Chapter 50

"Is this an invitation to the mutual aid society?

I look forward to working with you from now on."

The fact that they are recruiting for the mutual aid society means they are senior explorers.

To be honest, I lack a lot of practical knowledge about explorer activities.

Senior Rio seems busy, and since I heard about the mutual aid society from staff member Anya, I have felt the need for a close senior.

Seeing me bow politely, the seniors who had been so confident earlier looked at me with a mix of exasperation and deflation.

"Oh, oh. I thought you were some naive noble from the countryside, but you've got quite a bit of guts, haven't you?"

Am I that countryish?

"I just arrived in the capital this spring, from a poor noble family in the countryside. What should I do from here?"

"A big catch or just a fool...

Something's off...

Anyway, first, you need to meet the boss. Follow me."

◆

"What's your name?"

"Yes, call me Ren."

I used the pseudonym I had thought of in advance.

I had regretted calling myself 'Pork' when I blurted it out at the armory yesterday.

"Call me that...

Alright, our family welcomes those with 'reasons.' Don't worry, I won't pry too deeply."

"Thank you."

"...Do you usually talk like that?"

While I was joking around, the seniors, Amour and Roy, led me to a dilapidated house in the lower town, outside the main street of the capital.

It was an old wooden building, so run-down that I was surprised such a place still existed near the capital.

The signboard read 'Apple House' in cute letters.

But I felt no unease, sensing a fateful connection to the typical outlaw recruitment.

Looking inside the gate, which looked like it could collapse at any moment, I saw a pile of spiked clubs and iron pipes in the yard.

They were probably prepared as barricades in case of a raid and to quickly grab weapons and run out.

"Brother Amour...

Is the boss a scary person?"

I asked the taller brother, Amour.

"...Extremely scary...

He's a B-rank explorer, so he's very strong. Be careful not to upset him. You'll understand if you follow me."

Amour told me this in a trembling voice.

Wow! A B-rank explorer is a top-tier explorer, not found in rural branches. Definitely worth learning from.

The moment the creaky, old door was opened, a deep, angry voice came from inside.

"You're late! Where were you hanging around when we're short-handed, you fools!"

Hearing this, the shorter brother, Roy, who had been walking with his shoulders back, immediately hunched like a cat.

"Sorry, Dad! I saw a newcomer who just registered as an explorer, so I thought I'd recruit him for the mutual aid society. He was in the library for a long time, so it took a while, but I brought him! Please forgive us!"

The boss glared at me with a menacing face.

A tall, imposing man, about 190 cm tall, with a white mustache and short, neatly cut hair.

I wasn't particularly intimidated, but a normal person would probably shrink back and run away from his presence.

"Recruitment, huh?

A well-bred kid like this wouldn't follow scoundrels like you! You must have dragged him here by force, you fools!"

Saying this, the boss punched the seniors on the head.

I quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Misunderstanding, boss! I'm a new explorer from the countryside, and I don't know my way around. I was happy to be invited by the seniors. If you could take me in and teach me the basics of being an explorer, I'd be grateful!"

Hearing my words, the boss glared at me and punched the seniors again.

"...You're a strange one, dressed so nicely. We're short-handed, so we don't mind taking you in...

I don't know what they told you, but our mutual aid society, 'Apple House,' aims to train orphans and struggling kids to become independent explorers. We also run an orphanage, so many of the kids don't earn much, and the older ones often have to make sacrifices. If you're still willing, I can train you myself..."

I bowed 30 degrees without hesitation and used a phrase I had seen in dramas in my previous life.

"Please take care of me."

"...Stop using that weird, inappropriate language. Show me your explorer license first."

...I thought of a pseudonym, but the name is on the explorer license...

As I hesitated, Amour tried to help.

"Dad, Ren seems to have some 'reasons'...

Can you let it slide?"

The boss glared at Amour and firmly refused.

"No.

If you're serious about working, it doesn't matter if you have reasons, but I have a responsibility to this 'Apple House.' You can use an alias, but you have to be honest with me."

Staring straight into the boss's eyes, I corrected my language and showed my license.

"Understood. Please take care of me."

The boss, looking at my license, held his head in his hands.

"So you're the eccentric kid Shell was talking about... What kind of trash did you pick up! Alright, you two, go help with dinner!"

The seniors, who were hit with iron fists again, rubbed their heads, looking confused, and disappeared into the back.

"By the way, who is Shell?"

Why am I hearing about someone I've never heard of...

"Huh?

...An old drinking buddy. Don't worry about it. What's your purpose?

To be honest, there are plenty of mutual aid societies that offer better conditions and support. You'd be in high demand. I think it would be better for you to change your mind."

The boss said this with a troubled look.

"My purpose is as I said. I was struggling because I didn't know anything about being an explorer, and I was recruited by you two. I liked what you said and decided to join. That's all.

And my feelings haven't changed."

I don't need to be spoon-fed.

Moreover, I don't want to deal with people who believe rumors about me and the school's reputation.

I looked straight into the boss's eyes as I answered.

"Hmm.

...Can't be helped. You're a strange kid.

...I'll let you join, but there are two conditions."

I waited tensely for the rest of his words.

"One is that no matter how successful you become, you're not allowed to give handouts to the people here.

Occasionally bringing food is fine, but that's it.

This applies to everyone who leaves this mutual aid society. Do you understand why?"

I nodded.

"To make them stand on their own feet, right?"

"Hmph.

You're not just book-smart.

That's right. Use that as a guideline to decide what's a handout and what's okay.

The second condition is that I won't allow any behavior that interferes with your studies. If you fail a class or get expelled from the school, you're out of this mutual aid society immediately."

...These are tough conditions.

Both could happen in the future.

I'd like to negotiate to soften them.

"Why is that?

I don't particularly care about my class standing.

Moreover, I'm prepared to drop out of school if necessary to pursue my path."

The boss looked at me for a while, then shook his head.

"...I understand your resolve.

But still.

I take pride in raising people here at 'Apple House.' I send the kids to elementary school. I can't have rumors spread that someone who joined this mutual aid society failed. My pride won't allow it."

...I see.

The boss talks about his pride, but he's probably worried that rumors of my failure would affect the mutual aid society's operations.

Bad rumors would make it harder to attract people and could impact job requests.

He may seem clumsy, but he cares about 'Apple House'...

"...I might have to do something that goes against my principles.

If that happens, I won't complain about being kicked out.

Of course, I'll do my best to avoid causing problems for the mutual aid society.

Please let me join.

I beg of you."

I bowed 45 degrees again.

"Hmm.

You read my mind and preempted me...

You're a really unlikable kid.

...Sign this document.

20% of your earnings will go to this mutual aid society's account.

15% of that will be returned to you when you become independent.

If you ever have financial difficulties, you can withdraw some of it, so come talk to me."

"Understood! Thank you!"

And so, I joined the mutual aid society 'Apple House.'