"Thank you for staying with us, Momon-sama!"
Morning—
At the Golden Glow Inn, the receptionist's cheerful voice was almost too energetic. The staff radiated admiration; their posture straighter, their eyes sparkling.
The story from last night had clearly spread.
To them, the woman who boldly defeated a harassing noble was a hero. Admired. Respected. Idolized.
Momonga smiled awkwardly as she stepped outside.
"…Well then. Hopefully, there's a good job available."
After a stretch, she flicked her copper adventurer plate with her finger, looking up at the sky. Her obsidian armor gleamed under the morning sun.
She pushed open the door of the Adventurer's Guild.
The moment she entered, conversations died.
Every adventurer turned to look at the mysterious warrior rumored to wield third-tier magic.
Momonga ignored the stares and walked toward the request board… though she couldn't read a single word on it. After pretending to study it for a while, she gave up and approached the counter.
Ishupena, the receptionist from yesterday, stiffened momentarily when she recognized Momonga—but quickly composed herself.
"Good morning. I'd like to accept a request. Are all available tasks on the board?"
"Yes, those are the ones available today."
"I see. Then… could you choose the most difficult request available to copper-rank? I don't mind the time limit."
"Certainly. Please wait a moment."
While she searched, Momonga wondered when she should start studying this world's writing system.
"Excuse me—would you consider helping us instead?"
A voice cut in from the side.
"Hm?"
Four adventurers stood there—three young men and one young woman. Their plates were silver-rank. The leader, a blond swordsman with gentle eyes, stepped forward.
"If you don't mind, may we speak with you?"
Momonga nodded.
"Of course."
They invited her to a table on the second floor.
Their party name was The Swords of Darkness
—Peter, the leader.
—Lukrut, the ranger.
—Dyne, the druid.
—Ninya, the magic caster and "brains" of the team, blessed with a talent allowing him to master spells in half the normal years.
Wow… it's like having permanent double EXP gain…
After introductions, they explained their request:
"We're not taking a formal Guild job," Peter said.
"We plan to hunt monsters in the forest south of here and make money from the bounties."
Monster farming for drops—not exactly glamorous, but practical.
"It's how we earn our living," Dyne said simply.
"Nobody gets hurt either—monsters die, people stay safe," Lukrut added with a grin.
"So… would you be willing to join us, Momon-san?"
She smiled.
"Gladly."
Relief lit their faces.
Momonga then spoke again:
"Since we'll be working together… allow me to show you my face."
She lifted her helmet—
—and time stopped.
Their expectations?
A rugged warrior woman, maybe like Gagaran of Blue Rose.
Reality?
A breathtaking beauty so delicate she looked like she belonged in a royal palace, not in armor. Her eyelashes alone were unfair.
Lukrut shot to his feet.
"PLEASE DATE ME WITH MARRIAGE IN MIND!"
Silence followed.
Momonga coughed and put her helmet back on.
"…As you can see, I usually keep my face hidden to avoid… unwanted trouble."
Their stunned expressions—and Lukrut still bent in a ninety-degree bow—proved her point perfectly.
Even Peter and Dyne nodded solemnly.
Ninya, however, hesitated.
"…Are you perhaps… of noble birth?"
There was a faint sharpness in his tone.
Momonga shook her head.
"I'm not."
Immediately, Ninya's tension faded. Peter leaned over and whispered:
"Sorry—he has reasons to hate nobles."
"I see," she replied softly.
They prepared to depart—but a voice called out.
"Momon-san!"
Ishupena approached quickly.
"You have a personal request. A client specifically named you."
"A personal request?"
"Yes. From… Nfirea Bareare."
The Swords of Darkness collectively tensed.
Momonga blinked.
And from behind Ishupena—
"Hello," Nfirea said, stepping forward.