Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Survival Arc (8)
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"...It's fine."
It was an objective assessment of my appearance.
I couldn't do much about my looks, even if I ignored my clothes and expression... I needed to fill out the combat information properly.
"You could also go to a pub and tip the staff for information."
"How much tip should I give?"
"...Five thousand jenn is reasonable; ten thousand jenn, and they'll ask other staff if needed. I didn't realize you were so unfamiliar with the ways of the world, Gray. Oh, and you don't need to tip me, by the way."
Nothing to be ashamed of. The willingness to learn was what mattered.
But ten thousand jenn was my daily lodging cost...
"Thank you for the detailed advice. It's been a big help."
Thanks to her, I'd gotten some valuable info, so I bowed my head sincerely.
The staffer blinked in mild surprise before responding with her professional smile.
My next stop was the right passageway.
A moment later, I found the empty request board and started looking up mercenary info to fill it out.
'Mercenary Name: Gray'
'Mercenary Rank: Grade 5'
'Race: '
'Combat Specialty: '
'Mana Grade: '
'Interested Requests: '
Most of the mercenary info fields were blank.
Tapping each input box brought up a list like selecting tags.
First up was race. The list showed race names along with mixed-blood options. It gave me pause before choosing.
'Registering as Short Ears could cause issues later when I age... I look too young for my age, so someone might get suspicious.'
But I couldn't register as Long Ears mixed either.
So, like I'd told that old swordsman back in Greenleaf Village, I went with Short Stature mixed.
'Mercenary Name: Gray'
'Mercenary Rank: Grade 5'
'Race: Short Ears, Short Stature mixed'
'Combat Specialty: '
'Mana Grade: '
'Interested Requests: '
Next was combat specialty.
'Huh... You can even pick interpersonal combat here.'
It was an unexpected option. Curious, I checked the interested requests field and saw 'war' was available there too.
Somewhere in the world, humans were pointing swords at each other in war.
The request list let you search other countries if you expanded the range. It was a continent-wide info network.
'I could expand it now and see who's hiring war mercenaries.'
Of course, no need for that. I finished the rest of the mercenary info and wrapped up the inputs.
'Mercenary Name: Gray'
'Mercenary Rank: Grade 5'
'Race: Short Ears, Short Stature mixed'
'Combat Specialty: Warrior, Swordsman, Giant Beast Combat'
'Mana Grade: Upper'
'Interested Requests: Monster Subjugation, Exploration, Escort'
After finishing with the request board, I headed straight to the counter and asked the staffer for party recommendations.
She had me place my palm on the black glass panel at the counter, then spoke as if checking my info.
"Upper-grade warrior, but no Grade 4 request experience. Mid-grade parties would take you easily, but ones with upper-grade members might take a bit longer."
A mid-grade party wasn't bad, but I wanted to learn from real upper-grade warriors.
"I'd prefer a party with upper-grade members."
"Got it. I'll register you as an applicant, and introduce you when a party with open slots checks in. They'll see your mercenary info then, so cancel if you don't want that."
Showing mercenary info probably meant checking request completion records.
'Makes sense—they'd scrutinize anyone they're entrusting their life to.'
I nodded casually, thanked her politely, and left the request hall.
Next up was the pub.
As the request counter staff had suggested, I could tip the servers for info—and maybe find a party among the customers.
With that in mind, I headed to the pub right next to the request hall on the left.
The door was firmly shut.
'Still morning; not open yet.'
A small sign on the door said opening time was noon.
Two more hours to wait.
'Might as well handle other errands while waiting. Need to renew my visitor pass and repair this torn robe.'
The visitor pass for residency I'd gotten when first entering Bellunia last spring.
It was valid for one month.
To avoid illegal stay, I had to renew monthly—and today was expiration day, so I did.
The place was to the right of the south gate wall passage: the entry administration office.
It was a hassle, but not difficult.
After that, the schedule was a magic tool workshop for robe repairs.
Requests sometimes led to intense fights that shredded my mana coat. Without it, I had to take hits with my body, and there was no protecting the robe or clothes from tearing.
Torn robes like this needed fixing at a magic tool gear workshop.
Just like now.
"Here to drop off a robe for repairs."
It was a magic tool gear workshop in Bellunia's south gate workshop alley.
Not my first time, but I hadn't picked it for any special expertise.
"... ."
"... ."
Two middle-aged Short Stature craftsmen.
I'd wandered in on instinct the first time, just happy to see fellow Short Stature folk.
Once we started trading, no need to shop elsewhere, so I kept coming back.
And they were always men of few words.
One of them, the usual customer-facing guy, just held out his hand for the robe this time too.
'Maybe that's a good thing. Back in my past life, chatty staff made me want to leave immediately.'
I'd already stashed my pocket items in the pouch.
I took off the robe and handed it over.
"Two days, fifty thousand jenn."
Come back in two days; the rest was the cost.
I pulled money from my pants pocket and handed it over. He pointed at my clothes, then at something in the corner.
"Mid-grade top-and-bottom set, one hundred twenty thousand jenn."
'Recommendation or hard sell? Given their style, probably a rec.'
My clothes were definitely in rough shape—over ten spots crudely stitched from tears.
The robe linked to my mana coat and was a gift from Nellin and Kiru, so I'd repaired it multiple times.
But the inner clothes were plain, and I'd been patching them sloppily forever, figuring I'd buy new ones someday.
"Mana coat linked, custom fit, free belt pouch."
'Pretty cheap for the features...'
I needed to save money, but the functions and price tempted me.
I usually spread my robe at fight's start to draw weapons. If attacked head-on with robe open, inner clothes got torn or punctured.
Mana coat linking would fix that. No more ragamuffin beggar look.
And I needed a belt pouch anyway.
Couldn't keep opening the transforming pouch, and inner pockets had limits.
I unfolded the clothes where he pointed and inspected them.
Nothing special, but a refined design.
"Just black?"
Like the request counter staff said, I always wrapped myself in my dull gray robe.
Maybe brighter top and pants would soften my gloomy vibe? I asked,
"Dyeing, sixty thousand jenn."
"Black it is."
I paid, went to the fitting room, and changed.
True to 'custom fit,' the size adjusted to my body—a fascinating experience.
'Don't you usually try on clothes before paying...?'
A fleeting doubt, but I shrugged it off and checked my reflection.
The top hugged close but felt airy thanks to its thin, soft texture. The slight collar design appealed too.
Pants were narrower than before but not tight. Slightly thicker fabric felt sturdy.
'Money really makes a difference. Good design, comfy, and functional.'
After checking, I buckled on Nellin's belt.
Transforming pouch on the right hip back, new dark brown belt pouch on the left hip back.
It clicked on—another magic tool.
I adjusted positions for ease a few times, then finished up in the fitting room.
Outside, the craftsmen were deep in their work.
"Thanks for your help."
No response from the silent pair. I left the workshop and headed for the south gate.
The 'south gate' workshop alley was a name only—actually three hours from the gate. The city's vastness made the south district huge.
'Around two now, so past five when I arrive.'
Planning to hit the pub I'd meant for morning, around five should be peak bustle.
With that, I quickened my steps.
Three hours later, back at the south gate, I detoured to the request hall before the pub—just in case.
Not even a day, but hoping for party applicant news.
I headed down the right passage to the counter as usual.
The staffer who'd registered me recognized me and nodded hello.
"Any word on the party application I registered this morning?"
She glanced at my face and shook her head.
"Not yet. When a recruiting party's leader checks the request board, our notification shows—but no one's viewed it."
Figured nothing would happen same-day.
I thanked her and left.
Next, the pub as planned—the one too early that morning.
Opening the door brought a roar of noise from the packed crowd.
Early evening, yet almost no empty tables.
The lively vibe mixed food smells with laughter.
A new sensation—I realized I'd never experienced places like this.
I sat at the bar with space.
Moments later, a bubbly brown-haired waitress approached.
"What'll it be?"
"What's popular?"
"Beer by far. Twelve hundred jenn a glass."
Twelve hundred jenn—pricier than slum meals.
Slum comparison aside, decent price. I ordered a beer on her rec.
When she returned with the golden liquid, I pulled a ten-thousand-jenn bill from my pocket and tipped her.
Morning advice from the request hall staff.
"Know any parties recruiting upper-grade warriors?"
Her eyes widened at the amount.
Equal to my inn stay—sleep-only spot—and enough for eight beers.
"Of course! Hang on, I'll ask the other staff too."
While she was gone, I sipped the beer.
A fizzy tang with bittersweet, hearty flavor spread in my mouth.
'Can't afford often, but tasty enough for once a month.'
Far better than any beer from my past life.
These little things really drove home that I'd been reborn in another world.
She returned soon, smiling satisfied.
"Two parties in the pub right now recruiting upper-grade warriors. And one more that comes regularly but isn't here today."