Among Monsters (Tensura)

Chap 7.

James awoke, feeling strangely energized and ready to put his newfound understanding of his skills to use. He went downstairs, greeted the innkeeper at the counter with a polite nod, and sat down for breakfast: grilled sausages and crisp bacon, their savory aroma filling the room. Taking his first bite, he thought about his next steps.

'So, now that I know how my three skills work, I need to think strategically. This world is as dangerous as it is fascinating. I could try being an adventurer, but that path is risky. Adventurers face constant danger here, and this isn't like a game where I can just reload if I mess up,' he mused, tapping his fork thoughtfully. 'Then again, my skills give me a big advantage. Annihilation Creator alone might make adventuring manageable, but I'm lacking experience. I could get myself killed if I'm not careful.'

His gaze drifted as he considered another idea: 'Being a merchant might be safer—and profitable. Eternal Lake could be a game-changer. Fresh, clean water is essential here. If I could bottle it, I could pass it off as a high-quality potion and make a decent profit.' He smiled slightly at the thought but quickly sobered. 'But would I be wasting my skills? I have ten years before Rimuru shows up, if my guess is right. If I use these years wisely, I could make a real name for myself by then.'

Finishing his meal, James thanked the innkeeper and asked her for directions to the Adventurer's Guild. It didn't take long to reach it—its emblem, a golden shield etched with a sword, was prominently displayed above the entrance. He stepped inside and made his way to the front desk, where a young clerk greeted him warmly.

"Good morning! Are you here to register as an adventurer?" she asked.

James nodded, his face a mask of confidence even as he mentally ran through everything he knew from his library research. 'Alright, I remember how the ranks work, and I need to start at the bottom. No skipping steps—otherwise, I'll stand out too much.'

The clerk handed him a registration form, and he filled it out, indicating he was a summoner with the ability to call various creatures. Once completed, he returned it to the clerk, who looked over the details with interest. "A summoner, huh? We don't get too many of those, especially ones who register as beginners."

She continued to explain the Guild's ranking system. "All new adventurers start at F-rank," she began. "From there, as you complete requests and meet certain conditions, you can rise through the ranks. Each rank grants access to higher-difficulty missions, which bring better rewards. But there's a reason for that structure—it's meant to keep people from taking on tasks too dangerous for their skill level." She leaned in slightly. "Becoming a high-ranking adventurer offers social status, better income, and prestige. The highest-ranked adventurers, Special S, are heroes in their own right. Only a few people have achieved that rank, and they're practically legends."

James accepted his freshly printed Adventurer ID, glancing down at the "F" stamped on it. 'A humble beginning, but that's perfect. I'll have time to test myself, build some experience without too many eyes on me,' he thought. He thanked the clerk, then scanned the board for available quests.

One quest in particular caught his eye. It was a simple herb-gathering task, the kind of beginner quest that offered a low payout but minimal risk. 'Not exactly thrilling, but it's a start,' he thought, taking the quest slip to the clerk.

"Good choice," she remarked, glancing at the paper. "You'll be gathering healing herbs that grow near the forest edge. Make sure you have a knife to cut the stems cleanly—it'll keep them in good condition."

After confirming the quest details, James left the guild, a feeling of purpose stirring within him. This was his first step on the path he'd chosen, and he was determined to make the most of it. 'One task at a time,' he thought as he headed toward the forest, his mind alive with possibilities.

End of chap.