Chapter 19: Bargaining

I raised my mug, taking a calm sip.

The aroma of malt filled my nose, the tip of my tongue tasting the faint bitterness of hops and the crisp sweetness of chilled ale.

But right now, I had no mind to savor this otherworldly drink.

I was even faintly nervous.

About five or six seconds later, when that sharp gaze from behind vanished, I visibly relaxed.

“That feeling…”

I recalled the image I’d just seen, that utterly ordinary man.

It was no illusion!

Even at the center of attention, his presence was so faint it was subconsciously overlooked;

and the moment he noticed my gaze, that instant, intense warning in his eyes.

Like high-level gear in online games from my past life, so dazzling you didn’t need to fight to feel their overwhelming strength with just a glance.

“Could he be a real professional who’s completed their class advancement?”

I speculated to myself.

Thankfully, I’d only noticed his presence without making any rash moves.

So that gaze lingered briefly before fading into the tavern’s clamor.

A small interlude.

I stopped looking back at the half-elf’s team by the window, downing my ale in one gulp.

My heart stirred slightly.

“How do you even get this so-called ‘professional rank’?”

Maji had once mentioned to my predecessor that a “profession” was tied to the “combat techniques” you chose to master.

But he never explained how they were connected.

I’d skimmed the [Adventurer’s Handbook], but it had no details on this.

“Maybe I’ll ask a veteran adventurer later. If it costs something, that’s fine too.”

Musing, I shook my head.

Thinking about this now was too early for a rookie like me.

“Better get a good sleep first.”

…

The tavern’s lodging wasn’t great.

A hard wooden bed with a faint odor, terrible soundproofing that let me hear the creaking of beds next door, squeaky stairs, the raucous din from the tavern hall below, and the occasional scurry of rats in the ceiling.

Compared to star-rated hotels in my past life, even lying on a park bench with a newspaper would’ve been quieter and more comfortable.

But I slept until noon.

For one, I’d stayed up late flipping through the [Adventurer’s Handbook], carefully studying useful info about River Valley Town;

for another, my body was utterly exhausted.

The Mist Forest was full of danger. Even when Erji and Gagu were alive, our four-man team had to take turns keeping watch, unable to rest soundly.

Now in the safety of town, I finally got my first good sleep since transmigrating.

After a hearty lunch at the White Sparrow Tavern,

I returned to the Adventurer’s Guild.

For a precarious, tightrope-walking profession like “adventurer,” I, a former ordinary office worker, was neither accustomed nor particularly drawn to it.

But when a mortal from a non-magical, tech-driven world suddenly arrived in a fantasy realm with real supernatural forces,

expecting me to take my hundred-plus gold coins and return to a peaceful, sunrise-to-sunset farming life wasn’t realistic.

Besides, my only “golden finger” so far, the attribute panel, worked solely for adventurer-related matters.

I had to make use of it.

“Start with the simplest missions.”

I murmured, staring at the bustling guild entrance.

Decision made, I stepped forward.

My figure vanished into the crowd.

“Something off, Wood?”

Hai’an’s puzzled call reached his ears, and Wood’s gaze shifted from my back, replying softly:

“Nothing, young master.”

Yesterday in the tavern, he’d noticed me despite his “aura suppression” state, and today, we crossed paths again at the guild entrance, as if by chance.

As a cautious guard, how could Wood not be suspicious?

But he’d observed closely yesterday.

That black-haired youth with sharp features showed signs of training, but from his attire and behavior, he was undeniably a rookie.

Could it really be… I’m overthinking?

Wood’s brow furrowed, his expression doubtful.

Meanwhile, the silver-haired, gray-eyed half-elf Hai’an was oblivious to his guard’s thoughts.

He was explaining the mission to a new team member:

“Roughly in this area. If we don’t find it, we can extend outward.”

“So you don’t even know what you’re looking for?” The lean, dark-skinned man in classic adventurer gear—leather armor and boots—said in surprise. “The Mist Forest isn’t a place to wander casually.”

“We’re staying in the outskirts, won’t…”

Hai’an’s words were cut off by a loud voice.

“Three days!” The chubby young man in a lavish gold-trimmed robe held up three fingers, declaring, “You don’t even need to help us search. When time’s up, leave if you want. What’s with the hesitation?”

“As for safety…” The chubby youth glanced at Wood, Hai’an’s guard. “You don’t need to worry about that.”

The lean man stared at him, gritting his teeth:

“Fine, but I want 70 gold!”

“70?” The chubby youth’s voice turned shrill. “50! In a guild this big, if you won’t do it, plenty will!”

Unrestrained in volume, their argument at the guild entrance drew onlookers.

Perhaps because of this, the blonde girl, silent and visibly annoyed until now, suddenly spoke up:

“Larry, we’ve been in this town for days. It’s boring. I want to go home!”

At her words, the chubby youth named Larry instantly softened his aggressive demeanor, dragging his expensive tailored robe as he fawned over her:

“Don’t worry, Doris, we’ll leave soon! I heard from my family’s guards that the white mist in the Mist Forest is condensed magic. They say one whiff…”

The half-elf Hai’an, with a helpless look, shifted his gaze from the two to the lean man who’d just joined but was already backtracking, demanding more pay.

“We can only offer 50 gold. If you don’t accept, we’ll have to part ways.”

His tone remained steady.

In a way, the chubby guy, Kerry, had done some good.

After this, the lean man, unwilling to lose a lucrative job, reluctantly nodded:

“Fine, 50 gold it is.”

“When do we leave?”

“Today. Supplies are ready.”

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