Chapter 3 – Reporting from Goldbrunn, the City of Encounters

“Please! Please, please, please, please!”

““No!”” Ara-san and I stand firm in front of a pleading Rine. Ara-san's ears are going haywire, she's really angry.

I'm also quite pissed, because yesterday Rine hit the behind of my head with her knee at full power, causing a concussion. She did so while kicking Ara-san right in the face. After that Rine hooked her foot behind the alfr's head and pulled her towards her.

Of course, Rine was asleep when she kicked, but the only reason why she woke up before she could seriously hurt Ara-san was that her broken arm pained her due to her abrupt movements.

That's the reason why she's banned from sleeping with us again.

“Rine-chan,” Kyou-san is the voice of reason. “If you get your sleeping habits under control, you can join us again. However, what if you'd seriously hurt Arako, maybe gouging one of her eyes out?”

“Tha- I mean...” The girl in question still has problems believing that she's a murdering machine in her sleep. Well, she's one as well when she's awake, but that's within her control at least. “I'm sorry.” Now she repents at last.

“Sorry won't cut it!” Ara-san seems to be infuriated. I can totally understand that. “We'll talk in the evening about your punishment.”

“Yes, Ara...”

“Good.”

“But Arako,” Kyou-san says. “It's time for our appointment.”

Appointment? “What do you mean?”

“Nothing you should care for, Ken. A girl's thing. Or would you like to tag along to the beautician?”

“...nope. Then I'll just go and get some breakfast. Don't expect me to be here when you return.”

“Take your backpack with you, I'll make you a bento.”

“...thanks?” Because she's certainly not doing it out of goodwill, I'm not sure how I should take it.

“For the WP, obviously.”

“Ah. That makes sense.”

“Then we're on our way.” Kyou-san takes the girls with her and walks out of the room.

I wait a bit, weighing my budget for today in one hand. Enough to enjoy a day, and that's what I'm trying to do.

But first I get some breakfast and go to meet that vagabond geezer.

…

It's an hour before noon and I'm already at the meeting point. Of course, I'm again in my [Ranger]-class, and because I'm more or less expecting an attack, I'm armed and armored. Using [Camouflage] and [Mask of Wildlife], I'm waiting in the shadows.

Most likely [Mask of Wildlife] won't do a thing, because there is no real wildlife here. Still, it's not like I use those MP otherwise and they'll return with time.

I'm watching the geezer, who still sleeps next to the other homeless people. I look around at times, but there are no thugs or other suspicious people.

After a while, the geezer gets up, eats some bread crumbs and some jerky. Did he get these as payment for selling me out?

No. Those are the leftovers from yesterday, the butcher just gives them out this morning for some heavy lifting it seems. At least that’s what the other beggars are saying after the geezer asked them. Suspicious.

Of course, most beggars are walking around town now, trying to get some alms. Those too tired or injured to walk that freely are standing at the border of the marketplace.

Now the geezer starts to walk. Towards me! I retreat a bit.

He's now at the meeting place and is about to sit down.

I step out of the shadows. “You're early.”

“Not like I have a clock or something fancy like that, boy. So, how can I help you?”

“...You're cutting right to the point?”

“Why shouldn't I?”

To buy time. Is this a real genuine attempt to repay some favor or is he trying to trick me? “I'm just cautious.”

“Rightfully so. I was just thinking of continuing my journey today, so we shouldn't waste time. What do you want?”

“...where...” Argh, I didn't know before, that this is quite an embarrassing question. No, it's just because I make it embarrassing. “Phew...” Inhale, exhale. I'm in control. “In this city, where can I get a prostitute?”

“...I was expecting much, but not that. Boy, you're traveling with two fine girls, so why do you want a prostitute?”

“It's because I’m traveling with those girls!” Ara-san, Kyou-san, and Rine are way too attractive!

Momokawa Kyou. A Japanese beauty with long dark hair, and dark eyes. Her soft skin, her womanly build, it combines charm with my homeland. Most Japanese are attracted to other Japanese, and that's why Kyou-san, who's so pretty that she can do anything she wants, despite being a bitch deep down.

Katarine von Stolzherz. The girl who actually introduced me to the concept of having the hots for foreign women! She may be a bit tall and has some muscles, but that's attractive in its own way because it's not overboard. She has these crazy beautiful eyes, which burn with passion, these humongous boobs, that she waves around like it's nothing, and while her face is western, even I can tell how pretty she is!

Ara'ainn. Actually, she shouldn't be attracted to me at all, but because of the curse, I feel all sorts of things. Now every part of her draws me to her, her ears that move steadily, her eyes that are so unlike mine, her long hair that feels so different, the way she moves, that she has no breasts... and she's the one I get along with best!

Whoever I'd get close to, it'd be a mistake.

Even if I wanted to, getting close to Kyou-san would be impossible, because she hates my guts. Well, I hate hers as well, that's why we kinda get along sometimes. Well, let's say there is a moment where we'd share a night, then what would come next? Punishment, accusations, nagging, and she would most likely use every opportunity to make me suffer.

It might sound arrogant, but I'm sure I could quickly get laid with Rine. However, this would mean to accept her pleas, to make her my actual girlfriend, which would make her clinginess reach whole new levels. Being so close to her is stressing, and I would lose all my freedom to choose a partner I'd actually like.

Ara-san is another matter because the only reason we're attracted to each other is the curse and our goal is to lift it. So afterward, nothing would remain. We're both different species, so it's strange in itself, that there is even a consideration to take her as my partner. While my body tells me, it's alright, that everything will be fine, my mind can't help but to feel it's wrong on many, many levels.

The problem is, precisely, that my body yearns. It yearns so much for sex that I lose sleep, that I have some lucid dreams, even with regular discharging. So for that, I need to find opportunities which can be hard to find.

That made me think, and I got to a conclusion: Get rid of your virginity! It's not like it's that important, and after experiencing sex, my body should, theoretically speaking, calm down and be able to bear much more of this kind of burden.

Maybe it won't work, but it's worth a try. So there is no need to wait. Now, in this city, there is an opportunity! Because you can pay women to sleep with you and afterward you leave and have nothing to do with them anymore.

So tell me, geezer!

Said geezer scrubs his beard. “If that’s what you want... I’d better ask one of the others.” He does exactly that, he talks with one of the beggars, while I listen to the conversation with [Pitch]. Ah, east marketplace north exit, following the street I'll get to the desire district.

Without even waiting for the geezer to return, I go on my way.

2,000 Newgold should be enough to get one, right? No, it should get me a proper one. “Phew.” Even though it's mostly to get rid of my virginity, I'm kinda looking forward to it. I mean, every game, every book, really everything tries to convince me that sex is the greatest, but being a virgin so far, I can't help but think about if it's actually true.

I cross the crowded marketplace, avoiding people to the best of my abilities, seeing the Crusaders trying to recruit some people here as well, then I head to the north. There are big stores at the main street, even an armory store. Even though I don't plan to buy new equipment, I can at least take a look.

Entering the store, I see some armors on stands, and a lot of weapons all over the place. A hero can identify items by wearing them, but while it works wonders on weapons in a store, putting on armor is a lot more problematic, especially if you don't plan to buy anything.

A barrel with spears catches my attention. I take one...

[Army Spear] Description: This spear is mass-produced for soldiers all over the world. Status: +40 Attack Value: 575 Newgold

...

This is crap. Well, it's a barrel item after all.

There are also spears on a stand. Maybe I should take a look there.

[Moleton Spear] Description: The tip is made of a moleton's claw, the pole from it's leg. Status: +57 Attack Value: 3,142 Newgold

...my spear is better. Curious about its stats?

[Dead Alfr Spear] Description: While being manufactured, the branch was still alive and it hardened to become the best weapon possible for its future wielder. Status: +90 Attack Value: 9,614 Newgold

Yup, that's my weapon. The woodsmith even asked me if I like to have my spear still alive, but then I wouldn't be able to store it in my [Inventory], so its life wasn't saved in the process. A bit of a shame, because there are some applications with [Spirit Magic], when you use a living weapon, but I'm more about practicability. Plus, being dead gives it a bit of a bonus to [Attack] as well.

I take a look at some swords to compare, but while this store is most likely proper, it's still inferior to the alfr gear and way below the quality of the weapons you can buy in Esse, the capital of the Feuerberg-kingdom.

I guess there is a limit to what you can buy in stores. At least in games, the best weapons are often random quest rewards or hidden, and it makes sense that the best weapons in this world are not easily bought in stores.

Looking at Rine's sword Friedensbote, she got it from her father, who happens to be the shitty king of Feuerberg, after she was capable enough with the sword to not hurt herself. It's a fucking royal treasure! Still, it’s most likely not even the best weapon they have!

Her armor, on the other hand, is high quality, but still something that was made by an armorer. It was built for her on her last birthday, Rine is still 15 years old and growing. Her father, on the other hand, has some special armor according to her.

So basically, the best bet to get endgame tier items is to get them from royalty and other mighty people, or maybe find them somewhere with much luck.

Maybe there are some legends about powerful equipment, but it's not like everyone knows them. This would need proper research.

Why do I care so much? Because I need that kind of equipment at some point. It's not like the demon king will decide to put down his weapons and jump into my spear the moment I confront him. At least not unless I'm so powerful that that would be the more merciful death for him.

Yes, I'm still trying to kill the demon king to get back home. If I get a wish on the way, I'll take it as well.

Too bad that somehow my whole life is moving away from what I expected, time and time again.

“Phew...” Let's just get to that desire district.

This should be it, but it looks almost the same as the other parts of town, the houses are on the larger side, looking like multiple families could live in one. So these are brothels? Are they only active at night?

Wait, there are women out there, most of them are good enough to work in this business. Some of them are talking to men. Ah, that pair is walking into one of the buildings.

I use [Pitch] to discern the sounds of the conversation from the background noise. Yep, totally right here.

Then let's take a look at the girls here. It'd be best, if she wouldn't be that much older than me, maybe up to ten years. Those could be more expensive, after all, since I think most men want to have sex with young women, but it'd be too awkward otherwise.

This red-haired one? Nah, not my type. Somehow I find her lacking. She is definitely sexy, but it's not like that's all that matters.

What about the brunette? Ah, too late. While I measured her, another one requested her.

...why are most of the women looking at me with disgust!? “Phew...” Not like I'm the only one who has a say in the matter, I guess.

Sometimes it's hard to be Japanese. That is most likely the case here as well.

“Hello.” One girl is coming straight up to me. She has dark brown hair and dark eyes, and her skin is also tanned, she definitely looks like a southerner. “Is there something you want?”

“Kinda.” I scrutinize her, she certainly looks the part. Kinda cute, kinda sexy. Her movements are full of energy, and her long, wavy hair is fluttering with every motion. Her dress is short on the thigh and emphasizes an ample bosom. Also, her eyes are lively.

This is certainly a hit, in more ways than one.

“How about we go for a drink?” How directly indirect.

Well, no reason to refuse. Not like we could do it here, I guess. “Sounds like a good idea. Show me the way.” Man, even Crusaders are here. Well, I guess that's to be expected. I mean, it's not like a life like theirs has many opportunities to blow off some steam.

“Sure.” With this little magical word, I start following the dark-haired woman.

―○●○―

Slowly, I take a book in my hands. Humans use paper made out of wood for their books, which is a waste. We alfar take fallen leaves, where a bit of spirit still flickers, combine those spirits and let the bodies they live in follow suit.

My body aches, Katarine-san's training was really taxing again. It's not like I enjoy fighting with my body, I only want to be able to. In addition to that, the experiences with the two human heroes in Aroahenn and the oni made me wonder, if it wouldn't be better to put more effort into it in order to have an easier time when fighting them.

An onoth spirit, this is most likely a hynoar. I'm right, the hynoar just passed. There are too many alfr-strong spirits here, it makes me uncomfortable, especially because some of them change on a whim, usually humans and folkpeople. It's like there is no rhyme or reason to it.

Despite that, certain species seem to have certain traits that make it easy to distinguish their spirits, while it's hard to read them. Hynoar have an onoth spirit in general. Humans are always coming back to pa'ar. The folk tend to guin spirits.

From a spirit, you're supposed to be able to read the general mood of a person, but because all of them are usually in only one range of the whole spectrum, it's hard to discern the emotions of other species.

After the breakfast, Momo, Katarine-san, and I went to the bookstore, the only one in this city. I'm looking for an anthology of hero-tales. It's not the first time I’ve done this, but it is the first time in Goldbrunn, because this city had no bookstore the last time I came around. Back then, I roamed the market, bought two books, and departed to the west.

So my hopes aren't high to find anything here. Nevertheless, hero-tales are essential to my work and take most of my time during research. Cross-referencing tales, trying to figure out possible [Abilities] and [Skills], their classes and class-ups, anything that can be gleaned.

In addition to the overall pattern, of course. In general, being a hero is nothing special, even though the heroes in the tales are, and those who are already verbal legends seem to be even more so. Is it because of their build? Their level?

There are too few numbers involved in tales and legends, most likely because these are not as entertaining. The writings are fascinating nonetheless, because of the similarities. Some of them are showing what to expect from the future, others teach me what to be careful of.

In the long run, my research will help all the alfr heroes who will be summoned here. Additionally, when I figure out the system, I can abuse it.

Most books in this store are history books. While they're different from the ones I have, I don't see the need to get another one. Afterward comes catalogs for plants, beasts, and monsters. They are slightly interesting, but not for my research.

Then there are novels. For some reason, there are many novels. I take one off the shelf, it's called 'Burning Fangs,' it's a novel about... why would someone make a romantic story about a folkman and a vrykolakas woman?

The technique it's written with... This is too smooth. It has to be written by someone who has the [Fast Writing]-skill. Otherwise, the edges would look much more irregular. Because non-combat [Skills] aren't commonly learned by natives, I note down the name of the author: Lezzard Limuur.

This person's novels make up some of the shelves here, and most of them are just copies. So somehow that Limuur was able to see through a marketing strategy. “Shopkeeper! I know that you need to watch out for feet, but I have a question.”

The shopkeeper is a gruffly folksman, but the way his stubbly beard looks makes him kinda cute. Well, all of the folk are cute. They are so small that their movements are like those of toddlers.

However, when they brush your behind with their heads, you have the desire to sit down, like they're comfortable chairs.

The folk are just adorable!

“...what is it, Customer?”

“Where was this book written?”

“Burning Fangs? We got them from merchants who got them in Zethtrin. Quite popular there, so I figure around the area. After reading it, I bought the entire shipment. I’m sure it'll become a hit.”

“I can also see the worth of it.” It's sure a handy torture device. Only reading a few passages from it made my ears flutter. Even though I just skimmed it and planned to read it carefully afterward. “How much?”

There is a chance that this Limuur is a hero, instead of someone who acquired the skill by ordinary means. So I'll read what he wrote and see if there is any value to my research.

I'm sure it'll be unpleasant.

“Momo?” Keeping track of my companions isn't hard in an enclosed space. I can hear their breathing, I can feel their spirit, and I can see their shades, even if they're faint due to the distance.

“Yes?” Momo is in another attire today. She isn't wearing her usual cloth armor, instead she chose a dress that looks like priest garbs. Katarine-san is also in her dress from yesterday, while I didn't see the point of changing into something else. Still, belying our current noncombatant appearance, each of us still has our weapons. Momo's knife and Katarine-san's swords on their waists, while my staff is in my hand.

Momo is holding a book named 'The Tales of Grekk'. I know that one, I have a copy of it at home. I suspect him to be a hero, but there is no evidence in that book. The author has, more or less, collected the hearsay surrounding that individual.

Not only Grekk. Gottfried, Halvaster, Lanceriell, Bragwa, all of them are people who certainly stood out during their respective time periods. While I'm just not sure about everyone, I do know that not all of them are heroes.

Gottfried of Feuerberg is no hero, for example, but he's still a force to reckon with. Even taking into account plenty of exaggeration, his deeds are several cuts above what most heroes achieve, and he may even be still alive.

“Momo, could you please haggle a reasonable price for this?”

“...Burning Fangs... Looks like some smut. … Interspecies? Why would.... *sigh* Knowing you, it's not because you enjoy it. Alright. Give me a minute.” She takes the book and goes to the storekeeper.

I didn't notice. In fact, it's a book about the love between two of different species. So it has some similarity to my situation.

Maybe it will give me some valuable insight, after all.