The Handsome Porter
A clear, resonant voice rang out, drawing everyone's attention. The hero's party turned their gazes toward it instinctively.
"I've come on referral from the Adventurer's Guild."
A strikingly handsome man—too handsome to describe simply—flashed a subtle smile like moonlight and showed them the guild's emblem.
The hero blinked like a toad spotting a snake, the priest forgot to smile and gaped, and even the calmest member of the group, the mage, had to steady her breathing.
"You're... the porter?"
The mage, recovering first, stared at Johann. He didn't look like any porter she'd imagined—more like another hero.
"That's right."
Johann replied politely. A halo seemed to glow behind him.
The mage scanned him up and down with sharp eyes. His looks, his neat clothes—none of it matched her idea of a porter.
She'd pictured a middle-aged man with a bushy beard and a grumpy face. With the modest pay they'd offered, snagging even that would be a steal. She'd never dreamed of a guy like this.
"Must be some mix-up. I specifically requested the cheapest porter available."
The mage spoke curtly, but Johann smiled back.
"No mix-up. I just dropped into this world, you see. Was scrambling for any job when the guild helped me out."
"Ah, an otherworlder? That explains it."
Johann's explanation earned nods from the hero and priest. A stranded otherworlder with no place to crash would jump at any gig, rough or not. Their labor was the cheapest resource in Start Village.
"Sorry to hit you with this right off the bat, but we're short on cash. The guild probably mentioned it—the pay's not great."
The mage was blunt, her tone icy enough to offend, but Johann didn't flinch.
Desperate after suddenly landing in another world?
That's what the mage figured.
"Pay's fine, even if it's low. I'm in no position to be picky."
Johann answered. But the hero eyed him with unease.
He'd been the one pushing to hire a porter, yet now he fidgeted like a dog needing to pee. Finally, he spoke up.
"Let's just send him on his way."
"What? Hero, what are you talking about? We barely hired this guy because of your stubbornness."
The mage snapped, irritation sharpening her voice. The hero floundered.
"B-but our job's no walk in the park. Asking someone who just fell into our world to porter... it feels, y'know, ethically dicey...?"
The mage saw right through him. Fancy words, but he just didn't want to travel with a handsome rival. Men are so simple.
Her temper flared. She'd jumped through hoops because of his whims, and now he wanted to bail? He always ran the party his way, leaving her to clean up.
"Hey! Hero! You wanted a porter! I opposed it! And now you see him and wanna send him packing!? What tune do I gotta dance to next!?"
"M-mage, calm down a sec..."
"Calm down!? You think this is the time!? Priest! You're always babying him, that's why he's such a jerk!"
"Hey, mage! No need to drag the priest into this!"
The hero raised his voice as the mage scolded the priest. That only fueled her rage more. He always took the priest's side, ignoring her efforts for the party.
"Hero! Shut it! You know damn well why I'm pissed!"
The party's mood soured fast. Diners nearby started staring.
The hero and mage glared daggers, leaving the priest stuck in the middle, flustered. Old grudges had boiled over.
"Um..."
Johann stepped in. The priest, who should've mediated, just looked helpless, so he took charge.
"Sorry if I'm causing the fight. But more noise is bothering everyone—let's all cool off first."
"Hoo...! Sorry you saw that mess. But I couldn't hold back. The hero's always so selfish!"
"And you're always nitpicking the small stuff, mage. I let your mistakes slide."
"M-mistakes!? What mistakes!?"
"Like that last expedition..."
"Enough, both of you. You'll fight forever like this. If I'm the issue, I'll bow out."
The mage shook her head at Johann's words.
"No, you're fine. The problem's that hero over there."
"What!?"
As the hero bristled to retort, Johann cut in smoothly.
"Your views don't align, so how about this?"
"Huh? What?"
"I'll tag along just till the next expedition. Sound fair to you, hero?"
Johann smiled warmly. Something ominous stirred in the hero at that kind gaze—like it saw right through him.
He'd opposed the porter because of Johann's looks. He feared this charmer stealing the priest he'd claimed. Hero's intuition.
He thought she was hooked on him already, but with a killer like this around? Women's hearts were fickle as reeds, shifting like autumn winds.
One expedition... should be fine...?
The hero nodded.
"Fine, whatever."
The hero-mage spat ended. The table felt like a winter chill. The mage crossed her arms, ignoring him; he squirmed, gauging her mood.
The priest, at least, smiled and pulled out a chair beside her for Johann. She was kind to everyone.
"Have a seat."
"Thanks."
Johann sat without protest, sizing up the party.
Hero, mage, priest.
The red-haired hero had a gentle face. His fiery locks suggested passion, but his boyish features showed more playfulness than gravitas. The fight had shadowed it.
The mage was a blue-haired girl with locks to her waist. White dress under a blue coat, knee-high leather boots with garters peeking out. Pointed hat by her chair. Adventurer chic.
"......"
Her face was stiff, like the hero's. Strong personality.
"Nice to meet you, porter! I'm the priest. Not much, but I wield healing light. I'll support you all I can~!"
She wore loose white-and-yellow robes, fully modest unlike the mage's. A cross emblem on her chest hinted at her class.
"I'm the mage. Water magic specialty. Nice to meet you."
The priest's greeting prompted the mage's curt intro—all the essentials.
"Ahem! I'm the hero. Party leader."
Last was the hero. He rolled up his sleeve, flexing a dark-red scar snaking his forearm—his best credential.
"As you see, bearer of the Flame Stigma. Oh, new to this world? Know what a stigma is?"
"No clue."
"Think 'hero's insane power.' I wield fire."
"Oho. So mage lady's water magic, hero's fire power?"
"Different from magic. This is the upgraded version."
The hero chuckled. Normally a light joke, but post-fight, the mage shot him a glare. He looked away.
"Anyway, we're together now. Nice working with you."
"Likewise. Name's Johann. Strong as an ox—put me to work."
"Good to hear. Dungeon run's nothing to sweat. We handle the danger; you just carry gear. Oh, we're heading out right after this—cool?"
Johann nodded without hesitation.
"Of course. Always ready."
"You sure? Dungeons are risky. Speak up if you're off. Our schedule's not that tight."
The hero cut in.
"Mage, I wanna power-level ASAP. No time to waste."
"Hmph! Sure!"
The hero and mage traded barbs.
"He says he's good, so he is. Alright, bellies full—walk it off. Hour to Allure of the Maggot. Perfect for digesting."
The hero stood first.
"Let's go! No time to lose—the Demon King's reviving even now."
He strode out without looking back. The mage sighed, grabbing and dusting her hat.
"Sorry he's such a handful. My apologies."
"He is pretty headstrong."
"But his skills are solid. No need to stress, like he said."
"Got it."
Johann, mage, and priest rose, following the hero toward Allure of the Maggot.