Reincarnated with Trash Talent But It's actually OP

After passing through the imperial capital, Gonzo's carriage finally entered the northern territory, where Duke Valebright resided. 

It was inhabited by a massive crowd, no less than the capital. The people loitered around the side street, carrying shopping bags or simply observing their surroundings.

Gonzo sat beside him, his hands busy holding the reins in control of the horse's pace until they finally arrived at a magnificent two-story and wide building. 

The old man parked his carriage to the side and jumped out just as the building's door opened.

"Welcome home, my dear husband."

A gentle voice from an elegant woman standing at the open door greeted her family's arrival with a smile. 

Her voice incited rushed movement from the carriage, as Shery leapt out of the carriage.

"Mommy!"

"Shery!"

The woman bent down and embraced her daughter with a sweet smile, like a blossoming flower. 

However, Yuto's eyes were fixed on the old man beside him. Putting aside his radiant daughter, Gonzo's face turned dark, trembling violently. 

The boy stepped aside and turned his head away, wanting no part in Gonzo's family matters. Yuto's eyes narrowed as he realized that it was his cue to retreat. 

"See you later, Gonzo. I hope you've prepared my reward by then."

"W-Wait, savior, please don't leave me alone!"

Unwilling to get involved, Yuto channelled Qi energy into his legs and vanished like smoke, leaving behind the man's resigned wail.

'Phew, successfully escaped disaster.'

He sighed and blended into the surroundings, following the flow of the crowd. 

His eyes looked around. The city before him wasn't much different from the capital; only slight differences lay in its high, octagonal walls instead of circular ones. 

At each corner, on top of the walls, were equipped with weapons developed by the empire for defence.

Yuto managed to peek into a corner and saw a ballista, standing firmly with knights assigned to guard or operate it.

The city's defences seemed tighter, even during the inspection at the gate. If it hadn't been for his Guild card, Yuto might still be stuck at the place now.

As he walked, his nose twitched, catching a delicious scent coming from a stall on the side road. His steps led him to it, and an elderly, muscular man greeted him.

"Hey, welcome kid, you want some?"

Yuto's blue eyes locked onto the golden-brown meat skewer that sizzled on top of the grill.

"How much?"

"Three coppers for one."

Instead of giving three coppers, Yuto gave three silver coins and said. 

"Give me five and I hope you can give me some info about this place; you know, I just came out of a remote village."

"Alright, wait a moment…"

The man said that the territory of Duke Valebright was a dangerous region, as it bordered the Verdant Hollow. 

One of the dangerous places recorded on the continent. 

A green forest stretched to the high mountains in the far north. But its beauty wasn't comparable to what lurked within. 

Many monsters and wild beasts lurked within the shadows, and Yuto stiffened even more when he heard that even the trees were alive there.

This city was nicknamed "Frontier" and was a Paradise for adventurers due to the abundant resources from its untouched lands.

However, Paradise was equal to Hell, as all things intertwined that built a world. 

"Here's your food."

"Thank you."

Yuto received a warm paper bag in his hand, inside were meat skewers with the distinct aroma of herbs and fat, causing his stomach to rumble. 

He bid farewell and walked into the city centre, looking for the Adventurers' Guild, to see if there were any suitable quests for him.

As he walked, his hand took a skewer, and he took a bite. 

His face sparkled as his teeth easily chewed through the meat, and the flavour of the spices burst inside his mouth. 

One by one, Yuto finished the food and threw the remnants into a trash can in a narrow alley, then continued his journey.

'Ugh, what a crowd.'

Reaching the city centre, the light in his eyes faded, thinking he had to pass through the sea of people before him. 

Yuto sighed sharply as he wove through the crowds and stopped before a building.

A tall, two-story building greeted him with an open door. Contrary to his expectations, no noise leaked from inside, and the moment he stepped in, his eyes narrowed.

'The place is empty!?'

Yuto's footsteps echoed in the quiet hall. To his right was a bar-like restaurant, and to his left, a quest board filled with parchments. 

His feet moved forward, bringing him before the board.

"What should I pick?"

From the manual he had read, Yuto could take a quest one level higher than his own rank. 

F-Rank quests were menial labour, such as cleaning trash or helping out in the town. 

Their scope also had to be within the city itself. He wasn't allowed to go out and face the wilderness where monsters resided. 

It was at the E-Rank level that an adventurer could take a quest outside.

Yuto scanned the parchment until he found something that caught his attention.

'E-Rank quest, hmm.'

~

{Rare Herbs Gathering}

Rank Requirement: E-Rank

Reward: 5 copper per 1 herb

Detail: Gather five luminous herbs.

Location: Can be found mostly on the outer side of Verdant Hollow.

{Monster Control}

Rank Requirement: E-Rank

Reward: 10 copper for one kill

Detail: Kill the Goblin monster, and collect its right ear.

Location: Can be found in the Verdant Hollow.

~

'It's worth a shot.'

After making his choice, Yuto took both quests and walked towards the counter.

"Welcome, how may I help you?"

Without answering, he presented two papers and his adventurer's card, making the receptionist look at him with furrowed brows. 

The woman sighed, filled with a sense of resignation. But she couldn't do much, as one of the rules of being an Adventurer was to take responsibility for accepted quests and one's own life.

In an instant, the woman moved the pen in her hand and quickly processed them. 

"Quests have been registered under Yuto's name, and good luck in completing them."

Yuto nodded and turned, leaving the quiet room with steady steps.

Outside, he gripped the sword strapped to his left waist as he walked towards the northern gate, where the separating gate between settlement and wilderness stood. 

The atmosphere turned heavy as he stepped into the northern part of the city.

He saw a row of barracks lined up on each side of the street, making the place feel like a defensive garrison.

Several knights train tirelessly under the glaring sun. They shed sweat, tears and blood, which ignited something inside Yuto.

His sharp blue eyes focused on the field where knight honed their sword skills.

With a synchronized shout, a silver arc flashed and they changed their movement using intricate footwork that seemed to have no gaps. 

Unconsciously, the boy stopped mid-way and became engrossed in their training.

'No! Let's focus on what I have.'

Yuto shook his head and stepped out of the place. His wide back seemed lonely as he arrived at the northern gate, which was unexpectedly wide open. 

He took his Guild card and greeted one of the knights guarding there. 

The guard looked a bit old and had a fierce face. His sharp eyes glared at Yuto, and a scar on his cheek made him even more intimidating.

"Be careful out there."

The boy stiffened, barely holding his jaw from dropping to the ground, hearing the man's soft voice.

"...Thank you."

Yuto walked through the towering gate with thick doors on both sides. 

Then, he was greeted by the sight of a green carpet merged with the lush forest as it stretched into the far horizon.

'Exactly as the vendor said.'

A gentle breeze fluttered his snow-white hair, filling his heart with a surging flame after seeing the knights' hard work. 

Yuto swallowed hard to moisten his parched throat.

The warm atmosphere behind him was nothing but a mere illusion as he stepped into the entrance of the forest. 

Cold seeped through his skin, gently caressing his body while whispering a death tune that pierced his eardrums. 

He channelled Qi throughout his major meridians to dispel the cold and somehow corrosive energy from within.

"I'm ready."

Shiing!

Yuto drew his sword and ventured deeper. The rustling sound of trampled grass put his senses on high alert for the arrival of unseen enemies.

Crack!

His body jerked towards the source of broken twigs. He saw a shadow leap from behind a bush, its yellow eyes seeing Yuto as nothing but food.

"Goblin!?"