"Luna-san, what's going on here?" Shichen asked, puzzled by the crowd of adventurers gathered so early in the morning.
"My apologies, Shichen-san. Word seems to have gotten around about how strong you are, so everyone rushed over here to find out more."
"I see. Sorry for the trouble."
"Not at all. What brings you in today, Shichen-san?" Luna asked with a bright smile.
"I've ford a party, and we're here to pick up a quest."
"Is that so? Would you like to help you choose one, Shichen-san? I can explain the details if you'd like."
"Well, that would be—"
"No need!"
gumin stepped up to Shichen's side and interrupted. She narrowed her eyes, glaring at Luna.
"We can pick our own quest. We don't need your help."
Still smiling, Luna replied, "No, no, no. You're all new here—you probably don't know much about the area. My explanation might help."
"No, no, no. An adventurer should experience new things. If we already knew everything, how would it be an adventure?"
"No, no, no. Safety is more important."
"No, no, no. This is a Beginner's Town; there's no real danger. Besides, you know how strong Shichen is, right? Or…are you saying you don't trust him?"
"That's not what I—"
"Then we're good." gumin gave a triumphant smile.
"…Alright, but once you've chosen a quest, please co back and register it here with ."
"That's fine. Shichen, let's go check out the bulletin board. Yunyun, co on!" gumin tugged Shichen along, and as she left, she called out for Yunyun and the others to follow.
"C-coming!" Yunyun snapped out of her daze and hurried after them. It was the first ti she had seen gumin act like this, and she was a bit shocked.
"Hey, Kazuma," Aqua said dumbly, "what were they arguing about just now?"
"Huh? Even you don't recognize a 'lover's spat' or a 'shura field' when you see one?" Kazuma didn't wait for her response and went after Yunyun.
"Tch~ Of course I know what that is," Aqua huffed. "But they're just picking a quest, right? Why make it so complicated? Wouldn't it be better to finish quickly and go back to the inn to rest?"
"All you ever think about is eating and sleeping. Be careful, or Big Bro might ditch you."
"W-What?! He can't do that. And I did say finish the quest then rest—it's not like I'm slacking!"
"Explaining that to won't help you."
"Shichen! Let help pick a quest!" Aqua suddenly ran forward, grabbing Shichen's other arm.
"Huh? Aqua, you're so eager?" Shichen asked, surprised.
"Why would you sound so surprised? I am the Goddess of Water, after all. Being proactive is perfectly normal for !"
"Is that so?"
"Shichen, what's this about 'Goddess of Water'?" gumin asked, eyeing Aqua suspiciously.
"Now that you ntion it," Yunyun added, "Aqua's na is the sa as the Water Goddess we've heard about…"
Despite the matching na, Yunyun didn't believe Aqua was that goddess. Sure, she was pretty, but the initial impression of her face sared with food didn't exactly scream "divine."
Nobody normal—or even abnormal—would think a girl with crumbs all over her mouth was a goddess.
"Don't worry about it," Shichen said casually. "She's like you guys—likes to call herself stuff. It just so happens her na matches the Water Goddess, and she's a little on the attractive side."
Aqua puffed her cheeks. "Shichen, what are you talking about?! I am the real Water Goddess!"
"You see?" Shichen ignored her and turned to gumin and Yunyun.
"Oh, I get it," gumin said with a knowing nod.
"Um… Shichen?" Yunyun asked cautiously. "Are you sure you just t Aqua today?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Then… why is she clinging to you like that?"
"Oh, don't worry about it. She has zero concept of personal boundaries. You two can do the sa if you want; I don't mind."
"D-do the sa? Um…"
"What are you blushing for, Yunyun?" gumin grumbled. "At this rate, Aqua will outdo you, and Shichen will be conquered by her bigger chest!"
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Shichen tapped gumin's head in annoyance.
"I'm just being honest! Unless you're not a real man—"
"H-Hey, Shichen's not like that!" Yunyun cut in, defending him.
"Heh, you really don't know much about n," gumin shot back. "Look how much he's enjoying this—he can't keep the grin off his face."
"Shut it!" Shichen hurriedly erased his smile and started ruffling gumin's hair.
"Aha! Struck a nerve, did I?"
"You talk too much. Hurry up and pick a quest; otherwise we'll be the ones sleeping in the stables in a couple of days."
"The stables? That's not happening!"
"Then stop yapping!"
"Fine, let's pick the quest with the highest reward! No matter what monster it is, my Explosion Magic can handle it!" gumin proclaid boldly.
"Yeah, in your dreams. We'll stick to sothing simple for now so you can level up first."
"Ugh… so boring…"
"What do you think, Yunyun?" Shichen asked.
"Huh? Oh, I'll just follow your plan," Yunyun answered, pulling her gaze away from Aqua and responding nervously.
"Got it. And Kazuma?"
"Big Bro, I think you're right. We should start with easy quests, earn so cash, and buy gear first."
"Okay. Let's look for a quest where we can earn money by quantity, sothing low difficulty."
"Seems like there isn't anything," Kazuma pointed out.
Sure enough, after scanning the board, there weren't any decent low-level quests—just a few that looked way too dangerous.
"Isn't this supposed to be a Beginner Town? Why are there no easy quests?" Kazuma couldn't help complaining.
"The reason's obvious," Aqua replied. "Because it's a Beginner Town, there aren't many jobs left."
"What do you an?" gumin pressed.
"It's the safest place in the kingdom, far from the Demon King's castle. Nobody attacks here. And since so many newbies live here, the easy quests get snatched up in no ti," Aqua explained with a shrug.
"Oh, I get it," Kazuma said, nodding.
"Then why'd we even co here?" gumin grumbled.
"It's simple." Shichen smiled, patting her head. "Just eting each other was already worthwhile. Now that we have companions, we can go anywhere."
"Shichen…" Yunyun looked at him in admiration.
"Big Bro, that's so well-said. You really know how to talk," Kazuma added, giving him a thumbs-up.
"Knock it off," Shichen said, rolling his eyes. "I'm just stating facts. Anyway, this place will get a lot more exciting soon."
"Really? How do you know?" gumin asked.
"Just trust ."
"I trust you, but what are we supposed to do now? If there aren't any quests, we can't make money. Without money, as you said, it's back to the stables," gumin reminded him.
Shichen fell silent.
"Big Bro, I really don't wanna sleep in the stable again," Kazuma piped up.
"Shichen, neither!"
"Wait, you two actually have slept in a stable?" gumin asked, surprised.
"Ahem… yeah, we have," Kazuma admitted.
"So… what's it like?" gumin pressed curiously.
"Well… aside from the sll and the scratchy straw, it's not terrible."
"Isn't that basically awful, then?"
"Exactly! That's why I don't wanna sleep there anymore!" Kazuma shouted.
"Alright, alright, calm down," Shichen said. "If there really aren't any simpler quests, I'll just take on one of these harder—"
"Shichen-san, having so trouble?" Luna suddenly approached.
"What do you want?" gumin asked warily, eyeing her.
"I'm here to help, of course." Luna smiled and waved a quest scroll in her hand.
"Huh? What's that?"
"A new quest just got posted, and I think it's perfect for you, Shichen-san." Luna handed him the scroll.
Shichen opened it, scanning the large text written across the paper:
[SUBJUGATE THE GIANT TOADS!]
~~~
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