Chapter 15

Rustle... Rustle rustle...

(Hmm...? It's so noisy...)

Thinking this, I woke up and looked around, only to be startled.

A few children I didn't know were looking up at me as if I were some strange creature.

(How embarrassing...)

Thinking this, I bowed my head repeatedly and climbed down the tree.

Yes, I climbed down the tree.

It was only at that stall that I realized, despite having money in my wallet, I had no money in this world.

Of course, that makes sense.

There's no way there would be a convenience store in the middle of the forest, and I had never even thought about using money until now.

Back when I was a student, I might have been more aware of my wallet's contents, but as an adult, I only paid attention to it when making purchases in the tens of thousands. I hadn't even thought about it at a stall.

So, there was nothing I could do. I wanted to think there was nothing I could do...

After that, I couldn't find Jin and the others. I hesitated to step out and chase after the Hunter Guild, thinking, "Should I show my face to my parents quickly?" even though I had parted ways with them in a cool manner. I also hesitated to borrow money from the gatekeeper again.

From a Japanese perspective, asking a stranger, "Can you lend me some money?" is just too much of a hurdle.

In the end, my spirit was broken, and I searched for a tree at the edge of town where the smell of food wouldn't reach, and I slept there while hugging my bag.

Without money, I couldn't even stay at an inn, and I didn't want to wake up to find my bag or watch gone.

I couldn't bathe in the river, and there were no fruits to eat, so in a way, it might have been a tougher environment than the forest.

Man, that cave was the best!

So, I decided to move to a different location and sit in a random square to think about what to do next.

There were countless things I wanted to do and investigate.

But above all, what I needed most was money.

More specifically, the food I could buy with that money.

I was so hungry that I felt a sense of weakness I had never experienced before in my life.

It was even more painful because my stomach was being stimulated by the smell.

The proper way would be to go back to the forest, hunt a Horn Rabbit, and return—but...

Even the 1km distance back to the forest felt too far to walk in my current state.

I was afraid that if I fought an enemy in this condition, I would end up with unnecessary injuries.

Or I could go to the Hunter Guild and meet up with Jin and the others.

I could satisfy my hunger with the money from selling the sword and the contents of the basket, and then return to the forest.

Yeah, that sounds more realistic.

The downside is if I can't meet up with Jin and the others, but if I wait at the entrance of the Hunter Guild for half a day, I'm sure I can meet them.

If everyone is too tired and decides to take a day off at home, I'll be on a straight path to starvation.

In that case, it's the ultimate move.

There probably isn't a pawnshop in this town, but if I sell modern products like my smartphone, which I have no plans to use, I can get some money.

If I take photos and videos with my smartphone, they should be a big hit in this world, which is behind in civilization.

Even if I tell them it won't work once the battery dies, someone will surely buy it out of curiosity.

At the very least, they should trade me for a meal.

"Finally found you!!"

It will definitely turn into a troublesome conversation like, "What is this? Where did you get it?" So, I'll hold off on using this until the very last moment—

"Hey! Loki-kun!!"

"Huh?"

When I heard my name called, I lifted my head, which had no energy left, and there was Mei standing there, pointing at me with her finger.

"Hey, Mei, it's been a while since yesterday."

"Hey! Where did you stay last night? Everyone at the inn said they didn't have a guest in all black, so I was looking for you!"

"Ha ha... I realized I had no money... I slept in a tree over there."

"Whaaat!? Why didn't you say something? I could have let you stay at my place!"

"No, no, that would have been too much trouble, and I thought I still had money... It's a surprise, isn't it?"

"I'm the one who's surprised! Anyway, come to the Hunter Guild! The Guild Master is calling for you!"

"Wait, what?"

Hold on a second. The Guild Master?

That sounds like the top person in this guild, right?

I haven't done anything yet! I just slept in a tree! Why am I being called?

Could it be... because I haven't done anything? Is it to tell me to stop slacking off and get to work?

"Sorry, I'm on my way!"

"What are you talking about? Jin and Potta are probably looking for you too... but never mind! Let's go!"

Mei, who was walking ahead, was as energetic as always...

I'm too hungry to keep up.

What should I do? Should I just ask for money?

Asking a 10-year-old girl for money at 32 years old is pretty much the end of the line.

I think I might as well be dead, but I'm actually about to die.

While I was thinking about this, I realized we had already arrived at our destination.

In front of me was a two-story wooden building.

It was about five times larger than the surrounding buildings, and given my tendency to associate a grand building with success, I couldn't help but feel hopeful about the salary.

But since I'm a hunter, it's probably a complete commission-based system.

Passing through the large swinging doors that looked like they belonged in a Texas gunfighter movie, I entered to find three counters in front of me.

On the right side, the famous request board was prominently displayed.

Two large, dark brown boards were leaning against the wall, with a considerable number of small, flesh-colored wooden boards hanging from them.

Some of the wooden boards were connected in twos or threes.

Each of these, I assume, is a 'request.'

I was surprised that they weren't on paper.

On the left side... on the left side... there was a dining area with a good smell and several round tables and benches.

To come here and be tempted even more... huh?

Potta is here.

And... he's holding a skewer of meat!!

...I can't tell Mei this.

But I can tell Potta for some reason!

Please forgive me!!

"Potta, please! I'm begging you, give me one of those skewers!! I'll definitely pay you back later!!"

Without waiting for a response, I grabbed one with my fingers and stuffed it in my mouth. It was the first time I felt the salt and a hint of spices in this world.

And when I bit into it, the juice overflowed... I couldn't stop crying!!

Potta looked at me in shock as I suddenly burst into tears, but then I remembered he couldn't understand my language.

I must look like a thief who just stole a snack. I'm sorry.

I was about to ask Mei to translate when a woman called out from behind me.

"What's wrong, crying over one piece of meat... Was it that good?"

Turning around, I saw a woman in a small apron, who seemed to be from the dining area.

"Sorry for the commotion. I haven't had a proper meal for five, no, six days... It was so delicious, I thought I might die."

"Six days... You're still a kid, what are your parents doing!... But that's none of my business. Wait a moment!"

She stomped back to the kitchen and returned with two skewers of meat.

"Here! Eat this first! You don't have any money, right? When you have some extra, just buy more, okay?"

Uuuu... I'm crying again.

What... this world is full of good people...

"I understand... Thank you so much... It's delicious... Thank you so much..."

On that day,

I tasted the most delicious meat I had ever had in my 32 years of life.