As I continued my journey toward the Kingdom of Hyogan, the setting sun painted the sky with shades of orange and purple. The encroaching darkness signaled the approaching night, and I knew that traveling in the dark carried its own set of unknown dangers.
With caution in mind, I made the decision to turn around and head back to the village. It was a prudent choice, as the nighttime in this world was an enigma, and I wasn't willing to take unnecessary risks.
My thoughts turned to the coins my parents had given me. My father had provided me with ten silver coins, and my mother had gifted me three gold coins. They were meant to be used for accommodations, and now seemed like the perfect time.
Upon my return to the village, I noticed Tart, the Chief, and approached him once more. I greeted him with a smile and said, "Hi Tart, it's me again. I noticed it's going to be night soon. By any chance, can I pay to stay at one of the huts? If it's not too much trouble."
Tart's response was filled with warmth and generosity. "Of course! Here, follow me." He led me to a hut located near the campfire, a simple but cozy shelter.
As we arrived at the hut, Tart extended his hospitality. "Here, you can stay here as long as you want, and you don't have to pay anything. You've done enough helping with those goblins."
I was deeply touched by Tart's kindness and the villagers' willingness to welcome me. I bowed in gratitude and said, "Thank you."
Inside the hut, I found a sleeping bag, a lantern on a night table, and not much else. It was a modest and humble place, but it was a gesture of goodwill that meant the world to me.
I placed my bag next to the sleeping bag and began to unpack. Among my belongings was a mirror, and as I set it on the ground and examined my back as I took my shirt off, I couldn't help but notice the marks left by the goblin's scratches. Although my health had been restored to full, the scars remained, a reminder of the battles I had fought.
Determined to leave the past behind, I undressed fully and put on a fresh set of clothes that I had packed. The simple act of changing into clean attire brought a sense of renewal and comfort.
With everything settled, I turned off the lantern and settled onto the sleeping bad. My mind was filled with thoughts of my family, the promises I had made to protect the weak, and the adventures that lay ahead.
As I closed my eyes and drifted into sleep, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for the kindness I had encountered in the village. It was a reminder that even in a world filled with uncertainty, there was room for compassion and connection, and that my journey was guided by the values instilled in me by my parents.
As the morning sun gently filtered through the window, I stirred from my slumber, blinking my eyes open to the sight of a woman perched atop me. Panic and confusion surged through me, and I instinctively tried to push her away, but to my shock, I couldn't even budge her an inch. She was a formidable presence.
With brown skin, white hair, and striking silver eyes, she looked down at me with a mix of relief and curiosity. "Wow! You are truly alive. I thought you were dead," she remarked.
I was still disoriented and bewildered by the unexpected situation. "What are you doing?! And who are you?" I demanded, my voice tinged with fear and anxiety.
The woman gracefully stood up, her posture exuding confidence. "I am Aria Michiko," she introduced herself. "I was curious why I smelled a vampire nearby, and it was you. Give me a reason why I shouldn't kill you."
Her words sent a shiver down my spine. I stammered in response, "What do you mean, kill me?" The idea of death was too horrifying to contemplate.
Aria appeared genuinely puzzled and concerned. "Aren't all vampires evil? I think it's self-explanatory," she reasoned.
I took a deep breath and countered her argument. "If I were evil, wouldn't I have already killed all the villagers here?" It was a logical point, and I hoped to make her see reason.
Aria chuckled at my response. "True! You are so smart! Haha!"
With her acknowledgment, I slowly stood up, gazing at her with a mixture of wariness and curiosity. "Anyways, why did you come into my hut without permission?" I inquired, my suspicion still lingering.
Aria explained her surprising intrusion, "I already told you, I was going to kill you!"
My heart skipped a beat at the reminder of the initial threat, but her next words caught me off guard. "Not really. But I would love to have a vampire companion! You see, I am an Adventurer, and I also belong to the Kingdom of Hyogan. I would love to take you there and become an adventurer with me!"
Her proposition left me both astonished and intrigued. It was an unexpected opportunity that I hadn't anticipated. Could this be a chance to venture beyond the confines of the village and discover more about this world?
My mind raced with thoughts, and I hesitated before responding, "Are you sure I wouldn't be a burden to you?"
Aria's cheerful demeanor remained consistent as she assured me, "Haha! Of course not, buddy."
As I observed her, I couldn't help but wonder about her apparent youth and vitality, despite her formidable presence. "She is tall," I thought to myself, "I'd say she is around 20 years old. But she doesn't sound mature at all."
With a mix of uncertainty and hope, I agreed to her offer. "Okay, then. Let me get ready, and we will be going." Aria nodded in agreement and made her way out of the hut.
As I gathered my belongings and dressed in a white long-sleeved shirt, a brown short-sleeve jacket, a leather belt, and brown trousers, I couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter was not only unusual but also laden with potential. It was a risky decision, but one that could open new doors in my journey. I was prepared to embrace the unknown, confident that the choices I made would shape my destiny in this mysterious world.
Fully prepared and geared up, I stepped out of the hut, where Aria was waiting for me near the unlit campfire. She greeted me with a smile and asked, "Ready to go?"
I nodded enthusiastically and replied, "Yes, I'm more than ready."
Before leaving the village, I wanted to express my gratitude to Tart for his hospitality. I approached him and said, "Thank you for letting me stay the night." We exchanged farewells, and then Aria and I began our journey toward the Kingdom of Hyogan.
As we walked through the woods, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement and curiosity about the adventures that awaited us. I asked Aria, "What are we going to do first?"
Aria explained our initial plans. "Well, first of all, we're going to make you a legal Adventurer, so you can take quests and earn money from them. Then, we'll rent a place in the taverns. Once we're settled, I'll show you how quests are done and more."
Curious about the cost of staying in a tavern, I inquired, "Aren't taverns expensive?"
Aria reassured me, "Not really. It depends on your earnings and the quality of the place. For a week's stay, it's usually around 5 silver coins."
I nodded in understanding but couldn't help but think, "Am I the only one with this system of levels and stats? My parents never mentioned anything about it."
As we continued our journey, the Kingdom of Hyogan gradually came into view. In the middle of the kingdom, a towering wall surrounded a more modernized area with grand buildings and upscale establishments. The contrast between the outer and inner regions was striking, with the outer areas featuring buildings made of stone and wood, showcasing a more rustic charm.
However, our journey took an unexpected turn when a giant boar suddenly emerged from the bushes beside us. It happened so quickly that I couldn't react, but Aria was lightning-fast. With her lance, she sliced the boar into pieces before I even comprehended what had happened.
I stared at the remains of the boar in astonishment, and Aria casually sheathed her lance behind her, as if she had just performed a routine task. She then continued walking, and I quickly caught up, still dumbfounded by her incredible display of strength. "Wow, that was impressive," I praised. "I couldn't even react, and you cut it like it was nothing. You're so strong!"
Aria laughed at my praise and responded, "You really think so? I mean, it was only a boar. HAHA!"
I continued to express my amazement, "Yes, it was impressive. You're strong!"
Aria graciously accepted the compliments but added a word of caution, "Thank you, but remember, there are always stronger people. At the end of the day, it was only a boar."
Our journey took us to the entrance of the kingdom, a grand gate without a door, welcoming all who wished to enter. However, upon our arrival, I noticed the strange looks and whispers from the locals. Aria quickly wet me with some sort of liquid, and the strange gazes ceased. She explained, "Remember, people don't like vampires. You really do smell like one. I'll tell you more about it when we find a place to stay."
As we ventured further into the kingdom, I was captivated by the stone buildings with wooden roofs that lined the streets. The bustling marketplaces were filled with vendors selling their wares from wooden stalls, and the streets were alive with people engaged in buying and selling. It was a sight to behold, and I couldn't hide my awe.
Aria noticed my fascination and asked, "Do you want anything? Also, you still haven't told me your name."
I smiled and replied, "Oh, no, I'm just impressed. I've never seen anything like this since I lived far from the kingdom. And my name is Tatsuya Ryota."
Aria nodded in understanding and added, "Alright, if you want anything, just tell me."
As we continued our journey through the vibrant streets of the kingdom, Aria eventually led me to the Adventurer's Guild. She explained, "We've reached the Adventurer's Guild. Here, we'll take quests and register you as an official Adventurer."
The prospect of becoming an Adventurer filled me with excitement and anticipation, and I couldn't wait to embark on this new chapter of my life in the Kingdom of Hyogan.