A Pitch-Black Start

From the very beginning, my future looked utterly bleak. When the goddess asked me to defeat the Maou and sent me into reincarnation, what kind of story usually awaits us?

Typically, you'd get summoned to a kingdom's magic circle, surrounded by mages, with a princess or king making a plea. Or maybe in a temple, where a saintess, pope, or priest receives a divine oracle and welcomes the hero's descent.

"Is the goddess short on cash or something?"

In my case? A wad of unknown currency, an academy uniform for entrance, and a decent-sized rectangular attache case. The academy acceptance letter was useless now anyway.

I was just walking endlessly along the road outside the academy.

The constellations gave me a ticket, but a wet wipe summon skill? Sure, I was grateful for the goddess's kindness in giving it to cheer me up after failing the entrance exam. But at this rate, I had serious doubts about taking down even a goblin, let alone the Maou.

"If someone asked if I could take on a goblin..."

As I walked, I tried to accept this harsh reality crashing down on me and imagined how tough the path ahead would be.

I had no idea what form the Maou took, but it had to be stronger than a goblin at minimum—and undoubtedly commanded hordes of them as minions.

So, could a guy like me, whose only experience with blades was scissors and a utility knife, really play the hero and slay goblins even if handed a holy sword?

If you asked if I'd ever been in anything resembling a fight in my life? The best I could claim was begging my mom to chase off Big Bro May with a broom when he smashed through our window.

"...The goddess must have her reasons... even if I forgot her ridiculously long name..."

I'd blanked on it during the chaotic academy entrance ceremony. It was something grandiose and lengthy... and I'd lost the note too.

Protagonists in these kinds of novels remember every character from games they'd played once or even faces they'd glimpsed in passing.

"Nah, that's just unrealistic for a normie like me."

Even if asked to describe the goddess, all my pea-brained self could manage was "insanely hot!"

Thanks to Clear Mind, I felt remarkably calm right now, but wasn't this situation pretty precarious?

I stared at my sole quest window, lost in thought.

...Did the goddess just assume I'd naturally pass the academy entrance?

Prayers got no reply, and I had no clue where the All Gods Temple even was.

"Something about the constellations' karma, right?"

Definitely low-risk getting skills for free like this. The catch? The skills were whatever the constellations felt like dishing out.

The goddess probably never imagined they'd hand out total junk either.

Were we transcendent beings just amusing entertainment to them? A fun spectacle?

"Kinda dizzying to think about..."

This wasn't just unreal—it was beyond human comprehension, seeing those concepts in the flesh.

How long had I been trudging down this endless road? Parents dropping off kids for the academy passed by in carriages, keeping me from getting lost.

"Whoa..."

Towering walls rose high, dotted with buildings of every shape at the center. Massive trees stood beside square pillar-like structures.

Surprisingly, no castle in sight. An eclectic skyline, maybe? Walking further revealed a deep moat and drawbridge carved into the distance.

"..."

Guards at the gate wielded massive spears, swords at their hips. Their breastplates bore green leaf emblems.

Helmets covered their heads, shaped to accommodate ears. Still, beastly ears poked out awkwardly, and scruffy tails dragged limply, shedding fur.

Beastkin...

I paused, expecting some inspection, but the guards just eyed me curiously. They didn't stop me as I slipped in cautiously.

"...This place is suffocating."

Inside the gates: shops galore and crowds of diverse subraces. Transferred mid-semester into second year—no friends, no first-years—just me dumped in the middle of class, knowing no one.

Ppang ppareung—

A faint fanfare chimed. A translucent window popped up before my eyes.

I fidgeted with the ticket in my hand.

A city without a king, land of alliances... So, a neutral zone tangled with multiple powers.

I only knew Minerva Academy, but with all those races earlier, probably cities dedicated to mixed species.

Was she leaving the kingdom choice up to me?

No time for overthinking—I tore the ticket.

Wasted a moment wondering if I should save it, but nah, pointless.

"...No home though..."

More than that—what's with "wanna clock out"?

Do constellations have jobs? I got the sentiment, but... seriously.

For salarymen, commuting's a big deal. A skill to return home anytime? Super useful in normal life.

"No house, no job though."

Anyway, destination: Adventurer's Guild, per the goddess.

First worry: asking directions? But a zone map hung right in the entrance plaza.

Laurel Guild district... so at least three other guilds?

Adventurer's Guild per guild? I studied the fountain-side map.

Turn here, three blocks, and it's there?

"..."

My neck prickled—I glanced back. Passersby gawked.

They whipped away or pretended otherwise when I turned, but some kept sneaking looks, fascinated. Others rubbed their ears, whispering to companions.

Academy vibes all over again. Was I that weird-looking? Black hair?

In fantasies, black = Maou side, hated... maybe.

No way there aren't humans here, right?

Look left, right—no fellow humans in sight.

Drawing attention seemed bad news. I quickened my pace to escape.

"Good thing the goddess gave me this hood."

Maybe the hood? Fate Goddess emblem—thought I was clergy?

Deep into the city from the gate, a massive building loomed. City center material.

Giant lizard buses, eight-legged raccoon carriages, low-flying owl mailmen. Fantasy world hit hard.

Realization? This place was casually terrifying.

Dark alley encounter at night? I'd faint before screaming.

"Adventurer's Guild Trust Union Branch."

Heavy foot traffic—no closing hours. Armed folks mixed with scholars, some women in extreme outfits.

Lurking outside changed nothing. I steeled myself and kicked the door open.

Chatter halted—every adventurer's gaze locked on me.

"Round ears? Black hair—human?"

"From Piens Kingdom? But that hood screams All Gods Temple..."

"First human ever! Squishier than my scales."

"Air changed when he entered. Goddess-blessed? Makes sense for humans."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Whispers exploded. Sudden celebrity—I squirmed.

Wish they'd ignore me. Thanks, Clear Mind...

Summoned a wet wipe, dabbed sweat. Alcohol evaporated in the breeze, cooling my skin—snapped me alert.

Constellations foresaw wipe needs... yeah, let's go with that.

Positive spin or I'd resent them for real.

Receptionist? Guide? I shuffled to the counter shyly.

Monocle and neat uniform suited ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her... round rat ears atop her head. Rattling, maybe?

She blinked up at her ears as I stared.

"First time seeing a Rattling?"

"Ah, uh! Sorry..."

"No no. Few beastkin ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in Piens Kingdom... Not from All Gods Temple, right?"

"Th-this hood was a gift..."

"I see." She nodded.

Rattling—most common beastkin here. More rats than humans?

...But rats separate from ratkin?

"Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild. Got an adventurer ID?"

"N-no..."

"Here to register then?"

"Y-yeah."

"Fill this out. Can you read and write basics?"

"Yes."

"Skip red-lined parts, fill the rest freely. ID check and fee: 2 SP (Silver Piece)."

She handed the form. Proper procedure—impressive. I fumbled for my wallet... bills?

Glanced back—everyone used coins.

"Oh, only Trust Union checks? Exchange at the bank."

No clue on value! Asking seemed weird.

Trust Union checks? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Not bills like thousands? All checks? Goddess's wad—unfathomable.

"Guild special: we'll tab it. Pureblood human?!"

"...That rare?"

"They say spotting a human means luck that day. Pureblood? Rarer than four-leaf clovers."

I nodded to her "Can I touch your ear if not rude?" request.

She poked the squishy warmth, beaming. "I'll cover the 2 SP! As rumored—boneless, soft, cozy."

"Ah! If you meet elves or feel threatened, rush back here."

"Elves?"

"They nearly hunted humans to extinction—'tasty and tender.' Rare, but 【Elf Gourmands】 crave 'em. International law: cannibalism minimum death penalty."

"..."

Am I okay here? Fantasy flipped to horror real quick.

She patted my shoulder: "Extremely rare—don't worry."

"Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild, Radamu Dice. Looking forward to your journey."

Her cheer snapped my daze—a bu-buzzle-like purr, then translucent window.

Not reassuring at all.

I gripped the ticket tight, slumping into a guild chair.

No cafeteria—just chat spots, party huddles.

Humans rare? True—everyone glanced as they passed.

"...Exchange first, basics next..."

Receptionist gave a free city map pamphlet—"for the human."

"...Please, constellations, something useful."

Praying earnestly, I tore the ticket.

"Can't use it!"

I clutched my head, wailing. Even usable, how?!

Faceplanted on the table, future felt hopeless.

At least fried chicken kept starvation at bay.