Wow, I pumped out a whole chapter in four days. I think that's a new personal record.

Hope you enjoy it, but don't get used to this update speed.

Sumaru sat at a table in the guild hall, and Boob Lady set a platter of food in front of him. As he ate, he considered what happened, After I lost consciousness, Someone recovered my body and brought me to the guild hall. Even though I never really got hit, that priest said I tore my muscles and even a few tendons. I guess it's kind of scary what a guy can do to himself.

"Tanjun Sumaru, this is why beginning adventurers don't take quests on their own." The way Boob Lady crossed her arms over her chest threatened to make her already ample cleavage spill out of her blouse. It was mesmerizing.

Sumaru couldn't hold back his blush, but nodded anyway. "Mmhm."

"If Chris here hadn't been in the area, then you would've been frog food." Sumaru's eyes wandered to the girl lounging in a chair behind Boob Lady. Chris was a thief who'd been passing through the guild that morning. Apparently she'd been the one to haul him back to safety. I'm not sure how bright blue hair and wearing close to nothing help with breaking and entering, but okay. Bood lady continued, "Chris told me you passed out as soon as she got there. Giant frogs are attracted to loud noise, and from what else she told me, you made quite a lot of noise with those first two frogs. More definitely would've come."

Chris sniggered, "Yeah, you really squealed when that frog tongue got you. I bet I could've heard you from the other side of the city!"

Sumaru glared at the thief, "I did not squeal."

She grinned, "I totally believe you. It must've been the little piggy hiding in your pants right now."

"You leave my piggy out of it." Sumaru crossed his arms, "Look, I appreciate you picking me up." He looked at Boob Lady's face, "And I appreciate you looking out for me. You probably saved my life. But now I have a good idea of what I'm dealing with, and I'm confident that it will work out better next time."

Chris didn't stop grinning, "Oh yeah? How do you plan on doing that without cash or a weapon?"

Sumaru blinked, "Huh?" Why is she holding my spear? Wait, that's my money bag too!

"I just happened to find these along the way while carrying your sorry carcass back here. I think I'll use the extra bit of cash to replace the clothes I had to get rid of. Frog blood, it'll stain like nobody's business." Is she serious? Chris saw the look on his face, and smirked, "Hey, my kind of help ain't free. Anyway, I don't need a weapon as big as this for anything, so why not have a little contest to see if you can win it back?"

The look on Boob Lady's face wasn't comforting, "Chris? That's not- What are you doing?" She sounds worried.

"How about we not do that? You can keep the money, I don't care about that. I just need my spear back so I can go kill more frogs, then I can give you half of the quest reward." It hurt his wallet to make an offer like that, but he didn't have time to waste now that he'd really been robbed blind.

Chris shook her head, "No deal. You're a Spellsword right? That class is versatile enough to fit into most preexisting parties. So, if you can find someone to group up with by the end of the day then the spear is yours. But if you can't find anyone in time, then I'll sell this off to help pay for my new clothes!"

Her master plan now revealed, Chris stood there and cackled to the world. As Boob Lady looked on with mixed emotions on her face, Sumaru looked down at the utensils by his plate. I could kill a frog with one of these, right? I don't have to use the spear, right?

Sumaru held up the knife, while Chris continued, "It's a pretty sweet deal if I do say so myself. Aren't I generous?"

Sumaru swung the knife. I just have to aim for the eyes, and- He swung it again. Yeah, just like that. Then I can- He took another swing with all of his strength and the blade flew from his fingers, past Chris' head, and stuck in a chair leg right between someone's legs. Oops. The poor guy who'd been minding his own business jerked back into the table he'd been leaning on, sending the food flying across the guild hall into another group's table. Someone threw a punch and from there it devolved into an all out brawl.

Chris stared at the chaos for a moment, then turned back in time for Sumaru to bowl into her and rip his spear from her hands. He looked Chris in the eye, "You'll have to forgive me!"

Chis' eyes widened, "Wait!"

Then Sumaru pushed her into the chaotic mass of brawling adventurers and dashed out of the door. In his rush, he bumped into a girl with long blue hair. His brain made a connection and his mouth spat out words, "Tell Your sister I'm sorry!" Then he ran for the front gate.

Sumaru got winded about halfway there and had to stop and catch his breath.

Sumaru stood at the top of a grassy hill, vigilant in his watch for Giant frogs. He took a deep breath.

"Man, I stink."

It was true. Sumaru's clothes hadn't been washed while he'd been out, and now the scent of frog slime and blood was immortalized within his school uniform's threads. Maybe it'll attract some frogs? Sumaru twirled his spear clumsily, and scanned the area. Still nothing.

"Boob Lady did say they were attracted to loud noise, maybe I should try shouting so they come to me?" Sumaru twirled his spear again, watching as it wavered and wobbled in his hands. I'm not that good at this. Sumaru planted the butt of his spear in the grass, "Well, I guess it's worth a shot." He sucked in some air, and then, "HEY! DUMBASS FROGS WHO WANT TO DIE! GET OUT HERE, NOW!"

Sumaru's final words echoed across the grassy hills and faded into nothing. The wind whistled in Sumaru's ears, before he heard what he was waiting for.

RIBBIT

Sure enough, a giant frog emerged from around another hill to answer his call.

RIBBIT RIBBIT

As did two others in the distance.

"Okay, so maybe that wasn't the best idea." Sumaru hefted his spear and started trudging down his hill, "Still, as long as I kill it quickly everything should still work out."

The frog lashed out with it's tongue, and Sumaru managed to avoid it. He closed the distance as quickly as possible, while avoiding the frog's tongue as best he could. He clumsily ducked and weaved his way closer, trying to get within range to strike back at the monster.

When Sumaru tried to jump out of the way the frog's tongue was able to latch onto his leg, "Not again!" Sumaru was dragged toward the Frog's waiting mouth. He lifted his free leg in time to keep himself from being completely slurped up, but his other leg made a sick popping sound before pain arched up into him. He screamed, and his fingers fumbled around the handle of his spear. He couldn't keep his grip on the weapon and it fell from his hands.

In a last ditch effort, Sumaru slammed his heel into the frog's eye. It cried in pain and Sumaru fell from it's mouth, thudding painfully on the ground. Sumaru dragged himself across the ground to his spear. The frog lunged to crush him between it's jaws, but Sumaru was just able to brace the weapon on the ground and let the giant frog skewer itself on his spear.

It was a painful struggle, but Sumaru did manage to nudge thd collapsing frog enough so that it didn't crush him under it's weight.

Sumaru's beathing came in shallow gasps and his arms shook. His jackhammering heart felt like it might burst in his chest, and his leg was aflame with agony.

RIBBIT

Then the next frog came and tried to eat him. It soared through the air, and Sumaru could clearly see that it was going to land only a few feet away from him.

Sumaru lifted his spear and braced it to pierce the frog as it landed. It worked, and the frog died quickly. It's final croak was accompanied by a sharp snap, and Sumaru pulled his hand away with only half of his spear's shaft.

He looked at the splintered end of the wood pole, "That's not good."

RIBBIT

The other frog had arrived.

It stared down at Sumaru with it's emotionless frog eyes. Is it not going to eat me? He turned his head to look, and the frog bent over to scoop him into it's mouth.

"No, it's going to eat me, alright!" Sumaru tried to claw his way away, but the frog already had his legs in it's mouth.

Sumaru flailed, to little effect. I can't get a good angle to smack it's eye! But I still have this! He flipped the broken shaft in his hand and jammed the sharp end into the frog's mouth. When it didn't let go of him he kept stabbing until it's jaw went slack and he slid out.

Still, Sumaru held onto the frog's bottom lip and pulled himself up it's face. The frog frantically croaked and shook its head, trying to fling Sumaru off to no avail. Despite the flares of pain from his leg, he gripped onto the frog's lower eyelid with vengeful abandon. The frog tried smashing it's head on the nearest giant frog corpse, and Sumaru used that opportunity to drive the spear shaft as deep into the frog eye as possible. Then the frog collided with the corpse and Sumaru sailed through the air.

He bounced painfully across and when he finally stopped face down in the grass, he didn't try to move. My everything hurts. Be breathed in the scent of the grass and dirt. But I did it and I'm alive.

Besides the little "Eep!" that came out when Sumaru finally managed to drag himself up to her desk, the first thing Boob Lady had to say to him was, "You look terrible."

Sumaru tried for a smile, "You should see the other guy." It didn't quite reach as far as intended, and Boob Lady frowned at him.

"You went back out for those frogs."

Sumaru started to shrug, but it turned into a wince, "Not much of a choice without any money. And-" He paused to catch his breath, "And besides, I'm not frog food."

Boob Lady giggled, "You're right." Then she turned serious, "I've seen a lot of promising young adventurers die before they could even finish their first quest because they felt like they could go it alone." She was quiet for a little while, and Sumaru figured she was remembering something. Or someone. He chose not to interrupt. Eventually she remembered where she was, "Oh, did you finish the quest?"

"You bet, now pay me. I'm missing a few of the bare necessities here."

Boob Lady held up a hand for him to wait, "There's an order of things that need to happen first. Now show me your adventurer card."

"Okay." A shaking hand slid the card out of a sticky pocket, "Woah." Miraculously the card was pristine, "My clothes need that kind of magic."

Boob lady winked, "Sorry, that's a trade secret." Sumaru pouted while she took his card and put it into a device that glowed briefly, "Quest completion confirmed, five giant frogs killed within the three day time limit. With that, you've risen from level 1 to level 3." She handed the card back, "You should invest in some skills before you go back out there. It should help a lot." Then she counted out a bunch of coins, "And now your reward, 50,000 eris for 5 dead frogs." She smiled, "Don't spend it all in one place."

Sumaru slid the coins into his pocket, "Don't worry, my first stop," He paused and considered his priorities, "My first stop will be for clothes, then a bath, and then some food and sleep."

Boob Lady nodded, "Yeah, you look like you need all of those."

Sumaru looked at her, "You don't need to be polite, I really stink." He tried to stand up straight and winced, "Oh yeah, are there any priests around?"

"Yeah," Boob lady pointed to a table where a bald man was sitting alone, "He's a good one."

Sumaru offered Boob Lady a pained smile, "Thanks." Then he hobbled over.

Sumaru walked down the street with a little bounce in his step now that his everything didn't hurt, Okay, it was 15,000 to get healed. Expensive, but definitely worth it.

Sumaru looked around the marketplace and ignored the very wide burden people were giving him. Clothes, clothes, clothes... He spotted a place he'd seen before and made for the door. There was a little design of a shirt and pants on the sign hanging above the window. He stepped inside, and before anyone could tell him to leave he said, "I need some clothes that are easy to clean." Then he brought out a fistful of coins, "Don't worry, I can pay."

Now clean and wearing new clothes, and with a full belly, Sumaru fell face first into the mattress he'd rented for the night. This is a lot better than sleeping outside. He rolled over and looked at the ceiling, "Tomorrow I'll go back to that weapon shop and see what they've got, and I guess I'll ask around about learning some magic. That should be pretty cool." He laughed, "I'm really going to learn magic, huh? I bet my friends would be jealous." Sumaru grit his teeth, "It's not so glamorous in reality." Tears pricked at his eyes and he wiped at them with his sleeve, "I can't even go back home." Because I died.

That night, Sumaru slept fitfully.

The little bell at the door chimed, and the hench shopkeeper turned from what he was doing, "Welcome to Blades and Sundry, where-" Then he saw who actually walked in, "Oh, it's you. Here to waste a few more hours browsing my racks?"

"Not quite." Sumaru held up the broken spear shaft, "I need a replacement."

The shopkeeper looked at the splintered end of the shaft, "I broke already? Hmph, it was junk anyway. That was the best you could afford two days ago. What were you even doing? Digging a hole?"

"Not quite." Sumaru leaned on the counter, "I killed a few frogs and now I can afford something a little better, in case you were wondering." He slapped a stack of coins on the counter top, "I need a reliable spear." His eyes wandered around the back wall for a moment, "And something small, too."

"Alright, alright, I'll see what I've got in the back."

Sumaru nodded, "Cool."

"Hey, where can I learn some magic?"

Boob Lady glanced up from the papers she was shuffling around, "Just get another adventurer to show you and it will appear on your adventurer card. From there, spend your skill points and you'll be right as rain."

Sumaru nodded, "Got it. I'll be back later." Then he turned and walked to a group of adventurers huddled around a table, "Hey, I need to learn some skills! Can anyone teach me?"

Sumaru slapped a flyer on the reception desk, "I'll take this one."

Boob Lady looked up, "More frogs. Are you sure about this?"

He nodded, "Now that I know a little more, they shouldn't give me so much trouble."

"Well, if you're sure..."

"I'm sure."

Boob lady huffed, "Fine." She marked a paper, "There. It's the same as the one from before, five frogs in three days." Sumaru nodded and turned to leave, "Just, don't overdo it."

"I'll try not to."

Once again, Sumaru stood at the top of a grassy hill. In his hand was his new spear, with a sturdier shaft and a tougher tip. He patted the steel dagger that rested on his hip, In case something gets too close. He pulled out the blade and took a few swings with it. Then he pointed it in the air and said, "Spark." He felt a drain on his MP and electricity crackled across the blade before letting off a bolt into the air.

"Heh, I just did magic." He looked at his reflection in the blade and saw himself, "This really is a fantasy world, huh? There's swords and magic, and I think I even saw a couple elves. My friends would totally be jealous." His throat tightened, and Sumaru slid the blade back into it's sheath.

He spotted movement in the distance, and tightened his grip on the shaft of his spear. Oh look, giant frogs. Better go kill them.

And he did.

Partying in this Wonderful World

Sumaru: Hey, could I join your party?

?: Eh? Who are you?

Sumaru: I'm Tanjun Sumaru.

?: Do you know who I am?

Sumaru: You're Satou Kazuma, right?

Kazuma: I have enough babysitting to do without adding another one to the list. What can you do?

Sumaru: Um, I killed a couple of giant frogs yesterday.

?: Kazuma! Kazuma! Look! I got a really easy quest that's perfect for me! Come on! Let's go!

Kazuma: Leave me alone, Aqua. I'm talking to someone who may not be useless.

Aqua: Who are you calling useless! I'll have you know that I am the great Lord Aqua! And there's no room for some nobody extra to split the money into even smaller portions! Scram, you! Beat it!

Aqua dragged Kazuma away.

Sumaru: _ Well, okay then!