Chapter 4: Guild Quest

The weather’s mild; sunny without being too hot for working. The townscape lined with stone buildings is full with people.

From the little information that I have gathered so far, almost a quarter of the population in this town are merchants. With that said, it isn’t an understatement to say that this is a merchant city.

This town, Zarc, is an independent trade town that was formed by human merchants for the sole purpose of trading. On an independent trade town, one does not need any pass or identification to enter or exit.

It is said that many goods from around the continent flow in this town and that many aspiring merchants start their dreams here for there’s no better place to procure a rare goods.

The town’s main attraction is the free marketplace; a big separated space of land for merchants to set up their own shop.

Normally, you would need a license to set up a stall and pay the appropriate fees to start trading, but this town is different. Smaller peddlers are exempt from that obligation to help them get started.

It sounds like a noble idea, but I don’t buy it. There must be something they gain from doing such things.

“Kansouke, what do you plan to do now?” Meles asks.

“Mhmm… I’m thinking about it.”

We’re currently lazing on one of the benches in front of the fountain in the central plaza. Kids playing around, group of people flocking together to discuss the various mischief going around the city, housewives who couldn’t get enough of gossiping with each other — it’s my favorite space in this town so far.

“Have you heard about what happened?”

“Tell me, tell me.”

Like that…

“Have you heard what they said about the current demon lord?”

“About her being really beautiful?”

And that…

If you perk your ears up, you’ll learn about plenty of things.

As for Meles…

“Until we’ve decided what to do with her, we’ll trouble you to keep her within arm’s reach. In turn, you can keep using that room in the inn for free,” is what the old knight with the fancy mustache had said.

Since I really have no other option available to myself, I went ahead and agreed. Also, I’d hate to leave a girl like Meles all by herself in this foreign land. Meles is quite the walking disaster after all.

Although it isn’t actually the knights that cuffed her with the slave collar. From what they had told me, this poor girl was about to get smuggled into some really nasty noble. But on who that noble is, they still don’t know.

Nobility and the crown, how disgusting. If killing us with heavy taxes isn’t enough, they would even start a global catastrophe?

After the peace treaty was formed, finding Demons in human cities out on the open isn’t unusual. The same could be said in their own cities. But those visitors being treated justly is a different matter. All because of the stupid war that etched fear in each standpoints heart, pieces of discrimination and hateful resentment were carved deep into our very being.

I guess it’s to be expected. Only been a mere twenty years since the peace treaty was formed and each side is still busy adjusting to the current changes. Nevertheless, the abnormalities around the world still remain.

Oh well, that’s none of my business really. I surprisingly found a free room to use because of this girl, but only until the authorities figured out what they would do with her. I need to earn money to continue my journey.

I’m just glad they gave her some clothes to wear. Yet they could’ve gotten her something better at least. What’s up with the hooded dress?

While thinking about my miserable state, I sigh. “Oh life~”

For the time being, I should do what I can.

Without thinking, I place my hand on Meles’ head. “Let’s go,” I say.

“Go? To where?” she asks back.

“To a place where we could earn some money!”

* * *

Zarc has three entrances. One is to the south where the incident with Meles occurred, and the other is to the east where I originally entered from. The last entrance is the north gate which is also called the main entrance.

According to the receptionist babe from yesterday, the forest northeast of town would be the safest place for me to hunt some goblins.

With that goal in mind, we tread past the north gate and walk a little further away to finally complete this goblin quest that the guild has given me. Upon entering the unbounded grasslands, we follow the stream of water which then lead us to a forest entrance.

Since Meles is here with me, I might as well use her assistance to get this quest cleared.

“Meles, can you fight?” I ask hesitantly.

Judging from her display of antagonism beforehand, I could say with confidence that she’s capable of using some offensive spells at least — or so I hope.

“It depends. What type of monsters are we hunting?”

“Goblins.”

“Hmm… goblins is it? The regular ones are near useless, but if you happen to come across a female hobgoblin, their hearts sell for a hefty sum~” She flashes me chilling smile, as she lick her lips for a moment.

Eeeekk!!

Upon seeing such her naughty behavior, a shiver crawls down my spine.

What the hell? That’s way too scary.

I push back the feeling of dread forming in my heart and inquire her further. “How do we identify a female hobgoblin?”

From my memory, goblins are humanoid like creatures that are usually seen in packs, green skinned and usually stand as tall as a well grown kid of ten or twelve. Individually, they are pretty weak, but are still powerful enough to take down any inexperienced adventurers.

Goblins are mostly seen as pest by farmers because they’re usually seen attacking the fields. Father and I had encountered a few not too long ago.

Even without a proper weapon I’m confident that I can beat one with just a hard stone or a well sharpened stick. And for me to complete this quest, I only need to hunt five.

“You’ll notice right away… After all, they have a face resembling a human. Though their skin color might disturb you, they’re no different from a human girl~” Meles explains in a proud tone.

Once again, that feeling of uneasiness surrounding my heart resurfaces. Like the very core of my body turned cold. I’m not even sure what Meles considers as normal. I was too afraid to ask, or even know.

“I’m sorry… I think that might be too high level for me right now.” I steer away our conversation from that sinister atmosphere. Seriously, every part of that conversation is wrong.

“If Kansouke says so. I’m quite proficient with wind magic, so hunting regular goblins will not be a problem at all.”

“…No need for overkill, I just need their ears.”

“Very well.” Her voice is somewhat filled with excitement.

Disregarding her creepy smile, we press onward and enter the forest. Although we reach this far, I have no clue where to search for Goblins. Meles seems to survey the area around us quite magnificently too. Clueless as I am, we continue moving forward.

* * *

We stop after finally spotting one of these green-skinned vermin. Although Meles suggested that she could kill it instantly, I stopped her from doing such things.

If I start relying on her too much, I’d turn out to be really useless. So I had her spot the nearby area to prevent other monsters from interfering.

“Whoo… I can do this…”

After steeling myself, I grab the wooden stick that I sharpened with a stone. I reveal myself to the clueless monster and run over to its direction at full speed!

Before it can even react to my sudden appearance, I throw a sharp kick on the monster’s flank.

“Gwaak!!”

That kick sends the goblin flying, and its body bounces on the dirt, face first.

I guess doing all those farm work wasn’t for nothing after all. But it isn’t over yet. Soon after confirming that it can’t move, I approach it carefully.

“Please don't hate me for this.”

In the count of three, I pierce the monster’s chest with my well-sharpened stick. The goblin writhe and squirm in agony, and its blood quickly pools the dirt as it screams its death throes.

I don’t know why, but looking at the goblin’s corpse make me sick on my stomach. I never really killed a creature before and this instance is my first. Could I even get accustomed to this feeling?

*Shruush~!*

As I was thinking, the unusual rustling of leaves blows behind me. Alarmed, thinking that it could be a monster, I immediately take a stance and confront the figure. But ahh, my worries are superficial. It’s just Meles.

“Kansouke… Look, I’m not sure if this is enough… What do you think?”

My perpetual vision cannot even begin to describe the dysfunctional nature of events that just transpire. Her visage and clothes are covered in monster gore and in her arms are a handful of goblin ears…