Nearly three weeks have passed since I've been in this world. I don't think I'll be used to this world, and body. Everything's so different. Specifically this body, I'd trade nearly everything to change. Ahem, anyways. Something's happening, there have been more knights roaming around, people seem to be on edge. Could there be a war incoming? I couldn't help but be curious about it. That'd be a bad omen if a war sprung out the moment I got comfortable in this house.
Other than that, life at the Gabri household has been good. According to James there's been less low-ranked missions for me to do. He's apparently a copper ranked adventurer, two above the lowest ranking. Which I am, ranks go from wood, bronze, copper, silver then gold. It threw me off at first, but I can't complain about it.
During these slow times, James has been teaching me how to read and write! I've been trying to absorb as much as I can, languages have never been my forte in my past life. I never had the perfect grammar of my native language, but it wasn't the worst; don't judge, okay?!Ahem. anyways.
Apparently, the main language of this world is called Human, or something like that. Nearly every race, sub-race, everything uses it. Due to the abundance of humans, that's why it is prevalent everywhere.
Well, enough rambling about everything. Alissa and her parents just walked into the room. They seem to be in a great mood, Melinda is hanging off his arm like there's no tomorrow. Alissa, her usual self hopping up and down all beaming. I seriously need some of that energy… Despite being thirteen again, I feel like my old eighteen year old self.
"Oh, Yukina! We were just talking about going out to eat, would you like to come?" James asked me, this is a first? Did he have some big pay day? He isn't struggling but he isn't wealthy. Most of the requests he chooses pay tens of coppers, rarely a silver.
"C'mon! Join us!"
Woah! Woah! Calm down! I wanted to yell at her to let me go, she's not giving me any chance to respond! I want to get changed first! I'm literally in my at home clothes! Does she not realize that it's quite embarrassing with my legs showing?!
"Alissa sweetie, you have to give your sister a chance."
"Aww…." After Melinda's comment she finally let go of my damn hands!
"So, Yukina… Sweetheart, would you like to go?" Melinda's turn came around to ask me. She really acts motherly, it's comforting. James really had the luck of a draw to encapture a beauty like her; especially with a great personality like hers! Makes me really jealous, I didn't have a good dating experience back then.
"U-Uh… Y-Yes I-I would like to go… B-But, can I g-get changed first?"
"You can, you don't need to ask that Silly." Melinda laughed at me for a moment, she continued which made me dread agreeing. "But, that outfit you use is being cleaned and needs to dry."
"..." DAMN IT! Why the FUCK! Just my luck again! WHAT LUCK?! "O-Okay…" I'm already too far into this agreement.
"Great, we do have a jacket if you want to cover your ears."
"N-No thank you…" I responded to her. That jacket was really uncomfortable on my ears. They're extremely sensitive to touch, even for me to do. It feels like something's rubbing it wrongly, making it feel like it's in pain. Not to mention, the fing heat, I'm sure this body DOES NOT need to lose weight.
"Hehe… Alright, alright. Let's get going then!"
Like a merry, jolly old family we left the home. Of course, they slowed down their walking speed so I could catch up. Melinda and James were in the front, discussing what to get. They narrowed down the choices, some place called the bearded bar. What an odd name for a restaurant, eh? Even I had to take a double take on that. Or the cat's fang tavern. Though, their decisions didn't last long; Melinda wanted to go to the cat's fang tavern.
We continued in silence, aside from the few chuckles and comments from those two lovebirds. I had to focus my attention elsewhere so I didn't have to hear anything. People are really spiteful towards animal-kin. "Look at that disgusting thing… Ahaha… Look at how that poor thing walks!"
Yes, I know I can only walk weirdly! Though these comments made me feel weird, some of the looks certain people gave, sent a chill down my spine. I couldn't tell, but there was some… Nevermind, nevermind. I don't want to think about it.
"Hey, Yukina, are you okay?" Alissa asked me suddenly, she seemed to ignore the looks. Maybe due to my enhanced senses, I could feel and hear their disgust. For them, they just have disgust and animosity aiming at them.
"H-Huh? Y-Yes I-I am okay."
Guess I should count her lucky. A young kid like her doesn't need to see, or hear these things. It would one hundred percent destroy her confidence.
"Hey, Yukina. We never really got to ask you this, what's your favorite kind of food?" James asked out of nowhere, he gave me a short smile whilst craning his neck to look at me. "Just askin'. You don't need to constantly give those weird looks when someone asks a question, silly."
"I-I guess…" I responded, tapping my chin as if I was actually thinking about that question. "Something savory."
"Savory? Huh, got that Melinda?"
"Mhm, I do."
As we traversed the lively streets of Untergrant, I began to map it out mentally. It felt just the older version of Earth's cities. Many places were stylized old European buildings. Nothing too extravagant. That was on one side of this place, on the other were shops like I've seen before. A shopping district and a residential district type of place. Helps with tourists or visitors that are looking for supplies.
Our trip didn't take long, it did help me begin to navigate this place. At this place there was a sign atop the doorway. Like they both talked about, the cat's fang tavern. It looked like those classic fantasy taverns, a sign next to the door too with the same name. You could look inside through the windows. There seems to be a lot of foot traffic inside, everyone looks pretty happy.
From what I could see. For the name, there aren't any animal-kin huh. Were waitresses doing a pretty little dance, trotting around. All were humans, with no other racial features. Which kind of sucks! I wanted to meet another animal-kin, it feels like I'm the only out of place person. And who wouldn't want to meet a catgirl, or any kind…Actually, I want to meet elves now that I think about it.
"Um, mom, dad, Yukina's acting a little weird…" Alissa's voice shook me out of my thoughts. Unintentionally I was staring whilst crossing my arms, breaking my act as this afraid, little, girl. Well… Shit.
"Don't pay too much attention to it, sweetie. Yukina hasn't really been out as much as you and us." Melinda said, laughing a bit without looking back. "Let's get inside before it gets busier."
"You're going to have to unhook my arm, you know?"
"Alright, alright, Mr Gentleman, go ahead."
Without further ado, he held the door open for all three of us. Plus in an exaggerated way, bowing with an arm outstretched. He seemed to be in an ecstatic mood, never really see him this eccentric. Did Shaun, or Verd influence him?
Well, anyhow, the inside was nothing really to scoff at. Or to look at really, it was just a wide open area with tables. There was a counter, with someone looking bored at. She was just sitting there, head laying on it. Overall pretty underwhelming aside from the lively atmosphere which turned to a still when we walked in.
"Welcome to the cat's fang tavern, how ma-" The lady in a bored, aloof manner welcomed us, but caught her tongue when a loud yet familiar voice shook the tavern.
"Heyy! Finally you all made it! C'mon sit over here!"
"Shaun keep you-"
"Oh c'mon, don't say you're not excited to celebrate this!"
Over yander, and amidst the crowd of tables sat Shaun, Verd, and Jin. As added to their table there were four other seats. It looks like this was all pretty much planned from the start… "Celebration" Although I wonder what that celebration is. That explains James's theatrical mood.
"There you guys are! C'mon let's go take a seat with 'em."
"Um-"
What exactly is this celebration…? How the heck did they avoid saying anything about this…? My dear, dearest diary. You may be wondering. "Hey! I thought you had superhuman hearing! You must've stumbled across them talking!" And I must say to you, my old friend. No. I did not hear even a peep, a mutter or a stutter. Which is shocking, given how much they can't hold their tongue.
But, you don't even know what it is about! You might think, but I can see their eyes looking at me gleefully. Nope… Nope, I do not like this! Why the heck are they all staring at me and not saying anything?!
"So now that we're all here…" Melinda muttered after we all had taken a seat. Stinking high chairs, short legs aren't a good match! I hope to god, when I grow up again I will be taller. Verd, Shaun and surprisingly Jin raised their glasses in unison. "We'd like to congratulate you, Yukina."
"E-Eh?? O-On what?" I responded. "W-Why do you want to congratulate me?"
"On a good job, you finished your first actual mission. Against goblins nonetheless." Jin replied to my actual confusion.
"I didn't… Do much though…" In fact, I barely did next to nothing. All I did was get help killing a few goblins that were already bound to die due to Verd! Then, I somehow killed one with my fireball spell… Other than that, I fainted at the site of that goblin massacre caused by the man.
"Either way, this is a rite of passage. Congratulations to you, Yukina."
"Congrats!"
Following him, everyone started congratulating me on finishing that mission. Genuinely I had to lay my head down on the table, the stimuli was overwhelming. I guess that caused them all to laugh, the air around us danced in unison, and someone patted my back.
After some time, we ordered some food and drinks. Alissa had to help me look at the menu, since I still don't have the best reading skills… Pretty embarrassing when I heard some of them let out an "aww". A lot of their options were fish based, steamed salmon… Yatta, yatta. Steamed salmon only caught my attention. So no Catgirls… but cat favored foods, alright then.
Our order came quickly, not even half an hour had passed and everyone was served.
"Hey James, why don't we tell Alissa and Yukina the story of our first mission together." Shaun suggested, his cheeks were puffed up to the high heavens with how much he engorged himself.
There was a loud smack when James himself covered his eyes in what I'd assume was embarrassment. "Shaun… I don't want to talk about that."
"Nah, we will talk about it! Alrighty, here listen up you two."
At the start, these guys formed a group. It was a simple mission: gather the ears of horned squirrels. Yes, horned squirrels. Like slimes they are an invasive species. Yet, they were nasty critters, ones that could kill a human being.
The start went well, they were able to capture a few. But their mission warranted at least twenty being captured alive or dead. On their tenth squirrel, James heard some rummaging to his right, without telling the others. And then, without any notice a squirrel latched onto his face.
All the guys heard were screams, echoing throughout the forest. And when they turned around, James was clawing at his face desperately. However, the squirrel did not let up, it kept scratching and nibbling his face without stopping. The other guys tried their hardest to pry it off, if they swung their weapons his head would've been separated
It seems like even he is unlucky…. I thought to myself, I looked at James whose face was completely red and shaking his head. After some time of this embarrassing story, Shaun was quieted.
Just as I was about to enjoy myself, whispers entered my ears. They weren't those of those around me, they were voices of the other people in this tavern.
"Who let a disgusting thing like that in here?"
I could feel my smile fade, their comments weren't directed at anyone else. Their stares I could feel on my back. Try to ignore it… Don't let it ruin this moment. They're just racist pricks, not worth listening to them.
"Maybe if it wasn't for that foolish royalty recently… It'd be a slave."
C'mon… Stop listening to them… Is this how it felt? To be racially discriminated like this? I can't let it get to me… Everyone seems super happy…
"If-"
Shut up… Please just shut up!
Why can't I block it out? Even when walking here… I'm trying my best, trying not to let it control me. I want to cover my ears, I want to silence their words. Can't I just smile and not let it bother me?
"Yukina."
"Hey, you alright?"
"Yukina?"
What should I tell them? I can see their worries on their faces; they all craned their necks to give me a worried glance. I'm really bad at hiding my emotions, it's gotten worse since I was reincarnated… Nor do I wanna cause a scene in this place, people are trying to have a good time.
I tried to wave it off as I'm not feeling well. The celebration went on for a while, even I attempted to distract myself, joining in and "laughing". This eased their worry, and I felt that encroaching feeling in my stomach.
"Oh, right. We have a little gift for you, it's not much but we wanted to get you a little something." James suddenly proclaimed, I couldn't react when he whipped out a load of copper coins. "That's your part of the goblin hunt we did."
"E-Eh?" I didn't do anything though! It was all Verd! There… There were about twenty copper coins here! This meal here was fifteen! He could use this to pay that tab he gained here! There's no way killing three goblins paid this much… Either way… I had to take the copper coins, shoveling them into the pocket of my shorts.
We left the tavern, everyone was laughing joyously. The night sky was already waning on us, yet we merrily took our time to get home.
"Daad, once I become an adventurer will you celebrate my first mission too?" Allisa questioned once we took a step into the home. Her cute little head tilted, her actions caused James and Melinda to laugh for a moment then the former responded.
"Maybe, depends if you're willing to listen to your momma.. Ouch! Hey! What was that about?!"
"Yes, we will celebrate your first mission. Isn't that right?"
"Yes! Ple- Please stop pinching me…"
"Good boy." Melinda commented, her words caused James to look down in slight embarrassment. Can these two stop flirting for a day? None of this is appropriate in front of children! "Though, it'll be a bit before your first mission."
Technically, she already did her first mission… The temptation to refute her claim urged itself at my throat. Somehow I kept it under wraps. But their daughter…
"But mom! Dad took me and Yukina on my first mission already! I just need to become an adventurer!"
"Oh, that is true…"
"Ow, ow! What did I do wrong?!"
"Anyways… As our daughter it'll be at least till you turn fifteen before you can sign up to be an adventurer."
This back and forth went on for a bit. Poor James's foot and side were either stomped and pinched, after all of us got changed we retired for the night.
It's been two days since then… I made some progress in my reading abilities! The human language, in written form at least, is not as complex as I thought. It had a mix of eastern spelling, written with western type of writing. A lot of the words are mixed and matched… Some words were spelled differently, most had the opposite meaning or a completely different type.
Alongside that… There were a bunch of symbols added that had OTHER meanings. Isn't that pretty crazy? And now you may be wondering… My dear writer and friend, what are you doing right now?
Well, I'm laying in Alissa's bed right now with a book in my hands! James handed me this one day, alongside other books; all varying in size, right now this is the smallest in terms of pages. And to show off my splendid. Not. Reading abilities I shall recite as I attempt to read.
At the beginning of Untergrant's conception, there was this blue haired heroine. She alongside few of her closest allies steeled their resolve. These lands at one point were invaded by monsters, and creatures alike. Our hero, this blue haired heroine was blessed by the gods, she attained this power through her beliefs~ This old book sounds like it was created for a gacha, even the lady's description. Anyways yatta, yatta, this lady's friends died to a fox-like creature. It had a big ol' pair of fluffy ears.
In the end, she managed to defeat it. At its dying breath, its body morphed into that of a human's… Pretty on the nose eh? The words at the end were one single yet large page. "Do not trust those of beasts."
Well… I did not tell James, he would've felt terrible. Nor did I attempt to tell Melinda. Gotta preserve his dignity y'know? And sure as hell, Melinda would've slapped the living hell outta that guy… Then they would release that pent up frustration somewhere else. AND I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR THAT EUGH! But anyways… Thankfully it was not a creature with wolf ears… It would've done a number to my own cute… Wait a minute, what am I talking about?! UGH! Stop thinking like that!
I don't know if it's due to me being in this form, or how I'm being treated; my mind is acting weird and having these strange thoughts! I am not cute, I am not someone else's daughter! Nor am I a girl! Mentally at least…
One last little thing, how can I read this book? Hehe…. It's a picture book! HAHA! I may not be skilled yet, but this will be my second step into literature in this world!
"Yukina! Are you awake? We got something to talk to you about." I heard James's voice come from the bedroom door. There was some snickering coming from behind him, he was with the others.
As meekly as I tried, I stumbled to the door, and opened it. Correct, the three other guys were standing behind him. Thattime, they were all in their gear. James was in his usual attire, a white priest garb. I couldn't see Shaun and Verd clearly, but Jin was in a sleeveless top and pants. He had a bow hung around his shoulder.
"U-Um… Yes? Di-Did I do something wrong?"
"You don't need to be scared." James assured me, he knelt down and readied his hand for something I didn't want; a head pat. "There was an emergency at the guild. My party was handed a mission today."
Uh huh? Does that have something to do with me?
"Well… Behind your back we did add you to our party list…" Upon seeing my hesitance to his pat, he started to scratch the back of his head whilst explaining. "Would you like to come with us? You have a choice."