*ssh*
The sound of a loud stream brings my consciousness back to my body. My head...
(It's heavy, it hurts...)
"Uuuuurggh..."
My face and hands are sticky and so is my throat feeling so dry...
"Thirsty..."
Even though my head feels like it's been glued to my pillow, I open my eyes to be greeted by a window covered in snow across my view. The blue sky where no sun rises prompt me to move my arms and grab a something. Feeling the weight, I use my free hand to push my lifeless body up before finally realizing I'm holding a mug... I quickly take a sip-
"Pfff! The fudge is this!?"
The bitter taste pry open my eyes as I realize I just drank a thick black substance... I put the mug down and hold my face wondering,
"What in the world happen last night?"
I try to think but only headache shouting, "Yamboo!" echo through my head like a tiny ball in an empty room. I take the transparent bottle beside the mug with clear water inside, chugging it down before I lay my body to rest again.
"Uuugh... This... Isn't this a hangover? I don't remember drinking anything related to alcohol- wait...
*************************************
"Hey, Sova! You gotta dip your rice cake with this sweet sauce! It's the best!"
"Oh, let me try!"
*dip* *chomp*
*************************************
"Yoo-Ah... Sigh..."
I try to look at where the sound of stream is coming from and see the door to the bathroom is open and light seeps out from the cracks as I see Yoo-Ah's clothes on the ground.
"Oh no!"
Realizing what's going on, I got up and see that I'm still wearing my shirt and shorts.
"Phew! Seriously what the hell happened?"
I stand and stretch my body, hearing the cracks I quickly look around realizing that I'm stepping on the robe Juha gave me yesterday.
"Ah! Um... Here!"
I throw the dirty robes to where I place my casket when the stream in the bathroom stops and Yoo-Ah head peaked out as water drips asking:
"Sova! Sorry, did I wake you up!?"
"Oh, no! It's fine! Uuh... My head hurts."
I hold my head and take a seat to calm the pain.
"Hehe, you are such a weak drinker. I can't believe you fainted from just some paste."
"Nobody told me it would be alcoholic."
"Hahaha! Anyways, why not come take a shower together? This shower is big enough."
I feel my face becoming warmer as my head starts to think what would happen but I shook my head replying:
"No, you go first, I'll go after you."
"Okay!"
The sound of stream comes out again as I start try clearing my head. Seeing the bottle I chug down empty already, I place it down and grab another as I feel the cold sensation it gives.
"Hoh? Cold water? I wonder if that's because of winter? Or is it because this room is cold?"
I open it up and chug another down, feeling the cold sensation going down my throat I never felt so alive as I finish it to the last drop saying:
"Pwah! That's so good!"
Feeling my mind clearing a bit, I look around the room and see the mess it's in and decided to clean up while I wait. Taking this chance to move around, I pick up the trash and throwing it at the bin below the tables that I just realize is there, folding the blankets and cleaning the bed I use. Seeing Yoo-Ah's side is a mess as well, I help her clean as well picking up any leftover crumbs below and generally making sure there's less things on the floor. Maybe because we didn't do much but the room is neat and tidy now.
"Phew! That looks much better!"
I look outside through Yoo-Ah window and realize even though the snow starts piling up, the roads and other facilities below are still clean from the snow.
(I wonder if those are magic?)
"Aah~ Nothing beats hot water in winter! You can go now, Sova!"
I heard Yoo-Ah behind me and my body freezes as I realize I shouldn't look back. I nod and look away from where the sound comes from replying:
"Alright."
"Woah! Did you clean the room? Nice! Sui-Unnie would love having you work in her inn longer if you're this diligent!"
"Thanks."
I approach my bag and noticing how shovel which is a bit dirty maybe I should clean it up?
"Gotcha!"
"Woah!"
I felt Yoo-Ah's body pressing against my back as the her wet hair tickles my ear and the water sprinkles drop through my back.
"Hehe! I knew you would avoid looking at me! What? You jealous looking at me?"
"No, not at all!"
"Huuh!? So you're saying my body's not grown up is that it!?"
"No! Aah!"
I stand up to push her away but she wraps her arms around my neck while she wrap her legs around my torso replying:
"Don't lie! Mighty arrogant of you to think so with nothing to show!"
Knowing that I would her hurt id I try to do anything further, I can only plead with,
"Please let me go! I'm sorry!"
"Mhm! Mhm! Apology accepted. Now look at me!"
She lets me go and jumps back as I follow her instruction with one eye closed and realize,
"Oh? You already wore your uniform?"
I quickly open them and look at her properly as she quickly respond,
"Duh! Of course! Anyways, you can use my shampoo and soap for now. We'll go to the guild together."
"Okay! I'll be quick!"
Following her example, I bring my clothes inside the bathroom.
"Just saying but we'll clean our dirty clothes in the night so don't worry.'
"Okay."
(Wait, night? But there's no sun- oh wait... Maybe it's magic. Hoh, I'm quite curious now).
*************************************
With my head now clear, my skin squeeky, and body smelling nice...
(I wonder what is this smell? It's very nice and comfy. I didn't get a clear look at her soap).
We both leave our room and arrive at the lobby soon after. My shovel clatters with my bags echoing at the desolate lobby. Waiting for us is only the same two receptionist from yesterday on standby and some staffs passing by, one of them seems to be resting as the other watches guard. Yoo-Ah runs towards them and slams at the table shouting:
"Morning, Min Young!"
"Aaah!"
The girl wakes up in shock before looking at Yoo-Ah with anger shouting:
"Yoo... Aaaah!"
She tries to grab Yoo-Ah who's smirking maliciously but the other receptionist holds her back saying:
"Sigh, Morning, Yoo-Ah. With most of the adventurers already returning home, it won't be long before we are allowed to go home to our families."
"Really!? But... It seems I'll be staying here."
"Oh? That's pretty diligent of you."
"Not for me! But for our new promising newbie!"
The angry receptionist looks at me who's walking closer asking:
"Oh? Her? She's the one you told us? She don't look so tough. I say she's adorable even. Heck, my Hwan Hwan is more menacing than her. (Oh, where have you escaped...)"
She lays her head down as she whispers when Yoo-Ah slams her hand on the desk perking her up replying:
"Careful of what you say! She's even got the attention of Oka Jin-Yeon."
"Really!? And Owlian like her?"
As I arrive beside Yoo-Ah, She push me forward shouting:
"Sova! Introduce yourself to my friends! They're the one who helped me out here, so don't be afraid to ask them out for some tips!"
"Hey! Don't just push some unwanted charity!"
The angry receptionist replied tryin. to capture her again but fails. I bo my head down saying:
"Oh, um, my name is Sova Anmao. Please to meet you."
"Oh? Aren't she polite?"
The calm receptionist bows as well replying:
"I'm Min-Ah. Like Yoo-Ah said don't be afraid to ask me for some help. Her friends are my friends as well. But try leaving the combat stuffs out."
"Okay!"
(So she has the same name as Yoo-Ah?)
I nod and look at the other receptionist who's still grumpy. She looks at me and look away again saying:
"Tch! Name's Min-Young. (Why must I associate with those Owlians?)"
I hear her mumbles at the end and realize,
(They both have Min, does that mean they're siblings?)
Min-Ah her head looking at her before saying:
"We can talk more tonight. This is Swiday after all, we're gonna have early checkouts."
"Oh! Then Sure!"
"Well, I'm going back to sleep. Wake me up when someone important show up, Min-Ah-Unnie."
Min-Ah shakes her head again as she sees her laying her head down replying:
"You lazy bum."
Yoo-Ah then walks away saying:
"Alright then, see you tonight!"
"See ya!"
They both waves their hands as I follow behind Yoo-Ah who is greeted by other staffs as well.
(She's very popular).
*************************************
Arriving close to the main building, I can't help but ask,
"Say, the roads and lamps are pretty clean. The staffs must be very diligent cleaning them."
"Hmm? What are you talking about? Just like the main road connecting the cities together, they have self sufficient functions. Like drying themselves during rain, repelling monsters from staying too long or like what you see. Melting the snow that touch them."
"Woah! Really!? The ground isn't even that hot."
"Course not! If that was the case then the infrastructure is already broken. Anyway this will be your first day as an adventurer! As you get your temporary permit, you can finally take your first quest!"
"Oh! I'm excited!"
We both ascend the stairs quickly seeing the two soldiers saluting as we enter the guild. As we enter the guild is almost empty with only very few adventurers and staffs in their posts.
"Alright! Luckily for you, I'm stationed at the quest table today so I'm gonna help you pick your first missions!"
"Okay-"
"Let's go!"
Yoo-Ah pulls me along as we reach the huge board lined up with papers across. Since no one is here, Yoo-Ah raise her arms as to present the board saying:
"Ta dah! This is the [Wanderer] list! Pick whatever you want! Since all of it are easy! For wonderers at least!"
"Oh?"
Following her order I start skimming through the quest board before realizing:
"Say, don't I need an ID before I can accept any of this?"
Yoo-Ah hits her palm replying:
"Ah right! Then keep looking, I'll go ask for your badge!"
Yoo-Ah dashes away and went deeper inside while I ponder about,
(A badge?)
Hearing her I decided to look at the few adventurers here and realize they do wear the same badge that looks like the sword emblem on Yoo-Ah beret.
(So they identify with badges huh? Seems pretty neat).
While I continue to skim over the quest, seeing one that tells me to assist the locals with weird-
"So there you are!"
Hearing a familiar voice, I turn around and as expected, its Juha wearing the same uniform as yesterday.
"Morning."
"Hmph! Morning to you too! I'll be tasked with watching over you today as well, so don't you do anything stupid alright."
"Alright, I guess pleasure working with you?"
"Don't get over yourself! I'm merely watching and will only act when things gets messy! Hmph! Aren't you eager to start working already?"
Juha stands beside me to look at the board as well and I nod replying:
"Mhm! I'm quite excited to see what I'm about to do."
"I see, I suppose that is just the nature of Adventurers, workaholics. By the way, I need you to follow me before you do any of the quests."
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
"The Colonel's looking for you, just to make it clear this is not a request."
"I see... Well can I at least pick up some quest and have breakfast first?"
"I suppose... Hmph!"
Juha folds her arms and walks away but not too far. As I skim more of the labour quest I notice one particular quest.
___________________________________
Bandits Lurking in Han Roads.
Objective: Kill or Capture the bandits.
Difficulty: E - D
Reward: 3000 Wu (+1000 for each bandits captured).
Commissioned by: Meonbich Hall
Note: Their base seems to be at the Juli Forest. And there's around 5 reported from the previous attacks.
___________________________________
"Bandits?"
(They must be brave living outside the city and in the forest knowing that monster is lurking near).
"And 3000! That's ludicrous! And then plus 1000 for each people captured? Money sure flows easily here like Yoo-Ah said. But wait, didn't Jin-Yeon said that a family of 6 needs around 1000 for a month..."
(If I manage to succeed, at minimal I would be receiving three times the salary of one family. Maybe it won't take long for me to get the money for a ticket. But I wonder how long will it take for me to hunt that monster though? And maybe say sorry? If that's even possible).
I continue looking at the other quests and find out the average rewards ranges from 1000 - 3000. And that's only the normal one that tasks us with escorts, tutoring, searching lost items, and that's only a few I found. Then there's one I found with 4000 plus reward that reads,
___________________________________
Muno Herbs for the Sick.
Objective: Gather 8 sets of Muno Herbs
Difficulty: F - D
Reward: 4000 Wu
Commissioned by: Meonbich Local Spirit Shrine.
Note: You can find some easily on the forests near the Sange bridge.
___________________________________
(Really!? Just gathering some plants get you that much!? And wait, shrine? Are they common here? I suppose that's normal... I wonder how the kids in the church Saya's visit? I hope they're growing well).
"You got quite the serious look and..."
Juha walks beside me and pull her baton out and push my chin to close my mouth that I didn't realize is open.
"And close your mouth!"
When she pulls back her staff, I nod replying:
"Sorry... Say is this real? The rewards here are are ridiculous! Like 4000 for gathering herbs? Didn't Jin Yeon said that a family need only 1000 to survive a month?"
I point at the quests and Juha simply folds her arms and smirk replying:
"Heh! Though I suppose that is a huge amount for a lowly noble like you. But tell you what, those are puny compared to my monthly salary working in the royal army."
"It is! Now my sense about money is completely thrown out the window..."
(I mean I earn around 4000 Riaz a month working at the convenience store which I thought was ridiculous! And 3000 at Uncle Soba's Diner. I could buy some delicious luxury meal for only 30 Riaz back then while the cheapest meal cost only 5 and rent with the landlord cost around 1000 a year too. Then there's the fact that those Riaz are smaller than the currencies here. I really don't know how people handle money anymore... Or is food in my sector are super cheap? Saya did say the Phoenix Sector is one of the most rich places with food?)
My shoulders and head drop realizing how miniscule my jobs are.
"And talking about salaries, I heard from insiders that those idols make even more than Generals of the Royal Army. So around... 10x more than mine."
"Really now? Why am I even trying?"
Juha looks at me disappointed replying:
"Hmph! I can't believe I'm being tasked with such a weak-willed person."
I curl my hands to fists and raise my arms shouting:
"No I'm not! Anyways, I suppose I'll take some of this."
I choose the bandit one and herb collecting. Carrying the papers as I look around, waiting for Yoo-Ah to arrive I went to an empty seat and wait while Juha sits across me.
"What did you take?"
I hand her the papers saying:
"Subjugation and gathering quests."
"Subjugation? You're still new and just because you have better physique than the average Martial Artist, that don't mean shit. Better just grab the gathering one, idiot."
"Eh?"
(Ah, she's worried for me huh?)
As she says that, she looks at the papers and grab the bandits quest. Skimming over it, she throws it away saying:
"Besides, that quest is outdated. No bandits has been sited since weeks ago. What is the staffs doing? Anyways, those that does stay out are already food for the monsters or run back to the nearest settlement and got captured. If there's some bandit group that still survive I suppose it can only be them..."
(Them? Well, I'll figure that one later).
"I see... So gathering it is! But I gotta wait for Yoo-Ah to get back."
"Hmph, if I were you I would eat first and get ready. There's no time to be idle."
"Oh? But she said to wait here- hold on, you haven't had breakfast yet, Juha-Ssi?"
"Of course I have! I had them back at my barracks! Unlike adventurers who woke up late soldiers like us woke early and ready."
"I see-"
Loud footsteps echo through the empty guild and a door slams open.
"Sovaa!"
Even though its only been a few days I feel like Yoo-Ah likes being loud. I look back seeing Yoo-Ah running towards me with a badge and paper in hand. Juha folds her hands annoyed looking away when she arrives slamming the paper on the dask shouting:
"Sovaa!"
"Yes, I can hear you. What's wrong?"
"It's crazy! I can't believe it!"
"What?"
"I mean, this is a first after so long!"
"Um, Yoo-Ah?"
"Ooh!"
Everyone seems to look at us as I wonder if she's listening to me. I take the gathering quest and show it to her saying:
"Um, I wanna take this one-"
"No! I got you a better one!"
Yoo-Ah snatch the paper away and shove it to my face shouting:
"This is better! It's a promotion quest!"
The people around looks at us and gathers closer to probably listen.
"No one has receive a promotion quest after joining since Jin-Yeon! You're gonna be in history here!"
(History... Didn't I told Nicole about etching my name in history? I wonder if this is my first step? But...)
I try to calm her down replying:
"Um, Yoo-Ah calm down. I said I wanna take baby steps remember? Besides that kind of quest tends to be hard no? Shouldn't I do something else before doing it?"
"Ah, you're right! But still! This is huge! You're definitely taking this!"
"Alright, alright, but can I do the one I showed you first?"
Yoo-Ah looks at the quest she snatch from me replying:
"I guess... Gathering quest huh? This quest is near the city so I suppose this is a good start. Follow me!"
Yoo-Ah walks away while I sigh and tag along with the eyes of everyone following us. Arriving quickly at a table with the [Closed] sign, Yoo-Ah starts stampings the papers and hand me the gathering quest and badge saying:
"Alright, there we go! If you wish to know more about the plants, just head to the 2nd floor archives."
I take the paper along with the badge to quickly wear it replying:
"Oh, perfect timing, let's go grab some grub."
"Grub? Anyways! Let's eat first!"
"Uh... Sure..."
(Ah right, maybe some of the synonyms are not translatable...)