The gates of Briar's Hollow creaked open as the sun dipped toward the horizon, painting the sky in warm shades of orange and gold.
Ryuji Kuroda walked through them carrying a small elf girl in his arms.
The guards immediately noticed.
Mostly because a massive human man carrying a child like a sack of potatoes tended to attract attention.
One of the guards stepped forward.
"Hold on—"
Then he recognized the girl.
"Lina?!"
The little elf lifted her head weakly.
"H-hi, Mister Roland…"
Both guards rushed forward.
"What happened?!"
"Snake bite…" Lina mumbled.
Their faces went pale.
One guard looked at Ryuji.
"You brought her back?"
Ryuji shrugged.
"Found her in the forest."
"Was she bitten by a Black Serpent?"
"Yeah."
The guard's eyes widened.
"And she's alive?"
Ryuji scratched his cheek.
"Yeah. Used a magic dagger."
The guards looked at each other.
Then one of them clapped Ryuji hard on the shoulder.
"Well damn, stranger."
"Town owes you one."
Ryuji grinned.
"Tell that to the tavern owner. I'm still waiting for free drinks."
The guard laughed.
"Fair enough."
Lina tugged on Ryuji's sleeve.
"My papa's shop is this way."
"Lead the way, kid."
---
The apothecary shop sat near the town square.
A small wooden building with shelves of herbs hanging outside and colorful glass bottles displayed in the windows.
The sign read:
Eldrin's Remedies
The front door burst open before Ryuji could knock.
A tall elf man rushed out.
Silver hair tied in a loose ponytail.
Sharp green eyes.
And the expression of a father who had been one bad thought away from tearing the forest apart.
"LINA!"
He ran forward and scooped the girl into his arms.
"My little star—where were you?! I searched everywhere!"
Lina clung to him.
"I'm sorry papa…"
His voice trembled.
"Your ankle—"
Then he noticed the bite mark.
His heart nearly stopped.
"Black serpent venom…"
He looked up sharply.
His eyes locked onto Ryuji.
The large human stood a few steps away with his hands in his pockets like this whole thing was mildly inconvenient.
"You."
Ryuji raised a hand.
"Yo."
"Did you save my daughter?"
Ryuji shrugged.
"Something like that."
The elf knelt down and examined Lina's ankle.
His eyes widened.
"The venom… it's gone."
Lina pointed at Ryuji.
"He used a magic dagger."
The elf slowly stood.
Then—without hesitation—he bowed deeply.
"Thank you."
Ryuji blinked.
"…Whoa."
He waved his hands awkwardly.
"Hey, hey. No need for that."
"You saved my child's life."
"Yeah but—"
"You have my eternal gratitude."
Ryuji scratched the back of his head.
"Man, people keep saying that today."
The elf straightened.
"I am Eldrin. Master apothecary of Briar's Hollow."
Ryuji nodded.
"Ryuji Kuroda."
Eldrin studied him carefully.
"You are not from this kingdom."
"That obvious?"
"You speak strangely."
"Tokyo accent."
"…Where is Tokyo?"
"Far away."
Technically true.
Just… several dimensions away.
Lina tugged on Eldrin's sleeve.
"Papa, he carried me all the way from the forest."
Eldrin's expression softened even more.
He turned back to Ryuji.
"Please. Come inside."
---
The apothecary smelled incredible.
Herbs.
Flowers.
Strange sweet fragrances.
Shelves lined every wall filled with glass bottles glowing faintly with magical liquids.
Ryuji whistled.
"Damn."
He leaned over a table.
"What's this one?"
Eldrin glanced at it.
"Potion of night vision."
"And that?"
"Minor mana recovery."
"And that purple one?"
"Do not touch that."
"…Why?"
"It explodes."
"…Cool."
Lina giggled.
Eldrin sighed.
"You remind me of a reckless adventurer I once knew."
Ryuji grinned.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Eldrin guided Lina to a chair and gently cleaned her ankle.
Even though the venom was gone, he applied a healing paste.
"Just in case."
Ryuji leaned against a shelf.
"So… kid hunts mushrooms alone often?"
Eldrin sighed.
"She normally stays near town."
He glanced at Lina.
"Someone chased her deeper into the forest."
Ryuji frowned.
"Someone?"
Lina nodded.
"A snake came out and scared me… then I ran."
Eldrin shook his head.
"You're lucky you were found."
Ryuji shrugged.
"Luck stat's pretty high apparently."
Eldrin looked confused.
"…What?"
"Never mind."
---
A few minutes later Eldrin returned carrying a wooden case.
He opened it on the table.
Inside were several potions.
"Please accept these."
Ryuji raised an eyebrow.
"For what?"
"For saving my daughter."
He placed four bottles on the table.
Three red.
One green.
"Healing potions."
He slid them toward Ryuji.
"Drink one and most wounds will close."
Then he pointed to the green one.
"Antidote potion. Neutralizes common poisons."
Ryuji picked up one bottle and held it up to the light.
The liquid glowed faintly.
"…Man."
"This world is awesome."
Eldrin tilted his head.
"You have never seen healing potions?"
"Nope."
"You truly are from a distant land."
Ryuji grinned.
"Very distant."
Eldrin also placed a small pouch on the table.
Coins clinked inside.
"Please accept this as well."
Ryuji opened the pouch.
Copper coins.
Maybe twenty.
He whistled.
"Nice."
Eldrin spoke firmly.
"You deserve far more."
Ryuji shook his head.
"Nah."
He pocketed the coins and potions.
"This is good."
Lina smiled brightly.
"You're like a hero!"
Ryuji laughed.
"Kid, I punched three idiots in a tavern and stabbed some snakes."
"That's still heroic!"
"…Fair point."
---
Night had begun settling over the town when Ryuji left the apothecary.
Lina waved from the doorway.
"Come visit again!"
Ryuji saluted.
"Try not to get bitten by more snakes."
"I'll try!"
Eldrin nodded respectfully.
"You will always be welcome here."
Ryuji grinned.
"Good."
"Because I like free potions."
Eldrin chuckled softly.
---
Ryuji walked through the town toward the Adventurer's Guild.
Lanterns glowed along the streets.
People were finishing their dinners.
Some adventurers were heading out for night hunts.
Ryuji stretched.
"Alright."
He pulled out the pouch of tail stones.
"Let's cash these in."
---
The guild hall was still loud.
Adventurers drank.
Argued.
Boasted about monster kills.
Mira sat behind the reception desk like the only adult supervising a group of violent children.
She looked up when Ryuji approached.
"…You're back already."
Ryuji placed the pouch on the counter.
"Snake delivery."
She opened it.
Then froze.
"…Wait."
She poured the stones onto the counter.
Black crystals rolled across the wood.
She counted them.
Once.
Twice.
"…Twenty?"
Ryuji leaned casually on the counter.
"Yeah."
"I asked for ten."
"I know."
"So why did you bring twenty?"
Ryuji shrugged.
"Found extra."
Mira stared at him.
"You killed twenty Black Serpents?"
"Yep."
"In a few hours?"
"Yep."
She narrowed her eyes.
"That shouldn't be possible for a level one adventurer."
Ryuji smirked.
"Well."
"Life's full of surprises."
She studied him for several seconds.
Then sighed.
"Fine."
She gathered the stones.
"Quest complete."
---
A familiar blue window appeared in front of Ryuji.
---
[Quest Complete]
Black Serpent Tail Stones
Reward: 100 Coppers
Bonus Reward: +50 EXP
---
Warm energy surged through his body.
Ryuji straightened slightly.
"Whoa."
---
[Level Up!]
Level 4 → Level 5
---
Strength flowed through his muscles.
His body felt lighter.
Sharper.
More alive.
"Damn that feels good."
Another notification appeared.
---
[New Skill Unlocked]
Street Brawler Lv.1
+10% unarmed damage
Small chance to stun enemies
---
Ryuji grinned widely.
"Oh hell yes."
He flexed his fingers.
"Now we're talking."
Mira slid a small pouch of coins toward him.
"Your reward."
Ryuji pocketed it.
"Pleasure doing business."
She crossed her arms.
"You're strange."
"Thanks."
"You don't fight like a mage."
"Nope."
"You don't carry weapons."
"Nope."
"And you level extremely fast."
Ryuji grinned.
"Guess I'm talented."
Mira muttered under her breath.
"Or suspicious."
Ryuji pretended not to hear.
He stretched.
"Well."
"Time to find something stronger to punch."
He turned toward the quest board.
But then—
A faint system message flickered in his vision.
Different from the others.
Hidden.
Almost secret.
---
[System Notice]
New Function Unlocking…
---
Ryuji blinked.
"…Oh?"
His grin slowly widened.
"Now this looks interesting."