It was a sunny day. I was walking leisurely at the rocky land of Verk. I got lost after a long chase down with a monster. I was too afraid to go back to the forest, so I continued my way in this desert. I later figured out that this road was in Verk when I saw its landmark- the two gigantic rocks on both sides of the road. Verk is very well-known for its towering landmark and a favourite spot for bandits.
Merchants that visit my village always complain about Verk. Many novice merchants have become victims of the infamous place. Before I left the village, people have warned me never to set foot in this land. Well, that was for when I have valuables on me. That's why I thought it would be fine this time. And yet, I can't help feeling intimidated at the piece of cloth sticking out of that big rock.
Are these guys serious? Why be obvious? No, actually I should be grateful. I stopped my advance to think. Of course, I had to act like I did not notice them. I thought out loud so that they could hear me and think that I am just an idiot passing by.
I started with an exasperated sigh. "Why do I have to encounter a huge bear on my first day of adventure!?" I tried to sound as mad as possible. "Now, I left all my items there. I can't even get it back. Damned bear!" I tried to appeal to them that I am not worth robbing. "Oh well, I have no choice but to go through this deserted land. I just hope that my knight friend doesn't get impatient because I had to take a detour." Then, I finished it with an implication that someone powerful would look for me if I get killed. I hope this deters them.
Nope. I could still see the cloth sticking out. Are these guys serious? No, let's consider other possibilities. Are they really bandits? Or are they slave merchants? Are they adventurers that hid because a suspicious individual was walking nearby? Maybe they are murderers... Oh shit. If they are murderers, they won't get intimidated by me having a knight friend. Or they are just smart enough to know that I actually don't have a knight friend. Why did I not think of that!?
What should I do? I have three options. The first is to push my luck and walk leisurely or run hoping that I'm faster. The second is to run on one side hoping that the side I picked has the slower people. And the third is to run back and bet my life on the forest with that huge hungry monsterfied bear. At that moment, my father's words resounded in my head. 'Humans are more frightening than mindless monsters.'
I did not hesitate to run back. As my foot left the ground, I heard movements behind me. I looked back out of curiosity and slight resignation. I don't know why, but at that time, I knew I wouldn't outrun them. My life flashed before my eyes as I saw the scary faces of the three assailants. I-
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"Son, time for you to move out."
"What? Why?"
"You never work, but you keep eating."
"What's wrong with that? George does the same."
"You're not livestock! So get your ass up and work like a man your age!"
"But dad! Mom, are you okay with this?"
"Now you're asking me for help? You don't even help me with the chores. You're already 20 and you still act like a child."
"Here are your things. Go to the next town and apply to the adventurer's guild. Follow this map and you'll be safe. Time for you to experience my life back in the day."
"Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo"
The burly man carried a despairing son outside the village and threatened him. He must be at least rank C before he can come back or he will be beaten up.
Ah, I don't know what to do. If only I worked my ass off at the farm, or joined the hunts, or even just help with the chores, I wouldn't be here. My parents sent me off to go on adventuring because I was too useless. All I did at that time was... never mind. It's the end anyway.
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I found myself tied up. Huh? I'm alive?
"Hey, is this really the guy? He tried to run away and could not even fight back. He's too weak." I hear a sharp voice coming from a furry individual. Is she a beastfolk?
"No, he might be acting. He must be cautious with three people attacking him. We can't deny the fact that he noticed us." A beautiful, keen-eyed woman was speaking cautiously. She was crossing her arms while contemplating. I could tell she's a woman of logic contrary to the beastfolk that relies on instinct.
"Hm, I'm not sure if he's the guy. He has the face, but not the skills. The problem is our target is quite tricky, so we can't be sure if he's hiding his abilities or not." A young man joined the conversation. He has a defined face. He looks strong and if I think back to when he tied me, it's not just in the appearance. "Let's compromise and take him. The guild could verify his identity. Since we don't know if he is a civilian, let's treat him properly. But still, remain cautious." He's smart too. He must be the leader.
The guy looked at me and said in an awkward smile. "Haha, just in case we got it wrong, we apologize. We are looking for a criminal and it happens that you look like him. We just want to ask you to accompany us for a while to the guild. Don't worry, if the guild says that you're not the guy, we'll escort you to your knight friend and call it even."
"I understand. Please do what you must." I said as I bow to the ground. I am smart enough to know that my actions could determine how they treat me. In fact, I'm glad they caught me. This way I have protection not just from monsters, but also from other bounty hunters out there. Just how many people would consider the possibility that I'm just a look-alike and not just straight up kill me? I'm scared, really scared. Please protect me.
The three sounded relieved, but the keen-eyed woman kept staring cautiously at me. Ahhh, what did my look-alike do?