Chapter 9: The First Companion
Chapter 9: The First Companion
After figuring out the wolfdogs’ weakness, Guwon’s days fell into a cycle.
He would wake up in the morning and kill time at the guild until lunch, using Analyze on everyone who came and went to see if there was anyone worth recruiting for his party. After lunch, he’d enter the dungeon and dedicate himself to neutering the wild wolfdogs. In the evening, he’d return to the guild to sit around and look for a party member before heading to bed.
This repetitive lifestyle allowed him to gain a new skill and raise his skill proficiencies quite a bit.
He even managed to gain a level—just one, but a level nonetheless, which was said to be difficult to raise through combat alone.
He was also doing pretty well for money now, having saved up enough that he wouldn't have to worry about inn fees for a few days even if he didn't go to the dungeon.
The problem was that he still hadn't found anyone suitable to be his party member.
While using Analyze, he would occasionally find adventurers around his level. Of course he would; in a guild this large, with so many adventurers gathered, it would be stranger if he didn't see anyone near his level.
The problem was their looks.
The prettier a person was, the easier it was to seduce a partner and the greater the satisfaction during the act, so as a rule, being beautiful made leveling up easier. On top of that, as one’s level increased, their Charm stat would get a boost, making them even more beautiful.
As a result, in a guild frequented by high-level adventurers, one could often meet women so beautiful they could be called peerless. Consequently, Guwon’s standards had become ridiculously high.
To his eyes, the looks of adventurers still messing around at his level could never be satisfactory.
Even so, Guwon refused to compromise. He spent his days frequenting the guild, casting his useless Analyze on beautiful women.
Somewhere, there has to be at least one stunning beauty who’s stuck at a low level simply because she hasn’t had the chance to blossom yet.
A party member was someone he might spend who knows how long with, tumbling around together. Compromise was absolutely out of the question.
He spent every day clinging to that ridiculous hope.
After that lifestyle continued for a week, then two, Guwon began to seriously wonder if he should start compromising.
Damn it… If this were a game, there’d be mountains of stunning beauties who stayed low-level because no sucker bastards could lay a hand on them. Is this the wall of reality?
As his expectations began to fade, he headed to the guild out of habit once more.
Entering without any real hope, he saw a gorgeous woman standing near the entrance, looking troubled for some reason.
Her dark, wine-colored hair fell to just touch her shoulders.
Her large, strong-willed eyes and sharply defined nose gave her a chic and cool impression.
Her figure was slender overall—a tall, slim, and well-proportioned style, but her distinct curves emphasized her femininity.
Was she maybe three or four years younger than him?
Such a well-put-together beauty was standing there with a troubled look, her brow furrowed.
The moment Guwon saw her, he had a feeling.
He knew, even without using Analyze.
It made sense. Her looks were so incredible it was strange for her to be low-level, but her clothes were the plain sort a simple country girl might wear. If not for the bow in her hand, he would have thought she was a client here to post a request, not an adventurer.
He immediately used Analyze, and just as he’d expected, her level was a mere 7.
A beauty like this is a lower level than the clerk at my inn.
Just how inexperienced is she?
This was a chance sent from the heavens.
Without a second thought, Guwon approached and spoke to her.
“Hello.”
He offered the greeting with the softest smile he could manage.
He might not look it, but Guwon was a handsome man who had poured an immense amount of effort into his character customization. As long as he acted normally, his looks were enough to make a good impression on most people.
This woman might seem aloof, but he had absolute confidence that her first impression of him wouldn't be a bad one.
“No. I’m not doing well at all.”
The woman shot Guwon an irritated glare before turning back to the front, her expression once again lost in thought.
Heh. They say the pretty ones act their price. Look at this attitude.
But I’m not one to back down here.
You picked the wrong guy today. Let’s see who wins this.
“Haha. I see. And why aren’t you doing well? Is there a problem, perhaps?”
“Are you a guild employee?”
“No, I’m not, but…”
“Then it has nothing to do with you, does it?”
Fuck! Did this bitch install an air conditioner in her body? She’s so cool I’m gonna catch a cold. Let’s see if you can still talk like that after I fuck you.
“No, how could it have nothing to do with me? It wouldn’t be gentlemanly to simply walk by when a woman as beautiful as yourself is looking troubled.”
“Why don’t you just be honest and say you’re hitting on me because you want to fuck me?”
…Huh. How did she know?
Even Guwon was at a loss for words for a moment.
It seemed the “kind, handsome man helping someone in distress” strategy wasn’t going to work.
In that case, it was time for Plan B!
“Haha. What are you talking about? You seem to have great pride in your looks, but I’m not so in heat that I’d jump on just anyone. It’s not something to brag about, but there are women who follow me around, you know.”
It was a complete bluff, but with looks like his, it would be hard for her to dismiss it as a total lie.
“To be honest, I spoke to you because I thought we might be able to help each other.”
“You want to fuck and level up together since we’re at similar levels? Not interested. Go look somewhere else.”
Mom, this girl scares me a little. Is she a mind reader or something?
But I still have another plan!
“Of course not. What I meant was, I was wondering if you were looking for a companion.”
“Like I said, find a sex partner somewhere else…”
“No, I mean a companion to purely fight alongside in the dungeon. Judging by your gear, you don’t seem equipped to go into the dungeon alone.”
“Looks like you’re in the same boat.”
“No. I may not look it, but I’m skilled enough to handle low-level monsters on my own.”
“Then you don’t need me as a companion, do you? You can do it alone.”
“Combat, yes, I can handle that alone. However, I have no common sense about this world, so I absolutely need a companion.”
“…Hmm?”
Only then did the woman seem to show some interest, turning her head to look directly at Guwon.
“One day, I suddenly fell into this world. They call people like me ‘strangers,’ right? It was so sudden. I just woke up here, all alone, without any explanation. Luckily, I have the ability to protect myself, so I haven’t starved, but this world is so different from the one I came from, right down to common sense, that I’ve been struggling. If you happen to need a companion to go to the dungeon with, how about we help each other out, since we’re both in need?”
How about that! This perfect setup.
Could it be any more perfect? Heh, my wit. My quick thinking.
Why did the heavens have to grant me such a talent?
The woman rested her chin on her hand and scanned Guwon slowly from his feet up to his head before speaking.
“That’s the truth, right?”
“Of course. What reason would I have to lie?”
“Fine. I’ll trust you for now. But just you try anything even slightly suspicious.”
Success! It was a tough battle, but no matter how much she played hard to get, she ended up in the palm of my hand.
With this, I’ve taken the first step. Now all I have to do is get closer to her while we travel together and then coax her into it!
“Haha. You don’t have to worry about that. My name is Guwon. I look forward to working with you.”
That’s right. I look forward to it in many ways.
Hiding his true intentions, Guwon put on his most good-natured smile and offered a handshake.
“It’s Sara.”
Sara did take the hand Guwon offered, but their hands barely brushed before she quickly pulled hers away.
I’ve made up my mind. I don’t care about anything else, but I will shatter that haughty expression of hers, no matter what it takes.
“Alright, then, why don’t we head to the dungeon and give each other a simple introduction on the way?”
He wanted to suggest grabbing a meal together first to build some rapport, but he had a strong feeling she would just refuse, so he steered her toward the dungeon instead.
He tried to lead the way, forcing himself to maintain a friendly smile, but for some reason, Sara didn’t follow, just fidgeting in place.
“Hm? What’s wrong?”
“…I haven’t registered as an adventurer yet.”
“Ah. I see. Then hurry up and get it done. I’ll wait here.”
But even then, Sara just continued to fidget, not taking a single step.
“…don’t have the money.”
“Huh? What was that?”
Sara, still wearing a sharp expression, blushed beet red and spat out the words.
“I don’t have the money to register as an adventurer.”
“…What? For a measly 2 silver?”
“M-measly 2 silver? The prices here are too expensive! It can’t be helped.”
She looks like a total ice queen, but she’s whining about being poor.
“…Here. 2 silver.”
“Ugh. I can’t take money from someone I just met…”
So she had some pride, at least.
“We need to go to the dungeon together, but we can’t get anything done if you’re stuck here because you can’t register, can we? I’m not giving it to you, I’m lending it. Now hurry up and go register.”
“…Thank you. I’ll pay you back as soon as I earn some money.”
After considerable hesitation, Sara finally took the money and headed to the reception desk.
She might be a surprisingly earnest person.
Or maybe she just hates being in debt to others?
Either way, if she felt indebted to him, it would make her easier to handle.
“I’m back.”
Before long, Sara returned.
“Oh, welcome back. Let’s go, then.”
“By the way, you’ve been speaking casually to me this whole time.”
“Hm?”
“Could you please not?”
“Well, we’re companions who will be crossing the threshold of life and death together from now on. Let’s be friendly.”
“No. It gives me the creeps hearing a man I just met today talk to me so casually like he knows me.”
She’s been extremely guarded since I first spoke to her.
Is it some kind of androphobia?
No, but if her level is 7, that means she has had experience with men.
Did she date some trashy guy and get seriously burned?
If that was the case, it might be better to approach her gently and slowly build intimacy.
But I know my own personality. There’s no way I could do that.
“But I refuse!”
“Huh?”
“You are bound to this body until you pay back that 2 silver! I have no reason whatsoever to grant the request of a debtor!”
“I thought you were being strangely kind, but this was your plan? You’re even more of a scumbag than I thought.”
Sara’s gaze changed to one of looking at actual garbage.
If I joked around any more, she might really run off, debt or no debt.
“Just kidding, just kidding. Look at your face. So scary I can’t even joke around. Won’t it be tiring for both of us if we’re so stiff with each other? Besides, party communication is directly linked to the party’s continuation and survival, you know?”
“…Hmph.”
Now that I’d brought up survival, it seemed Sara had nothing more to say.
“So you can speak casually to me too, Sara. Let’s just be comfortable with each other.”
“I won’t. But I won’t mind you speaking casually.”
Sara’s expression remained stiff as she spoke.
Still, it seemed she understood my intention for speaking casually. Even though it was just an excuse because using formal language is a pain.
Anyway, with this attitude, she was going to be pretty tough to conquer.
“So, Sara, what are your job levels? I can tell you specialize in ranged attacks since you’re carrying a bow.”
After that little squabble, we finally headed for the dungeon, and I started by assessing Sara’s skills.
“Level 7. As for jobs… Archer is 2, and Hunter is 1. Oh, and of course, Adventurer, which I just got, is 1.”
“Wow. You’re a total beginner. I’m surprised you were even thinking of entering the dungeon at that level.”
“Sh-shut up! What’s your level, then?”
“Level 13. Saint 12, Martial Artist 10, and Adventurer 3.”
“…I guess you really are skilled enough to go it alone. But I’ve never heard of the Saint job. What kind of job is it?”
“Huh?! Ah, ahh~. It’s, uh… like, I told you I’m a stranger, right? So it’s kind of a special job I got. Anyway, it’s not related to combat, so you don’t need to worry about it.”
Phew. She’s asking weird questions.
Given her reaction earlier, she’d run away immediately if I told her it was a sex-related job, right?
I’ll keep the Saint job a secret until we’re much closer.
“Well, I guess job level isn’t everything. So what are your detailed stats?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Your stats. You know, detailed stats like Strength, Agility, and Intelligence.”
“…Those aren’t things you can know as a numerical value, are they? In your world, could you know things like that as numbers?”
“Well, no, but…”
As my voice trailed off, she started looking at me with pity in her eyes.
Stop. Stop looking at me like that! My head is perfectly fine!
“Wait a minute. Then how do you know your level as a number?”
“What are you talking about? You’re just supposed to know your level as a number, aren’t you?”
This wasn’t making any sense.
We were definitely having a conversation, but what was this feeling that we weren’t communicating at all?
“Let’s take this one step at a time. First, when you check your level or job level, you open your status window to check, right?”
“No. What’s that? You just… know your level, right?”
“What? Then don’t tell me you don’t have a skill window or an inventory either?”
“What are those?”
What?! Is that it! So that’s how it was