Prologue

“Experience gained from defeating the same race is limited.” After hearing that shocking fact, my mind was spinning, and I could only stare blankly ahead.

“—lin, Mr. Goblin, are you listening?”

I felt myself being pulled out of the swamp of thoughts as Village Girl shook me.

“Ah, yeah, I’m listening. Sorry, I spaced out a bit.”

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I just got a little sleepy from keeping watch without sleeping.”

“Please don’t overdo it.”

“Thanks, I’ll be fine.”

As I exchanged words with her, I could feel my very sense of self crumbling.

The faint crush I had on Village Girl, the excitement of heading to my first town in another world, even the clichéd dream of becoming an adventurer like in an isekai story… all of it vanished.

I finally understood clearly that the me, who had suddenly reincarnated in this world by a god, was nothing more than an anomaly. Too clearly.

What even am I if not human? Even if I ended up with her, could we have children? Wouldn’t the church’s magic tools detect something strange about me?

All sorts of questions spun through my head. And then I realized it.

I’m a being that specializes in the human-to-human combat art called karate and gains experience from killing people.

If I were a person in power, I’d eliminate a creature like that at all costs. I’d hunt it down relentlessly and make sure it’s dead.

This is terrible. I absolutely cannot let anyone find out. I can’t stay with her anymore. I’d only drag her into danger.

They would likely torture her, violate her, torment her without end, and after her death, they’d label her as an accomplice to a monster.

As I continued traveling with her, my heart ached, even though this love ended before it even began.

I fell in love with her on my own, and gave up on her on my own, so why does it hurt this much?

Some time later, we arrived at our destination, Rock Cliff.

The fortified city of Rock Cliff. Not built to defend against monsters, but against the barbarians who once ruled these lands.

Surrounded by walls, this town that was once a frontline fortress has now transformed into a thriving trading hub thanks to cross-border commerce.

It was like seeing a medieval European town. Even in my depressed state, I felt my spirits lift.

I put on a hooded robe to avoid drawing attention, especially while walking beside Village Girl.

There was a long queue at the gate. While waiting, she said to me, “Mr. Goblin, you don’t look well. Are you alright?”

I thought I was acting normal, but she noticed.

“I’m fine. Just a bit tired. Once I rest at the inn, I’ll be as energetic as ever.”

“Is that so? Thank you for bringing me this far, Mr. Goblin.”

She bowed deeply.

“You’re welcome.”

I smiled gently.

“When we get into town, let’s tell each other our names. Then let’s go eat together. I’ve been to this town once a long time ago, so I know a place with delicious meat.”

She had a sparkling, dazzling smile. I felt as if my chest would be crushed. I grit my teeth and held back my tears.

I needed to say it. That we’d part ways once we entered town. That she should forget about me.

I answered as naturally as I could, forcing a smile, “I’m sorry, Village Girl. Once I save up some money, I plan to leave this town. I don’t intend to stay long. And the guards might come to arrest me for killing those villagers. To avoid being seen as my accomplice, forget about me. Don’t even ask my name.”

“What…?”

“Please. I don’t want to become a burden to someone who helped me. Think of this as helping me, and forget about me. Even if you see me around town, pretend you don’t know me.”

Her face contorted. I had made her show that expression again. Sorry, Village Girl.

“If that’s what you want, I’ll do it.”

She was too kind to refuse when I asked her to do it for my sake. I hated myself for it.

We talked on as usual, a little awkwardly, and then it was our turn for the gate inspection.

The gate guard looked us over suspiciously, his gaze lingering on Village Girl, and demanded in a threatening tone,

“You there, what business do you have in Rock Cliff?”

She flinched slightly but answered, “We’re here to visit my mentor in the craft of healing.”

“The craft of healing? You mean Lady Cleiarne?”

“Yes, Clei.”

“I… I see. My apologies!”

The guard’s suspicion vanished once he took a closer look at the items I was carrying. The tools and herbs clearly belonged to a healer.

His attitude turned polite in an instant. Seems her mentor is someone important in this town.

We were barely inspected, and after paying one silver coin as entry tax, we were allowed through.

Village Girl was exempt from the tax. How unfair.

Once inside, the smells of the town hit me hard. I thought the organic scents of the forest were strong, but this was worse.

Spices, sweat from laborers, cheap perfume from prostitutes, the rotting stench of waste from the slums, all these smells blended together into a wall of stink.

With my heightened senses from living in the wild, the assault on my nose was unbearable. I gagged and teared up.

The streets were crowded and lively. Most people looked like what you’d imagine as westerners from a Japanese perspective. Others had darker skin or western features but black hair. It was a true mix.

As a trade city, it welcomed all kinds of people. Seeing the energy and the variety of goods lifted my mood a little. I’m so easy to please.

Following Village Girl, I tried to act like just another traveler, but the huge pack on my back made me stand out. People stared.

We walked for a while until we reached a large, clean building with white-painted walls.

So even in another world, places like clinics use white to look sanitary. I thought such things as we approached the building.

Just then, an old man stepped outside, escorted by a woman.

“Thank ya kindly, Master Healer!”

“Grandpa, I’m so glad you got better. Don’t you go getting sick again, okay?” A woman, with black hair and tanned skin, said cheerfully to the bowing old man.

After seeing him off, she turned to go back inside, and then noticed Village Girl.

“Bell, Bell isn’t it! What are you doing in Rock Cliff?”

“Clei, it’s been a while,” Village Girl bowed as she said that.

“We shouldn’t be talking out here. Come on in,” she said as she glanced at me briefly, then headed into the building.

We were shown where to place our belongings, so I set down my pack there.

The inside of the building resembled a modern hospital. It was clean, with a separate waiting room and examination room, seemingly designed to respect patient privacy.

I had imagined something more like a field hospital, with rows of beds and shoddy treatment. But this place was much more proper than I expected.

According to Village Girl, apothecaries don’t just dispense medicine. They’re akin to doctors by modern standards, capable of performing surgical procedures as well.

The healing magic from the church demands hefty donations, making it inaccessible to most commoners. So when regular folk get injured, they turn to apothecaries for treatment.

There are many illnesses even church magic can’t cure, so skilled apothecaries are always in demand. Judging by this clinic, the medical standards here must be high.

I wasn’t sure whether it was just this woman’s skill that was exceptional, or if this world’s medical field had developed more rapidly than others. But with my knowledge of Earth’s history, it felt a bit strange.

As I pondered that, we were shown into a private room in the back. Village Girl and the apothecary chatted happily, catching up after a long time apart.

After a while, the apothecary got down to business. She asked why Village Girl left the village with such a load of belongings, and Village Girl explained what had happened.

When she got to the part about me killing villagers, the apothecary’s eyes sharpened. She glared at me, but strangely, it didn’t feel unpleasant.

Leaving someone like Village Girl, who was clever in her own way, but a bit airheaded, on her own would be worrisome. This woman seemed reliable, someone I could entrust her to.

Once Village Girl had finished her story, the apothecary lapsed into thought for a moment before saying she wanted to speak with me one-on-one.

When the Village Girl heard that, she looked at me. I nodded subtly, and she left the room.

“What’s your name?”

I almost said Hitoshi Nozaki, but stopped myself. Hitoshi Nozaki was dead, I was just a wild man now.

“Call me Yajin.”

“I’m Cleiarne, Bell’s senior apprentice and the adopted daughter of Count Meagan.”

Count Meagan! Village Girl had told me about the lord of Rock Cliff during our travels.

Count Meagan wasn’t just the lord of Rock Cliff, he was a powerful noble, ruling a vast territory.

So she was his adopted daughter…

No wonder the soldier at the gate bowed and scraped to Village Girl. She was even more important than I imagined.

I apologized for my earlier rudeness and tried to speak as politely as I could, though my formal speech was clumsy. Ms. Cleiarne told me to speak normally.

“Even though I’m the lord’s adopted daughter, it’s really just for show. I know it sounds full of myself, but talented apothecaries are rare. If you stay a commoner, some nobles might try to kidnap you.”

It seemed the lord had adopted her to keep her under his protection, recognizing her value. That alone made her a figure of importance. I felt relieved that I could entrust Village Girl to her without worry.

She asked me to explain again, so I told her the whole story, from meeting Village Girl, to the trouble with the villagers, and how we ended up in Rock Cliff.

When I described how the village head’s idiot son tried to control Village Girl through violence, her anger was obvious. But when she heard he’d been killed before he could lay a hand on her, she seemed calmer.

Once I finished, Ms. Cleiarne thought for a moment before asking, “What are you planning to do now?”

“I plan to become an adventurer, save up some money, and leave town as soon as possible.”

“That’s for the best. That village head you killed, he was an illegitimate son born to the former lord by a prostitute, back when the old man was past his prime. He was sent off to that remote village to get rid of him. Even so, he was still part of the lord’s bloodline. They might let it slide since he was a nuisance, but nobles have their pride. There’s always a chance they’ll come after you to save face. You should leave town quickly.”

So that blowhard of a village head was related to the lord? Even if he was a bastard, that’s bad news. Leaving town ASAP might be wise.

“Understood. I’ll leave as soon as I’ve saved enough money.”

“You’re really going to become an adventurer?”

“Yes.”

At that, Ms. Cleiarne grimaced openly.

“What about Bell?”

“I told her we should part ways here and pretend we don’t know each other, so she won’t get dragged into trouble on my account.”

Ms. Cleiarne looked a bit surprised, then said quietly, “That’s probably for the best.”

“Please take care of her.”

“She’s my adorable junior apprentice. I’ll look after her, whether you ask or not.”

“Thank you.”

When we stepped out of the room, Village Girl was already helping out in the clinic.

“As hardworking as ever,” Ms. Cleiarne said, smiling gently.

We called her over to say goodbye. I felt like my face was stiff. Was I even smiling properly?

“Well then, take care, Village Girl.”

“Thank you for everything, Mr. Goblin. Please stay well.”

Unable to say “goodbye” or even “see you again”, we exchanged vague words like these and parted ways. I headed quickly toward the location Ms. Cleiarne had told me, the Adventurers’ Guild.

I forced myself to switch gears. From here on out, I’d be fighting monsters for money, literally putting my life on the line. I had to stay sharp.

There was no doubt it would be dangerous. I didn’t know much about this world’s common sense, I had no proper identity, and yet I needed to earn cash. There was no way any job I could get would be safe or easy.

I couldn’t afford to let my guard down. Keeping myself wound too tight would be bad for my mental state, but letting my emotions drag me down after saying goodbye would be even worse.

As I walked on with renewed resolve, I spotted a sign with two crossed swords above my shoes. It was the classic isekai-style Adventurers’ Guild sign.

Heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and excitement, I walked in.

I’d half expected a beautiful receptionist like in a light novel, but of course there wasn’t one. Instead, a rugged old guy with scars on his face was running the front desk. And the man who looked like he was guarding the appraisal counter was a huge, scary-looking muscleman who seemed to be glaring at me.

All the staff were just scary-looking dudes! And the place reeked of danger. Now I understood why Ms. Cleiarne made that face when I mentioned becoming an adventurer.

It seemed this world followed the isekai cliché where “adventurers” basically means “a gang of thugs.” Rather than a tavern being attached to the Adventurers’ Guild, it felt more like the guild was just a section carved out of the tavern.

Even in the daytime, adventurers-ish guys were drinking, every one of them rough-faced and sketchy as hell. No one looked trustworthy.

They were drunk and rowdy, but the moment I walked in, they all eyed me warily. They had that air of people who lived by the sword, for better or worse.

As I scanned the room, my eyes met those of a skinhead at the far back, drinking.

“What the hell are you lookin’ at, punk?!”

A voice boomed so loud the whole tavern seemed to shake. It was the classic “adventurer guild pickup fight” scenario. Usually this happens when the protagonist has cheat powers and can turn things around easily.

But I didn’t even know my own strength in this world. I was ready to cry.

The skinhead grabbed the axe leaning against his table and approached.

This guy’s huge. Easily two meters tall, with a chest and arms like a gorilla. The kind of guy you’d avoid at all cost on Earth.

Sure, in a world with levels, appearance doesn’t always match strength, but still, the intimidation was real. A bald giant with an axe… he was classic bandit boss material.

What should I do? He was terrifying. I wanted to run, but if I showed weakness now, it’d be over. So I steeled myself.