Apostle of the Void

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]

Chapter 8 - An Offer You Can't Refuse

Arzen woke up early as usual.

If he didn’t wake up early and properly prepare, he’d end up getting beaten badly.

Maybe that’s why he instinctively opened his eyes at this hour.

His body was drenched in cold sweat.

Another damn nightmare…

Placing his hand on the Void Scripture brought him some stability, calming his mind a little.

“Little guy, Kaz tu Arcturas.”

The little guy reappeared from the dimension of the void.

As Arzen finished washing up, pushing his discarded underwear into a corner, the little guy handed him a towel.

“What a lovely creature.”

Wiping his face with the towel, Arzen shook off the last remnants of sleep.

He had a lot to do today.

First, he needed to collect the payment he hadn’t received yesterday, and with that payment, he planned to buy new clothes.

“5 AM… The first floor should be getting ready to open soon. You can head back now.”

Mornings for steel-ranked adventurers start early.

In fact, there’s no such thing as a leisurely breakfast.

Daily life begins at dawn.

Breakfast? What a ridiculous notion!

Among the requests available to those like him, there are very few high-quality ones.

But there are plenty of people willing to take them on, resulting in fierce competition.

Of course, capable adventurers can show up later in the day and still secure good quests, due to less competition and sometimes receiving direct requests thanks to their skills.

“Sir, please line up properly. This is all one line.”

“Oh, I never imagined that would all be a single line. But why is that girl staring so wide-eyed? She might just not know.”

“I’ve seen your ugly face here more times than I can count! How would I not know? Back off already!”

Even young women have to toughen up like that to survive in the cutthroat world of adventurers.

Anyway, lining up early in the morning, even before the guild opens, is a routine for steel-ranked losers.

This is professionally termed an “open run.”

It sounds fancy, but it just means standing outside in the cold dawn, shivering while waiting in line.

“Please take a few steps back. We’re about to open.”

The guild usually opens at 6 AM.

Because of useless steel-ranked adventurers, guild members arrive by 4 AM.

They need time to assess the requests that came in the previous day, determine their ranks and costs, and print them before pinning them to the corkboard.

“Waaaaah! Requests are here!”

“Move!”

“Stand in line properly, you lowlifes!”

“Don’t push!”

In the world of adventurers, the most important skills for survival are vision and reaction speed.

Fighting strong enemies?

That was only true for a select few adventurers.

For those like him, surviving in this crazy marketplace required a different set of skills.

As soon as the building opened, the adventurers surged toward the corkboard, with no regard for ethics or decorum.

In the case of decent requests, the first person to tear off the request form claimed it as their own.

One might wonder why they didn’t just tear off several forms, but doing so would incur printing fees for the torn papers and accumulate warnings against them.

If they fell out of favor with the guild members, no matter how quickly they grabbed a request form, they wouldn’t receive help in processing it, so caution was necessary.

What a crazy scene…

Although he was in a slave-like position, Arzen had once been a part of the upper echelon of the adventurer community.

It was a truly mad spectacle.

I need to escape this dump. I have to rank up to brass level.

Fortunately, there weren’t any urgent requests today.

But he feared that once his food funds ran out, he might end up in the same dire situation.

“I’m here to collect my payment.”

He headed toward the counter where the receptionist he had been intentionally charming was stationed.

“Yes, please present your identification tag.”

Seeing her smile as soon as she laid eyes on him made Arzen realize how perfectly his charm campaign was working, filling him with satisfaction.

Human relationships are so easy.

After finishing her paperwork quickly, the receptionist handed him a pouch filled with coins.

“This is the amount after deducting tithes and branch fees!”

“Wow.”

“You’ve only been an adventurer for a short time, yet you’ve already solved requests of this caliber. That’s truly impressive! I have high hopes for your future.”

The receptionist even clapped cheerfully.

Feigning shyness, Arzen pretended not to meet her gaze.

“Ah, um, no! It’s, well, thanks to my seniors who accompanied me…!”

Those seniors could take a hike.

The lower ranks of the adventurer society offered little to no real help.

This is all thanks to Arzen’s abilities!

But as they say, a frog must bend low to leap high.

This virtue of humility was merely a means to gain momentum.

“Well, I’ll be off then!”

As Arzen bowed his head repeatedly and stepped outside, another guild employee approached the counter.

“That newbie is really hard-working.”

“Yeah, and kind of cute.”

“Stop being nice just because he’s cute. What a shallow mindset.”

“Oh please~ Someone like him is so rare in the adventurer community. Don’t be ridiculous!”

Once Arzen stepped outside the guild, his humble, awkward expression vanished, replaced by a wicked smile.

He couldn’t help but feel a thrill as he rummaged through his pouch.

Hehe, with this money, I can buy some really nice fabric…

For an adventurer, good fabric didn’t mean silk or anything fancy.

Wearing something like that would just get torn to shreds in no time!

First of all, clothes made from monster byproducts were known for their durability.

Higher-level adventurers used enhancements and enchantments, but that was the realm of golden and top-tier silver-ranked adventurers.

It’s frustrating that I don’t have that kind of money yet.

Still, the thought of buying new clothes already filled him with excitement.

The shops near the adventurer guild opened early.

It was common for adventurers to receive requests and buy equipment in the morning.

The morning was the peak time for shopping.

“Come on, when facing dangerous foes, you need good armor! Check out our selection!”

Arzen entered a clothing store he had been eyeing through the display window for some time.

Since it was in the adventurer guild district, naturally, everything on sale was made from monster byproducts.

“Hey, show me the clothes for healers. Just the leather ones.”

The shop owner nodded eagerly, and while guiding Arzen to the other side of the counter, he licked his lips in anticipation.

“Lucky me, a mark has come early in the morning! There’s nothing easier to con than clueless kids jumping into the adventurer market.”

It wouldn’t be hard to sell them at several times the usual price just by chatting casually.

“Here, check this out. What do you think? This is made from….”

“What’s the percentage of the lizard leather content?”

The shopkeeper flinched.

This kid… had he actually studied a bit?

There was no way to fool a pro with that level of knowledge.

“24%, but it also uses a high-quality synthetic fiber…”

“Bullshit. Where’s the synthetic fiber that’s better than monster leather? When was that developed? Should I ask the guild about this? You trying to piss me off this early?”

“N-no, I mean, it’s more cost-effective with the synthetic fiber! I misspoke! Look, this one might look a bit shabby, but it’s made from goblin leather…”

“Goblin leather is the crappiest kind of leather from low-level monsters, isn’t it? Plus, it doesn’t even have any fur, so it’s classified as skin, not leather. If you lie to me again, we’re going to the guild together. Got it?”

But he was up against Arzen!

Having rolled through the hellish <Divine Guillotine> guild, he was no rookie.

He might not have worn many good clothes himself, but most adventurers in the <Divine Guillotine> had high-quality gear.

He’d picked up tales of what to buy, what was good, and what was bad over the years.

So, his knowledge was at least on par with silver-ranked adventurers.

“...This is made from the skin of the vine monster Akahalu. It has an 89% skin content! You won’t find this at this price anywhere else.”

Hmm… this is pretty nice.

The dark green color of Akahalu matched well with the hues of the void creatures.

I’ve been considering what kind of color would suit the boss of the void creatures, and this design isn’t half bad.

The thickness was impressive, and it fell just above the knees.

Plus, the collar that buttoned up would provide excellent protection, reaching up to his chin.

It was both practical and stylish.

“Oh, by the way, it’s second-hand. Just finished the refurbishing today.”

“Seriously? Why would I wear something that smells like someone else’s sweat? And if you look closely, the attacked areas are all tattered!”

“Hey, there are second-hand clothes that look cooler. This one especially has character with its battle scars. And I swear I got rid of all the sweat smells.”

“How long have you worn it?”

“About four years? I’ll let it go for one silver coin.”

Arzen felt a twinge of realization.

If it were new, it would cost at least five or six silver coins.

To be honest, as a support class, he rarely took hits directly, so was there really a need for perfect protection from brand-new gear?

What matters is the appearance! This is what they call ‘close poor’!

In the cutthroat adventurer world, looking the part could often fool others into thinking you were a pro.

“Hmm, so the esteemed shopkeeper who said synthetic fiber is better than monster leather and called goblin skin leather is selling this for one silver coin? I see. I’ll just stop by the guild for a bit.”

“Wait a second! Haha, this guy has some guts! Actually, this is a special opening sale today for eighty coins. A steal, really!”

“Ah… this ‘opening sale’ is melting the frozen heart of the super rookie Arzen!”

Arzen extended his hand for a handshake.

The shopkeeper gritted his teeth but managed a hearty laugh as they clasped hands.

“Listen, I’m a nice guy, so let’s call it even. If you don’t want to face worse, you should do honest business.”

The <Divine Guillotine> was truly made up of masters of intimidation.

It’s easier for Arzen, who grew up under those thugs, to squeeze a merchant than twist a kid’s wrist!

Of course, those bastards would threaten even the innocent traders to drive down prices.

Arzen was comparatively mild in this respect.

Alright, I’ve got the clothes sorted… but wait, I spent all my money here?

At this rate, he wouldn’t even have enough for a meal.

Oh no… I guess I’ll have to go looking for another cat.

Feeling dejected at the thought of returning to the seedy underbelly of adventurer society, he sighed.

“Hey!”

At that moment, someone waved at him.

Noticing the cigarette in their hand, Arzen quickly deduced they hadn’t received proper upbringing.

“I told you we’d meet again, didn’t I?”

No way, it’s him…?

Samson, the manager from the city’s sewage management department!

That cocky brat who looked me up and down yesterday? This is perfect.

He decided he’d make him squirm just a little.

“Have you eaten? You don’t look like you have. Come on, I’ll treat you.”

Anyone thinking they’d get a free meal was in for a surprise.

“Of course, Manager! With a fine person like you handling the duties of <Karshiko>, the future is looking bright!”

As the master of flattery, Arzen immediately turned on the charm.

---

Samson led him to a restaurant that was probably known only to locals.

Most of the patrons were familiar faces rather than outsiders.

The aroma of eggs and sausages sizzling in olive oil was simply divine.

“Didn’t know about this place, did you? Tourists and outsiders wouldn’t know. The locals don’t share their secrets. If too many people flock here, we’d have to wait in line.”

“Very wise of you!”

“It’s cheap, generous portions, and they use quality ingredients. Plus, the service is great. With a civil servant’s meager salary, I have to eat here to save up for living expenses.”

Just as Samson stubbed out his cigarette, their order arrived.

Bread and eggs fried in bacon grease, with sausages and bacon!

Anyone who could make that combination taste bad deserved to lose a hand.

“It can’t help but be delicious.”

“Why are you acting all shy? Eat up. You’re the one who swore at me on our first meeting.”

“I was controlled by a slime’s brainwaves, so…”

“Hahaha! I was looking for someone like you, whose mouth opens and lies come pouring out. This is perfect!”

Arzen lifted a sausage still steaming with heat.

Yes, this is paradise. This is the taste of life.

The olive oil and juices burst in his mouth, delivering a taste sensation beyond compare.

His favorite food as a child had always been olive pasta.

How could it not be good?

“Is it delicious?”

“Absolutely.”

“No matter how good it is, everyone craves something extravagant sometimes.”

“Indeed.”

“Why should only the wealthy, like market traders or witches, get to enjoy caviar? We should get to indulge a bit when we feel like it too.”

“Your words are completely justified.”

“You and I get along well. So, how about it? Do you want to consider a short-term contract with the city hall this summer? I’ll take care of all the paperwork.”

Having been through the <Divine Guillotine> for years, the term felt foreign to Arzen.

“A short-term contract?”

He paused, breaking the runny yolk of his egg as he looked up.

“What do you mean by ‘short-term contract’?”

Samson stuck a new cigarette in his mouth and smirked slyly.

“Actually, I saw everything. Well, not everything, but… I definitely noticed your strength yesterday.”

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]