Meeting the Boy as a Barbarian (2)
The porter.
Explorers who climb from the lower floors to the middle floors absolutely require these essential existences as hires. The higher the floor, the more intense the battles become, but since you can't leave the baggage behind, it's common to hire them from the middle floors and above. In games, these guys served as inventory.
And if I ask whether I need a porter.
“Not needed.”
A mere 4th floor explorer hiring a porter to do what? My earnings are excellent compared to the floor, but not to the point of hiring a porter.
But the young man, as if anticipating my reaction, immediately opened his mouth.
“Lord Barbarian, if you have a porter, you won't need to lower your baggage during combat, making it convenient!”
“I can fight with a backpack on.”
“After the battle, I handle loot collection, so you can rest comfortably!!”
“Resting is loot collection?”
“Th... When the floor is high, you often spend time there! I can make camps and do simple cooking!”
“I'm still at 4th floor though?”
“Ahaha...! It was 4th floor!”
The young man, not expecting 4th floor, couldn't hide his astonishment.
But seeing this as an opportunity, he continued to talk.
“But Lord Barbarian.”
“Barca.”
“Ah, yes! Barca-nim, late but I'm El.”
“Got it.”
“I'll explain again. Lord Barca, you're exploring the dungeon alone right now? I saw you at the Exploration Office, always returning alone.”
“This is the third time, and you saw all that?”
“Yes! In those three times, Lord Barca came alone, and on the second and this third, brought a lot of loot. It was unbelievable for a 4th floor.”
Ah, so that's why.
He knew I was solo, and with the amount of loot, thought I was a good employer.
I understood the conversation enough. I understood why he approached me.
But.
“Knowing I'm a barbarian, you still made that offer?”
This guy is suspicious.
In this world, barbarians are lustful monsters that charge without distinguishing biology. That's why Luna told him not to pounce on cats.
Thanks to that perception, barbarians in Aurelia have the worst reputation.
Among those barbarians, offering this to me?
Suspicious, very suspicious.
Staring at El with suspicious eyes, the guy smiled.
“Lord Barca was there at the event where I saved the priest and summoned the paladin.”
Ah, that time...
But I didn't believe it. For that, he wants to make a porter contract with me?
Staring with suspicious eyes, El showed a very aggrieved expression.
“Lord Barca, think about it. If you were me, would you make a porter contract with a barbarian?”
“No.”
“That's right! But if that barbarian brings back a lot of loot every time he goes around the dungeon, and that too alone, what then?”
“That barbarian bastard must have stabbed others in the back, thinking.”
“Eh...”
This answer wasn't expected, so El's words got stuck.
But it's real. Actually, there are guys drinking and glancing at me.
Remembering the faces of those guys glancing at me, El lowered his head.
Did he give up?
“Lord Barca...! Then I'll lower the fee! So please use me as a porter...!?”
What the hell, this kid?
Is he into me? His face is somewhat neutral, which makes me suspicious.
Looking down with disgust, but El didn't give up and looked up at me earnestly.
“Why do you want to be my porter so much? There are many explorers besides me.”
“After hearing Lord Barca's story, I thought I should build more connections! Seeing that you've explored 4th floor solo with only three explorations and always fill your bag, you can tell. Lord Barca is a barbarian who will go up quite a bit.”
“...”
“Such a Lord Barca, I think you can safely explore the dungeon. Also, Lord Barca, I'm human.”
“So?”
“If Lord Barca has trouble with soldiers because you're a barbarian, I can mediate.”
Thud.
Looking at El who hit my chest, I thought.
Is this kid gay or what. If he's after me, I should cut his throat right now.
Let's watch for now.
“Alright. Then, for testing, I'll hire you once.”
“Really!? Wow—! Then Lord Barca, let's go to the Exploration Office staff!”
“Exploration Office staff? Why?”
“Ah, since it's the first time, you don't know! Reporting to the Exploration Office that I made a porter contract with this person. Unlike parties, porters can't enter together, so you need to receive specially enchanted equipment!”
Ah?
In games, it was obvious we separated, but apparently there was such concrete system.
While listening to El's explanation, I was about to report to the Exploration Office, but thinking about it, Mary wasn't there today.
I wanted to tell Mary about this fact as much as possible, so after talking to El, I returned to the inn and agreed to meet again tomorrow morning.
So, the next day.
Fortunately, today Mary was there, so I took El to her.
“Porter, this... It's improper to say, but Lord Barca, I think you don't need a porter yet.”
“I don't think so! Lord Barca is a 4th floor explorer, yet you always bring back a lot of loot alone. That amount of loot can only be brought with a party!”
Indeed.
Mary didn't change her expression, and agreed internally.
This boy is as El said.
Barca received his explorer certificate about a week ago.
In the first exploration, he hunted dozens of horn rabbits on 1st floor, in the second, he soloed up to 4th floor, rescued a priest who was suffering there.
The third exploration had nothing notable, but he was definitely an unusual explorer.
Mary thought carefully about El's words, glanced at Barca, and sent a questioning look. Barca shrugged and said no problem.
“Understood. Then, let's proceed with a one-time contract. Is that okay?”
“Yeah. I'm testing it too.”
“Then, please fill out your personal information on this paper.”
I wrote my name and El's name on the paper Mary gave me and handed it to her.
She scanned the paper, stamped it as if no problem, and handed over the bracelet.
“Don't lose this. If you lose it, it will be transferred separately.”
“Okay! Looking forward to the gift, Mary!”
“Thank you!”
After Mary's greeting, we headed to the dungeon.
While going to the dungeon, I talked a lot with El. This guy said he had 3 years of porter experience.
When I asked how old he was, 20 years old...
He's older than me?
Hearing that, El was surprised, looked at my build and face, and shook his head.
“You shouldn't lie about your age, Lord Barca.”
“Face value is over thirty, but actually 19.”
Thinking about my past life, 28, but now I'm 19.
I said it proudly, but the temporary porter El nodded appropriately.
He probably didn't believe it, but whatever.
Anyway, since it's just once, no big deal.
While talking, we soon arrived at the dungeon entrance, and showed the bracelet to the soldier guarding the entrance.
“Hmm... Boy. Did a barbarian catch you off guard? If so, speak up anytime. Aurelia will protect you.”
Fucking hell.
No, barbarians are the ones who are fucked.
Sighing, El said naturally, “No, he's a grateful person who contracted with me as a porter.”
Of course, the soldier didn't remove his suspicious eyes, but since it's not the person, what can he do.
The soldier said the same Aurelia is watching you line, then let us pass.
“Well, then let's go to 4th floor.”
“Yes! Is the goal the village?”
Village.
“No, this time the target is goblins patrolling. Turning a village is a bit troublesome.”
“Understood! Then let's go, Lord Barca!”
El and I entered the flickering portal, and after a while.
Kerak...
We were walking in the forest, hiding at the sound of goblins.
Then, goblins appeared.
Three goblins with weapons, two with blowguns.
Typical goblin party, I gestured for El to crouch, then charged.
Kerak!?
I closed the distance instantly and swung the axe I was holding.
Crack, with a sound, not the neck being cut but broken.
Was the blade dull?
Thinking, I realized I hadn't sharpened it properly, but whatever.
Only 4th floor.
Kwaduk!
I quickly disposed of the goblins with the blunt axe and called El.
“Then, let's collect!”
El, with 3 years of experience, collected the loot skillfully.
“Let's go, Lord Barca!”
“Um.”
So, the 4th floor exploration that started ended after the day changed.
On that day, our earnings were 1 gold 89 silver.