. . . "Hey, Kaela, I'm allergic to work. I'd rather be Altus Pervertus's slave than subject myself to this."
We had no other choice.
I didn't want to do it either.
"Donkey, we need money. Do you have any?"
We didn't even know how this city worked. We had been welcomed with stones thrown at us.
"Kaela?"
Donkey sighed and scratched his belly.
Could he actually have money?
"Money is only for poor people."
"And what are we?"
". . ."
"Everyone, I recommend checking the guild's mission board."
Once lunchtime ended, the guild became less crowded.
Aiko was organizing the adventurers' records.
"Yes, Kaela! Let's choose a mission that requires us to kill lots of demons."
We couldn't even kill a cockroach.
How were we supposed to kill demons?
"Ow, Lyra! Let go of me."
Would you two stop fighting?
"I want to grind the demons' faces into the dirt! They'll beg me for mercy."
Hmm!
"No. We're choosing something easy enough for even Donkey to accomplish."
Yes.
That way, we could earn enough money to purchase equipment.
"Kaela, that kind of insult no longer affects me. I have evolved."
"Incredible, my friend Donkey. While you were arguing with fate, I discovered that this city has places filled with beautiful women."
"Tell me more."
You simps.
Let's see what we have here. . .
NOTICE: Strong adventurers needed to slay Cerberus. It attacks villagers and eats only their brains.
No.
NOTICE: Someone needed to eliminate ten thousand wolves.
No.
NOTICE: Someone needed to eliminate General Recomendus, Guardian of the Front Page. He bestows the Blessing of Recommendation and protects the castle entrances.
Huh?
What was that?
"Hey, Kaela, have you chosen a mission yet?"
Lyra hugged me from behind.
"There are only difficult missions."
"Notice: you will have to work the plow."
I refuse.
Look carefully, Kaela.
There must be some mission we can complete without risking our lives. . .
"Kaela, look at this adorable mission."
Adorable?
"Five people who don't know how to do anything and are completely useless needed to help harvest my vegetable garden. Payment: 20,000 Asterium."
Hmm.
I felt insulted, but. . .
Twenty thousand just to harvest vegetables?
"Those who don't work don't eat."
I took the mission flyer.
"Aiko, my friends and I are taking this mission."
". . ."
"Listen up, you idiots! We're not going to attract attention, and none of you are going to cause trouble."
"Yes!"
That answer did not inspire confidence.
Aiko gave us directions.
The mission had been posted by an elderly man who owned a produce shop that supplied the city of Asterium.
As we walked through the city, I took the opportunity to observe the local businesses.
"Kaela, I only accepted this job because I need money to buy new horseshoes."
"I'm not giving you money to waste on nonsense."
We needed that money to purchase equipment.
"What happened to the horseshoes you were wearing?"
Lyra lifted Donkey's hooves.
"The horseshoes my mother gave me broke when we came down the mountain."
"WAAAAH!"
The city of Asterium had numerous armor shops and magical relic stores.
"Look! A beer tavern!"
SPLAT!
Dorian pressed his face against the establishment's window.
"Mommy, that man is kissing the window."
"Out of my way, demons! I'm going to harvest demon hearts! Ha ha ha!"
"I'm sorry!"
I told them not to attract attention. . .
Hmm.
They had bakeries and butcher shops.
I would have given anything for a piece of meat.
"Seraphine, what are you reading on that notice?"
"Someone experienced with hair needed."
"Kaela, this is my opportunity."
"We'll look into it on our way back."
". . ."
Was this the shop?
"Come closer, travelers! Behold the pride of our town! Unlike those crude, temporary stalls in the marketplace, my magnificent shop is permanent and imposing."
The large wooden shutters across the storefront stood wide open.
The lower hatch served as a counter, displaying wicker baskets filled with cabbages and root vegetables still covered in fresh soil.
"Incredible! Look at the size of this place."
"Would you youngsters like some fruit?"
What a kind old man.
"I want grass, but not just any grass. It has to be gourmet."
"Stop being so ungrateful, Donkey."
"Did that donkey just talk?"
"Yes!"
"Incredible. . ."
"Good afternoon, sir. We're from the Adventurers' Guild, and we came because of your notice."
Rows of burlap sacks lined the sidewalk, displaying dried peas and beans.
Beside them stood barrels filled with garlic, while braided onions hung from the beams, filling the entire street with their aroma.
"So, you want to work for me?"
"Yes!"
"I never imagined an advertisement like that would actually work."
What did he mean by that?
Today marked the beginning of our first day of work.
We were finally going to earn some money.
This job would be easy.
The 20,000 Asterium were already as good as ours.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
"Kaela, what are you laughing about?"
Silence.
"Nothing!"