After I finished my meal, I headed to my small room in the inn. Sleep didn't visit me that night, and I had nothing to occupy myself with. It was the first time I had real free time since arriving in this strange world. I sat on my bed and let my thoughts run wild, drifting among them. I didn't even realize when I fell asleep—it was as if sleep had sneaked up on me silently.
I woke up to the pleasant chirping of birds and a bright morning that filled the room with warm sunlight. I got up quickly and got myself ready to start a new day of work. I left the inn feeling a mix of mild excitement and slight anxiety. When I arrived at the hunting office, I noticed that everyone had already gathered there. Luxian, Knox, the employer, Reagan, and even Marcus were all present. Marcus still looked tired, but he was in much better shape than before. The atmosphere was different today—buzzing with noise and excitement, as if something important was about to happen.
I approached Knox and asked him:
"What's going on here? Why all this commotion?"
Knox smiled faintly and said:
"Do you remember the beast the employer defeated?"
I replied:
"Yes, I remember it clearly."
Knox continued with excitement:
"It seems the employer brought the corpse of that beast here and handed it over to the hunting office. And the amount they're estimating just for that beast is five thousand dollars!"
I felt as if the ground had swallowed me from the shock. Fi... five thousand dollars?! Is this some kind of joke? And how the employer manage to bring the corpse of a beast that size?
My thoughts crashed like waves until the employer's firm voice interrupted:
"Ahem... Ahem... Listen to me carefully, all of you. No doubt you're all exhausted from what happened recently, so I've decided to increase the promised amount. I'll give each of you an additional two hundred dollars."
Whispers rose among the group, shifting from astonishment to joy and excitement. As for me, I was still speechless, as if every passing moment brought a new shock.
The employer continued:
"Now, everyone line up. Each of you will receive your payment."
We obeyed, forming orderly lines. The expressions on our faces were varied:
Some were happy, others indifferent, and a few carried signs of worry.
When it was my turn, I felt my hands trembling as I reached out to receive the money. An overwhelming joy filled me. I felt an indescribable euphoria. I had finally received a decent sum in this new world. This money would be enough to keep me alive, though not enough to live a normal life or search for my family.
I stood for a moment, staring at the money in my hand, realizing that the road ahead was still long and difficult. But this moment was a starting point, and I felt a flicker of hope rise in my heart.
...
After I received the money from the employer, I walked a few steps away, watching my colleagues from a distance as they lined up one after another to receive their payment. Their faces showed fatigue, but there was a clear sense of relief, as if they could finally breathe after everything we had been through.
Once the employer had finished distributing the money, he raised his voice and said:
"Well, everyone, get to work now!"
I stood frozen in place and said to myself in surprise:
"Work? We're in a different village than the one we came from… so what does he mean by work here?"
I couldn't hide my confusion, so I stepped forward and asked him honestly:
"What do you mean by starting work? Aren't we in a different village? Is there even work here?"
He turned to me with a look of realization on his face and said with a tone of slight apology:
"Oh, right… I forgot you were absent yesterday. Well... let me explain what happened."
His tone shifted to seriousness as he continued:
"Yesterday, everything was going well, and we were planning to return to our village. But suddenly Reagan came and told me that this village offers better opportunities to earn money. He had talked to some of the villagers and learned that there are thriving seasonal jobs here, especially in collecting medicinal herbs and materials that mountain hunters need."
He paused for a moment, then continued in a calm tone:
"And after deep thought, I realized this move would be beneficial for everyone. We don't need to return immediately—we can make the most of our presence here, work for a few days, and increase our income. I spoke with the person in charge of this area and arranged for us to start today."
...
I had nothing to say... my mind was filled with tangled thoughts, and I sank into a heavy silence. I wasn't thinking about work, money, or even our next destination. I was thinking about the old inn… that place had become more familiar to me than I expected. I remembered the old lady, the innkeeper, who always greeted me with her tired smile and warm tone despite her old age and loneliness. She had no children or anyone to share her daily life with. She treated me like a familiar stranger, not a temporary guest.
And I remembered the restaurant I used to visit, that quiet corner I always sat in, and the waiter who always served me with the same calmness and respect every time… I probably wouldn't see them again. A quiet sadness crept into me, like a lump in my throat that wouldn't go away… I know it might seem trivial, to feel sad over a temporary place and passing people, but that's part of who I am—I get attached to people… or things.
I asked the employer:
"What kind of work will we be doing?"
He answered me seriously:
"Sometimes regular work, sometimes hunting, and sometimes other things—whatever comes to mind. But we don't do bad things."
I stood in front of the employer and said honestly:
"But you didn't tell me when you hired me that the nature of the job would be like this."
He looked at me steadily, then answered calmly:
"What can I say? Circumstances changed suddenly, and in the end, the decision is yours. If you feel this doesn't suit you, you can resign at any time. But if you decide to stay, know that the money will be good."
I hesitated for a moment, a flood of thoughts spinning in my head. But I quickly gathered my courage and decided:
"I think I'll stay. Work is rare, and I won't find an opportunity like this easily."
The employer smiled and said confidently:
"You've made the right decision."