**Day 26 Morning Omui Streets**
Ugh, so tired. Exhausted? Listless? Also underslept, sleepy, but got woken up anyway... This sucks. I'm a worn-out high-school boy, you know? Nobody's showing me any sympathy.
Everyone applied at the guild for three days straight, so they have to go into the dungeon. I'm only level 11, so I still can't register as an adventurer. I'm on babysitting duty. Perfect for a NEET hikikomori loner like me. Solid decision.
Seriously, isn't my part over? Can't I just go home? Being here feels like I get yelled at every single day for some reason. Even though I'm not at fault? This is super weird.
I've actually got a decent amount of money—counted it and there's over 2 million ele. The great tycoon is back. I'll tease the signboard commoner later. No allowance, but this is all from side gigs. Slowly saved up. Diligently earned. Yet if they find out it'll get confiscated. So I have to spend it before that happens.
But the shady peddler still hasn't come back today. Neither has my favorability. Nor my pheromones. Where the heck did they go? My favorability... When is it finally gonna come back and level up? That's gotta be why I get yelled at every day even though I'm doing nothing wrong. Hurry up and travel faster, you merchant! Express delivery!
The general store has no new stock either. No rice. I did tell onee-san about the ultimate dish called mushroom rice, though. She'll probably search like her life depends on it—she's a full-blown mushroom junkie.
The weapon shop—or rather, club shop—is doing great business. Super prosperous. This town is doomed.
I window-shopped around, but no cool stuff. No shady night shops either. Where's Akemi-san?
Bored...
Maybe I should sneak into the dungeon?
They say only adventurers can enter, but if I do it stealthily it'll be fine, right?
Dungeons seem kinda fun.
There are seriously treasure chests, apparently.
For some reason the otakus vetoed it: "If Haruka-kun goes in the dungeon, he'll fall off a cliff straight to the bottom floor and go missing."
Uh, I don't fly inside dungeons, so no falling? Ceilings are low, right?
Anyway, outside it's just gobs and kobolds everywhere.
Plus goblin emperor and kobold king already gave me trauma.
Never again.
I barely survived!
Almost got my head chomped!
Never ever again.
Goblin king game is the worst, though... I'm never the king... I just keep losing!?
So bored...
Already got my fill of morning receptionist-class-rep's jito stare. Requests unchanged...
Still haven't made eye contact with anyone at that guild even once? Even looking straight at their faces—no contact? Mystery. Body of a high-schooler, head full of riddles even idiots can't solve. Probably wouldn't get it even if it wasn't a mystery. They're still sleeping anyway. Not a shred of recovery. Idiots.
Anyway, time to head outside.
Maybe a carriage is getting attacked today. Might get thank-you money.
So peaceful... Not even one pocket-money monster showing up.
Not a single carriage attacked.
Well, I don't really need anything right now.
My role's over anyway—no need for gear.
I mean, if there's something good I'll buy it. Obviously.
RPG rules—I'd buy it.
But I don't wanna fight strong monsters.
So... gear's already sufficient?
I'll just hunt anyway?
Kinda peaceful.
Finally peaceful. Days like this are nice too.
"Like I said, read the room."
Somehow ended up walking toward the forest, and an orc jumped out. Not orc-face, actual orc. Whatever, same difference—I can't tell anyway.
"Did these guys actually believe that 'some town is super popular with monsters' rumor and come running? Gullible much? Where are orcs even getting info? Is Merumeru-san advertising? Did they put up signs in the forest?"
Looks like they brought gobs and kobolds too. Monster group tour? Should I hop on this wave? Except they're attacking me! Participation denied!! Because loner!!
Punch the gobs.
Punch the kobolds.
Occasionally punch an orc.
What is this? Monster Whack-a-Mole? Game series? I hate king game! Don't show up! It's not rock-paper-scissors!!
Kobold king is a no too—if he shows I'll sic the bitches on him! ...That scares me too, though... seriously.
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How long is this gonna go? Monster bashing? How many hours of whacking till clear? Any prizes? If it's a pheromone ring I'm in! Totally in!! Come on, you favorability losers—I'll turn every last one of you into favorability!!
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It's getting dark already? I'm hungry, man. No pause or save? Time to go home? ...Well, by that logic I'd have to go back to the forest too.
How long is this? Master of Monsters? How many hours till clear? Prizes? If it's rice I'm in! Totally in!! Come on, you onigiri losers—I'll squeeze and shape every last one of you!!
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Pitch black now? Seriously starving! Had to sneak mushroom snacks midway! Right next to town? Oh? Finally ending? Credits? What's the prize?
"Eh~? Come on, read the air? 'Last one's a pain' is instant trash-game verdict! Why show up now? If the party's wiped we can retreat, right? Common sense?"
Orc King is the final boss. Level 34, HP a pointless 327. Weaker than Goblin Emperor, but takes forever, right? Absolutely.
"Seriously, it's late, I'm starving, and now Orc King? This is classic 'takes forever' pattern! Starvation tactic? That kind of strategy? Hey, can I just grab dinner real quick? I'll be right back, promise! Super quick!"
No good, apparently. Worst. Zero air-reading. Otaku level. Wouldn't even be shocked if Otaku King showed up next. Why do I have to beat these guys to death anyway? Such a hassle...
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Beat him to death. Clubbed him flat. Finished him. But nobody's giving prizes? What? I got scammed? I kept punching nonstop because if I used magic it'd probably get nullified or something, so I punched everything properly—no slashing, no stabbing, all punches. No prize? ...Fine, whatever. Going home.
Not Otaku King... wait, who was it... Oh right, just collected magic stones and clubs from Orc King and Orc Leaders. Rest is too much hassle. Tired. Annoying. Hungry.
No prizes, trudging back to town all dejected.
Total wasted effort.
If I collected everything it'd be a decent haul, but with this much I'd never sell it all anyway.
Clubs everywhere. Might as well call it Club Town now? If it were "Yearning Town" it'd sound kinda cool, but... Where did the favorability I'm yearning for go?
**Day 26 ended**