Chapter 2

June 12, the year 482 after the indulgence of the gods. The time is 12:05 a.m.

The first shock after entering this world let me go rather quickly. Euphoria and childlike delight were replaced by two familiar questions. "What do I do?" and "How do I go on living?" Analyzing my feelings, I still do not understand why such a grumpy and rather skeptical person reacted so violently to such changes. There is only one explanation: the Guardian Interface. Apparently, it had somehow influenced me at the moment of the transfer, and this effect had subsided. The only question was: what was stopping it from happening again? How much control do I have over my body now?

Trying to look in the reference again, I naturally found nothing. Absolute emptiness multiplied by a fat figure. Perhaps the devil is not as frightening as it is painted, but rational reasoning requires answers to my questions. If I can't get any information yet, I'd better concentrate on the problems at hand. Let's go by the standards of Maslow's pyramid. Let's provide ourselves with physiological needs, and then we'll move higher.

I did not feel comfortable talking to any of the passersby. To begin with, I should at least listen to what they say, so as to have some idea of the local cuisine. I do not know the local manners and customs, so there was a great chance of getting punched in the eye. My interface gave no information about the others. Its only help was the life and mana indicators, which were on the sides of me and were circular in shape, filled with red and blue. They could be turned off at any time, which I took advantage of. In the games I often had cases where, because of the interface I was simply killed, because it obscured the view.

By and large, the only thing it's really useful is the character window and inventory. Perhaps in the future something good will show help, but now it is as useful as a third hand...

- So, pull yourself together and think. - My voice suddenly made me tense. It was mine, there could be no doubt about it, except that it had changed. It was a little harsher, about half a tone, but to me, a man who had good hearing, it was very noticeable. - "And why should I be surprised? If the body has been patched up, the slight change in my voice could be a consequence of that very change. I'll have to check how I look now."

I activate my inventory and pull out my phone. It had a full charge and there was a power bank in my backpack, which might be enough for a while. At least I can listen to music afterwards. The cell phone was of no use anyway: I did not keep the schematics of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, nor any other useful thing. The only thing there is a video of my cat hitting himself on the head with his paw and freaking out about it. If it's really sad, at least I'll laugh, and it won't last long.

- Man, why am I such a klutz? - I kick the stone I found under my feet, which almost hit a very large passerby. Thank the macaroni monster, the big guy didn't see it, or else I'd be beaten up at best. - "Only I could kick a rock and be one step away from getting in trouble on my ass!" - Glad I had my luck. So many times it has bailed me out, and so many times it has set me up. Still, it's another thing that's stayed the same, and I'm very happy about that.

If you think about it, the interface said the world was called "Danmachi," and I have associations with that name swirling around in my head. It's something I've seen or heard before. I wish I could remember when and where? Maybe read it or watched a cartoon there... Think head, think! - That's right! - It's a harem film with the traditional Japanese mentality of a jackass guy. There's another goddess in there who's taking him in. Hestia, I think... Except I watched it so long ago that I don't remember a thing.

I was in the middle of my brainstorming session as quickly as it had begun, so I did not immediately understand why I had pulled out my phone and was staring intensely into it. When I came to my senses, I unlocked the screen and turned on the front camera, staring at my reflection. After watching, I could see my reflection's eye twitching. It would even be funny if it wasn't so sad!

- Thank you, I now look like the hero of a third-rate fanfic. I'm left with the sword of "all-female" and a harem of a dozen faithful girls who hadn't even thought about sex before I met him, but here I am, the one... Ugh, this is bullshit.

Okay, to be fair, my last face wasn't bad. Blond hair, proper facial shape, and a slight stubble that somehow made me look younger. Now, in the reflection, I looked like an arrogant, self-righteous asshole, reminiscent of a young Dante. White hair and the aristocratic shape of my face. Even the eyes were blue... I wonder if this appearance is the result of a template interface, or the result of divine plastic surgery. Well, so to speak, my old face was not so representative, but now it is immediately visible, "guardian", it's good that it is not Vaitran.

- "Fuck you, goldfish, thank you for not waking up in the body of some prostitute in the middle of the workday or even a corpse. If anyone can hear me, thank you for that, too!" - Hopefully my mental message would reach its recipient, and if not, fuck it.

With a familiar motion I put the phone in my pocket, and then, realizing I had it, tried to put it away in my inventory. It didn't work the first time, but after five minutes of swearing and applying the best scientific method created by mankind, namely "trial and error," I somehow shoved the smartphone back into the bag. It was strange that no one was looking at me the whole time. My clothes were very specific to these places. It was terribly hot outside, and here I was, a genius, in a winter jacket, boots, and warm pants.

- Now I understand why. - Some man-beast in a fur jacket walked past me, and his face was begging to be thrown into the wall. In Russia it is customary to call such people the "Criminal Element. His hands in his pockets, his gait impertinent and defiant, and his face extremely unhappy.

- What are you staring at? - The subject turned in my direction, giving me a herd of goosebumps and a clear signal from my ass that it was about to end.

- You look like a friend of mine. - It was a catch phrase, after which 90% of these people just lost interest in me and went back to their undoubtedly "important" business.

- Okay, get out of here, I'm in a good mood today. - Maybe the guy really was telling the truth, but here's the trouble, I could use his help.

- Listen, can you tell me where there's a good hostel around here. I'm new in town... - I know it's a big risk, but it's still worth a try, he won't beat me up for asking an innocent question, will he? Or will he?

- Do I look like a walking handbook to you? - He turned to me completely and raised an eyebrow questioningly.

- Hehe, I thought you might be able to help me. You just seem like someone who knows every corner here.

- Yeah," Zoomorph sighed irritably, "Look, you're pretty stubborn. Well, come with me, there's a place here where you can get a good meal and a good night's sleep and a drink. Do you have any money at all? - The zoomorph grinned at the end of his speech, looking at me intently.

- Well, I have some valises. - I don't say anything about money, because we're standing in the middle of the square, and people here have long ears. Maybe I'll run into someone who likes to pinch passersby, and I don't need that right now.

- All right, follow me. - The half-wolf waved his hand invitingly.

I followed in silence, glancing around from time to time. I would have to explore the city in detail later. Still, he had to know the hot spots that would give him the unforgettable sensation of cold steel in his liver. Fantasy is what fantasy is all about, there are such free rides around every corner. But the good news is that this is Japanese fantasy, which means that half of the silliness inherent in the European Middle Ages is absent here. I hope not.

- So where are we going? - I break the silence for the first time in ten minutes of walking.

- Ah," Zuomorf glanced at me.

- I'm just curious. - I put my hands behind my head, staring at my still walking companion.

- You really are annoying. - He chuckled, and then, with a heavy sigh, he continued talking. - The tavern is called the Mistress of Fertility. It caters for citizens by day and adventurers by night.

- You're an adventurer, aren't you? - I tilted my head questioningly, trying to understand why my companion had gone there so early.

- My goddess had asked me to pick up some drinks from Mia Grand, the hostess of the place. She couldn't wait until tonight, so she sent me. As if I had nothing better to do than be the errand boy for that fucking goddess." - The half-turned man was outraged, but not as enthusiastic... Definitely a tsundere.

- I can see that she obviously trusts you with such an important assignment. After all, alcohol is a very valuable thing, and you can't trust such an important assignment to just anyone. - I tried to hide my laughter by carefully formulating my speech before I said anything. But I got the feeling that the man in front of me realized that I was joking with him.

- Shut up already, I know. - He snorted, turning away from me.

- Look, we were having a nice conversation, and I don't know your name. My name is Arthur.

- Has anyone ever told you that you're an incredibly obtrusive guy? - The half-wolf twitched his ear nervously. - Well, you're not getting off anyway. Bethe, Bethe Loga, a member of Loki's family. - The zoomorph stopped abruptly in front of a large sign. - Here we are. Look, it's the Mistress of Fertility pub. - The guy was pointing to a wooden sign with rather unusual letters that I could easily read.

- Yeah, well, I can read, but thanks anyway. I owe you one.

- You, as a future adventurer, better take care of your gear. Good weapons are expensive, and you don't look like a man with a lot of money. This place isn't cheap, but trust me, it's better than anything you'll find in this part of the Orario.

- I don't remember you promoting my place that well, you fucking asshole. Who's that? Has Loki been joined by another child? - Behind the man came out a rather large woman who was slightly shorter than Beta. Only a few centimeters. And the guy was six feet tall.

- I don't know who he was. He came up to me this morning and started pestering me with questions. - Bethe was complaining to a woman, and the guy was clearly unhappy with my company, but was able to tolerate my company to the end.

- Hmmm..." The woman looked up and was very quickly beside me, assessing my appearance. - Did he tell you about the rules? - Mia crossed her arms at her sides, looking at me sternly.

- Well, yes, but I haven't joined any families yet. I just got into town today, so there's a lot I don't know. - I spread my arms, trying not to look in the direction of the threatening woman.

- Have you decided to try your luck and become an adventurer? - The woman smiled, and her posture became friendly.

- You could say that. I wanted to get some information, but my new acquaintance was not very sociable, so I decided not to pester him with questions...

- Hey, I'm still here, you little bastard! - The guy, who clearly didn't like being discussed in close proximity to him, got angry.

- Hehe. - Smile and wave.

- Ha-ha-ha," laughed the woman, "I like you, boy.

- Arthur, call me Arthur.

- Well, Arthur, that rebel could hardly tell you much. It's just a miracle he decided to take you along at all; he must have liked you. Here, take this. - The woman roughly shoved the barrel of liquor into the hands of the zoomorph, and then took my hand. - Let's go and talk. - It was no use resisting: Mia was unrealistically strong, so I had to let myself be dragged along like some kind of plush toy