monsters. You want to earn money for lodging and food for today, don't you?　Well, I don't want to eat anything.

I agree. I'm looking for an easier way to make money.

What do I have to do?　I looked around a bit.

Then.

It's....

I spotted a sign on a nearby building.

Underground arena, free to jump in and out, 1000 gold for the winner.

That's what the sign said.

'Mek, there's an underground arena.

Huh?　Yeah, we could make some money right now but isn't there an entry fee?　I don't know much about that sort of thing, so I don't know.

Well let's go in and ask him one time.

I walked into the building.

Inside, a skinheaded, cocky guy was working as a receptionist.

'I haven't seen you around. You want to jump in?

Yes,

It's 200 g's to enter.

I knew I needed the money.

I was a little disappointed, but the guy at the reception desk must have sensed that I didn't have any money because of my attitude.

If you don't have the money, you can bet your body on it.

Did he say that?

What body?　Sounds like a bad idea....

You mean, to be enslaved?

Well, I hope you win but I hope you lose.....

If you're having a little trouble.

With your status, you're a hard man to beat. You should accept it.

Mek told me that.

'Are you sure?'

Yeah, I'm sure.

If Mek says it, I guess I'm not wrong.

'I'm going to fight you, too!

And Lenya takes a fighting pose to motivate him.

'Wait, wait, wait, wait, your case could be defeated by any chance. Don't do it this time.

Meow.

Meku said and stopped participating.

Even for me, I'm worried about it, so I want Raina to watch this time.

''Speaking of which, how much is 1000 gold worth?''

How can you not know this much? How can you be so ignorant of the world?　A thousand gold would be enough to keep one person alive for twenty days.

So, the three of you will live for seven days?

Wait, wait, wait, wait. I don't have to eat, so I don't have to pay any more money than you guys. You'll have to pay for your lodging, though.

Oh, okay.

For now, that's all you need to know.

I'm a receptionist's dad.

I'm in.

I said.

'The rest?'

Oh, I'm not participating.

Just my brother....

Will we be able to watch the game?

Mek asked.

'Hmm?　There's no charge to watch it, participants and spectators have different entrances.

I understand.

Me, Mek, and Lenya took another staircase down to the basement.