By the time I returned to town, it was already night.
I registered as an adventurer then immediately took a request, hunting outside town till now since I've no lodging money.
"Daddy's home~ Here's a souvenir~"
Though open late, I take out spoils of subjugation like monster materials from my bag, scattering them on the adventurer guild's reception counter.
Claws, fangs, fur, various things line up.
"Please stop the drunk father act. This is the public Adventurer's Guild."
What an uptight guy, I thought, but it was Sara.
Receptionists work late too, huh. Or does his joke work?
"Oh Sara. Working hard so late?"
Her expression changes at my considerate words.
"It's your fault I'm working late! I'm staying overnight here today!"
"For me? Sorry about that. Thanks for waiting, you saved me."
"No! Because you broke my window, I can't go home! I'd normally be home by now!"
Ah right, my bad. I sincerely apologize to Sara glaring angrily.
"But that's a huge haul. Hard to believe you hunted that much in one day. You're pretty strong, aren't you?"
"Reevaluated me? Then my debt's cleared, right?"
"It's not that much! Though I guess there's a decent amount left even after lodging costs? What will you do?"
Just in case, I get a bit extra to cover lodging tomorrow too, planning to use the rest for repaying.
Best to return debts quick.
After a final thanks, she says now I've got quite the well ventilated house too, wait 'til you get home.
Yeah, can't marry her. No doubt. I shake my head and step outside.
As I leave the guild for the inn, I spot a bizarre figure walking up ahead.
A monster, in the middle of town?
"Engy..."
The "monster" was Phoenix.—Oh, it's the monster.
For some reason Phoenix had huge teardrops in his eyes, sobbing.
"Engyyy! Engyyy!"
He dashes while shouting my name, then clings to me with a thud.
Ew, how annoying! I fling Phoenix to the ground and yell.
"What!"
"Engy, turns out I've only got you after all. Forgive me for today, my bad."
Phoenix bows his head apologizing.
Apparently he chased some chick he's into but got brutally rejected, coming back sullen.
Guess there's all sorts even in the bird world.
"You—Hm?"
As Phoenix bows desperately seeking forgiveness, I spot something faintly glowing entangled in his wing.
Taking it out reveals it to be a magical document, those things imbued with magical power.
Magical documents can only be read by channeling a set magical power. This one just needs some amount of magical power.
"Phoenix? What's this?"
"Huh? Dunno. Though I did feel kinda itchy around there since this morning."
Dinosaur of a bird.
"Might be for Sara, gonna open it."
Sounds interesting so I decide to open it.
Private? It's between me and Sara. I justify it and start channeling magic into the document.—Hm? Takes quite a bit.
More magical power needed than I expected, but I succeed in opening it.
It contained:
[ Engy Nia. When you open this document, you're probably surprised to be alive. No matter how you wonder you survived that situation, pretend I saved you. I brought you to town too, but first continue reading. The room belongs to the resident whose window I entered freely. It'll be bad if they return. ]
Too late. I already communicated splendidly with said resident. Incurred debt.
While I'm grateful for saving my life, hey... Could we not proceed assuming I see this document first?
With a sigh, I continue reading.
[ Looks like you escaped the room safely. I thought you might be confused waking up, but seems I worried needlessly. Now, to the main topic. I lead an organization called An Chain, and decided to recognize you as a member. Good? Happy, right? You've no money on waking, after all. Congrats on the job. By the way, this isn't a request. I'm your life's benefactor, right? And I, no, your life's benefactor, know your secret. So you've no right to refuse. I'll contact about the request another time. Oh, and lemme borrow some money. From your life's benefactor. ]
"Don't mess with me!"
I've much to say. First, why'd you leave me in a place like that!? I wasn't "safe" at all!
Next, what's An Chain? Why write like I wanna join? Some big company in this world?
Lastly, cut out selling me on being my benefactor. I thought how shameless, only to get threatened in the end!
No money, my ass! You took it!
I crumple up the magical document, about to angrily hurl it at the wall. But it shoots straight through, breaking the guild window and entering.—Huh? With that paper? Because of the channeled magic?
I thought I heard a familiar scream from somewhere, but oh well. I flip my body and briskly return to the inn.