The Dreams of Adventure, Denied

A guild receptionist asks, “Hunter Registration? Young but an Academy Graduated Warrior?”

I replied, “Oh, no. I didn’t graduate yet. I dropped out.”

Receptionist acknowledged, “If you haven’t graduated yet, you’ll be registered as freelancer. If that’s all right, give me your identification.”

I was taken aback, “My, identification…”

If you go to a guild that can be called the Employment Security Office in any big town, you’ll have a means to make money.

But I realized that having not graduated from the Academy yet, I wouldn’t be a regular hunter with national support as an Imperial Warrior, so I could only be the sort of freelance hunter under day-to-day employment who is entirely self-managed and nothing else.

Still, I thought it would be fine, but I found out that becoming a freelance hunter also required identification, so I was at a loss.

I attempted to bypass the need for ID and asked for tasks, “Ah, well, can’t we work something out? I don’t care if I wash the dishes or anything else, and if I could introduce something without registering.”

Receptionist lady stated, “That’s no good. The guild only introduces work to registered hunters, both state warriors and freelance people.”

I ran away from home, and I don’t have that now. I sighed “Guh… seriously…”

The receptionist requested again, “Yes, so show me your ID.”

Even if I did have my ID, that information would reach the Imperial City when I was registered. All the same, if someone gets access to Terran Kamina’s registration, my whereabouts would be found out. If I don’t want that, then I can’t even be a hunter. 

I said, “Well, I am not going through the guild, find someone in need, and apply directly. “

At the guild reception, someone was calling out from behind me. “Better drop that talk.”

I was surprised, “Eh?!”

Looking back, there was a man in his twenties with long black hair tied to the back of his head. He clarified, “There are rules for hunters who are said to be synonymous with freedom. People who break the rules. For example, people who do underworld market dealings are despised.” 

It was not only one person standing. Another one said, “That’s right. Don’t do illegal stuff behind the scenes because you’re hard up for money.”

“Shady dealings are no good.”

“Some of them have anti-state employers. You should avoid black market business.”

It was about ten men, and the atmosphere around them was a little different from the usual. 

“Well, if you’re not going to register, why don’t you move along? We came to find a job.”

Certainly, the grumbling and fuss being raised behind me made the situation awkward, so I quickly backed down.

A man spoke, “We’re a Freelance hunter team. I’m Taro, the leader. I’d like to see a list of quests being introduced now.”

In the end, the guild receptionist’s attention also moved from me to the mister who came from behind. “Okay”

I thought that it might not be good even if I persisted, so I decided to give up and leave.

I thought, "It’s risky. Earning money by getting rid of monsters and villains. It feels just like an adventure, but I can’t even do that."

Enuma replied, "When setting out on a journey, to not even be able to become hunter, a staple of earning money. That was unexpected." 

I apologized, "My Identification, sorry."

Enuma confirmed, "This is troubling. At this rate, how will you even be able to procure books?"

After turning away from the guild, I walked down the town’s main street while hanging my head. This is the town at the foot of the mountain, Candlehearth.

Surrounded by abundant nature, it is like a stopover between the other side of the mountain and the Imperial capital.

As a result, cultures and people from other countries are intermingled, and although not as huge as the Imperial City, they are full of vigor and prosperity.

Apparently, they don’t seem to know of me yet. They are having a little event all over the town at the moment. 

Someone spoke aloud, “Yes, that’s the game. In the 136th hand, victory goes to the Insei by forfeit!”

Crowd cheered, “”””Wooooooooohh!!!!””””

Hundreds of people gathered, and many desks and chairs were lined up in a square located in the center of the town. There, many children faced each other with serious expressions. They are facing each other in multiple showdowns of Go; the game Aka and I played last night.

Enuma pointed out, "Hmm. Hey, boy. This is the tournament of Go."

The flag stood in the plaza, and on it was written, 15th Sister City Exchange Children’s Go Tournament.

There were a lot of children younger than me, who still didn’t seem to be ten years old, but everyone looked serious. And around them, their parents were watching over them with a very excited air. 

I notice, "Ah, this is a transit point between the Imperial City and other lands, and people from other countries also come here. Races and cultures might be different, but I think we got along well through Go, a board game common to humanity." 

Enuma "Hmm…"

I said to Enuma, "I’ve heard that this town is a sister city of Ounomichi City in the Kingdom of Insei, the country where Go originated."

Enuma smirked, "I see, you are familiar with that."

I replied, "Well, it’s also a part of the history test."

Even so, I’m not that interested in Go itself. I’ve never got into it with Sadie when we played, so I don’t take it so seriously, and I’m not a strong player. Well, Aka was too weak, so I managed it yesterday. 

I asked, "Enuma, do you know Go, too?"

Confirming, Enuma said, "By heart, Go is popular even amongst demons."

I can’t believe Enuma can play Go. By his speech, might be very good. Well, that’s not the point right now. It’s money, money. 

If it stays like this, I can’t afford to go on my trip, let alone a cake. I don’t want to disappoint Aka, who is looking forward to it, so how to make some money….

Enuma then asked, "By the way, boy. Are you well versed with the Kingdom of Insei?"

I hesitated but said, "Well, like I said, it was in the history test, so to a certain extent."

Enuma asked, "Then, are you familiar with the Warriors of the Insei?"

I replied, "Sure, they’re swordsmen, aren’t they? If the Imperial Knight belonged the Empire, the other side would be the Insei Swordsmen, I know that much."

A man made an announcement, “Ah, that’s 20 straight wins!”

A spectator said, “That girl, she’s amazing!”

At that time, a loud voice was heard a little away from the plaza. When I looked back, dozens of men gathered and were surrounding something. And when I looked into it, I saw a girl sitting across the wall. A man by her side. The desk and the game board were in front of the girl.

The old man who was by the girl’s side was shouting so loudly. “Now, is there any other challenger? If you can defeat Vin, a 15-year-old from Insei, you’ll win a prize! Now, are there any more challengers?”

The girl in question, had straight long black hair. She has a fairly well-formed face but is as expressionless as a doll.

She seems to be the same age as me, fifteen years old, but dressed in a very unusual outfit. She wears a black-clad, light-skinned outfit, her left leg exposed with a cut-off skirt, and long socks that extend above her knees. It seems to put emphasis on easy movement.

Even the skin seemed to be as white as snow. Her chest is pretty big, too. At the same age as me. Well, the princess a little bigger. Rather, the cut skirt! Down there, I think it’ll be exposed if she got careless.

At that moment, though her face remained expressionless, the woman, with an air of contemplation, called away the older man. “Hey, Kouga. That’s enough. I’ve grasped the level of Go in the empire. We’ve killed time and earned money.”

Kouga said, “Young Lady”

Vin said, “Rather, because my outfits are getting more provocative, but I am feeling tired from their nasty gazes. I have big breasts, but now, let’s join my brother. I wish my brother would find a quest that would shine away his boring days.”

It’s as if they are looking down on the flocks of men, even the empire.

Well, her boob size are not particularly big. When next to a huge pair, like the princess. Not to mention if you compare it to Sadie. 

However, no one among those gathered took up the gentleman’s challenge, seems that woman is very strong.

The eye of the Demon King by my side glowed suspiciously. Enuma then told me, "Perhaps you should go for the prize."