The administrator of the carriage guild was none other than a peasant without culture who had been assigned the position for a few minutes while the real administrator had gone to a brothel.

The bald man who was chewing a thread of wheat between his lips felt an ominous presence when suddenly a shadow loomed over him, it didn't take long for him to immediately raise his head and look up.

He was a civilian, who hid his face under a black robe. The same robe covered his frame, perhaps 1.91 meters tall, broad shoulders and a sword across his back. He was undoubtedly an imposing adventurer.

While it was publicly known that the record number of adventurers the city had received was high, it could be considered a dangerous audacity to list the man in front of the fake carriage manager as quickly as he had.

This was mainly because the profession of adventurers was considered dishonorable and cowardly since in the current war that the continent was suffering; Along with mercenaries, adventurers were the second class that profited the most from the remnants of battles won or lost by the Blue Empire's allies.

—G-good afternoon, good man... how can I help you? —the carriage manager stammered as he spoke.

—Sabie Adylet. I am here under his name.

—Eh? Sabie Adylet...? Oh, it's true! —the man's eyes lit up as he seemed to remember something— I was informed that someone would arrive giving the young lady's name. Are you by any chance Cranel-sama?

Bell didn't speak, instead, he nodded his head, hiding his face under the darkness.

—U-umm, yes... I think you have a trip scheduled to your contractor, the young lady. Although I have not been told what your fate is, Cranel-sama. Where do you want to go?

It seemed that Sabie had taken action beforehand. For example, if someone in that tavern had heard her conversation, they wouldn't have hesitated to impersonate Bell and take advantage of the situation. They could even make the journey on their own and reach the treasure ruins without much trouble.

Bell felt that with each step that he took closer to Sabie, little by little he was picking up the clues that she left him. Was this something she did on purpose? Or were they just random coincidences created by Bell's need to know more about this woman?

—To the Kingdom of Inon.

—I-Inon, you say...? —the carriage manager looked nervous. That expression of fear upon seeing Bell's figure for the first time doubled upon hearing the mention of Inon— I am deeply sorry for my next words, but it's not possible, sir!

Bell's eyes under his robes narrowed in disgust.

—Why?

—I'm sorry, but the road to Inon is known as 'The Land Without Men', something you should of course know by now...! Therefore, you should be aware that no carriage or wagon goes so far as to cross that land... unless the coachman is crazy. If you like, I can take you as far as my horses can; that would be until Marastir.

—Drawbacks...

Bell hated when things didn't go as planned.

—If you can get me as far as Marastir it will be fine."

—Excellent! In that case, Geodon-san!

Right at the moment when the carriage manager yelled this name behind Bell's back, an old man with broad arms and a marked jaw appeared, at a glance one would say that he is a tough guy.

—Karnvet, what's the problem now? We're about to leave, so whatever it is will have to wait...

—Wait, don't you have a spot left by any chance?"

—What kind of question is this? On my travels there are never enough people.

—Fantastic. This man here is Cranel-sama, a really important person and he wants to go to Inon Kingdom.

Hearing that, Geodon looked at Bell curiously. A curiosity that quickly turned into disgust.

—Are you an adventurer?

—You complain about my questions and look what you do. Of course he is! Don't you see that huge piece of silver iron that he carries on his back? —Karnvet said that in a wry tone, smiling as if he had won something.

—You won't have special deals if you want to go to Inon.

—You mean you're willing to lead me to the gates of the Kingdom?

—Hmph, ignorant youths like you I have seen everywhere. I will charge you depending on how the trip goes. The basic fare is always 40 valis to Marastir, but if everything goes smoothly, which is extremely rare, it will be 300 to Inon.

The numbers were bulges that seemed to grow out of Bell's ribs, however, the money in his pockets was Sabie's, so while he resented having to spend so much, it was actually Sabie's blood that was being wasted. Still, Bell had never traveled through "The Land Without Men", so he guessed that all this talk was due to the dangers of that region and the fee was measured considering the possible damages.

The elder Geodon continued to examine Bell as he said:

—However, although I am not one to be carried away by appearances, I can make you an offer.

—An offer?

—You see, I'm carrying merchandise of a value that would put me in a juicy position on the board of merchant carriers in the region. If everything goes as expected, it would be like hitting the jackpot. That is precisely why I am one of the few willing to take such a dangerous path... After all, there is no good reward that comes without effort.

—You want me to be your watchdog.

—Hmm, calling it that is a bit insensitive, don't you think? —said the old man, laughing mockingly— If that weapon on your back is not just for show and you defend my carriage at all times, I will charge your trip to Inon as if it had been to Marastir.

Bell raised his hand from under his robes and a black leather glove made its way to the aged Geodon. When Geodon accepted the deal-closing grip, he felt as if he were signing a contract with darkness itself.

—Very good. Now, I think if we leave now, we could arrive an hour after sunset.

—And that would be until...?

—Marastir, of course.

—So, until Inon you would take more than a week?

—About, yes. But the question goes beyond the weather and my disposition, as I told you, there are more dangerous than you think. Out of 10 trips, at least 8 attack you...

—Are you insinuating that we could take more than 1 week? I want to leave immediately —Bell said in a muffled tone.

—Hey! Don't start ordering me around! Remember that I am the contractor and you are the hired one... Also, respect your elders!

And so, the deal of life and death had been formed, between the traveler Bell Cranel and the old merchant Geodon.

Bell's adventure began here.