The woman, who had just been declared fatherless, stood casually, lowering her knife before stretching her arms as if she had just finished a light workout.
"Okay. That's done," she said nonchalantly.
Arthur frowned. "Huh? What do you mean?"
The woman yawned slightly, tying her messy hair back again. "Some weird-smelling old man paid me to attack you once."
'Old man? Weird-smelling? Ah… must be that God of Fiction,' Arthur thought.
The woman smirked and lifted her chin. "Name's Casca B. Itch. I'm a rookie adventurer."
Arthur furrowed his brows. "Casca… B. Itch?"
The name sounded so strange to him. He muttered under his breath, "No wonder this webnovel only got fake reviews and a few power stones. Even the character names are like this."
Casca looked at him, puzzled. "Huh? Webnovel? Power… what now?"
Arthur flinched, realizing he had spoken out loud. "Ah, nothing. I just… thought your name was unique."
Casca grinned. "Heh, probably because you've never heard names from other regions. I'm from the North, so it makes sense if it sounds unusual to you."
Arthur still felt like something was off, but he didn't want to push the topic further. One thing was clear—Casca had no idea they were inside a novel.
"So… you attacked me just to test my strength?" he asked, still doubtful.
Casca shook her head. "Not really. I was just paid a hundred gold to attack you once."
Arthur's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Casca beamed. "And now you're gonna live with me. That weird old guy said I should take care of you for a month. He's gonna give me another hundred gold after that."
Arthur stared at her, deadpan. "So you got paid just to attack me once… and now I have to live with you?"
Casca shrugged. "Yup. Sounds easy, right? I'm already a hundred gold richer just for slicing you."
Arthur let out a long sigh. "You don't think that's weird at all?"
"The guy paying me is a weird-smelling old man," Casca replied casually. "I'm used to taking odd jobs from weirdos. As long as I get paid, I don't care."
Arthur scratched his head in frustration. That God of Fiction really did whatever he wanted. He had no idea why the old man wanted him to live with an adventurer who seemed to lack any sense of responsibility.
Casca clapped him on the shoulder. "Alright, let's go to the city. We're heading to the guild first."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Why the guild?"
Casca smirked. "Because you're going to be an adventurer."
Arthur narrowed his eyes. "Did that old man tell you to make me an adventurer?"
Casca shook her head. "Nope, that's my own decision."
Arthur eyed her suspiciously. "Why?"
Casca grinned wider and slapped his shoulder again—harder this time. "Because you're gonna be living in my tiny house. I'm not taking care of you for free. You need to pay rent."
Arthur's mouth fell open. "Are you serious?"
Casca nodded confidently. "Dead serious. You think living with me is free? I'm not some charity-giving fairy."
Arthur sighed. "I don't even have any money."
"Which is why you need to be an adventurer," Casca said nonchalantly. "You work, you get paid, then you pay rent to me."
Arthur felt like slamming his head against a wall. He had just arrived in this world, and he already had to pay rent? Wasn't the protagonist supposed to get a free place to stay as part of the plot?
He glanced at Casca with a weary expression. "I don't even know how to be an adventurer."
Casca patted her chest proudly. "Don't worry, I'll teach you. Now, let's go to the guild."
Arthur wanted to protest, but he realized he didn't have much choice. If he had to survive in this world, he needed a way to make money.
With a heavy sigh, he reluctantly nodded. "Fine. Let's go to the guild."
Casca grinned in satisfaction. "Good. I like people who catch on quickly."
And with that, the two of them began walking toward the city. Arthur still felt like this made no sense, but at least now he had a goal—even if it was just to pay rent to the same adventurer who had slashed him minutes ago.
As they walked, Arthur took in his surroundings. The city was finally coming into view—a high stone wall surrounding buildings made of wood and stone, with a bustling crowd moving through the entrance gate.
"By the way," Arthur turned to Casca, "what's this city called?"
Casca yawned before answering. "Just City."
Arthur froze. "Huh?"
Casca raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, Just City. Why?"
Arthur closed his eyes for a moment, resisting the urge to curse. Ah… the author was really lazy with names. Even the city's name is just 'Just City'?! Did they write this at the last minute before a deadline?
But then, his mind started racing. Wait… I remember. The original MC of this novel was supposed to visit this city someday.
Arthur glanced at Casca, his thoughts moving quickly. If the MC was going to arrive in this city… that meant he could use his knowledge of the novel to his advantage. But he needed to confirm something first.
"Casca," he asked, trying to keep his voice casual, "what year is it?"
Casca frowned. "Huh? Why are you asking that?"
"Just curious," Arthur replied quickly.
Casca scratched her head before answering lazily, "It's the year 3300 of the Regni Calendar."
Arthur almost choked on air. Regni? Ah… I remember someone commenting that this sounded like something the author threw in just to make it sound cool.
But his brain immediately went into overdrive. If it was the year 3300 Regni, he needed to figure out when the MC was going to arrive in this city. If he could remember the details, he might be able to take advantage of it before it happened.
"Oi, why do you look like you just saw a ghost?" Casca eyed him suspiciously.
Arthur quickly composed himself. "Ah, nothing. Just… thinking."
Casca sighed. "Well, stop thinking and start walking. We're almost there."
Arthur nodded and continued walking.
I wonder why I can't say my real name, Arthur thought. I should try again.
"Casca?" Arthur called.
"What now?" Casca replied, a little annoyed.
"My name is Arthur D. Bump."
Arthur still couldn't say his real name.
Casca frowned. "I already know that. Why are you introducing yourself again? Weirdo."
Arthur fell silent as Casca walked ahead. He stared up at the sky.
"I really can't say my real name… Damn it."
With slow steps, he sighed and monologued dramatically like a cool anime character.
'Goodbye, my dear name… Peter Parkour.'