Jikirukuto: Takoyuki Arc

Graaswell City was glowing under the golden sunset as I finally reached its massive gates. It was around 4 PM, and after 40 days trapped in that dungeon, standing there felt unreal. The towering walls, the bustling energy—it was like stepping into another world. After weeks in pitch-black tunnels fighting goblins, this place felt almost too alive.

But something was off. Where were the guards? A city this big should have tight security, yet the entrance was wide open, no one standing watch. That's when I spotted them—Watson and Amiria, two familiar faces, chilling off to the side, deep in conversation instead of doing their jobs. As I got closer, I caught bits of their chat.

They were gossiping about the prince and his little sister. The kid, maybe six or seven, was glued to her older brother's side like a lost puppy, while the prince kept dodging her like she was the most annoying thing on the planet. Classic sibling drama. Then, out of nowhere, Amiria blurted, "Watson, did you just fart?" I nearly lost it. Watson shot back, "No way, not me!" These two weren't acting like serious guards at all—just adventurers stuck on gate duty, way more interested in goofing off than keeping watch.

Then Amiria wrinkled her nose. "Wait… what's that smell? Bro, have you even showered? You reek." I barely held in my laughter. They hadn't even noticed I was there until—

"Alexandra?! No way—you're alive?!" Amiria's eyes went wide. "We thought you and your partner were done for!"

I grinned, already thinking of a comeback. "Yep, still breathing. And apparently, I also smell like a dumpster fire."

Watson winced. "Alive? Bruh, you smell like death itself." Oof. They weren't wrong.

Forty days, no showers—just the occasional rinse in a river, no soap, no deodorant, just full-on survival mode. My scent? A unique blend of goblin funk, dried blood, and sweat. Basically, imagine roadkill baking in the sun.

I was about to fire back when Amiria's face suddenly changed—like she just remembered she was supposed to be working. That moment when the teacher catches you goofing off? Yeah, it was like that.

I smirked. "Relax. But seriously, do your damn job. If something big happens, you two can't just be standing around gossiping."

They both froze for a second before I waved them off. "I'm out—and no, I'm not your babysitter. Figure it out."

As I stepped through Graaswell's gates, the energy of the city hit me all at once. After months of surviving alone, this place was exactly what I needed. But still, something told me this wouldn't be the fresh start I was hoping for. Was this city going to be my big break, or just another nightmare waiting to unfold?

Only time would tell. But one thing was certain—life in Graaswell was never going to be boring.