Chapter 14

By night, I had already arrived at my dwelling.

Covered in dust, I threw my tired body onto the floor strewn with small stones.

I was exhausted from the expedition, but even more so from the battle.

This was my first battle with a monster since coming to this town. It was the second time, but unlike the previous encounter, this one was a poor match for me.

With my main strength being magic, and that too self-taught, it was tough to face an opponent who wielded fighting spirit.

Fortunately, I managed to get through this time, but I couldn't be sure about the next. Even this time, if I had been swallowed immediately after being knocked down, it would have been over.

"I remember Shium once saying, 'Even a group of weak warriors can become a formidable opponent if they have a single mage.'"

But what about me now?

I couldn't face a monster that wielded fighting spirit with just magic.

I could have easily crushed it with fighting spirit, but that's not how a mage should fight.

I need to strengthen my combat capabilities.

Especially if I plan to continue making a living by gathering resources. Expeditions are essential, and the number of battles will likely increase.

Even if I increase my daily training, it will only toughen my body.

I also need to consider training in martial arts and magic.

While thinking about these things, I must have been exhausted. Suddenly, I lost consciousness.

When I woke up, it was the next morning.

"Here you go."

After waking up and having a quick meal, I immediately went to sell the jade.

Even though the morning market had just opened, the shopkeeper was already there. I always wonder, when does this person sleep?

"Hmm... You brought it already, huh?"

The shopkeeper, who was understandably not very energetic in the morning, looked at the stone that seemed to be raw jade with a lazy gaze.

He picked it up and examined it from all angles, tapping it to hear the sound, and scratching it to check the surface against his own nails. This is how he appraises it, I suppose.

He pushed most of the stones to the edge of the counter. The ones left behind, when combined, didn't even weigh a kilogram.

"These two are raw jade. What about the rest of the waste stones? They're not even worth half a copper coin, so you'll have to exchange them for some items."

"Huh? Just these?"

I widened my eyes. I was prepared for some to be rejected, but I didn't expect almost all of them to be.

When I said this, the shopkeeper replied expressionlessly.

"Yeah. That's all. For a first-timer, it's not bad to have a hit."

"Ah, is that how it works?"

From my experience, this shopkeeper is fair in such matters. That's how it is, I guess.

"Then, I'll just throw away the waste stones. Do I need to pay to have them taken away?"

"Nope. They're hard stones that can be used for construction. They have some use."

Saying this, the shopkeeper tossed the waste stones into a box beside him. A high-pitched sound echoed.

"The jade is worth six silver coins in total. Smaller coins would be better, but..."

"Wha!? That much!?"

The shopkeeper sighed, looking exasperated.

"It's not a daily necessity, but a luxury item. Of course, it's expensive."

"Ah, I see..."

What has my life been up to until now? I should have started earlier...

"So, what do you want to do?"

"Huh?"

"Are silver coins alone enough for the payment?"

"Y-Yes, that's fine."

Ignoring my shock and dazed state, the shopkeeper counted out the silver coins. When I took them, he smiled and said,

"Thanks for the business."

It was the first time I heard this greeting from him.

"Oh, by the way,"

I almost forgot in the shock of the jade's price.

"I have these too. Here you go."

I placed the fangs and water sac I had taken from the giant snake on the counter. I had forgotten to take them out of the bag I was carrying.

"Hmm..."

The shopkeeper picked up the fangs and examined them closely. I've been seeing his surprised face a lot since yesterday.

"Fangs and a water sac from a giant snake... So, you encountered one?"

"Yes, it attacked me on my way back."

"Hmm..."

He spread out the water sac, which was as big as a human torso, to check the material. I wonder what he's looking for by holding it up to the light.

"No tears in the water sac, and the fangs are in good condition..."

He suddenly looked at me.

"What about the skin?"

"It was too big to carry."

"Hmm... Well, can't be helped. So, do you want payment for these too?"

"Yes, please. And if possible, use fewer coins."

The shopkeeper walked silently to the safe, put the materials in a leather bag, and stored it. He then brought out a few coins.

"Here you go. Five silver coins."

"Really?"

Contrary to my words, I wasn't as surprised this time, thanks to the jade incident.

"No extra damage, and they're in good condition. It's a fair price."

It's nice to be praised by this shopkeeper. He doesn't seem to flatter people.

However, a total of eleven silver coins. I've heard that an average household earns about twenty silver coins a month, so I've made more than half a month's worth in one day.

"So, if you can handle rough work, I can introduce you to other gathering spots where you can earn more. What do you think?"

"Other ones?"

"Yes, this time, I introduced you to a place in Mount Koz where you wouldn't have to fight. Giant snakes do appear, but sightings were rare."

"That was unfortunate, wasn't it?"

"But if you can fight to some extent, it's a different story. I can introduce you to a more profitable place."

I pondered this. Hmm, I placed my hand on my lips to organize my thoughts.

The giant snake is dead, and as long as there are no other monsters, that place should be safe for gathering for a while. Using this experience, I can gather jade again without making the same mistake. This way, I can earn a larger amount. Even though it takes six hours round trip, earning more than ten silver coins a day is more than enough.

However, I took this job because I was tired of the same routine. Gathering jade is profitable, but if I keep doing it, I'll end up in the same situation.

So, the answer is clear.

Even if it's a bit dangerous, I should do it.

"Then, please introduce me."

"Hmm."

The shopkeeper smiled thinly and spread out a piece of paper on the counter.

"Are you sure?"

"What do you mean?"

The shopkeeper stopped his hand, which was holding a quill, and frowned at me.

"Look, introducing such a job to a kid like you..."

He was indirectly asking, "Do you look like you can fight?"

First, I'm a small child, about six years old. In my previous life, I was a child just starting or about to start elementary school, and in this world, I'm still too young to work in the city.

The shopkeeper laughed heartily, a face I hadn't seen before.

"Hahaha! I don't care about that. I do business with anyone. Whether you're a kid or not, if you can do it, I'll let you do it."

Stopping his laughter, he still smiled and continued, "Besides, it would be a waste to give a job like this to a kid who can talk and is a mage."

It seems I had been highly evaluated without realizing it.

"So, you just need to catch the fish, right?"

"Yes, after catching them, treat them the same way as the previous fish."

The deal was made. This time, the target is a fish, which is apparently highly valued as a preventive medicine for a disease that periodically breaks out.

This time, it's a bit closer than yesterday, so I can go now.

I left the stone shop with high spirits.

Last time, it was gathering, but this time, it's hunting.

I smiled, thinking that the days ahead would be full of excitement.

Oh, I forgot to complain about the giant snake's meat.