After undertaking the level 2 quest I leave the adventurer guild. Promptly, I go left towards the adventurer-guild-supported-tool-shop to buy the map and the antidote fruit.
As I was about to enter the tool shop I was greeted from behind.
You, wait just a minute for me. Can we talk for a moment? ?
When I looked behind me, there stood a boy about as tall as me, carrying a backpack. Pickaxe, lanterns, sleeping bags, and bottles hung from the side of the backpack that he was carrying.
Nice to meet you, my name is Raachi, of the Dwarf Race. I am a rootless merchant travelling from town to town without stopping at inns.
Dwarf Race. One of the fairy races that live in the interior of the Fairy Human Continents west side. Even when full grown, their size is only about that of a human child.
Even this Raachi guy only looks like a human child at first glance. If you look closely, he doesnt have a childs charm, but had the air of a little villain in some way. Speaking in terms of my previous life, he is like a certain ghost mouse youngster.
Thank you for the courtesy. I am Lute, a human. Lute-bocchan is it? Nice name! Since you were going to enter a miscellany store, that means youre looking for something, right? This might be some kind of fate, if you will. Would you like to look at my goods?
I see, a high-pressure salesman. I shouldnt be dealing with the likes of these. I am a Japanese person that can say No!, if only in spirit!
I was going to buy them at the Guild support store so Ill have to refuse. Dont say that! Just take a look! Just a look! Even if you say that, you intend to make me buy. Im not going to fall for that trick! Really, I just want you to look! Also, my goods are cheaper than those at other tool shops! So just take a look for a little while!
He caught my hand and persisted. But if his stuff is really that cheap, I might even buy something.
well then, I guess Ill just take a look. Yes yes, thank you very much! Then, what might you be looking for? Antidote fruits and a map of the surrounding forest.
I see! Then I can offer you something cheap! Antidote fruits are 1 large copper coin at miscellany shops, but Ill give it to you for 5 coppers! The map is 3 silvers but Ill sell you for 1 silver!
Theyre certainly cheap. Furthermore, the price of the map is just like the oneesan at the counter said earlier, strangely, this guy doesnt lie. If its like this, then I wonder if I should buy something.
Youll really sell them for 5 coppers and 1 silver? Really, I will. There are nasty fellas whod sell half a map for 1 silver, then make you buy the other half for 3 silvers, but Im not one to do something like that. You can check the goods before you buy, if you want.
Raachi declared, puffing his chest. If he says that much, he might just be telling the truth.
Got it. Then, antidote fruits and a map, please. Thanks for the purchase!
Raachi puts his backpack down and rummaged in it while humming. Meanwhile, I prepared the money from my wallet.
One silver coin, and 5 copper coins. ah, I only have large copper coins, do you have change? Of course. Im not about to make a blunder like that. Dont cheat me on the change, okay. Really, trust me. I wont do that kind of underhanded scheme.
Of course, I was joking about the change. Raachi seems to understand, and replied rather theatrically.
Oi.
A large hand gripped Raachis head.
The one holding Raachis head was one of the three adventurers I met at the forest yesterday while I was in the middle of a questthe man called Akent. Behind Akent, the golden-haired popular-looking cat-eared man and the silver-haired demon-race girl were waving their hands at me while smiling.
Raachi looked up at Akent and forced a smile, turning blue in the face.
W, well hello there. Ee my luck today is Get lost. E, excuse me!
Raachi picked his backpack back up without closing it and ran towards the crowd in panic. Soon, his figure could no longer be seen.
Alcedo supports Mishas invitation.
Its not really a strictly regulated thing like a Legion, just a temporary team, you dont have to think too hard about it. Its okay to leave in the middle if you dont like it. If you join up, well teach you the way to make camp, the lay of the land, and the necessary techniques and knowledge for being an adventurer. Uhh Why do you have to go so far?
Toward my obvious question, Misha and Alcedo looked at each other, their expressions changed.
Alcedo replied with an over-the-top answer.
We saw Lutes power yesterday, we want to pick you up before other teams or Legions could get to you.
I see, so in other words, a prior investment, huh.
AlsoMisha added her own reasons.
When we were beginners we also had some seniors take care of us, they taught us the basics of adventuring. If Lute-kun feels indebted to us, you can take another beginner under your wing when you grow up.
If you put it that way, how can I refuse. I let down my guard and bowed my head.
Please let me be in a team with you all. I might be causing you some trouble since I just became an adventurer, but please take care of me. Yahoo! Now youre talking! Well split up the rewards according to what each of us defeated so we wont come to a disagreement.
It seems that the preparation of things needed for camp will be left to Akent and the others. They said that I only needed to buy the antidote fruits and map for today. How nice of them.
So well meet up again after lunch at the west gate. Understood. See you then. See you later, Lute-kun.
I bowed my head at the three who were slipping into the crowd, and once again went into the Adventurers Guild support miscellany shop. Then I bought a map (3 silver coins). And 5 antidote fruits (5 large copper coins).
I got out of the shop and went straight back to the inn. I started packing the provisions for my new expedition in my room.
AK-47. 6 magazines. S&W M10 revolver. 1 box of bullets. Map, 5 antidote fruits, spare magic liquid metal (1 liter portion), leather bag for monster parts, a change of clothes, thin blanket, raincoat, potion. I also bought a travel cloak when I got to maritime city Grey.
With this much preparation I can throw down 100 monsters with room to spare.
After finishing all the preparations, I went to the bar next door with the canteen in hand. I finished my lunch, paid the old man at the bar and asked him to fill my canteen with water. Now all the preparation is complete.
Just in case, I paid the old man at the inn 3 days worth of inn fees in advance.
I walked out toward the west gate with my pack on my back. The trio was already at the gate.
Sorry, I was late. No no, we also just got here. We actually came here a bit early, so dont worry about it. Oi, enough talking, lets get going.
Alcedo and Misha followed up in succession. But Akent just walked away on his own, blunt as ever.
Good grief, he really cant be honest.. Sorry, that guy, hes always like that. Though he really isnt a bad guy.
The two was surprised and covered for Akent.
I get it already, Im all right.
He already saved me once. If I just imagine hes a tsundere bishoujo in my head, this kind of interaction is no problem!
I took on a level II quest together with my newly-met companions.