"So, Tsuyo Tamashi, a name... peculiar, not at all subtle, really."
The witch spoke without even having seen the signed paper.
"Well, I've signed. What power are you going to give me?"
I asked, hoping for something useful. I wasn't expecting a super healing spell or immortality, but something fun at least.
"Give you some power?"
The witch seemed confused for a few seconds and then burst out laughing.
"Hehehehehehehe. Why would I have to give you any power? Unless you consider having a stable job a power... I think in your home world it might be."
While the witch laughed, I tried to find any clause in the contract, but there was nothing about any power.
"So... no power?"
I asked, disappointed.
"Well, you're human, with a human body... you weren't born with any special abilities in your soul, and it doesn't seem like you've been blessed... so I doubt you have any powers."
The witch explained, looking at me with an inquisitive gaze.
"I'll explain the situation while we're at it. You're my slave, a witch's familiar. I have many, but there aren't enough these days, so I need a regular one to help me out here at the bakery while I'm busy."
"So... Well, it's... a job... still better than being dead, right?"
"You get it now," the witch clapped her hands happily. "Now you have a very simple mission: register with a random guild, so you have something to do in your free time."
"That... A guild... Like an adventurers' guild?" Perhaps there was still hope.
"Exactly, I don't want you to raise any more suspicions, so a human in this area should be fine if they're part of a guild."
The witch explained while eating a piece of bread—not literally while eating, she didn't seem to have any manners or know that you shouldn't talk with your mouth full.
"And where do I sign up... wait, I don't even know what language they use here."
"Nah, you'll be fine, Tsuyo Tamashi. Rei Ko will surely do all the paperwork."
I left the bakery with a bittersweet feeling in my soul. At least they could give me a power if they were going to bring me here to work as a slave in another world.
I wandered aimlessly through the town. I didn't really know what a guild was supposed to look like or where I was supposed to go, and everyone was staring at me like I was some kind of freak.
"Meow"
A yellow cat blocked my path.
Pukupuku
Two tails sprouted from the cat, swaying like grass in the wind.
I reached out to pet it, and the cat lowered its head.
"If I were you, I wouldn't touch it. It's a Nekomata; they're very unpredictable creatures."
JUU LI's voice startled me; I hadn't heard her footsteps.
I instinctively pulled my arm back, and the cat fled.
"What do you mean by unpredictable, JUU LI?"
I asked, standing up from where I had crouched. When had I crouched? I couldn't remember, or perhaps I had overlooked it.
"Rei Ko spent a week with a flame that wouldn't go out in her hair."
That really sounded painful.
"It's lucky you arrived then, Juu Li."
Juu Li replied with a smile; her mere presence seemed to cool the atmosphere... damn, she looks too much like a woman with that face.
"Actually, it's good you came by. I was looking for where and how to join a guild."
"Well, follow me."
Juu Li offered to guide me. Judging by her expression, I couldn't tell what she was thinking.
We walked in silence to a kind of marble house (I think it was marble; I'm not an expert on that) in a Greek style? I'd never seen pillars on a house before. Anyway, we went inside.
"You can register with Rei Ko."
Juu Li pointed to a door at the end of a hallway. Although she spoke in a calm and cool tone, it was gentle, like a refreshing breeze on a hot summer afternoon.
"I have to get back to my mission, so I'll leave you here."
And Juu Li left. Maybe it was my imagination, but I felt like the temperature had suddenly risen 10 degrees. Anyway, I walked to the door and knocked three times.
Knock knock knock
"Come in."
I recognized Rei Ko's voice instantly.
I went into the room. It was lit with torches, and several unfamiliar people were standing with Rei Ko around some kind of map.
"Oh, it's you, the baker's friend."
Rei Ko got up from the table and approached me with a cheerful look.
"Tsuyo, Tsuyo Tamashi, that's me."
I introduced myself, rather clumsily. I was a little nervous for some reason.
"Tsuyo, tell me, how can I help you?"
Rei Ko was the opposite of Juu Li; you could tell what he was thinking just by looking at him. If I had to compare him to anything, it would be a dog, a golden retriever.
"I wanted to join a guild, since I'll be around here..."
"I understand, I understand. You've arrived at a good time then. Come over to the table."
On the table, a map of the village had several areas marked with red circles.
From what I could gather, it was a periodic pest control operation. Wargs, giant wolves of the forest, would emerge from the woods every year around this time, approaching the village in search of young Wiccans.
"Wargs have a howl capable of disrupting the flow of mana in Wiccans, leaving the younger Wiccans completely defenseless. That's why we can't let any of them near the village."
Rei Ko effectively explained each group's location and strategy.
"Tsuyo and I are human, so we're not in danger of being devoured, but everyone else could be in danger if they're careless, so prepare yourselves well."