Ch.3The City Where a New Life Begins

About two hours after leaving my first major black mark on my new life in the otherworld of Grantis, I arrived with Jessica at Mothertown, the central city of Grantis.

During our walk, we encountered monsters like carnivorous deer and long-clawed monkeys two or three times, but Jessica quickly dispatched them with her Stone Bullet, so we didn’t suffer any harm.

“So this is Mothertown, the first city established in Grantis, essentially the capital of the continent…”

“It’s rather modest for what it’s supposed to be, isn’t it?”

Indeed. Although I can’t say for certain since I haven’t seen other cities in Grantis yet, this Mothertown definitely lacks the grandeur one would expect from “the capital of a new continent” or “the central hub of the frontier era.”

In the actual American frontier era, there were typical Western towns with wooden buildings lining roads and railways, while the bustling eastern cities featured wide streets with carriages, lit street lamps, large train stations, grand theaters, tailors, and suspicious shops run by Chinese immigrants.

Going further, in fantasy worlds, a “royal capital” would typically be surrounded by high walls with a majestic royal castle towering in the center, reaching toward the sky.

In comparison, Mothertown has very few buildings tall enough to make you look up, and except for the government district in the center, it gives the impression of being just a sprawling, typical Western town.

“The New Frontier Development Bureau’s primary goal is western expansion. When new cities are established in the west, many people flock there to seek adventure, mine gold and gems, or open shops in hopes of striking it rich. In other words, in Grantis, ‘the most vibrant city’ is synonymous with ‘the most recently established city furthest west.'”

“I see… so while Mothertown is the base for frontier development, the center of pioneering activity is actually at the far western edge.”

“That’s right. The people who settle here are citizens who prefer stability over adventure or instant wealth, the already-rich who don’t need to take risks, and those who work in the foundational industries of frontier development.”

As I listened to Jessica’s explanation while walking, we arrived at a relatively large building near the harbor.

“This is where you begin your new life in the new continent—the New Frontier Development Bureau building at Mothertown’s harbor.”

Normally, immigrants from the “outside” would arrive by ship at Mothertown’s harbor, proceed directly to the Development Bureau to register, and receive their “Frontier License,” an identification document specifically for pioneers.

Interestingly, immigrant ships that reach Grantis are dismantled at the port and used for resources. There are ships that arrive in Grantis, but not a single vessel ever leaves.

“So is it illegal for someone who’s come to Grantis to return to the outside world?”

“Before we even discuss legality… the sea around Grantis is impassable due to ocean currents and large-scale spatial distortions. Strangely enough, ships from the outside world occasionally drift into Grantis and somehow dock at the northern part of Mothertown. But not a single ship attempting to leave Grantis has ever made it safely.”

“That can’t be coincidence. Is this some kind of magic too?”

“The exact principles aren’t known, but it’s theorized that some special law beyond human control is at work. In Grantis, phenomena that transcend understanding like this are called ‘magic’ rather than ‘tricks.'”

Based on what I’ve just heard, leaving Grantis by ship is impossible. Actually, the chance that the world across the sea is somewhere on Earth is infinitesimally close to zero. Rather than obsessing over ways to return, it seems more constructive to quickly adapt to life in Grantis. After all, just two hours ago, I resolved to live as an otherworld gunman. With that empty cry of “Status!”

“The pioneer registration counter is near the harbor entrance, so let’s go around that way.”

Following Jessica, we circled the building and entered through the back door, arriving at a place resembling an airport immigration office. There were hardly any staff visible, but Jessica approached a young employee with short blonde hair who was organizing boxes in a corner, and he quickly rushed over to me.

“I apologize, we don’t usually staff the immigration counter except when immigrant ships arrive… I’m David Lons from the accounting department. I’m authorized to process immigration in emergency situations.”

“I’m William J. Kim. I arrived in Grantis today as a castaway and was brought to Mothertown under the protection of Jessica Walter here.”

“Please have a seat on that sofa and wait a moment. I’ll bring the necessary registration documents.”

Following his suggestion, I sat on the sofa while he retrieved several papers and booklets from a cabinet. He asked for my name, age, gender, and confirmation that I was of the Human race, noting everything down.

Afterward, he showed me a thin booklet resembling a tourist guide and explained several essential facts about living in Grantis: that all events before arriving in Grantis should be left in the past; that one should never attack other pioneers or natives without reason; that firearms and magic should not be used within city limits without a proper duel challenge; and so on. It seemed somewhat rough, but generally reasonable.

What was strange was that despite the documents and booklets being written in characters I’d never seen before, I could read them without any problem. Was this some kind of translation magic, or a special ability I gained upon crossing over to Grantis?

“Your registration is complete. Here’s your Frontier License card.”

The employee handed me a palm-sized card made of what seemed like plastic or metal. When I took it, a color photo-like image of my face appeared in the upper left corner of the front side, followed by a series of personal information appearing next to it. Oh wow, truly a fantasy world! Amazing!!

“All my personal information seems correct, and my Frontier License rank is… F.”

“New pioneers always start with F rank. After that, as you work as an adventurer or contribute to the frontier development in some other profession, your evaluation will improve, and once you reach a certain level, you’ll be promoted. Conversely, if you break the law or hinder frontier development, your license may be demoted, suspended for a period, or in the worst case, revoked, so be careful.”

According to the explanation that followed, Frontier License ranks consist of six levels from F to A, and depending on your rank, access to certain areas in each city may be restricted, or the services available to you may differ.

“Finally… here’s your initial funds of 200 gold and a welcome gift—a wallet.”

On the tray extended to me were an elegant leather wallet and a bundle of paper money, not gold coins.

The currency used in Grantis consists of paper money and coins. The paper currency unit is “Gold (G)” and the coin unit is “Coin (c).” There are two types of gold notes—10G and 1G—and two types of coins—10c and 1c. One gold is equivalent to 100 coins.

Looking at the money I received, there were nineteen 10-gold notes and ten 1-gold notes. Though there were subtle differences in design, both denominations had a magnificent golden sun and eagle-like emblem printed in the center of the front side, gleaming brilliantly. I see, so that’s why they’re called “Gold”… I’ll have to ask Jessica to show me her coins later.

“With this, all procedures for registering as a Grantis pioneer are complete. Welcome to Grantis, the land of passion and hope.”

After parting with David, who gave his welcome with somewhat exaggerated gestures, I stepped out through the main entrance of the Development Bureau building, feeling deeply moved that my otherworld life was officially beginning.

“So, what should I do now?”

“That depends on how you want to live in Grantis.”

“What options do I have?”

“Broadly speaking, you could settle down in Mothertown and look for a job, become an adventurer traveling around seeking opportunities to strike it rich, or work as a specialist like a miner or hunter to earn money. Some people become outlaws and commit crimes, but…”

“I’ll pass on that last one. Coming to an unfamiliar place and suddenly living as a villain? I’d have bounties on my head and people after my life day and night. I don’t have the slightest interest in that kind of hardcore lifestyle.”

While settling down, mining, or hunting don’t particularly appeal to me either, being an outlaw is definitely out of the question. This world already has monsters roaming around, and turning good people into enemies would make a proper life impossible. Even if it were possible, I have no desire to live that way.

“What appeals to me most is being an adventurer. Striking it rich would be nice, but I want to travel freely and learn about this world of Grantis.”

“Then we should go to the market district to buy new clothes and travel necessities, and stop by the gun shop to repair that gun of yours. As your senior adventurer, I’ll help you get perfectly equipped from top to bottom, so just trust me and follow along.”

“Yes, ma’am! I’ll put my complete trust in Senior Jessica.”

As we exchanged light banter, my steps toward the market district with Jessica were noticeably excited, even to myself. Transported to another world and debuting as an adventurer—that dreamlike moment was fast approaching!