Chapter 37

"No, you're quite the troublemaker, if you had just said you were strong, we wouldn't have had to do this."

"Well, I thought you'd understand if you considered that I hunted a bear."

"Or did they think I was a merchant who had come from another town to buy the expensive bear fur?"

"No, just like you came up with a way to beat us without making us turn into bandits, I was trying to think of a way to beat you without leaving any lasting damage."

Since Haru had advised that I wouldn't become a bandit if it was self-defense, I continued to beat the adventurers who attacked me in the backyard where I was butchering the bear.

What I was doing could be considered torture, but to survive in this world, I had to endure this much.

Some tried to run away, but of course, I didn't let them.

"Then, I'll take them to the guild, so tell me everything honestly."

"Sure thing, sir!"

Five people, with bruises, abrasions, circular bald spots, and dislocated joints, stood at attention and saluted, and they were tasked with carrying the bear I had butchered.

They were to carry the bear meat, fur, organs, and wolf meat. The bear's gallbladder, apparently, is a valuable medicine and fetches a high price. Some skilled hunters, it seems, only take the gallbladder when they hunt too many bears.

By the way, another thing. The bear's paws, which I thought would be a delicacy, are apparently of low value among the edible parts of the bear. It's a bit disappointing.

The entrance to the adventurer's guild isn't very wide, so the cart can't go inside.

From here, we have to carry it by hand.

I let the adventurers who attacked me carry the organs, while Haru and I carried the fur.

There's a separate room for buying monster materials, and we took them there.

"...I'm surprised, this is a magnificent fur... The butchering is perfect. Even a Forest Wolf would be envious."

The guild staff said they would appraise it immediately, but I decided to do something first.

"Yeah, before that, could you hear their story?"

The five people who had carried the materials flinched.

Then the five began to confess, trembling with fear.

"They said there were no other crimes, but could you check with the guild?"

"Understood. For now, take this bear meat to the food storage and tell them to weigh it. I can tell the approximate weight just by looking, so don't try to cheat."

It seems this guild staff member is well-known within the guild, as all five saluted and left.

"The bear fur is 360 sens per piece, with a 20% premium as it's a quest item. The bear's gallbladder is in perfect condition, so it's about 4000 sens. The wolf fur is 50 sens per piece, and the fangs are 40 sens in total. Unfortunately, we can't buy the wolf meat here, but I'll write a letter of introduction to the butcher on West Street, so you can sell it there. With this amount, you should be able to cover your lodging. Next—"

The staff member stated the prices one by one.

I don't know if they're cheap or expensive, but judging by Haru's tail, it seems to be a decent price.

"The total, including your butchering skills, is 9800 sens. Sorry, but no matter how you look at it, it's impossible to reach 10000 sens."

"...Haru, what do you think?"

"I think it's sufficient. At least, it's not an unreasonable amount."

Yeah, because... 9800 sens, that's 980,000 yen, right?

If I add two more silver coins, I can get a gold coin.

Using Haru's adventurer's license, I received the money. Nine bundles of ten silver coins each, and eight loose ones.

I unexpectedly received a large sum of money.

"Ah, thank you for the bear knife. It was very easy to use."

I returned the bear knife, which I had maintained using the method Margaret taught me.

The man put the knife away in his pocket without drawing it from the sheath.

"Yeah, since you got a lot of money, why don't you buy something from the guy next door?"

He advertised.

...Yeah.

When I was fighting the bear, I wanted a sharp sword because the iron sword got stuck in the bear.

I also want to buy a sword for Haru.

"Then I'll go. Thank you."

I bowed to the receptionist and decided to follow his advice.

I thought the prettiest receptionist was the best, but it's really helpful to have someone who is competent and takes good care of you.

I put the large sum of money in my item bag and left the adventurer's guild.

...And I'm hungry.

It's getting close to night, and I need to find a place to stay.

"...Night... huh."

I sighed, looking at the setting sun.

"Thinking about Carol?"

"...You're not allowed to go out at night. It's like the opposite of a vampire... That's all I thought."

I said, and entered the weapon shop next to the adventurer's guild.

The shop had a variety of items, including swords, knives, spears, and armor.

I looked at a sword in the showcase that seemed to be a famous blade.

200,000 sens... 20,000,000 yen for one sword.

Do blacksmiths make a lot of money?

If I max out my jobless skills and get all the skills, maybe I could become a blacksmith and spend my days forging swords.

I would become a famous blacksmith as soon as I graduate from being jobless.

I remember that to become a blacksmith, you have to start as a hammer user and then become an apprentice blacksmith.

"Welcome. Are you looking for something?"

A young man came out from behind the counter.

I thought he might be the blacksmith, but the receptionist had called him "old man." This guy looks too young to be an old man.

Looking at his job, it said "Apprentice Blacksmith: Lv4." He's probably the shop owner's apprentice.

"Yes, I borrowed a bear knife from the adventurer's guild and used it. It was very sharp, and I thought I'd like to have one."

"Ah, a bear knife. This is it."

"200 sens... Then I'll buy this one. Also, I want a sharp sword. About this size."

I showed him the iron sword as a sample.

I'm envious of great swords, but I want something easy to use.

"How about this steel sword?"

A steel sword. It was indeed easier to use than the iron sword.

It costs 1000 sens. I'm not sure if it's expensive or cheap, but I'll buy it.

"Does Haru want anything?"

"No, not particularly—"

"Okay, by the way, Haru, walk slowly here."

I told Haru to walk slowly in front of the short sword section.

When Haru walked slowly, his tail swayed significantly in front of a certain sword.

"...Fire Dragon Fang Sword?"

It costs 3000 sens.

"It's a short sword made from a Fire Dragon's fang."

The young man picked up the short sword and put some force into it.

Then—fire lit up on the short sword.

"It can convert physical attack power into magical power and produce fire. It's also useful for long-range attacks when a swordsman has little magical attack power."

I took the sword from the man and tried it out, of course, holding back.

Wow, the sword really does light up with fire.

"Then, I'll take this one. Haru, use it."

"Um... I already have a short sword—"

"Sorry, but I need one as a spare. You never know what might happen in a fight."

"...Thank you—! Shop owner, please hide me!"

Haru said and jumped over the counter to hide behind it.

"Huh? Haru? What's going on all of a sudden?"

"Please, sir, pretend I'm not here."

Why?

I was thinking that when—

"Hmm, this is a commoner's weapon shop... What a dirty store. Are you really the best blacksmith in Velasra, Sebastian?"

"Yes, Master Oleg. I've heard that, but the information came from a low-level informant."

A man in fancy clothes and a man who looked about 50 and was a butler entered.

I saw their jobs and understood why Haru was acting strange.

[Noble: Lv14]

[Butler Warrior: Lv49]

...So, Haru, that's it?

But this guy...

"However, there is no dignified sword that I can use, Sebastian."

"Yes, Master Oleg, it seems that only a dedicated blacksmith can make a sword suitable for you."

...He even showed a sword that looked like a toy, smaller than a short sword.

The sword was golden and shiny, but the blade was rounded and wouldn't even cut paper.

...Short legs, a chubby body... and a voice that hasn't changed yet.

He's just a kid.

"Well, just my presence here will add prestige to this shabby store. You're lucky, shop owner! This is instead of advertising fees—"

Oleg tried to pick up a sword that was on display... but couldn't and gave up.

"Never mind. Let's go to the casino, Sebastian."

"Yes, Master Oleg."

The two left without either the apprentice blacksmith or I saying a word.

Then Haru showed his face.

"Haru, is that guy—"

"Yes, the one who tried to buy me, Master Oleg."

That's him.

...Seriously?