đźź Chapter 14 :
Days later, the construction work finally came to an end.
The foundations were laid, the walls stood tall, and even Bark smiled once… before going back to his usual stone-faced self.
The workers gathered to receive their wages.
Small bundles of coins… not much, but they meant a lot to those who had spent their days covered in dust and sweat.
I accepted my pay in silence and sat in the shade of the workshop, lost in thought.
"Maybe… I should look for a new job. Something less exhausting… and maybe more suited to my skill."
I was caught up in my calculations when I heard a familiar voice.
"Takero-dono… I believe this is where we part ways."
I slowly lifted my head. Ren stood before me, a small bag slung over his shoulder, his face calmer than usual. I hadn't even realized he was ready to leave—nor had I ever seen him buy that bag.
"It's time for me to go… I'm heading to the city of Osmara."
I froze for a moment. So he had been planning to leave after all. I didn't know exactly what was in this "Osmara," but it must have been tied to his adventures. Still, I had a feeling this day would come… but I didn't expect it to hit me like this. I asked him what was in Osmara specifically.
"Are there monsters to fight in Osmara?"
"Not exactly. There's a Hunter Test being held there. I'll get my hunter card and start my adventures from there."
A hunter card, huh? So that's what it was… Honestly, I had gotten used to his presence—his energy, his weirdness. But every beginning has an end. In the end, our goals were different. There was nothing I could do about that. So I said quietly:
"I see."
Ren gave a faint smile and sat down beside me.
"You know… if you hadn't been in that prison, I wouldn't have gotten out. At first I thought you were a burden… but in the end, you proved to be a true leader."
I never knew he thought of me as a burden when we first met. He lowered his head, then added:
"But… deep down, I couldn't accept that. I've always wanted to be the leader. To write my own story—not just follow someone else's."
I didn't understand where this whole leader–follower thing came from. I never once thought of myself as his leader. I chuckled sarcastically and ran a hand through my hair.
"You idiot… if it weren't for your skill, we wouldn't have escaped in the first place."
He laughed lightly and said,
"Maybe… but the journey was ours. You were the brains, I was the hands."
He stood up, looking at me with eyes more mature than I'd ever seen in him.
"Thank you, Takero-dono… for everything. Maybe one day we'll meet again—as rivals."
I raised an eyebrow.
"I told you—I'm not interested in adventures."
Ren smiled, a smile that carried both confidence and nostalgia.
"That's true… but I have a feeling that won't last forever. Well then, goodbye, Takero-dono. Let's meet again in the future."
He waved as he left. I waved back, watching him walk away—his steps steady.
I wasn't sure if I truly considered him a friend. But one thing was clear… he had filled a part of my empty life. And his departure… was more unsettling than I expected.
When I think back to how I ended up in this world and landed in prison, if it weren't for people like Raynar and Ren, I would've rotted there. Maybe gone insane… maybe even been sold to nobles.
They really were… beautiful coincidences in this strange world.
And now… I was alone again. Well, I'm used to this. It's not that big of a deal. Let's think about the next step now—time to look for a new job since this one was over. I'll try to improve myself by finding better work.
I earned 75 experience points from working on that bank. My skill has levels. To move past level one, I need more than 100 points. With each level, my crafting abilities will improve—and maybe I'll unlock new features.
By noon, I was walking through the city… searching for a decent job that suited me. I searched every corner of the city, but every time I entered a shop, they told me they didn't need extra hands. Even construction work had dried up—other than the bank we'd just finished, there were no projects left.
I spent three whole hours searching without finding anything. I was starting to lose hope… until I finally reached a blacksmith's workshop. They were hiring workers.
"Perfect… finally something I can do."
I stepped inside, and a wave of hot air mixed with the smell of coal and heated iron hit my face. In the center I saw a heavy anvil surrounded by hammers and tongs, while half-finished shields and metal sheets hung on the walls. Flames danced in the forge, and with every strike of a hammer, sparks flew, giving the place a heartbeat of its own.
I saw a huge man with bulging muscles wearing a black shirt, hammering a glowing piece of iron on the anvil. His arm swung the heavy hammer with steady force, each strike sending sparks scattering across the stone floor. He lifted his head toward me, wiped the sweat from his brow with his forearm, and spoke in a gruff voice:
"What do you want, boy? Work or a weapon?"
"I came for work. I saw you needed extra hands."
"Alright then, welcome. What's your name?"
"Takero."
"Good, Takero. Time to roll up those skinny sleeves of yours."
And so began my new job. The pay was good enough to live with more dignity than before.
—Two months later—
Well, the beginning was tough. It took me a while to get used to the work. But after about two months, I had settled in.
In one of the cheap inns I was staying at, while eating dinner in the tavern downstairs…
I overheard some people talking behind me.
"This hunter card?… They've added social benefits to it. Anyone who has one gets treated better than regular citizens."
The hunter card…
The card Ren had gone to get. Two months had passed since he left.
From what I'd heard, there's a basic training stage required to obtain the card. They send you to a training facility for a while to learn how to kill monsters. But they're not real tests—there's no actual risk of dying.
In novels, they call it an adventurer card. Here, it's a hunter card… what a difference.
In those stories, there are either real combat trials or a magical crystal you touch to determine your rank. I wish that option existed here.
But out of all that, the phrase that stuck with me the most was:
Social benefits.
Benefits.
Yes… that word grabbed me, and it made me consider trying it. Maybe I won't get a high-rank card, but that's fine. As long as I get one… it'll be enough.
In the end, it's just training. It's not like we'll be fighting real monsters.
Ren left two months ago.
From what I've heard, registrations open every six months.
Which means… I still have four months left.
Alright then…
In four months—I'll set off.
To get that card.