The aftermath of the attack was smoother than expected. The villagers began tying the raiders together in a tight rope, gagging their mouths with cloth. Although they were still unconscious, it didn't hurt to be safe.
The villagers thanked and praised Karion one after the other for his good deeds. While he accepted their words, his heart was in pain.
"Thank you, everyone. So long as nobody was hurt, that's what matters!"
[Don't thank me for this… I just took someone's life…]
His words didn't match his thoughts, he felt sick of himself and of what he saw. Just as his heart sank further, he heard a shout from the crowd,
"Alright all, let's give the kid some space, yeah?" It was the farmer who latched his arm around Karion's shoulder, "C'mon kid, I got something for you."
The man led Karion away from the group before his face grew to concern. He sat Karion on a cobblestone wall nearby, but away from sight.
"Hey, don't keep that act."
"What..?"
The man scratched his head, "You saved my kid earlier, I can't thank you enough for that, truly. But that no-good called you a greenhorn, and you didn't deny it."
"Was that your first time facing a human?"
"..!!" Though this man knew nothing of him, it was as if he'd seen through him completely. Though he didn't answer the tears streaming down his face answered.
"…Then let it out."
The man sat next to Karion, placing his arm around his shoulder as he silently cried.
When they returned, an older man was accompanied by a hand of men wearing armor.
"Is this the man?" One of the armored men questioned.
"Yes, that's what I've been told…" The old man replied.
[Who are these people..?]
[….Um, "Appraise"?]
{
Soldier Lv. 4
Villager Lv. 6
Farmer Lv. 2
-Iron Sword
-Iron Armor
-Iron Greaves (Empty)
}
[It worked..! These men are soldiers? And the old man?]
{
Leader Lv. 8
Villager Lv. 10
Farmer Lv. 8
}
[Leader? Is he the village chief?]
The soldier walked up to him, firmly clutching his hand before bowing with tears in his eyes, "My mother lives in this village, thank you, wanderer…. Thank you for being here..!"
"I…" Karion hesitated to reply. With a deep breath, he smiled, "I'm glad to be of help."
Though his heart and mind were still mending, his words were more earnest.
The farmer had a smile, patting Karion on the back once more.
"We apologize for not coming sooner, if it weren't for the chief, we wouldn't have rushed, " the soldier pointed to a horse-drawn carriage. The steed, while being tended to by another soldier, showed signs of exhaustion.
"As it seemed I was the only one who could escape, I rushed to spot the knights who would collect our monthly taxes," the chief explained, "There are always thieves who scare villages around this time of the month. How unfortunate that we were next on the list…" he sighed.
The soldier beside the horse gave out a signal, "It seems that we're ready to return," he faced Karion, "If convenient, would you mind following us to Qirsley? A statement from you would be helpful."
[Heading through to the city would be a good idea. If I don't have identification, getting inside anywhere might be difficult.]
"Of course, but I don't have any form of identification. Will that be a problem?"
"Well, normally you would be tested to see if you're a criminal. If you pass the check, you'd need to pay a toll of 500 bryas."
[Again with bryas… just how much is 500?]
"Unfortunately, I'm a bit short… Can something be done about that?"
"Of course, but we'll talk on the way. We're losing daylight by standing around," the soldier said, pointing to the carriage. The accompanying soldiers have already mounted the various harvests from the villagers into the carriage.
Karion was led away by the soldiers. The farmer tapped the chief's shoulder, "Sorry sir, mind if I have a second?"
-
After the soldiers, chief, and Karion were aboard the carriage, they swiftly departed, the horse carefully trotting with the coachman's instruction.
The soldier who sat beside the chief and Karion began to speak, "About earlier, we can use the bounty you'll get from the raiders to pay for your entry."
"Bounties? On all of them?"
"Hahah, if there were this many at once, the kingdom would be a dangerous mess!" The soldier laughed, "Bringing in any criminals would give you a minimum of 300 bryas each. If they have a bounty, you'll get an additional bonus depending on their charges. Usually only one or two have bounties per group, but anything could happen."
[If I assume the toll of 500 is a meager amount, then I would be able to pay the toll easily. But then again, this is bounty hunting. If money were so easy to attain, everyone would be drowning in cash, or lawful citizens… if so, 500 must be a lot.]
"Ah, there's also an additional 78 bryas for you, " the village chief said, "An anonymous donation from their share of crops along with a message; 'Live strong, kid.'"
"Hah… thanks old man," Karion smiled. Though his connections were gone, it felt as though he had seen family through that farmer, […If 78 bryas is his share, I can assume that what we harvested could be that amount. Perhaps a dollar and a bryas equate to each other, if not slightly off.]
"What will happen to the thieves?" Karion asked.
"Oh, they'll be made as criminal slaves for sure!" The soldier replied without hesitation.
"Slaves?! There are slaves here?" Karion almost stood from his seat.
"You've got quite a sheltered upbringing, eh kid?" The soldier shrugged, "Of course they would be. It's a system made to help the community. I've heard in the past that it was a lot more cruel, but it seems that the way it works was heavily changed into what we know today."
"One of those criminals had a ranked weapon too, if things had gone differently, you and the village could have fallen. It's only natural they would be punished accordingly."
[That's right… this world has different morals. I'll need to adjust if I'm to fit in…]
[…..]
[But, baby steps…]
Karion gazed through the scenery that passed. Though he may have been in another world, his heart was at ease, seeing the scenery having a hint of nostalgia for his old world.
His focus returned, contemplating about his circumstances. He looked down at his hand,
[Appraise..!]
{
Karion - Age: 19
[Health: 20/20] [Mana: 32/50]
Active Class:
[Swordsman Lv. 3], [Villager Lv. 2]
Farmer Lv. 1
EX - Jack+ Lv. 1
Skills:
[EX - Appraisal]
Equipment:
[EX - Ivory Ataria]
}
[It works on me too!]
Karion carefully observed what the panel stated, taking immediate notice of the similarities he saw with the bandits, before noticing the difference.
[My levels are all over the place. Active classes exist too…] Despite only helping the farmer tend to his garden for a short time, it felt off for it to be only at level one, [Could classes not gain experience until they become active? In the first place was I given this after farming, or was I given this by default?]
Karion's gaze shifted to the abilities marked "EX", [Could these be the abilities I asked for? But the class, "Jack" was also attached to the thieves' leader. But why does mine have a mark? Did the "EX" do something to it?]
His focus switched to the "Equipment" brackets. Karion adjusted the sheathe, bringing the sword to his front. He pulled the blade enough to brandish the inlaid jewel.
[Appraise!]
{
Ivory Ataria
Owner: [Karion]
Skills:
[Restore], [Victory], [Recall], [???]
}
["Ivory Ataria"…]
"Hey, that's a neat sword you got there!" The soldier exclaimed, catching Karion's attention, "Where'd you get a beauty like that?"
"Ah… My master gave it to me as proof of graduating from her tutelage."
[It's not a lie, but it's not a truth either…]
"They must've been a noble to get a gem like that… I'd love to hear the story, but it looks like we're here."
The soldier pointed to the high stone walls of Qirsley. The medieval theme the walls resembled once again gave Karion a sense of the world. Entering the gate with ease, being accompanied by the soldiers allowed them to pass without checks. The houses were built with planks and stones refined by logs, and windows were instead simple shutter boards. A large stone structure was easily seen through the city, a banner hung proudly at each side with an emblem of a shield with intricate designs around it.
They arrived at a two-story building made of stone. The soldiers exited one after the other, helping the village chief inside the building.
"Wait here and we'll get your share of bryas shortly. In the meantime, we'll have someone come outside to get the details straight," the soldier waved as he headed.
The other soldiers began hauling the harvests one at a time until it was empty.
Returning the Ataria on his back, he waited a few minutes before a tall man with large muscles, and scary expression exited the building holding a wooden plaque and quill.
"I'm here to get your side of events," he muttered, "Keep it brief."
"Ah, yes..!"
[A quill and wood? Is paper a commodity?]
The man began asking questions starting with his name, and ending with how the bandit died. After back and forth questioning, the man dug a bag of coins from his pocket, "Two of the thieves had bounties, your reward is 2,478 bryas. One of ours paid your entry fee, be grateful. Feel free to check the amount."
The man tossed the bag to Karion's hands, "No, that's alright. I'll trust the law. Please thank him for me."
[It must have been the soldier whose mother I saved…]
The man looked surprised for a moment before rolling his eyes, "Whatever, be safe."
As the man turned around, Karion called out to him, "Wait! I'm missing identification… is there someplace I can go to? Maybe a city hall?"
"You've got the skills of an adventurer. Get a card from there. The guild is down the street on the left. It's painted green, you can't miss it." The man pointed down the road.
"Thank you!" Karion exclaimed. His reply was a dismissive wave as the man returned to the building.
Following the man's direction, Karion walked his way through Qirsley's streets. The streets were filled with residents of all ages, with occasional vendors displaying trinkets of various accessories beneath their tents. Turning the corner, he saw a building painted green just as the man said.
The establishment looked aged, made mostly of wood that hadn't been maintained in years. Karion noticed the swinging doors they used had cracks and various footprints stamped on.
[Don't tell me people kick these doors, do they?] Opening the doors normally, he saw groups of people wearing various forms of equipment that ranged from heavy armor to small weapons.
Although he noticed a crowd gathered against a quest board, he ignored the bunch and walked straight to a receptionist's desk.
"How may I assist you, sir? Hm? You don't seem like a regular… are you new?" The cheery receptionist wore a long skirt and white long-sleeved shirt, with a red tie beneath a green vest.
"Yes, I was told I could receive identification here. Because of my skills, I was recommended by a knight."
"How lovely! We can do that right away," the receptionist went beneath her desk, pulling out a few boxes.
[It may be a little rude, but I'm curious what the other people of this world are like…]
{
Villager Lv. 10
Merchant Lv. 5
}
[…That's it?! Though, I suppose she wouldn't need any equipment for working here…]
"Here it is!" The response pulled a large crystal ball from beneath the desk, "There will be a fee of 20 bryas to register, will that be alright?"
"Yes, that's fine."
[A crystal ball? Is this the technology utilized here?]
"Great! Place your hand on the ball until you're registered," the receptionist pulled a document paired with a pamphlet from one of the boxes and rested it on the counter beside the ball.
Karion rested his left hand on the ball, watching as it glowed white.
"While that's working its magic, please write the information needed, and sign the bottom of this paper."
Karion quickly glanced over the document to find a poorly written agreement form. The contents were a standard agreement that allowed the guild to expel the user if found violating any policies, and that his taxes would be paid through the guild. The boxes he needed to fill were his age and name.
[This is written with paper… perhaps they aren't as rare as I thought…] Karion signed the paper, and the receptionist retrieved the document, placing her hand on the ball while looking over the paper.
"It seems you're okay now. You're properly registered into the system," she said. Receiving a metal card that was ejected from the ball, she handed it to Karion.
He noticed the card had a red square at the center, with the back being a design of a dragon.
"20 bryas please!"
"Right," Karion opened his pouch. His face grew shocked as he noticed different colored medallions. Few were brown, some were silver, others were white, and many were blue, but only two were black.
[Which is which..???]
Knowing he couldn't keep the receptionist waiting, he took a gamble and placed a white coin on the table.
"Ah, please wait as I get your change."
[Thank god..!!] Karion had a sigh of relief, [This means that white coins are greater than 20…]
"Here you are, sir!" The receptionist handed him eight blue coins. "Whenever you need to show your identity, pour magic within the red box for it to reveal itself. Please test it now to check if it works and has the right information."
"Ah, please don't worry, it's made so that it can only be seen from the front."
[How do I pour magic into something..?] Hesitantly, Karion placed his finger on the box.
A small panel appeared above the box, similar to how he had seen his status using his appraisal skill.
{
Karion - Age 19
[Swordsman Lv. 3]
Affiliation: [Adventurers Guild]
Nature: [Innocent]
User: ••••••••••
}
The card showed his name, age, class, and a string of numbers used only for his identity, [For an identification card, this is really haphazard. But "Nature"..? What does that mean…]
"It seems to have gone smoothly! You're free to use the same card if you choose to become affiliated with another establishment." The receptionist bowed, "If that's all, thank you for choosing our service. You're free to peruse the board for work, however… it seems to be getting dark. May I suggest a place to stay for the night?"
"Yes please, I'd appreciate that."
-
Karion found himself walking through the evening streets. The vendors were closing their shops, the streets were gradually dispersing, and guards began patrolling the streets. His walk ended at an inn labeled "Sleeping Sheeps" at the receptionist's suggestion. Entering the lobby, a man was behind the counter talking to a larger adventurer, with a sword at his waist, a young woman wearing rags stood behind him, her neck leashed by a thin, metal collar with four small blue gems at each side.
Once he finished speaking to the man, he pulled the lady by her collar, making their way to a room.
Noticing the owner not batting an eye, Karion watched as the lady was dragged away. [This… is normal…]
"Can I help you, sir?" The man asked.
"Yes, a room for one," the energy in his voice had left him.
"For how long?"
"How much is it a night?"
"50 bryas. 60 for included meals."
[I should take the 60… but how many nights do I have..?]
Looking down at his pouch once more, he gambled once more, passing a black coin to the man. "Meals included, please."
"…I see you're a fortunate man. Hold on, let me get your change."
[I spent a lot again… Just how much are these worth..?]
"Here you are sir," the owner placed four blue coins and a key hung by a wooden charm, "Your room is upstairs. You have 16 days to yourself. Let me know a day before if you want to extend your time."
"Thank you," Karion sweeper the coins into his pouch before making his way upstairs.
"Just a word of advice sir," the owner called out, "Don't flash that much so often. You'll get hounded in seconds."
[How much did I spend..?!]
"I'll keep that in mind…"
Entering his room, he was met with a single bed, a table, and chair with a candle lamp, an empty wardrobe, and a shutter window.
Immediately pouring the pouch of coins onto the table, he sorted them before calculating based on what he knew.
With 3 brown, 1 silver, 19 blue, 3 white, and 1 black coin, he recalled the day's events carefully, making mental notes of his transactions.
After his calculations, he made a rough summary of what the values of each medallion equated to.
[
Black - 1,000
White - 100
Blue - 10
Silver - 5
Brown - 1
]
[If what I've got is true… I JUST SLAPPED A KARAT OF MONEY TO A GUY AT AN INN…!!]
Feeling sorry for the owner bearing the most of his ignorance, Karion sat on the bed with his hands on his head.
Removing the sword off his back again, he appraised it.
["Restore", "Victory", "Recall"… Is it possible for me to appraise the skills of an item?]
{EX-Skill: Appraisal Activated}
[It is..?!]
{Restore: Mends any damage inflicted on "Ivory Ataria"}
{Victory: Incapacitates subordinates of a leader if "Ivory Ataria" subdues the leader}
{Recall: Returns "Ivory Ataria" to owner: "Karion"}
["Victory"…. So it was this skill that defeated the remaining members of the thieves…]
From the shock of having taken a life, the events have buried themselves deep in his subconscious, even relaying to the soldiers that he had defeated the bandits himself. Along with the villager's claims of his heroism, his claims were hard to refute.
[Restore seems like a reliable ability. At least I don't need to trouble myself over a new weapon.]
[But Recall..?]
Based on the description, Karion placed the Ataria on the bed before walking to the other end of the room.
Holding out his hand, he chanted,
"Recall..!"
The Ataria levitated, and the tip of the blade faced Karion before lunging itself in his direction.
"Wait, wait..!! WAIT!!" Karion flinched but the blade stopped in front of him. It flipped itself over, resting its handle within his hand.
Slightly hyperventilating from the sudden rush, he sheathed the Ataria before falling back on the bed. He lay down facing the ceiling and took a deep breath, "What a weird day…"