CH 5: Encounter With Alf

"Then I'll go there."

After I said those words, I tried to ask the official for directions. But from behind me, a voice suddenly sounded out.

"—Wheat Basket Pavilion? That's a good choice, Marie."

The voice was soft and gentle, like that of a priest or perhaps even a Saint. Despite this, I felt that the voice was dangerous.

I discreetly moved away from my position and veered to peek at the voice's location, secretly being ready to run if things went wrong.

A tall and attractive man was standing just behind where I was before.

He appeared to be slender, but upon closer inspection, the firm muscles the man had could be observed. Looking at his face, I saw that the man's eyes were light blue and were shaped like almonds. Though strangely, his hair was a bizarre indigo blue that was tied in a ponytail. Good grief, if we were in Japan, people would ask what was wrong with him. How crazy must he be to dye his hair in such a striking color? Though, a part of me doubted if such a thing would truly transpire, as the man was extremely handsome, and was able to look good despite his odd hair.

"Oh my, Alf, is the subjugation finished already?" Marie asked in shock, her eyes widening at the very possibility.

"It was so disappointing that I honestly wished, that I could go back to the time our party's rank was lower. It was more challenging back then." Alf said with a sigh.

Marie, the official I was just talking to, had an exasperated look on her face.

It was then that Alf, perhaps noticing that there was someone to the left of him, glanced at me.

"And you are...?" Alf asked with an inquiring smile.

I bow my head slightly, a small smile gracing my lips as I introduce myself. "I'm Rei Arihara, and I am pleased to make your acquaintance," I said naturally, but on the inside, I was quite uncomfortable.

"...How polite," Marie mumbled softly, her palm covering her mouth. And although her words were too quiet for me to hear, her expressions and gestures told me that I did something unusual.

Before I could figure out what I did wrong, Marie gave a professional smile and introduced Alf to me. "Rei meet Alfred Hearty, an A-rank adventurer."

Hearing Marie's introduction, Alf bowed politely, then gazed at me with a contemplative look.

The look he gave creeped me out, but I didn't say anything as Alf was someone with status in the guild. Instead, what I did was close my eyes and smile politely.

Alf grinned at the sight, then took one of my free hands and shook it.

His hands were large, calloused, and tough. They showed that he was a man who has trained hard. They were so unlike my own small and weak hands.

I was quite envious. But in the end, I smiled happily at Alf as the handshake ended, never letting my true feelings about the man show.

"Rei, I haven't seen you around before, so you must be new here ...And if you want, can I show you around the city? I'm sure that you don't know where anything is located. So I'm confident that you will find my guidance convenient!" Alf said excitedly, his voice carrying a trace of something I couldn't discern.

It was like a nagging feeling in my head was telling me that something about Alf was wrong. So very wrong.

Seeing my slightly unnerved expression, Marie beckons me over.

"Alf is trying to help you, look at the bar."

When I surveyed the bar, I met with countless pairs of eyes. Those sharp, rugged, and unkempt figures stared me down lecherously like I was lewdly roaming around for their sexual enjoyment. I could even notice a few of those gazes staring hatefully at Alf.

What sick drunkards! How have they been able to grow up with no manners—?

Ah. I finally noticed why Marie was so shocked by my introduction.

I was too polite.

I should have noticed what was wrong when I saw Marie and Alf talk to each other so casually.

This world was in a kind of Medieval period, so all of the adventurers in the guild should be individuals with unpleasant backgrounds. There's no way any of the people here would have the time to care about manners.

I should have known not to be polite when Marie asked me if I could read and write. Isn't that a dead giveaway that it's not uncommon for adventurers to be uneducated?

Just by being polite, perhaps I have already become suspicious in Marie and Alf's eyes.

So what I should do now is obvious.

I should just learn to act like the people here then slowly distance myself from any suspicion. Therefore, my first action has already been decided for me.

"I would be delighted to be guided around by you Alf."

—I need to have an amicable relationship with those around me, then slowly withdraw.

"Then I'll be finishing up what I need to do, just wait a bit okay?" Alf proceeded to walk to the back of the guild building, bringing with him only a small bag around his waist.

At that moment, Marie used her hand to beckon one of her coworkers to her side.

"Tell the butcher that Alf is here early." She said in a kind and warm manner.

On the other hand, her coworker was visibly terrified.

"Mr. Dan will be in a terrible mood! Why force me into a tiger's den!?" The man exclaimed.

Marie sighed at her coworker's denial, her face visibly frowning. But then, she smiled lightly and whispered something into the man's ear.

Amazingly, as soon as Marie finished whispering, the man ran as if the devil was chasing after him.

"Now," Marie said as she turned to face me, a professional smile on her lips. "Apologies for any delays, Alf's party always brings so many monsters after a subjugation, so we always have to warn our butcher of his arrival. I would advise you to wait with me while Alf finishes his exchange."

Just a moment after those words, screams rang out from somewhere behind the guild building.

"Please don't be unreasonable Alf! This is just too much!" A voice cried out in denial.

"Oh, Mr. Dan, I know with your talent that anything is possible," Alf said cheerily.

"Ahhhhhh! I hate you, Alf!"

And with that, I silently waited for Alf to finish his 'exchange'.