The familiar bustle of the city was a welcome change from the quiet, tense atmosphere of the forest. I headed straight for the Adventurers' Guild, the stench of sweat and stale ale washing over me as I stepped inside.
"Quest complete," I stated, dropping the sack of goblin ears and the truly disgusting, shriveled Ork head onto the reception counter. The receptionist, a middle-aged woman with tired eyes, didn't even flinch.
She tallied the bounty and the materials. "The goblins net you silver. The Ork's tusks and hide are worth an additional two silver coins."
Two silvers. Not bad for an afternoon's work. I pocketed the money. "Thanks. That's it for now."
Back at the inn, I paid for an extended stay, securing my room for the week. Once upstairs, I collapsed onto the bed. "god, I hate this bed," I muttered into the lumpy pillow before drifting off to a well-earned, if uncomfortable, sleep.
The next morning, after a quick, forgettable breakfast downstairs, I returned to the Guild. I skipped the lines and went straight to the posting board, my gaze sweeping over the available tasks.
A standard bounty caught my eye: Goblin Patrol in the Northern Forest.
"Good enough," I said, snatching the paper. The Northern Forest was a short walk and the reward was good with a reward with 2 silver coins. I presented the form to the receptionist, who approved it with a bored stamp.
I stepped out of the guild, flipping a small, worn coin between my thumb and forefinger—a nervous habit I'd developed recently. The familiar clink-tink was surprisingly soothing. As I walked, I let the coin arc high, focusing on its glint against the sun.
Clink. Tink.
"Mhm... There you are!" I hissed, the coin landing back in my palm. Without turning, I snapped my hand to the holster on my hip.
BANG!
The shot was instant, the sound swallowed by the trees. A goblin that had been creeping up behind me, head popped like an overripe melon, crumbled to the dirt.
Suddenly, four more appeared, surrounding me with rusted, pathetic swords and daggers raised.
"Roll or die," I murmured, my eyes fixed on the coin I was still flipping. I casually adjusted my hat as my skill activated.
The goblins attacked, their movements sluggish and predictable. Their rusty blades scraped uselessly against me. I didn't even feel the impact.
"Heh. Gamble with your time, because Chance is on my side," I sneered, the words a low rumble.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Four rapid shots. Four small, green corpses slumped to the ground.
I knelt, collecting their ears and checking their pathetic loot. The system notification flashed instantly:
[ 50 XP ]
[ 50 gold ]
"Nice," I commented, pushing my sunglasses up the bridge of my nose. They were purely for aesthetics, but I liked how they hid my eyes. "I guess the skill did actually protect me."
I continued flipping the coin, the mechanical repetition now strangely addictive.
"Time to return back to the guild," I decided, turning toward the city.
I was a few miles from the gate when a magnificent, polished black carriage thundered past me on the road. It was drawn by two massive, immaculately groomed horses, and flanked by several mounted, heavily armed knights. As it passed, I caught a glimpse of a stern-looking man through the window—definitely someone important.
"Mhm?" I watched it go.
"Great... I think I know where this is going," I sighed, an unwelcome premonition settling over me. Important people always meant complications.
I continued my walk, until I saw a flash of blue on the road ahead. A cluster of adorable little slimes were jiggling along, their tiny, cute faces looking utterly harmless as they bounced.
"Aww~ they look so cute," I cooed, momentarily forgetting my grim task.
I quickly snapped out of it, gripping the hilt of my sword. "Sorry, little ones. I have to do this."
I walked toward one whose back was turned. I didn't even use the gun this time. A clean, quick slice.
[ 20 XP ]
[ 16 gold ]
"That was very hard to do," I confessed to the empty forest road.
Reaching the city gate, I was stopped by a burly guard. I showed him my Adventurer ID, and he waved me through.
"Guild first and explore second," I decided, making a bee-line for the Guild Hall to turn in the goblin ears.
"Okay, time to explore the city," I said, stretching contentedly as I stepped back onto the main street which i then decided to find a magic shop something like that.
I walked, trying to ignore the constant, curious stares. The people here weren't used to my style—the sunglasses, the coat, the anachronistic weapon. "Still couldn't get used to the staring," I grumbled.
I kept walking until I saw it: the same magnificent black carriage, parked right outside a high-end tailor's shop.
"Great. I guess the world really wants me to meet this guy?" I muttered, turning sharply to avoid the encounter.
I took two quick steps, then bumped my head into something soft and fragrant.
"Sorry, miss! I didn't see you," a melodic voice apologized.
I looked up, and for the first time since arriving in this world, I was truly stunned. Standing before me was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, framed by a posse of imposing knights.
"Don't worry about it, miss," I managed, my voice sounding flat and awkward.
A noble? I thought, quickly stepping aside to let her pass.
"Miss, about that—" she started, but was interrupted by one of the knights and quickly walked towards the carriage.
"Wait, hold up. That was her?" I said, realizing the beautiful woman was the one who had spoken to me, and not the one riding in the carriage.
As the noblewoman (presumably the person from the carriage) was already seated, the window was blocked by a thick, velvet curtain. All I could see was a blurry silhouette behind it.
"Mhm... She does look good," I mused, before shaking my head and continuing my exploration.