Chapter 79

After listening to the receptionist's explanation, Thor and the others headed not to the entrance but to the window counter. The reason was to receive their new adventurer cards.

"It should be ready by now, but shall we check?"

"Hello, we've come to pick up our cards."

"Muu wants a stag beetle. A big one."

"What? A bug? I wonder if we handle bugs. Let me check with my supervisor."

The receptionist with short hair responded seriously to the child who peeked out from under the counter, showing only his head and eyes. When the child turned to call his supervisor, Thor quickly stopped him.

"No, we don't need a bug. Don't take what he says seriously."

"Thor, do you dislike stag beetles?"

"Well, I like them, but it would be a hassle to receive one here."

"That's true, they might fly away."

"Right, it can't be helped. Then, just the card. I want a black one."

Pointing to the black-rimmed adventurer card indicating Yuril's C-rank, the child repeated his unreasonable request.

"What? A black steel rank? We were told a white hard rank, but I'll check if it can be changed immediately."

"Can we choose the color? Then I want a yellow one."

"No, that's not possible. Just ignore this one, ignore him."

"What? Are you going to get a stag beetle after all?"

"…Are you doing this on purpose?"

"Thank you for waiting, Mr. Thor. Here is your new adventurer card. Is everything correct?"

A thin, red-haired man appeared silently behind the receptionist and bowed politely, offering a tray with three plates.

"Sorry for the trouble."

"No, I'm the one who should apologize for the wait."

Thor finally received the white-rimmed adventurer card and handed it to Sora, shrugging his shoulders. The new plate, being a D-rank, had clearly engraved text that was easy to read. It listed the name, gender, and age, as well as the eye and hair color, race, and skill tree type. While it didn't have a function to completely identify an individual, it made impersonation much more difficult.

Even if stolen, an adventurer card is only valid in the border town where it was issued. The usable range is limited, and for higher ranks, many residents are familiar with the faces. While it could be used for fraud, the adventurer bureau can quickly verify it, so the fault lies with the deceived party. At most, the cost of reissuance would be a financial burden for the person who lost it.

After confirming that the recorded information hadn't changed, Thor and the others put the new cards on the strings around their necks. Since the color and shape of the cards couldn't be freely chosen, the hanging strings were a point of pride for adventurers. They could be dyed, knotted, or made of materials other than leather, such as fine metal chains. Thor, who didn't particularly care, used the cheapest leather string, while Yuril used a string made from the fur of a gray ice wolf.

After adjusting the positions of their cards, the man called the section chief spoke to Thor and the others.

"By the way, Mr. Thor, I heard you are heading to a new hunting ground. Have you arranged for a carriage?"

"Yes, it will be a private one from now on. Can you make a reservation for us?"

"Yes, but all are currently out, so it will be available in three days. Is that acceptable?"

"Surprisingly, there aren't many available. If there's no other choice, I'll take it."

"Then… Mikaki, that one."

"That one? Uh, oh, this one. Come on, be more clear, please."

Unaware of her supervisor's visible irritation, Mikaki handed over a detailed copy of the street map. Before the receptionist could speak, the red-haired staff member added an explanation.

"This is a map of the bureau's certified stores. They offer dust protection items. Would you like to visit them before you leave?"

"I see, that's thoughtful. Thank you."

It seemed that the delay in departure was to give them time to prepare properly. Moreover, by shopping at certified stores, the adventurer bureau would indirectly benefit. Thor, who found a few familiar names in the map, nodded at the capable section chief.

"I'll visit them right away. Thanks for the help."

"No, no, it's my pleasure. Oh, wait, I forgot!"

"Is there something else?"

"From D-rank onwards, you can name your party. Would you like to register a name?"

In response to the receptionist's words, Muu, whose hair Sora was twirling, answered with a dreamy look.

"Then, Muu-chan's team."

"Understood."

"Wait, wait, let's discuss this."

"How about 'Newlywed Family,' Thor?"

"……Frost…… No, how about 'Ice God Evangelism Team'?"

"Let's put it on hold."

"Muuuu!"

"Well, it's a perfect fit, isn't it?"

"Unfortunately, I thought it was a good opportunity."

Yuril, who rarely joined in such casual conversations, shook her ears unhappily and clasped her fingers. The ice god Strazin, who governs learning and exploration, is not very popular, so she seemed quite serious.

Waving to Section Chief Shieka and Receptionist Mikaki, Thor and the others left the adventurer bureau's lobby. They headed to a fabric store where they had shopped many times before.

The beautiful female shop owner was unfortunately serving a customer. When she noticed Thor and the others, her eyes widened slightly. After a brief conversation with the customer, she quickly approached them.

"Welcome, Mr. Thor. What are you looking for today?"

"No, the other customer was here first. I'll just look around until they're done."

"That won't do. Please tell me what you need."

"Then, we're planning to go to the wilderness next. If you have anything related, just tell me where it is."

"In that case, the back shelf, the entire wall is dedicated to it."

Thor nodded, and the shop owner returned with a relieved look. Sora, who had been watching the exchange, whispered in surprise.

"Maybe it's because of the white adventurer card?"

"Yeah, probably."

"Mu has been too well-behaved, and it's finally been noticed."

"Hey, good kids don't run in the store."

Thor quickly picked up the child who was playing hide-and-seek between the shelves. Muu, rubbing his sweet-smelling hair against Thor's cheek, giggled.

After about ten minutes, the female customer left, and the shop owner returned with her father, a tailor. The tailor greeted them seriously, and Yuril started talking to him. They ended up ordering three summer outfits and several pairs of underwear for each of them. Of course, they also ordered dust-protective cloths for the mouth, breathable linen socks, and headscarves. Thanks to the adventurer discount, the total cost was one gold coin. It was a significant expense, but with the five gold coins saved from the river slime's body fluid and the hippo's skin, it was manageable.

After receiving a promise to have the items ready in two days, Thor and the others left the store, waving goodbye. As they left, the shop owner and her father bowed deeply.

After measuring Muu's dimensions, Thor and the others headed to an armor shop in the back alley. When they opened the door, as expected, they heard a conversation between an old man and a child.

"Grandpa, do you want to see Muu's card?"

"Let me see. Wow, it's white. Great job, kid."

"Actually, I wanted a black one, but Muu can be patient."

"Good for you, kid. Do you want a snack?"

"Yes!"

"Don't spoil him, old man."

"Hey, when did you guys get here!"

The leatherworker, Ramo, who was talking to Muu at the workbench, blushed and grimaced. Then, he sniffed and widened his eyes at the sight of Yuril.

"Bringing a beauty like that. Well, it's a bit messy, but make yourself comfortable."

"Oh, I'm flattered. I'm Yuril. Nice to meet you."

Thor, who was cracking jokes, relaxed a bit at the shop owner's unchanged attitude.

"So, what brings you here? I'm busy with work."

"Mu, did you thank grandpa for the snack?"

"Yes, thank you, grandpa!"

"Good, take your time."

Ramo, who had answered the child eating a steamed bun with sweet potato, shook his head and frowned.

"Well, I can spare a little time. What's up?"

"Actually, we're going to the wilderness this week. Is there anything we should know?"

"Oh, you're going to the wilderness already. Then, the kid's current cape isn't suitable."

According to the leatherworker, each monster's hide has its own characteristics, and it's best to use them according to the location. The flexible and easy-to-clean hide of the mole, which moves underground, is suitable for the wilderness. The sturdy and shock-resistant hide of the wild boar is good for rough armor. The tough and water-repellent hide of the hippo, which lives in water, is also useful.

However, the red hippo's hide, which Muu was wearing, is not suitable for the arid wilderness. It can crack easily when it dries out quickly. Ramo looked at the child wearing the red cape thoughtfully.

"The boar's hide is a bit heavy, and the mole's hide doesn't offer much protection. I have the perfect hide, but I'm a bit low on stock."

"What hide is it, old man?"

"The best hide for the wilderness is from the creatures that live there."

"…Rock Lizard?"

"It's a rare hide. I had a little, but I used it for a leather armor order last month."

"Got it. I'll bring it as soon as I can get it."

Thor thanked Ramo for the advice and memorized the name of the Rock Lizard as a target for hunting.

After that, they prepared portable food and trained with Sisan and the others, and heard about the river's current state from Rorolf and the others. The two days passed quickly. On the third day, the group received their ordered clothing and gathered at the outer gate's square to board the carriage for the new hunting ground.

The scenery during the carriage ride was mostly the same brown grassland as before. During the second rest stop, Thor sat back-to-back with the girl who had climbed to the upper deck, gazing into the distance.

The pleasant warmth from her back.

The gentle rocking of the carriage under his buttocks.

Feeling the warm breeze on his cheeks, Sora slowly moved.

"If you're sleepy, do you want to go downstairs?"

"No, I'm fine."

The carriage had a bed set up for the journey, and now Yuril and Muu were sleeping soundly.

"Hey, this is the most exciting part, isn't it?"

"…Yeah, maybe."

Thor, noticing the girl's silence, asked a question that came to mind.

"By the way, why yellow?"

"Huh, what?"

"Well, you said you wanted a yellow adventurer card."

"Oh, I meant the color of the yolk."

"I see."

Thor smiled slightly, recalling Sora's recent favorite. Thanks to the conquest of the dungeon in the former border town of Borsaria to the north, the number of nearby monsters had temporarily decreased. This allowed the circulation of eggs and wheat to recover.

While meat can be obtained from monsters, eggs are said not to exist because monsters do not engage in normal reproductive activities. After mutation, they appear as adults.

"Boiled eggs are good, but I prefer sunny-side up."

"Well, for now, just deal with the whites. Look, there it is."

Suddenly, Thor pointed ahead. In the distance, a vast white land stretched endlessly.