My first spell in hand, I set out in search of a clinic that would be willing to hire a greenhorn like me, as well as someone to study under. Unfortunately, according to what Kururu said the other day, certain clinics might have me doing more chores than healing work, leaving me little time to practice the skills I really needed. Enter my business experience. I was gonna sell myself like hotcakes. Where, you ask? Somewhere that was likely to have the most need of a healer’s services: the Adventurer’s Guild.
“Ah... Convenient time for me to remember that I have no idea where anything is.”
I was a bit disappointed in myself for running out of the guild without even knowing where I was going, but surely I could find someone. I cleared my head and walked on.
An expansive road extended from the Healer’s Guild, with several alleys along the side.
“Now if I can just not get lost...” I whispered to myself.
I felt like something of a tourist who was sightseeing in a foreign country. Shops and stands selling fresh fruit and skewers of meat lined the road, but the two silver pieces I had on me weren’t exactly convenient spending money. Imagining lugging around all the copper coins I’d get back in change shot down any desire I had to pick up some food. Plus, I rather wanted to avoid painting a target on my back for pickpockets. I thought about using a silver to stock up on ingredients, but without some sort of income, I lacked that confidence. No eating out for me yet.
“But wow, these adventurers. Swords I get, but seeing them carry around those huge axes and whatnot like it’s nothing is a little freaky.”
“Wanna repeat that? Whose face is freaky?”
“What...”
I turned towards the voice to find that same scary adventurer from the day I arrived, along with two companions, looking my way. They were not smiling.
“Hey, you’re that healer I bumped into the other day, ain’tcha?”
“I-I’m very sorry about that,” I stammered. “I’ve been working hard since then and finally learned Heal, so I could use it on you as an apology, if you like.”
“Like I’m hurt enough to need that shit! We’re adventurers, pal,” he barked.
“Bazan, he’s shakin’ in his boots,” another chimed in. “You do something to ’em?”
“Oh, I heard ’im talking about adventurers and something being freaky, so it sounded like he was talkin’ trash, but I guess I misunderstood.”
“Hah! Who can blame the guy? Your face is pretty intense,” retorted the third guy.
“Zip it, Basura. So what’re you doing here, small fry?”
“Er, uh, well, I was trying to get to the Adventurer’s Guild, but I don’t know the way, so I was doing some sightseeing.”
“You were planning on going to the slums lookin’ like that? You tryin’ to get killed? Or tricked into being a slave? Slavery might be illegal here, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get robbed blind and left in a ditch.”
Apparently, my acting like a distracted tourist had me heading towards the slums without realizing it. My blood froze over.
“U-Um, you’re all adventurers, I take it? Could you tell me where the guild is? I’d really appreciate it.” I bowed, but no response came. I slowly looked up, and they looked back with the most confused expressions on their faces.
“You’re a human...right? You’re not half-beast or anythin’ are ya?”
“No, I’m a human. Did I say something strange?”
“You know we’re beastfolk, right?” one of them questioned.
“I do. This is my first time meeting any.”
“Your first time?”
“That’s right, so I apologize if I’ve done anything ignorant to offend.”
“Bazan, this kid ain’t right.”
Bazan clicked his tongue with a resigned sigh. “Fine. If we’re your first impression, guess we’ll take you to the guild.”
“Thank you so much.”
“Quit bowin’ all the time!”
“Yessir!”
“You’re gonna make the kid cry, Bazan.”
“He’s got a face only a mother could love,” the other two adventurers jabbed.
“Basura, zip it. Sekiros, you lead.”
“Sure thing. By the way, what’s your name, kid?”
“Luciel. I’ve just recently become an adult and my job is healer.”
“Luciel, eh? We’re the Lineage of the White Wolf, a B-rank adventuring party.”
“B-rank? You must be pretty strong, then.”
B-rank had to be a good deal tougher than your average adventurer.
“Eh, you know. Anyway, no more wastin’ time, let’s get a move on.”
“Yes, let’s.”
Putting my fear aside, I left my fate to Monsieur Luck and followed the beastfolk party in good faith.
“You’re a weird one, ya know that, Luciel?” the slender beastman called Sekiros smiled.
I tried to return his grin with one of my own, but the tension in my body most likely twisted it into something much less friendly. They said nothing, however, and guided me safely to the Adventurer’s Guild.
This building was more than twice the size of that of the Healer’s Guild.
“This is the Adventurer’s Guild?”
“Sure is. Walk in and there’s a desk straight ahead where you can do whatcha need to do.”
“Really, thank you so much. I’ll work hard so that I’ll be of some use if you guys are ever in any trouble.”
“Man, just go.”
“Yes, sir!”
Urged by the beastman Bazan, I prepared myself, entered the building, then froze in place. The room was packed, more so than I’d imagined, and everyone inside carried swords like they were nothing. What happened to my friendly Healer’s Guild? Why were the walls of this place practically oozing intimidation? It was like I’d stumbled into the hideout of some neighborhood gang.
So much for my mental preparation. Times like this, all you could do was think nothing, make eye contact with no one, and move on. I set my sights on the reception desk and made my way over on trembling legs. Aloofness proved to be the right choice, as no one bothered me on my way there. All I had left to do was speak to the receptionist.
“Excuse me, is this where I register with the guild?!” I managed nervously.
Then, for a split second, time stopped for me.
She was the first beastwoman I’d ever spoken to. A dark blue-haired rabbit-woman wearing a uniform that suited her amazingly well. One glance was all it took to captivate me. I couldn’t let my beguilement be noticed, though, so I stifled my beating heart, detached myself, and shifted into work mode. Maybe if I were completely deluded, people would laugh, but if I let myself appear smitten here, I could easily imagine threats coming my way. Specifically, those in the form of, “The hell are you doing acting buddy-buddy with my so-and-so?” If this prediction was accurate, my newly reincarnated life would be over after a measly ten days and that would be it. For good. No, thank you.