Alternate Route 6

The moment I went downstairs, I saw Fiona and Liese with luggage on their feet.

Seems like the rest already checked out in advance. From what I've heard, it's implied that Fiona had become a Paladin to provide for her family—but for the details, it's not my stance to pry.

"Old man, thanks for everything—gah!"

Fiona totally's about to kneel down in front of the counter, before Liese slugged her in.

"Ugh..."

"Stop the sappy business—we're going."

Fiona went out first while clutching her armor-covered chest, as Liese pushed her towards the door. Just as the staff-wielding nun about to go out, she turned her head and our eyes met.

She just turned her face away and nonchalantly strolled through the entrance, dragging her luggage. It was a lot heavier than Fiona's. Even though the nun looks like a frail girl...her amount of strength is no joke.

"I'll have the usual."

I said to the Pops, dispelling the awkward atmosphere I got.

I didn't realize I was standing on the stairway the entire time.

...

While I ate, some of the rowdy-looking adventurers went to my table and congratulated me for the earlier fight.

I either nod and smiled at them. Even if it's a nuisance, since the folks didn't mean any harm—I'd return with courtesy.

The menu for today's breakfast is white rice with sausages, stir-fried vegetables, and chicken soup. The side dishes are garlic bread with slices of fresh tomato. Pops also threw me durian gelatin and fruit smoothie juice, consisting of different colored nature treats, forming a vibrant display.

I gave a few more evaluations of his dish, especially the desserts I ate while hunting yesterday. Brimming with a wide grin, Pops pitched in mixed vegetable juice with few pints of lemonade and mint extract.

The dishes were top notch as usual. If I could nom such meals every day, I'd be more than happy to stay in this world forever.

As I ate earlier, there were fewer adventurers than usual.

I went to the counter, passing over the tray with all my finished dish. Pops were scrubbing one of his beer glasses—he brought the tray towards a window leading to the kitchen. The faint jazz-like tune could be seen humming from the nearby gramophone.

"It's gotten quiet."

I crossed my hands atop the counter.

Even though I already knew the details from various sources, I'm curious about the old man's opinion.

"Indeed."

"Is it the upcoming draft?"

"The only ones staying were either penniless or didn't mind the military services, or whatever."

"Will it be compulsory for everyone?"

"Even the Nobles aren't spared—well, they had their own roles."

"Are you going to stay, Pops?"

"Not like I had a choice. How 'bout you?"

"I still had few businesses left, but I'll stay." I let out a smug smile, the moment an idea flashed across my head, "Like honing my skills to the point, even the Holy Order couldn't order me around. I love this city and I'm confident I can protect it my own way."

It might be a cliche' saying from all the cultivation novels I've read, but it aligned with my personal goals.

"That's the spirit, lad. Going to hunt monsters again?"

You're not going say my idea was preposterous?

Maybe it's a common sense that strongest adventurers had their own say in this matter. Kevin deliberately left things out—can't blame him though. That's just how Politics run.

"Maybe later. I'm thinking of picking a stronger class."

"Just one piece of advice, lad. There's no such thing as the strongest class for everyone. You determine your goal and pick the ones most suitable. Don't you worry since there'd be your party--"

"I'm fighting alone."

My response made Pops flinch a bit—his pupils were wide open.

"I see. Being jack-of-all-trades may help. If your class is [Adventurer], it'd be wise to keep on going."

"Did you fight alone, back in the days?"

"Fortunately, no. I had been in a lot of parties, never stuck for long. I envy that lassie's group--by the way—you seem familiar with them."

Pops probably noticed my gaze the moment I went downstairs.

"We're just acquaintances. Well—they did try inviting me—but, you know why I'm here."

"Not that I'm surprised. If I were you, I won't join as well."

"You're already too old for this, Pops."

"You cheeky booger," this old man flashed his white teeth, smirking, "You'd probably made the right decision, is what I'm saying."

"I know."

I couldn't help but throw him another smug smile.

"No room for humility, aren't you?"

"I just prefer working at my own pace."

"Isn't it safer to adventure in groups?"

"Let me ask you a question, Pops. What if I just stayed in this city, as compared to being with the people who kept dragging him towards danger?"

Pops furrowed his brows.

"...so in the first place, your goal is personal safety? I can't believe it."

It's normal if you doubted me. I did challenge Old Death last night, after all.

"You can think whatever you want.", I took some silver coins from the inventory, pretending to rummage my pockets, "Today's fee.."

"Much appreciated."

Business as usual.

If I didn't feel like explaining myself, I won't push it.

...

In the end, I decided to keep the [Adventurer] class. Looking at the survival-related skills I've gotten currently—it might benefit me in the long run.

My stat growth was pretty decent; it's even higher than Fiona's, at my current level.

As for the Library, the boring expositions could wait later.

I went to the nearby park after buying a few treats at the street stalls, checking my Status.

[Takeshi]

Level : 10->15

Race: Human

(Adventurer lv 3, Godslayer lv 3)

Hp: 250/250 -> 450/450

Mp: 160/160 -> 300/300

Str: 25->40

Vit : 20->35

Dex : 30->45

Agi : 15->25

Int : 40->50

Spi : 25->35

Luk : 50->60

[Gear]

Bronze War Hammer

Bronze Hauberk

Glasses

Comfortable Shoes

[Skills]

Flee

Tent

Passive

Item Usage Plus > Increase item's effect (small)

God of Heroes Blessing -> Increase Crit Chance (small) + other stuff.

Lone Wolf -> Boost stats (small) while going to battle alone.

Demolition Man -> Increase Crit Damage (small)

Trickster (NEW) -> Random debuff (small chance) per attack

...

Pretty sweet. It might not be that high, but considering how strong Fiona was—I might be at a decent level to be on my own. The glitchy gears made me even safer.

I felt like checking out the new gears. The class limitations might be a bitch but at least I could bypass the stat limits right now.

Just when I was about to strengthen myself...

[It's been a while.]

I totally forgot 'bout the loli.

"So, what you've been up to?" I muttered in my mind.

[Nothing much. I don't wanna be bothered every single time. You seem to be doing well, regardless.]

...so you're just lazing around all this time when I needed you the most? This loli...

Though, it's not like she had promised me anything either. I took a few deep breaths to steady my words before continuing.

"Well, yeah—I'm fine. What brings you here?"

There was a bit of an awkward pause—and the loli seem to be stuttering cutely for a bit.

[You...already have a lot of strong abilities. Isn't it okay to let loose a bit?]

"I'm pretty relaxed already. Well, compared to my past life—it's a long-awaited siesta.."

[I see, then I'll just say this one thing.]

"Such as?"

[Have fun. That's what games are made for.]

"Huh..."

...our conversation ended just like that.

Even if this world is purely a game, I still want to live inside it.

...

Checking the gears at the shop, I spend several gold coins buying the one with best stats. Magic weapons didn't seem to be commonplace—hmm...

I at least need to get one in case there are enemies with immunity to physical attacks.

The lineup became like this.

[Gear]

Steel Maul

Steel Hauberk

Glasses

Steel Leggings.

...

Due to the exploit, I could still don my usual clothes and enjoy the stats benefit.

I also bought the training dummy from the shop. There's something I wanna test.

...the fact this bugger cost about as much as steel equipment baffled me—but experiment comes first.

Going back to my room, I took out the training dummy and initiated the [Battle Mode].

The last time, the 500-hits from my toy gun already chipped away most of its health. I wonder what would happen when it was defeated?

...

"Bummer."

The moment this training dummy's HP reached zero, it turned all blurry and disappeared.

...but unlike an actual enemy, there weren't any message boxes.

The battle ended just like that.

No spoils; no bonus experience or gold.

Not like I hadn't expected it...apparently, I had been wee to optimistic, I threw skepticism across the windowsill.

Which reminds me of one stupid hole I now realized...

So, the God of Heroes said, my safety would be guaranteed if I'm still inside the city.

If I couldn't go out, my ways of leveling are limited.

If I tried going, I'd risk getting jumped by the Evil God' minions—ironically, I encountered the goons that triggered the [Godslayer] in the city, both times.

Why would the God of Heroes let his enemy starting shit? Was it his way to test my mettle?

Either way, it doesn't matter. He never promised me anything beforehand.

Whoever's after me may not be the Evil God's minions, but someone else—which I dunno 'bout.

For now, Evil God's the biggest suspect.

In any case, time for Library visit—at last. I hope the expositions wouldn't bore me to death.

...

Asking the guards a bit, I finally arrived at a small manor near the district for nobles. In its vicinity, stood a majestic homestead, with guards patrolling its perimeter. It must be the Feudal Lord's abode. Contrary to the Holy Order's guards, they wore light armor and armed with rapiers. Some of them donned a musket with bayonets, just like infantrymen at Industrial age.

I saw the Lord himself, Sir Theodore Gustav, exiting the gate at this opportune time. He must be the caucasian man with blond hair, monocle, and tuxedo suit.

He was followed by a young butler with pointy ears and silver hair; his eyes a bit slanted.

...ah, that man might be even older, seeing as elves had long lifespans. Not sure if this world followed the lore.

Both of them entered the platinum-colored carriage, drawn by white horses. Flanking it was the joint forces between the Holy Order and the personal guards.

From behind the mansion's entrance doors, stood a blond-haired loli with shorter pointed ears.

When our eyes met, the loli scurried inside. She muttered something under her breath...

"I saw...a cute loli..."

I must've heard wrong.

Probably due to the fact I didn't trigger any [Event] the guards just left me be.

Still, what's with this sense of unease, when I approached the library?

It all was answered the moment I stepped in.

There's nothing besides a large teleportation circle, with a sign labeled as [Point of No Return] in it.

...should I step in?

I thought long and hard about it, my feet were tired from standing up—until I remembered the [Save Game] feature.

Overwriting my latest progress on the diary, I finally braced myself and stepped onto the circle.

In front of me was a large room with countless labeled doors in front.

...and a voice ringing inside me.

[Choose your path.]

The most bizarre thing about it...

That was my own voice.

The moment I tried checking up the System to see what changes...

"It's gone..."