Chapter 8: Chapter 3 -First Job- 1-2

In front of the Grand Palace Otherworld...

Under a decorative lamp post that looked like it’d be popular during the early Meiji Era, stood three otherworld explorers.

Surely, they were the members of the Lansa Aranea Regina subjugation team.

Uh, do I approach them or not...?

Meanwhile, I looked like a creep who lurked around the area.

Finally, after all the painstaking efforts, I can join a team...!

Now, if I somehow mess this up...

...First and foremost, I have to greet them, right? Otherwise, they might think of me as rude, or something.

...Alright, I have to gather my courage!

“G-g-good after, noon—! D, did you perhaps gather here for the request to defeat the Lansa Aranea Regina?”

I ended up talking to them like such a creep. In my defense, I was truly nervous.

A man who seemed to be the team leader answered. Due to his height, I had to look up slightly. Moreover, he was carrying a sword and a shield made of metal and wood, along with a backpack.

“That’s right. Then, are you one of the recruits...?”

“Uh-huh! I’m Shiranui Haruhito! Nice to meet you!”

“My name is Naoto Ishitsuki, but feel free to call me Naoto.”

After the team leader had introduced himself, a petite woman spoke while hiding behind him.

“Naoto, is he... also going to join us in the gigantic spider subjugation?”

Not only was the woman equipped with a short bow and a quiver, a dagger could be seen on her waist. Similar to Naoto, she also wore a leather breastplate and a metal cuirass on her left hand. She had a languid look in her eyes.

“C’mon, Takara, introduce yourself!”

Naoto pushed the female archer forward.

“A, alright... I’m Ozono—Ozono Takara. Nice to meet you...”

“N, nice to meet you.”

After the brief introduction, the female archer quickly hid behind Naoto once again. Seeing that, Naoto showed me an apologetic smile.

“She’s always been like this. Don’t take it personally.”

“O, okay...”

“Man, I wish Takara could be more confident about herself.” Said a male explorer with a longsword.

“Katsu, that’s not something you’re supposed to say in front of a stranger.”

“I know, but it’s all about nuance—nuance! By the way, the name’s Nanahara Katsunori. I’m in the same team as Naoto and Takara here. I’m the tank that supports the frontline. Nice to meet you, Shiranui.”

He also wore similar leather armor to the other two. Despite being shorter than Naoto, he had a sturdy build. Judging from his expression, he seemed to be a friendly person. It was a personality that suited his role as a tank.

They look like good people to me...

“I’ll be in your care!”

But the number of people gathered near the lamppost sure was small. There were only three of them. Since I had heard that at least three or four teams would be joining in the raid, I expected about 15 to 20 people to come.

...Even if I look around, the other teams couldn’t be found anywhere.

It seemed that after I had finished with my introduction, I reverted to behaving like a creep.

I mustered my courage to ask them a question.

“...F, for this request, are we going to wait for the others?”

“That’s right. Another team will be joining us. There should be 4 additional members.” Said Naoto.

From the look on his face, Naoto seemed about to say something else. But he couldn’t find the words.

At last, Katsunori went straight to the point.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Y, yeah, what’s up?”

“Don’t take this the wrong way but, where’s your armor?”

Ah, of course. No wonder they’re worried.

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That was one of the main reasons why I couldn’t join any team.

I didn’t have any armor.

Of course, I was aware of that.

For a newbie to join a perilous battlefield without wearing armor... If anything, he’d just end up pulling everyone’s legs. In the worst-case scenario, the team would suffer a crushing blow...

Nevertheless, even if I wanted to, I couldn’t afford it.

At the same time, the fact that I couldn’t buy armor attested to how difficult the world I lived in now. As a result, I could only drink my tears as I strived to further improve myself.

...I decided to simply tell them the reason.

“It’s... because I have no money.”

“I-I see... Well, I won’t ask you for details. It’s an unspoken rule between the explorers that you should prioritize your own safety. I’ll try to help you as much as I can, but no more than that. I’m sorry, but I may not be able to help you if something goes wrong...”

I see.

He basically said that he’d abandon me if anything went wrong.

Well, it’s alright. I’m but a poor fledgling explorer.

“Fine with me. After all, this is the result of my own personal circumstances...”

“Don’t say that. Even if I said that, I genuinely wish to support you. I have to commend your bravery for exploring the otherworld without any armor. Then, let’s do our best!”

“Of course!”

At that moment, Takara gently bowed.

“If you don’t have money, go to the association—”

“—Attention, please!!”

However, her words were interrupted by the arrival of Mina, who invited me, and other several men. There was a lightly-equipped man with several daggers at his waist. There was also an armored man with a heavy-looking longsword and shield. Behind them, four archers followed.

The rugged man with a longsword who seemed to be the leader began to speak.

“First and foremost, I’d like to thank you all for gathering here for the subjugation of the Lansa Aranea Regina! Let me introduce myself, I’m Mashita Kakeru, the leader! I think this request will be a great learning opportunity for the fledglings!”

He spoke with so much resolve that I began to think that I could rely on him.

“It’s a harsh world where we live in! After all, you’re only considered as an independent member of society when you have risen to the rank of intermediate explorer! As of today, I want you to use this quest as a source of experience to reach that point. Also, here’s the check for the advance payment! It’s divided equally based on the number of applicants, so each person should get one.”

Each person received an advanced check with something printed on it in the form of a square card that could be hand-delivered and charged with electronic money.

It was my first time to receive that kind of check. As such, I ended up feeling nervous.

The card stated that if you were to present your otherworld explorer certificate at the nearest intermediary facility, bank, or post office within the time period, you’d be able to receive the charged amount.

While the amount wasn’t written, the date of issue and the code for the request number were engraved.

Since it was something of value, I kept it in my wallet.

“Is there anyone who hasn’t gotten one? I’ve only got enough for the number of participants, so I don’t want to be told that ‘I didn’t get it.’ Now, in order to carry out the request, we’ll be heading to the 5th level of the Grand Palace Otherworld. Once we reach said floor, I’ll explain the details of the operation to you. Until then, please follow me closely! Now, let’s enter the otherworld!!”

““““Understood—!””””

The group was excited as each of them led the others in a rousing chorus of “Let’s go to the otherworld!”

Looking around, I was slightly intimidated by my surroundings, all of whom were probably a year younger than me. They were probably made up of 18- to 20-year-olds who didn’t know much about the taste of alcohol.

I don’t know much about alcohol myself, but...

The first person I spoke to, Naoto, the one with a shield and a sword, was about the same age as me, a college student.

The other two also seemed to be around my age. Nowadays, there were schools to nurture explorers, so I was guessing that they were graduates of those schools who became explorers together.

...It must be quite reassuring to have friends who share the same circumstances and age as you.

Now, as a new recruit who was a year older than them, I shall do my best to look after the youngsters.

I wondered what kind of psychological impact I suffered at that time, for me to assume an old man’s mentality...

I dismissed the thought.

If anything, I had to focus on not becoming a hindrance.

One by one, each person held up his or her ID to the touch screen and entered the otherworld.

The heavy door opened, waited for everyone to enter, before slowly closing.

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