novelraw Chapter 120 : Now It Was Just Beginning
Chapter 120 : Now It Was Just Beginning
Chapter 120: Now It Was Just Beginning
Robin told Sigbard about John’s proposal.
Copper-ranked adventurer John.
He would substitute his connections for proof of identity.
Unexplored regions were dangerous, but if things went well, one could reap high profits.
That was the fundamental reason adventurers went to unexplored regions.
“Is he someone we can trust.”
“He didn’t seem like a bad person.”
“Then, let’s go.”
Sigbard did not hesitate.
It was the exploration he had long yearned for.
He wanted to cross as soon as possible, even a day earlier.
“Isn’t that an easy decision when you haven’t even met him?”
“Is there an alternative.”
Robin considered personally getting acquainted with the guards.
He abandoned that plan not long after.
The guards’ working hours were irregular.
There were no personnel assigned to guard duty at fixed times.
They took shifts.
‘Then it would only be possible if I knew every guard.’
Who knew how long it would take to get acquainted with countless guards.
On top of that, would anyone agree to guarantee their identity in place of the Adventurers’ Guild.
‘Unless I bribed them with money… it’d be difficult.’
Sigbard continued.
“If we’re going anyway, it’s better to go as soon as possible, even a little.”
He was right.
There was no need to turn back when a method existed.
This, too, was an adventure.
“If you can’t trust someone named John, then you can’t trust anyone else either.”
The barbarian, who had begun adapting to human society, struck at the core.
Robin and Sigbard were outsiders.
Finding someone trustworthy in a place where they knew no one might have been impossible from the start.
‘One person does come to mind, but there’s no way he’d still be waiting.’
Unless they received the guild’s mediation.
However, the guild was currently silent.
If they were to find companions, traveling together was the most reliable way to assess that person.
“I’ll set up a meeting with John.”
“I’ll go with you.”
Robin nodded.
Walking together was more reassuring than leaving Sigbard alone.
“You mustn’t touch or stare without my permission.”
“What are you talking about.”
“Anything.”
“Ah, I got it.”
Sigbard, slightly crestfallen, followed behind Robin.
He walked with his head lowered all the way to the inn where John was staying.
“I’ve never seen someone that big before.”
“But why is he only looking at the ground while walking?”
“He must be that pretty man’s slave.”
“Eek! He’s looking this way. Everyone, just go on your way.”
Whether Robin’s education had worked or not, Sigbard silently followed behind.
With his hands neatly folded.
Muddy Hoof Inn.
The moment Robin saw it, a thought crossed his mind.
‘Is this an inn? Or a house?’
Compared to the Oak Tree Inn, it was far too small.
Only slightly larger than a family home.
It did not look suitable for multiple people to stay, in many ways.
Creeeak.
When he opened the door and stepped inside, a barren first floor spread out.
There was not a single person.
“Is this really the inn where that adventurer is staying.”
Even to Sigbard’s eyes, it looked shabby.
Robin rang the bell placed on the bar table.
Ding ding ding.
A sound came from the second floor.
After the hurried sound of clothes being put on, a guest room door flew open.
It was John.
“You?”
“Hello, John.”
John flinched briefly when he saw Sigbard.
Soon, he put a smile on his face, came down to the first floor, and welcomed the two.
“Since you’ve come here, may I take it that you’re considering my proposal positively.”
Robin answered that it was so and asked,
“But it looks like the owner isn’t here?”
John pulled out chairs at the table and had them sit.
“He’s often away. It’s confusing who the owner even is.”
John joked that since he was close with the innkeeper, he often watched the place for him.
“It’s your first time meeting, right. This is my companion, Sigbard.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too. Your build is incredible?”
After a light exchange of introductions, John went straight to the point.
“If you go outside with me, it’ll be of no small help to you both.”
“I’d like to know the detailed plan. Mainly the time required and the route.”
John brought down a map from the second floor.
It was a map drawn up to 10 km from Narvik.
“The nearest natural habitat of Rainbow Flowers is here. On foot, we can reach it in two hours.”
The place John pointed to was a mountain.
Getting to the mountain was not difficult, but climbing it was not easy.
“There are a few spots I’ve marked out. Even if it takes long, we can cover them all in three days.”
“Even generously, five days would be a sufficient schedule.”
It was not a bad plan for a first exploration.
John boasted that they only needed to trust him and follow.
“After collecting the Rainbow Flowers, are we returning right away?”
“You two probably have things you want to do as well. Say it—I’ll help with everything I can.”
“Nothing grand. I wanted to make money.”
“That’s the hardest request these days.”
John snorted softly and moved the finger pointing at the map.
It was a plain that had fallen away from the mountain.
“Did you know there are rest stops in unexplored regions where you can take a break?”
“I heard the guild runs them.”
Though it was called a lawless zone, it was ultimately a place people came and went.
The Adventurers’ Guild had built rest stops throughout the unexplored regions.
Places where they stationed personnel capable of maintaining order and guaranteeing a minimum level of safety.
“I’d recommend hunting monsters and selling them to the rest stops.”
“Can they buy from people who aren’t registered with the guild?”
John lifted the corner of his mouth and pulled out a copper plate.
“I’m here, aren’t I. I can make time for up to two weeks.”
That was the length of time the Rainbow Pig John had captured could endure.
“I’ll guide you to some decent hunting grounds.”
“What if we can’t find the Rainbow Flowers?”
“The chances are slim, but… I’ll still help. If we don’t find the flowers, the pig will die anyway.”
John was extremely friendly toward Robin.
“What about you, Sigbard. Anything else to say?”
“No. I follow you, Robin.”
John’s gaze turned to Robin.
A look asking what he would do.
“We’ll depart in two days. I need to get my weapons repaired.”
“Understood. I needed time to prepare as well, so this works out.”
They would go into the unexplored region with John.
The plan gradually took shape.
Two days later.
Margaret came over carrying a tray in front of the two waiting for breakfast on the first floor.
She set down ten bowls of stew and even grilled chicken.
“We only ordered stew?”
“It’s on the house. We survived thanks to you, Sigbard.”
“I’ll eat well.”
When Sigbard grinned broadly, Margaret’s face flushed.
“When you leave today, when will you be back?”
Robin answered in Sigbard’s place, who was absorbed in the food.
“We’ll be back within two weeks.”
“That’s soon. I hope you return safely!”
With that, Margaret hurried back into the kitchen.
Robin scooped up stew while looking at the sword propped beside the table.
‘Fifty Cooper for breakfast. I really need to make money now.’
His ability to cover Sigbard’s food expenses was steadily dwindling.
Calculating that he needed to earn at least ten Silver, he finished his meal.
“Thanks for the meal.”
“Good food is goodbye for a while.”
“It doesn’t matter. I need battle more than food.”
They left the inn with Margaret seeing them off.
The farther they headed toward the outskirts, the more the liveliness of the streets faded.
When they reached the gate—
John waved his hand in greeting.
“Are you ready?”
“Fully prepared.”
“Check again to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything. Once you go out, it won’t be easy to come back.”
Sigbard opened his backpack and checked.
He had brought both food and camping supplies.
“John, you don’t seem to have much luggage.”
John’s appearance contrasted with Sigbard carrying a fully packed backpack.
The backpack was large, but there was plenty of space left.
“It’s not like I have no desire to hunt.”
“Aren’t we selling monsters to the rest stops?”
“You never know. We might discover a dungeon or pick up something useful.”
Most adventurers did not head out with their backpacks completely full.
The higher-ranked adventurers leaving for places far from the Empire, the lighter they kept themselves.
During long stays, running out of food was inevitable.
Self-sufficiency or using rest stops was the norm.
‘I should register quickly to reduce the hassle.’
Using guild facilities required adventurer registration.
This too could be handled through John as a connection, but Robin was cautious.
In case something happened.
He could not help but consider the possibility of being separated from John.
‘At the very least, I need to prepare so I don’t starve to death.’
“Looks like there’s no problem. Shall we head out?”
When Robin nodded, John took the lead.
The exit route and the entry route.
There was not a single person passing through either.
Only the three of them went outside.
The guards standing watch toward the outside did not even pretend to look.
After fully passing through the gate, Robin stopped for a moment.
‘This is the unexplored region.’
A wide plain with no buildings stretched out.
The scenery was not much different from when one went outside the city.
And yet, Robin felt something new.
Ten years ago flashed before his eyes.
After taking a deep breath, he steadied his chest.
‘Now it begins.’
“Robin! What are you doing not coming!”
When Sigbard shouted loudly, he started walking again.
John, who had been walking ahead, also turned back to look.
“I’m coming now!”
Things had not gone according to plan up to this point.
But in the end, he had arrived.
Step by step, steadily.
Footprints were left where Robin had passed.
* * *
An unexplored region more than 100 km away from the gate.
Monster appearance frequency increased sharply, and it was designated a dangerous area.
Since it was the standard for promotion to Silver-ranked adventurer, the survival rate of ordinary humans dropped drastically.
Guuuuung. Guuuuuung.
From far away, heavy footsteps traveled through the ground.
Hundreds of adventurers had formed a defensive formation centered around the rest stop.
“Ha, I can’t see anything because of the fog.”
“Be careful. You never know what might jump out.”
“Isn’t the guild going too far? Does it make sense to forcibly mobilize us because they’re short on manpower.”
Idle chatter did not cease here and there.
It did not look like a single unified group like an army, but rather a haphazard cluster shoved together.
“Of course, I’m not without complaints either. But it can’t be helped. Who would’ve known the fog would push all the way here.”
“We may be holding it back now, but if this keeps happening, it’ll be a problem.”
Kuuuuung!
At the clearly different sound of footsteps, everyone shut their mouths at once.
Through the thickly settled fog, monsters revealed themselves.
“It’s a large one.”
“Is that a Cyclops.”
The adventurers heightened their tension.
A monster counted among the most dangerous even in peril zones had appeared.
They tightened their grips on their weapons and waited for instructions—
when a small but clear voice was heard from behind.
“That’s all?”
“Based on what we’ve confirmed, yes.”
“The pay will be certain, right?”
A voice that reeked of irritation.
It was a languid tone, as if just awakened from sleep.
As a black-haired woman approached, the adventurers naturally made way.
No one had ordered them, yet they moved as if it were obvious.
Just looking at the rest stop manager acting extremely deferential beside her showed she was no ordinary person.
“Th, a spirit summoner?”
Long black hair flowing down to her waist swayed with each step.
On the woman’s shoulder sat a small eagle.
However, unlike a normal eagle, it was translucent.
As if it were made of air itself.
“Please, Lady Serena.”
“Aquila, clear the fog.”
The eagle that had been on her shoulder flew up into the sky.
Its size, about that of a crow, gradually grew until it became large enough to cover buildings.
After drawing three circles as it flew, the eagle dove straight down from the sky.
Huuuuuuuuuung!
When it came to an abrupt stop at an altitude of 100 meters, fierce winds blew as if a typhoon had struck.
“The fog is being pushed away!”
Just as one adventurer shouted, the thick fog disappeared.
With their vision secured, the adventurers could not simply rejoice.
Five Cyclopes were approaching.
Piyuuuuuu!
The giant eagle slammed its body straight into the Cyclops at the front.
Kuuung!
Because of its overwhelming speed, the Cyclops collapsed without being able to properly respond.
The adventurers’ gazes turned toward one person.
The woman leaning on her staff yawned and pointed at the Cyclops.
“We should earn our keep, right?”
The rest stop manager shouted toward the adventurers.
“Chaaaarge!”
Those who had regained their senses rushed out one by one.
The eagle did not disappear and continued to knock down the Cyclopes one at a time.
Serena opened her mouth toward the rest stop manager.
“Eric.”
“Yes.”
“I want to stop by Narvik sometime soon.”
“I’m sorry, but there are still isolated rest stops.”
“Really?”
“We’ll proceed as quickly as possible.”
Serena watched the subjugation process without any emotion.
Eric asked casually.
“May I ask why you wish to go to Narvik.”
“Just because. It’s personal.”
“If there’s anything you need, please let me know. I’ll prepare it.”
“You won’t be able to.”
The Silver-ranked adventurers overwhelmingly pressed the Cyclopes.
It was thanks to Serena’s spirit.
“I’m waiting for a somewhat unusual swordsman.”
“A swordsman, you say? I can introduce you to as many skilled swordsmen as you like.”
Serena shook her head.
“I told you, he’s unusual.”
The subjugation was coming to an end.
Serena withdrew her spirit and turned around.
“Let me know when the next rest stop is decided. I’ll be resting.”
Receiving Eric’s farewell, she opened the door of the rest stop.
The cheers celebrating victory gradually subsided.
Once inside the room, Serena lay down on the bed.
From time to time, three years ago came to mind.
Even more so these days.