Part 1
Port Altria welcomed ships arriving from all over the Crimson Magic Islands, its vast harbor easily dwarfing the entire city of Minmin. This bustling port was one of the Kingdom of Belzerg's major seaways, nestled along the small coastal region between the Kingdom of Elroad and the Analess Republic. As the primary entry point for goods and travelers from across the eastern ocean, Port Altria boasted a harbor that stretched far and wide, with towering cranes and endless rows of docked ships. A colossal statue of the goddess Eris stood at the harbor's entrance, a landmark for all arriving ships.
Exhausted sailors hurried off their boats, eager to reunite with their families after a week away or simply craving a drink. The pubs surrounding the harbor were packed, their lively atmospheres spilling out into the streets, while merchants, their pockets jingling with earnings, made their way to the nearby banks escorted by rugged adventurers and greedy royal officials eager to collect taxes.
From one of the larger ships that had just docked, a loud crash reverberated across the docks as a piece of its hull flew into the sea. Moments later, an exhausted girl dropped herself into the water below. It was Papitas, having punched her way out with such force that part of the ship gave way. After a brief moment of struggling in the water, she hauled herself onto the docks, dripping wet and panting heavily, clutching her bag.
As she caught her breath, Papitas took in the sight before her. The sun bathed the city in a golden light, casting long shadows across the streets. The view was unlike anything she had ever seen in Minmin, and for a moment, she was completely at a loss for words. But then, with a surge of energy, she sprang to her feet and shouted, "YEEEEEEEEEEEEES!" Her triumphant scream echoed across the harbor, drawing curious glances from the bustling crowd.
Taking a deep breath, she savored the unfamiliar yet exhilarating taste of the city's air. It felt so different from what she was used to, so full of possibilities. Laughing like a madwoman, she sprinted toward the city, her heart racing with excitement.
Nearby, Captain Dori was arguing with a dock worker. Having left the unloading of his ship to his underlings, he was tired and hungry, eager to get home and enjoy a meal with his wife. But the man in front of him insisted he stay until the ship was fully unloaded.
"Listen, lad, there are perfectly capable people handling the boat," Captain Dori said, his patience wearing thin. "I've been doing this job since before you were a glint in your father's eye. Now, let me leave—" His words trailed off as he noticed someone behind the worker.
There, amidst the crowd, stood Papitas, a triumphant smile on her face. She lowered her sunglasses and gave the captain a playful wink before disappearing into the throng of people.
The captain pushed the dock worker aside, suddenly pale as if he'd seen a ghost. He hurried after her but couldn't find her in the sea of faces.
Papitas continued to wander through the unfamiliar city, her eyes wide with wonder. Everything was so different from Minmin—the architecture, the people, the fashion—it was like stepping onto another planet. The further she got from the harbor, the quieter the buzz of the city became, yet the vibrant colors of the buildings and the lively atmosphere kept her enthralled.
Port Altria was a city that mixed old-world charm with the energy of modern life. Cobblestone streets wound through neighborhoods filled with ornate buildings that had stood for centuries, their facades adorned with intricate carvings and ironwork. Tall, narrow tenements sat side by side with grand, sprawling mansions, creating a tapestry of architectural styles that told the story of the city's long history. Signs in front of shops and restaurants were a kaleidoscope of unknown words, and even some unknown symbols.
A strong growl from her stomach reminded her of how hungry she was. She had run out of food a day ago, the dry rations she had left with tasted awful anyway. On the little sleep she got the night before she dreamed of eating a huge bowl of ramen, her mouth watering at the thought.
While wandering through the streets, she stumbled upon an odd-looking restaurant. "Ham-bur-ger?" she read aloud, struggling with the unfamiliar word. The sign outside advertised a meal for 1,000 Eris, a price so low it made her suspicious. In Minmin, the cheapest plate at a restaurant cost no less than 50,000 Eris.
"Hey, little lady!" The restaurant clerk called out, noticing her hesitation. "Come on in! You won't find anything like this where you're from, right? Take your pick!"
"Don't you have anything with duxion meat?" she asked, scanning the menu with a hint of hope.
"Duxion?!" The clerk was taken aback. "Heavens no! Maybe in the noble district you'll find that, but it's way too expensive for me, hahahaha!" He chuckled before pointing to a burger on the menu. "Try this one; it's perfect for your first burger. The meat's from giant frogs—it's a little tough, but very filling."
"One of those then!" Her hunger got the better of her, and she ordered without much thought.
"A double frog burger coming right up!" the clerk said, turning to face the grill. "Please take a seat; it'll be ready in no time."
Papitas sat at a table facing the street, still captivated by the city outside. A hamburger, she thought, the word sounding so strange to her. Before she knew it, a plate with a towering burger was placed in front of her.
"Here you go, I hope you like it," the clerk said, setting the burger down.
Papitas stared at it, perplexed. "How do I eat this?" she asked, looking around for utensils. "You didn't give me chopsticks or anything."
"Chopsticks?" The man was equally puzzled. "Just where are you from, little lady?" He pointed to a young girl at another table. "See that? Just grab it by the sides and take a bite."
Papitas imitated the girl, taking a huge bite out of the burger. "Hmm!? Thish ish amazhing!" she mumbled through a mouthful, quickly devouring the entire burger.
"That hungry, huh?" the clerk chuckled, amused by her appetite.
"And still am! Give me two more!" Papitas demanded, her face smeared with sauce but beaming with satisfaction.
Later, after having eaten no fewer than ten burgers, a high stack of plates and glasses in the table, Papitas finally asked, "How much do I owe you?"
The clerk, somewhat disturbed by how much this petite girl had eaten, replied, "I've never seen anyone your size eat so much. That'll be 15,000 Eris for all the burgers and the neroid drinks."
Papitas casually opened her bag and pulled out a large wad of cash, causing the man's eyes to nearly pop out of his head. "I only have 10,000 Eris bills. Keep the change," she said, handing him the money.
"Are you crazy, girl? Put that money away!" he hissed, clearly concerned. "I don't know where you got that, but you'd better keep it hidden. This town isn't as safe as it used to be."
Papitas looked at him curiously, "A-alright," she said, tucking the money back into her bag. "Thanks for the food!" With that, she sprinted back into the city, the thrill of exploring this new world still coursing through her veins.
Papitas spent hours wandering the city, marveling at the endless streets and towering buildings. She'd expected to reach the outskirts eventually, but the city seemed to stretch on forever, each corner revealing new alleyways and bustling markets. By the time she realized she was lost, the harbor was a distant memory.
Unbeknownst to her, she wandered into a shady neighborhood. Several unsavory figures noticed the lone girl making her way through the area, and more than a few had begun to quietly follow her.
As she tried to find her way back to a main road, she turned into a narrow alley, only to be met by a figure blocking her path. Two more appeared behind her, cutting off any escape.
"The bag. Hand it over," the person in front demanded.
"No," Papitas replied dryly, shifting into a fighting stance. She'd read about situations like this before—being ambushed by thieves. But instead of fear, she felt a rush of excitement. Finally, she could use martial arts without holding back.
"Well, we wanted to make this easy for you," the masked leader sneered, raising a hand that began to glow. "Steal!"
The sudden flash of light caught Papitas off guard, her sunglasses doing little to shield her eyes. When the light faded, she blinked, trying to refocus. The leader now held a small piece of white cloth in his hand.
"Huh? What is this?" He unfurled the cloth, revealing it to be a pair of girl's panties. "W-what the hell!"
Papitas' face turned beet red as she frantically checked her bag. "Y-You are worse than mere thieves! Perverts! Molesters!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the alley.
"W-wait, this is a misunderstanding! I'm not a pervert, I just wanted to steal your money!" the man stammered, clearly panicking.
But Papitas was done talking. She charged at him with fire in her eyes, but just as she was about to land a blow, she tripped, her momentum sending her flying to the leader, the two crashing with unexpected force.
"What are you two idiots doing?" the leader groaned from the ground. "Get her! Get the bag!"
The thugs exchanged nervous glances, but quickly they steeled themselves and charged at Papitas. She quickly regained her footing, dusted off her clothes, and braced herself.
The first thug swung at her, but Papitas was faster. "Too slow!" she taunted, grinning and sidestepped his punch with a swift, almost effortless movement, and immediately countered with a strike of her own. But her fist stopped an inch from the thug's nose. He flinched, but Papitas cursed under her breath. The timing was off.
She had put too much power into the punch, and now she was off balance. The thug didn't waste any time, charging her again. Papitas ducked, spinning around to deliver a kick. But just as her foot was about to hit its target, the thug sidestepped, and her kick smashed into the wall instead, leaving a deep crack.
"Ugh, hold still!" she bounced on her feet, trying to find her rhythm, but her timing was all over the place. Every time she threw a punch or a kick, the thugs dodged, or she overshot, her strikes slamming into the pavement or buildings around them. Each impact was powerful enough to send debris flying, but none of it was hitting where it mattered.
A thug stumbled back, eyes wide with fear. The power behind her attack was undeniable—even though she hadn't hit him, the air pressure alone had ruffled his clothes. He hesitated, clearly shaken, but the fear of his boss kept him from running.
Papitas took a deep breath, trying to calm the adrenaline rushing through her veins. Her feet moved instinctively, dodging and weaving as the other thug tried to close in on her. But every time she threw a punch or kick, something went wrong—she'd overestimate the distance, her footwork would slip, or her body would move faster than she expected.
She spun on her heel, launching a roundhouse kick, but the thug ducked just in time, her leg sailing over his head and crashing into the brick wall behind him. The impact left a large crack, and the thug stared at the damage with a mix of awe and terror.
"Stop moving, dammit!" Papitas growled, launching another series of punches. But no matter how hard she tried, her strikes either whiffed past their targets or failed to reach them to begin with.
"B-Boss, we gotta get outta here! This girl's a freakin' monster!" one of the thugs pleaded, ducking another wild swing.
"Stay still, cowards!" Papitas yelled, frustration boiling over as she punched in the air. The walls behind the thug were now riddled with cracks and dents, each one a missed opportunity.
The leader, still holding the piece of underwear he'd accidentally stolen, grit his teeth. "She's strong, but she can't hit for shit! Just grab the bag and let's go!"
But his words only spurred Papitas on, her movements growing more frantic as she tried to land even one clean hit. She could feel her strength surging through her muscles, but it was like trying to control a runaway cart—every move was either too fast, too slow, or just plain off-target.
"Steal!" the leader shouted again. Another flash of light filled the alley.
Papitas clung tightly to her bag. When the light cleared, one thug was desperately trying to pry it from her hands, but she wouldn't budge. Meanwhile, the leader stood there, holding yet another piece of her underwear.
"Is this all you have in that bag—!?" he began, but his voice was cut off by another's.
"What's all this noise?" A voice echoed through the alley, polite yet ominous, sending chills down everyone's spine.
Papitas had never felt such fear before—not even the worst of the Gate of Hell had terrified her so much.
From the shadows, a man dressed in a butler's outfit emerged, a mask covering most of his face, one side black, the other white, the number II right in the middle. He held a shopping bag in one hand and wore a wide grin.
"I believe I told you ruffians never to show up here again," he said, his tone mocking.
"Damn, it's the old man again," the leader muttered through gritted teeth. "Let's get out of here!" He signaled his cohorts, and the trio bolted.
"Where do you think you're going? Give me back my panties!" Papitas tried to chase after them, but the masked man quickly grabbed her by the head.
"Let go of me!" she protested, struggling against his surprisingly gentle yet immovable grip.
"It'll be of no use, young girl with no more clean undergarments," the man said with a chuckle, his grin widening. "The alleys here are like a maze. You won't find them."
"Grr… thanks for saving me, I guess. But they still took my underwear..." Papitas trailed off as the man leaned closer, his curiosity evident despite the mask.
"My, my," he mused, bringing his mask close enough to feel like he was peering into her soul. "I haven't seen one like you in a very, very long time."
"E-Excuse me, could you back off a bit?" Papitas asked, unnerved. She'd usually respond with force, but something told her it wouldn't work against this man.
.
"Oh!" he exclaimed, pulling back. "That's interesting. Very interesting indeed. Fuahahahahaha!" He laughed, the sound both eerie and amused. "The gears of destiny work in mysterious ways. To think that the only non-wiard from a clan of wizards would be the one!"
"Wha...?" Papitas was utterly confused.
"You have the most intriguing future, young girl. No doubt about it. My all-seeing eye is never wrong, fuahahahaha!"
"Uh, okay?" Papitas replied, edging away. "All right then, bye!" She turned, ready to sprint off.
"You've been looking for the adventurer's guild, have you not?" the man asked, his tone still casual, "There are none in this town, you are wasting your time."
Papitas froze. "How did you—?"
"You were hoping to save time here but are truly after Axel, once known as home of rookie adventurers," he continued, putting a hand on the mask. "A caravan will be departing for Axel in a few minutes, but it'll take you over an hour to get from here to the caravan station," he smiled, his gaze shifting to her bag.
"Really? I better get going—" she started to dash off, then stopped. "Uh, which way is it?"
"Not even a lizard runner could make it in time," the man said with a mock sigh. "However, I have something that may help." He reached into his coat and pulled out a metallic box with a bright red button on top. "This is a magic item, a special teleportation device. Sadly, it won't take you to Axel, it has a rather limited range, but it will get you to the caravan station in the blink of an eye." He waved the device enticingly.
"That's perfect, thanks!" Papitas reached for it, but the man pulled it out of her reach.
"I'd love to help you for free," he said, his grin never fading. "But I'm a businessman first and foremost, there's a certain clumsy shop owner who won't eat if I don't make money. Normally, this item would sell for twenty million Eris, but for this special occasion, I'm willing to let it go for just nine… and a half million."
"Aw, that's nearly all my money," Papitas sighed. "No thanks, I can go tomorrow. I'll just find a place to sleep." She turned to leave but was stopped again.
"I most certainly doubt you'll find a free room anywhere in this town, not with the multitude of sailors and merchants that just arrived. Most will rest for the day before departing for their hometowns tomorrow. Leaving in a caravan, or even by train, will be most difficult, I would imagine," the man said, his voice so calm it was almost convincing.
Papitas hesitated, glancing at the darkening sky. The sun was setting, she was running out of time.
"But you won't be out of money, you know?" the man continued. "That adventurer's card you have; it can be used at any bank." His smile grew even more unsettling.
"Oh yeah!" Papitas slapped her forehead. How could she forget? The bank teller told her she could withdraw up to five million Eris per day. Spending nine million now wouldn't be a problem, "All right," she said, digging into her bag. "Here you go!"
"Pleasure doing business with you, fuahahahaha!" the man cackled, counting the money. "Better make use of it quickly. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must visit a certain charred store owner." He turned and walked away.
Papitas felt uneasy about the whole encounter, but there was no time to dwell on it. She quickly pressed the button, and her vision was filled with light.
"Ten minutes, the caravan leaves in ten minutes!"
Papitas could hear voices echoing around her, along with the distinct clatter of horses trotting on stone roads. By the time her vision cleared, she found herself standing in front of some kind of booth. The sun hadn't moved, confirming it—she'd definitely teleported.
"Alright!" she cheered, grinning ear to ear. "This thing is great—what the—!?" She glanced down at the magic item in her hand just in time to see it disintegrate into pieces. "Arrgh, that guy totally conned me!"
She clenched her fists, ready to storm back into the city and give that scammer a piece of her mind. But just as she turned, an announcer's voice from the booth caught her attention, "Only a handful of seats available!"
Frustration battled with defeat as Papitas huffed and approached the booth. "How much for a ticket to Axel?" she asked, the anger in her voice barely contained.
"That'd be 30,000 Eris for third-class seats, 80,000 for first class," the woman in the booth replied without missing a beat.
Papitas didn't hesitate. "Give me a first-class seat," she said, digging into her bag and slapping down a wad of cash. As she handed over the money, she noticed her bag looked much thinner than it had when she first arrived—missing not only plenty of cash but also plenty of underwear.
"Thanks. Head to the second carriage," the booth lady instructed, handing her the ticket. "You should be arriving in Axel in time for breakfast tomorrow morning. Have a nice trip."
Papitas passed through the caravan, counting at least twenty carriages, each topped with stacks of goods and supplies. By the time she reached her designated carriage, she found herself in a well-cushioned seat, the last to arrive and sharing the space with a few wealthy-looking passengers.
Less than ten minutes later, the caravan set into motion. Papitas leaned back in her seat, the gentle sway of the carriage lulling her into a relaxed state. Finally, she was on her way to Axel, the city she had read so much about.
As she gazed up at the moon through the carriage window, her mind wandered to thoughts of the adventures that awaited her. Before long, the rhythm of the road and her own excitement had carried her off to sleep, her dreams filled with images of the new challenges and wonders she'd soon face.
Part 2
The sudden rocking of the carriage woke Papitas as the morning light seeped through the window. She yawned heavily and stretched her sore muscles as much as she could. It had been days since she slept on a bed, and her body was really feeling it.
She turned around and noticed a little girl staring at her intently. "Mom, the girl who was drooling all morning just woke up!" the girl exclaimed, calling out to her mother.
She quickly moved the girl away. "Don't look at her," she said.
Papitas wiped the corner of her mouth and looked away in embarrassment, hoping nobody else noticed.
The walls surrounding Axel finally came into view through the window, and Papitas could barely contain her excitement. She tapped her feet, itching to bolt out of the carriage and sprint straight to the gates.
As they got closer, she spotted a sign: [Welcome to Axel]
She'd read that, long ago, this town was where most rookie adventurers got their start. Nowadays, it's mostly known as the place where the legendary party had lived for a long time. Are there statues of them? I'd like to see what the clanswoman from that party looked like she thought.
Once the carriage stopped, Papitas finally gave her body a good stretch after deboarding, feeling the stiffness from the ride ease a bit. The rest of the passengers scattered in different directions, but she made her way over to one of the carriage drivers. "Excuse me, where's the adventurer's guild?" she asked.
"Why, that's in the heart of the city," a man with a large mustache answered. "It'll take you all day to walk there. Go to the trolley station over there and take one that heads to the Noble District. The guild's just a few blocks away. Should take you about an hour or so to get there."
Trolley? Papitas wondered as she walked away, trying to figure out what that was until she spotted a streetcar in the distance. Oh, a wain. Guess people here call them trolleys. Haha, what a weird name.
After eating breakfast at a nearby restaurant, she finally made her way to the wain station, mentally planning her day. Alright, things should be simple. First, change my class to Martial Artist at the guild. Then, unlock as many skills as I can and show them off.
"Good morning," a faint voice called out, but Papitas was too focused to notice.
Second, after wowing everyone with my abilities, several adventurer parties will beg me to join them. I'll have to weed out the weaklings.
"Hello?" the voice continued.
Third, beat up some monsters with my new skills.
"Hey, I'm talking to you!" the voice grew louder.
Fourth, go to the bank and get another withdrawal. I wonder if five million will be enough to buy a house here? Everything's so cheap anyway. That breakfast was only 500 Eris.
"HEEEEEY!" The loud yell finally snapped Papitas out of her thoughts.
"What!? What do you want!?" she shouted back, finally taking a good look at the person who so rudely interrupted her thoughts.
It was girl, not much older than her, dressed in some kind of nun outfit, deep blue in color, adorned with gold and white.
"Ahem, you're a foreigner, aren't you?" said the nun, pretending she hadn't just shaken Papitas, "I can tell by your outfit. You may not be familiar with this, but all foreigners must sign a waiver when entering the city. Here," she handed Papitas a paper and a pen.
Papitas had never heard of such a rule, but wanting to get on with her day, she grabbed the paper and was about to sign it when another loud voice interrupted.
"Stop right there!" Another nun suddenly appeared, but her outfit was mainly white, adorned with purple and gold.
The blue nun immediately clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Have you Axis Cultists no shame!?" The white nun approached, stomping her feet, then forcefully grabbed the paper from Papitas' hand. "This is an Axis Church recruitment form! You almost fell for this witch's scheme!"
The blue nun spat on the ground. "Who are you calling a witch, you padded goddess worshipper! I am doing the work of Lady Aqua, the more followers she has, the safer this world becomes!" She lifted her hands in prayer.
"Come, my child," the white nun grabbed Papitas' hand, who was now utterly confused by this exchange, "People in whatever godless lands you come from must not know about the blessings of Lady Eris." She tried to pull Papitas away, she girl didn't budge an inch.
"Ha! See that? This foreigner has clearly seen the light of Lady Aqua," the blue nun snickered. "Now, please sign this, and we'll be on our way." She handed Papitas another paper.
However, the white nun immediately snatched the paper and tore it to shreds right in front of the blue nun's face.
"So, that's how you want it, Eris loser?" the blue nun said, fire in her eyes.
"Bring it—!" the white nun replied, just as a punch was thrown to her face.
As much as Papitas wanted to see the nuns duke it out, this was the perfect opportunity to slip away. Luckily, they were still fighting by the time she boarded the wain. She managed to catch a glimpse of the police arriving to break up the brawl as the wain made its way to downtown Axel.
Papitas gazed out of the wain's window as it clattered along the tracks, taking in the cityscape that unfolded before her. Axel was a far cry from Port Altria. Every few blocks brought a new architectural style, each neighborhood telling a different story. Some areas had quaint, older homes with thatched roofs and cobblestone streets, hinting at the city's humble beginnings before the Demon King's defeat. Others boasted modern, grand structures with intricate stonework, tall spires, and wide avenues—evidence of the city's rapid expansion since those days.
The wain passed through a bustling commercial district, where small shops with colorful awnings lined the streets. Papitas spotted a bakery with a window full of fresh pastries, the sweet scent wafting through the air. Next door, an old apothecary displayed herbs and potions in glass jars. In another block, she noticed a blacksmith hammering away at a sword, his face glistening with sweat. This part of Axel had a lively, working-class vibe, with people chatting animatedly and children running about.
As the journey continued, the buildings grew taller and more opulent. The cobblestone streets gave way to smooth, paved roads, and the simple shop signs were replaced with grandiose banners and elegant storefronts. Wealthier citizens strolled along the sidewalks, dressed in fine clothes adorned with gold and jewels. High-end boutiques displayed the latest fashion, and gourmet restaurants with fancy menus catered to those with deep pockets. There were jewelry stores glittering with precious stones, and even a few art galleries showcasing paintings and sculptures.
Nearly an hour later, the houses were noticeably larger, each one more magnificent than the last. The people walking the streets here exuded an air of aristocracy, their noses slightly upturned as they passed by. Papitas saw a blonde woman in a long, flowing gown that sparkled in the sunlight, her fingers weighed down by several rings. A man in a tailored suit walked briskly, a cane in one hand and a top hat perched on his head. The streets were lined with horse-drawn carriages, some of which were so luxurious they looked fit for royalty.
The wain driver's voice broke through her thoughts as they announced the stop. "Noble District, next stop!" Papitas jumped off with a spring in her step, eager to continue her adventure. But as she landed on the ground, her excitement turned to confusion as she looked around at the maze of carriages and wains moving in every direction.
"A few blocks from the station, huh? But in which direction?" she muttered, cursing the carriage driver for being so vague.
Papitas tried asking for directions, but the noble residents of Axel merely glanced at her with disdain before quickly looking away, pretending she didn't exist. After all, she hadn't bathed in days, and her clothes were worn and dirty from her journey. To them, she appeared as nothing more than a homeless urchin.
She approached a well-dressed man with a monocle and a pocket watch. "Excuse me, can you—"
But the man turned on his heel and walked away without so much as a word, his nose in the air. A finely dressed woman, wearing a feathered hat and pearls, also gave her a wide berth, pulling her child closer as they passed.
Frustrated, Papitas decided to wander around. "I'll find it eventually," she grumbled.
She soon found herself on an uphill street lined with grandiose mansions, each one more extravagant than the last. The names of the noble families were engraved on large plaques outside each gate, but the foreign names only amused her.
"Lilac? Alexey? What kind of names are these?" she chuckled, her laughter echoing through the quiet street.
Finally, she reached the largest mansion on the block and stopped in front of the family plaque. She squinted at the name before bursting into uncontrollable laughter. "Pffffft! Dustiness! Hahahahaha!" Tears streamed down her face as she doubled over, clutching her sides.
"Excuse me," a voice interrupted her fit of laughter. Papitas wiped her eyes and turned around to see a female guard standing next to her, looking less than amused, "If I may ask, what are you doing here?" the guard said, her tone polite but firm.
"You may," Papitas smirked, still trying to suppress her laughter. "I'm looking for the adventurer's guild and got lost. Do you think the Dustiness' here might know about it? Hahahaha!" She pointed at the family plaque, bursting into laughter once more.
The guard raised an eyebrow but maintained her composure. "You're going the wrong way, I'll draw you a map." She pulled out a small notebook and quickly sketched a crude map, handing it to Papitas. "You're lucky no one from the great Dustiness house was here to hear your mockery. I advise you to leave before any of them show up. And please, take a bath… as soon as possible."
Papitas nodded, still grinning as she watched the guard walk past her. "Hehe, Dustiness," she muttered under her breath before following the map toward the guild.
The adventurer's guild stood out from the more modern buildings surrounding it, likely one of the oldest structures in Axel. Inside, it was bustling with life. Adventurers filled the room, the atmosphere a lively mix of camaraderie and competition. The place doubled as a bar and restaurant, with groups of adventurers eating hearty meals or clinking their mugs together in celebration.
Men and women crowded around tables, discussing future quests or negotiating terms for new party members. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meat mixed with beer. The quest board at the far end of the room was covered in requests, a few adventurers stood there, examining the available jobs.
Suddenly, the door flew open with a powerful kick, drawing everyone's attention. A girl wearing sunglasses stood in the doorway, her silhouette framed by the bright sunlight streaming in behind her. The guild fell silent, all eyes on her, waiting to see what she would do. But as the minutes ticked by and she remained still, the initial tension fizzled out, and everyone returned to their business.
Papitas joined the queue at the receptionist's desk, waiting her turn behind a few adventurers who were claiming their rewards after completing successful quests. She could barely contain her excitement as she envisioned herself in their place soon enough.
"Hey there, what can I do for you?" the receptionist greeted Papitas with a friendly smile when her turn finally came.
"I want to change classes," Papitas handed over her adventurer's card. "Martial Artist, please!" Her heart raced with anticipation.
"Alright then, let me take a look." The receptionist inspected the card, her expression shifting to one of mild confusion. "Miss… Papitas?" She looked up at Papitas with a puzzled expression. "Seems like someone tampered with your card…"
"What? What do you mean?" Papitas leaned in, slightly annoyed. "Let me see," she took the card back, scanning it quickly. "No, all in order."
"Your name is Papitas?" the receptionist asked, sounding incredulous.
"You got any problems with my name?" Papitas shot back, stepping closer and causing the receptionist to shrink back slightly.
"N-No, of course not!" The receptionist stammered, raising her hands in surrender. "You wanted a class change, right? Let me see." She inserted Papitas' adventurer card into a magical device, which hummed softly as it analyzed the card.
"We can change your class since you haven't unlocked any skills yet, which makes it easier. But before we proceed, you're aware that none of your skill points as a Wizard will carry over, right?"
Papitas froze, her excitement quickly draining away. "…Come again?"
"Skill points earned as a Wizard can't be transferred to a Martial Artist," the receptionist explained matter-of-factly. "Only classes with certain affinities allow for some skill points to transfer. For instance, if you became a Scholar, you'd retain most of your skill points. But because Wizards and Martial Artists are so different, none of your points will carry over."
Papitas felt as if the ground had crumbled beneath her. Not a single point transfers over… I'm going to have to start from level 1!? The thought made her want to scream, but she managed to keep it together. Then, a thought crossed her mind: The bank! I have five million Eris per day. As long as Salchi doesn't rat me out, I'll have a lot of money for a while. I'll just buy a bunch of skill potions; they probably go for peanuts here. This won't be a problem!
"Uh… yeah, please change my class. That's fine," she said, her voice a bit shaky.
The receptionist confirmed the request, placing the card on the magical device. After a few moments, it shone brightly, and the text on it changed.
"Here you go," the receptionist said with a smile, handing the card back. "You're now Papitas, the Martial Artist."
"Yeah…" Papitas stared at the card, covering her mouth with her hand as she started to shake, trying her best to hold back tears. "The Martial Artist! Hahahahahaha!" she declared, raising her fists in the air.
"Congratulations. On behalf of the Axel adventurer's guild, we wish you success in your future adventures," the receptionist said, bowing respectfully before adding, "That'll be a hundred thousand Eris, please."
Papitas slammed the money on the counter. "Where's the nearest bank!?" she demanded.
Calmly taking the money, the receptionist replied, "There's one just across the street. Most adventurers go there to make a deposit as soon as they get paid—" But Papitas was already gone, bolting out the door as soon as she heard the words "across the street."
Fortunately, there wasn't a queue at the bank. Papitas' heart raced as she walked up to the teller, her mind focused on getting the money, buying the potions, and unlocking new skills. She handed her adventurer's card to the teller, who looked at it for a moment before frowning.
"Crimson Magic Bank? I've never heard of such a thing, and Papitas? Couldn't you come up with a more ridiculous name?" The teller looked at her skeptically.
"What!?" Papitas exclaimed in surprise.
"This is obviously a forgery!" the man shouted, drawing the attention of everyone in the bank. "This bank doesn't appear in our system. You won't be swindling any money from us! Security!" He called for the guards stationed at the entrance, who began to close in on Papitas.
Seeing she was outnumbered, Papitas snatched her card back and bolted for the door, skillfully dodging the guards before sprinting away from the bank as fast as she could.
Part 3
A while later.
After sprinting several blocks, Papitas finally slumped onto a park bench, trying to catch her breath. She'd left the bank's security far behind, but her mind was still racing. What the hell was that?! she thought, staring up at the sky. Why couldn't that guy find the bank? Argh, what am I supposed to do now?
Her frustration only grew until something important clicked in her mind. Wait… Miss Morocho mentioned that aside from adventurer's cards, there's barely any connection between the islands and the continent. Does that mean the banks are disconnected? Am I stuck with what I have?
She hurriedly opened her bag and counted her remaining money. Less than two hundred thousand Eris… If not for that damned butler!
Her shoulders slumped as she stared down at her dwindling funds. Her face drooped like a wilted flower, eyes wide with worry. She let out a long sigh, her entire posture screaming 'defeated,' as if the world's weight had just crushed her dreams.
"It'll make things harder, but I'll just have to spend what I have on skill potions, join a party and complete a few quests", she muttered, her resolve slowly returning. "I guess buying a house will have to wait, but at least I should have enough to eat well and sleep in a comfortable bed." She stood up, determination rekindling, when something caught her eye.
In the middle of the park stood a large stone statue of a woman in armor, her hair tied in a ponytail, holding a sword with both hands, its tip resting on the ground. Papitas approached it, her curiosity piqued.
[THE NOBLE CRUSADER] the plaque read.
"Huh," Papitas mumbled, getting a closer look. "So, this is what she looked like. Just as dignified as I pictured her." She admired the statue for a moment, then wondered aloud, "Does that mean there's a statue of the clanswoman too?"
"That's correct, young lady," came an unexpected voice. Papitas turned to see an overweight man approaching her. "There are statues of the four legendary heroes across the four main parks in town. The clanswoman's statue is a ways from here, in the park on the northwest end of town." He casually placed his hand on Papitas' shoulder, making her do a double take. "Ah, young people these days, no respect for the heroes who made this town what it is," he said, shaking his head. "But I can see you're different. Hey, why don't you treat me to lunch, and I'll tell you all about the heroes?"
Papitas' eye twitched. Already burned once, she wasn't about to fall for another con. She plastered on a tight-lipped smile. "Oh, I'm sure your stories are fascinating, but I'm a bit short on cash, you see…"
The man's grip tightened slightly. "Come on, just a quick bite. I can tell you all about the deeds—"
Before he could finish, Papitas grabbed his hand, twisted it off her shoulder, and gave him a light shove. Or, what was supposed to be a light shove. The old man went flying through the air, his cries of surprise echoing through the park as he landed in a nearby fountain with a resounding splash.
Papitas froze, staring at her hand in disbelief. "Oops." Then, without missing a beat, she bolted away, leaving the drenched old man to sputter indignantly in the fountain.
She wandered around until finding a magic tool shop, still flustered from the encounter. The inside of the shop was dimly lit, with shelves crammed with all sorts of strange and dusty items. Behind the counter sat an old woman, who seemed to be fighting a losing battle with sleep.
"How much are skill potions?" Papitas asked, putting on her best smile.
"Mmh, skill potions? Those are uncommon, let me see… fifty thousand Eris," the old woman replied after checking a ledger.
"What!?" Papitas gasped. In the islands, they're as cheap as water—only five thousand! Why are they so much more expensive here?
The old woman shrugged. "I think I maybe have five of them, and they're all quite old, so that's with a good discount, girl. Brand new ones would probably be over three hundred thousand Eris apiece."
"Uh, is there another magic store nearby…?" Papitas tried to keep her voice steady, not wanting to sound too desperate.
"What hole did you crawl from? It's easy for some Archwizards to make skill potions, but there's very few in this country. I doubt there's a thousand skill potions in all the country, and most are likely in the possession of nobles. You won't find any shortcuts in Axel. If you want to level up, you'll have to do it the old-fashioned way—go out there and beat some monsters." The old woman chuckled, clearly amused by Papitas' shock. "But, heh, I don't even remember when I got those potions. I'll sell them all to you for a hundred thousand. How's that sound?"
Papitas' mind raced. Starting from scratch wasn't what she planned, but a few skill points could give her the edge she needed. She weighed her options—if she bought the potions, she'd have less money left for food and lodging. But without them, leveling up would be a much steeper climb.
After a moment, she sighed, her determination to master martial arts pushing her to agree. "Uh, okay… I'll take them."
Walking back to the guild, Papitas examined her adventurer's card. With her newly acquired skill points, she had two options: use all five to unlock Fist Rush or spend four on Focus Punch and increase her accuracy a bit. Remembering her fight with the thugs in Port Altria, she chose the latter.
Alright, alright, so I have very little money and only one basic skill, Papitas thought, trying her best to hold her composure. But this isn't over. I'll join a good party, go on a quest, and get some money and experience. I'll get all my skill points back in no time!
Scanning the quest board at the guild, she spotted several parties recruiting new members. With a confident smile, she read one and briskly approached a group of beginner looking adventurers.
"You're looking for new party members, aren't you?" she announced herself, making sure the whole guild—or maybe even the whole block—could hear. "You're in luck! I am Papitas, a Martial Artist, and I'm willing to lend you my fists!"
A group of girls eyed her somewhat oddly until the leader spoke up. "Uh, sorry, but I don't think you'll fit with us. We protect fields from monsters, but we fight from a distance. We're looking for a Wizard," she explained as she and her group walked away. Papitas could hear them murmuring, "What kind of name is that?"
Unfazed, she approached another target, a man dressed in heavy armor. His helmet gleamed in the dim guild light, and his voice was as monotone as his expression after examining Papitas' adventurer card. "Only one skill? I'm sorry, but we're looking for someone with more experience. We don't run a daycare; we need someone who can look after themselves." He then waved her away dismissively. While frustrated, Papitas didn't want to make unwanted trouble, so she walked away, but her patience wore thinner when she heard his party talking about her name.
For the next couple of hours, Papitas approached every party looking for members, but all gave her similar rejections. "We need someone who can use magic," "We want someone with more skills," "Our job is dangerous; we need someone with a higher level." The words "higher level-more experience-more skills" echoed in her mind, growing more irritating with each repetition. But nothing grated on her nerves more than people questioning or mocking her name.
Near her boiling point, she grabbed the last recruitment notice and approached her final target. A large, muscular man with a thick beard and a single piercing eye under an eyepatch sized her up. His hair, white with age, gave him a grizzled look, and a massive broadsword rested against the table beside him.
"Is that your nom de guerre or something? And we have no use for a Martial Artist as thin as you. With those scrawny arms, I bet you couldn't even punch a neroid, hahahaha!" His laughter boomed across the guild, and several surrounding adventurers joined in. Unbeknownst to Papitas, she had approached the most veteran adventurer in town.
"If anyone here has a problem with my name, I'm willing to hear it!" Papitas declared, slamming her fists on the table, causing the adventurers' drinks to spill. The laughter abruptly stopped, and the guild fell silent.
The man stood up, towering over her like a mountain. "You don't know who you're messing with, little—"
"Yeah, yeah, the old cyclops is going to lecture me on what I should do?" she interrupted, showing not a hint of intimidation. "Let me tell you, you don't impress me at all." She scanned him up and down, then added with a smirk, "I bet you're a weak... little... bitch!" Each word was delivered with increasing emphasis, making the collective guild gasp in amazement.
A vein bulged on the man's forehead as he placed his elbow on the table. "You better not be all talk," he said, his tone sending shivers through the crowd. His posture made it clear—he was challenging her to an arm-wrestling match. Papitas nodded and placed her arm on the table. The difference in their sizes was so stark that when he closed his hand around hers, it nearly enclosed her entire forearm. A large crowd immediately gathered around them.
"How about a bet, old man?" Papitas said, a smug grin spreading across her face. "If I win, I join your party. If you win, I'll give you all the money I have—it's quite a sum, I assure you."
"Fine," the old man replied, his voice full of confidence. "Hope missing an arm won't stop you, little Martial Artist." With a loud grunt, he pulled his shoulder, seemingly putting plenty of power into his arm.
But Papitas' arm didn't budge an inch. As the man's face grew redder and redder, she let out an exaggerated yawn. "Is that all you got? Come oooooooooooooooooon!" she taunted, as the onlookers leaned in closer.
"Why are you playing with the little girl, Marcus?" a voice called from the crowd. "Yeah, beat her already and use the money to buy us all drinks!" "Don't hurt her too much!" more voices chimed in, all in mocking tones.
The man's face turned a shade of purple as he strained, putting every ounce of his strength into beating Papitas. Slowly, her arm began to lower, and it seemed like he might actually win.
"That's enough," Papitas said, flashing a grin, before casually moving her arm and sending the man flying, so strong that he flew through of the guild's walls, sending him crashing into the street outside. The entire guild fell silent, mouths agape.
"Everyone who mocked my name, line up! It's payback time!" she shouted, pounding her fists together, filling the faces of all the mocking adventurers with dread.
"I-I have to go, my quests won't complete themselves!" one adventurer stammered. "Yeah, we all have work to do, let's go!" another added, panic in their voice.
Before Papitas could do anything, the guild was nearly emptied. She remained standing as the receptionist approached, a forced smile on her face, but with an angry vein pulsing on her forehead.
"Miss Papitas," she said, struggling to contain her irritation, "that's public property you just destroyed. I'm afraid you'll have to be fined."
"Put it on the old man; we're a party now, after all—" Papitas began, turning to where the man crashed, only to find he and his party had used the hole in the wall to escape.
"It's your fine, Papitas," the receptionist replied, her tone turning icy. "This will need to be appraised, but seeing how this is a historical building I'd estimate it'd cost at least two hundred thousand Eris. It'll be deducted from your quest rewards. We hope to see a first payment soon." She turned to leave, then paused to add, "And you may not be able to get far from the city until you pay your debt."
A defeated Papitas slumped into one of the many now-vacant chairs, her face flat against the table. Aaaargh! Why does this keep getting worse? she thought miserably. I just got to this town—how am I in debt, with no money, no party, and no skills!?
Some minutes later, the guild door swung open, and a group of youthful voices filled the room as they approached the receptionist.
"Hey there, we're a newbie party and we're looking for a new member. How does the process work?" asked the leader, a boy clad in leather armor, a purple beanie perched on his head, and a sword strapped to his back. Two girls trailed behind him.
The receptionist handed him a sheet of paper. "Here, write a description of the person you're looking for and post it on the quest board. But be warned, you might be waiting a while," she said eyeing the empty guild.
"No, he won't!" Papitas declared, appearing behind them, startling the group, "I'm the most veteran adventurer in the guild right now, and I'm ready to join your party. Name's Papitas, Martial Artist. No need for introductions, just grab a quest and let's get to work!"
Before the boy could protest, Papitas practically dragged him to the quest board, ignoring the surprised looks from the girls and the receptionist's raised eyebrow.
With the quest accepted, the group headed to the outskirts of the city. Their task was simple: exterminate some recently awakened Giant Frogs, a basic quest most adventuring parties had completed multiple times.
As they walked through a field outside the city, the boy took the lead and said, "Oh yeah, we haven't introduced ourselves, have we? I'm Victor, Adventurer class for now, but I'm planning to become a Warrior soon," he added with a wink.
"I'm Barbara," one of the girls introduced herself, her hair tied up in a high ponytail that cascaded down her back. "I'm a novice Wizard. I don't know many spells yet, but I'll do my best. Hope we can get along," she said, extending a hand. She wore a deep blue outfit with a black cape, a whip coiled at her right side.
"And I'm Gabrielle, Vic's older sister," the other girl said. She was taller than the others, with long chestnut hair flowing freely. "I'm a Priest, and unlike these two, I've got some experience. I'll make sure to keep us all safe," she added, lifting a large silver staff. She sported a white overcoat with a silver breastplate, a metallic tiara adorning her forehead.
Just as introductions finished, a Giant Frog emerged from the ground ahead, immediately spotting them and slowly hopping in their direction.
"Alright, here it comes!" Victor said, drawing his sword while the girls readied their weapons. "Papitas, you distract it with your speed. I'll cut its legs so it can't move, then Barbara will finish it off with magic. Gabi, cast some protection spells."
Papitas dashed toward the frog before Victor could finish giving orders. Distract it? Get out of here, I'm punching that frog's head off! she thought, charging forward—only to trip over an uprooted root and faceplant into the ground. By the time she looked up, the towering frog loomed over her.
Before she could react, the frog lowered its head and promptly put her in its mouth. "Aaaaah! Help me!" she screamed, struggling, her entire body drenched in slime.
"What the hell are you doing? Follow the plan!" Victor shouted, sprinting toward her, with Barbara and Gabrielle close behind.
"Are you sure that girl's a veteran adventurer?!" Barbara asked, preparing a spell.
With a swift strike, Victor severed one of the frog's legs, causing it to collapse and spit Papitas out in the process. "Tinder!" Barbara yelled, and with a crack of her whip, she launched a fireball at the fallen frog, bursting into flames.
"Are you hurt?" Gabrielle hurried over to Papitas. "What were you thinking? Those things eat anything that moves! You have to be careful!"
Covered head to toe in slime, Papitas tried to clean herself off when a second frog appeared in the distance.
"There's another one," Barbara pointed out. "Let's work as a team this time— Wait!" she protested as Papitas recklessly charged at it again.
"These damn monsters just insulted my honor! This won't go unpunished!" Papitas shouted, racing toward the frog. "Feel the power of my new skill!" she yelled, her right fist glowing faintly. "Focus Punch!" she screamed, aiming for the frog's belly.
Or rather, an inch in front of it, her attack failing to connect at all.
The frog looked down at her incredulously before also attempting to eat her, leaving her legs flailing outside its mouth.
"Why doesn't she listen?!" the rest of the group cried out in unison as they rushed to save her once again.
Some time later, the group was catching their breath, surrounded by several dead frogs. "Hey, I went up a couple of levels!" Victor celebrated, checking his adventurer's card.
"Me too!" Barbara grinned. "I've got enough skill points to unlock Zap!"
Their celebration was cut short by the sight of a slime-covered girl using the dead frogs as punching bags. "How about you try to eat me now, huh? Come on, get up! I'm ready for round two!" Papitas yelled, pounding the frogs.
"Is it really a good idea to have her in our party? I'm not so sure, Vic," Gabrielle said, casting a wary glance at her brother.
"She did say she was a veteran adventurer. And hey, she was great bait," he chuckled. "I don't think we could've beaten so many frogs without her."
"But she didn't even land a hit!" Barbara protested. "What kind of Martial Artist is that…" she trailed off as her eyes caught sight of a giant frog flying through the air.
Papitas began kicking the frogs soaring to the horizon, disappearing from view, "Yeaaaaaaah! It's out of the park! Who said frogs couldn't fly!" she cheered, preparing to send another one flying.
"Wait! We're supposed to sell their meat! That's where most of the money comes from!" Victor shouted, trying to stop the deranged girl.
By nighttime, the group returned to town, with Papitas stopping at a public bathhouse to clean off the slime. Luckily, the bath was mostly empty, but it took a lot of effort to get the slime out of her hair, leaving a mess in the process.
"Mom, look, that girl has a tattoo on her bu—!" a young girl pointed at Papitas as she dressed, only for her mother to quickly cover her mouth, apologize, and hurry her away.
Finally clean after days, Papitas made her way back to the guild, enjoying the city's nighttime lights as she walked. The guild's atmosphere was lively, with groups celebrating another successful day, mugs of beer clinking together amid cheers and laughter.
Papitas found her new party doing the same, with dinner and beer waiting for her. "Hey, she's finally here!" Gabrielle greeted her, face flushed from drinking a bit too much.
"What a day, eh Papitas?" Victor said, wiping his hands after devouring giant frog meat. "Here's your cut. The receptionist told us you're paying off some debt, so they took a bit off," he said, handing Papitas a thin envelope.
Her mind was on the booze—finally, she'd get to see what all the fuss was about. She grabbed the mug and took a big gulp, only to almost immediately spit it out. "Guah! This tastes awful!" she exclaimed, prompting the party to erupt in laughter.
"Don't tell me that's your first beer!" Barbara teased, grinning. "Well, get ready—if today's anything to go by, you'll be having one every night!" she laughed.
Papitas was too exhausted to enjoy the lively atmosphere. With little rest over the past few days, she was nearly collapsing and decided to leave early to find somewhere decent to sleep.
Counting the money she'd earned from the quest, it was just a thousand Eris. Since she hadn't done any actual fighting, she gained no experience, let alone skill points. It was a tough day, but that was fine. This was just the beginning. Things will get better tomorrow, she told herself, raising her fist in determination.
Part 4
Two months later...
Papitas stared at the wooden ceiling above her, large bags under her eyes as the morning light seeped through the cracks. The stables weren't exactly luxury accommodations, but seeing how she ran out of money in less than a week, this is the best she could afford.
Things had not improved with Victor and the party, they could only handle simple quests with low rewards, and with part of her cut going straight to the guild to pay off her debt, she barely earned enough to get by.
To make matters worse, she had to take on part-time jobs just to survive. But things never seemed to go smoothly. Whether it was working as a clerk, saleswoman, barista, dog walker, tour guide, library assistant, or nanny, something always went wrong. Her temper got the best of her, some jerk pushed the wrong buttons, or the weird customs of the locals threw her off. Whatever the case, each job lasted a few days at best.
There was that time at the café where a customer complained about the foam on their coffee being 'too fluffy.' Too fluffy! What did that even mean? In her frustration, she nearly threw the entire cup at them, which, unsurprisingly, got her fired on the spot. Or the time she was a nanny, and the kid asked her if she was "as dumb as she looked." Her response? "You'll find out if you keep talking," followed by the sound of a slammed door as she stormed out.
At least leveling up was going better, relatively speaking. Victor let her deal the finishing blow to some frogs, and she used the earned skill points mostly to improve her accuracy. She was still far from being the Martial Artist she wanted to be, but at least she could hit things now—more often than not at least. But as Victor and the rest leveled up faster, they started taking on more difficult quests that required them to leave town for days. Much to her frustration, Papitas wasn't allowed to join them.
She tried sneaking out of town with them a few times, but the guards stationed at the gates knew her by now.
With Victor and the others often out of town, she had to search for a job more seriously. Thankfully, about a week ago, she found one. Construction work wasn't glamorous, but it was steady, and her strength made it easy. The boss was nice and even asked her to join full-time. Maybe she could pay off her debt faster that way, but...
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" she screamed, startling the horses nearby, causing them to shriek in terror. "This wasn't supposed to go like this! I came here to become an adventurer, not a construction workeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer—!"
"Hey, cut that out, we're trying to sleep here!" a voice called out from across the wall.
"I'LL SHOW YOU WHO NEEDS TO SHUT UP!" Papitas snapped, getting up with the fury of a berserker. She stomped over to the next stall, ready to give someone a piece of her mind.
Later that morning, Papitas was back at the construction site, working on the wall surrounding the city. Her job was simple: pull a rope from the top of the wall to lift heavy supplies. While the physical labor was satisfying, it was hard not to feel a pang of disappointment seeing adventurer parties coming and going. She had to learn the hard way to control her anger after almost dropping a load of materials on some coworkers in a fit of rage.
As she whistled and pulled up a large cinder block with ease, among the dozens of adventuring parties, she spotted Victor and the rest returning to town. Finally! she thought. They've been gone for nearly a week. I can't wait to smack some frogs!
During lunch break, she hurried to the guild, expecting to see them there. But outside the guild, an odd sight awaited her: several adventurers were gathering, with knights in bright armor among them.
"What's going on here?" she asked Barbara, finally spotting her.
Barbara gasped at the sight of Papitas. "Oh, hi, Papitas…" she mumbled, avoiding eye contact. "Please talk with Victor." She pointed to where Victor was in conversation with one of the knights.
"Hey, miss!" the knight greeted Papitas with a friendly tone, interrupting Victor as he was about to speak. "May I see your adventurer's card?" His politeness caught her off guard, and she handed it over. "I see, I see…" he said after a quick scan. "Thank you very much, here you go!" He returned the card and walked away.
"What's his deal?" Papitas asked Victor.
Victor scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Listen, Papitas... There's no easy way to say this, so here I go: We're leaving town. We were offered positions in the Royal Army after that dungeon raid. Seems like most of the adventurers here were offered the same deal. Everyone's leaving." He gestured to several familiar faces among the crowd.
"I'm sorry, Papitas," Gabrielle appeared, placing a comforting hand on Papitas' shoulder. "We told them we had a fourth party member, but the guild receptionist told the army that you can't leave town." Papitas glanced toward the guild entrance, spotting the receptionist standing there, a smug grin on her face.
"You were a great ally," Victor tried to reassure her. "I know it won't take long for you to find another party. Hey, maybe we'll see each other again some time?"
"No, I don't think so," Papitas said, her voice carrying the weight of disappointment. Her sunglasses masked her emotions, but her tone gave her away. "You'll hear from me again after I beat the Demon Queen. So, you better not forget about me. You'll be able to say you were once party members with Papitas, the demon slayer!" She lifted her thumb in a determined gesture.
Less than half an hour later, all the adventurers had left, teleported away by the knights to who knows where. Papitas stayed until the end, waving goodbye to Victor and the others as they vanished from sight.
Alone once again, she went back to the guild, her stomach growling from hunger.
Papitas slammed down an empty beer jug and let out a loud sigh, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand as she took off her sunglasses. She looked around the nearly empty guild with an expression of hopelessness. There were only a few non-adventurer patrons quietly eating lunch.
Still over a hundred thousand Eris in debt, no allies, and barely any skills... I failed as an adventurer, she thought, grinding her teeth. Maybe I should just go back home. There's probably a magic telegraph in the guild. I could write to Salchi or Father to come for me. It won't be fun, but it beats pulling rocks and sleeping in stables. Being an Archwizard can't be that bad, right? Furita and the others must be doing okay... No, screw that!
She slammed the table and stood up, the sunglasses falling to the ground, I can't give up, that's not what she'd… what she'd would've wanted. I'll just go on adventures on my own, who needs a party anyway?
Grabbing a quest from the board without even reading it, she approached the receptionist, "Hey, I want to take this quest."
"A quest on your own? I'm not sure you can… do… that…?" the receptionist trailed off as she finally looked at Papitas eyes directly. Her eyes widened, and she started trembling like if she'd seen a ghost.
"What are you looking at? Is there a monster behind me or something—?" Papitas began turning around, but the receptionist suddenly grabbed her by the shoulders and shoved her face uncomfortably close, staring into her eyes.
"W-what's the matter with you!? Let go of me!" Papitas shoved her away, but the receptionist was sweating bullets, her breathing heavy.
"P-P-P-Papitas, y-you're a foreigner, right? Haha, could you tell me where you're from…?" the receptionist stammered, her words tumbling out in a nervous mess.
"Huh?" Papitas blinked in surprise. "I'm from Minmin." She answered casually, thinking that humoring the receptionist might get her to back off.
"And that's in—?"
"The Crimson Magic Islands," Papitas interrupted, growing impatient. "So, can I take the quest or not? I—"
"M-MANAGER! MANAGER!" the receptionist suddenly screamed, causing a commotion that drew the attention of the other guild employees, who began crowding around them.
Feeling trapped, Papitas tried to defend herself, "I-I haven't done anything, she just suddenly went… nuts?" Her expression turned to horror when she saw that the other staff were looking at her with the same wide-eyed terror as the receptionist. "Z-Zombies!? Have you people turned into zombies?" she screamed, before relaxing and taking a fighting stance. "Don't worry, I'll send you all to the afterlife!"
As Papitas prepared to go on the offensive, the guild manager, an old man with a large white mustache, appeared. "What's going on? What's with all the yelling?" he asked, looking confused.
"M-M-M-Manager, this-this-this girl, she, she's a, she's a…" the receptionist stammered, barely managing to get the words out.
The manager turned to the rest of the staff, but they were equally flustered, so he approached Papitas. "Excuse me, miss. Could you explain to me what—!" His eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw her. "R-red eyes…" he muttered in disbelief.
"T-that's what I've been trying to tell you. She's the one central has been looking for, Code: Crimson!" the receptionist exclaimed, pointing at Papitas like she was some sort of dangerous creature.
"What the hell is going on?" Papitas demanded. "Listen, I need to go—"
"Y-yes, of course, miss, anything you like! We just need to confirm a few things first. Tell me, are both of your parents from the Crimson Magic Clan?" the supervisor asked, struggling to maintain his composure.
"Huh?" Papitas flinched at the sudden question. "Well, my father once showed me our family lineage, and according to it, all my ancestors came from the clan, going way back to when the clan lived in this country. But why do you ask—?"
Papitas was interrupted by a collective gasp from the staff.
"Everyone, this young lady here is our most honored guest. Fulfill her every request until we sort this out. I'll be back right away!" the supervisor barked orders before sprinting out of the guild.
"Wha…?" Papitas stared in disbelief, then turned to the receptionist. "…My every demand, huh?" she said with a mischievous grin.
Less than an hour later, the guild manager returned, carrying a device that looked like some kind of scale. Papitas had used the time to get as much payback as possible from the receptionist, who was now diligently cutting meat from the most expensive dish on the menu.
"Thank goodness you're still here," the manager said, looking relieved as placed the device on the table. "Miss, if you could kindly place your hand here."
"What is this?" Papitas asked, opening her mouth and signaling the receptionist to feed her more.
"This magic item can identify the ancestry of whoever uses it. Nobles use it to verify if their children are truly theirs. I had to call in a few favors to get it," he explained, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Not that we doubt you, but we need to confirm your lineage. It's of utmost importance."
Papitas placed her hand on one of the scales without much thought, as it tipped the other side began to glow. Everyone in the room held their breath until a hologram appeared above the scale, leaving the room in stunned silence.
[ANCESTRY: CRIMSON MAGIC CLAN. RELIABILITY: 100%]
"I need to send a telegram to Arcanletia, right away…" the supervisor muttered, his face pale with shock.
Papitas, having downed some of the most expensive booze in the guild, was napping peacefully on one of the tables. She had no idea why the guild's behavior had changed so suddenly, but it wasn't really bothering her. Nonetheless, everyone seemed too scared to explain anything.
When she was woken up, there was a row of knights standing in front of her, their armor far more ornate than the one Victor and the rest left with earlier. These guys seemed the real deal, their presence majestic and intimidating, in stark contrast to the half-drunk Papitas, who had drool coming out of her mouth and her hair all over her face.
"Are you sure this is her?" the leader of the knights asked, his voice sharp, never taking his eyes off Papitas.
"Y-yes, we used the magic identifier to make sure..." the manager answered timidly.
With a glance, the leader ordered one of his knights to pull out a magic scale of their own and set it in front of Papitas. "Miss, if you will," he instructed, his gaze dead serious.
"Ugh..." Papitas grunted, slapping her hand onto the scale. The knights remained stoic as the results appeared once again.
[ANCESTRY: CRIMSON MAGIC CLAN. RELIABILITY: 100%]
The knights' expressions shifted to disbelief. The leader took a knee, followed by the rest of his men.
"Miss Papitas, on behalf of the King of Belzerg himself, I must ask you to come with us to Arcanletia. The fate of our very world may rest in your hands..."