Chapter 21

I woke up the next morning and headed towards the mercenary guild.

Once I arrived, I was led to the room Samuel was in.

I was handed a contract and I made sure to read it thoroughly.

I made sure to make sure it was favorable for me.

Surprisingly, everything in the contract seemed to be in my favor.

I signed the contract once I finished reading it.

I then handed the signed contract to Samuel.

"When do I start?"

"You'll start a week from now, but make sure to come tomorrow, as we need to make some preparations. For today, go ahead and take a look around the city. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the city. It will certainly make many things go a lot easier."

"Is there a place that has a map of the city? One which describes where everything is located?"

"You could buy one in the store, but if you don't want to spend money on that there is some older ones in the city library. They've got older buildings in it, but you can see how the city structure is like. You won't spend money with this one, but it'll take you more time."

"Where is the library located."

He then told me where the library was located.

I went to the library and entered the building.

It had many books, and I didn't know where to start looking.

I looked for somebody that worked in the library and asked for where the maps were.

Once I knew where they were, I headed there.

There were many books which included detailed descriptions of the city's shops.

I saw one that got my attention and tried to pick it up.

I saw a hand that was reaching for the same book, and once I saw it I retracted my own hand.

Since I was so focused on the book I didn't pay any attention to my surroundings.

I looked to the side and saw two women beside me.

The one that was closest to me looked at me as if I was weird after seeing my actions.

The other one was looking at the books without even paying me any mind.

{[F*ck]} Three voices said at the same time.

Wait, three voices?

I didn't say anything.

Well whatever the case, I'll think about that third voice later.

In front of me was a woman with short orange hair, which barely reached to her shoulders, and orange eyes.

She looked similar to the hero that Shadow knew of, and I would believe it was her if not for her sharp features that made her look fierce.

Beside her was a woman that had white hair that had red highlights, which extended all the way to her back.

She also had blue eyes, and while looking for books she had a nonchalant expression.

Judging by Shadow's reaction, and that fact that he cursed for the first time, I'm guessing he recognized them both.

I decided to exit the library as quickly as possible.

As I exit the library I remembered something.

"Couldn't I have used Shadow's internet to look for a map!?"

I then went back to my apartment.

*

I discussed with Shadow and Kunai about the two individuals we had met.

"The demon king, huh? So that's why you think that's the hero?"

[Yeah] (Shadow)

"What if they are just lookalikes?"

[There might be a chance that's the case, but the fact that they were both together might mean they are the same people.](Kunaigai)

"It might be or it might not. We don't have any evidence that suggest they are the same people."

{But I do.}

The third voice started speaking once again.

"So what's your evidence?"

[Who are you talking to?] (Kunaigai)

"Wait, you guys can't hear that voice?"

[Voice? What voice?] (Shadow)

{They can't hear me...yet.}

'What does he mean by yet?'

{It means that the one controlling that body is the only one who can hear me.}

'So you can hear my thoughts as well? Who are you?'

{I am your creator.}

'Are you a god?'

{Not really. I'm your author.}

'This situation is too similar to the previous. Next thing you now, we're gonna be three more authors down.'

{No, I'm the only author around here. Though I'm now something similar to a god in this world, I'm not classified as one. I can give you skills, but they are not S rank. In fact, they are not even classified as skills.}

'So you can give me skills?'

{Yes. That's actually the reason I am here.}

'Wait. Before you do that. What's the evidence you were talking about?'

{Yeah, about that. You're the evidence. You were originally meant to go to another world, but you ended up here thanks to them.}

I paused for a moment and then asked him a simple question.

'What's that supposed to mean.'

[Hey, you suddenly stayed quiet. You good?] (Kunaigai)

I forgot I was talking to Shadow and Kunai.

For now, I guess I'll have to put my conversation with the so called author on hold.

"Hey, Shadow, show me a map of the city."

[Why are you asking me that?]

"Didn't you have access to the internet?"

[Oh...I had forgotten.]

It seems that Shadow had also forgotten.

I looked at the map and suddenly thought of something.

Shadow had told me his story. His past. Was he angry at seeing the hero and the demon king.

I asked him that question and he simply answered it.

[No, I'm not angry at them. They had done that in the past. If in the future they do it again, however, I would go up against them again. But seeing as I'm just a status window at the moment, I don't think that would be possible. So I'm hoping if that time does come, you would do things for me.]

I then remembered the words of the author.

They couldn't hear him yet, but they could once they were in control of the body.

'Can we switch with each other, or is that part of a skill?'

{As I mentioned before, I am here to give you some skills. One of which allows you to do just that.}

For now I didn't tell Shadow, or Kunai, about my small conversation with the author.

Once I get a hold of the skills though, I'll explain it to them.