Identity Revealed
A notification popped up on a very old post of mine.
The meaning was simple.
Someone had scrolled all the way back through my posts, to the very first one, just to leave that comment.
In other words, they had something to say to me.
With a bit of apprehension, I clicked on the notification and checked the old post.
Hearts was right there in front of me, so I brought up the forum as casually as possible while responding to him.
[Author: ReallyDirtPoor]
[Title: What in the world are these guys up to?]
[Content: (Photo) Holy crap lol. I’m hiding from the guards right now, and these rats are going at it right in front of me. What the hell is this…]
L: Oh god, my eyes! NSFW!
L: Why would you even post something like this?
L: This is legendary.
L: This dude is a troll, I’m blocking him.
ㄴ ReallyDirtPoor: If you block me, I’ll find your house and take a crap on your doorstep.
ㄴ: Dude, he sounds serious, I’m scared now lol.
That was the extent of the original thread.
And then, the latest comment:
L: HeroofOurTime: Are you Eugene?
My body trembled as I read that comment.
How did they know my real name?
Eugene wasn’t a common name. Unless they’d done a thorough investigation on me, there was no way they could have known.
I immediately replied.
ㄴ ReallyDirtPoor: Nope
I tried to play it cool.
Like I couldn’t care less about the topic.
As soon as I posted my nonchalant reply, another comment popped up.
ㄴ HeroofOurTime: You’re right, my bad lol
What the…
Who was this person?
They suddenly asked for my real name, and then just brushed it off with a “You’re right, my bad lol”?
I didn't get it.
I waited a while, but there were no further comments.
Lost in thought, I replied to Hearts.
“Well… usually, it’s standard to have a four-member party for expeditions in other dimensions… but we only have three.”
“That’s not a problem! We can always find another person.”
This required a bit more thought.
No matter how much more money I could make, I wasn’t sure I was ready to follow a Paladin into the jaws of death.
Of course, if we were going into that kind of danger, the payout would be significant…
I figured it was best to ask Dontas, who was currently enjoying the beer I had iced for him.
“Excuse me, Dontas.”
“Hmm? What’s up?”
“What are your thoughts on Hearts’s proposal?”
Dontas paused mid-sip and replied.
“Well, of course we should go! Dwarves love a good challenge.”
“Ah, I see.”
Maybe asking a Dwarf wasn’t the best idea.
This seemed like something I should ask the forum about.
At least there were a few sane people there.
So I wrote a post.
[Author: ReallyDirtPoor]
[Title: What do you guys think about going on a quest with a Paladin?]
[Content: A Paladin asked me to join him on a monster hunt, what do you guys think? He seems pretty skilled.]
As soon as I posted it, comments started pouring in.
People were always quick to respond, but today it felt even faster than usual.
With that thought, I checked the comments.
[Author: ReallyDirtPoor]
[Title: What do you guys think about going on a quest with a Paladin?]
[Content: A Paladin asked me to join him on a monster hunt, what do you guys think? He seems pretty skilled.]
L: Go for it, dude, you gotta go!
ㄴ: For real, how could you even consider not going?
ㄴ: Just chop your balls off if you’re too scared lol
ㄴ: Why the balls though? What did they do? lol
ㄴ: You’re a man, offered a chance to go slay monsters, and you’re hesitating? Man, I just wanna slap some sense into you.
L:Ferus: Youshould definitely go. Paladins who are experiencing the adventurer life are usually quite powerful.
ㄴFerus: If you have the opportunity, it’s better to go and improve your skills.
ㄴFerus: In fact, many Paladins in Koruntum are making significant contributions, preventing the front lines from collapsing.
ㄴ: Oh god, this old geezer adventurer is rambling on and on, I just wanna smack him.
ㄴFerus: Tell me your location. I’ll come to find you.
ㄴFerus: Why aren’t you answering?
ㄴ: He’s scared lol.
It seemed like this veteran adventurer who always hung out on the forum was giving me some advice.
I was relieved.
I was worried what would happen if he didn’t comment.
Feeling grateful, I left a reply.
ㄴ ReallyDirtPoor: Thanks for the advice, as always!
His reply came immediately.
ㄴFerus: It was nothing.
ㄴ: Yeah, it really wasn’t anything special.
ㄴ Ferus: …Tell me your location.
ㄴ: Looks like you made him angry lol.
It seemed like the other users lived for teasing this veteran adventurer.
That's how popular he was.
But I didn’t join in on the teasing.
He was giving me good information, after all.
No reason to make fun of him.
Actually, I should treat him to a meal sometime.
With that thought, I turned to Hearts, who was waiting for my answer.
“Well… there’s someone I know, would it be alright if I brought them along?”
“Hmm, sure. Are they any good? It doesn’t really matter, but the place we’re going is pretty dangerous!”
I was planning to ask Teron.
I had thought about bringing Violet, but it seemed too dangerous for a woman to go to that kind of place, so I put that idea on hold.
If Teron refused, I would have no choice but to ask Violet…
Thinking this, I said, “Let’s meet here again tomorrow. I’ll persuade them to come.”
“Alright!”
And with that, we parted ways.
Hearts didn’t seem to like alcohol *that* much.
He liked it, but not as much as Dontas, I guess.
Thinking about that, I headed towards Harang Tavern.
I had to go persuade Teron.
It didn’t seem like it would be that difficult.
Teron needed to make money, too.
And so did I.
If I was just staying at an inn in this city, it wouldn’t be a problem, but the moment I bought a house, I’d have to start paying taxes.
That included me.
So I had to make money.
I was a little regretful that I had just paid Esily the full contract amount, but what was done was done.
I had to let it go.
Creak-!
As I carefully opened the door to Harang Tavern, I saw a familiar face working as a waiter.
I greeted him warmly.
Teron recognized me as well.
It seemed like he could see right through my robe.
I took a seat at a table and called Teron over.
“Hmm, what can I get for you?” he asked.
“Ah, could you have a seat for a moment? I have something to discuss with you.”
When I told him I had something to say, Teron sat down and stared at me intently.
Of course, he couldn’t meet my eyes because of the robe I was wearing.
“What is it you want to talk about?” Teron asked, stroking his neatly combed hair.
So I got straight to the point.
“Would you be interested in joining us on a quest? It’s me, Dontas, and a Paladin.”
“…A Paladin?”
Teron’s reaction to the word “Paladin” was strange.
As if he had heard something unpleasant.
I was a little flustered.
Why was he reacting like this all of a sudden?
“…I’m not a big fan of Paladins. I had a bad experience with one a while back.”
“Ah… I see.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can join you. Maybe if it was someone with a different class, but a Paladin is really out of the question.”
“That’s alright, then I’ll just-”
“Since you’re here, why don’t you at least have a meal?”
“…Alright, then.”
Honestly, I just wanted to leave, but since I was already here, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to help out Teron’s business.
I let Teron choose the dishes, and soon our order was complete.
Soup, a loaf of bread, and beer.
Beer was as essential as water in this world.
That’s why it was always on the menu.
And then…
“Mind if I join you?”
A familiar face approached me.
A woman with a small scar on her face, but still strikingly beautiful.
It was Violet.
“Oh, what brings you here?”
“I came here with you last time, remember? The food was good, so I started coming here often. Teron’s really generous with the service.”
Teron, generous with the service?
Honestly, that wasn’t the image I had of him.
As I marveled at this new information, I decided to get straight to the point since we were all here.
But first, I had to buy her dinner.
“Can we get another order of the same? My treat this time.”
“What are you talking about? You paid last time. Let me get this one.”
“No, no, it’s alright. I want to treat you.”
“…Well, if you insist. But I’m paying next time.”
“Okay, okay.”
Seeing Violet secretly pleased made me chuckle to myself. It was time to bring up the main topic.
“Are you busy these days?”
“Hmm? No, not at all.”
“Oh… I see.”
“Why? What’s up?”
Just as we were talking, the food arrived.
It was time.
“Would you be interested in joining a party with me and two others? We have a sturdy tank and a swordsman with lightning-fast reflexes.”
It wasn’t an exaggeration.
Join our discord server for the latest release updates and novel discussions.
Rate and review this novel on NU to help people find this novel. Bonus chapters on reaching milestones.
Happy reading!