-Explore the Cave Near Parnil Forest (Detailed information provided upon accepting commission)
One of dozens of commissions. At a glance, the contents didn't look all that special, but I knew very well what was hidden inside that cave.
'Two runes and a bit of treasure.'
When playing the game, aside from my first few playthroughs, it was a place I hadn't even spared a second glance. From the perspective of someone following a standard growth route, runes weren't a very attractive option.
Right now, however—unable to learn magic normally and possessing infinite mana—they were my highest-priority goal.
Like Energy Bolt, they were runes engraved with low-tier spells, but acquiring two new spells would probably be a tremendous help.
After confirming that no red line had been drawn through that commission yet, I headed to the guild's reception desk.
To take on a commission managed by the Adventurers' Guild, I had to register first.
"I'd like to register as a new member of the guild."
The procedure was simple. All you had to do was pay a small registration fee, and that was it.
"That will be one gold. It is non-refundable even if you withdraw from the guild, so please decide carefully."
A businesslike tone. She only glanced me over briefly without making any other demands.
Unlike the Mercenaries' Guild, which conducted its own skill verification, joining was simple.
It was the kind of freedom that befitted the Adventurers' Guild.
Though just like with any adventurers who roamed dangerous places, any risk arising from a lack of skill was entirely on your own head.
There was nothing to hesitate over.
"Here you go."
I held out a single gold coin to the receptionist. Since I still had about ten gold left even after finishing a satisfying shopping trip at the magic shop, it wasn't much of a burden.
Besides, once I succeeded in clearing the dungeon, I was set to obtain a considerable amount of gold on top of the runes anyway.
"I'd like to join the commission to explore the cave near Parnil Forest."
"The Parnil Cave commission?"
Handing me a low-ranking adventurer tag with a practiced motion, the receptionist tilted her head.
This time, her eyes seemed to size me up a bit more properly. However, that probing gaze didn't last long.
"Hmm... Well."
She gave a nod.
Put nicely, it was lax; put bluntly, it meant the guild didn't care one bit whether I went in lacking the skill and died or not.
"Two days from now at noon. Head to the tavern 'The Running Mermaid' on Bronze Street. Detailed explanations and introductions will take place there."
A brief explanation. I already knew the details, but I listened with a suitably serious expression.
"Then I pray the Goddess's luck graces your first adventure."
A standard greeting, yet one that left a slight impression. Smiling faintly as I nodded, I took the adventurer tag and walked out of the building.
***
For two days, I was able to enjoy a full rest.
An inn room costing ten silvers a day. It was a bit pricey because it was in the city, but I was reasonably satisfied.
It couldn't compare to modern times, of course, but after living a life close to sleeping rough ever since falling into this world, it felt quite comfortable to me.
After spending a day lying comfortably on a straw-stuffed bed that rustled whenever I moved, I had a simple meal at the first-floor dining hall and stepped outside the city walls.
A small forest came into view after a short walk. Naturally, I hadn't come out here just for a stroll.
'This should be far enough.'
Walking deeper into the forest, I pulled the silver rod from inside my coat.
The artifact presumed to be Dwarven-made. The mana-powered Hand Cannon.
The reason I had walked out here was to test this weapon, which I couldn't fire recklessly inside the city.
Before entering the dungeon, I needed to know for sure just how much power my weapon packed.
The midday forest was quiet.
Taking a small breath, I gripped the silver rod tightly. Aiming the tip toward the sky, I drew up my mana.
And then—
FWOOOSH—
The patterns engraved on the rod in my grip lit up and began sucking in my mana.
An absurd amount of it, at that.
"...!"
Even though I had braced myself in advance, the sensation was surprising. It felt as if an even greater amount of mana was being absorbed than when the magic circle engraved with the mana-absorption spell had shattered back on the execution platform.
'...No wonder someone died using this without knowing what it was.'
The female adventurer I had bumped into at the shop had said some guy "croaked on the spot from mana exhaustion."
It was a consumption rate that made complete sense.
To me, however, it had no effect whatsoever.
Far from exhaustion, I didn't even feel a tingle. With a calm expression, I aimed the rod.
Soon, the tip of the fully charged rod glowed hot red and began trembling finely.
And then—
KABOOOOOM—!
With tremendous recoil, flames erupted. Hard to believe it had shot from the tip of a small rod, a fireball resembling a real cannonball tore across the air in a straight line.
Smashing the tops of the thick trees straight to pieces, the shot flew off into the sky. Blankly, I stared after the fireball that had vanished from sight after cleanly erasing everything in its path.
...Good grief.
This is way beyond "decent enough," isn't it?
Power that made Energy Bolt look like a toy. It really wasn't called a cannon for nothing.
So this is Dwarven craftsmanship, huh.
I have no idea how something like this is possible from an item that just looks like a rod with a hole bored into the front, but the performance test exceeded my expectations.
If it had any drawbacks, it was that infusing mana and heating up the patterns—that is, the reload time—took a moment, and the recoil left my arm aching a bit.
Considering that the poor adventurer who tried using this thing before me had all his mana sucked dry and collapsed on the spot, though, it was a price so trivial it made me snort.
After testing out the remaining items a few times as well—namely, the ring enchanted with a Shield spell and the dagger that generated a small electric current—I headed back toward the city.
Startled by the sudden explosion, birds were chirping as they flew across the sky above the forest.
***
The next day, I visited 'The Running Mermaid' tavern.
Creeeak. Pushing open the old wooden door and stepping inside, I spotted several people.
Despite it being noon, there weren't many customers. The Adventurers' Guild had probably reserved it specially.
"Here for the cave exploration commission?"
Someone called out to me. Scanning the group, I nodded.
Suitably worn gear and sharp eyes. Even the presence radiating from their expressions and movements.
I couldn't view levels or status windows like in the game, but every one of them seemed to be a seasoned adventurer.
"Hmm."
A man with a bushy beard looked me up and down.
"You look like a rookie. Are you really sure you want to join the cave exploration commission? Have you ever even been to Parnil Forest?"
To someone who had probably been through plenty of action, I seemed to look like a novice adventurer.
Truth be told, it was an accurate call. Going strictly by appearances, anyway.
The expressions of the others looking at me were similar.
Doubt, puzzlement, and a touch of disbelief in their eyes. Looking back at them, I answered calmly.
"Well, I know everything I need to know."
Hearing my answer slip out without the slightest hesitation, the corner of the man's mouth twitched slightly.
"...Is that so? Guess we'll find out once we get there."
He replied after a moment.
Thankfully, he didn't stubbornly insist that a rookie adventurer couldn't join.
Well, if he had come at me like that, I had planned to show off a bit of my skill anyway.
The others didn't raise any major objections either.
Granted, it probably wasn't a decision born out of kindness.
The places adventurers usually went were bound to be full of all sorts of traps and tricks.
An overconfident rookie could actually be a welcome presence. Since he would step on the traps in their place.
Meaningful glances were exchanged. Putting on a deliberately generous look, one of the adventurers pulled out the chair beside him.
"Well, you build experience by learning on the job. Welcome aboard. Come take a seat."
As if on cue, voices chimed in from here and there.
"Yeah. The dark beer here is top-notch."
"And since the guild paid for it, it's free too!"
The mood loosened up considerably. Smirking at their transparent ulterior motives, I walked over and sat down among the adventurers.
Conversations were shared over a few mugs of beer.
"Heard a territorial skirmish is going to break out near the Risen River before long."
"Oh, boy. Better stay clear of that area."
"Heard there was a small explosion in the forest out front of the city yesterday, too? Anyone know anything about that?"
Just as idle chatter was going back and forth, the door at the tavern entrance opened once more.
And someone stepped inside.
"Ah, Renia. You're finally here. Now we can get started."
Brightening, the bearded man rose from his seat. She seemed to be the last person they had been waiting for before starting the briefing.
"What's this, Paros? Still alive and kicking, huh? Heard you went missing in the Arhanen Desert last time."
"Nearly croaked. Ever since then, I don't even piss toward the south."
Easygoing banter passed between them. They seemed to know each other to some extent.
"..."
I looked at the newcomer.
It's a familiar face.
To be exact, she was the female adventurer I had seen at the shop a few days ago. So she joined this commission too, huh?
Naturally, I wasn't the only one who recognized the other.
"...!"
Spotting me sitting among the adventurers, the woman froze. Puzzlement and disbelief surfaced on her face.