So yeah- though I didn’t want to- I had to; and I did

So- a lot happened.

I'd saved a noble lady and escorted her back home, left like a noble man myself without asking for a single reward, claiming I had urgent missions.

Of course, all of that was just a rouse, and just making a formal inquiry at the guild would have revealed all my information and that would mean things would move way too nicely for me.

Muahahahahha!

Anyway- "And that makes it three mountain tiger's fang and skin…"

[Exp gained- 450 X3]

I had three quests. Three gold quests.

One- Slay the wolf lord- aka, the twin-tailed wolf of the west forest and get its tail.

Me and little kitty both leveled up by 1 thanks to that.

Next, we had to destroy an army ants' nest further north and gather their unborn children… apparently, fist-sized unborn children were a delicacy…. The ants were not happy though.

Good thing they were awfully weak to water- cause I just drowned them all!

Muahahahah!

Another level up for me and the kitty.

Anyway- two quests done, and the final one was to cut the ears, fangs, and skin of three mountain tigers- near the base of the mountain we weren't supposed to climb.

And with that done too, all three quests were a 'complete'!

With the kitties, things were far too easy.

It was a shame we never met up with our resident Harpy but she was mature enough to figure things out.

"Let's go then-" I said, and the kitties happily marched behind me.

So- we headed straight for the city.

***

So- a lot happened.

I'd saved a noble lady and escorted her back home, left like a noble man myself without asking a single reward, claiming I had urgent missions.

The noble lady was supposed to go to her father or husband and eventually was supposed to give me a reward.

At least that's how things were supposed to happen.

So why- how- what in actual fuck- how did the noble lady turn out to be not only the daughter of the count- the mayor of this city but also the literal wife of the prince of this whole fucking country?

'Seriously- what the fuck?'

And they had guards and adventurers all over the entrance, just for me.

Even citizens were just walking around, just to get a glimpse of me…

Some of their whisperings came flying and- 'Are they really talking about me?'

"Sir Gain Bennebough you are hereby cordially invited to the city hall to be rewarded for your valiant efforts in protecting the city of Brolk from the massive threat of three Sahagin Chiefs and a massive horde of wolves. As well as saving our lovely lady of Brolk Ansal Val Amine," A soldier gracefully declared.

Yeah, that was expected.

But-

But!

These people were frigging making this a way bigger deal than it could have ever have been.

'But wait Bren…. This could also be a trap… or a very good proposition.'

Either way, I had to handle this without any room for screw-ups.

"Very well then," A nod from me and that kind of dismissed half of them. Mainly the soldiers.

'You people were just standing here all this time, just for that?'

The adventurers though- they were still here and quite a few of them were glaring at me and the kitties.

Checking me out?

'Should I go the arrogant route or-'

No, acting like a noble among these people wasn't going to get me anywhere.

"You're Gain, right?" Quite a few burly men.

All were adventures, and all were staring daggers at me.

'Didn't I already make it clear?' Deep breath- "Yeah?" instead of acting polite or arrogant, I acted normal.

There was no need to get worked up.

With my skills and two cats- I was pretty much the strongest here. So, I didn't have time to feel socially awkward.

The one who spoke to me- the largest of the bunch checked me out. "Really? You?"

Why the hell did he sound so disappointed?

Anyway-

Without actually paying them attention I started walking.

There were way too many people here- just staring at me.

"Where you staying at?"

Almost all the men kind of just gave me space and made way for me but the largest one kept on following me.

While the other adventurers didn't bother.

"No particular place yet. Gotta first drop these off to the guild." I had three bags full of stuff.

"Oh, you were on a job, huh?" Big- large- shirtless- and ox-faced. Definitely a burly man.

I did not like that look on his face, no.

'What's his deal?' The guy was pestering me for a while and I could tell he had ulterior motives from a mile away.

Heh!

As long as I plainly ignored him, he was bound to take a hint anyway.

So- the guild it was!

***

This city- this city of beastfolk, demons, and demi-humans was different. It was different from typical human cities.

For example, though midnight, people still swarmed the streets and there was plenty of light. The cries of the crowd were very alive- even now.

Normally a human town would be dead silent by now and pretty bland. Not many people go out during the night even in the capital. The fear of thieves, bandits, and all that was a thing but the lack of magic was another.

Demi-humans for the most part, possessed magic.

Humans rarely did.

The few that did- were still vastly inferior to demons or beastfolk in terms of mana capacity.

Alves and the Elves always did make fun of humans for our lack of wit and powers.

Heh!

Despite all that, they were the ones going extinct though.

'Who's laughing now bi-'

"MEW!"

We were almost at the guild but the kitty-kitty picked up on something.

A commotion.

A commotion that looked like a fight.

"Oh- those look like bandits," the burly man hadn't left apparently. "What say, we lend a hand to the city guards?" He flashed his teeth.

'Yeah, no thanks.'

People were fighting other people on the street and quite a few people were watching. But the people weren't just watching- they were throwing rocks- at the guards oddly. Not the bandits?

Armored guards- and masked bandits. Lots of crowd.

Yeah, I did not want to get involved in that mess.

Walk away!

Until-

'Wait- why's-'

"Cats get ready-"

"Mew!"

So yeah- though I didn't want to- I had to.

And I did.