CHAPTER 1 E 15 - (Readiness)
Night at the Malvern Town.
Ryouma had finished his hunt and arrived in his first destination Melveren.
The time has already past 7:00 in the night.
The distance between the imperial capital and Melveren town is 3 hours on foot.
If one were to answer it with range unit that would be around 11km.
However, due to Ryouma had to do some hunting, his arrival time has become like this.
"Fuu, At least I've arrived."
As expected, having no acquaintance is lonely.
Only able to talk toward his self.
Even though only one day had pa.s.sed, having him getting teleported from the world where he born and raised in, to another world, even for Ryouma, he can feel the loneliness.
(Is it about 100km from here to the border?)
If he were to mount a horse, it would take him 4 hours, however, on foot a.s.suming he walked 3-4km per hour, and 10 hours of walk each day, that would take him 3-4 days, it will take him 7-8 days if he took his time.
Ryouma backpack is filled with materials gathered from hunting.
(First, I should go and report...)
Ryouma enduring the feeling of hunger, he keeps walking toward the guild with heavy weight on his back.
"Please handle this."
"Certainly. Please wait for a minute to allow us to confirm it. It seems like everything is good. The seal does not seem to come off."
The miss receptionist examined the letter handed by Ryouma from both sides for any damage.
"This is good. There's no problem. Thus I will add 5 achievement point. Did you also finish the subjugation request in one go as well? Just what exactly did you do?"
"Yes. Please do take care of it as well."
Ryouma nodded.
"Certainly. Err... the number of stray dogs Wild Dog subjugation is 54, the number of the field bee Wild Be subjugation is 94, the number of the hare Wild Rabbit subjugation is 22. ... Thank you very much. You have hunted quite a good number"
"Indeed. Thanks to this, I lose the sharpness of my sword which I just bought yesterday due to blood and fat... I want to sharpen it again immediately."
A surprised expression appears on miss receptionist face due to Ryouma nonchalant remark.
(This person. Did he hunt this with that swords, and in a day to boot? I thought he was using an annihilation magic to do this... this is not the usual strength of an adventurer with the level of a single I)
Based on the card request record [all request was taken yesterday which show the same date.]
Ryouma did not notice her gaze and keep continue.
"Is there a blacksmith in this town who I can ask to polish this?"
"Emm... after you left the guild head straight to the main street, then turn left..."
"Is that so. I will go there later then. By the way, is everything done?"
Being questioned by Ryouma, she remembered once again about her work.
"Ah! I-I'm very sorry. The reward is 162 baht from the number of subjugation of stray dog Wilde dog 54 x 3., then 273 baht from the number of subjugation of field bee Wild Be 91x3. Next is 66 baht from the number of subjugation of hare Wild Rabbit 22 x 3. The total is 501 baht. Since the achievement value is equal to the number of the subjugated monsters, the achievement point reward is 167 points. Congratulation. Mikos.h.i.+ba-san. You've been promoted to double I rank."
(I was registered yesterday, and already ranked up huh?)
To be honest, Ryouma wasn't very happy about it.
Because he does not have any hard time with it, thus it was natural for him to have such impression.
"You don't seem to be happy about it, aren't you?"
His emotion was reflection on his expression. Ryouma then answered the question of Miss reception frankly.
"It's not like what you think, it's just, to be honest, I don't feel much trouble, that's why..."
"I guess so... Something like this usually it separated into 2 patterns. If one were to train before the registration, often they ranked up to G rank within a week."
"Is that how it is?"
"Indeed. On the contrary, it's a turning point for a total amateur whether or not they would rank up to double I rank."
"Fuun. I see..."
However, Ryouma did not know that most beginners failed when they fight 1 VS a group.
And many monsters which in the forest live in a group.
When one were to hunt, then it's naturally that they absolutely avoid group fight.
Because of that, the guild recommended to form a party; however, not everyone was able to form a party.
Due to the difference in ability, or their thought does not match each other, and other various reason which then make them leaving taking a quest alone, a lot of them are like that.
And the person who has the highest difficulty to enter a unit party is the beginner people.
The beginner who does not receive any training before registration, in particular, are disliked by many. The reason for that is because the weak beginner will jeopardize even the experienced one in the battle of life and death.
That's why many beginners right after registering in the guild, apart from those who's fortunate enough to form a unit party with fellow beginner, will go taking a quest alone.
And the problem for that is the thing that had been said earlier, 'many monsters in the forest live in a group.'
Even if a monster that inexperienced person can kill in one-on-one battle when they appear in a group, the story will be different.
One must be cautious with their surrounding.
Hence most beginner will search for a stray monster who act alone.
However, a monster who get separated and straying from the group is very low. And if one were lucky they can found 2-3 of them after crawling in the forest for the entire day.
Thus, the reason why the miss receptionist said two patterns.
Those who can only fight one-on-one will have to search in the forest desperately, and those who can fight against a group like Ryouma can rank up within days.
By the way, one can rank up with just by delivery quest; however, this is not recommended.
Because what awaits will be death if one were to rank up without the actual fighting power experience.
"By the way Mikos.h.i.+ba-san, did you saved a lot of skins and fangs from the subjugation this time?"
"Indeed. It took me a while to dismantle it. I'm about to bring it to the magic shop, Magic Item Shop after this."
"If that is the case, then why did you not take any procurement request beforehand?"
"Procurement is it?"
Ryouma looked puzzled for her unexpected words.
"Indeed. Although the price would decrease compared to bringing it directly to the magic item shop, it is better since you would also rank up from it, you know?"
"Hee, is that how it is?"
Ryouma took interest to her words. He's a man that loves self-benefits.
"Yes. Do you know about the ability to take a quest in the same rank or lower than your own rank?"
He already heard it during the registration
"Well yes, what about it?"
"The truth is, if you receive a request one rank bellow your own, while the achievement value clear point becomes 0, the reward is doubled, you see."
This is new information. Something that not being mentioned inside the 『Guild beginner guidance』 book.
"Eh!?"
"Thus those who have a good skill are steadily increasing their rank, and get some profits by taking quest bellow their own rank."
"I see now!"
(If that is the case, getting a rank up is not bad at all. Should I put more effort in it?)
"I understand. The information desk is on the first floor right?
"Yes. It's in front of the stairs after you go up."
Ryouma then bowed his head and immediately go upstairs.
"h.e.l.lo. Do you wish to get procurement request quest?"
"Yes. I would like all request which the material can be acquired by the subjugation of Wild Dog, Wild Be, and Wild Rabbit please."
The young man receptionist then explains the requested quest in sequence by hand.
"Hmm. For each material, Wild Dog's Fang is 2 baht, Wild dog's Skins is 5 baht, The poisonous needle of the Wild Be is 2 baht, Wild Be's feather is 5 baht, Hound of Wild Rabbit ears 1 baht, and the skin of Wild Rabbit is 5 baht. Achievement point value is 1 point for each delivery of goods. As for the time limit, there's none. And if you deliver the goods at the delivery counter, then the quest will finish."
"Please all of them."
"Understood. Thank you very much."
After leaving the receptionist counter, Ryouma returned to the underground delivery counter.
"Did you receive the request?"
"Yes. I've received all of them."
When Ryouma said so, the miss receptionist shows a troubled face.
"Eh? You take all of them?"
"Yes? Was it bad?"
"No. But, If Mikos.h.i.+ba-san were to deliver all of the material and ranked up to single H rank, the achievement value clear point would remain you know?"
Hearing that, Ryouma noticed.
If I were to rank up to single H rank, the achievement value clear point would become 0.
If one can't get achievement value clear points rather than delivering the goods to the guild, it would be more profitable to sell it at the magic item shop directly.
(Well whatever... I'm already starving, and there's a little time left... after I go to the blacksmith to sharpen my sword, and search for an inn to eat, by then it would be already 22 o'clock.)
The clock hanging on the guild wall is already pointed at 20 o'clock.
"This time is fine. I will deliver all of them here."
Although canceling the quest is possible, but by doing so, it would make the achievement value clear point will come down; thus this turn out a little bit complex.
If he were to make several adjustments he might be able to earn the achievement value clear point without wasting any; however, he can't win against his hunger.
"I understood. Then please put the delivery goods here. "
Ryouma then opened his backpack and spread the goods on the counter.
"Don't joke with me!"
An angry voice of a man can be heard from the first-floor receptionist counter desk.
"We risked our lives to complete the requested quest! And yet what do you mean there's no money?!"
Ryouma then finished his procurement request quest and ranked up to single H rank.
At the time Ryouma is about to go and find a place to eat, on the first floor he saw the man.
A man wearing iron armors with his long hair being tied behind, raise his voice. The one who keep him company is the young man who process Ryouma request quest earlier, and also a middle aged man.
"As I inform you just now! Since the subjugation target is wrong I cannot gives you the reward, and since the quest period is already expired, I want you to pay the penalty cost!"
The young man who looks weak talk back to the big man with a resolute att.i.tude.
"What are you saying! I search it desperately and finally found it you know!?"
"Graez-san, As I said before! It is unfortunate, but you have to check properly beforehand!"
The middle-aged man answered as such.
"You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! you're just a guard!"
The young man is swaying his head.
"Graez-san. As a mercenary, you have a very high reputation. However, your competence as an adventurer seems not to be good. This time you were able to receive the subjugation request quest of [Red Moon Group]. Because of inadequate investigation and lack of search, you accidentally subjugated thieves who you happen to see."
The young man then turns his gaze to the middle-aged man.
"Giltz-san also have warned you that you should have searched and investigated it more carefully. There's no doubt that Graez-san had suppressed another thief instead. Information had arrived that a village was attacked by [Red Moon group] a while ago and they kidnaped several young daughters."
The young man gaze looks straight at Graez.
"Of course I won't say that all of this happen because of Graez-san. However, had you do it properly then this damage probably won't happen! Do you still dissatisfied by the guild respond in this regard?"
His words stabbed like a knife.
Graez who get yelled like that dropped his shoulders. He seems to be not so stupid.
He appears to realize that there's some fault.
"Khu... Sorry... I understand... I will pay the penalty cost."
The young man expression also relaxed here.
"I'm sorry. Graez-san. I've said too much. I beg your pardon."
The young man lowered his head toward Graez.
"I'm the one who's wrong. I'm sorry... I receive it due to the lower rank quest but, I guess a mercenary trying to mimic adventurer is impossible huh, please deduct the penalty cost from my account."
After saying that, Graez leave the guild while dropping his shoulders.
(A request quest which takes other's life huh?)
This incident that occurred by chance gave a strong shock to Ryouma heart.
Ryouma realize his own naivety.
He thought a requested quest is similar to an event in the impractical game somewhere.
That's why he easily thought about canceling the requested quest earlier.
Noticing Ryouma's gaze, the young man came near him.
"Mikos.h.i.+ba-san. Is there something wrong?"
"Ah, no, I just finished the procurement request quest today, and about to get some rest at the inn, I'm planning to take another quest tomorrow."
Ryouma returned the words while feeling overwhelmed by the young man who quickly shows a smiling expression from the grim expression a while ago.
"I see. Thus you saw the scene earlier. Were you surprised?"
"Well, yes... Just like you said."
"There are unexpectedly many you know? Something like that..."
The young man expression turns cloudy.
"A request quest unfulfilled is it?"
"Yes. When one were unable to grasp their own quality and experience themselves, they will end up like Graez-san just now. That person is a very skilled mercenary. Thus there's nothing wrong with the battle capability. However, he's not good with an investigation, search, and hunting. Although there's also a consideration to form a unit party with another adventurer person."
"I see. If one is unable to do it by themselves, just invite another person who can, is that it?"
The young man expression loosened after listening to Ryouma's answer.
"Fufufu. You're a smart and honest person, aren't you? Please do your best in the future alright?"
"Sure. Thank you very much."
The young man tried to leave the place while smiling at Ryouma, but then stopped his feet as he thought of something and looked back.
"Aah! Right... About the story of [red mood group] a while ago, they seem to make their operation location on the highway and village between Aru and Melvaren. Please do be careful if you go to that area."
Ryouma gazing at the back of the young man while brooding over.
(There thieves in the direction of Aru he said...)
Aru area... It is one of the towns along the highway from the imperial capital to the eastern border, the name of the town which Ryouma had set as his next destination.
"This is not good! It would be cheaper for you to buy a newer one, you know?"
After Ryouma had handed over the sword to the blacksmith for sharpening, the blacksmith man a.s.serted as such.
"I guess it's impossible huh?"
"Yes. To Begin with, how did you use this one? The blade has been completely rolled up, you know? If it's like this, then it's no different than a stick!"
(This is bad... to think that I broke it on my first day of using it...)
Ryouma is definitely someone who is accustomed to handling blade more than normal human being.
However, he has not much experience to cut meat with a blade in his daily life.
"Err... I used it for hunting but..."
"This blade have been clothed with blood and fat to the point of like this. When the last time you maintain this sword?"
"Emm, I just use it today. That is something I bought yesterday..."
The blacksmith old man glared at Ryouma.
"Don't be stupid. Cutting ten or twenties won't make it end up like this, you know? It would need more than 100..."
However, the blacksmith old man realizes after seeing Ryouma face.
"This is... not a joke?"
"Yes."
"There's nothing wrong with the sword, and it has a superior quality, you know? but this house is more specialized on casting see?"
Ryouma has already know that since the moment he entered the room.
"Well, the swords in itself is good. Can I have a reasonable one, please? And also, can you sharpen this one as well?"
Ryouma then handed over ten pieces of chakram that were clothed with blood and fat.
"What the heck is this? Is this a bladed tool as well?"
"The edge of the ring is the blade."
He guesses that the blacksmith saw it for the first time. The blacksmith seems to be interested and picks up the wheel chakram.
"Well this is not so bad... what time should I finish the job?"
"Before tomorrow morning if possible."
"Hmm, let see, I guess it would take one hour; thus I might finish before 10 o'clock tomorrow, if you're fine with it?"
(10 o'clock huh? Well, I will relax a bit at the inn and go to the guild after that I will just come here I guess?...)
"I understand. Please do so. How much was it?"
"Well looking at it... including with buying a sword, how about 400 Baht?"
That amount is not a problem for Ryouma who earned 2000 Baht today from subjugation quest and procurement quest.
(I guess this is because the casted sword is cheaper compared to the sword I bought at the imperial capital huh?)
"Understood. I will come back tomorrow at 10 o'clock then."
He paid half of the sums and left the blacksmith shop.
(First of all, I need some food...)
Feeling hungry, Ryouma vanished into the town of Melveren.
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