3. Hero
3. Hero
"Noah-nim? What brings you here today? If it's about the commission, just yesterday..."
After straightening myself up, I found myself visiting Bargus's smithy again early in the morning.
"No. I came today because I have a commission I'd like to entrust to you."
If I had business, I could have just given it to him before leaving yesterday. The reason I came back the next day... was because the commission was just an excuse, and I was suddenly curious about that bastard Hans's face.
I took out a few low-grade magic stones I had prepared in advance and placed them on the table with a clatter.
"... I'd like you to refine these for easy mana conduction and set them into a dagger handle. Can I ask you to have it ready by the day after tomorrow?"
"Of course it's possible. Just trust in Bargus's craftsmanship! Hahaha!"
Then, pretending to be nonchalant, I turned my gaze and scanned the inside of the smithy.
"I don't see that guy, Hans."
As casually as possible, without mixing in any emotion.
"If you mean Hans, that kid's being the youngest and chopping wood since morning. He should be out back. Do you have business with him?"
"... No. Never mind. I'll come back for the commission later."
"Yep! Take care, Noah-nim!"
I left the smithy and pretended to head out into the street... then subtly turned my steps toward the corner.
[ Perception Hindrance Magic ]
Tap—
Tapping my staff on the ground activated a spell sufficient to fool most ordinary humans.
As I approached the back of the building, just as Bargus had said, I could sense presence along with the sound of axe swings. Not just one person. There were other men there too.
I pressed my body tightly against the wall and quietly pricked up my ears.
"... So how was it? How does it feel to lose your virginity? If Uncle Bargus recommended the place, it must have been amazing, right? Say something. Come on. It's not like she's some girl you're gonna marry, why be so stingy over a mere whore."
Crack...
Mere what? What did you just call me?
In a world where entertainment is all about alcohol and women, it's a common, everyday thing for men to talk among themselves about which girl they fucked in bed the night before...
But when the subject turns out to be me, it's just complex and awkward.
A mere whore... no, I'm not a whore, in my case I just rented out my lower half through a hole in the wall.
"Were her tits big? Her ass? Was her face pretty?"
"... I didn't see her face."
"What do you mean? Why couldn't you see her face?"
"Well... have you heard of a wall brothel?"
"Ah... Uncle Bargus recommended that place? Huh, really. No wonder he made such a big deal about popping our youngest's cherry. He just sent you there for the cost-effectiveness. Hey, I'll take you to a good place today. Traditionally, a woman should have a big ass and a pretty face to be worth fucking."
My fist clenched tightly at the man's mocking giggles. I wanted to shove my staff into that mouth and blast a fireball right then and there.
Well, I only thought about it. I was sleeping in my lodgings at that time, after all.
And then came Hans's reply.
"No, I'm saving up money to go to that place again, hyung-nim."
"Hey, how do you know there isn't some ugly bitch on the other side of that wall? That's why they work in a place like that."
"... But every time I spanked her ass, she shuddered and tightened up. I've never felt this good before."
"Bastard. For your first time, you did all sorts of things. I guess her ass was big, huh?"
"White as jade... round like the moon... and she dripped wet every time I thrust..."
... He's just so thrilled. Absolutely thrilled.
Having not the slightest desire to hear any more reviews of my XX, I immediately turned my back and slipped out into the street.
Tap— As I lightly tapped the ground with my staff, the Perception Hindrance Magic was immediately dispelled, and I blended naturally into the crowd.
My ears felt slightly hot, but I pretended nothing was wrong, straightened my back, and walked forward with a proud stride.
'... I should go to Mr. Bread's restaurant.'
Relieving stress with food wasn't much different here than it was on Earth.
===
"Welcome, Noah-nim!"
"The usual, please."
One of the top-rated restaurants in Bellua city, and one of the few places I personally liked. In a world that doesn't even have proper spices, the fact that it could suit a modern palate was somewhat unexpected.
Mr. Bread's restaurant always had such a lively atmosphere.
Part of that share was probably due to the bright smile of Marie, Mr. Bread's daughter.
"Yes, understood! I'll prepare it for you right away!"
"......."
Even to my blunt response, Marie smiled brightly and scurried off to where her father was.
Mr. Bread and Marie.
They really seem like a father and daughter who get along well. Since the shop is doing well, the family atmosphere must naturally be good.
'... That man really acts perfectly normal in front of his daughter, huh.'
It wasn't just Hans who was hiding a perverted nature. I've received customers whose names I've heard before, and their tastes are all so different.
That guy has a damn small dick, yet he keeps talking through the wall. Asking if it feels good, saying it feels good so she's dripping wet...
'... Ugh. Losing my appetite before I even eat.'
It's all because of that bastard Hans, making me think unnecessary thoughts since morning.
I wonder if Marie knows?
The fact that her father, who puts on such a warm smile in front of her, is a regular at a wall brothel.
Frankly, it's a bit awkward to see his face... but what can I do? There are few places in this city that serve food that suits my taste this well.
If it were just a meal to fill my stomach, that would be one thing.
But when stress builds up like this, one must have a good meal.
"... Your order is ready!"
After spacing out for a while, Marie placed the freshly cooked food in front of me. She bragged that the meat quality was especially good today and that she guaranteed the taste...
"My standards are quite high though...."
"Heh heh. But Noah-nim, you do like our restaurant's food. I'll proudly say with my own mouth that it's even more delicious than that!"
"Hmm. I'll try it."
The reason I like this restaurant might be because I like this girl, Marie.
I chuckled and put a piece of well-cooked chicken into my mouth.
"... Mmm."
Definitely. The meat isn't tough and it's delicious.
The juices burst in my mouth, and it tears apart easily as I chew, making it easy to eat and improving my mood.
And then there's the soup.
Even in my previous life, I loved broth so much that I could finish a bowl in no time if there was soup, and I really liked this restaurant's unique soup.
Just as I was about to take a bite...
"... Do you have some business with me?"
I was trying to focus on my meal, but Marie, who should have gone to do her work, plopped down right in the seat opposite me.
"Um, Noah-nim. Did you hear?"
"Is something going on?"
"Well. A hero came to our town yesterday, you know."
"... A hero?"
I stopped spooning the soup.
This is the first I'm hearing of it.
Well, that makes sense. As soon as I arrived yesterday, I went to the guild, collected my commission reward, and went straight back to my lodgings. Then I went out secretly at night, and this morning I stopped by the smithy before coming directly here.
I hadn't had a chance to hear any rumors.
"They say he's a hero from the kingdom. He has some business, apparently...."
"In a city like this? There aren't even any dungeons here that would interest a hero."
I'd only heard rumors about heroes.
Bellua isn't that small of a city, but it's not a particularly dangerous area either, so the biggest threat is maybe the occasional C-rank dungeon.
Located on a trade route, commerce is developed and there's a lot of money. That's the city's advantage.
"... So I thought maybe he has business with you."
"With me?"
"You're a great mage, Noah-nim. Uncle Gareth said so not long ago. He said there's no fire mage in Bellua better than Noah-nim."
"... Ahem."
Gareth, that bastard.
I mentally criticized him for being a bit smelly, but he's been telling people things like that?
Next time I see him, I'll go easy on him. In a world like this, sometimes you can't wash when you're working. Whatever. I only used a quick Clean magic spell yesterday myself.
Like this, hearing praise somehow puts me in a good mood.
That's right. I am the elf mage of Bellua.
Blah blah long something or other...
The point is, I'm not someone that bastard Hans can just talk about so creepily behind the building.
"... Well. It's probably nothing. There are plenty of mages in the world better than me anyway, and I have no interest in that kind of sense of mission work."
"I think it would be cool though? Wow, the Hero-nim and his elf mage colleague...! Ah, right. I heard the Hero-nim's companions are with him too. I heard there's a dwarf warrior-nim as well...."
"Planning to collect one of each race? Planning to start a circus, I see."
I made that not-very-funny joke and dipped my spoon into the soup to finish it.
And at that moment.
Creak—! The restaurant door opened.
It happened just 3 seconds after I mockingly called them a circus troupe.
"I heard that a mage called Noah is here!"
"......."
"......."
My eyes met Marie's. We exchanged looks, sharing our thoughts.
— Looking for Noah-nim?
— He's not here.
— If you're thinking of hiding... those ears.
— ... Ah.
I subtly pulled up my robe's hood.
But it seemed all eyes were already on me. It was only natural, as there's no one in this area who doesn't know the elf mage named Noah.
The man— no, the boy who was the Hero... strode right over to my table.
"I am the Hero, Kyle."
"......."
"Could you spare a moment?"
My stress levels from dealing with dickheads all day are no joke. I just wanted to eat my meal in peace.
I raised my head,
and the Hero, who looked like a boy from a rough estimate, was staring at me.