I am Hely Racktus, a young man born in a rural village on the kingdom's border. I was born to wander in search of my identity, to find a treasure that would finally make me feel significant.
Well, though the road ahead is long and I haven't the slightest clue what to do, it feels as if I have no dream at all. While others seem to have a clear path out of the forest, I am still lost within it, unsure if it's even better on the outside.
As a result, while others are able to fill their bellies, I am still brooding over how to fill mine now, let alone tomorrow.
Now, I find myself in a rather bustling city. Merchants are shouting; the air is thick with the sounds of customers picking, choosing, and haggling.
I keep walking through the city streets—neither too crowded nor too peaceful—my ears filled with the low hum of people attending to their own lives.
I sigh, bewildered by what to do. Even after the arrival of those three strange people, everything still feels hollow. I don't understand myself. I mean, they were from another world... It was as if I were witnessing a rare phenomenon.
It felt like finding a four-leaf clover but feeling as though it were just an ordinary leaf...
So it feels as though the three of them won't change my life at all, won't change my view that a four-leaf clover is just a four-leaf clover, and not just some common leaf.
"Derlia, are you ever going to pay me? Please, just pay... I don't even know what I'll eat today...," I muttered with a resigned heart.
I looked at my gear, wondering if any of it could be sold. Even though second-hand goods are dirt cheap, I wasn't dreaming of a feast just staying alive was hard enough.
"Haaah...," I exhaled, looking down before straightening up again, continuing my walk toward the guild.
I stood still for a moment in front of the Adventurer's Guild doors. Would I find what I wanted there? Food, for instance? Did I even have enough strength to take on a mission?
I pushed it open slowly, the door let out a distinct creak. A few people near the entrance glanced at me before quickly returning to their business, seemingly uninterested.
The receptionist lifted her chin and smiled at me.
"Oh... It's you... Welcome back," she said softly and modestly.
I approached slowly, my steps heavy and devoid of hope. I greeted her.
"Hello, Uyshur..."
"Hello, Hely," she replied quickly, followed by a sincere smile.
The receptionist clapped her hands gently and asked kindly,
"How unusual. Usually, you're with the others... Where is Derlia?"
I looked at Uyshur without any real expression of concern. I mean... they were the ones who left me behind...
"Ah, them... I don't know..." I didn't want to know, it still left a bitter taste in my mouth remembering how they abandoned me.
"You look sad. What's wrong?" Uyshur asked worriedly, her tone so soft it made my heart melt just a little.
I answered emotionally, questioning my very existence.
"Uyshur... why did you become a guild receptionist?"
Uyshur looked at me with surprise, yet she maintained her friendliness.
"Hmm? Why... Mmm... Oh! Because the work is simple–handling the adventurers' paperwork without getting tangled up in their adventures..."
"It's a bit of a headache, but I think it's worth the pay," Uyshur continued. She seemed so carefree saying it, did she actually enjoy it?
I continued my questioning, taking a seat near the reception desk.
"Do you enjoy your work?"
Uyshur paused to think, as if she were weighing her pleasure against the job, but from my perspective... she looked like she enjoyed it.
Without warning, the sound of footsteps approached.
A D-rank adventurer, carrying a cup of something that didn't smell like alcohol.
Uyshur greeted the adventurer. His name was Faul Lashin. His voice was incredibly hoarse, sounding like the sickly chirp of a bird. Like a man well over 55.
"What's the matter, kid? Don't look so down...," Faul stared at me with an ordinary gaze. He went back to his drink, swirling it around.
"You're still young, don't carry so many burdens in your head."
"Or else you'll only find yourself more lost later on."
His words were quite wise, no wonder, given his aged appearance. His advice struck a chord in my mind, and I knew it.
I sighed softly and stared ahead, daydreaming for a moment. I had truly lost my job.
Faul gulped down his drink quickly, the sound of his cup hitting the table ringing out clearly.
"By the way, aren't you with Derlia's group?"
I looked at Faul sideways, only using my left eye.
I answered listlessly.
"Yeah... something like that."
Faul snorted like a rhino, making a sound like, "Hnng?" as he turned his body.
"Sounds like a big problem then."
I responded with a slow nod, still looking down.
"Of course it's bad, they abandoned me and intended to sacrifice me...," my mind wanted to snap back at Faul.
Faul took another gulp, his confidence returning as he lightly bumped his glass against my shoulder.
"Go talk to them again. Tell them what you want plainly. Everything will work out!"
I didn't know if what he was offering was medicine or a spark to a flame. In my opinion, it was better not to meet them at all. If I were given work again, my pay would likely be as measly as usual.
I let out a heavy breath. Faul only raised an eyebrow, while Uyshur simply gave me a kind smile.
Faul leaned toward Uyshur, bringing his face close while keeping his eyes on me. Uyshur leaned in, ready to listen.
"Maybe he wants a treat too," Faul whispered to Uyshur.
"I don't think Hely is someone who's easily cheered up by treats...," Uyshur whispered back.
Their voices were low but far too clear to me, especially with the way they were looking at me. They were still whispering, with Faul insisting on treating me.
I decided to answer their offer bluntly.
"No need, thank you."
Instantly, Faul and Uyshur stopped whispering, their bodies returning to their original positions.
I stood up, not forgetting to respond to Faul's suggestion.
"I'll go find them and ask a few things..."
Then, I took a firm step and walked out of the guild.
"I think that was your fault," Faul said to Uyshur.
Uyshur gave Faul a cynical look.
"Huh?"
I walked through the spray of voices—the noise of a busy crowd. Shouts of offers, the sound of picking and choosing—but none of it entered my mind. It wasn't just that the time wasn't right. Currently, I was far from having the intent.
I lifted my chin slightly, looking around.
Searching for Derlia and her friends. At the very least, I wanted compensation for being left behind.
Even though they could refuse without feeling threatened.
Yes, I had no weapon to force them to pay.
Should I be firm? I couldn't even fight well... they could easily beat me up.
"Heeehh!? No buyers? How is that possible? This is good stuff! It could be a decoration, every guest who comes to your house would surely ask, 'Oh? Where did you buy such a beautiful thing?'."
My body immediately straightened. I knew that slightly sharp voice. Yes, that was Derlia.
"The price is high! we went through a lot of trouble to find it!" Carl said, stamping his foot.
"Has the market changed that much?" Dosch added. Derlia glanced at Dosch, seemingly in agreement.
"Yes, the price is starting to drop. Items like these have been found frequently lately. It seems it was an ancient trend commonly used by the common folk. I'll buy the whole lot for 50 Klak," replied an old man with a thick beard. On his clothes was a guild badge, he was an Artifact Hunter.
I stepped forward a little, listening to the loud conversation. I didn't know whether to feel happy or not seeing them down on their luck.
"Ahh... we should have taken something else from those ruins," Carl said, rubbing his head in disappointment.
The bearded man grew curious. "Ruins? Which ruins?"
Derlia suddenly interrupted, struck by an idea, her spirits beginning to bloom.
"Ah! That one? Well, we can negotiate the location..."
The bearded man looked unimpressed, as if he could find anything given enough time.
"It's probably worthless. My expedition team will find it in no time."
Derlia tensed her muscles, beginning to respond emotionally.
"I'm serious! The location is hard to reach!"
I stepped forward firmly, interrupting them. I would give away the location and send the price plummeting into the abyss.
"The location is near the west of this city, around the dense trees where there's a tree with fruit like orange pears. The terrain is quite low and easily accessible—it's about a quarter-day's walk."
"Hmm... a location that easy hasn't been found before?" the bearded man replied, stroking his beard. Derlia and her friends looked furious.
"What are you doing, Hely? That was an opportunity!" Derlia snapped, puffing out her cheeks at the end of her sentence.
I replied casually.
"Consider it compensation for not paying me properly."
Derlia became even more agitated, like a child insisting on buying candy whose mother refused. She kept grumbling, blaming me, while Carl and Dosch tried to calm her down. They didn't seem to have any intention of hurting me.
Seeing her, I felt a slight pang of guilt. They were also trying to make money and find opportunities, and when that opportunity came—however small—I had destroyed it.
"I'll buy the items you brought for 50 Klak, how about it?" the bearded man offered, holding out his hand with a friendly smile, as if he were their savior.
Derlia let out a small huff and wiped her eyes, about to agree.
"250 Klak," I countered. The price should definitely be higher.
"Huh? 250 Klak? Too high. You know the price for things like this is cheap."
I stood my ground.
"No, 250 Klak. This artifact is made of precious metal. The logo is different from the ones usually found. It should actually be 400 Klak..."
I pulled out three small cup-like objects. I showed the bottom of them while explaining that common antiques like these usually had no symbols or logos. Derlia and her friends watched closely, as did the thick-bearded man, who seemed to be sweating now that he'd been caught.
"250 Klak, final offer."
"How about 200 Klak? I'll buy them," the bearded man said.
I agreed, that price was fair.
"Deal, 200 Klak."
After some time passed, the bearded man left with his cart. One armed man even followed him with high-quality gear.
I gave the 200 Klak to Derlia. She looked guilty, a small smile appearing though she still held onto her regret.
"Are you sure, Hely? You're entitled to a share," Derlia whispered. She seemed deeply grateful.
I refused, saying I didn't need it. Those were items she had found without me.
I left them behind. Carl and Dosch said nothing, they seemed to feel hesitant.
Once I was far enough away, Derlia ran a little distance after me.
"Thank you so much, Hely! We can work together again next time!" Derlia shouted loudly.
I smiled and waved without turning back.
I just kept walking, aimlessly.
[Others]
"What is this!? I've never seen art this detailed! Mysterious symbols, and strange materials attached here. It looks brand new!"
The bearded man exclaimed in shock, holding a piece of paper.
He also asked how Uyshur had obtained it.
Uyshur explained that she had gotten it from a new adventurer—a rankless trial adventurer who could be expelled from the membership if he didn't take any missions.