Chapter 4 - Meeting Karl the Barbarian (Complete)
Chapter 4 - Meeting Karl the Barbarian (Complete)
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"You really did wipe out all the slimes."
Returned to the Adventurer Guild. The receptionist looked at me with a flustered expression.
"This much is a breeze."
Though if it hadn't been for the barbarian's help, I would have become a mummy by now. Still, since she's praising me, I should take it.
"...To be honest, I think I looked down on you a bit because you're a man. To actually complete the request. I'm a bit surprised."
"Hehehe!"
"The request fee will be deposited as soon as the subjugation is verified."
"Ah, there's no need for that. I'll submit the slime cores right here."
Since there are occasionally bastards who slack off and try to scam their work, the guild dispatches its own investigation team to thoroughly check whether tasks were handled.
Of course, if you just present evidence that the request was completed, there's no need to go through cumbersome procedures.
"17. The count is all correct. Understood. I'll settle it right away."
The receptionist handed me a pouch containing 20 bronze coins.
'It's real money!'
You have to carry heavy loads all day long just to earn about 3 bronze coins, meals not included.
Yet I earned 20 bronze coins with a job much simpler than that.
So this is the reward for honest labor!
Of course, most of it belongs to that barbarian... No wait, to Karl.
"Thank you."
I grabbed the pouch immediately and dashed toward the cafeteria.
"Karl!"
"Hmm, you're here?"
Because Karl was so tall, she could be easily spotted from afar.
Anyway, I quickly approached her.
Had she been gulping down liquor since yesterday? The table where Karl sat was littered with drinking cups.
"Here's the settlement for the request fee! Let's split it fair and square, 50-50!"
In fact, you could say Karl did all the work for the request.
I'd be lucky to even salvage 5 of those for myself. I forced a bitter smile as I looked at Karl.
"20 bronze coins, huh. A pitiful amount of money."
"It can't be helped. What we faced were slimes, after all. It would've been great if we had evidence of catching a 2-meter one, but for some reason, that core couldn't be salvaged."
Could it have evaporated because Karl pounded it too much?
If I had brought that bastard's core, I would've gotten a lot more money. It's a bit disappointing.
"Dennis. What are you going to do with this money?"
"Hmm? I should save it. Actually, I'm saddled with massive debt."
"No. That's not wise. You must buy a weapon with this money."
Is she telling me to reinvest?
That's certainly true. If I had a lot of money, that is.
If I add up all the money I currently have on hand, it's about 40 bronze coins.
With this money, I can't even get a decent sword, let alone armor.
To get a sleek quilted armor, you need a whopping 50 bronze coins. There's no way in hell someone in my situation could afford that.
"Dennis. You can take all of that money."
"Y-Y-Yeaaah?!"
It was a proposal that made my hair stand on end!
Swallowing up all the money we worked hard for together all by myself...?
'That's out of the question!'
No matter how thick-skinned I am, swallowing this money whole pricks my conscience.
"I can't do that! Karl! That request was practically done all by you."
"That's right. If we hadn't caught that giant slime, you'd be dead."
"...Why are you acting like this when you know full well? If this is some kind of test—"
"It is not a test. You are a warrior who can become strong enough. A wise warrior must have good weapons."
I can become strong, huh.
What ridiculous nonsense. If I had that kind of ability, I would've gotten strong long ago.
"Anyway, take all of that money. I have no interest in such pocket change."
"Understood. Since you insist so much, I suppose I have no choice."
"Good. Then I will stay here until you bring the next request."
Does she plan to hunker down and drink forever?
Just how sturdy is this woman's liver...?
"Understood."
But reinvestment, huh.
'Indeed, with better equipment, I can take on higher-difficulty requests.'
It's only natural.
Wearing just a single cloth tunic right now is worlds apart from acquiring proper armor.
'It's totally doable.'
Plus, if I take on requests alongside Karl, I might be able to handle dangerous ones relatively easily.
Alright. Then shall I drop by the blacksmith's?
The street with the blacksmith shops is hot, as always.
The heat from the furnaces flickers intensely. Working in a place like this in such hot weather. And without even air conditioning, at that.
They are truly respectable people. Seriously.
"So I'd like to get a quilted armor fitted."
Hearing my words, the blacksmith wore an absurd expression.
Suddenly a man comes in asking for armor, so he must find it ridiculous.
"Hey, instead of just getting it fitted because your wife is an adventurer, try stopping her a bit."
Naturally, he wouldn't even think that I am the one wearing it!
Most adventurers are women, and he'd never dream in his wildest dreams that a small-framed man like me would be an adventurer.
"I am still unmarried."
"Then is it your younger or older sister?"
"Neither."
"Your mother must be going through a late-in-life phase."
"Actually, it's armor for me to wear."
At those words, the blacksmith snickered. In a way, it's a natural reaction.
"I'll give it to you since you're asking, but is it okay for a man to be doing outdoor work?"
"...I understand the cost is 50 bronze coins."
It's a deeply unpleasant remark, but considering that the people here have a mindset similar to medieval folks, it can be seen as a form of respect toward me.
Besides, aren't these guys famous for being conservative blacksmiths? I should just hold it in.
"Just give me 40. Since your body is naturally small, I'll hand you armor that uses less fabric."
"For real?"
No. Cancel that.
Long live the blacksmith!
"Kid! Bring out that quilted armor we made last time!"
"Yep! Master."
A woman who looked like an apprentice slipped out of the smithy and quickly darted back into the shop.
Great. With this, I've got armor too.
As for quilted armor, you could say it's armor made of fabric.
It's made by weaving linen. It's similar to the padded jacket liners familiar to military veterans.
This thick fabric is quite durable, capable of blocking a few sword strokes, and above all, its price is reasonable so commoners like me make good use of it.
Plus, even if it tears, as long as you have a needle and thread, you can mend it on the spot at any time.
Its heat retention is also top-notch, making this single piece a perfect fit for the winter season!
'Should I have bought this sooner?'
Still, it doesn't change the fact that it's an expensive item for someone like me who needs every single coin.
"Here it is. But wasn't this supposed to be delivered to some noble lord?"
"That bastard no-showed. Just as well. Here, come over and try it on. Looking at you, it'll fit like a glove."
It's time to try on the reasonably priced quilted armor.
I walked over briskly, snatched the armor the apprentice was holding, and put it on.
It's hot to wear in this weather... but still, it feels sturdy! This feeling like it could easily take a few arrows.
"I'll buy it right now."
Without looking any further, I paid the owner 40 bronze coins and left the blacksmith's on the spot.
It's a very pleasant day. My body feels so solid that I feel like I can go to sleep without eating bread tonight.
'Alright. They say strike while the iron is hot. Shall I go take on a request right now?'
There must be a few requests I can reasonably handle.
Alright. Let's go right away. I started hurrying back toward the guild with quick steps.
"What's this. You bought new clothes?"
Just as I was about to pass in front of an alleyway, a human voice suddenly reached my ears.
Who is this? Someone who knows me? Glancing into the dark alley, sure enough, a familiar face came into view.
"Dennis. Long time no see?"
Height looking to be in the mid-to-late 170s cm, white hair, and red eyes.
It's an appearance commonly seen in this city. What clan was it again...
But there's no way I could fail to recognize that face.
"Just a while ago, you were crawling around doing porter work. Must be living well these days?"
"Isabel-ssi."
Isabel Gamar.
A woman who is one of the few A-class adventurers in this city.
I immediately bowed my head to show respect. If I didn't, a stinging punishment would come flying.
"Always the same. Carrying loads, begging for meals, getting a little money..."
"Is that so? You know I was the one who first taught you porter work."
Isabel was the one who hooked me up with my first porter request.
Not a fond memory. Considering how much I suffered back then...
"Normally, people charge money to teach, but noona did it for free."
"I'm grateful for that."
"Right? Fufu..."
Slowly, very sluggishly. It's movement resembling a snake slithering.
Each and every one of those must be a mystical footwork technique, right? Since that woman is an A-class adventurer whose entire body is a lethal weapon.
"But Dennis. Are you doing adventurer work now? Why'd you get armor?"
"Yes, as it happens, circumstances turned out that way."
"Hmm... A man shouldn't be doing stuff like that. Ah, you know what? Should noona find you a good job?"
Isabel had walked up right in front of me before I knew it. I looked up at her for a long while.
"Get a job at my place. How about it?"
That proposition, spoken in a whisper, was something I had rejected a year ago as well.
And just like back then, my answer is the same.
"I'm sorry."