Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Peer Adventurer
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I'd run at a loss on my first commission, and after paying for the inn, I was left truly penniless.
The jerky and bread Grandpa had given me would run out by tomorrow.
"Revenge or whatever, I need money first..."
I'd steeled my resolve and left Grandpa behind, but that was all well and good.
Things weren't easy in any sense of the word.
But it wasn't like I had no chance to turn things around.
People still looked at me unfavorably with that slum label gone, but they weren't harassing me like before.
That meant finding work would be much easier.
I needed to find side gigs while doing adventurer work.
"...My looks are decent enough, so maybe it'll work out somehow."
If I were ugly and unpleasant, there'd be no hope.
Fortunately, while I was unpleasant, my looks were decent enough.
*Slap slap*—I lightly patted my cheeks to snap myself out of it and muttered to myself.
"...Get it together."
I grabbed my sword and left the inn.
I was tired from yesterday's ordeal, but I couldn't rest.
No matter how exhausted I was, slacking off now would turn me into a homeless kid starting today.
In a medieval world with zero public safety, nothing was more dangerous for a young girl than sleeping rough.
Back in Diran, my grubby appearance must've made me look less like a girl, so it was fine—but now that I was clean, my femininity stood out, which was troublesome.
I naturally headed to the Adventurer's Guild.
It had been empty yesterday, but today there were quite a few people.
They all looked to be in their thirties or forties, every one with a tough impression.
I felt out of place and hesitated when a man polishing his spear noticed me and beckoned.
"You, come here."
"...Y-yes?"
Though flustered, in this world, my attitude had to be: come when called, go when told. After months of conditioning, I scurried over like habit. The man who'd called me eyed me up and down several times, lost in thought for a moment.
"You, can you do any heavy lifting?"
"...Pardon?"
What did he mean, suddenly calling me over to ask if I could lift?
Did he need help carrying something?
Not grasping the intent, I tilted my head.
"Do you need someone to carry stuff?"
"...Nah. Looking at you, no way."
The man clicked his tongue as he said it.
I didn't know what it was, but it seemed they needed someone strong and were short-handed, so I cautiously asked.
"Um, could I ask what it's about?"
"...Nothing big. Our usual porter bailed."
They were looking for a replacement since their handyman had run off?
Maybe this was an opportunity. I decided to talk a bit more.
"Are you looking for a porter? Or a general handyman?"
"...If I had to say, the latter."
"Then how about trying me out?"
"You?"
His gaze scanned me from head to toe. I puffed out my chest and put my hands on my hips to project confidence.
Of course, without meeting his eyes.
The man hummed thoughtfully, then asked again.
"You can't do heavy lifting, so what else can you do?"
"I can cook, dismantle byproducts, read and write, and maintain weapons."
"...Jack of all trades, master of none... Mind if I test you?"
"Yes!"
The only solo commission I could handle was herb gathering anyway.
That wouldn't even cover today's inn fee.
So teaming up with other adventurers and splitting rewards seemed much easier. I answered confidently.
I'd exaggerated a bit, but I could do all of it.
Grandpa's antique shop dealt in everything under the sun, practically a general store. Helping there for months had taught me plenty by osmosis.
"One thing upfront: reward split is 9 for me, 1 for you."
"Yes!"
"And if you bail before completion, no pay."
"Yes!"
"You get all that?"
"Yes!"
I wasn't in a position to be picky, so I agreed to terms without thinking, hitting 'yes' to everything.
I'd already sized up the man in front of me.
A bronze tag glinting at his waist.
So, a peer adventurer.
A spear user desperate enough to ask a tiny girl like me if she could lift.
If I'd grown in the last few months, it wasn't swordsmanship—it was my street smarts.
Constant scolding and dirty looks had honed my ability to read people and avoid offending them.
The handyman fled.
No clueless newbie would run without knowing grunt work for adventurers was tough—so the adventurer must have issues.
Maybe nitpicky on the job, or just an asshole.
But.
Did that matter to me?
Not really.
I'd endured all kinds of contempt in Diran.
Not treated human, kids throwing stones on sight.
Anything less was bearable.
So, fine.
The real issue was whether I could handle the workload.
I'd exaggerated my skills, but they weren't total lies.
Nothing exceptional, but average at everything.
Stamina was the limiter.
Objectively assessing mine... it was okay.
In game terms, low HP pool but fast regen due to youth.
"Alright... I'm the desperate one anyway. Nice working with you, brat."
"...I'm Ellie."
"Right. I'm Ban."
The man who introduced himself as Ban sighed, offered his hand. I hesitantly shook it.
His rough hand felt like rock.
"And when talking to people, look 'em in the eye."
"It'd make you uncomfortable."
Even Grandpa Leon, who cared for me, winced at my gaze.
Strangers without ill will would feel disgust.
Hatred? Murderous impulse.
"Fine, won't force it. But do the work right."
"...Yes!"
I nodded vigorously at Ban's words until my neck hurt. He stood.
"Let's go. Lost too much time since the last guy bolted."
"What commission?"
"Goblin extermination. Small settlement nearby—nip it before it grows."
"...Oh."
"Succeed, and you get 2 silver for your share."
My 10% yielding 2 silver meant a 20-silver commission.
Real monster hunts paid way better than rat-catching or herbs.
"First, things to note. Good memory?"
"Not bad?"
"Half-assed answers are worthless."
"Above average."
"Good. Remember this: site's partly prepped. Mission tonight."
Ban's explanation continued.
This commission: small goblin settlement subjugation.
Estimated 9 goblins from prior scouting.
"You can handle 9 alone?"
"Nope?"
Ban looked down with a 'what kinda question' face.
"Silver-rank maybe, but not me."
"Then why not gather people and storm?"
"Split the pay? Who's footing that?"
Simple greed.
Too stingy to share, fighting 9 goblins solo.
Greedy or bold?
"Scouted multiple times, found gaps, set traps. Last porter freaked, thought solo meant death."
"What'd you have him do?"
"Nothing much. Be bait."
Saying it so casually.
Twisted personality.
And now I was stuck with him.
"Lure 'em into my traps. Can you?"
"J-just to be sure."
"Ask away. Quiet once started."
"If I'm caught luring, you'll save me?"
"Means traps failed. Useless. Helping you gets me killed too."
Irresponsible adult.
I sighed.
"Luring's not all—cleanup too, right?"
"Yeah, said you're good at odd jobs, not lifting."
"Guess so..."
Still, 9:1 felt off. I tried negotiating half-heartedly.
"...Make it 8:2 this time."
"You haggle? Fine, brat. 8:2."
Should've asked 7:3 since he accepted so quick—but chance gone.
"Sigh."
Couldn't be choosy about work, but things had gone screwy from yesterday to today.