Chapter 27

"Hello"

"Hey, welcome"

The person in charge of the archive room was a bespectacled man. He had a rather thin and hunched posture, typical of someone addicted to reading. The archive room was filled with bookshelves and stacks of paper.

"Do you have any recommended materials to look at?"

"All the materials here are recommended, but the ones that are in demand are the maps of monster distribution and information on their weaknesses. Personally, I recommend 'The Adventurer's Guide'."

"Then I'll take the guide. If there's a map, do you have one?"

"If you mean a map of this country—"

"Can I have a copy?"

"For personal use, sure. But selling it is illegal and can result in a serious crime."

"Does it go against national interests?"

"Yes."

He smiled slyly and handed over a book.

I can understand that revealing the country's topography to other countries could cause various issues in terms of national defense. While adventurers travel everywhere, it might not have much meaning, but there might be areas with restricted access in the future.

"The 'Adventurer's Guide' is something I reproduce as a hobby and distribute to those who ask for recommendations. You don't need to return it."

"A hobby?"

"Yes, to adventurers I like who come to the archive room and ask for recommendations. It's based on my personal judgment."

The content was travel knowledge. I quietly learned a few basic life magic spells.

Spells like 'Ignite' and 'Beverage' for producing a cup of drinking water, and a collection of minor magic that doesn't involve attack or detection. While 'Ignite' is fun to use for lighting fires, it's particularly useful in rainy weather or in snowy fields where it's hard to start a fire. Since anyone with a bit of magic power in this world can use these convenient spells, many people know them. I can take out water and food from my pocket, so I only use a campfire for the atmosphere. I think the mood is important.

Oh, there's also 'Clean'! I think it's great! I don't have my own room in this world, though!

I was getting excited on my own, and Al was watching me with a smile...

I bought paper and a pen for tracing and started copying the map.

It's quite detailed, even with contour lines. I could simplify it, but I'll copy it faithfully. It should be reflected on the map.

From the map, I can see that this country has five cities, including the capital, and eight villages. There are also two suspicious-looking caves and marks that look like ruins. It feels like I have more to do.

After about three hours of work, I finished the copy. I think it turned out pretty well. I finished my work in the archive room for today, said goodbye to Al, and left the room.

I'm still hungry from the continuous use of stealth. Since eating and drinking are not allowed in the archive room, I went to the cafeteria on the first floor for a meal. I delivered items like deer skin and bear skin that I didn't need for the requests and went outside. Plum was not at the counter, probably on a break.

By the way, it seems that only healing magic, light, and shadow magic can be used in the city. I've been careful not to use attack magic.

Well, before I start mixing, I'll buy the book from the used bookstore.

Kaede and Momiji bought me the necessary spices and vegetables, so I'm all set. I want a new staff, but while the deer skin sold for a decent price, the bear skin fetched a high price. I feel like I'll run out of money after buying the book. I wish I had bought the stew recipe after leveling up a bit more.

The used bookstore is still a place that's easy to overlook if you don't recognize it. It seems to become an event field when you enter, but I wonder if other people can buy the books I've already bought? I'll cry if that book is already sold.

"Good evening"

When I greeted, he glanced at me and raised an eyebrow as if to say, "You again?" before immediately returning to his book. The owner is still as unfriendly as ever.

I quickly secured the book I wanted and decided to read a bit while sitting. I sat in a round chair in the corner and read a few thin books. They were picture books for children, so I finished them quickly.

Next, I picked up a book about the history of this town. It tells the story of an adventurer and his companions who founded the town after their adventures.

It was a bit dark to read the fine print, so I used the light magic. I wanted to bring a cushion, but I'll get up when my butt starts to hurt. Otherwise, I'll keep reading forever.

"I'll take these three books"

A book about the gods, a comprehensive magic book, and a book about herbs and poisons. In total, 9,580 silver. I really wanted other books too, but I restrained myself. When I handed over the money, a black leather book with no title was placed on top of the three books on the counter.

"What's this?" I thought as I looked at the person who put the book there.

"It's a bonus. If you can bring 2,200,000 silver in ten days, it's yours."

"Huh?"

What a ridiculous demand. And why such an odd amount? To be honest, I've never had more than 50,000 silver, even when I received the prize for my first major kill!

"It's not just a book. You have wind, light, and dark magic, right? You should be able to open it."

I thought and opened the book.

《Skill [Thunder Magic] acquired》

Wow!

"You'll understand when you read the comprehensive magic book. There are higher-level magics, both single-attribute and combined. This is a combination of wind, light, and dark."

"I have no confidence in paying it off, though."

But I've already acquired it, damn it.

"Try your best to earn it."

He immediately returned to his book without looking at me.

I left the used bookstore to think.

Is the amount based on level × 100,000?

'Moon Chant Grass' is bought by NPCs for 100,000 silver. Even selling all ten roots I collected, I wouldn't have enough to cover half. NPCs buy it for this price, so selling it to players would probably fetch a higher price. However, there are no player producers who can handle 'Moon Chant Grass' yet, so there's no market for it. Selling it to residents would fetch a good price, but when players who can handle 'Moon Chant Grass' appear, the price difference will be huge. It might just be a high-level item with no demand, but I'll think about it.

I could try selling all my items to make up for the shortfall after selling as much alcohol as possible... If I can't pay, how will I return the money? Just returning the book doesn't seem right.

Before I went to the used bookstore, I was thinking about getting a new staff, so I ended up at the crafts district. I can't afford a big purchase now. I decided to go to the pharmacist guild at the east gate to increase my production skills, but I was stopped on my way back.

"Homura!"

Galahad was waving from the other side of the street.

Next to him were a man with cool, white eyes and a curvaceous woman with black hair.

"Hey, it's been a while."

"Hey! Have you leveled up?"

"I'm level 22."

"These are Eagle and Camilla."

He pointed to the two.

"I'm Eagle."

"I'm Camilla."

"I'm Homura."

We introduced ourselves briefly.

"By the way, Homura, can you drink?"

"I don't drink. Why the sudden question?"

Is it an invitation to a drinking party?

"You can't drink...? No, I need a sword forged by a stubborn old blacksmith. He said he'd consider it if I win a drinking contest, but he's too strong."

"I need a sword forged by this blacksmith to go to the lower levels of the labyrinth city. I was trying to persuade him, but he stopped forging swords."

Eagle added to Galahad's explanation, and Camilla continued.

"He was stubborn, saying he wouldn't forge any more swords, but recently he said he wanted to forge a special sword first, so his attitude has changed a bit."

"But we were the ones who begged him before. He said he'd forge a sword if we win the drinking contest."

Galahad sighed.

"He's a monster; even I can't get him drunk."

"I don't drink, but I don't get drunk. Is it cheating if I help?"

"You don't get drunk because you don't drink?"

I phrased it poorly.

"I don't drink, but a skill prevents me from getting drunk even if I do."

I haven't drunk since getting the skill, but I didn't get car sick, so I probably won't get drunk.

"Wow, what a waste!"

"What's wrong, did you fail at drinking?"

"No, I got car sick, so I took the skill. I don't like drinking, so it's not a problem."

"You're missing out on half your life!"

"Galahad, be quiet."

Eagle punched Galahad in the gut. He hits when he scolds, and it was a good punch.

"Can you help us, Homura?"

Eagle smiled coolly at me, while Galahad was hunched over, holding his stomach.

Camilla ignored their interaction. Is this their daily routine? Galahad's image as a reliable older brother has changed, but I won't say in which direction.

"If it's okay to win with a skill—"

So I ended up joining the drinking party.

We were in a very familiar alley.

"Hey, old man! I'll win this time!"

Galahad shouted in front of the door.

"You're bothering the neighbors."

Eagle elbowed him.

Yeah, it's their daily routine.

"Here you are again."

Ruba opened the door, looking annoyed.

"Hello"

"Hey! Homura"

He suddenly smiled and opened the door wide.

I just realized that the residents in this world don't have as much variety in hair color as player characters. Mostly black, white, platinum, gold, brown, red, and orange.

"Do you know each other?"

The three looked surprised.

"Yes, I met him here once."

We were invited into a house that felt like a hideout and offered sturdy, practical chairs. The walls and floor were made of thick stone, and there was a forge in the back. The floor was stone, probably because of the fire.

"Have you become a magic swordsman?"

Ruba brought coffee for everyone.

"Yes, I have."

I hardly use a sword in battle.

"So, do you want a one-handed sword?"

...Huh?

"Me!"

"You!"

"What, you're not here to forge a sword?"

I explained why I came.

"I'm still level 10, so I want to wait until I can use better weapons."

But...

"No, ask now, and next time, ask for my sword!"

"Shut up."

Yeah, a good punch.

"Homura, you don't have to forge just one sword, you know?"

"Oh, you're so cool, sir!"

Really!

And why do I get along with him? Camilla poured Ruba a beer, probably for the drinking contest.

I talked with Ruba over coffee and told him what kind of sword I wanted. I mentioned that I currently use a slightly curved sword, and he smiled, saying it was his specialty.

"Homura, as a magic swordsman, you should use a metal that conducts magic."

"I want a sword that can cut through the labyrinth city's Fel Farse."

Galahad jumped in, but what's Fel Farse?

"Are you crazy? To forge a sword that can cut through it, you need 'Moonlight Stone' and 'Moon Chant Grass'! Just use magic to defeat it!"

"But it doesn't work! It recovers from magic attacks and doesn't go down!"

"To defeat it, you need 'Fel Farse's Dew.'"

"Ordinary physical attacks don't work on Fel Farse, but I heard that using a sword forged by you can get the dew."

Camilla's words were followed by silence.

I sent emails to my friends to ask. Ochazuke and Shin had already sold theirs, Petros kept his for forging, and Leo used his in production.

I didn't force them to sell, so I thanked Petros and told Leo not to be reckless. He replied, "It's a +5 evaluation with a weapon proficiency bonus! Hahaha! But I can't equip it because my level isn't high enough!"

"By the way, my friends who went with me have already sold theirs. I don't have enough skill points now, but if you help me level up, I can take the mining skill. I might not have enough time, though?"

"Great! Thanks, Homura!"

I dodged Galahad's hug, but Camilla hugged me from the other side and kissed my cheek. Is she a kissy person?

The elasticity of her chest against my arm and back was impressive. I could tell how big it was from the back contact.

"Sure, Homura, you'll level up faster than us, but are you okay with it? We might get scammed, but you can solve it with money, and you can't buy skill points with money."