Seeker 93

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Chapter 93. Adventurer's Guild And Thugs

As we passed through the gate, a medieval European-style townscape, like something out of a fantasy anime, stretched out before us.

The road was wide enough for carriages to pass.

The road was paved with cobblestones.

On both sides, houses lined up one after another.

Many of the houses were wooden structures with triangular roofs.

The main street was bustling with numerous people.

Among them, we saw occasional figures belonging to different races.

A girl with cat ears.

A slender, handsome boy with pointed ears.

A short and stout man with a respectable beard.

Among the passersby, there were also people armed like us.

They're women resembling mages with staffs and robes, and men resembling warriors with armor and weapons.

"Wow... It's so fantasy-like."

"Amazing... But I wonder if having black hair makes us stand out that much."

"Well, we don't see anyone with black hair, so I guess it's not surprising."

The three of us walked along the main street, each sharing our impressions.

After about 5 minutes of walking, we reached what appeared to be the town's central square.

The square is like a roundabout, with a fountain in the middle.

We turned left there and entered another street.

The square had a rotary-like design with a fountain in the center.

We turned left there and entered another street.

That was the path to the Adventurer's Guild, which the gatekeeper had told us about.

Adventurers are freelance professionals who make a living by fighting monsters.

They seem similar to us seekers. They possess almost the same abilities as us.

They fight using skills and magic, and their skill details, such as [Item Box] and [Item Appraisal], and even the contents of the items they use, are similar to ours.

However, it seems that what corresponds to dungeons here is quite different.

Monsters freely roam outside the dungeons, or so I've heard.

I wonder what kind of situation that is.

I didn't bother to ask the gatekeeper about the details.

I did understand, however, that if we were to survive in this world using our seeker abilities, the quickest way would be to become adventurers.

We're currently in a state where we have no money that is valid in this world.

Just like in our world, money is necessary to live in this world too.

We need a means to earn money in this world.

That's why it's necessary to become adventurers.

And to become adventurers, we need to first go to the Adventurer's Guild.

So, we decided to head to that place for now.

Following the directions from the gatekeeper, we walked through the town and eventually arrived in front of the desired building.

The three of us entered the building, opening the sturdy doors of the stone structure, which was as spacious as a supermarket. 

The signboard displayed the Adventurers' Guild, Flamberge Branch, in characters from another world. 

Strangely, I could read those characters.

That's perhaps due to the effect of my [Translation] skill. 

I swallowed nervously and stepped into the building.

Kazane-san and Yuzuki timidly followed behind me.

Inside the building, near the entrance, there was an atmosphere reminiscent of a government office. 

We saw several reception counters with employees assisting visitors. 

It resembled the comprehensive counter of the dungeons in our original world. 

However, there was one decisive difference from the dungeon general counter familiar to us.

Half of the building turned into a tavern. 

Even though it was still early afternoon, several groups were already indulging in alcohol there. 

The visitors at the counter and the tavern were dressed similarly to us seekers. 

Among them, I could spot a few individuals that seemed to be of different races. 

They must be adventurers.

As we entered the building, many adventurers turned their attention toward us, casting impolite glances. 

Some even whistled and smirked when they saw Kazane-san and Yuzuki's appearances. 

Kazane-san and Yuzuki hid behind me, trying to conceal themselves.

I suppose they were feeling uneasy. 

While I couldn't deny my unease, I intended to show enough resolve as a "man" when they relied on me, their senior.

Then, the man who had whistled earlier and his companions stood up from their seats in the tavern.

The red-faced men walked to us, and I wondered what they thought.

There are three of them.

They're deeply carved Caucasian features and brown or blond hair.

They're in their mid-twenties. 

All of them had smirks on their faces.

They completely ignored me and addressed Kazane-san and Yuzuki.

"Hey there, girls. You're a face we haven't seen around here, huh? Are you princesses from the Eastern Kingdom? Hiccup"

"Hehehe, this is your first time in this city, right? We'll show you around."

"Rather than relying on this weakling, you can count on us. Hyahaha!"

Their breath smelled of alcohol, and their steps seemed slightly unsteady.

The other adventurers find the situation amusing or don't want to get involved.

There was no doubt that we got caught up in trouble. 

We didn't yet understand the ways of this world.

On the other hand, Kazane-san and Yuzuki, who were addressed, clung tightly to my left and right arms.

"N-No, thank you! Besides, this person is my boyfriend!"

"Um, I-I'll pass too! I'm this person's mistress!"

...Wait, hold on. As for Kazane-san, fine, but Yuzuki...

Even if it's a lie to escape from this situation, what's with that setup?

And isn't it strange to have a lover next to the person you're supposed to be dating?

But given the circumstances, I can't just take back the setup they mentioned.

There's no choice, so I put my arms around both, one on each side.

Then, after taking a deep breath in my mind, I boldly declared to the flushed-faced men:

"So, here's the deal. Could you guys stop bothering my girls?"

Even if it's just acting to get through this situation, that's embarrassing.

The eyes of everyone in the guild are on us.

Now, let's see how these men will react. 

I thought, but they audibly clicked their tongues.

"Tch, what's this? Some harem guy?"

"These types can be surprisingly strong. If you underestimate them, you'll end up beaten to a pulp. I know from experience."

"Enough, enough. Let's have another drink."

The men quickly backed off and returned to their table in the bar.

Huh?

But it seems like we managed to avoid trouble.

I let out a sigh of relief.

Kazane-san and Yuzuki whispered into my ear while clinging to me.

"Daichi-kun, you said quite the words."

"W-Well, I can't help it in this situation."

"Hehehe. Am I your senior's woman?"

"Listen. It's your fault for making such a nonsensical setup as a lover."

In any case, we managed to avoid the mysterious trouble.

We separated from our close contact and headed toward the counter.