Chapter 6

Stepping out of the dimly lit adventurer's shop, I squinted at the blinding sunlight. Just that made me feel somewhat relieved.

The two-story town was still an unfamiliar sight. Just by looking around, I was amazed by the sheer number of shops. Seeing so many people and voices on the streets made me feel like I was in a town. I had been very nervous in the adventurer's shop, and it was truly scary.

This is a port town with the sea. It's different from the village. However, even though this is just a part of the town, it felt different.

...But.

Just as I was about to close the door, I peeked inside one last time.

The dimly lit room, where the smell of alcohol lingered even during the day. The scary-faced man at the reception with a scar on his cheek. The parchments of requests posted on the wall. If I strained my eyes, I could see a beautiful lady with a pointed hat continuing her meal in the back. Although she wasn't there now, there was also Wayne, who couldn't read and wore metal armor.

In this town full of unknowns, this was the only place I knew a little bit.

"---I'm going now."

Saying it out loud, I closed the door properly.

Leaving it open is not good. If you open a door, you must close it. Otherwise, something bad might come in... That's what all the adults said. It's not good, so I closed the door properly.

I will come back here, so I don't want anything bad to get in.

The road out of town was just a straight path down the main street.

I walked while enduring my hunger. My house was quite far out in the village, so I was quite used to walking. Fetching water from the river multiple times wasn't a job I particularly liked, but thanks to that, walking for a long time wasn't difficult.

However, walking in the middle of the road was still scary, so I walked along the edge. The wide and grand cobblestones were unfamiliar, and I started to feel apologetic about stepping on them with my shoes. ...How did they lay these cobblestones?

Unexpectedly, the two-story buildings quickly decreased. There were more single-story houses, fewer shop signs, a large carriage parked, fewer people, and more fields.

Then, I saw a large wall and gate made of thick wooden pillars and bricks.

It was a big wall, probably twice the height of an adult.

I remember being distracted by the sea and not paying much attention, but I think I saw this wall when I entered the town with Mr. Leamer. Maybe this wall goes all around the town.

The village also had a wooden fence to keep monsters away, but this was completely different. I couldn't help but wonder how they built something like this.

...Is this place where such dangerous monsters attack?

The thought made my spine shiver. I was about to go beyond that wall.

"It's okay. I've been outside before."

I said this to myself. My only experience was the journey with Mr. Leamer, but the fact that he deceived me and that I didn't encounter any monsters in three days of walking should be unrelated.

If I'm careful, it will probably be fine. ...And.

And, isn't that why they ask adventurers?

"I'm an adventurer."

I just realized this and was surprised by my own foolishness. I was already an adventurer.

I never thought this would happen until yesterday, but after registering at the shop and accepting a request, I was undoubtedly an adventurer heading out of town.

"...Yeah, I have to go."

I made up my mind and started walking. I had to go out of town, gather herbs, and earn money. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to eat.

The large gate in the wall was open, but two soldiers in metal armor were there. When I approached, they stopped me.

Two adults in the same-shaped armor and helmets, and with the same-shaped spears, looked down at me.

"What's the matter, kid? Are you lost? Beyond here is outside the town."

"...Well, I want to go outside the town."

When asked by the middle-aged soldier with a mustache, I answered without thinking. I realized it was insufficient and quickly added more.

"Um... I'm an adventurer. I'm going to gather herbs."

The soldiers looked at each other and then at me.

I remembered that I didn't receive any proof of being an adventurer from the scary-faced man at the reception. Would these people believe me? I'm small for my age, and I don't look older than twelve.

If they don't believe me, I won't be able to go outside the town.

"Which shop's adventurer are you?"

"Um, well..."

When asked, I tried to answer but remembered that I couldn't read the shop's name. This is bad. If I can't even say the name of the shop where I registered, they won't believe I'm an adventurer. My adventure might end here.

"The shop with a horse with a fish tail... It's on this street."

"Ah, the Kelpie's Tail Inn. That's what I thought."

When I answered with the picture and location of the shop, they nodded. So that's what it's called, the Kelpie's Tail Inn.

It's a strange name. It's unusually long, and I don't quite understand why the fish tail is the main part instead of the cool horse. Maybe names like Mane Inn or Hoof Inn would be better. Is Kelpie the name of the horse?

"What's your name?"

"Kiri..."

"Kiri, huh. The gate will close in the evening, so make sure to be back by then."

The mustachioed soldier said this and casually cleared the way for me.

"Be careful. Don't go too far."

...Did they believe I was an adventurer?

I was so stunned that the open gate beckoned me.

---

Surely.

Following the gatekeeper, I passed through the open gate. My legs stepped out of the town.

Surely.

I thought someone would stop me somewhere.

They would say the town outside is dangerous, going alone is reckless, and a child like me shouldn't be adventuring...

I was trembling, thinking there might be someone like Mr. Leamer, pretending to be kind and helpful.

But, there was no one. No one extended a kind hand to me.

I left the unfamiliar town's gate alone, hungry, with only a small knife I learned to read and hold.

The view suddenly opened up.

A wide grassland stretched out, with a path formed by footsteps. Sparse trees swayed in the wind. In the distance, there were more trees, forming a forest.

Two kites flew in an arc and cried out loudly. I started walking, as if drawn by their cries, gripping the knife in its sheath tightly in front of my chest.

Leaving the unfamiliar town's gate, heading into the unknown.

It was very scary and lonely. I was hungry and famished. But the cool, gentle wind that caressed my flushed cheeks felt nice, and I finally realized it.

I looked up at the piercing blue sky.

I was a little excited about my first adventure.