Employment

I shall become The Adventure King—

I stood at the entrance to the Adventurer's Guild. 

After that, Phoenix and I decided to investigate what happened to us. 

We walked around town asking various passerby, but learned nothing in the end.

All I figured out was about this town we're currently in.

Its name is Adventchel, where many adventurers gather, a very large town.

It's quite far from the pioneer village that took care of us, apparently, but how did we get here?

At least I learned we're decently far from the heroes' country, so I felt temporary relief. 

We decided to use this town as a base for now. I thought to get lodging first, but then I noticed.

I'm broke. Must have dropped the money during the forest fight.

Like this I can't even stay at an inn, let alone eat proper meals.

So I decided to become an adventurer. 

With my current strength, monster subjugation is easy. Don't know how much adventurers make, but I hoped to become quite well off.

By the way, as soon as Phoenix learned I've no money, he said something about getting his type of chick and flew off somewhere. 

Well, forget about that bird. To become an adventurer, I entered the Adventurer's Guild.

It wasn't too crowded, maybe lunch break. 

Feeling a small joy at my luck, I greeted the receptionist with a great smile.

"Excuse me, I'd like to register as an adventurer."

"Yes, yes~ Please wait a moment~ Oh, ah!?"

What? She points at me in surprise.—Crap, green laver from breakfast stuck in my teeth!? Oh right, I haven't eaten anything today.

The one at the counter was Sara. Hey now, it feels like fate. 

People sense fate in the most trivial things. Farfetched, some may say.

"Pardon me. Mistook this for the restroom. I'll be going now." 

I turn to leave, raising my hand in farewell, but a small hand lands on my shoulder.

"Wait. There's no way such a splendid restroom exists. More importantly, I can't let you get away."

"How intimate! Who're you!"

I shake off Sara's hand, pretending to be a stranger. 

"Hey! You broke into my room yet say you forgot!?"

Sara yells loudly, causing a commotion. 

"Broke into Sara's room?"

"Oi, what's that guy done!? I won't forgive him!"

"Sara... My first love."

Hearing those voices, Sara panics. 

Oh? This is getting good. Make more noise. Be more confused.

I haven't forgotten being treated as a criminal.

Ignoring my own actions, I decide to corner Sara.

"Sara... Your bed was very soft." 

I place a hand on her shoulder, spewing nonsense. But still, the surroundings get more heated.

Just say somewhat plausible stuff and they imagine on their own, interpreting it as they please.

How's that, Sara? Having fun?

"Wro—That's...! Anyway, come over here!"

After causing enough chaos, I get led to a room deep inside the guild.

"Honestly! What are you trying to do!"

The room has a square table between two facing sofas, like a guest room.

I plop down casually on the sofa as a customer. Sara shuts the door and approaches irritated. 

Her face clearly shows anger.

"I'd like to register as an adventurer, if I may."

"No! I'll ask that later! What was that just now!? Why make everyone misunderstand!"

That's what's on your mind? But you self-destructed first.

"You know hangnails? Like between fingers and nails? I wanna remove them but the skin might tear... Yet still, I wanna~! Yeah! Rip it off! ...Something like that?"

"That makes no sense! What!? I don't really get it, but you just went with the flow on a whim?"

Despite not getting it, she understands ridiculously well. 

What the heck, I went and said meaningless roundabout stuff, yet it's meaningless to her!?

"Something like that. Don't you also wanna remove hangnails sometimes?"

"I don't! I take good care of my hands!"

Let's see, I look at her hands. They're quite beautiful and well cared for.

Oh my~ So you really are a girl~ Staring intently at Sara's hands, she hastily pulls back before slapping me.—Why!?

"Enough! I'll let that slide for now! What does a criminal like you plan on doing as an adventurer!?"

"Become The Adventure K—" 

"Answer properly!"

She senses my joking reply and cuts me off angrily.

How to put it, lately I only meet strong-willed women. I'm definitely not the one making them angry though.

But she's right. My aim of becoming an adventurer isn't for the petty reason of lacking money. I probably can't get a normal job like this.

I decide to tell Sara the circumstances as a good opportunity. 

"I see, so that's why the forest... Wait, let me confirm something."

Surprisingly, Sara seems to believe my story. 

Well, I'm a hot guy after all. A hot guy's words are all correct. 

As I laugh proudly in my mind, Sara returns.

"What's with that creepy look... Anyway, I checked. We just got the report today, but looks like there really was fighting in that forest. Villagers said they hired a traveler to defeat monsters. That was you, right? Hard to believe, but the villagers also put out a search request for you."

What's with "hard to believe"!? Have I done anything that bad!?

But I see. Demons should have remained in that forest, good the village is safe. 

I'll visit again if I get the chance.

"My so-called crimes are completely cleared up. After apologizing for my past rudeness, let me register as an adventurer."

Ahem, I stand and pressure the heartless Sara.

"Can't be helped. But you'll be in debt for the window repairs and replacing the bed you used. It'll increase with daily interest if unpaid."

"Huh?"

What a woman. I'm like the hero who saved that village, you know? Yet this is how I'm treated.

And what's that about replacing the bed!? That hurts!

"Welcome to Adventchel Adventurer's Guild. Mr. Pitch Black newcomer."

And so, I became an adventurer, albeit with debt.