Chapter 69

The store for adventurers, "Lizard Fang," located in the capital, was a brick building just off the main street.

It was already past 10 PM, and the noise of the drunk patrons could be heard even on the main street.

I entered the store with Shell's oji-san (uncle).

The store had about 10 round wooden tables and 8 counter seats in front of the bar counter, forming a dining bar style.

Behind the bar counter, on the wall, there were two large fangs, probably over a meter long, crossed and displayed, likely the origin of the store's name.

Shell's oji-san raised his hand to the middle-aged bartender behind the counter. Probably the owner.

The bartender, without stopping his cooking, pointed to the back of the store with his chin.

Looking in the direction he pointed, I saw Oyajisan (uncle) and Saki-san from the delivery office already drinking at the table furthest back.

Glancing around the store, I noticed that the tables were filled with adventurers who seemed to be of intermediate level or higher, judging by their equipment.

Probably because he was a celebrity, the store, which had been noisy a moment ago, quieted down when they saw Shell's oji-san. Then, curious and somewhat mocking glances were directed at me, who was clearly wearing cheap equipment suitable for a beginner explorer, following behind him.

Straining my ears, I could hear this conversation:

"Hey, who's that kid with the bow following behind Shell? He's just a brat."

"Rindo is also in the back, so it's probably one of the 'mad dogs' that the mutual aid society kids have been talking about recently. I think he's a shortbow user."

"Ha! Is that him? He's looking around nervously, like a country bumpkin. He looks so weak and frail... Should I teach him the ways of the bar as a senior explorer?"

"Ha. Don't be too harsh? It'll be troublesome if Shell or Rindo get involved."

"What? Explorers getting a little hurt in a bar fight won't make them come out. If they come out right away, they'll be the ones laughed at."

... Normally, I might find such a rough welcome from these tough explorers entertaining...

But I was honestly exhausted.

My throat was dry, and oji-san had run even faster on the way back, making me even more tired.

Shell's oji-san seemed oblivious to the gossip around him. ...He's only thinking about beer.

"Good, you figured it out?"

"Of course. I heard you went to exterminate the Honey Ant nest, so the celebration would be here with Roach Lizard Ant Honey and beer."

Oyajisan smiled.

While I was considering how to get through this situation with minimal effort, oji-san kept moving closer to the table where Oyajisan and the others were sitting.

I had no choice but to follow oji-san and pass by the man who had planned to start a fight with me, who looked like a scout.

Just then, a very classic move—someone tried to trip me by sticking out their foot.

I could tell from the aura that the man was smirking, even though he wasn't looking at me.

Sigh... I sighed inwardly at this cliché way of starting a fight.

A. Kick the foot and quickly settle the matter with a fight

B. Dodge lightly and give a cheerful greeting

...Both options could lead to a troublesome situation...

I got tired of thinking and deliberately tripped over the foot.

I fell forward, failing to take a proper breakfall, and ended up with a nosebleed.

"Sorry."

I apologized to the senior explorer who was smirking and preparing to counterattack, and then, with my nose still bleeding, I made my way to the table where Oyajisan and the others were waiting.

"Ha! What kind of 'mad dog' is this?"

"Just a weakling, probably. How pathetic!"

I heard these comments from behind but ignored them.

"...What are you doing, kid?"

Oyajisan, who probably saw through my intentional fall, asked me with a puzzled look.

"...I'm just tired. Shell's oji-san made me run at a ridiculous pace..."

"...Even if I punch you with magic, you wouldn't be bleeding from a fall...

I think it would be faster to just punch you."

"Hehe! You're still a strange kid."

Oji-san was exasperated, and Saki-san laughed.

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"Come on, Shell.

No matter how much you're with them, we don't serve kids who still need diapers!

Kid, come back when you've reached D-rank as an explorer!"

Probably the owner, a very stout woman, came to take our order, and immediately glared at me.

Is this store only for D-rank and above explorers?

"It's been a while, Pan.

This one has a special situation. Besides, there's no rule that it has to be D-rank or above. Non-explorers come here too."

"That's true, but if a kid with no skills comes in at this hour, it'll cause trouble like just now. The kid will be the one who suffers the most."

"Ah, what a hassle!

I said, it would be faster to just punch him! Rindo! You're used to fights, so go punch him! You're not the type to lose to anyone around here!"

"That's too much...

Let's just order the 'Roach Lizard Ant Honey and beer,' okay?"

I smiled, and oji-san immediately perked up.

"Right, Pan!

This Honey Ant Ant Honey is a gift. Bring as many Roach Lizard Ant Honey as you can! And bring a medium keg of beer for me and this kid, quickly!"

"Alright, I got it.

Don't say I didn't warn you."

Pan reluctantly gave up and retreated to the back.

Just as I thought everything was settled, the scout who had tried to start a fight with me and his three friends loudly whispered in a way that the whole store could hear:

"Tch! That kid and Roach Lizard Ant Honey?"

"I heard 'Apple' had fallen, but now he's living off Shell's luxury?"

"He's really hit rock bottom!"

Hearing these words, Oyajisan and oji-san glared at me with veins popping on their foreheads, silently signaling me to go deal with it by nodding their heads.

I'm already so tired!

I had no choice but to stand up and say, "Huh?"

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