"Careful on your way home, McKinley."

"Y-Yeah..."

"Ah! Mckinley- No, err... Arthur."

I stopped just shy of the door and glanced back at the girl sitting behind her lonely desk.

"Is something wrong, Amy?"

"N-No... I just wanted to say... It's good to have you back."

I haven't seen that smile on her face for a while.

That sweet and friendly smile that made me go back to this room in the first place.

"Thanks. I guess..."

I closed the door behind me before walking down the hallway of my school. Only the sound of my own footsteps bounced off the walls of this lonely place.

"Time flies, huh?"

I murmur to myself as I pass my empty classroom.

So much has happened within a month. Amy became the student council president just a week ago, Mike finally confessed his feelings to that senior we've been hanging around with, and the school festival turned out to be a huge success for our class.

Yet, I wasn't there for those moments.

"Looks like it's gonna rain soon."

I quietly said to myself while I looked out of the window.

"Let's see... Spicy ramen, some chips, and a few cans of coffee."

The automatic doors closed behind me while I checked if everything I bought is there.

"The boys at the guild are probably waiting for me..."

To think that the rank 7th Swordsman in the NA server would put down the sword cause he finally wanted to be a productive member of society, what a joke. But at least everyone's seeing me off later by doing one last raid against our rivals.

"I should probably take a shortcut. The sooner we start the raid, the earlier I could give out my items."

Once again, I was speaking to myself as I walked briskly along my usual route.

I thought about the shit I need to do with the stuff I have in the game as well as how to split up the items between the 16 of them. I'm sure YuleKid would ask for the unique mount I have, that giant crab thing I got from the seaside event last year.

"Man, those bastards better not sell the shit I have..."

Just the thought of seeing my gear on the market place made me feel uneasy, irritated even. Perhaps this was the reason I found myself running towards the alley I always took as a shortcut. It was a dark, but short path that took out five minutes of walking time.

But today was different.

The moment I swerved into the dark and damp corner, I found myself face to face with a scene straight out of a horror movie.

A woman was lying naked on top of trash pile while a man was covering her with bags of trash. I don't know what happened before that nor what happened after it. All I know is that I dropped my bag in shock and then...

The bed creaked in protest as I pulled myself up. I could hear hazy voices around me while I rubbed my eyes.

"God... Where am I?"

"Arthur! You're awake finally!"

A familiar voice answered my question.

"Maria? W-Where the hell am I?"

"Hmm? Oh! You're awake. Drink some water."

I looked up to see Olivia handing me a large glass of water.

"Thank you."

I immediately gulped down the tall glass of water. It felt surprisingly refreshing and cool.

"You had us worried sick earlier. We thought you stopped breathing there for a moment! Thankfully, it seems that you were just exhausted."

Olivia took the empty glass of water that I handed her. I wiped away the droplets on my lips with the back of my hand while I looked around the room.

"Y-You're in our room. It's safe here, don't worry."

Maria spoke with her timid tone while she straightened her posture.

I said nothing while I slowly pulled myself out of the hard bed. It wasn't a comfortable bed like the one I had, but any bed will do in this world.

"Strange clothes."

Olivia remarked while she watched me button up my uniform. It's a bit annoying since some of the buttons are gone now and it's pretty filthy due to me crawling around earlier.

"I don't have money to buy new clothes."

They both shot me a look of pity at my words.

I could feel the hard and rough sensation of the wooden floorboards beneath my bare feet. My shoes were placed beside my bed, but they were a wreck now.

Black shoes aren't really meant for running, especially through a forest.

A few moments of grumbling to myself later, they were now fitting snuggly on my feet. Some rocks got lodged inside of them, but a few good shakes got rid of them.

Olivia and Maria's curious gaze was still glued on to me, particularly on my clothes. Guess it must be strange to find someone wearing a school uniform walking around the woods. To be fair, that'd be strange back on Earth as well.

"Man... I look like shit."

"Don't worry, you'll blend in just fine at the guild."

Olivia chuckled as she said that. Maria, on the other hand...

"H-Here. It's a spare cloak I have."

She wrapped the brown cloak around my shoulders with a timid smile.

"Thank you."

It made me feel awkward, but at least I have something to hide my dirty clothes. The cloak also smells nice and its a snug fit as well.

Maria put out the lanterns and candles in the room before the three of us walked out of the room. With a loud click, Olivia locked the door to the room and proceeded to drag Maria and I by the sleeves down the rustic hallway.

A large establishment stood before the three of us and the aroma of food, booze, and a cozy fire drifted out of its doors and windows.

It was a place all too familiar to a gamer like me. It's the place grind out cash and aquire party members in videogames.

The Adventurer's Guild.

It was like logging on into that game again.

Usually, there are some rough and rowdy people inside so I was wary of entering the place. Besides, I'm a fairly new person in town so some unssavory looks might be thrown my way.

While I was mentally preparing myself to enter, Olivia entered through the front door by flinging it wide open. I didn't know what was happening until I felt someone grab my wrist and before I know it, I was being pulled inside.

"Oi! W-What the? What are you doing?"

"You look like you're getting cold feet, so I'm just giving you a nudge!"

Olivia said cheekily while we weaved through the tables and people.

The interior of the building was fairly lit with lamps and chandeliers. The place also doubled as a tavern and an inn apparently since I could spot a few people wearing casual outfits entering and leaving the rooms upstairs.

I could see groups of people wearing armor and gear gathering in the lobby or the reception area while some are busy drinking in their tables. But they didn't seem to mind us at all, in fact...

"Hmm? Oh! Olivia! Olivia mah drinkin' buddy!"

A man with a long, red beard called out with a deep and gruff voice. He wore armor with runes inscribed on them and carried around with him a large hammer.

"Buven, you Dwarf! You're back from the quest!"

Olivia finally decided to let go of me to embrace the Dwarf in front of her.

The loud sound of a hammer falling to the ground made the tables near us jump up in shock but the two didn't pay any attention to it. Everyone didn't seem to mind it and returned to what they were all doing after a short while.

"Why don't we go and have a drink with the lads later? I missed having a drinking contest with ya'!"

"Heh, you can't even finish a barrel of ale!"

The two laughed before finally parting.

"Anyways, let's go have a drink later. I need to meet up with Zel first."

"Ahh! Speaking of Zel, tell her I said hello!"

"Sure. Anyways, later!"

Olivia smiled before walking away from the Dwarf.

All in all, the Adventurer's Guild looked just like how I pictured it in my head. Adventurers, Elves, Dwarves, a bar filled to the brim with booze, and strange food.

The people seem to not mind us at all, which is good.

After walking for a few more minutes, the three of us finally made our way towards a table at the back of the establishment. It was beside a window with two people sitting there, both girls.

The other girl was staring out of the window with a bored look on her face while the other one was counting coins silently.

"Zel! We're here! You ordered drinks for us?"

"Olivia? Oh, hello! Good evening!"

A girl with silver hair and bright, crimson eyes greeted us cheerfully while Maria and Olivia each took a seat.

I hesitated as I reached out for one of the empty chairs. I am standing in front of a group of friends, wouldn't it be awkward for me to just sit with them?

"You must be that fellow Olivia and Maria saved from our quest. Please, have a seat!"

I pulled out one of the empty chairs and sat down beside Olivia.

The girl by the window glanced at me before letting out a heavy sigh. She adjusted her cloak and the flash of metal caught my attention.

Beneath the cloak she wore, I could see only light, leather armor and the glimmer of an assortment of knives stashed beneath her black cloak.

She looked just like how an Assassin type character should be, except smaller and more petite.

A loli. A deadly loli.

"You guys shouldn't be bringing strange people here."

Her bright, yellow eyes looked at me suspiciously.

"I'm not looking for trouble. I'm just lost."

"Likely story."

"Jin, stop being rude to our guest. Arthur has been through a rough day."

Maria surprsingly spoke in a stern tone that stunned both me and the girl.

Surprisingly, the girl backed after that and slumped back into her chair.

"F-Fine. I wasn't being rude to him anyway..."

Her pout made her look cute, but the glare that she kept sending my way just made me avoid looking at her.

"Well, why don't we order some food and drinks first? Oh! I was told earlier that you don't have anything on you."

"That sounds nice but- Wait, how did you know I don't have any cash on me?"

"I went through your pockets."

"Jin! Y-You weren't supposed to tell him that!"

Her confident and smug smile irked me a bit. Maria's embarrasment was written all over her face while she tried to apologize.

"Bwah~! Cheers!"

The soft feeling of Olivia's chest pressing against me would've been a great moment for me if it wasn't for the fact that she now reeks of beer.

Still, it amazes me that this girl could handle that amount of alcohol.

"I apologize for my friend's behavior. She get's like this sometimes... Actually, all the time."

"It's fine. My sister was like that... Still is, but it's what makes her cute. I guess."

Olivia was downing another pint when I looked over at her but the everyone must be used to it by now.

"Anyway, Arthur? Your name is Arthur, correct?"

"Yeah, Arthur. You got it."

"Well, since you already know Olivia and Maria, I should introduce myself properly then."

She took a swig of her ale before extending out her hand.

"I am a Knight and my name is Zel. It's a pleasure to meet you, Arthur."

The charming smile that she flashed me made my heart skip a beat for a moment.

"Likewise."

In an effort to look cool, I shook her hand with a firm grip.

But the handshake she gave me nearly crushed it.

"Strong handshake! Do you perhaps know how to use a sword?"

After letting go, I did my best not to look pained in the slightest. God, I think it's swollen just a little.

"N-No... I've never held a sword in my life. Though I do know how to swing a bat."

I said with a smile while I massaged my hand beneath the table, away from anyone's eyes.

"Is that so? Ahh... What a shame. Our party really needed a swordsman or someone like that."

"W-What?! Oi! Were you planning on making him join our party?!"

With a soft thud, the girl stood up and looked at me before looking back at Zel. She still had some milk on her face but she wiped it away quickly with the back of her hand after Maria pointed it out.

"I wanted to recruit him. But if he's not used to fighting, it would be dangerous."

I nodded at Zel's words.

"Yeah, I'm not good with combat. I'm pretty weak and useless, ahaha!"

The girl looked at me with pity after I said those self-deprecating shit about myself.

Which is also the truth.

"Anyway, Arthur. The girl who treated your wounds earlier is her. She's Jin. our party's Thief."

"Z-Zel! I didn't treat- Bah! Nevermind! Jin, Thief, nice to meet ya'! Happy?"

She shoved her hand towards my face. I let out a sigh as I shook hands with her.

Compared to how red and angry she looks, her grip kinda feels nice.

"Jin's like this with other people as well. Sorry."

Maria petted Jin's head while the small girl just pouted in her chair once again.

"N-No! I'm just- Ugh! Get your hands off my head!"

"Ahh... This feels nice. Jin, please stop squiriming and just let me pet your cute head."

"M-Maria!"

Jin is fuming now but the Archmage wouldn't release her grip.

"A loli and a tsundere..."

"Oi! D-Did you say somethin' about me? You lookin' to fight?!"

I could hear Zel stifling her irritation behind me by taking deep breaths while Maria continued to dote over the small girl.

With a few more threats being thrown my way, I decided to just sit back and drink my ale. I could also tell that Jin is enjoying being petted by the gentle girl, just a bit though.

If this is what Illyria thinks I wanted, she's goddamn wrong.

"This is why no one wants to join our party."

Zel said with a sigh before drinking the last of her ale. With a heavy thud, she brought the large mug down before wiping away the beer on her lips.

"I'd love to join but like I said, I'm not good with swords."

"Hmm... Then do you want me to teach you?"

Zel asked kindly, her eyes blinked a few times while I continued drinking my ale.

"I can't learn how to use a sword within a day!"

Once agains, her crimson eyes blinked while she tilted her head slightly.

"You can, actually."

I stopped drinking and squinted my eyes in doubt. She didn't look like she was lying, but I felt something was off with this deal.

With a devilish smile, she offered me a deal.

"If I teach you how to use a sword, perhaps you could consider joining us for a while?"