kscans

Chapter 4 - Return

After finishing my adventure, I returned to the guild and headed for the lobby where the reception desks were.

When I got back to the lobby, it was as quiet as before, and the reception area was empty. I looked for Asakura-san's desk and saw her watching me with a smug grin on her face.

That little… she knew all along.

Asakura-san had noticed I didn't have a bag. She expected me to come back right away. And now she was laughing because she was right.

I felt a little irritated, but I went straight to her counter.

"Welcome back."

Asakura-san greeted me with a huge smile.

"I'm back."

"You were quick."

"I was just planning on checking things out today. Yeah, really."

Totally.

"You're as dumb as ever."

Hey!

"Well, I didn't have a bag."

I decided to be honest.

"I thought so. You're the first person I've seen come in empty-handed. I guess you're confident, senpai, but you should prepare a little more."

"You should have told me first."

"I thought it'd be a good lesson for you for the future."

So she made me learn the hard way. Hmm, is this girl really younger than me? She seems more like an older sister.

"I need a bag and something to drink."

"Right. You should also buy a map. You can get one now for 1,000 yen."

Asakura-san said, pulling a map out of her drawer.

"I'll take it. Does a compass work here?"

"It does. It's good to have one."

So it works…

"I'll buy one of those too… I'll get it online. Oh, here are my earnings."

I took out the knife I was holding and the grass from my pocket and placed them on the counter.

"A Slime and a Goblin, huh. Was it easy?"

"I sliced the Slime in half. I cut off the Goblin's head."

I killed them both instantly.

"That's scary. But I guess you weren't just bragging."

"It would be pathetic if I was."

"Well, yeah, I guess…"

Wait a minute. Her reaction makes it seem like it's pathetic even if I wasn't just bragging. Or maybe I did something when I was drunk…

"Whatever. More importantly, what are these?"

"A Medicinal Herb and a knife. That's 500 yen and 800 yen. After subtracting the cost of the map, that'll be 300 yen."

Well, I expected as much, but that's cheap.

"I'm not selling the Medicinal Herb."

"You're not? Just so you know, you won't get a different price selling it elsewhere, and considering the hassle, it's better to sell it here."

"No, I want to try using it."

"Oh, I see. I don't mind, but let me warn you first. It's super bitter, and it doesn't do much. You have to process it."

They say good medicine is bitter, and it's just a plant. It's probably bitter.

"I'm just trying it out."

"Understood. Then you'll be taking that home. In that case, please pay 200 yen."

"My first adventure is a loss, huh."

"That's how it is. You have to prepare a lot of things. Some people buy armor, so there are initial costs."

I see. Well, starting anything costs money at first.

"Okay, here's 200 yen."

"Thank you. Oh, please submit your Status Card. And your weapon, too."

Here it comes…

"Here."

It would be weird to refuse, and I probably couldn't anyway, so I obediently handed over my card and the short sword from my waist. Asakura-san took the card and began to examine it.

"Wow! Amazing! Your Swordsmanship is level 5! You really are incredible! I've never seen anyone with a level 5 skill from the start."

"Heh heh!"

I'm so proud!

"Wow, that's amazing. I'll hold onto this for you. I'll give it back the next time you go on an adventure."

Asakura-san said as she put the card away.

"Hm?"

"Yes?"

I was surprised she didn't mention the Alchemy skill, and Asakura-san tilted her head.

"Is that all?"

"Is that all… I, it's amazing. I think it's really cool!"

Asakura-san forced a compliment, her face twitching.

"No, don't force it. Sorry, could you show me the Status Card one more time?"

"Hm? Sure."

Asakura-san, looking genuinely confused, took out the card. I checked it.

No, Alchemy is definitely there. But Asakura-san completely ignored it. Strange…

"Asakura-san, is Swordsmanship my only skill?"

"That's right… Oh! Are you shocked that you only have one skill? It's true that some Adventurers have two or three from the start. But that's a small minority. You may only have one, senpai, but it's level 5. I've never heard of that before. You should be proud."

Asakura-san tried to console me with a smile. But now I understood. Asakura-san couldn't see the Alchemy skill.

What does that mean? Is it because of this star mark? Hmm, I don't know.

"How do you get more skills?"

"By doing all sorts of things. There have been cases where Adventurers who only gather materials get a gathering skill. And when you get a skill, your ability improves. Your swordsmanship has probably improved too, senpai."

Huh. Between the long break and the blessing of magical power, I can't really tell.

"I see. I'll try various things then."

"You can find information online, so it's good to look it up. Though there's a lot of misinformation too."

There probably is a lot of misinformation…

"Got it. Thanks."

"Yes, I'm glad I could help. Do your best."

"Mhm."

"Oh, when will you be coming next?"

Next time, huh…

"Hmm, I think I'll take a short break. I need to prepare."

"I see. It would be good if you could contact me beforehand. It would be a problem if you came when I was on my day off."

Being exclusive is a pain…

"Is there any benefit for me in being your exclusive Adventurer?"

"It's priceless!"

Asakura-san said with a huge smile. Yep, she's cute.

"Well, whatever. I'll contact you. Your contact info hasn't changed, right?"

"Right. I'll be waiting. By the way, if you're inviting me out for something else, please do it early. I need to arrange for paid leave and all that."

And I need to prepare money.

"Gotcha. I'm heading home for today then… Oh! Hey, can I ask you something?"

"I don't have a boyfriend."

Noted.

"No, that's not it. Where can I buy materials?"

"Materials? Like Medicinal Herbs? You can buy them online or at specialty shops. We sell them here too."

I see…

"Just curious, do you sell Sleeping Grass?"

"Sleeping Grass? We sell it, but it tastes awful. And it's not very effective. You'd be better off with over-the-counter sleeping pills."

"Can you sell me one?"

"I can, but what are you going to use it for? I'm required to ask this."

So there's a rule for that…

"I'm a bit sleep-deprived, so I wanted to try it. I'll wash it down with some alcohol."

"That's unhealthy. Please buy some over-the-counter medicine."

"How much is Sleeping Grass?"

"100 yen."

So cheap!

"I only need one. I just want to try it."

"Well, I'm sure you wouldn't misuse it, senpai, so it's fine, but it really does taste awful. I've tried it myself."

You have…

"I don't have any money…"

"Senpai… I'll treat you after all. Is a chain restaurant okay?"

Don't take out a handkerchief and press it to your eyes.

"I'll treat you to sushi in Ginza someday."

"I'll be waiting, but I won't get my hopes up. Please wait a moment."

Asakura-san stood up, still pressing the handkerchief to her eyes, and walked to the back.

Still, awful taste, huh. Now that she says that, I kind of want to try it. Though it's an ingredient for a sleeping potion, so I won't.

I waited for a while, and Asakura-san returned with a paper bag in her hand.

"Here you go."

Asakura-san handed me the paper bag, which probably contained the Sleeping Grass, without sitting down.

"Thanks. Oh, 100 yen…"

"It's okay. Just tell me what you think of it."

Looks like she's treating me. What a nice girl!

"Thanks. I'll become an A-rank Adventurer in no time…"

Adventurers have ranks. A, B, C, D, E, F. Me? F, of course!

"Do your best…"

My conversation with Asakura-san had been so enjoyable, but at the end, I felt needlessly dejected. I left the guild, waving back at Asakura-san who was waving at me, determined to do my best. Then, I stopped by the supermarket and bought a few things before heading home.