Chapter 3

"Excuse me."

"Hey, you're one of those foreigners who want to take the training, right?"

The person in the room looked like a muscular adventurer. He was probably in his mid-40s, with short hair and a well-built physique. He grinned, showing his teeth, but I didn't know how to react. Maybe it was a bias, but why did muscular guys always give me an incomprehensible smile?

"Um, can you tell foreigners right away?"

"Normally, I couldn't, but since a considerable number of people have been appearing out of nowhere for the past two days, and many of them have been gathering outside the town... We've been keeping a constant watch. I got a report from the guy who was following you."

It seems someone had been tailing me, and I hadn't noticed at all. I felt bad for the gatekeeper if he had been questioned because of me. Still, it meant I was being watched more closely than I had expected. I needed to consider that my sudden appearance and not joining the group had been under surveillance.

"Checking each person individually, huh?"

"Anyone who enters the town. I don't know what they're doing outside the town, though."

"......I think the reason they don't enter the town is probably because they don't have money."

"Hmm?"

He looked at me with eyes that seemed to be observing me closely.

Why would he tell me that? It felt like he was wondering why I was sharing this information.

Lack of information might be the reason for the heightened alert. If sharing what I knew could lower the alert level, it was worth it. This guy didn't seem like the type who could manipulate or deceive people... he looked like a typical warrior, with a physique and demeanor that suggested his brain was as muscular as his body. He was a muscular guy, and he seemed to have a heart.

"My name is Crane. I have no practical experience, so I signed up for the training. Nice to meet you."

"Hmm... I'm Leonis. I work as a guild staff member and instructor. I'll give you the training, but I have some questions too."

"Sure, I'll answer what I can. But I also have a lot of questions, so please help me out."

Since I was paying, it was only fair for him to share information. Maintaining a give-and-take relationship was important in situations like this. A win-win situation was ideal.

"Alright. First, what do you mean by not having money? You paid for the training, right?"

"Um, it's just a guess, but is it okay if I tell you?"

"Sure, go ahead and tell me what you can."

I hoped sharing my financial situation would lower the alert level. It was natural to be cautious if there was an armed group at the town's entrance. I needed to consider their perspective as well.

If I were a town resident, I wouldn't leave the town if a group of people appeared and surrounded it. I would be scared and stay inside. If they were wondering why people weren't entering the town, sharing my guess might help lower their alert.

"I don't know why we were brought to this world. When I came to, I was in a space with many other people. They were all strangers. After being told we were going to another world, we were each given 3000G... and we came here after preparing our equipment."

"Hmm..."

"My equipment... I chose light and cheap leather because iron and steel weapons and armor were too heavy for me to move in."

"True. You still look like you're not used to it, though."

"Yes... but it's better than not being able to move. I also tried to keep some money on hand."

"Ah, that's a good decision. So, the people outside the town..."

"I guess... iron and steel equipment is heavy and expensive..."

Why did so few people try to keep money? For young people, it might be different, but for adults in their 20s and 30s, earning money from scratch would be difficult. Without some savings, it would be tough. Everything requires preparation, and money is needed for that. Thinking they would be provided with everything was a bad move. But that was from our perspective. For the people in this world, knowing about our financial situation might be useful information.

"I see... Is it okay if I report this to the guild master?"

"Sure, go ahead. ...Um, I have a question. ...Do monsters appear outside the town?"

"Hmm... Well, they do, but they don't, either."

"What?"

Do they appear? Or don't they? Which is it?

After scratching his head, he put his hand to his chin and thought. Was he hesitant to share information? I wanted to know in exchange for the information I provided, but maybe it wasn't enough.

"Alright, let's start with this. Monsters do appear outside the town, but the town is protected with wards that keep them away. They don't come close unless there's a stampede or an emergency."

"Okay."

"Their location isn't far from the town. Monsters don't usually come close. Besides, adventurers regularly hunt dangerous monsters around the town, so only weak ones appear."

"I see."

That made sense. With adventurers around, it was natural that dangerous monsters were kept at bay. They didn't appear all the time, but it was true.

"Also, monsters are living beings. They rarely risk their lives by intruding into places with many humans."

"Then why were there so many adventurers gathered in the guild hall, including at the entrance?"

"If foreigners attacked the town, they would immediately rush to fight them."

"Ah, I see. Sorry."

I had always imagined adventurers drinking in taverns or going on adventures, so it was surprising to see them relaxing in the guild. They were on high alert, probably because they couldn't go outside and were feeling restless. I was also identified as a foreigner, so I might be in trouble.

"Is that all you want to know?"

"Um, then... were there any other people who registered as adventurers besides me?"

I had many questions, but I was curious if anyone else had tried to be friendly and make an effort.

I was trying to be friendly, but if they thought I was plotting something or was dangerous, I wanted to know the reasons.

"No, a few tried to register. But they wouldn't answer our questions and kept asking about this world. The first one was thrown out by an angry adventurer, and another declared himself a hero and demanded to let his companions into the town. One even tried to force his way in through the city gates... None of them were good. They're all in jail now."

That was bad. Not only were they not friendly, but they had also angered the locals. They were really angry.

Jail... In this world, you could end up in jail even without committing a crime... That didn't seem right. If you could be arrested without committing a crime, the town would become more chaotic and violent. So, unauthorized and unpaid entry into the town was a crime, and violence was also a crime.

In our world, international travel required a passport... It wasn't strange that you needed identification to enter a town. I needed the rulebook of this world before the adventurer's guild rulebook.

If I was committing crimes without realizing it, that would be bad. But if I asked directly, they might become more cautious.

I should apologize to the instructor. I wasn't to blame, but foreigners were causing trouble... It would make me feel better.

"Um, I'm sorry."

"You don't know them, so why are you apologizing?"

"Well, yes. I don't know them at all, but we came from the same place."

"You don't need to apologize. Let's start the training... Do you have any skills?"

"Sort of..."

"Then let's see what you can do."

The instructor took a step back and readied his sword. I exhaled and drew my sword, getting into position.

The moment our eyes met was the signal to start.