episode_0039

Ilya and I quickly walked out of the alley. Considering that we would meet those guys again at the market we first went to, we moved to a smaller market a little further away.

The market is certainly not as big as she said, and that’s good enough.

Now let’s get some favor. First!

Ask her questions first and then put them into practice!

“Is there anything you want to do?”

Ilya shook his head at my question. And.

The story is over.

Actually, I knew it. I’ve already experienced this scenery several times on my way here.

I kept trying to talk to her, but the answers I got were either negative or positive.

It’s starting to get hard to even continue a conversation. There’s no more topics to talk about.

Now I have to continue the conversation with her purely based on my affinity.

… If I had that ability, I would have used it without reserve. Unfortunately, I don’t have that ability.

As time goes by, the time spent remaining still becomes longer.

‘Isn’t that too awkward?’

Did the kid never intend to become friends with me in the first place?

Are you just forcing yourself to hang out with me?

I looked at Ilya’s face carefully.

Fortunately, there was no expression of disapproval or the feeling that they had been dragged in by force. Yeah, if they didn’t like it, they wouldn’t have helped me.

At least you helped me and even told me your name, so I guess you’re not uninterested in becoming friends with me. Probably.

This is how I prove my worth here.

The country shows how normal and friendable a person is. And I have the simplest thing to prove it.

The answer is ‘money’.

It’s a little, no, a lot sad, but I think this is the only thing I can show you here.

I know the face well… I’ve already experienced the shame many times. But it’s strange to show martial arts here.

I don’t even know how to please people in the first place. But I do know this one thing.

Money is the best value.

This means the same thing in any situation. So it must be the same in terms of how to make friends.

“Would you like to go over there and take a look?”

Ilya looked at the clothing store I pointed to for a moment, then lowered his head. Po-does he not like it?

Well, yeah. You might hate clothes.

But there’s still a lot left!

“Where’s the shoe store over there?”

Ilya lowered his head again. T,t!

My mouth continued to point to several stores, but there was no answer.

All that was there was was Ilya’s head bowed in the same manner.

“… ”

What on earth do you like? There aren’t many stores left now…

While my head was filled with a headache, a thunderous sound was heard from somewhere.

Korr–ruk!

“?”

I looked around startled by the sound, but there was nothing particularly wrong. The weather was clear, so there was no way lightning could have struck. But.

Why is everyone looking at me?

“Mi, sorry.”

“… ?”

When I looked at Ilia, she was quietly covering her blushing face. No way.

”What did you do to such a pretty girl that she has no life… ”

“Look at the master, why did you buy slaves when you don’t have the ability to do so.”

“Oh my… If that’s the case, I’d rather live.”

‘uh?’

An unexpected problem occurred.

There is one reason why I have been able to move freely around this neighborhood until now.

These people don’t know that I’m a piece of shit, and now I’m being treated worse than that: a piece of trash.

The citizens booed and jeered.

He quickly covered his face and ran away from that place.

I feel sorry for Ilya, but it’s better to run away from here. If even a rumor spreads, it’ll be a headache. And I want to live here with a good image.

The people who had been heckling me as I ran for several minutes completely disappeared from my sight.

“Gasp…Gasp…Sorry… ”

“…”

Unlike me who was having a hard time, Ilya shook his head without showing any sign of fatigue.

“Okay, okay… Then should I eat something?”

“… ”

Ilya didn’t answer this time either, but I could tell.

I hadn’t noticed it before because I was so absorbed in the market, but now I could tell that she was still reacting to the smell of food.

‘If you want to eat, just tell me…’

I spoke to her cautiously.

“Do you want to eat that?”

Ilya shook his head strongly, his cat-like eyes looking surprised at my question.

“Um…then where is the best restaurant here? I don’t know because it’s my first time here.”

“… Over there.”

I was moved by the sight of Ilya finally opening her mouth, and at the same time I looked at the store she had pointed to.

“… Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

Ilya nodded without hesitation, but… to me, it just looked like a haunted house. I don’t know how to describe it. But one thing is for sure.

You must not enter here.

But… I have a favor to ask of you, my friend.

I opened the door with just that one mindset.

“What is it?”

‘I knew it.’

As soon as I entered, most of the people who greeted me were gloomy and dark-skinned old men.

They all had a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Some of them were even gambling.

Unlike me, who immediately backed down at that sight, Ilya naturally went in and stood at the counter. And as she looked at me, it seemed as if she was urging me to come over quickly.

‘…’

Yeah, trust your friends.

Thud thud.

Every time I walk, I feel like my flesh is being torn by the sharp gaze.

“That… order… please… ”

“What? Why is that bastard’s voice so small?”

“Please order…”

An elderly woman at the counter looked at me for the second time and sighed.

“What.”

“Ilia What’s the best thing here?”

Ilya narrowed his eyes and looked at the menu. He then pointed to one dish with a solemn expression. Hmm…

The food she pointed to was one of the cheapest foods here and one that looked relatively tasty.

“… Even though this is my first time here, this looks more delicious than this.”

“But still.”

“… It’s okay if it’s expensive. And since you’re going to eat it too, choose the most delicious one.”

“… Huh?”

“Yes?”

Ilya stared at me as if he had heard some ridiculous story.

“That… You shouldn’t force it… ”

“Huh? No! It’s really okay, that’s why.”

“… ”

Still, Ilya didn’t seem to believe it. No matter how strange I looked…

I looked at myself in the mirror on the wall right next to the counter. I’ve looked in the mirror many times, but it’s been a long time since I’ve seen myself this closely. When was the last time I got my hair cut?

I didn’t really think it was uncomfortable so I didn’t mind, but this is definitely a mess.

A cheap-looking uniform, long, dirty hair, and a tacky backpack.

I think most people who saw me for the first time thought I was some kind of broke nobleman. I can understand their jeers.

I denied it even more strongly and opened my backpack. At that moment.

“Hey, noble…? Isn’t it? Anyway, you.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t show off in front of a pretty girl and get lost.”

“That… ”

Before I could answer the old man, Ilya stood in front of me and spoke for me.

“That’s not it, sir.”

“… What, are you my friend?”

‘Do you know each other?’

I was surprised that she knew such a mean old man, but more than that, my eyes almost got wet when I saw her remain silent when asked about her friend. I guess so…

Yeah… who would call a kid like this a friend…!

Ilya nodded slightly.

“… Wow.”

Her answer brought relief rather than joy. She didn’t force herself to come.

Oh, that’s really fortunate.

In the midst of this feeling of relief gradually turning into joy.

bang!

“Really?”

The man who had been talking to me started walking slowly towards me. What is this?

Do I have to take a test to make friends? How am I supposed to beat all these people!

But, I’m doing my best even though it turned out like this…?

chin!

“Shouldn’t we talk, Ilya! Kids!! Ilya said he brought a friend!”

“Oh~ That Ilya brought a friend?”

“But is the timing okay?”

“What’s wrong! He looks like a foreigner! And that Ilia brought a friend! I’ll buy you drinks today!!”

oh—!!!!!

… It’s a conversation that I can’t understand and can’t keep up with with my head. Who in this world would greet someone with such a murderous attitude?

I was so scared I thought I was really going to die!

But I couldn’t say those words out loud. They looked that strong. Are they all mercenaries?’

It was the simplest guess we could make about their strength.

In order to become a mercenary in this world, you must first receive a mercenary badge. Therefore, you can think of most mercenaries as people who have already been recognized as strong through tests.

But they didn’t have name tags. They weren’t even mercenaries, yet they had this kind of aura…

He burst out laughing. And then the alcohol started flowing into him.

“Drink!! Today is a festival!!!”

“Okay, wait a minute! I’m not drinking that alcohol… !”

The man who had given me a drink burst into laughter and put his arm around my shoulder.

“Look. If you’re going to lie, you should look around the place and do it. We’re people who live here only on cigarettes and alcohol. But how can you not recognize someone of the same species?”

Gulp…

“I really don’t drink.”

“Oh, right… Okay. So what? Then let’s do it this time! When I was your age, I already quit drinking and smoking!”

“That’s why… !”

Gulp…

‘Hmm… It’s tastier than I thought?’

“Look at this guy. I really have an eye for people.”

“Please give me just one drink.”

“Okay! Ilia, we don’t have enough tables, so bring this guy and that table over there.”

“Okay.”

Ilya smiled happily and walked towards the desk. I followed her.

“Ilia.”

“Uh,huh?”

“Is it because you look like you have no money that you lower your head every time I ask you to go somewhere?”

“Huh? Oh, no! I just… I said I don’t care about anything… ”

“Really?”

“Yeah!”

“That’s fortunate… I wasn’t really bragging.”

“… Oh, I see.”

There was still a hint of doubt in her eyes as she answered. It seemed like it would be wrong to try to persuade her.

‘I can’t help it.’

“Drink first!!”

“Friends are great!! Let’s drink and die!!!”

braided!!!

***

-No, I knew this would happen!!

-How much did you drink!

-Is he really a loser?

“Ugh… ”

I feel like I had a terrible nightmare. I can’t believe the kids caught me like this…

I took a deep breath. If I get caught like this, I’ll never be able to see the kids’ faces again.

however…

Did I drink too much… Ugh…

I feel like I dozed off for a moment… Why is it so dark…

Why is the floor so soft…

I looked around while washing my face dry.

Clear moonlight outside the window. Five beds, including the one illuminated by that moonlight.

And five men sleeping on top of it.

‘Hmm… It’s not a dream.’

I took a moment to think things through. So you’re saying they caught me drinking?

oh…