Volume 1 Chapter 13 I Will Become A Mercenary, But...
After parting ways with Kyunei, I returned to the cheap inn. It's already late today, so I won't really start moving until tomorrow.
"So, partner. Do you have a plan to make money?"
The sun has set, and the only light illuminating the alley is the starlight. Since there is no one around, Gram spoke to me.
"I think you already know without me saying, but the amount Oppai-chan (Kyunei) asked is ridiculously high."
Hey, don't call her "Oppai-chan." Sure, she's got big ones, but come on, there's a better way to say it. Her chest was big and bouncy, though (I said it twice because it's important).
"I understand too. If I were just doing regular farming, it would take years to earn that much."
The money I have now is what I saved up little by little until now. Even if I seriously save and work hard to earn, it will still take the amount of time I just mentioned.
"But hey, it's not like I don't have a way. Luckily, I got a cheap solution recently."
"Are you talking about me?"
"Yeah. My plans have changed, Gram. Sorry, but it looks like I'll be using you to the fullest."
"Hahaha! You don't have to hold back with me, partner!"
Gram laughed heartily.
"I'm a weapon, you see. My purpose is to swing and follow my partner's lead. And the best part is, it helps you get the ladies! Being a weapon for that is really rewarding!"
Gram continued to laugh for a while.
"So, let me ask again, how are we gonna make money?"
"It's already decided."
There's only one way for a simple villager like me to make money using weapons.
"Becoming a mercenary, that's what!"
──A mercenary is someone who takes on any job depending on the money.
Originally, it referred to those who were hired for money and forced into battles between humans.
But before long, the enemies they fought became monsters, and they started collecting resources from the corpses of the monsters they exterminated. And eventually, they transformed into a jack-of-all-trades, taking on various troublesome tasks for rewards, not limited to just combat.
Currently, jobs involving humans have become just one aspect of the mercenary's work.
The reason why the name "mercenary" is still used, even though it has deviated from its original meaning, because organizations that used to arrange jobs for mercenaries have now turned into the organizations that manage mercenaries.
"It seems that it's easier to operate without changing the name, that's the reason."
"Oh, I didn't know that was the reason."
"...Why does my partner, who is a human, not know this, when I, a weapon, do? This is basic knowledge for mercenaries."
"My main job was farming, not being a mercenary. Mercenary work was just a way to earn some extra money."
"Why is it called a mercenary in the first place?" I asked Gram, my sincere curiosity clear in my voice. It kindly explained it to me in detail. I wonder what this spear really is.
Anyway, right now, I am heading to a forest near the royal capital.
──Just about two hours ago, I went to the building of the 'Mercenary Guild', which arranges work for mercenaries.
Of course, it was to register as a mercenary.
The registration itself is simple. You just have to pay the fee and get your mercenary license issued. There's no particular test to take.
Becoming a mercenary is easy, but climbing up from there is not an easy task.
Mercenaries are divided into six ranks, from 5th rank at the bottom to 1st rank at the top, including the special rank above that. Of course, the lower the number, the more skilled and capable the mercenary is considered to be.
As for me, I have just registered, so I am at the bottom as a 5th rank. To go up to the higher ranks, I will have to complete numerous requests and build up my achievements.
Alright, so here's the deal. What I really want is the money to buy Kyunei, not just some fancy position as a mercenary. There's no better way to make quick cash than being a mercenary.
"If I join the Mercenary Guild, the guild'll hook me up with jobs like taking out monsters and even buying their carcasses. It's like killing two birds with one stone.
"I wonder if it'll really work."
Gram's skeptical voice actually echoed my own thoughts.
Being a mercenary can bring in a ton of money, but at the same time, it's known for being super dangerous.
They call it jack of all trades, but most of the work involves hunting down and defeating monsters. Many people end up getting killed by the very monsters they were supposed to take down. If I'm not careful, I could end up being one of them.
That's why──
"I'll aim for the small fry and hunt them down like crazy!"
I declared, clenching my fist.
"You're so sneaky, partner."
"You're so noisy. Dying in the arms of the grim reaper before getting some action with a lady won't be a funny story."
Probably, when our eyes met, Gram gave me a sharp look. If I saw myself from an outsider's perspective, I must have had the same kind of eyes. But that doesn't mean I'm going to change my plan.
If you have ambitions, you should aim for something big, but for now, I don't plan on just scraping by as a mercenary. My main goal is to earn enough money to buy Kyunei, and once I achieve that, I'll just relax and live in the royal capital until Relix sets off on the journey to defeat the Demon King.
Enough with the introduction, it's time to get serious and start hunting monsters.
"Oh, there you are."
After entering the forest for a while, I quickly spotted the monster I was looking for.
At first glance, it looks like an ordinary mouse.
But it's much bigger than your average mouse. It's the size of a medium-sized dog.
This monster is familiar to me.
The creature is called 'Big Rat.' Its name fits its appearance.
I was asked to get rid of this 'Big Rat.' It's a tough job.
These rats often invade fields and destroy crops. They can even attack small farm animals like chickens when they become aggressive. They are known for eating almost anything, so they are like monsters that can cause a lot of trouble for farmers.
However, although big rats are harmful, they are not without benefits.
In fact, the meat of the 'Big Rat' is actually quite tasty, unlike regular rats. Although it's not as good as the highest quality meat, it's still more delicious than normal livestock.
When these rats show up, it's strange because while they ruin crops, there is suddenly meat available for meals. But the damage they cause is much greater than the benefit, so it's important to get rid of them quickly.
Some people avoid eating their meat because these rats look like regular rats, but for those who regularly get rid of them, it's a familiar source of meat.
Aren't rat gross?
Please refrain from making comments like that. Since this is a fantasy, please look at it with an open mind.
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