Sorry for the late upload, the site ran into some difficulties. Thank you for your patience. -Grayson

 

 

————————————————

 

The sun began to set.

 

I finished hunting in the forest and began to prepare to return to town.

 

Eventually, the number of goblins I killed exceeded 100.

 

I didn’t count exactly, but the bag full of their left ears, which serves as proof of subjugation, was stuffed to the brim.

 

Each one weighs only a few tens of grams at most.

 

But with more than 100, the weight adds up to a few kilograms.

 

Still, it’s not a weight that would cause any struggle.

 

Because every time I level up, I distribute skills, so my STR bonus is high.

 

Of course, it would be more convenient to store it in the inventory for transportation, but unfortunately, I can’t do that.

 

Because NPCs can’t use the inventory.

 

In the game, when fighting or cooperating with NPCs, they only use items in hand or stored in pouches.

 

In other words, being able to use the inventory is proof of being a PC (Player Character).

 

In the current situation where I cannot definitively say that there are no other players who have traveled to this world, I should refrain from publicly declaring that I was a player.

 

Especially since I, who have been involved in PK (Player Kills), am likely to be hated by many people.

 

Until I gain a high enough status, I should avoid actions that identify my character, let alone the fact that I am a reincarnator.

 

I enjoy the nice weight of the sack and head towards the town.

 

Then, I heard a sound of rustling in the nearby bushes.

 

I can tell it’s a sound that isn’t from leaves rustling due to its scale.

 

And it’s not something that small monsters like goblins would cause.

 

A larger creature.

 

It’s the sound of a monster large enough to be classified as medium or large-sized rustling through the vegetation.

 

This is the outskirts of the Wartz Great Forest, where only small monsters like goblins are supposed to appear (pop).

 

Therefore, it is highly likely that it is a fellow adventurer.

 

But in this world, where the restrictions of the game system have been lifted, anything could happen.

 

Considering the possibility of a medium or larger monster wandering around, I prepare to draw my sword at any moment.

 

I suppose the other party has noticed my presence.

 

They change their course from before and head straight towards me.

 

And what appeared from the bushes in front of me was—

 

“――Boy?”

“Gatekeeper-san?”[1]

 

It was the gatekeeper who was on duty in the town of Loine.

 

As when I first met him, he wore leather armor on his huge body and carried a greatsword on his back.

 

He looked surprised at first, then wore a troubled expression.

 

“Listen, monk. This forest is, after all, a hunting ground for adventurers rank D and above, okay?”

 

Ah, that’s what it is.

 

Wartz Great Forest is recommended for adventurers rank D and above.

 

However, even E-rank adventurers can enter.

 

Although entering could mean losing their lives with a high probability.

 

What I’m equipped with is the initial equipment: 【Bronze Sword】【Hemp Shirt】【Hemp Pants】.

 

It’s a bit inadequate to enter the forest.

 

If you’re a game newbie not used to character control, just taking a few hits from a goblin can be dangerous.

 

Therefore, it’s better to buy leather equipment before entering the forest to increase your defense.

 

At the start of the game, complete quests on Stang Plain.

 

After saving enough money, it’s a common strategy to challenge by buying a 【Iron Sword】or a set of 【Leather Armor】equipment from the weapon shop, which are better than the initial equipment.

 

This man might be trying to tell me that.

 

Contrary to his appearance, he’s a kind person.”

 

“I know this is recommended for D rank or above.”

“If you know, at least get some armor—”

“I got promoted to D rank yesterday.”

“—What?”

 

I showed my D-rank adventurer’s certificate to the gatekeeper, who looked puzzled.

 

“… I’m surprised. You really are a D rank. I guess I was overstepping.”

“No, thank you for your advice.”

 

The gatekeeper looked genuinely apologetic.

 

He really is a kind man.

 

I also thanked the gatekeeper, who had been worried about me.

 

“By the way, why are you in the forest, gatekeeper?”

“Ah, yesterday I was a gatekeeper, but today my job is to hunt monsters in the forest.”

 

I see.

 

So, the soldiers’ jobs are on a rotation system.

 

Since NPCs basically perform the same duties, I assumed that gatekeepers only did gatekeeping work.

 

“—Wait a minute, Captain!”

 

How did you get promoted to D rank in a day?

 

The town of Loine is a nice place.

 

While we were having such a chat, someone appeared from the bushes.

 

“What’s up, John?”

“It’s not ‘what’s up’. I thought I’d lost you when you suddenly entered the animal trail.”

“You did lose me, didn’t you?”

 

It seems this man is a colleague of the gatekeeper.

 

The colleague, who had a leaf on his head and was breathing heavily on his shoulders, complained to the gatekeeper.

 

“You know this forest better than I do, so why did you lose sight of me?”

“It’s not me. There’s no way anyone can keep up with the captain’s stamina.”

“You should level up more.”

“How many dragons do I have to hunt to match the captain?”

 

Is he really that strong?

 

In Regicide of Saga, you need to be at least level 100 to hunt dragons.

 

Even if his colleague’s words were a metaphor, it’s clear he’s a level above the common NPC.

 

“Are you that strong?”

“Of course. In fact, I’d say he’s the strongest in the kingdom.”

“All of you need more training.”

 

Is that so?

 

…That’s right.

 

Now that we’re on the topic of the gatekeeper, I should make a request.

 

Since I’ve drunk the “Platinum Wine”, I can get a lot of experience points.

 

“Gatekeeper.”

“Oh, what’s up?”

 

With a determined mind, I made a certain request to the gatekeeper.

 

“—Would you have a mock battle with me?”

 

Translators Notes:

[1]Soldier-san has changed to gatekeeper-san.