Chapter 8: 8. Peer-ranked Adventurer

Since my first request ended in a deficit, after paying the inn fee, I was truly left penniless.

Even the jerky and bread grandfather had packed for me would likely run out by tomorrow.

“Revenge can wait… I need money first…”

Leaving grandfather’s side after mustering my resolve was good and all.

But things weren’t easy in many ways.

However, it wasn’t like there were no opportunities to turn the situation around.

Though people still disliked me just as much after removing the “slum-born” label, they no longer actively tried to torment me like before.

That meant finding work should be much easier.

While working as an adventurer, I also needed to find side jobs.

“……Since I’m decent-looking, something should work out.”

If I’d been ugly and unpleasant, there would have been no hope.

Fortunately, though unpleasant, I was decent-looking.

Chak-chak- Lightly tapping my cheeks to focus, I muttered to myself.

“……Pull yourself together.”

I grabbed my sword and left the inn.

Though tired from yesterday’s events, I couldn’t rest.

No matter how exhausted I was, resting in this situation would make me homeless starting today.

In this medieval-style world with terrible public security, few things are as dangerous as a young girl sleeping on the streets.

Back in Diran, my appearance was so filthy that they didn’t even recognize me as female, but now that I’m clean, my gender is obvious and problematic.

Naturally, I headed toward the Adventurer’s Guild.

While empty yesterday, quite a few people were there today.

Most appeared to be in their 30s to 40s, all with strong impressions.

As I fidgeted nervously under their gazes, a man polishing his spear noticed me and gestured.

“You, come here.”

“…Y-yes?”

Though flustered, when called you come, when told to leave you go – that’s the attitude I must maintain in this world. After months of training, this habit had become ingrained as I scurried over. The man who called me scanned me up and down several times before falling into thought.

“You strong?”

“…Pardon?”

What did he mean by calling me over to ask if I’m strong?

Did he need me to carry something?

Not understanding his intention, I tilted my head.

“Do you have something that needs carrying?”

“…No. Looking at you, seems impossible.”

The man clicked his tongue as he said this.

Though unsure what was happening, he seemed to need help urgently, so I cautiously asked:

“Could you tell me what this is about?”

“…Nothing special. The porter we had ran away.”

Was he looking for someone to replace the worker who handled odd jobs?

Thinking this might be an opportunity, I decided to talk more.

“Do you need a porter? Or someone for odd jobs?”

“…The latter, strictly speaking.”

“Then would you like to try me?”

“You?”

Under his scrutinizing gaze, I puffed out my chest and placed both hands on my hips to appear confident.

Of course, I didn’t meet his eyes.

The man sighed as if considering, then asked again:

“Can’t handle strength-based work, so what else can you do well?”

“I can cook, dismantle byproducts, read and write, and maintain weapons.”

“…Either versatile or not specialized in anything… Can I test you?”

“Yes!”

Anyway, the only requests I could handle alone were herb gathering.

That wouldn’t even cover today’s inn fee.

Collaborating with other adventurers to split request fees seemed much easier, so I answered confidently.

Though slightly exaggerated, everything was possible.

Grandfather’s antique shop was more like a general store handling all sorts of things, and after months assisting there, I’d picked up quite a lot.

“I’ll say this upfront – the fee split is 9 for me, 1 for you.”

“Yes!”

“And if you run away before completing the request, you get nothing.”

“Yes!”

“Are you really understanding what you’re agreeing to?”

“Yes!”

Since I couldn’t afford to be picky now, I answered “Yes” to everything like mindlessly clicking through terms and conditions.

I’d already assessed the man before me.

The bronze badge peeking from his waist.

Meaning he was a peer-ranked adventurer.

A spearman who’d asked a little girl “You strong?” – clearly desperate for help.

If I’d grown in any way these past months, it wasn’t swordsmanship but observational skills.

Constantly scorned and receiving hateful looks taught me to carefully observe people’s moods to avoid provoking them.

The worker ran away.

Only a complete idiot wouldn’t know how tough adventurer’s work is – meaning the adventurer must have personality issues.

Probably overly nitpicky about work or just an asshole.

But.

Was that a problem for me? Not really.

I’d already experienced all kinds of contempt in Diran.

Not treated as human, having stones thrown at me as a child.

Unless it’s worse than that, I could endure.

So it’s fine.

The real question remained – could I handle the work intensity?

Saying I could do many things was exaggerated but not entirely false.

Not exceptionally skilled, but competent enough for average tasks.

But whatever I do, my stamina must keep up.

Objectively assessing my stamina… this was also manageable.

In gaming terms, though my stamina bar was small, my recovery speed was fast due to youth.

“Alright… I’m desperate anyway. Do well, unpleasant brat.”

“……It’s Ellie.”

“Right, I’m Van.”

The man introduced as Van sighed and extended his hand for a handshake, which I hesitantly accepted.

His rough hand felt like stone.

“And when talking to people, make eye contact.”

“You’d find it unpleasant, so I can’t.”

Even grandfather Leon, who cherished me, frowned when looking into my eyes.

Meaning someone indifferent would feel disgust, while someone who dislikes me would feel murderous impulses.

“Fine, won’t force you if you dislike it. But know this – you must work properly?”

“…Yes!”

Nodding vigorously enough to make a whooshing sound at Van’s words, he stood up.

“Let’s go. Lost too much time because the previous worker ran away.”

“What’s the request?”

“Goblin extermination. A small settlement was discovered nearby – need to handle it before it grows.”

“…Oh.”

“If successful, you’ll get two Silver Coins as your share.”

If my 10% share equals two Silver Coins, this must be a 20 Silver Coin request.

Indeed, fighting real monsters paid better than rat-catching or herb-gathering odd jobs.

“First, several things to know. Good memory?”

“Not bad, I think?”

“A half-assed answer is worse than no answer.”

“My memory is above average.”

“Good, then remember well. Preparations are mostly done – we’ll execute the mission tonight.”

Van continued explaining.

As mentioned, this request was to exterminate a small Goblin village.

Scouting suggested about nine goblins.

“Can you handle nine alone?”

“No?”

Van looked down at me with a puzzled expression, as if questioning why I’d ask that.

“Silver-rank adventurers might manage, but I’m not that skilled.”

“Then wouldn’t gathering people to raid be better?”

“Then we’d split the reward. Who wants that?”

The reason was simple.

Fighting nine goblins alone just to avoid sharing money.

Whether to call him greedy or bold.

“Already scouted multiple times, found weaknesses, and set traps. But the previous porter ran off saying he didn’t want to die doing this alone.”

“What exactly were you making him do?”

“Nothing much. Told him to be bait.”

He said “be bait” so casually.

His personality seemed quite twisted.

And now I was entangled with such a person.

“Lure them into my traps. Well? Can you do it?”

“J-just to confirm…”

“Fine, ask anything. But stay quiet once the mission starts.”

“If I get caught while luring them, will you save me?”

“That’d mean the goblins avoided the traps. Can’t fight. If I try helping you, I’d die too.”

What an irresponsible adult.

I sighed.

“After luring, I have to handle odd jobs too, right?”

“Right, didn’t you say you’re better at odd jobs than physical labor?”

“I suppose…”

Still, a 9:1 split for such work seemed unfair, so I attempted negotiation.

“……Can we make it 8:2 for this job?”

“You can negotiate too? Fine, brat. 8:2 it is.”

Had I known he’d agree so readily, I would’ve asked for 7:3 – but the chance was gone.

“Sigh.”

Not in a position to be picky about work, so I’ll do it.

From yesterday till now, everything keeps going horribly wrong.