New House, New Problems

I needed to think happy thoughts. All I have done is worry and remember the bad things that happened before I returned to the past. The problem was that I didn't think I could remember what happiness was like? Was it a relationship? Clearing a dungeon for the first time? Or maybe that first sip of your favorite drink?

I shook my head and tried to clear my thoughts. However, the chill I got from the two men who visited my home out of nowhere had not left my skin. I felt I needed to prepare even more to protect myself because the future I once knew had taken a turn and it felt like anything could happen now.

Today was a new day, so I put on a light jacket, slung my backpack over my shoulder, and locked the door behind me. Today I was going to find a new place to live. I didn't feel comfortable in this house anymore and the guild had set up a secure housing for hunters. Just another perk of the accelerated events in this timeline.

It felt like with each new day something new, but reminiscent of my past memories, popped up. As soon as I reached the more populated street I pulled the hood of my jacket over my head. I probably wasn't being followed, but I felt uneasy still.

I wrapped my hand around the metal bar on the thick doors of the guild and made my way up to the reception area. I slipped the paperwork I had filled out the night before for a residence change to the receptionist and she smiled at me. I liked how confidential and quiet the guild was. It made me feel more secure.

I probably looked sketchy wearing an oversized jacket, covering my face and not speaking, but the guild employee smiled and processed my request. I slid my guild card onto the counter and, after placing a glowing magical stamp on the card, a new emblem appeared on the upper right corner.

This was the new magic discovered recently. Each emblem opened a certain room in the guild. For every branch of the guild you could move into a room there. However, you could only keep one room at a time. If you traveled to another guild and requested a room, your previous room would disappear, including everything stored inside.

I was not sure how it worked, but basically they were somehow using the power of the system with a specially built building of sorts. It didn't matter to me though. I would not be moving my base because I could already travel to any known tower with my new abilities.

It would be ineffective to store anything in my room anyway, especially since I had this backpack that could store unlimited amounts of items. Maybe I would leave some items out for show in the future, but I did not plan on using any of the services from the guild to clean my room.

Using the services to buy food sounded tempting though. It would probably be better than my barely edible contributions to my diet. I would have to think about it more once I saw the menu. Worst case scenario, I just go to one of the cafeterias for hunters that had popped up nearby. It was seriously starting to feel like one of those isekai adventuring novels, except in the real world.

Going on a fantastical journey through unknown lands with elves, dwarves, and other fantasy races sounded a whole lot more fun than whatever this situation was. I placed my guild card on the indicator in the housing building and a light shone under my feet and I found myself in a barren set of rooms.

The only thing I could say about my new lodgings was that it was very white. One large room, two medium sized rooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. Aside from the basic appliances for the kitchen and the bathroom setup it was completely empty. I didn't expect this. I thought that there would, at least, be a bed.

I guess I need to go shopping. Sighing, I turned around and opened the door behind me to re-enter the housing building's lobby. I approached the desk just outside of the entryway and found a catalog already set-up for basic furniture and needs. There seemed to be a lot of different vendors.

"Just moved in?" A well-dressed woman with the guild's insignia on her top smiled at me. "We carry things at all different prices and there are some really affordable options."

I must look like a newly minted hunter. In truth if I sold everything from my storage I would have a small fortune. The guilds point currency had all but replaced the paper currency we used before the towers. I saw that all of the items could only be paid for using guild points.

Picking out a basic bed, and other furniture I quickly cashed out. "Would you like to use the guild service to set up your housing for you?" I paused and debated. It was only a few hundred points and I had that. I nodded and added the option she gave me.

The tablet I had been using to order suddenly showed me my new house and I was able to pick up my bed and drop it into the room I wanted it in. I began organizing my room based on what I had bought and it felt like one of those interior design games I saw advertisements for in the past.

In fact it was dangerously easy, since I had bought several small things that I didn't intend to buy to make it look 'nicer'. I wanted to hold my head in my palms for falling for this ploy from the guild.

"Now that you have used the Interior Design function we will provide you with a tablet inside your home for ease of access." The employee smiled warmly at me as if this had been her plan all along. You better not be getting some kind of commission for this.

The loss of all the points I had built up to look like a basic adventurer hurt. The guild should be keeping all my expenses and such private so I could instantly refill the points I had spent, but my pride had taken a hit so I shuffled away. I needed to stay inconspicuous so I headed for the tower next door to 'earn' more money.

I felt like I needed to spend some time exploring the dungeon today, so I went back to the forest dungeon from before. It was simple to teleport to the tower in question and the familiar sounds of a forest with monsters filtered into my ears once more. Somehow it felt more peaceful here than in my real life.

I know that was just my anxiety speaking. This life was far from the danger filled lifestyle of before. Perhaps I just needed to think of that like a bad dream and make the most of this life. I didn't have much time to ponder this as a large cat with spots came flying at me from the treetops.