Chapter 14
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Cockatrice Hunt
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The Adventurer's Guild at night was buzzing. The first floor doubled as a tavern. They sold booze and food right next to the counter, making it rowdier at night than during the day or morning.
Of course, the prices were a bit steep compared to other taverns, but finishing a quest and cashing in the reward let you brag and spend immediately, so business was always booming.
Dragging my gear into the guild, squeezing through the crowd was a chore. People were packed tight—something must've been going down.
Sure enough, a buff adventurer was loudly boasting about nailing some brutal quest. Folks had gathered around him. Looked like he'd bought a round for the nearby adventurers.
I vaguely recognized his face... Probably a D-rank. What a familiar sight.
Anyway, I dumped my stuff at the counter. Merchants swarmed like they'd been waiting, rummaging through the bags. William kept them in check while negotiating prices.
"Whoa... That's one hell of a beak."
"This crest is a deep color."
"I'll take the eggs."
Cockatrice drops were hot commodities—prices were set and sold in a flash. William and Winia pocketed dozens of silvers without batting an eye. For them, that was chump change they could rake in anytime.
A mage and a skilled warrior? That combo made money easy.
"Here, your share—20 copper."
"Thanks."
Once the haggling wrapped up, William paid me for the cockatrice fledgling I'd killed. It was barely a day old, super fresh, so it fetched a good price. Just two monsters for 20 copper? Unreal bargain. Even as babies, cockatrices were rare around here, so the hype price made sense.
I pocketed the coin and headed to the counter. Time to claim a successful D+ quest. I was over the moon. Hadn't checked the reward when I took it, but with 20 copper already in hand, even a low payout wouldn't sting.
"Oh, Mr. Katt! You're back."
The Receptionist Girl was at the counter. I nearly teared up. She'd hooked me up with this quest—hell, I wanted to buy her dinner.
"Heh heh, fucking thrilled to see you. Nailed that quest you gave me perfectly. No clue how to repay this kindness."
"Finally acting like a proper adventurer, huh? Honestly, I was thinking, 'Shit, what if he fucks up again?' But seeing you succeed... what a relief."
Her words eased my mind. In this godforsaken world, she was one of the few showing me any goodwill. Scared me that I might shit on that.
"More importantly, working late? You tired? Lemme grab you some holy water or something. Not hitting on you—just thanks."
Dark circles under the late-night receptionist's eyes hit me like my own problem.
"Cut the crap. You finally nail one quest and get cocky—don't fuck up and risk demotion again. Be careful from now on, got it?"
"Of course."
Her words were rough, but she was so damn likable it just felt right. Demotion? After a D+? I'd have to botch a few more to drop.
"Reward's 35 copper. Next time you form or join a party, pick your people wisely. Next."
"Whoa!! Thank you! Take care!"
Daily income of 55 copper—an unbelievable win. I bolted out, jumping for joy...!
Shower at the bathhouse, crash at the inn—perfect day. First, say bye to William. Basic manners. Winia? Eh, but she'd bitch if I skipped, so whatever.
Winia specialized in nitpicking. She could rag on me breathing all day with her creativity and mouth.
"Hey, Mr. William. Thanks for today!"
"No need to thank me. Get home safe."
I gave a hearty farewell; he waved casually. Turned to greet Winia and—of course.
"Darkie. Isn't saying hi to me first basic manners?"
"You're right. My bad. Forgive me this once."
"You want me to let you off, darkie?"
"Come on... I behaved today..."
True to form, Winia picked a bullshit fight, unnerving me. Smiling, but pissed I hadn't greeted her first. Heart pounded with every word.
Worried she'd pull some stunt since it'd been a while.
"Hmm... Fine. Heading home, darkie?"
"Where's home? Crawling into an inn to crash."
Straight-up isekai homeless. No house—just daily grind for inn nights. Kobson already dipped? Nowhere in sight.
"...Yeah? See ya, William! I'm out!"
"Bye."
Winia pondered my answer, then cheerfully farewelled William. Attitude varied by person—classic isekai local.
But after William, she hooked her staff's loop around my neck. I panicked, tried to slip free—power gap said no. Dragged along.
What the fuck, this ain't a dog collar.
"Let's go!"
"Gah! Hey, loosen this shit... Where...?"
"Gotta know where my darkie lives!"
Instinct screamed: I'm fucked way worse than I thought. Brain raced. What'd she want with my address? Lie and crash somewhere weird tonight?
"Lie and you're dead."
Her serious eyes hit; I pondered where it all went wrong.
Should've never dueled her with a sword back then, calling her shit. That's when my isekai life got fucked. Buttons all wrong—royally fucked.
Started as hazing a newbie barbarian adventurer...
Who'd think it'd spiral like this, fuck.
"Not going?"
"Yeah, let's go... I'll show you."
Only then did she remove the staff. No point resisting Winia—I silently led to my inn.
No clue her game knowing where I crash. But one thing clear: grim future ahead.
Fine.
Next gig: Escort a caravan to the next city. This city, Krasheim, wasn't home—just where I spawned. Stayed too long. Got some coin now; it'll work out.
Time for a change.
Finally reached my inn.
"Here."
"Hmm... You crashing here all the time, darkie?"
"Nowhere else. Usually sleep and eat here; gigs take me elsewhere sometimes. Even this is a blessing."
"Pathetic. Wait, sorry—too fucking pathetic."
"Tell the innkeeper that."
"Got a problem?"
"Nah. I think so too. Innkeeper probably does."
Winia's eyes narrowed at the shabby inn, glancing between it and me. A mage like her? Couldn't imagine this dump. Magic Tower or fancy inn for sure.
With their earnings.
Not scraping by like me.
"Alright. See ya later, darkie."
"Haha, yeah, definitely."
"Your reply lacks sincerity again?"
Winia's face froze icy.
"No no! Don't go, please! Wanna hang with you more!"
"Kyahahaha! Wanna be with me, darkie? Like me that much?"
"Of course, fucking love it!"
"Good good! Later, darkie!"
Least possible, but no.
Too pretty, but unforgivable.
Awkward wave as she left; finally entered the inn.
Innkeeper greeted with his usual tired face and lazy wave. First floor packed for dinner—folks eating everywhere. Grabbed soup. Tasted like shit, as usual.
Too late for public baths; headed up and crashed. Annoying shit tomorrow.
Slept like a rock, woke to morning. Thought it'd been super late last night, but crashed early. At least up by noon—scored time.
Anyway, day off for once. Pockets full; slack a day fine. Enjoy the holiday.
Quick morning routine, dressed, jogged city outskirts. Crisp morning air, but after an hour, soaked in sweat.
Stamina's an adventurer's priceless asset. Ties straight to survival in this brutal gig. When free like this, ran city laps to train.
"Fucking exhausting, shit!"
Back on Earth, two laps around the track left me dying. Years grinding isekai turned me into a decent stamina freak—hour run, still good.
Post-workout: bath. Trembling hand paid 1 copper, soaked and scrubbed in public bath. Nothing else mattered—felt just like home.
Refreshed out, still morning. Blacksmith? Nah, sword and armor fine. Lingering outside just burned coin. Bought skewers for breakfast-lunch, munched to the city library.
"Welcome."
Library open to anyone with clear status. F-ranks? Dream on. E-rank me could borrow anytime. Normal books: 1 copper per two days.
Info's king across eras—fucking vital. Since E-rank, hit library on free days to learn isekai lore.
Dropped here clueless; years in, still tons unknown.
"Let's see..."
Always liked books. No culture here—reading only hobby. Became avid reader by default. Money and time scarce, though.
Picked one. To me, all fantasy settings—any book fun. Like this: Introduction to Exotic Races Language.
Basic English book? Boring shit. But Introduction to Exotic Races Language? Sounds fun just looking.
Borrowed it, back to inn.