"This year?! Are you crazy?!" Rasie immediately cut in, her voice rising. "That’s impossible! It takes someone years to get from level thirty to forty. You have to be realistic, Zaefal! Besides, it’s already the fourth month. You want us to be at level fifty within eight months? That’s completely insane!" Rasie scratched her head roughly, trying to make Zaefal see reason.
"Rasie is right, Zaefal. Reaching level fifty in eight months sounds impossible," Illya added gently. She then glanced toward Fyar. "Especially with me still at level seventeen, and Fyar at level zero."
Fyar pointed at himself with a bewildered expression. "Me? What are you guys talking about? I’m just a temporary member, remember? I’m only in this party until we go into the dungeon." He looked at Zaefal firmly. "And also, you don’t need to bother finding a way to awaken my power. Besides, I’m just a stranger you’ve only known for two days."
Damn it, I have to get out of this city as soon as possible, Fyar thought. I just got thrown into this world and they’re already talking about war and horrible things. Screw this, I just got here! Let me breathe first. After my custom clothes and bullets are done, I’m going to a more peaceful city. I don’t want to be a main character yet. I still want to live peacefully as a side character for two years. Regardless of what that green-haired man said, I’ll figure it out on my own later. A perfect plan.
"Eh, Fyar, you’re not going to be a permanent member of our party?" Illya wore a sad expression upon hearing Fyar’s statement.
Fyar shook his head firmly. "Of course not. The agreement was, after you pay me, my job is done."
"Are you sure, Fyar?" Zaefal interjected. "If you don’t become an adventurer, how will you live? Your gold coins will eventually run out. Have you thought about a way to earn money?"
"W-well..." Fyar fell silent. Ah, he has a point. I haven’t seriously thought about it. He began to search for job options in his head. A merchant, maybe? Mmm, I could also consider being an inn receptionist or a bartender in this world.
He then gave a pretend cough and answered, "I might become a merchant, or maybe a bartender or an inn receptionist."
"Hahahahahahaha!" Rasie burst out laughing at Fyar’s answer.
What is with this woman?! What’s wrong with that?! Fyar cursed internally, glaring at Rasie’s roaring laughter. "What’s so funny?"
Zaefal just sighed. He looked at Illya and raised his eyebrows slightly, as if signaling for her to explain.
Illya nodded, then looked at Fyar with a gentle smile. "Fyar, to become a merchant, you have to get a certificate from the city. The cost for that certificate is at least seven hundred gold coins. In addition, you must have a reserve of at least two thousand gold coins. Only then can you be recognized and start trading." Illya paused for a moment, then patted Fyar’s shoulder gently. "Do you have that much coin?"
Damn capitalists. Whether on Earth or here, the system is so damn complicated. And Illya, are you mocking me?! Uh, calm down, Fyar, calm down.
He tried to compose himself after the information he received and Illya’s veiled jab. He then said, "I can still be a bartender or an innkeeper."
Illya sighed again. "To become an innkeeper or a bartender, you have to have lived in the city for a minimum of six months. And also, the salary isn’t as much as being an adventurer, you know."
Oh my god, what a hassle. Who’s the mayor here, huh? Why are there rules like that? Fyar grumbled internally.
Fyar then asked, "How much is the salary anyway?" Fyar was curious about what Illya said regarding the salary not being as large as an adventurer’s. He thought it would probably only be a small difference.
Illya smiled gently and answered, "Seven gold coins a week, and you have to work nonstop for nine hours a day."
That’s so little! The salary and work issues aren’t that different from Earth, it turns out. The capitalist system here is quite brutal, no wonder Laura was so sincerely grateful when I gave her a tip.
"If becoming a merchant or an employee is that complicated, then becoming an adventurer must be just as complicated, right? So why don’t adventurers need to wait six months first?"
"Because being an adventurer has high risks, Fyar. The kingdom also considers the existence of adventurers to be very useful, so the rules are loosened." Illya then winked her right eye and added, "And also, if they try to make the process difficult for you when you register, don’t worry. You have me. I know a friend who can smooth out the process for you."
Insider connections. I bet my adventurer’s card getting done so fast was also because of you, my lady, Fyar thought.
He then added, "How many gold coins do you all make? You rely on quests, right?"
"Mmm, we usually get around five hundred gold coins each time we complete a quest. Especially if you go to a low-level dungeon, you can also sell some of the items we find for thirty to one hundred gold coins," Illya explained with pride.
She then smiled even wider. "And even if we don’t complete any missions and make no gold at all in a week, I personally give my party members sixty gold coins."
Just how rich are you, Illya?! Fyar was stunned, a little in awe of Illya’s dedication to her party.