Wednesday Morning, Elfier City, Mythesan Kingdom
The gentle morning sunlight crept through the gaps in the window, waking Fyar from his slumber. He sat on the edge of the bed, yawning widely as he rubbed his eyes. The morning air felt cool as he opened his room's window and gazed at the city life beginning to stir below.
On the cobblestone street, a merchant with a cart full of vegetables was shouting, hawking his wares. A city guard walked with weary steps, his armor slightly dull, a sign that he had just finished his night watch. Fyar took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the fresh, pollution-free air.
"Ahh... A day without a mission feels so nice," he murmured softly. He savored the sights and sounds of a morning in a world he had considered impossible just a few days ago.
His gaze shifted to a corner of the room, settling on a katana leaning against the wall. He had bought the sword yesterday. Its curved blade reflected the morning light, looking sharp and beautiful.
I wonder how much this would sell for on Earth? But, I'm here now. If I can't go back, I have no choice but to enjoy it, he thought for a moment, before realizing his reality.
After a night of contemplation, Fyar's confusion and panic had subsided, replaced by a decision. He would live peacefully in this world, at least for a while, and fulfill his teenage fantasies.
Back when I still read a lot of novels and watched anime, I often imagined what I would do if I got into an isekai world. Start a harem, become an adventurer, a merchant, a bounty hunter... a faint smile touched his lips. But for the next two years, I'll just live peacefully. I'll think of it as a vacation.
A vague memory flashed in his mind, of when he was creating his adventurer card. There was a strange man in a cosmic space who had said his fate was a heavy one. The man told him to eat a fruit and called him 'buddy'. So overly familiar, Fyar thought, then shook his head to dispel the confusing memory.
"Whatever," he said to himself. "I've lived in the dark world for almost ten years. There's nothing wrong with enjoying a two-year vacation and living peacefully, right?" His soft, relieved laughter in the quiet room.
Feeling lighter, Fyar went to take a bath.
A short while later, he descended the inn's wooden stairs, planning to have breakfast before heading out to train with Rasie and Zaefal. Downstairs, he saw Laura behind the reception desk.
Laura was a girl who always seemed cheerful. Her long black hair was tied into a single, thick braid that fell down her back, allowing her to move freely. Thin-framed glasses rested on her nose, and behind the lenses, her brown eyes always seemed to sparkle. That morning, she was cleaning some glass cups with a cloth, her movements meticulous as she hummed a soft tune.
"Laura? You on the morning shift?" Fyar asked, casually approaching her.
Laura looked up, and a cheerful smile immediately bloomed on her face when she saw Fyar. "Mr. Fyar! Good morning!" she greeted enthusiastically. "Mr. Reuhar is taking some leave because his wife is far along in her pregnancy. So, I'm covering for him, hehe."
"Ahh, I see," Fyar replied with a small smile.
Seeing that smile, Laura was a little surprised. She paused her cleaning and observed Fyar more closely. When they first met, the man before her had a gloomy and cold aura. He spoke in a monotone, and his eyes looked empty. But now, he looked so much more alive, more like a normal person. He could show emotion and even smile.
Driven by curiosity, Laura tilted her head slightly.
"Mr. Fyar, you look more... normal today," she said bluntly. "The first time I saw you, you looked like someone who had lost everything. It made me wonder, what happened?"
"Huh?!" Fyar was slightly taken aback by her sharp observation. He cleared his throat to cover his nervousness, then answered, "Ah, yesterday I was just... lost in my own thoughts."
"I-I see! Mmm, I see!" Laura replied, nodding, though her expression showed she wasn't entirely convinced.
"By the way, Laura, I'd like to extend my stay to thirty days. How much will that be?" Fyar asked. He felt comfortable at this inn.
Besides already knowing Laura and the inn have a bar meant he didn't have to go far for meals. Plus, his room had a private bathroom, a luxury he deeply appreciated.
Laura's smile widened again. "That will be fifteen gold coins in total, Mr. Fyar!"
So cheap. I really don't understand the value of currency in this world, Fyar grumbled internally.
He then took a leather pouch from his pocket, one he had bought with Cyhas yesterday. He counted out twenty gold coins and placed them on the wooden counter.
"Fifteen coins for the rent, one gold coin for two servings of fish and plain water later. The rest is for you."
Laura's eyes widened behind her glasses. "F-for me?! Mr. Fyar, are you sure?!" she exclaimed in shock, though she couldn't hide the wide grin starting to form on her face.
Fyar simply nodded in response.
"Th-th-thank you, Mr. Fyar!" Laura bowed deeply, her voice sincere and full of gratitude.