Day-1
…
Standing atop a tree, my gaze fixed on a creature walking below.
A humanoid figure with greenish skin—yes, unmistakably the kind of fantasy creature people call a "goblin."
Right now, it was heading toward the tree I was on.
I had been up here for a while already. The moment I spotted it, I climbed up and waited… and waited… until it came closer.
Honestly, I didn't expect this to work.
But there's no harm in trying, right?
With zero combat experience, even fighting something weak would be difficult for me.
So the only way to make things easier… was an ambush.
Ideally, I'd kill it in one strike.
But it's better not to expect too much.
Things don't always go as planned.
One mistake is all it takes to ruin everything.
-
Anyway, back to the goblin.
It was close now. Just a few more steps.
I quietly drew my sword from its sheath.
Nothing special—just a dull, cheap blade I bought for 30 copper coins.
Quality matters, sure.
But right now, money matters more.
This is my first day in this world, after all.
And as a trainee, I was only given a few silver coins to start with.
So I had to be careful with how I spent them.
As for my equipment, a short sword, a small shield, leather armor, a small backpack… and a hand axe.
If you're wondering why I carry two different weapons—
it's for flexibility.
Originally, I wanted something like a spear or a bow as a secondary weapon.
But I realized I needed something that could penetrate better.
A sword alone wouldn't always be enough.
So I chose an axe.
It can be used as a weapon… and for chopping wood.
Though… I don't really need that right now.
-
The moment the goblin stepped into the range I had in mind—I jumped.
Sword aimed straight at its head.
The rest, I left to gravity.
The goblin never noticed me.
It had no idea what was coming.
When the tip of my dull blade struck its head,
it still pierced deep enough.
Deep enough to kill.
I pulled the sword out,
and blood spilled onto the ground.
I was a little afraid of blood…
but not enough to make me hesitate.
Killing a monster is better than killing a human.
I didn't feel any guilt.
But instead…
I realized something.
Life is… surprisingly fragile.
If someone did this to me,
I'd probably die just as easily.
That's why I need to be more careful.
I'm weak.
And a coward.
That's exactly why I have to survive.
-
After that, I checked the goblin's body.
Looking for anything useful.
Around its neck, I found a necklace with a fang attached.
I pulled it off, then took out my canteen and washed it.
"I wonder… is this worth anything?" I muttered.
I searched the body again, but there was nothing else.
Without the necklace, it looked more like an animal than anything else.
"…Guess this is all I get."
I put the fang into my bag, stood up, and decided to head back to town.
No particular reason.
I just felt like this was enough for today.
My first day… and I already killed a goblin.
How very isekai.
…I wonder if I can survive in this world.
I don't know the answer.
But for now—
I just have to do everything I can to stay alive.
…
By the time I reached the town, the sun was already beginning to set.
As I passed through the gate, a guard approached me.
I showed him my Crimson Moon trainee tag, and he let me in without issue.
This town is called Ortana.
I don't know anything about its history.
I could probably find out if I asked someone.
—but I've never been good at talking to strangers.
I always worry I might bother them.
…And that has happened before.
That's why I hesitate to ask anything.
Unless I'm sure they won't mind.
Being like this…
even I find it troublesome.
…No wonder people think I'm a nuisance.
-
It didn't take long to reach the town center.
There was a tall tower there—
I had no idea what it was for.
Some kind of monument, maybe.
I ignored it and headed for the market.
The market wasn't far.
Just a short walk, and rows of stalls came into view.
As expected, it was crowded.
People moved back and forth,
voices overlapping,
noise filling the air.
I kept walking, glancing at the stalls.
Vendors shouted, trying to attract customers—
but I ignored them.
Instead, I thought—
How do I even sell this thing…?
This was my first time hunting outside the city.
And I've never sold anything before.
So… what now?
…Damn it.
I'm starting to find myself annoying.
Being aware of how clueless I am—
yet doing nothing to fix it…
It feels like being stuck.
…Alright.
Maybe I should just approach a vendor and hope they'll buy it.
-
After looking around for a bit,
I found a stall selling items that looked like monster parts.
So I walked up to it.
"Uh… hello," I said.
The man glanced at me.
"Hm? Looking to buy something?"
"Ah, no, actually—"
Before I could finish, he cut me off.
"Then get lost. You're bothering my business."
I stared at him for a moment, then let out a small sigh.
Stay calm.
I expected this.
"No… I just want to ask something," I said awkwardly.
"Then ask. Quickly."
…Is he annoyed?
I took out the fang and showed it to him.
"This… can I sell it?"
"Let me see."
I handed it over.
He examined it briefly.
"…I'll buy it."
"…That easily?" I blinked in surprise.
"What? Don't want to sell it?"
"No, that's not it. I'm just curious why."
"Hm. That's a Black Wolf fang.
Used for making charms. It's worth a fair amount."
"I see… then I'll sell it."
-
He paid me one silver coin.
That's… quite a lot.
At least now, the money I lost yesterday is almost recovered.
But it made me wonder—
Do all goblins carry something like this?
If they do… couldn't I get rich just by killing goblins?
…
No.
That kind of thinking is dangerous.
I don't want to rely on luck like today.
That's why—
I shouldn't expect too much.
-
On my way back, I bought some bread from a random shop.
It was cheap, so I didn't mind.
…