Chapter 17

Good morning. Today's breakfast is soup from a street vendor. It's like a stew without the flavor. Did they just boil it? At least add some salt.

I head towards the Adventurer's Guild. I need to start getting serious from today.

However, my enthusiasm waned when I peeked inside the guild. The adventurers fighting over the request boards looked like koi fish in a pond seeking food, which was quite scary. If I joined them, I'd be crushed. I'll come back a bit later.

For now, I might as well check out some open shops.

First, the weapon shop. The prices vary widely, making it very difficult to choose. The overly convenient slogans are actually a bit unsettling. Maybe I should buy from the guild's store.

Next, the armor shop. The fact that they don't have my size. Custom-made is out of the question.

Then, the magic tool shop. The stove I saw yesterday was there. It was a small, cheap one for three silver coins. It was more affordable than I thought. I should buy it. ...Depending on today's results. They also had a simple barrier, a magnifying glass, and a cooling box. It's fun.

Finally, the clothing shop. Basically, commoners buy second-hand clothes. There are ready-made ones, but they are quite expensive. I don't need clothes yet, so I just check the prices.

The pharmacy. A basic healing potion costs three large copper coins, about 300 yen. It's actually something a layman can make. It's like a nutritional drink from my previous life. I drink it at the end of the day. It helps prevent colds and even cavities. They also had a simple first-aid kit. I should buy that too.

After wasting some time, I return to the guild. There are far fewer people. I want to go outside the city today. I was thinking of getting used to it, but I want to eat some good meat. I also want to gather herbs and some spices.

There was a herb-gathering request. It's a standing request, so I don't need to take a specific request form; I just need to submit the herbs. There were two F-rank requests for gathering herbs in the forest's outer perimeter.

"Ridris grass, Honey fruit"

Ridris grass is effective for stomachaches but isn't edible. Honey fruit, as the name suggests, is sweet. They are small fruits that grow on trees, so they are hard to pick. But I can pick them.

I don't know the situation around here yet. If I were in my old place, I could gather both in one day. But they might not grow much here, so I shouldn't be too greedy.

I took the request for Honey fruit with the longer deadline.

"Excuse me, I'll take this one."

"Sure. Let me confirm it."

It was the lady who registered me as an adventurer. I hope those thugs from yesterday aren't around.

"Ten fruits make a set. We'll buy as many as you can gather, so do your best."

The black board beeped, and the registration was complete.

"By the way, if I gather other herbs listed on other request forms, will it count as completing the request, or just as a purchase?"

"If you gather the required number, you can submit them with the request form when you return, and you'll get the points. You can generally take two requests at a time, but if you complete them, you can take more."

"I see. Thank you. I'll be going now."

The lady at the reception sent me off with a smile.

Oh, I need to buy a bow before I go out. If I complete today's request, I might be able to buy the magic stove if I'm lucky. I want to hunt some meat, cook it, and eat it.

The same guy from yesterday was at the guild's store.

"Hello. I'd like the bow from yesterday. The red one."

"Ah, welcome. The bow is right here, isn't it?"

It was at his feet. I see, it looks like he just placed it there casually, but he keeps the items that are likely to be sold nearby. The armor from yesterday is also there.

"Sure. Here you go. What about the arrows?"

I handed over the silver coins and took the bow. It's a bit heavier than my homemade one.

"I'm fine for now. I'll ask for more if I run out."

The arrows in the quiver were fine.

"Are you going outside?"

He probably thought I said something different yesterday.

"I'm gathering herbs. This is just insurance."

I'm going to hunt meat, but I'll keep that a secret.

"Be careful."

"Sure. Thank you."

Yeah, everyone is so nice. I wonder what the treatment was like in that town. No one cares if I'm the eldest son. Or maybe there are no eldest sons among adventurers.

I head towards the South Gate. I can pass through by showing my guild card.

Before that, I check my equipment. Mantle, diagonal shoulder bag, bow and arrows, knife on my waist. In the bag, I have healing potions and emergency rations, as well as clothes, a cup, and other items. If I carry any more, I might need to leave some at the inn. I can't move if I can't, and that could be fatal.

Let's go.

I see a familiar blonde head in my field of vision.

"Good morning."

Kokushin was checking the guards who were checking the merchant's wagons. He was standing there with a spear, looking dazed. He didn't notice me until I spoke to him.

Are you tired?

"Ah, good morning. Going outside today?"

"Yes, gathering herbs."

"I see. Even in shallow areas, monsters sometimes appear. Be careful."

"Sure. Thank you."

He's still dazed. His words are normal, though. Is it because of yesterday? I can't get involved any further. I hope nothing happens.

"I'm going now."

I bowed slightly, and he sent me off with a slight smile.