Day-8 (Night)
...
For the umpteenth time, I heard the sound of the bell ringing.
That familiar sound served as a reminder that the day was coming to an end.
Even though I didn't really do much today, it doesn't mean I did nothing at all.
I spent some time practicing how I swing my sword, and how I thrust it. I think training things like that will be somewhat useful for me.
Especially since I tend to miss a lot—more precisely, my attacks are easy to dodge. So if I can make my attacks faster, I think that would help.
Well, even a few hours of training won't really make my attacks faster. At best, it just makes me feel like I'm doing something...
And after that, I simply fell asleep, until the bell woke me up again...
I got up from the pile of straw. It's happening so often it almost feels like déjà vu every time I wake up.
Then I went behind the inn to wash my face.
After that, I returned to my room and put on the clothes I wore when I first came to this world.
I take good care of them, because I know they're the only thing I have left from my previous world.
Once I finished getting ready, I left the inn and stepped onto the street.
Tonight, I'm going to try something.
-
The streets at night are truly dark. Even with a few faint lights here and there, it's not nearly enough to illuminate everything.
It didn't take long before I arrived at the bridge near my inn. I stopped there.
"Huh..."
A quiet sigh escaped me as I looked up at the sky, at the red-colored moon.
It feels strange. Just seven days ago, I was an ordinary person...
And yet somehow, I can now fight—and kill.
Even if I know it's more like I'm being forced to, just to survive... you know?
I don't really mind it at all.
After all, what I'm killing are monsters. And if I don't kill them, either I'll be the one killed... or I'll starve to death without money.
Things don't always go the way I expect them to. In fact, that happens quite often.
That's why I've come to think—
no matter what it takes, as long as I can live the way I want, I'll do it.
After standing there for a while, I started walking again.
-
Before long, I arrived at my destination.
A tavern.
There was a sign in front that read: "Sherry Tavern."
Even from outside, I could already hear the noise coming from within.
For a moment, I hesitated. Should I go in, or not?
"…Alright, I guess it won't hurt to try," I muttered, as I pulled the door open and stepped inside.
In an instant, the scene before me changed.
Inside, it was crowded. People were talking to each other—some in parties, some just acquaintances. It looked like the tavern had two floors.
One word—crowded—was enough to describe it.
My eyes wandered around, trying to find a good place to sit. But most of the seats were already taken… and worse, I didn't know anyone here at all.
Ah, damn it, why did I even come in here!?
My thoughts stirred, already regretting my impulsive decision.
But…
I turned around. I could still leave right now.
That thought reminded me—this was my own decision.
Huh... In the end, I have to go through with this.
I walked past several tables filled with people. None of them paid any attention to me, as if I didn't exist. Well, maybe they were just drunk—or too caught up in the moment.
Eventually, I sat down at a seat right in front of the counter where drinks were being served.
This is my first time in a place like this, so it's only natural that I feel lost.
The atmosphere makes me uneasy. All the noise makes it hard to think clearly. It feels like something is stuck inside me.
I looked toward the crowd once more…
Only to realize—
—even in a place this crowded, I'm completely alone.
Even the sounds I was hearing before began to fade the moment that thought crossed my mind.
It felt as if I had never been in a crowded place at all.
"Hey..."
A voice snapped me back, along with a light tap on my shoulder.
The noise returned all at once.
I turned toward the source of the voice. In front of me stood a man who looked familiar, yet someone I didn't truly know.
He pulled a chair and sat down beside me.
With a smile, he said,
"I feel like I've seen you before. Have we met somewhere?"
What he said matched what I had been thinking.
I nodded, forming a small smile.
"Yeah… I think I've seen you too. If I'm not mistaken, it was when I first arrived in this world. You were there, right?"
"Wait—you were there too? I didn't notice you. If I remember correctly, there were thirteen people at the time."
He looked genuinely surprised.
Well, that's only natural. I'm not the type to initiate conversations. If no one talks to me, I usually just stay silent.
So it makes sense no one noticed me… especially since I didn't join any group back then.
"…Yeah, I saw you. I was walking not too far behind your group. And… I think I saw you and your party yesterday as well."
"I see… then that must've been yesterday. You were the one sitting with Mogzo, right?"
"Mogzo?" I didn't recognize the name at first, but then I recalled it.
"You mean that big guy?"
"Yeah. If you didn't know, his name's Mogzo. He just joined us yesterday, but we've known each other since we first came here. I wanted to thank you for keeping him company back then."
"It was nothing… really. I just did it without thinking much," I said awkwardly.
This always happens.
Whenever someone treats me kindly, I never know how to respond.
Is this what that saying means?
"Be kind to me, and my heart will waver."
Yeah… that's probably it.
It's rare for someone to be kind to me.
Honestly… I feel a little happy right now.
"Ah, sorry—I forgot to introduce myself," he said suddenly, as if realizing something.
"My name is Manato. Nice to meet you."
He introduced himself so naturally.
It's almost impressive.
"Nice to meet you too, Manato. My name is—"
"… "
—what is my name?
Confusion. Anxiety. Unease.
So many emotions rushed in all at once.
I've lost something… and only now did I realize it.
How stupid…
At first, I didn't really care about it.
But thinking about it now, I've lost the one thing I was given since I was born into this world.
My name.
"Is something wrong? You look pale," Manato asked, noticing something was off.
I looked at him, then spoke honestly.
"…It seems… I don't remember my name."
"Are you okay?" he asked again.
I nodded.
"Yeah… It's just a name. I can always give myself a new one. It's just strange that I'm only worrying about it now."
"I see… I'm sorry to hear that," he said softly.
"Haha, you don't need to worry. Like I said, I can always name myself," I chuckled lightly, trying to ease his concern.
"I see…"
Even so, a trace of worry still lingered on his face.
"You know… a name is like a person's existence. People are known by their names. But here… it doesn't really matter. No one knows me anyway."
He nodded.
"Then we should come up with a name for you. I don't want to keep calling you 'hey' or 'you.' So… what should I call you?"
"Yeah… give me a moment," I said.
Coming up with a name isn't easy—especially with my terrible naming sense.
But eventually, something came to mind.
"Sirus."
"…?"
He looked confused.
"Yeah. Sirus—that's my name now."
I don't really remember where it came from.
I think… it was something I once used when creating an account.
Manato smiled.
"Then, Sirus… I hope we get along."
"Yeah," I replied.
"Hey, Sirus—do you drink?"
"I don't think so… but maybe I'll try."
"Then two beers, please," he said to the person behind the counter.
Well… this will be a new experience.
Before long, the drinks arrived.
We each took one, then took a sip.
It felt warm going down my throat—that's all I could really tell.
I don't quite understand why people like this.
"By the way, Sirus… which guild did you join?"
That question almost made me choke.
I quickly looked away.
"Well… about that… I didn't really think much back then. I just bought some things, found an inn, and went out hunting."
Shock appeared on his face.
"W-wait… don't tell me—you didn't join any guild at all?"
"Hard to believe, right? But yeah…" I said, taking another sip.
I could hear him sigh.
Ah… this is really embarrassing.
"That must've been tough…" he said, as if he truly understood.
I nodded.
"Yeah… it was."
I took another drink.
"Sirus, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Do you have a party?"
"No," I replied, shaking my head.
"Then… would you like to join ours?"
My eyes widened in surprise.
"Wait—what do you mean, Manato?"
"Just like I said. I want you to join us," he smiled.
"So, what do you think, Sirus?"
I let out a small sigh before answering.
"I don't know… Is it really okay to decide that on your own?"
He nodded.
"You're right. But I think it's fine. Our group was just formed, and we don't have much experience. We struggle even against a single goblin. So… since we're all weak, we can only rely on each other. That's why—I want you to join us."
Seeing how earnest he was… I didn't know what to do.
I don't really have a strong reason to accept.
But… I feel like I need this.
At the same time, I'm afraid of what the others might think of me.
Huh… what a hassle.
If only I didn't have to think this much.
I looked back at Manato.
He really does want me to join…
Before I realized it, a small smile formed on my face.
"…Alright. I guess… I'll join."
...