I watched the thugs as their figures became smaller and smaller until finally they entered the city and left my sight.
If they want to mess with me, then they should have done it properly and brought more people.
Now that I think of it, I kind of miss a chance to rob them.
I mean, they want to steal my things, right? So it was my right to rob them back.
Joking aside I think they were sent by people who have some resentment against me.
Who is it, I wonder?
Let’s think of a moment. The one I have conflict with is … Arthem Son, Ars. But that idiot won’t do something like send someone on his behalf.
He was the type to confront his enemies by himself; if it was not him, then who?
I shake my head and try to remember, but it is futile as I can’t seem to remember.
I shrug my shoulder. If I can’t remember, then it most definitely is not an important matter. I grab my wooden cart and continue pushing it toward the city.
When I arrived in front of the western gate, I saw a guard approaching me and asking a question.
“Wow, did you hunt this by yourself? Impressive.” He looked at my mountain of prey in admiration.
“Stop gawking and let him pass.” His partner reminds his friend by knocking his head down.
“Augh, you don’t have to be violent, you know; I am just admiring this young man’s achievement!”
The other guard ignored his friend's complaint and started asking me a question.
“Are you new around here?” He looked at me with a serious face.
“Yep, I come here to have an adventure!” I answer him cheerfully.
I rummaged through my things and showed him my adventure guild card as proof that I have joined an adventure guild.
“Hmm, young level 2 adventure, how admirable. But did you really hunt all of this yourself? Where is your friend?” He eyed darted as he was looking around, trying to see my missing companion.
“I came, hunted, and brought down all of this beast alone. You won’t see a missing friend because I have none.
He looks at me dubiously and says, “Really?”
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I nod in confirmation.
“Kid, I know it was unbecoming of me as a stranger, but anyway, I will still do it. He looked at me and said, “Search for a friend; being alone will only make your already dangerous adventure even more dangerous.”
His eyes grow distant as he speaks, “I remember it as it was yesterday. A talented kid died because of arrogance. He said he alone was enough to solve anything that came his way.”
As the older guard spoke, a long and exhausting story made me grow bored. His story doesn’t seem to end soon.
I stare at the younger guard. He only gave me a sheepish smile. It seems this is a routine for him.
If I do not solve my current problem, then I will be stuck here for who knows how long. Looking at the older guard, I tap his shoulder to bring him back to earth.
Surprised by the sudden touch, the older guard looks at me.
“Thank you for the advice; I sure will remember it. Bye!” I said in rapid succession
Before he can react, I push my wooden cart and run away before he can speak another word.
“Wait! I am not finished yet.”
Ignoring his shout, I ran away with all my strength as I thought.
I better steer clear of that guy.
…
Navigating the road is easy as I already know the route to Adventure Academy, and before long I arrived at my destination.
I asked the staff, Where will I put all of my prey? He guided me and brought me toward the Butcher Place.
Before long I was in the butcher place. I place all of my prey except the first horned rabbit I hunted, the one I planned to eat for dinner, in front of the butcher.
The butcher is an old man in his forties with a big build and brown hair.
“First time seeing you here; are you new?” He inspected the lesser boar and horned rabbit that I hunted.
The lesser boar is in pristine condition thanks to the clean kill and how I handle the corpse.
The horned rabbit, on the other hand, is different. Half of the corpse didn’t have its most valuable part, the horn. I took half of it because I wanted to use the horn as some kind of throwing weapon, or maybe I can use it as a piercing weapon.
I only take as many as I can carry, though, because I know my own limit. Carrying more will only slow me down.
The butcher finished with the inspection and said, “The boar is in good condition, but for the rabbit I will only give you half the price for the one missing the horn. As for the jaguar … Are you sure you want to sell it?”
I gave him a confused look and said, “Is there something wrong with the jaguar? I know it was red, but surely it was not something noteworthy.”
The butcher sighed and gave me an exasperated look. “This is why a rookie really needs to learn a thing or two about a monster.”
He pointed at the jaguar. “The jaguar skin is tough but light; it also has fire resistance attributes, making it a good material for leather armor.”
“Really?” I answered him in a light tone not because I did not believe him but because I did not really care.
It was just a beast that died all the same to me anyway, and this jaguar did not give me a particularly hard time.
Its skin was tough, too bad for the jaguar because when I prey, I mostly aim for the eyes, so having tough skin is hardly a problem for me.
I looked at the jaguar and said to the butcher, “That means it's expensive, right?”
“It sure is!” He replies almost instantly.
I nod and say to the butcher, “Then I will sell it; how much is it?”
The butcher thought for a moment and said, “It usually costs two hundred points, but for you I will give it two hundred and fifty.”
“Why?” I tilt my head in confusion.
“Because you look promising, take it as my way of giving help to someone with talent like you; maybe you will remember my aid and help me later.”
He smiled and tried to smack my back. “My name is Bastian!”
I step forward and easily evade his slap. “Do I need to give you a name too?”
Bastian looked disappointed because his slap met with an empty air and said, “Of course, isn’t it a normal thing to do?”
After a moment of contemplation, I said, “Then call me Rai.”
