[Yuki POV]
'Shit, the money is running out... I'll only have enough for one more day, and then I'll be broke...'
Settling down to sleep in the makeshift wooden shack some workers used to store their tools, I closed my eyes and began to go through my options. The little money I managed to obtain came from one of the first houses I found with an open window when I arrived in this village. I was lucky; there was no one around. It was easy to search the house for any money I could find. It was enough to keep me fed for a week, but not longer than that.
What should I do tomorrow? Should I steal more? Steal... if possible, I never want to think about that word again... but there's no other way. I need to stay alive, well-fed, and strong. How will I ever rescue my parents if not this way? I need strength!
When I arrived here on this village, I was fortunate enough to overhear a conversation between two drunk old mans talking about a couple of adventurers who were opening a dojo. They spoke with a certain reverence in their voices, something rare to see in a conversation between two drunk people. When I went to investigate, although I tried to stay hidden and watch from a distance, I was discovered almost immediately by Hiroshi. Strong! That was the impression I had when I saw that person in front of me. I need to become like him! I thought I would be chased away for snooping around other people's houses, but to my surprise, Hiroshi stared at me for a few minutes, and then, by some miracle, he told me to come back early the next morning. That's how I became one of their first students.
During that week, I tried to keep up appearances, behaving like a normal kid, hiding everything I had been through. I think I did a good job; no one seemed to suspect. I made the right choice when I came looking for the dojo; this is definitely the path to become strong enough to rescue my parents.
My parents... I wonder how they're doing? It's been a week since I last saw them. I hope they haven't been punished by that scoundrel because I ran away... Just hold on... I don't know how long it will take, but I will definitely come back!
After my mind was consumed by a flood of thoughts, I finally fell asleep.
The next day, I woke up with the muffled conversation of the approaching workers. Crap, I overslept... I should have woken up earlier so they wouldn't spot me. If they discover me here... I guess I'll have to find another place to spend the night. They're too close for me to slip away unnoticed. There's no way, I have to run!
I waited until one of the workers got closer, and the moment he opened the shack door, I ran as fast as I could, knocking him down without even looking back.
"Hey!!"
"Raffy, what happened there?"
"It seems like someone was sleeping in the tool shack."
"Hmm? There are already beggars around? Well, we'll have to figure out a way to lock that up from now on."
As I thought, I won't be able to go back there tonight... Luckily, they didn't chase me. Whew. I can rest for a bit. So... how am I going to spend the day today? I need to somehow find a way to make money. I headed to the central part of the village, right at the base of the big tree. The place is even busier today, probably because it's the weekend. I wonder if there's anyone who needs help? I can try to earn money by helping someone...
I walked slowly down the street, looking for something to catch my attention. It didn't take long for me to hear heated voices coming from a corner.
Adventurer: "Your potions are a scam! The antidote you sold me didn't work, and because of that, one of my group members nearly died! He was lucky to be bedridden for a week and come out of it alive!"
Alchemist: "But of course, that was bound to happen! The antidote I sold you is for kobold venom, not goblin venom! Yes, both poison their weapons to fight, but they obviously use different poisons! How the hell did you become an adventurer without even knowing that? They did well to create a written test to recruit new adventurers, so dumbass like you won't be accepted in the future!"
Adventurer: "You arrogant little shit..."
A muffled sound of fists meeting flesh resonated along with the shattering of glass, and the adventurer strode off in the opposite direction, while the alchemist staggered and fell to the ground, rubbing his sore chin.
'Opportunity!'
I approached the alchemist and offered to help him up.
Yuki: "Are you okay?"
He looked up, still rubbing his aching chin.
Alchemist: "I've been better, but thank you. That damn... the vials that broke with the fall were worth much more than that damn antidote... and he left without paying."
Yuki: "I'm sorry about that... I can help you clean up if you want. I need money, so if you give me something to eat, I'll clean everything."
Alchemist: "I'm sorry, lad, but I can't allow that. Some of the vials that fell contained poison. What will you do if you cut yourself on the shards? No, let me take care of this. I'd be at an even greater loss if I had to use another antidote on you, don't take it the wrong way."
Yuki: "I'll be careful, I promise!"
Alchemist: "No means no! Don't make me repeat myself, boy."
After being shooed away, I muttered curses under my breath and continued looking for something else that caught my attention. After some time of wandering, I found the local branch of the village's adventurer guild. It's a shame that only those over 13 years old can register with the guild as adventurers... I could try to become one, but that will have to wait. Maybe I can find a group and offer to carry their bags? It might be dangerous... but it could work.
Determined, I pushed the door and entered the guild. For a brief moment, a few people stopped what they were doing and looked my way, but seeing me standing there, they returned to their tasks, ignoring me completely. The scene I witnessed was a diverse one. There were all sorts of people there. Some wore heavy armor with swords bigger than themselves. Others wore flowing cloaks with intricate patterns, and, of course, there were weirdos clad in leather armor hugging their bodies; the typical diversity that only a group of adventurers can provide. If I pay close attention, I think I can identify the high-ranking and low-ranking adventurers just by the quality of their equipment.
I found what appeared to be the mission board. Similar to adventurers, missions were also classified by rank, ranging from A to F, with F being the lowest rank. I heard that missions with S rank are handled directly by the staff members. Most high-ranking missions involved creatures like manticores, elementals, demons, and other dangerous beings... I think it's better to stay away from those for now. I stood in a corner, observing adventurers choosing missions from the board, bringing them to the receptionist, and signing some papers. Eventually, a group of noisy adventurers with low-quality equipment approached the board.
Adventurer 1: "Hey, check this out! Exterminating a bunch of goblins is classified as a rank D mission! It's our chance to rank up! Goblins are weak, after all, we've dealt with many of them before."
Adventurer 2: "You idiot, read the announcement correctly! There's a goblin king among them. Don't think dealing with one of those is simple, or else it wouldn't be ranked D. Choose a mission at our level and let's get out of here."
Dejected, the first adventurer picked a rank F mission related to kobolds and headed to the receptionist's counter.
'This is my chance.'
While adventurer 1 registered the mission, I approached the others.
Yuki: "Hey, do you need help? My name is Yuki, and I can carry your equipment to the mission site, saving your energy for when you need it in battle! I just need you to give me something to eat for today and some money."
Adventurer 2: "Hmm? Hey, kid, where are your parents? What are you doing here alone?"
Yuki: "My parents... well, they're no longer around, which is why I need to make money somehow. So, do you want my help?"
Adventurer 2: "Look, kid..."
But before they could continue, the loud adventurer returned and butted into the conversation.
Adventurer 1: "Hey, Elric, what's going on? Who's this kid? Why does he want to come with us?"
Elric: "He offered to carry our equipment during the mission." Addressing the third adventurer in the group who had remained quiet until now, he continued: "Joel, what do you think?"
Joel: "Honestly, it seems like he's the one who needs help, not us. Well, we can do our good deed for the day, right? At least my back will thank me for not having to carry any weight today. But you're the leader, Alden, what do you want to do?"
Alden: "Interesting. Well, it's not like anyone will miss him if he doesn't come back, so why not? Come with us, kid!"
Yuki: "Huh? Um, okay... thank you."
I began to regret this choice; this group doesn't seem reliable at all. I'm sure something bad will happen if I continue following them, but what can I do? I need money and food, or else I won't even survive for long, let alone rescue my parents.
Alden: "Hmm, let's buy some supplies first. We're out of antidotes, and those kobold vermin use poison on their weapons. Do you know any decent alchemist, Joel?"
Yuki: "Oh, I think I know a place. Please, follow me!"
After exchanging glances and shrugging their shoulders, they started following me. I led them to the alchemist I had met earlier; after all, an antidote for kobold poison was what had caused all that commotion earlier. But as I approached, I froze. Hiroshi was buying something from the same alchemist. I tried to change my path, but it was too late, and he recognized me.
Hiroshi: "Hey, Yuki, good morning! What are you doing here?"
Yuki: "Hiroshi, good morning. I... um... how can I explain... I'm kind of helping these guys? I'll carry their luggage while they go on a mission."
I could feel the adventurers behind me stiffening their muscles and forcing smiles on their faces. It seemed like they recognized the name Hiroshi.
Alden: "Ah, h-hello, good morning. You happen to be that rank S adventurer, Hiroshi...?"
Hiroshi: "I decided to retire early, but yes, it's me. What kind of mission are you going to take? You do realize that taking a child with you can be quite dangerous, right? Can you both watch over and protect him at the same time?"
Alden: "We... Y-yes, of course, we can. We wouldn't have accepted if we weren't confident about that." Cold sweat drops were visible on Alden's forehead, which would have been a comical sight if it weren't so tragic.
Hiroshi: "Hmm, I don't know why, but you don't inspire much confidence in me. Yuki, come over here with me for a moment."
Casting one last look in their direction, I followed Hiroshi a little further ahead.
Hiroshi: "So, as I thought, your circumstances don't seem to be very good. I found it strange to encounter a child alone that day." Placing his and on his chin and assuming a thoughtful posture, he continued: "Humm, yes, I made the right choice by inviting you to the dojo; that way, I can keep an eye on you. So, when are you going to tell me your story?"
Yuki: "I... I mean... it's complicated..."
Hiroshi: "I understand. Sometimes the truth is hard to swallow. I won't force you to say anything. I assume you have a place to stay tonight?"
Faced with Hiroshi's question, I couldn't say anything. I just lowered my head and looked at the ground, tears starting to well up in my eyes.
Hiroshi: "So, you have nowhere to stay... You said you were going to carry those bunch of idiots' luggage, didn't you? What a coincidence, I also have a lot to carry today. How about leaving those guys behind and staying with me today?"
Yuki: "Okay... and thank you."