After finishing up my first trip to the bathroom as a different sex, I spent the next hour at the bar area gathering advice and info from more experienced adventurers.
“It’s common for adventurers and merchants to tame scavenger slimes for themselves. When you’re out in the wilderness, trust me, there’s a big difference between having one and going without.”
“Yeah, I bet.”
“By taming a scavenger slime, you won’t have to buy bait every time you need one, and if you’re ever in a tight spot, you can even use them as decoys. Slimes are easy to split apart too—in fact, maybe you’d like to share mine? Ha ha, sorry, that’s just an old adventurer’s joke—no need to make that face.”
The adventurer I’d met earlier, Blade, was letting me in on tips and tricks for camping out that weren’t detailed in the Tome of General Knowledge. Yeah, this all sounds like useful information. Not that I see myself ever needing to camp out in the wilderness, since I’ve got spatial magic...
Why did I start by gathering information, you may ask? Well, while I was on the john, I’d had a thought. I’d perused the Tome of General Knowledge for info on the lifestyle of an adventurer, but I couldn’t find the specific information I’d wanted. So I was asking around to learn what I wanted to know. While there was a how-to for camping written in the book, it didn’t include any of the specifics. Not too surprising, since it was a Tome of General Knowledge, but it meant I was clueless about what to do if I ever needed to go to the bathroom outdoors. So I’d chosen Blade, the man who’d tossed me the medium copper earlier, as my first target to question.
“But man, I never would’ve thought you’d actually come and talk to me again. You sure are weird. No, sorry, I mean that as a compliment. Most newbies wouldn’t think to pick the brains of older adventurers, but it’s actually a smart move. You’ll be a fantastic adventurer, I know it!”
“Nah, I don’t think I’ll be that great or anything. Oh, your tankard’s empty. Go on, order another. My treat.”
“Really? Hell yeah, thanks!”
Yes, that’s right—in truth, I’d bribed Mr. Senior Adventurer for info by offering to buy him a round. Blade had looked shocked by my proposal at first, but he’d immediately agreed.
Just as the receptionist had said, Blade seemed to be a good guy at heart. He was happy to give me advice that might help me out, and as thanks for treating him, he’d even treated me to a meal. I was currently scarfing down a ham-and-lettuce sandwich priced at five coppers. Considering my meager funds at present, he might as well have treated me to a feast.
“No, thank you, Mr. Blade.”
“Ha ha, don’t thank me just yet. That money was a gift ’cause I gave you trouble, but I’ll have you pay me back for that sandwich once you’ve earned some of your own money. Or, if that doesn’t suit you, I’ll call it even if you spend the night with me.”
“I’ll pay with money,” I replied immediately.
“Ha ha, Blade got turned down again!” another man at the table said.
A third snorted. “You oughta just give up while you’re ahead, buddy!”
“Looks like you guys are running low too,” I said. “Go on, top yourselves off with another round on me.”
“Seriously? I’m startin’ to like you, lass!”
“Me too! I feel like the booze is tastin’ especially good today!”
Blade’s comrades—Shildon, a man with a barrel-like physique, and Sekko, another guy who was small and built like a monkey—were also present at the table. The three of them, including Blade, were all Rank C—in other words, veteran adventurers—and in a party together. Blade and Shildon were apparently frontline fighters, while Sekko provided guerrilla support from the rear.
“By the way, Karina,” Blade continued, “you going solo? It didn’t seem like you came with anyone else. Don’t have any friends to invite along?”
“Yes, I more or less work solo. I may look weak, but I’m confident I can hold my own in a fight. I’m also hoping to become a merchant in the future...I think.”
“Yet you didn’t even have enough to pay the guild registration fee up front, huh? Well, I doubt you’ll be able to secure a storefront right off the bat, so I’d recommend starting as a peddler first. And if you feel you need a bodyguard while you’re out hawking your wares, just give our team, Sun Bacchus, a call! We’ll probably be doing this adventuring thing for at least another ten years, after all!”
“Well, we’ll see if I have my own store by then,” I replied evasively. With spatial magic at my disposal, I doubt I’ll need to rely on anyone. Still, “Sun Bacchus”? Like, the ball of fire glowing in the sky and the Roman god of wine? Interesting choice for a team name.
The three members of Sun Bacchus proceeded to blast me with advice.
“But first, you’ll need to earn some money and take on a quest. It’s two large silvers and one medium silver just to register with the Trader’s Guild, right? You’ll want money on hand for various other things too, so you’ll need to save up.”
“Keeping your money at the guild is the safest way to do that. If you leave your money at an inn, it can get stolen.”
“As for what type of quest you should take first... Hmm. Though they’re considered beginner-level, I wouldn’t take on a gathering quest just yet. They sound simple, but they’re tougher than they look. If you don’t take the proper steps to extract the medicinal herbs, you’ll ruin them—and that’s the best-case scenario. Some of the more careless morons will uproot the entire thing, which kills the entire plant.”
Wow, this seems like pretty critical information. Now I’m glad I asked these older adventurers first. Just treating a few guys to drinks yielded such a bounty of information? This is so easy that it somehow feels like I’m cheating!
“So I should start with a simple monster-hunting quest instead?” I asked.
“First, you’ll need some equipment. Right now, you look about as prepared as a regular citizen.”
“I concur. A beauty like you walking around without a weapon, you’re just asking to get attacked. You should at least arm yourself so people don’t think you’re an easy mark.”
“Yeah, someone like Blade approached you, after all. Seriously, though, in your case, you could also get with a higher-ranked adventurer and join their party as their lover. That’d give you access to special treatment and perks G rank adventurers wouldn’t normally get.”
“Wow, I never would’ve thought of that.” None of this info was in my general knowledge book, so it was all great to know! Even if I’d never go that route.
“Also, don’t venture too far from the city, or the magic beasts will make quick work of you. If you absolutely have to leave, wait till you have some stealth skills under your belt. That probably won’t be enough to defeat them, though.”
“Your safest bet would probably be a delivery quest, but they pay like crap.”
“At the very least, you need some arms, so head behind the guild and grab some wood from the woodshed. If you’re lucky, you might find some good wood there to tie together into a shield.”
Oh, you don’t say? Come to think of it, it might be handy to learn some woodworking skills. Wait, so wood’s just lying around for anyone to use? Is it, like, an adventurer’s version of a soup kitchen? Not that I’m in any position to comment.
“Actually, I’m a mage, so I think I can manage that much on my own.”
“A mage? What kind of magic can you use?”
“Um, well, for instance, I have a spell that’ll let me cut a tree in half, just like that.” I made a slicing motion with my hand. “I shouldn’t have a problem getting wood, at least.”
“So a wind-based spell? In that case, hunting slimes might be your best bet after all. Rabbits too, probably.”
“Oh—by the way, if you spread some blood around on the ground, you can also lure goblins and wolves out. Then grab whatever materials you need for your quest and run. Just make sure not to leave any blood behind while you’re fleeing, or they’ll think you’re wounded and easy prey. They can track you by the smell of it, you see.”
“But be careful. Wolves can repel blades with their fur. And they’re fast, so you can’t run from them. Their bellies are soft, though, so duck underneath them when they leap toward you and an upward stab with a knife should do the trick.”
“C’mon, Shildon, that won’t work if a pack surrounds her. Listen here, Karina. Most of the wolves you’ll encounter near town will be alone, but once you get farther out, they’ll attack in groups. You want to steer clear of them at all costs. The knife trick won’t work if it gets stuck in one of their stomachs. They’ll chase you relentlessly, and you’ll have no weapon to defend yourself with.”
Oh. Right. Seriously, though, I wasn’t expecting Blade and his teammates to be so generous! A single comment from me, and they just start spilling valuable intel! I almost want to let them give my chest a little squeeze as a token of my appreciation. Almost.
“First off, let’s figure out what gear you need! We’re risking our lives together as adventurers, after all! We gotta help each other out!”
“Yes, Sir Blade! Thank you!”
“Ha ha ha! Good-looking and respectful!”
“Ha ha, ’preciate it!”
I appreciate all the juicy info too! Someday, when I’m a merchant, I promise I’ll return the favor and hire you three to protect me.
I buttered up Blade some more afterward until he eventually treated me to a drink too. The four of us enjoyed drinks and lively conversation well into the night.
“Ugh, my head...”
When I awoke, I found myself in a wooden room. The light coming from the window made me squint, and a chill from the morning breeze lightly grazed my shoulders.
Man... What happened last night? I remember the guild tossed us out because they were about to close, but what happened after that?