SWNOVELXO Volume 1 Chapter 4 - Return
After completing my adventure, I returned to the guild and headed towards the reception lobby.
As usual, the lobby was quiet, and the reception desk was practically empty.
I intended to go to Ms. Asakura’s counter and looked at it.
There, Ms. Asakura was looking at me with a sly grin on her face.
She knew all along, didn’t she…
She noticed that I didn’t have a bag with me.
And she thought I’d return right away.
And now she’s laughing because things turned out exactly as she predicted.
I was a bit annoyed, but I went over to Ms. Asakura.
“Welcome back.”
Ms. Asakura greeted me with a broad smile.
“I’m back.”
“You’re back pretty quick.”
“I was just going to check it out today, yeah, really.”
Seriously.
“You’re always so silly.”
Hey!
“Well, I don’t have a bag.”
I decided to be honest.
“I noticed. You’re the first one to come here without a bag. You’re probably confident, but you should prepare a bit more.”
“You could have told me earlier.”
“I thought it would be better for you to learn from your mistake. You need to experience things firsthand.”
Hmm, is she really younger than me?
She’s more like an older sister.
“I need a bag and something to drink.”
“Absolutely. You should also buy a map. You can get one now for 1000 yen.”
Ms. Asakura said and pulled out a map from her drawer.
“I’ll buy it. Can I use a compass?”
“You can. It would be nice to have one.”
I didn’t know that…
“I’ll buy that too… I can just get it online. Oh, here’s the result.”
I took out the knife and grass from my pocket and handed them in at the reception.
“So it was a slime and a goblin. Was it easy?”
“I cut the slime in half. I beheaded the goblin.”
I instantly killed both.
“You’re scary. But you weren’t just bragging, were you?”
“If I were just bragging, that would hurt.”
“Well, yeah, um… right.”
Hmm?
This reaction suggests it would hurt even if I wasn’t just bragging.
Or maybe I did something when I was drunk…
“Whatever. What’s this?”
“It’s a medicinal herb and a knife. 500 yen and 800 yen respectively. Subtracting the cost of the map, it’s 300 yen.”
Well, I knew it would be cheap.
“I won’t sell the herb.”
“You’re not selling it? Just so you know, you won’t get more for it elsewhere, and considering the trouble, it would be better to sell it here.”
“No, I want to try using it.”
“Oh, I see. I don’t mind, but just to let you know, it’s really bitter and doesn’t work very well unless processed.”
Well, they say good medicine tastes bitter, and it’s a plant after all.
Must be bitter.
“I want to try it anyway.”
“Understood. Then you’ll take it home. Please pay 200 yen.”
“My first adventure is at a loss.”
“That’s how it goes. You have to prepare various things. Some people buy armor, and initially, it costs you.”
Makes sense.
Well, whatever you do, it costs money at first.
“Alright, here’s 200 yen.”
“Thank you for your business. Oh, please submit your status card. And your weapon, too.”
Here it comes…
“Here.”
I figured it would be strange to refuse, and I probably couldn’t anyway, so I handed over my card and the shortsword at my waist without argument.
Upon receiving the card, Ms. Asakura started to check it.
“Wow! Amazing! Your swordsmanship level is 5! You’re really amazing! I’ve never seen someone with level 5 from the start.”
“Heh heh!”
I puffed out my chest with pride!
“Wow, that’s impressive. Alright, I’ll hold onto this. I’ll return it to you the next time you go adventuring.”
Saying this, Ms. Asakura put away the card.
“Hmm?”
“Huh?”
Asahina-san tilts her head, seemingly surprised by my lack of mention of alchemy skills.
“Is that all?”
“Is that all…? That’s… that’s amazing. I think you’re really cool!”
Asahina-san forces out a compliment while grimacing slightly.
“No, don’t force yourself. Sorry, could you show me your status card one more time?”
“Huh? Sure.”
Asahina-san takes out the card again, looking quite confused.
I check the card.
Yes, there is alchemy on it.
But Asahina-san completely ignored it.
Something’s off…
“Asahina-san, do I only have the swordsmanship skill?”
“Yes… Ah! Are you shocked because you only have one skill? Indeed, there are adventurers who start with two or three. But, they are the minority. You might only have one, but it’s at level 5, right? I’ve never heard of such a thing. You should be proud.”
Asahina-san tries to cheer me up, chuckling.
But now I understand.
Asahina-san can’t see the alchemy.
What’s going on?
Could it be because of this star mark?
Hmm, I don’t know.
“How can I increase my skills?”
“You just need to do various things. There are adventurers who gain gathering skills by doing nothing but gathering. Moreover, when a new skill appears, your abilities improve. I assume your swordsmanship has improved as well.”
Hmm.
I can’t really tell because of my long hiatus and the effects of magic power.
“I see. Maybe I’ll try a few things.”
“There’s also a lot of information on the internet. You should look into it, although there’s a lot of misinformation out there.”
Indeed, there would be a lot of misinformation…
“Got it. Thanks.”
“Yes, I’m glad I could help. Good luck.”
“Hmm.”
“Oh, when will you come next time?”
Next time…
“Hmm, I think I’ll wait a bit. I need to prepare.”
“I see. It would be great if you could contact me in advance. It would be a problem if you come when I’m off.”
Having a dedicated person is quite a hassle…
“Doesn’t having a dedicated person bring me any benefits?”
“It’s priceless!”
Asahina-san says, with a beaming smile.
Well, she’s cute.
“Alright. I’ll contact you. Your contact information hasn’t changed, has it?”
“No, it hasn’t. I look forward to your visit. Also, if you want to invite me for something else, please do it in advance. I need to prepare, like taking a paid leave.”
I also need to prepare… financially.
“Got it. So, I’m going home today… Ah! Can I ask you something?”
“I don’t have a boyfriend.”
Note to self.
“No, that’s not it. Where can I buy ingredients?”
“Ingredients? Like medicinal herbs? You can buy them online or at specialty stores. We sell them here, too.”
I see…
“Just out of curiosity, do you sell sleepweed?”
“Sleepweed? We do, but it tastes awful. Plus, the effect is weak. Over-the-counter sleeping pills are better.”
“Could you sell me one?”
“Sure, but what are you going to use it for? I have to ask this.”
There’s such a rule, huh…
“I’m a bit sleep deprived, so I want to try drinking it with some alcohol.”
“That’s not healthy. Please buy over-the-counter medicine.”
“How much is sleepweed?”
“It’s 100 yen.”
That’s cheap!
“I just want one. I want to try it.”
“Well, you wouldn’t misuse it, but seriously, it’s awful. I’ve tried it myself.”
Really…
“I’m out of money…”
“Senior… I’ll treat you then. Is a chain restaurant okay?”
She even takes out a handkerchief to wipe her eyes.
“I’ll treat you to sushi in Ginza someday.”
“I won’t get my hopes up. I’ll wait. Please wait a moment.”
Asahina-san, suppressing her tears, gets up and walks to the back of the store.
But, it tastes that bad, huh?
Having it put like that, I’m curious to try it.
Although, I won’t since it’s a sleeping pill ingredient.
While I wait there for a while, Asahina-san comes back holding a paper bag.
“Here you go.”
Asahina-san hands me a paper bag, probably containing the sleepweed, without sitting down.
“Thanks. Oh, 100 yen…”
“That’s okay. But, please tell me your thoughts about it.”
She’s treating me.
What a good girl!
“Thanks. I’ll become an A-rank adventurer soon…”
There are ranks for adventurers.
A, B, C, D, E, F.
Me?
Of course, F!
“Do your best…”
Even though our conversation was so fun, the end felt quite down.
I wave back at Asahina-san, who’s waving at me, as I leave the guild.
Afterwards, I stop by the supermarket, do some shopping, and go home.