After reaching the forest, Arad picked up the tallest tree in the area and slowly climbed it. “This is our high-class, luxurious accommodation. We have branches, leaves, and even some spider webs. The air is frozen cold and refreshing, the best of the best.” Arad said with a smile as he formed a small bed by tangling the branches together like a chimp.

[You know that you can warm yourself with fire.]

“And look, it even comes with a heating system.” He ignited the tip of a branch with [Firefist]

[I see, let’s work harder tomorrow.]

Arad sighed, “For real, spending my first night without a shelter.”

[Dragons usually sleep in forests like this or caves.]

“You said you know that Alcott dude. What is his deal?”

[I don’t know much, only that your mother knew his title and trusted him to a moderate extent.]

“I see, but she didn’t expose her nature to him.”

[No, she didn’t. It wasn’t that kind of trust.]

“I understand. Let’s sleep. I want to get back to work early tomorrow.” Arad closed his eyes, dreaming about the day he could sleep on a bed.

…

The next day at dawn, Arad headed back into the city.

“Did you finish your quest?” One of the guards standing on the wall asked him. 𝚍ｎ𝚘ｖ𝚕.𝚝

Arad stared at the man, “No, I failed it due to darkness.” and then kept walking toward the guild with a determined face.

CREEK! Arad opened the guild door to see it empty. Most people haven’t arrived yet. “Arad? You’re too early.” Nina has just arrived as well. She was on her desk cleaning it.

“The early dragon gets the gold,” Arad said without thinking.

“You mean the early bird gets the worm.” Nina smiled, looking at his face.

[That was a line from your mother. It got integrated into you in the early stages of your maturing.]

“Say, Nina, how many Slimes do I need to kill to finish a quest?” Arad asked with a serious face.

“At least ten, why do you ask?” Nina stopped cleaning and looked at him with a puzzled face.

“And what about the mint quest?” Arad didn’t respond and asked again.

“Three batches, about this size.” Nina showed him with her hands.

“Thank you. I will be back.” He walked toward the quest board and picked the mint quest. But he didn’t find the slime one.

“Where is the slime quest?” Arad asked with a puzzled face.

“I haven’t hanged it yet. Do you want to do it again?” Nina took the paper from her desk.

“I will hunt as many slimes and gather as much mint as possible. I want to rank up and get more hunt quests.” Arad said, walking toward Nina’s desk.

Nina looked worried, “Sorry, but that isn’t possible. Only one slime quest per day, but you can repeat the mint quest.”

“Why?” Arad glared at her.

“We don’t want the adventurers to eradicate all slimes. I’m sure you know they are rare outside river sides and lakes.” Nina explained.

“I understand, but I still want to take more quests,” Arad growled, glaring at the quest board.

<Sewer cleaning: 1 Silver and 50 Copper>

<Brick hauling: 1 Silver per day>

<Porter for the demon fang party: 8 Silver per week>

<Rat hunting: 2 Copper per Rat, It can be done with a Sewer cleaning quest.>

<Rabit hunting: Pays depending on the kill>

<Missing Animal: 5 Silver if retrieved>

“Will take the Sewer cleaning, rat hunting, rabbit hunting, and the missing animal quest as well,” Arad said, and Nina smacked his head with a chop.

“Finish one first, and they are Rabit, not normal rabbits.” She seemed too specific.

Rabits are rabbit-like monsters with one horn and are faster than regular rabbits. But, they are considerably smaller, almost half the size of a grown rabbit. People usually call them the quail of rabbits due to their delicious meat.

“Fine, I will be back soon.” Arad wasn’t that pleased, “Get the quests ready.”

As he walked out, Alcott was entering, and he looked back at Arad.

“Hey, Nina, the kid’s an early bird. I thought my old ass woke up early.” Alcott laughed, getting in.

“He’s a good kid. And a skilled one at that.” Nina replied with a smile on her face.

“Skilled. I did a short spare with the kid yesterday.” Alcott patted his sword, “He gave me a real scare. I thought you infected everyone with your power.”

Nina sighed, “Strength isn’t contagious. Why do you and Amber keep joking like this.”

Alcott approached the desk, “I mean, it’s weird seeing you behind the counter like that. That battleaxe behind you will soon rust.” He pointed at the battleaxe hanging on the wall behind Nina’s desk.

“I dropped fighting. I want to live a calm life.” Nina replied, looking back at her weapon.

At the forest, Arad finally reached his hunting spot. He walked toward the trees, searching for a long stick with a couple of stones, and then took his clothes off.

[Why stripping?]

“Clothes cost money, and I don’t have that,” Arad said, looking at the slimes close to the riverside.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Arad rushed ahead, swinging his stick at one of the slimes. SPLAT! The slime’s frail body exploded from the impact, [Void Existance]

[I absorbed the core into your stomach, it’s a good one.]

“Thanks. Let’s keep going,” Arad replied with a smile as he rushed toward the slimes.

The slimes started rolling away, “Why are you running?” Arad rushed after them, “Come here, money. I still haven’t eaten anything since I was born, damn it!” Arad growled, swinging the stick at them left and right.

After Half an hour, Arad finally stopped killing the slimes.

“How much do we have?”

[You learn quickly, 34 cores. Four of them are damaged.]

“Nice, that’s three days’ worth of the slime quest. Let’s go looking for mint.”

[First, wash in the river.]

As Arad looked down, slime’s acid covered his body. “Why am I not getting burned? Isn’t acid supposed to deal damage?”

[You have resistance, and slimes acid is more effective against metals. It’s a monster that damages equipment more than you.]

Not all monsters are dangerous because they can kill people. Some are dangerous because they are pests.

For example, slimes can’t kill a motivated child. But they can corrode mundane weapons and armor. That has made them an extremely dangerous foe for low-rank adventurers.

After washing the acid, Arad wore his clothes and headed deeper into the forest, searching for mint. It didn’t take him long to find some, and more, and more.

“Mint is everywhere!” Arad gasped upon seeing another small patch of mint.

[Don’t exaggerate it. It’s common but without skill or me guiding you, finding all of it would be impossible. Also, remember that it won’t grow by tomorrow. Mint is a limited resource.]

After collecting a few batches, Arad returned to the city.

“Hey, Arad, Another failed quest?” Nigel’s father called him.

Arad looked at him confused, “No, I did get it done.”

“Really?” He didn’t seem to buy it.

[It’s strange since you aren’t carrying anything]

Arad slid his hand into his pocket and pulled a smile core, “I did kill them, at least.”

“What? Where were you hiding that? Is it magic?”

[Don’t tell him about anything. Just say it’s a trick and leave.]

“It’s a small trick. See you later.” Arad waved his hand, rushing into the city.

“What do you want me to do?” Arad asked with a worried face. It was only now that he realized how strange it was for him to carry nothing as an adventurer.

[Let’s go to the market and spend a few coppers on a leather bag.]