Chapter 17: Rafdonia (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 17: Rafdonia (1)
I slowly opened my eyes. Then, I closed my eyes again and said to myself:
Get up and do what you have to do.
As I recalled the various tasks I had to get done in the city, my tired body began to feel energized.
Yeah, let's do it.
First, I checked the time.
[21:18]
It had already been noon when I came out of the labyrinth, so I had slept for about four hours. But thanks to sleeping on a bed, I felt incredibly refreshed despite the short nap.
Growl!
I still had bread left over from the labyrinth, but I decided to eat out.
Although this was a world where your money was your life... this amount of luxury should be fine.
Despite bathing myself earlier in the day, my body still smelled, so I quickly washed up once more and left the inn.
Trudge, trudge.
Compared to how I felt during the day, walking through the quiet streets at night felt a bit suffocating. Not psychologically, but physically.
The beige shirt I was wearing now was a medieval-style top with a cutout chest and laced-up sleeves and collar. Instead of a button, a string was attached to the deep v-neck that could be tightened like a shoelace. Even with the string completely untied, however, the shirt was too small. I could see why barbarians were always half-naked. Nothing fit them. How sad was this life of theirs?
...But where should I go?
Right now, the first thing I had to do was meet Erwen at the agreed-upon rendezvous point. But I didn't know where the Black Whale Tavern was.
I was certain that it was in the southern part of the city based on the area where the portal to the labyrinth opened, but the city map in the game was tens of thousands of times smaller than its actual size, so my knowledge of it was not helpful in this task. So I ended up asking for help from a passerby.
"The Black Whale Tavern? What's that?"
"I've never heard of it before."
Most people responded that they had never heard of it, but one middle-aged man with gray hair proved to be different.
"The Black Whale Tavern... I haven't heard that name in a while. You seem very young—how do you know about that tavern? It must have closed down more than ten years ago."
I was flattered that he said I looked young, but the actual contents of his words were not very welcome.
"...You mean it's gone?"
"Yes, it was a restaurant that ran for several generations, but their son fell into a gambling habit, and so it had to change owners. The name has changed as well."
It was then that the hypothesis I had been keeping to myself was lent credibility. The game was set in the past of the world I was currently in. If that were the case, things like "evil spirits" or the rivalry between barbarians and elves could also be explained. I'd have to visit a library sometime during the day.
"Thank you. You have been very helpful."
"Heh heh, I don't think I've ever met a barbarian as polite as you."
After that, I said goodbye to the native Rafdonian and walked down the dark street. The name had changed, but it looked like the tavern was still in business, so I thought I'd at least drop by. I hoped that Erwen would also have the same thought and come to see me.
Fidenpus.
As soon as I reached my destination, I paused for a moment. I could understand the pronunciation, but I didn't know the meaning. Was this written in a language that was ancient even in this world? It was also probably a good idea to study this language that came to me intuitively.
"Ha ha ha!"
"If you're going to fight, go outside, you bastards!"
The inside of the tavern was exactly what I had imagined it to be. Drunk people, adventurers, music, sleaziness, cigarette smoke, and even the occasional nonhuman species. As I stood at the entrance and scanned the interior, I saw a familiar silver head of hair in the corner. Even their slightly protruding ears were pointy. I was glad to see that and was about to step forward when—
A drunken jackass shouldered past me to get through the aisle first. That alone wasn't a problem, but...
"Elven ladies, you look bored on your own. How about a drink with me?"
He also approached Erwen and threw out those cliché lines. Well, actually, that wasn't a big deal either.
But...
"Fitting for a pub that smells like a sewer. It seems that all kinds of rats keep popping up."
E-Erwen? What happened to you?
"...What? Rat?"
The swaggering douchebag looked bewildered by her superb clap back. My face probably looked similar.
"Get lost. If you don't want a hole in the middle of your forehead."
Judging by the fact that they were fond of the forehead, this had to be the right person...
What the hell?
I had to go check this out. But first, I knew I should get rid of this scumbag.
"What? Who the hell are you!"
As I approached and grabbed his shoulder, the arrogant man turned his head and...
"Uh... um...."
Immediately looked away.
"She said, 'Get lost.'"
"...Right."
"Then why are you still standing here?"
Instead of answering, he carefully squeezed by me, then went back to his seat without so much as staggering, and sat down.
That was when...
"Mister!"
I heard the word I was so familiar with. But I was not surprised, I hadn't noticed Erwen's apparent split personality from the start.
...Really.
Because that guy had just said elven "ladies."
"Are you that barbarian?"
Hidden from view by a pillar in the corner seat, there were a total of two people sitting at the table.
"Yes, I am that barbarian you speak of. But who are you?"
"Her older sister."
Oh, she was Erwen's real sister. No wonder they looked the same from the side.
"Is 'older sister' your name?"
"...Fool. Call me Tersia."
Erwen's last name was Tersia. Apparently, the older sister didn't want to tell me her name.
"Okay. Tersia, can I sit down, then?"
"Do as you please."
I sat down without hesitation and studied Tersia.
Fidenpus.
As soon as I reached my destination, I paused for a moment. I could understand the pronunciation, but I didn't know the meaning. Was this written in a language that was ancient even in this world? It was also probably a good idea to study this language that came to me intuitively.
"Ha ha ha!"
"If you're going to fight, go outside, you bastards!"
The inside of the tavern was exactly what I had imagined it to be. Drunk people, adventurers, music, sleaziness, cigarette smoke, and even the occasional nonhuman species. As I stood at the entrance and scanned the interior, I saw a familiar silver head of hair in the corner. Even their slightly protruding ears were pointy. I was glad to see that and was about to step forward when—
A drunken jackass shouldered past me to get through the aisle first. That alone wasn't a problem, but...
"Elven ladies, you look bored on your own. How about a drink with me?"
He also approached Erwen and threw out those cliché lines. Well, actually, that wasn't a big deal either.
But...
"Fitting for a pub that smells like a sewer. It seems that all kinds of rats keep popping up."
E-Erwen? What happened to you?
"...What? Rat?"
The swaggering douchebag looked bewildered by her superb clap back. My face probably looked similar.
"Get lost. If you don't want a hole in the middle of your forehead."
Judging by the fact that they were fond of the forehead, this had to be the right person...
What the hell?
I had to go check this out. But first, I knew I should get rid of this scumbag.
"What? Who the hell are you!"
As I approached and grabbed his shoulder, the arrogant man turned his head and...
"Uh... um...."
Immediately looked away.
"She said, 'Get lost.'"
"...Right."
"Then why are you still standing here?"
Instead of answering, he carefully squeezed by me, then went back to his seat without so much as staggering, and sat down.
That was when...
"Mister!"
I heard the word I was so familiar with. But I was not surprised, I hadn't noticed Erwen's apparent split personality from the start.
...Really.
Because that guy had just said elven "ladies."
"Are you that barbarian?"
Hidden from view by a pillar in the corner seat, there were a total of two people sitting at the table.
"Yes, I am that barbarian you speak of. But who are you?"
"Her older sister."
Oh, she was Erwen's real sister. No wonder they looked the same from the side.
"Is 'older sister' your name?"
"...Fool. Call me Tersia."
Erwen's last name was Tersia. Apparently, the older sister didn't want to tell me her name.
"Okay. Tersia, can I sit down, then?"
"Do as you please."
I sat down without hesitation and studied Tersia.
First, they didn't look like twins. She looked about three or four years older than Erwen, and now that I was looking at her from the front, their features were also quite different. She gave off a ferocious vibe because of her eyes. Or maybe it wasn't just because of her eyes.
"Barbarian."
"Bjorn, son of Yandel."
"Whatever. Anyway, why the hell did you ask my little sis to come to this bar?"
"Um, Sis...?"
"You be quiet."
Erwen tried to intervene and clear the air, but was stopped by her sister. Hmm, things were getting interesting. Aside from why Erwen brought her sister along in the first place, I didn't think my being a barbarian was the only reason that her sister disliked me.
It was a hunch I'd have to look into.
"And for what reason did you come to see me, Tersia?"
"Erwen did not come home last night. And when I pried further, she said she had been waiting for someone at the tavern all night. I was curious who would stand my sister up."
Wait, I don't understand.
"What do you mean? Last night?"
"Are you going to pretend you don't know?"
Judging by her reaction, she didn't seem to be joking around.
"...Erwen, how many hours have passed since we came out of the labyrinth?"
"Ah, oh... about thirty hours!"
Fuck, so I've just woken up after sleeping for over an entire day. Not just four hours.
No wonder I felt so refreshed.
"I apologize. I didn't know a day had passed because I was asleep."
When I politely apologized, Tersia shot me a look of surprise. That made me kind of sad. She also didn't seem to have any questions about the fact that I had slept for a full day.
"Well, I never expected a barbarian to be on time anyway."
I really had nothing to say.
"So, why did you summon Erwen?"
Well, the reason was quite long and complicated... so I just made it short and clear.
"I don't think I need to tell you that. Ask Erwen later if you're curious."
When translated literally, that meant "Don't worry about it and get lost," but luckily, Tersia seemed to understand. I saw the corners of her lips turn up.
"Funny, for a newbie who just entered a labyrinth for the first time."
"What does being new have to do with it? Erwen is an adventurer. Unless you're going to take care of her for the rest of your life, you'd better ditch that attitude."
"How barbaric."
"Sis? Mister...?" Erwen said quietly.
When a staring contest ensued, Erwen restlessly stomped her feet. Soon afterward, Tersia put a pouch on the table.
"That's 350,000 stones."
"...Why are you giving this to me?"
"It's the value of the essence that Erwen absorbed."
Oh, so take this and get lost?
It was a plotline I'd seen often in morning dramas, so it felt weird.
First, they didn't look like twins. She looked about three or four years older than Erwen, and now that I was looking at her from the front, their features were also quite different. She gave off a ferocious vibe because of her eyes. Or maybe it wasn't just because of her eyes.
"Barbarian."
"Bjorn, son of Yandel."
"Whatever. Anyway, why the hell did you ask my little sis to come to this bar?"
"Um, Sis...?"
"You be quiet."
Erwen tried to intervene and clear the air, but was stopped by her sister. Hmm, things were getting interesting. Aside from why Erwen brought her sister along in the first place, I didn't think my being a barbarian was the only reason that her sister disliked me.
It was a hunch I'd have to look into.
"And for what reason did you come to see me, Tersia?"
"Erwen did not come home last night. And when I pried further, she said she had been waiting for someone at the tavern all night. I was curious who would stand my sister up."
Wait, I don't understand.
"What do you mean? Last night?"
"Are you going to pretend you don't know?"
Judging by her reaction, she didn't seem to be joking around.
"...Erwen, how many hours have passed since we came out of the labyrinth?"
"Ah, oh... about thirty hours!"
Fuck, so I've just woken up after sleeping for over an entire day. Not just four hours.
No wonder I felt so refreshed.
"I apologize. I didn't know a day had passed because I was asleep."
When I politely apologized, Tersia shot me a look of surprise. That made me kind of sad. She also didn't seem to have any questions about the fact that I had slept for a full day.
"Well, I never expected a barbarian to be on time anyway."
I really had nothing to say.
"So, why did you summon Erwen?"
Well, the reason was quite long and complicated... so I just made it short and clear.
"I don't think I need to tell you that. Ask Erwen later if you're curious."
When translated literally, that meant "Don't worry about it and get lost," but luckily, Tersia seemed to understand. I saw the corners of her lips turn up.
"Funny, for a newbie who just entered a labyrinth for the first time."
"What does being new have to do with it? Erwen is an adventurer. Unless you're going to take care of her for the rest of your life, you'd better ditch that attitude."
"How barbaric."
"Sis? Mister...?" Erwen said quietly.
When a staring contest ensued, Erwen restlessly stomped her feet. Soon afterward, Tersia put a pouch on the table.
"That's 350,000 stones."
"...Why are you giving this to me?"
"It's the value of the essence that Erwen absorbed."
Oh, so take this and get lost?
It was a plotline I'd seen often in morning dramas, so it felt weird.
"Why aren't you taking it? Did you come into this meeting with other intentions?"
It's not like that.
If she really wanted to pay with money, I had no intention of asking Erwen for a promise in return for the essence. However, I hadn't heard Erwen's thoughts yet.
"Are you of the same opinion?"
"Um..."
Erwen trailed off. Was she that scared of her sister?
Originally, I was going to share this when we were alone, but now that this was happening, I decided to share it.
"The promise I was going to ask of you was for you to help me out until I obtain the essence that I seek."
"Eh, is that all?"
"That's right. If possible, I would like to continue as a team after that as well, but that is another matter. You don't have to promise that. And in the future, we can divide the loot five-to-five."
In a nutshell, I was asking her to form a two-person party. How would Erwen respond?
She didn't need much time.
"I'm sorry."
Her answer was a rejection. Erwen dropped her head, and her sister explained to her.
"Erwen will be going into the labyrinth with me from now on."
"Why?"
"She merely ventured in alone for the first trip as per tradition. I had no intention of leaving Erwen alone from the start."
...I see. So she had a chauffeur waiting for her after the tutorial...
Damn blood ties.
"If you understand, take this bag."
I decided to give up on Erwen. Although she had been a good teammate, there was no reason to insist upon having her. But still, the valuation had to be correct.
"You calculated 350,000 stones as half the average market price, right?"
"Of course. It's joint loot."
Judging as a pro at this game, seven hundred thousand stones was a pretty decent amount. But the ratio was wrong.
"Then it's 280,000 stones short. The agreed-upon distribution ratio was 9:1."
"Fine."
Tersia readily pulled out another pouch.
I was suspicious, but when I checked it, it contained exactly 280,000 stones.
Damn, did I almost get scammed just now?
If I hadn't said anything, this deal would have ended with just 350,000 stones. These sly fern-faces... I could see why barbarians hated elves so much.
"If your business here is done, will you get up? I have something to discuss with Erwen."
"I don't see why that's necessary."
Before another fight could start, Erwen stepped in.
"Sis, thank you for worrying about me and coming all the way here, but I think you can go now."
"Erwen?"
"I have to say goodbye to him too... Hmm?"
"...Well, since you are no longer a child..." Tersia said something she didn't even seem to believe, took a deep breath, and looked at me. "Barbarian, swear the following: that you won't sleep with Erwen. Then I will leave immediately."
"Why aren't you taking it? Did you come into this meeting with other intentions?"
It's not like that.
If she really wanted to pay with money, I had no intention of asking Erwen for a promise in return for the essence. However, I hadn't heard Erwen's thoughts yet.
"Are you of the same opinion?"
"Um..."
Erwen trailed off. Was she that scared of her sister?
Originally, I was going to share this when we were alone, but now that this was happening, I decided to share it.
"The promise I was going to ask of you was for you to help me out until I obtain the essence that I seek."
"Eh, is that all?"
"That's right. If possible, I would like to continue as a team after that as well, but that is another matter. You don't have to promise that. And in the future, we can divide the loot five-to-five."
In a nutshell, I was asking her to form a two-person party. How would Erwen respond?
She didn't need much time.
"I'm sorry."
Her answer was a rejection. Erwen dropped her head, and her sister explained to her.
"Erwen will be going into the labyrinth with me from now on."
"Why?"
"She merely ventured in alone for the first trip as per tradition. I had no intention of leaving Erwen alone from the start."
...I see. So she had a chauffeur waiting for her after the tutorial...
Damn blood ties.
"If you understand, take this bag."
I decided to give up on Erwen. Although she had been a good teammate, there was no reason to insist upon having her. But still, the valuation had to be correct.
"You calculated 350,000 stones as half the average market price, right?"
"Of course. It's joint loot."
Judging as a pro at this game, seven hundred thousand stones was a pretty decent amount. But the ratio was wrong.
"Then it's 280,000 stones short. The agreed-upon distribution ratio was 9:1."
"Fine."
Tersia readily pulled out another pouch.
I was suspicious, but when I checked it, it contained exactly 280,000 stones.
Damn, did I almost get scammed just now?
If I hadn't said anything, this deal would have ended with just 350,000 stones. These sly fern-faces... I could see why barbarians hated elves so much.
"If your business here is done, will you get up? I have something to discuss with Erwen."
"I don't see why that's necessary."
Before another fight could start, Erwen stepped in.
"Sis, thank you for worrying about me and coming all the way here, but I think you can go now."
"Erwen?"
"I have to say goodbye to him too... Hmm?"
"...Well, since you are no longer a child..." Tersia said something she didn't even seem to believe, took a deep breath, and looked at me. "Barbarian, swear the following: that you won't sleep with Erwen. Then I will leave immediately."
Huh? Did I mishear her?
"S-Sis?!"
Hmm, I guess I did hear her right. Don't "sleep" with Erwen... Did that mean that everything up to that was allowed?
"I swear. On a warrior's honor."
"Mister?"
"Good."
At last, Tersia got up from her seat.
And...
"Oh, I forgot. Barbarian, thank you for saving Erwen."
With that, she casually left the tavern.
***
Ring, ring.
The moment she heard the bell over the door ring, Erwen slumped over the table.
"Ahh! What should I do? I've never talked back to her like that before... Do you think she'll be angry?"
"She won't be."
"How do you know that?"
"Because before she left, she looked over at you and grinned. You wouldn't have seen it, though."
"...Wait, if that's the case, why did she even ask?"
Erwen scratched her head a few times and then came to her senses.
"Oh, right! I'm sorry. I appreciate the offer, but I've been talking about working with my sister for a long time..."
"No need to apologize."
If a high-level elf offered to take me along with her, even I wouldn't follow around an amateur barbarian and go through all that hardship out of loyalty alone.
"Um, take this first."
Erwen took out a small pouch and placed it on the table.
"Exactly 63,000 stones."
That would be the price of the mana stones from the crossbow and the leader. I didn't know what the actual amount was, but I did not doubt her. Being suspicious was pointless anyway. The more important thing was, how much should I pay her if I divide this 9:1?
"Ah, I took care of my earnings, so you don't have to give me anything."
Ah, I see. She was very shrewd when it came to things like these.
"I left their two backpacks at my place for now. There are lots of things inside, but... I think it would be good for you to see for yourself tomorrow."
"I will."
Because we had been together for a few days, she knew very well the things I would be interested in. I hadn't said a word, but the issue of loot distribution was settled in an instant. However, when it came to the next item on the agenda, Erwen opened her mouth more cautiously.
"So... how can I repay you?"
"Repay me?"
"I told you I would repay the favor."
Oh, right, she had said that at some point.
"Favor..."
Erwen gulped as I trailed off.
...Could it be that this was why her sister had forced me to make that oath? Because I might make a strange request?
"Please don't tease me, just tell me."
She had gotten better at reading the room, so she knew right away that I was teasing her.
"I can't think of anything right now. First, I want to order something. Is there anything you want to eat?"
"I'm not hungry..."
"Then I'll just order for myself."
As soon as I looked at the menu on the wall, Erwen remembered something and said, "Oh, then a drink! Please order me a drink!"
"Alcohol?"
"Yes. I didn't even take a sip yesterday because I wanted to have my first drink after our return with you! Hehe."
Erwen smiled brightly and looked at me with eyes that seemed to beg for praise. A return drink, huh... I had forgotten about that tradition.
Well, this was a bit different from drinking a can of beer after work, but still. For these otherworldly beings who grew up exclusively in the holy land until they reached adulthood, their first return drink likely had a greater meaning than one might assume.
Hmm, but what should I say in this situation?
"...That's great."
"This is when you should say thank you!"
"Thank you?"
"You're welcome! We were comrades who went through a lot together in the labyrinth. Of course we should have the first return drink together."
What did she want from me?
As I wondered this, Erwen scratched her cheek.
"Of course, to you, this won't be your first return drink..."
"What do you mean? This is also my first."
"Really?!"
Why is she surprised?
"I told you I'm also twenty years old."
"...That wasn't a joke?"
No wonder she had kept calling me Mister.
"This was the first time I entered a labyrinth."
"O-Oh I see..."
Erwen, wary of my reaction, went to the waiter and started ordering on her own. The food came out about twenty minutes later.
"Mister, you worked hard."
I guess she's going to keep calling me that. Sure, well... do what you want. We won't be seeing each other for long anyway.
"...You worked hard too."
We chatted over food and drinks. In the labyrinth, we had only spoken when necessary, so this was the first time we were having such a personal conversation.
But it couldn't last forever.
"Mister, you're wearing a shirt today."
Yes, and I am wearing a skirt. Enough small talk.
"Erwen, did you say you would repay the favor?"
"Pardon? Yes, I did."
"Then, use the ability you used back then right now."
Erwen cocked her head.
I didn't know if this could really be called a reward, but... It was important to me. What was the difference between the essence found in the game and the real-life essence? I had to know in advance because I might need to modify my leveling strategy.
"But why this all of a sudden?"
"There is something I want to check."
"But it's illegal to use your powers in the city. I'll get taken away by the guards."
So that was the reason why skills couldn't be used in the city when you were playing the game.
So was there no way around it at all?
While I was thinking this over, Erwen made a suggestion.
"How about going to a place where there are no people? Oh, my place is not an option, though. Other races are prohibited from entering."
Elves had their own accommodations, it seemed. Hmm, what could we do? Should I take her to some dark alley?
Erwen was the one who came up with a solution to the problem. "...That leaves us with your room."
Okay, that works.
Huh? Did I mishear her?
"S-Sis?!"
Hmm, I guess I did hear her right. Don't "sleep" with Erwen... Did that mean that everything up to that was allowed?
"I swear. On a warrior's honor."
"Mister?"
"Good."
At last, Tersia got up from her seat.
And...
"Oh, I forgot. Barbarian, thank you for saving Erwen."
With that, she casually left the tavern.
***
Ring, ring.
The moment she heard the bell over the door ring, Erwen slumped over the table.
"Ahh! What should I do? I've never talked back to her like that before... Do you think she'll be angry?"
"She won't be."
"How do you know that?"
"Because before she left, she looked over at you and grinned. You wouldn't have seen it, though."
"...Wait, if that's the case, why did she even ask?"
Erwen scratched her head a few times and then came to her senses.
"Oh, right! I'm sorry. I appreciate the offer, but I've been talking about working with my sister for a long time..."
"No need to apologize."
If a high-level elf offered to take me along with her, even I wouldn't follow around an amateur barbarian and go through all that hardship out of loyalty alone.
"Um, take this first."
Erwen took out a small pouch and placed it on the table.
"Exactly 63,000 stones."
That would be the price of the mana stones from the crossbow and the leader. I didn't know what the actual amount was, but I did not doubt her. Being suspicious was pointless anyway. The more important thing was, how much should I pay her if I divide this 9:1?
"Ah, I took care of my earnings, so you don't have to give me anything."
Ah, I see. She was very shrewd when it came to things like these.
"I left their two backpacks at my place for now. There are lots of things inside, but... I think it would be good for you to see for yourself tomorrow."
"I will."
Because we had been together for a few days, she knew very well the things I would be interested in. I hadn't said a word, but the issue of loot distribution was settled in an instant. However, when it came to the next item on the agenda, Erwen opened her mouth more cautiously.
"So... how can I repay you?"
"Repay me?"
"I told you I would repay the favor."
Oh, right, she had said that at some point.
"Favor..."
Erwen gulped as I trailed off.
...Could it be that this was why her sister had forced me to make that oath? Because I might make a strange request?
"Please don't tease me, just tell me."
She had gotten better at reading the room, so she knew right away that I was teasing her.
"I can't think of anything right now. First, I want to order something. Is there anything you want to eat?"
"I'm not hungry..."
"Then I'll just order for myself."
As soon as I looked at the menu on the wall, Erwen remembered something and said, "Oh, then a drink! Please order me a drink!"
"Alcohol?"
"Yes. I didn't even take a sip yesterday because I wanted to have my first drink after our return with you! Hehe."
Erwen smiled brightly and looked at me with eyes that seemed to beg for praise. A return drink, huh... I had forgotten about that tradition.
Well, this was a bit different from drinking a can of beer after work, but still. For these otherworldly beings who grew up exclusively in the holy land until they reached adulthood, their first return drink likely had a greater meaning than one might assume.
Hmm, but what should I say in this situation?
"...That's great."
"This is when you should say thank you!"
"Thank you?"
"You're welcome! We were comrades who went through a lot together in the labyrinth. Of course we should have the first return drink together."
What did she want from me?
As I wondered this, Erwen scratched her cheek.
"Of course, to you, this won't be your first return drink..."
"What do you mean? This is also my first."
"Really?!"
Why is she surprised?
"I told you I'm also twenty years old."
"...That wasn't a joke?"
No wonder she had kept calling me Mister.
"This was the first time I entered a labyrinth."
"O-Oh I see..."
Erwen, wary of my reaction, went to the waiter and started ordering on her own. The food came out about twenty minutes later.
"Mister, you worked hard."
I guess she's going to keep calling me that. Sure, well... do what you want. We won't be seeing each other for long anyway.
"...You worked hard too."
We chatted over food and drinks. In the labyrinth, we had only spoken when necessary, so this was the first time we were having such a personal conversation.
But it couldn't last forever.
"Mister, you're wearing a shirt today."
Yes, and I am wearing a skirt. Enough small talk.
"Erwen, did you say you would repay the favor?"
"Pardon? Yes, I did."
"Then, use the ability you used back then right now."
Erwen cocked her head.
I didn't know if this could really be called a reward, but... It was important to me. What was the difference between the essence found in the game and the real-life essence? I had to know in advance because I might need to modify my leveling strategy.
"But why this all of a sudden?"
"There is something I want to check."
"But it's illegal to use your powers in the city. I'll get taken away by the guards."
So that was the reason why skills couldn't be used in the city when you were playing the game.
So was there no way around it at all?
While I was thinking this over, Erwen made a suggestion.
"How about going to a place where there are no people? Oh, my place is not an option, though. Other races are prohibited from entering."
Elves had their own accommodations, it seemed. Hmm, what could we do? Should I take her to some dark alley?
Erwen was the one who came up with a solution to the problem. "...That leaves us with your room."
Okay, that works.