Chapter 5: Job Failure and Reno’s Request

Following the map, I headed to the dungeon. On the way, I bought a large piece of paper, a thick brush, and ink at the general store. I left town and headed for the nearby hills. The entrance to the dungeon was a swirling black hole in the hillside. A guard stood next to it.

When I came near to the entrance, I used the brush to write, ‘Immediate recovery! Healer here!’ on the paper and held it open. Many groups of adventurers passed me by, and any parties leaving the dungeon barely spared me a glace as they returned to the city.

No matter how many hours I waited, no one approached me. Finally, the spear-wielding guard spoke to me, “What have you been doing over there all day?”

“I’m offering my services as a healer to earn money.”

“Bah, you’re wasting your time. It would be a different story if you were offering your services on the bottom floor of the dungeon, but any party able to make it back outside would definitely be able to make it back to the city.”

“So they–”

No. I thought my [Heal] would be useful in the event that the priest, the cornerstone of the party, was incapacitated, but adventurers would have prepared medicinal herbs and potions in case of such emergency.

As the sun finally began to set, I was ready to admit I’d made a mistake. I’ll have to find another way to make money. I don’t know if I can live like this… I folded the paper and slumped my shoulders as I headed back into the city.

*

Still without an income, I walked down the main street cast in red light by the setting sun with heavy feet. I saw no hope for my future. Moreover, I was lost.

I couldn’t live in the city anymore. Honestly, I had no choice but to become a hermit in the mountains. My thoughts turned gloomier and gloomier and my shoulders hunched more and more and I could barely lift my gaze from the ground.

When I saw Reno waving at me from across the road.

“Come here, Lars!” Her blonde hair glistened in the setting sun. Her carefree, high-pitched, clear voice made my heart a little lighter. But her clothes were once again ragged.

“Good evening, Reno – why are your clothes in tatters again? What happened?”

“Ah, I’m sorry… I sold those other clothes.”

“Huh? Why?”

Reno lowered her face apologetically. “I wanted to buy some medicine for my sick sister… Also, when I was wearing pretty clothes, a lot of men tried to talk to me… which was scary…”

“I see, since Reno is cute… and if it was for the sake of your family, it can’t be helped.”

“Yes! After I washed my hair, it became more sparkling! This is also thanks to you, Mister Lars!”

“No, no, the color hasn’t changed… Ah! This is the first time you could see your hair clearly.”

“Oh, yes!” Reno nodded with a smile. Her blue eyes with long eyelashes, her blonde hair surrounding her white cheeks, she was as cute as any noble lady.

But then I think, maybe her hair yesterday wasn’t as bright? I wonder if I should accept her hug despite not doing anything. Well, she’s cute so I’ll let her get away with it.

While I was considering this, Reno cutely tilted her head to the side, “So what was Mister Lars doing?”

“I was working, but it didn’t go well. — Also, I can’t remember where the inn is.”

“Aha! I can guide you back!” with a carefree smile, she responded cheerfully.

My own mood was improved by her happiness so I said what I had been thinking about. “Thank you, but would it be okay if I spent time with you for a while longer?”

“Huh?”

“Will you be my exclusive tour guide around the city today? I’ll pay you.”

“No way!”

“No, but you need money, right? Your sister is sick and I can’t cure her.” — To be exact, I had a fifty percent chance of curing her. For whatever reason, when I cast [Heal] on a sick person, half the time they would recover completely and half the time they got worse. That’s why I tried to avoid using [Heal] on the ill.

At my words, Reno bowed her head, a dark shadow cast over her youthful yet well-proportioned features. “Yes… Big sister tried to protect me but was made bedridden anyways…”

“What happened?”

“She was a strong adventurer, but she helped me anyways when I was in a terrible situation…” According the Reno, she was rescued by the big sister adventurer when she was being violently attacked by rogues. As a result, the gang targeted her and she was attacked and overwhelmed. Since then, she had been sick and bedridden.

But, I thought about it and said, “So is this a disease caused by an injury?”

“That can happen?” Reno placed her hand over her chest as if she could barely believe such a thing. The gesture was so cute I couldn’t help but laugh.

“It’s okay. Do you want me to try and fix it? I don’t need money. And if the medicine isn’t helping, I’ll try to heal her. Where’s your house?”

“Wow! Thank you so much! Mister Lars is like a god! I live over this way.” Reno took the lead and I followed her down the cobblestone streets.

Inwardly, I wondered if I was doing too much for this random child. But thanks to Reno, I was aware of new business possibilities, all because I met her. Because I was alone my whole life before this, I decided to cherish this encounter.

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